

53. PRAVODHANANDA:

        He was a brahmana sannyasi from Sriranga.  In his past incarnation he was Tungavidya (GGD. 163).

        Pravodhananda used the expression "Gaura nagaravaro" in sloka no. 132 of Sri Caitanya Candramrta.  According to B.B. Majumdar, because of Pravodhananda's support of Nagaribhava, neither Vrndavanadasa or Krsnadasa Kaviraja have mentioned his n
ame.

        In Visnupriya Patrika, 407 Caitanyavda (1894 AD.), Sisirkumar Ghosh writes that Pravodhananda gave shelter to Hita Harivamsa even though Harivamsa's guru, Gopala Bhatta, had rejected him due to the offense of eating betel-leaf.  In the invoca
tion of Haribhaktivilasa Gopala Bhatta offers his obeisances to Pravodhananda.  However, B.B. Majumdar argues that this Pravodhananda is a different person from Prakasananda.

        The following is some additional information supplied by Haridasa dasa, PP. 1,289-1,290:  Bhaktiratnakara (1.83-84) states that Pravodhananda was the paternal uncle of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and a worshipper of the Deities of Laksminarayana.
However, by the mercy of Lord Caitanya, he became absorbed in Radha Krsna rasa.  The following are the books written by Pravodhananda:

1.      Vrndavana-Mahimamrta
2.      Sri Radharasasudhanidhi
3.      Sri Caitanya Candramrta
4.      Sangitamadhava
5.      Ascaryarasapravandha

        Growse, in his book Mathura, refers to the above second title as a work by Harivamsa.  There are two manuscripts of this Radharasasudhanidhi available in the Govindaji collection, Jaipur.  Of these two mss. one contains two additional slokas,
 one at the beginning and one at the end, which relate to Lord Caitanya.  The other mss. contains the name of Harivamsa.  Considering the language and theme of these five works, Haridasa dasa concludes that all these five titles were written by Pravo
dhananda.  (See Hindi Bhaktamala PP. 876).

        Some scholars argue that it was Prakasananda, whose Vaisnava name was Pravodhananda, who wrote the above-stated five titles.  From these books, and the concluding sloka of Sudhanidhi, it is clear that the author was formerly a Mayavadi sannya
si from the frequent references to terms such as "maha", "Brahman," "Jyotih," etc. This assumption is further borne out by the introductory sloka of Sri Caitanya Candramrta of Anandi dated 1640 Saka (1718 AD.).

54.     PREMADASA:

        He was a "virakta" (renunciate) disciple of Jiva Gosvami. After the death of Jiva Gosvami, Premadasa installed Deities of Radha Damodara beneath the shade of a banyan tree at Puri near the well of Puri Gosvami.  Since Premadasa hailed from no
rthwest India and was a total renunciate, the people of Puri addressed him as "Naga" (naked).  Thus the monastery built by him with the Deities of Radha Damodara is known as "Nagamatha."

55.     PREMADASA:

        He was a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya and his brother was Rasika dasa.  (Karnananda 1)

56.     PREMADASA SIDDHANTAVAGIS:

        Born in Kulia in a Kasyapa clan, his real name was Purusottama Misra.  His father was Gangadasa Misra.  He had four brothers; two died young, and the other two were Govindarama and Radhacarana.  Premadasa's grandfather, Mukundananda, was a co
ntemporary of Lord Caitanya.

        At the age of sixteen Premadasa renounced home and traveled extensively visiting several holy places. Eventually he arrived at Vrndavana, where he accepted the service of a priest in the Govindaji Mandira.  Some say that Premadasa was placed
in charge of preparing the food for the Deity, a service which in those days was only given to one who was extremely clean.

        Premadasa was a Sanskrit scholar.  In 1634 (AD?) he translated Kavi Karnapura's Sri Caitanyacandrodaya Nataka into Bengali verse and wrote a book titled Vamsisika.  According to some scholars, Premadasa and Premananda dasa were one and the sa
me person.  Thus many believe that it was this Premadasa who wrote the famous book Manahsiksa.

        Eventually Premadasa's elder brother brought him back from Vrndavana.  However, after receiving a divine command in a dream, Premadasa continued to write about the pastimes of Lord Gauranga.  In Vamsisiksa Premadasa wrote in verse an account
of Sripat Baghnapara.

57.     PREMANANDA:

        He was one of the brothers of Lord Nityananda. (Premavilasa 24)

58.     PREMANANDA BHARATI:

        In 1779 Saka, Surendranatha Mukhapadhya was born in Calcutta.  After accepting sannyasa in 1824 AD. he was known as Premananda Bharati.  He visited Europe and America to preach the doctrine of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.  He initiated 5,000 men and
women in America into the Vaisnava religion. "The Society of Krsna Consciousness", was established by him in New York.  He was the first to install the Deity of Sri Radha Govinda in the western countries.  In 1909 he, along with four of his American
disciples, came back to Calcutta to preach.  His disciple, Krsna Gopala Duggul of Punjab, published the 6,000 page book Sri Nimaicand in Urdu. Premananda Bharati died in 1914 AD.

59.     PREMANANDA GOSVAMIPADA:

        Premananda was the second of the three sons born to Sri Purnananda Gosvami of Sringaravata by the blessings of Siddha Vaisnava dasa babaji of Kosi.  Sri Premananda took initiation from his eldest brother, Sri Nrsimhananda prabhu.  However, Nr
simhananda prabhu died shortly after his marriage leaving two daughters behind.  Thus Sri Premananda became the patriarch of the family.  Having inherited substantial wealth, property, status and power at such an early age went to his head and Preman
anda became a little wayward and wanton.  He recklessly spent the family wealth, almost becoming bankrupt. Then a Mahatma Vaisnava from the temple of Sri Madanamohana took him aside privately and affectionately said, "Prabhu, how long will you carry
on like this?  You are the descendant of Sri Nitaicand and have been sent into this world to benefit mankind.  When will you fulfill that mission?"

        Premananda was genuinely ashamed of his conduct and immediately changed his ways.  Just prior to this he had lost his two year old daughter.  After receiving the mercy of Sri Babaji, he stopped sleeping in the inner bedroom and stayed only in
 the outer room.  He also dressed in a simply loin cloth like an ordinary inhabitant of Vraja.  In the winter he used a very ordinary blanket and in the summer, if he had any business outside, he would wear a coarse chaddar on his body. No outsider o
r newcomer would ever have guessed that he was the patriarch of the family.  If asked by anyone, he introduced himself as a servant and disciple of Srngaravata. He always offered his obeisances to everyone.  If any distinguished person came to inquir
e from him, he directed them to Sri Brahmananda Gosvami.  He regarded his elder brother's wife as the wife of his guru and addressed her as "Bada ma" (senior mother).  The cash box was kept in her room and whenever it was necessary to open it, he too
k off his loin cloth, placed it on the floor and kneeling on it, moved across the floor on his knees.  He was so obedient to the wife of his guru that even when drinking water, if asked by her to stop, he would immediately do so.  He accepted his foo
d on an ordinary leaf plate and drank water from an earthen cup.  None of his disciples were allowed to either eat his remnants or bow to him.

        His favorite disciple, Madhava dasa babaji, once said sorrowfully,  "All other disciples get the opportunity to eat the remnants of their guru or drink the water which has washed his feet, but our gurudeva never allows us to even have a bit o
f dust from his feet."  At that time Premananda was taking his evening walk nearby and overheard the remark.  He replied, "Madhava dasa!  I am no scholar, I cannot even read or write. But I have had the opportunity to memorize a sloka from the Srimad
 Bhagavatam:  `Offer your obeisances to all, even the animals, candalas and poisonous snakes.'  Tell me whether you are outside of these categories?"

        Premananda Gosvami was the embodiment of humility and his love for the Vaisnavas was boundless.  Whenever he heard that any Vaisnava was ill, he immediately rushed to him, bringing everything required to treat him and offered financial help.
Whenever a Vaisnava left his body, Premananda performed his last rites.  If any gathering of Vaisnavas took place he sent a disciple to find out how many devotees were there and then sent cooked food for them, always keeping his identity hidden. Some
times when a disciple wanted to spend money to serve the Vaisnavas, he would invite some devotees to Srngaravata and fed them sumptuously.  He had many disciples in Vraja from both the brahmana and mercantile class.  In accordance with the special st
atus of the temple he never allowed any Vrajavasi brahmana to enter inside the temple and he himself never took cooked rice from them as prasada.  But among the Bihari sadhus it was the custom to take any bread offered by a Vaisnava women.  Thus if a
ny Vaisnava women were desirous of feeding him, he would accept breads offered by them as prasada.

        Although he dressed like a poor man, he took good care of the Zamindary and strictly maintained law and order within its boundary.  He was such an efficient administrator that none dared to disregard him.  Once he was requested to appear in c
ourt, but did not show up.  By the grace of Nitaicand, the government could not find him and the case was dismissed by the court.

        He had great affection for his disciples, both male and female, and also for their families.  Because of his congenial character he had quite a large number of disciples all over India, in places such as Bihar, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab,
North-western India, Sindh and even Kabul in Afghanisthan. Thus his spiritual influence spread far and wide.

        Seeing Premananda bestowing his mercy upon a devotee from Maldaha, another devotee from there took shelter at his feet. Premananda gave him the vesa-asraya and allowed him to take the garment of a Vaisnava sannyasi, naming him Sri Madhava das
a.  Finding him to be very intelligent and devotional, Premananda turned over considerable responsibilities to him. After some time Madhava realized that the mantra which he had received from his diksa guru in his native village was not quite right.
 Taking the advice of the devotees, Madhava brought this to the attention of Premananda and begged to take diksa for a second time.  However, Premananda did not immediately accept the idea, which made Madhava a little worried.  Premananda fully under
stood Madhava's mind, thus one year he put him fully in charge of the various duties required to arrange for the fesitval of Sri Nityananda Prabhu and was very satisfied by his efficiency.  When Madhava was returning to his cottage at the end of the
ceremony, he called him savying, "Many flowers are strewn on the courtyard of the temple, go and pick up one."  Madhava did so and Premananda said, "I am going to give you mantra diksa."  After initiating him he said, "Now go around me and bow down t
o me."  Madhava did as requested.  In this same way many disciples of Premananda were initiated.

        Premananda observed the yearly ceremony in honor of his guru magnificently and meticuluosly, setting the example of how to properly execute this service.  Though Premananda was an ideal example of humility, he was also very particular about p
reserving the respect due to others.  Once a maid servant of the family came to take some prasada for Premananda's young nephew, Sri Sadananda prabhu.  Sri Madhava dasa brought some prasada and standing on the upper verandah, handed it over to the ma
id servant, who was standing below him on the courtyard.  When the maid servant went away Premananda called Madhava dasa and asked, "What have you given and to whom?"  Madhava dasa became nervous and said, "I gave the kind of prasada you told me to g
ive for Srila Dada prabhu." Premananda replied, "If you want to give prasada to anyone, is it proper to give it standing on a high place?  Prasada should be given to others while standing on the same level or lower. Moreover you were giving prasada t
o your guru's brother.  If you transgress the laws of etiquette your devotion will cease to exist."

        Premananda was not extravagant, but at the proper time and place he donated money generously.  Yet he was against unnecessary wastage of funds.  One evening he asked his disciple Madhava dasa to go and prepare some cold drink. When it was pre
pared he drank it.  The next morning when Madhva came to offer his obeisances, he said, "Well, my son, bowing is enough for me. There is no need for you to render any other service.  Your service means wasting your guru's wealth, yesterday you left t
hree peppers on the floor."  Yet a day before this he had said, "Now there is one hundred thousand rupees in the store of Sri Nitaicand."

        He departed in 1896 AD. on the third day of the full moon.  Among his disciples the famous kirtan singer Sri Navadvipa Vrajvasi is still alive.

60.     PREMI KRSNADASA:

        He was a disciple of Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami. (Namamrtasamudra 160, See `Krsnadasa Premi')

61.     PRIYADASAJI:

        He was the disciple of Kaviraja Manohara dasa and wrote the commentary on Bhaktamala titled, Bhaktirasavodhini. Around 1635 Saka he wrote the books titled, Ananyamodini, Cahaveli, Rasikamohini, Bhaktasumirani.

62.     PUNDARIKAKSHA:

        A resident devotee of Vrndavana.  (CC. 2.18.52)

63.     PUNDARIKA VIDYANIDHI:

        Sri Gaurasundara called the respectable Pundarika as father.  He was also known as Premanidhi or Acaryanidhi.  Sri Kavi Karnapura referred to him as King Vrsabhanu (GGD). Pundarika was the disciple Madhavendra Puri.  His father's name was Van
esvara (Suklamvara brahmacari) and his mother's name was Gangadevi.  Suklamvara belonged to the Varendra sect of brahmanas. Ratnavali was the name of Pundarika's wife. Gadadhara Pandita Gosvami accepted Pundarika as his spiritual master. His Sripata
was in Mekhala village which is situated under Hat-hazari police station a few miles north of Chittagong city.  The temple of Sri Vidyanidhi is now in a dilapidated condition. (CC. 1.10.14, Premavilasa 22, CBh. 10.52, 67-187)

             Now hear the story of Vidyanidhi Prabhu's arrival in Navadvipa.  Pundarika was a very dear associate of Sri Krsna. By the Lord's arrangement he appeared in the village of Cattagrama in East Bengal, and purified that land.  The Lord Himse
lf  appeared in Navadvipa and when He could not find Pundarika  Vidyanidhi there He sighed heavily, feeling separation  from him.
     One day after ecstatic dancing the Lord sat down and exclaimed,"O My father Pundarika," and began to cry.  "O Pundarika, O My father when will I be able to see You again."  Such was the extent of the Lord's affection for Pundarika Vidyanidhi.  I
n this way Lord Gauracandra revealed His intimate  associates by performing such wonderful pastimes.

     All the devotees surrounding the Lord were unable to comprehend the import of the name He continued to repeat and the reason for the tears which flowed from His eyes.  They conjectured that Pundarika naturally implied Krsna, and Vidyanidhi could
 have many different explanations, but no one could understand that this person was a very confidential associate of the Lord. When the Lord finally came out of trance the devotees asked Him, "For  which associate of Yours are You weeping my Lord?  P
lease reveal to us who  he is, when he was born and  what he  does, tell us Lord so that we may have the good fortune to know him."

     The Lord replied, "You are certainly fortunate because you  desire to hear about him.  His activities and character are most  wonderful, the whole world can be purified simply by hearing his  name.  His ecstatic appearance is almost like an ordi
nary man, therefore no one can recognize Him as a pure devotee of the Lord.  This  highly learned scholar brahmana was born in Cakragrama, He strictly executed the prescribed religious principles and was respected by  everyone, He always floats in th
e ocean of nectar of love of  Krsna, and his body constantly displays various ecstatic symptoms such as crying, horripilation, etc.  He never went  for ablutions to the Ganga to cleanse himself of his sins like  everyone else, nor did he enter her wa
ters, he also avoided touching  her with his feet. However he came to see and pay his  respects to her everyday in the evening when the teeming crowds  had all gone.  He could not bear to see Mother Ganga disrespected and utilized by people who spat
into her, cleaned their mouth with her waters, and washed their hair and dirty clothes in her, thus he preferred to come to her in the evenings when there was no one around.

     "Another wonderful characteristic of Pundarika Vidyanidhi is that he always drank Ganga water before worshipping the Lord,  then he performed all his daily prescribed religious duties.  This was meant to give a lesson to all the puffed up schola
rs about the greatness of Mother Ganga.

     "He is  presently in Cakragrama, but he is soon coming to Navadvipa where he also has a house.  None of you will be able to recognize him, as on first sight one would be inclined to think he was an ordinary  materialistic person.  I am very anxi
ous to see him, so all of you must endeavor and pray to bring him here very  quickly."

     Talking about Pundarika Vidyanidhi threw the Lord into an ecstatic trance and He began to weep saying, "O My father Pundarika."  The Lord lamented loudly, for only He could understand the extent of the greatness of such a pure Vaisnava, and thro
ugh His mercy only can that wonderful and unique position of a pure devotee be revealed.

     When the Supreme Personality of Godhead  Himself attracts a living entity there is no way that one cannot respond, thus Pundarika Vidyanidhi suddenly desired to go to Navadvipa.  He made arrangements and  came to Navadvipa with many disciples. I
n Navadvipa he remained incognito and all the  ordinary men considered him to be a lavish materialist, attached to a life of comfort and self enjoyment.

     With the exception of Mukunda, no one amongst the Vaisnava's knew about Pundarika Vidyanidhi's arrival in Navadvipa.  Sri Mukunda was a ayurvedic, brahmana doctor who was born in Caktagrama, thus he knew about the wonderful Vaisnava qualities of
 Pundarika Vidyanidhi.  When Mukunda found out that he was in Navadvipa, he was so overwhelmed that it was difficult for him to control himself.  However, Mukunda did not reveal Pundarika Vidyanidhi's identity to  anyone thus Pundarika remained a  ma
terialistic self enjoyer, in the eyes of the ordinary folks.  Only Mukunda and his brother Vasudeva Dutta knew about the intensity of Pundarika's love for God.

     Gadadhara Pandita and Mukunda were very dear friends and always kept in each other's company.  Mukunda thus told Gadadhara Pandita, "Listen carefully Gadadhara, a very great devotee has come to  Navadvipa. You have been hankering for the associa
tion of pure vaisnava's and today your desire will be fulfilled.  I will take you to see a wonderful Vaisnava devotee, in return for this I simply want you to think of me as your dear servant."

     The excited and happy Gadadhara Pandita called out the name of Krsna as they proceeded towards the great Vaisnava's residence.  Arriving there they found Pundarika Vidyanidhi sitting comfortably.  Gadadhara offered his obeisances and was respect
fully seated.

     Vidyanidhi inquired from Mukunda, "What is his name and which village does he  come from?  I can see that his body is effulgent due to rendering  devotional service to the Supreme Lord Visnu, both his form and  demeanor are extremely wonderful."

     "His name is Sri Gadadhara", Mukunda replied, "He is very fortunate because from early childhood he has been totally detached from family life.  His external, material identity is that he is the son of the brahmana Sri Madhva Misra. Because he i
s totally absorbed in devotional service he only associates with Vaisnava's, and he is extremely dear to all the devotees.  When he heard about you he was anxious to meet you."

     After hearing the wonderful qualities of Gadadhara Pandita, Vidyanidhi was very pleased to meet him. That great personality, Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi, sat like a prince. His beautiful bed  was made of metal, covered with intricate brass inlay wo
rk, from it extended an attached brass lamp stand with three bright lights hanging down.  He was seated on a soft mattress covered with clean expensive sheets and silk pillows were placed under his back. On either side of him many small and large wat
er pots sat within his reach, as well as a nice shining brass plate with betel pan neatly prepared on it.  Two large ornate mirrors hung on either side of him which he continually glanced into while smiling with lips reddened from chewing pan.  He wo
re a sandalwood paste tilaka mark on his forehead and his face was decorated with dots made from a mixture of sandalwood and perfume.  As for his hair, it was well groomed and shining  with delicately perfumed hair oil. Two persons stood behind him f
anning him gently with long peacock feathers and in front of him was a nicely prepared hammock.  Because he followed a life of pure devotional service, he looked as  charming as Cupid himself.  Those who did not know him would consider him to be a pr
ince as everything about him and around him gave the impression that he was a man of easy and comfortable life given to pleasure.

     When Gadadhara Pandita saw these luxurious items and a general  atmosphere of materialistic life he became suspicious.  Since Gadadhara was a fully renounced soul from his early childhood, naturally some doubts regarding the character of Pundari
ka  Vidyanidhi entered his heart.  He thought, "What sort of a Vaisnava is he, surrounded by so much finery and lavish living? Hearing about his devotional mood I developed great respect for this  person, but now on seeing him it is slowly giving way
 to doubt and suspicion."

     Mukunda understood the mind and heart of Gadadhara Pandita, thus he took it upon himself to reveal the true nature of  Pundarika Vidyanidhi.  By the special mercy of Lord Krsna, Gadadhara  Pandita was allowed to perceive everything, nothing rema
ined unknown to him.

     In a very sweet voice Mukunda began to sing a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam describing the glories of devotional service: "Alas how shall I take shelter of one more merciful than  He who granted the position of a mother to the she demon Putan
a?  Putana was unfaithful and always hankering for the blood of human children. With that desire in mind she prepared deadly poison to be sucked from her breasts and came to kill Krsna, but because she offered her breasts to the Lord she attained the
  greatest achievement."

     As soon as these words concerning devotional service entered his ears, Pundarika Vidyanidhi began to weep, tears of ecstatic love filled his eyes, rolling down his face profusely like streams of the Ganga.  Simultaneously all the  symptoms of ec
stasy manifested on his person.  He wept, trembled, rolled, roared and finally fell into an unconscious state of ecstasy.  Then suddenly regaining consciousness he said in a loud voice,  "Speak, speak," and again fell down to the ground.  Agitated wi
th spiritual emotions he kicked everything that was near him and all the luxurious paraphernalia went crashing to the ground.  The shining brass pots of water, the container of betel pan, pillows, bed sheets, everything became a confused mass.  He be
gan tearing his fine clothes, and his well groomed hair went haywire as he wept and rolled in the dust.  He cried out, "O Krsna, My Lord, My soul, My very life, You have made me hard- hearted like a stone."  He lamented loudly, piteously crying out,
"I have been deprived of the Lord's association in His most merciful incarnation."  He rolled around and crashed down to the ground. Everyone was afraid he might break his bones.  He to trembled so violently that three persons could not hold him down
.  He kicked everything that was in his way, as his disciples stood by helplessly, unable to control him.  In this  way the storm of ecstatic love continued until it finally abated and he fell into an unconscious state of bliss.  He lay down without
breathing, totally submerged in an ocean of spiritual ecstasy.

     Amazed at what he witnessed Gadadhara Pandita began to worry thinking, "What inauspiciousness overcame me to make me think in such an offensive manner about this great personality."  He embraced Mukunda, being extremely pleased with him.  Drench
ing him with tears of love he said, "Mukunda you have acted like a true friend, you have shown me a pure and unalloyed devotee of the Lord.  It would be difficult to find another pure Vaisnava like him anywhere in this entire creation.  One can becom
e totally purified simply by observing his devotional attitude. Today, because you are right next to me I have been able to  avoid a great catastrophe. When I saw all the luxurious paraphernalia surrounding Pundarika Vidyanidhi I was convinced that h
e was a materialistic Vaisnava given to the pleasures of life.  You could  read my mind and being a great magnanimous soul you revealed to me the unlimited extent of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's love of for God, yet today I have been offensive and the exte
nt of my offense can only be mitigated by your mercy. You must be merciful to me and purify my heart.  All these devotees who have taken to the process of surrender through devotional service to the Lord have all accepted the shelter of a guide under
 whose instructions they act.  Yet I do  not have such an instructor, so I have decided to take shelter of  Pundarika Vidyanidhi and execute devotional service under his guidance.  I know that I can counteract all my offenses to him by becoming his d
isciple."  Thus Gadadhara Pandita revealed to Mukunda his desire to become a disciple of Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Mukunda was extremely pleased with the decision and  patted him on the back saying, "very good, very good."

     Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi was in a state of ecstatic coma for six  hours, gradually he returned to his normal state and sat down quietly. It was impossible for Gadadhara Pandita to control the tears of joy which rolled profusely down his face. we
tting his entire body.  When Sri Vidyanidhi saw this he embraced Gadadhara  Pandita, holding him to his heart. Overwhelmed by Pundarika Vidyanidhi's ecstatic devotion, Gadadhara was unable to sleep.(?)

     Mukunda spoke up, revealing Gadadhara Pandita's mind, "Doubt arose in Gadadhara's mind when he first saw your extravagant appearance and surroundings, but now he is repentant and wants to accept initiation from you.  He is a renounced devotee of
 the Lord. Although he is young he is mature in spiritual realization,  and comes from the very good family of Madhva Misra.  From early childhood he has always been very attached to the Supreme Lord. I think it is a wonderful good match  an extremel
y elevated spiritual master like Pundarika Vidyanidhi having an equally able disciple like Gadadhara  Pandita.  Please consider these points and choose an auspicious day to initiate him with your diksa mantra."

     Pundarika  Vidyanidhi smiled and said, "Be assured that I will do as you say, for by the Lord's mercy I have had the great fortune to meet a person who is like a precious gem. The result of many lifetimes of pious activities is that one may find
 a disciple such as him.  The forthcoming twelfth day of the waxing moon is very auspicious, come here to meet me and your plan will become  successful."  Overjoyed, Gadadhara Pandita offered his  obeisances and took leave of Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

     Mukunda and Gadadhara went straight to meet Lord Gauracandra, who happily received the news of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's arrival.

     During the night, without being seen by anyone, Pundarika left all his associates behind and came to the place of Lord Gauracandra.  As soon as he saw the Lord he fell down like a rod, offering his obeisances. Overwhelmed with ecstatic trance he
 lay on the ground experiencing waves of joy.  Shortly afterwards he regained external consciousness and roared loudly, then despising(?) himself he began to weep saying, "O my dear Krsna, You are my Lord and father. I am a great offender, please pun
ish this wretch.  O Lord You have liberated everyone in the world, only I have been deprived  of such goof fortune."

     Hearing his lamentation all the assembled Vaisnavas, who knew Pundarika Vidyanidhi to be a great and elevated Vaisnava, felt pained and began to cry.

     The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya, is especially inclined to His pure devotees, therefore upon seeing His beloved devotee, He got up and embraced him. Crying the Lord said, "O My father Pundarika, finally I am able to see you  to
day."  The Vaisnavas were overjoyed to have the association of such an elevated devotee as Pundarika Vidyanidhi and their eyes filled with tears.  So wonderful was this scene that no pen could possibly describe it.

     Lord  Gaurasundara held Pundarika Vidyanidhi in a loving embrace, wetting him with His tears. Understanding how dear Pundarika was to the Lord, the devotees immediately felt affection, respect and a sense of closeness with him.  The Lord continu
ed to hold Pundarika Vidyanidhi closely as if He wanted to merge His body into his.  For sometime the Lord was unable to move. Remaining like a statue He held Vidyanidhi in His close embrace.  When the Lord came out of trance He began to chant the na
me of Hari, and said, "Today Lord Krsna has been very merciful to me, He has fulfilled all My desires.  I have met a person of My heart's desire."

     Pundarika Vidyanidhi greeted all the Vaisnavas fondly and they began to chant the holy name together. The Lord then introduced Pundarika saying, "His  name is Pundarika Vidyanidhi, the Lord has specially created him to distribute love of Godhead
."

     Hearing this the devotees happily responded by lifting their arms and chanting "Hari, Hari."  The Lord said, "Today is a special day, a wonderful thing has happened, I woke up from sleep  and my eyes beheld the ocean of love of Godhead directly
in  person."

     All this went on while Pundarika Vidyanidhi was absorbed within himself in an ecstatic trance, totally unaware of his immediate external surroundings.  Suddenly he became aware of the devotees around him and he immediately offered obeisances to
the Lord, properly recognizing Him for the first time since their meeting.  Then he offered his obeisances to Advaita Acarya Prabhu and exchanged obeisances with all the other Vaisnavas.  It was a glorious scene, as all the  devotees floated on waves
 of ecstasy, thrilled to have met Pundarika Vidyanidhi who himself is an ocean of love of Godhead.   Only an extremely pious and fortunate person is able to describe this  marvelous scene.

     Gadadhara Pandita took Lord Visvambhara's permission to accept initiation from Pundarika Vidyanidhi.  Gadadhara said, "I could not understand the uncommon behavior of this great personality and so I became disrespectful. Therefore in order to cl
eanse myself of this sin I want to become his disciple, for certainly as my spiritual master he will exonerate me."

     Appreciating Gadadhara Pandita's mood, the Lord said, "Yes, perform it quickly."  Thus Gadadhara Pandita formerly accepted initiation from Pundarika Vidyanidhi,the ocean of ecstatic loving  devotion. (CBh. Madhya)

        Pundarika Vidyanidhi was present to see Mahaprabhu liberate the great sinners Jagai and Madhai and enjoyed sporting in the water with the Lord and the other devotees thereafter. Vidyanidhi was one of the chief companions of Mahaprabhu in Nadi
a, as well as Puridhama.  During Mahaprabhu's candan festival at Puri when He played in Narendra lake, Vidyanidhi also sported in the water with Svarupa Damodara

        One day at Puri, Sri Gadadhara Pandita told Mahaprabhu, "I cannot pronounce my mantra properly....(?)".  Mahaprabhu said, "Your spiritual master, Vidyanidhi, will come here soon, at that time you can discuss this with him."  Just at that time
, Sri Vidyanidhi arrived in Puri and the devotees were overjoyed to have him in their midst again.  Thus Sri Gadadhara Pandita's wish was fulfilled.  Accommodations for Sri Vidyanidhi were arranged by the sea-side at Yamesvara.  He and Svarupa Damoda
ra were very close friends, they constantly enjoyed talking about topics related to the Lord together and going for darsana of Jagannatha.

        Around this time, the festival of Odana Sasthi began at Puri and Lord Jagannatha was dressed in new clothes--all starched.  Although starched cloth is considered improper and impure, the purjaris nevertheless dressed Him in this way.  On this
 day the ceremony of `wearing new starched clothes' was being celebrated with pomp and grandeur.  Sri Gaurasundara watched the ceremony along with the devotees.  Lord Jagannatha was dressed in various bright colored starched clothes (white, pink and
green), and was decorated with garlands and flowers. Varieties of festive music played and Mahaprabhu enjoyed the festival with great pleasure until late in the evening.  He then returned to His residence along with His devotees.  On the way home the
 two friends, Svarupa Damodara and Sri Vidyanidhi, raised a discussion regarding the Lord's starched clothes.  Vidyanidhi said, "In this part of the country there is considerable discussion regarding Sruti and Smrti, yet how is it that the Lord is dr
essed in un-holy starched clothing?

        Svarupa Damodara replied, "Perhaps it is the custom of this place.  If it is the custom, then where is the fault? Had it not been the wish of the Lord, the King would have forbidden it."

        Vidyanidhi replied, "God can do whatever He likes, but why should His priest attendants put starched clothes on Him.? Starched cloth is so un-holy that the hand which has touched it has to be washed.  These things are not decided by the estat
e officers.  I see that the King also wore starched cloth on his head today."

        Svarupa Damodara said, "Brother, perhaps there is nothing wrong in using this cloth on the day of Odana Sasthi.  Because the Lord Himself has appeared on this earth in the form of Jagannatha Deva, rules and regulations are not applicable to H
im."

        Vidyanidhi protested, "Jagannatha Deva is the Lord, He is omniscient.  But can these people be like Him?  Are they beyond all rules and regulations?"  In this way the two friends discussed in a jovial mood until reaching their residence, then
 took rest.

        That night Vidyanidhi dreamed that Jagannatha and Balarama were very annoyed with him.  They slapped Vidyanidhi on his two cheeks and said, "I have no caste, and neither do my attendants.  It is I who have made the rules which you think there
 is deviation from."  Weeping, Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi put his head on the feet of Jagannatha and said, "Oh Lord, I have been rightly served according to my offence. Today is very auspicious for me, Your good hand has touched my forehead.  I do not
now what good deed I performed in my previous birth to have such a benediction."  The Lord then disappeared.  When Vidyanidhi awoke in the morning, he found that his two cheeks were swollen as a result of the slapping by Sri Jagannatha and Balarama.

        Every morning Svarupa Damodara came to Vidyanidhi's place and they went to the Jagannatha Mandira for darsana together. That morning Svarupa Damodara arrived as usual, but found Vidyanidhi still lying in bed.  When he inquired as to why he wa
s still in bed, Vidyanidhi called him to his side and explained his extraordinary dream.  Hearing this and seeing Vidyanidhi's swollen cheeks, Svarupa Damodara was overwhelmed with joy.  He said, "I don't know of any other such instance where the Lor
d has punished a man in his dream, but today I have seen this with my own eyes.  Is there any man so fortunate as you in the three worlds?"  Svarupa Damodara joyfully praised Sri Vidyanidhi.  As a friend feels delighted at the well-being of his frien
d, so Svarupa Damodara thought himself extremely lucky because of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's fortune.

        Sri Vrndavana dasa wrote:  "He who hears about the character of Pundarika Vidyanidhi is certain to attain devotion to Krsna. (CBh. Antya)

        The Deities of Laksmi Govinda installed by Pundarika still exist today. In his birth place one still finds an earthen pitcher bearing Pundarika's handwriting.  On the upper part of the temple there are two plaques containing sanskrit slokas.
 Though damaged severely by fire, the text can still be read with some effort.  In the archives of the Chittagong Collectorate names of Baneswar Brahmacari and Pundarika Vidyanidhi are found in Tanji no.s 17697, 26837, 17781.  There road-cess(?) is s
till collected in those names.  The thirteenth generation descendants of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's family live in Mekhala.
 
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