Jagadisa Pandita

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Sunday, January 5th, 2003, Tritiya

Disappearance day of Srila Jagadisa Pandita

 

SRI JAGADISA PANDITA

 

"Sri Jagadisa Pandita is the savior of the world. He distributes the

nectar of love of Krsna just like a dense mass of dark clouds in the sky

distributes rainfall." [CC Adi 11.30]

 

Sri Jagadisa Bhatta took his birth in the region of Gaihati. His

father's name was Sri Kamalaksa Bhatta, who was the son of Bhatta Narayana,

who hailed from Goyghar Bandyaghata. Both the mother and father of Jagadisa

were very devoted Visnu-bhaktas. After his parents passed away he came with

his wife to live on the banks of the Ganges. His wife's name was

Dukhini-devi. (His younger brother Mahesa also came with him to reside on

the banks of the Ganga.) They built their house near the home of Jagannatha

Misra.

 

Sri Gaurasundara instructed Jagadisa to preach Hari Nam at Nilacala.

Thus he took shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Jagannatha. At that time he

prayed at the feet of Lord Jagannatha and was rewarded by obtaining a Deity

of the lotus-eyed Lord. This he brought to Yasora (Yasada), on the banks of

the Ganga near Cakdaha. This Deity was brought suspended from a staff which

is still being worshiped in the temple of Lord Jagannatha at Jasora. This

temple is presently under the charge of Sri Gaudiya Math, and is a rickshaw

ride away from Cakdaha railway station, on the Sealdah-Krsnanagar line.

 

Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda sometimes used to go to Jasora to

have festivals of sankirtana. Jagadisa Pandita's son was Sri Rambhadra

Gosvami. In the temple are Deities of Sri Jagannatha Deva, Sri

Radha-Vallabhaji and Sri Gaura-Gopala. It is said that the Gaura Gopala

Deity was established by Sri Duhkhini Devi. The Deity is a golden color.

 

After Lord Caitanya conducted a sankirtan festival at the home of

Jagadisa Pandita, He planned to go to Nilacala. Duhkhini, however, knowing

the Lord's mind, was very distressed by feelings of impending separation. At

that time Mahaprabhu gave her this Deity and said, "I will eternally remain

in your house in the form of this Deity." From that day this Deity of

Gaura-Gopala is being worshiped there. In Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika it is

revealed that Jagadisa and Hiranya were wives of the Vedic brahmanas in

Krsna-lila. According to another opinion, "He who was previously known as

Candrahasa, a famous dancer in Krsna-lila, is now famous as Jagadisa

Pandita, who also takes great pleasure in ecstatic dancing."

 

On one Ekadasi day, the young Sri Gaurahari wanted to eat rice from

the house of Jagadisa and Hiranya. The Lord said to His parents, "If you

don't want Me to die, then immediately go to the house of two brahmanas by

the names of Jagadisa and Hiranya, with whom I am very pleased. They are

both fasting for Ekadasi, but they have prepared some offerings for Lord

Visnu. If you can obtain some of that Visnu-prasada then I'll recover my

health and be able to move about." [CB Adi 6.20-23]

 

One day, child Gaurahari was crying incessantly. His parents told

him, "First tell us what you want. We'll bring it, but please don't cry."

 

He replied, "On this Ekadasi day in Jagadisa and Hiranya's house are

many preparations of Visnu-prasada. If I can eat that then I'll be alright."

 

Hearing this impossible request of her son, Saci Mata put her hand

on her head and began to lament. Upon hearing the words of the child, the

neighbors laughed in amazement. "How is it that such a young child as this

is aware that today is Ekadasi?"

 

Then the ladies told Him, "Bap Nimai, don't cry anymore, we'll bring

what you have requested." When the two brahmanas heard of the child's

request they were very pleased. Both of them were very intimate friends of

Jagannath Misra and they were well aware that the Supreme Personality of

Godhead Sri Hari had appeared in his house. Therefore, whatever they had

prepared for Lord Hari they brought before Sri Gaurahari and told Him, "Bap,

Visvambhara! We have brought everything which You requested. Now please eat

it in great happiness and don't cry anymore."

 

Bhagavana Sri Gaurasundara, along with His friends, then enjoyed

that feast. While doing so, He showed His transcendental Bala-Gopala form to

Jagadisa and Hiranya. His bodily lustre, appearing like a fresh rain cloud,

with a peacock feather adorning His head, the splendor of His beauty was

reflected in the faces of the other boys in whose company He was enjoying

this feast. Such a charming and beautiful sight was revealed before the eyes

of Jagadisa and Hiranya. Seeing this scene, the two brahmanas loudly

chanted, "Hari! Hari!" [Gauranga Campu Q.(?)20]

 

Jagadisa Pandita probably came to Yasora after Mahaprabhu took

sannyasa. He went every year to Puri and was also present at Cira-doy Danda

Mahotsava at Panihati. His disappearance is on the third day of the bright

fortnight in the month of Pausa.