SRI GADADHARA PANDITA GOSWAMI

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SRI GADADHARA PANDITA GOSWAMI

 

Sri Gadadhara was the constant companion of Mahaprabhu from the time

of their childhood. His father's name was Sri Madhva Misra and his mother's

name Sri Ratnavati-devi. They lived very near the house of Sri Jagannatha

Misra in Mayapura. Ratnavati-devi thought of Saci-devi as her own sister,

and always used to visit her.

 

During their childhood, Sri Gaura Hari and Gadadhara would play

together, sometimes at Mahaprabhu's house and sometimes at Gadadhara's

house. They both studied together at the same school. Gadadhara was a few

years younger then Nimai. Nimai couldn't remain without Gadadhara even for a

moment and Gadadhara likewise couldn't stand to be separated from Nimai.

 

In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, it is described that that person who

in Vraja was the daughter of Sri Vrsabhanu Raja, namely Srimati Radharani,

is now celebrated as Sri Gadadhara Pandita. Svarupa Damodara has written in

his diary:

 

avani sura bavah sri panditakhyo jatindrah

sa khalo bhavati Radha Srila Gauravataro.

 

Sri Vasudeva Ghosa Thakura has written:

 

"Lord Gaurasundara, who is beyond the perview of the scriptures,

beyond the entire Brahman, and above even the Vedas, can never be known by

the atheists whose intelligence is dull. Lord Nityananda is His eternal

self. Lord Caitanya is Lord Govinda Himself and Pandita Gadadhara is none

other than Sri Radha. The divine couple, who are present in Sri Caitanya,

are a well of rasa. Advaita Acarya (Sadasiva) has prayed for His descent.

Within He is blackish but of a golden hue without, the manifestation of the

divine couple. Thus Vasudeva Ghosa sings of the beauty of this divine couple

- Sri Gaura-Gadadhara - in whose worship he has been completely subjugated.

He prays that he will desire to serve them birth after birth."

 

In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 7.163) we likewise find:

 

"The emotions and expressions of Pandita Gadadhara are not possible

to describe. Another name of Lord Gauranga is the 'Lord of the life of

Gadadhara.' Who can understand what mercy has been bestowed upon him? Their

glories are sung by everyone as Gadai-Gauranga."

 

During the time when Sri Isvara Puri was present for a few months in

Navadwipa at the house of Sri Gopinath Acarya, he taught Gadadhara from the

book he had composed, Sri Krsna Lilamrta.

 

Gadadhar panditere apnar krt/punthi parayan nam krsna lilamrta

 

[C.B. Adi 11.100]

 

Gadadhara was from his very childhood very serene, patient, calm,

quiet, fond of solitude and very renounced. Nimai Pandit during the time of

His precocious youth would ask his fellow students meaningless, fallacious

questions in logic. Gadadhara however, was not especially fond of this

pastime, and therefore he sometimes used to remain at some distance from

Nimai. But Nimai wouldn't allow him to get away. He would tell him -

"Gadadhar! In a very short time I'll become such a Vaisnava that Lord Brahma

and Lord Siva themselves will come to My door."

 

Sri Gadadhara Pandita was very affectionate towards Mukunda Datta.

Whenever any Vaisnava came to Navadwipa, Mukunda would inform Gadadhara and

they would both go to have darsana. One time Pundarika Vidyanidhi came from

Cattagram to Navadwipa and Mukunda invited Gadadhara to come along and meet

him. Gadadhara was very excited to meet such a Vaisnava and thus the two of

them happily set out together to take advantage of sadhu-sanga with the

famous Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

 

However, when Gadadhara saw that Pundarika Vidyanidhi dressed and

acted like a wealthy materialist, he lost whatever reverence he had

previously felt even before speaking with him. Gadahara thought to himself,

"How can a Vaisnava look and act as if he was so addicted to sense

enjoyment?"

 

However, Mukunda knew the real character of Pundarika Vidyanidhi,

and he could also sense the doubts in the mind of Gadadhara Pandita. Thus he

recited some slokas from the Srimad-Bhagavatam in a very sweet voice. When

Pundarika Vidyanidhi heard his beautiful recitation of these slokas, in a

fit of ecstasy he began to cry while calling, "Krsna, Krsna", and finally

fainted dead away on the floor. [C.B. Mad 7.78-79].

 

Gadadhara now felt very remorseful in his mind. He thought to

himself, "Because I have ignorantly considered this highly advanced soul to

be an ordinary materialist, what an offense I have committed! In order that

I might be saved from the reaction of this offense, I think the only

solution is to accept initiation from him."

 

Gadadhara Pandita submitted his proposal to Mukunda, who presented

it to Pundarika Vidyanidhi with a full account of the Pandita's high

qualifications. "Hearing this proposal, Pundarika became very happy.

'Providence has bestowed upon me a great jewel; certainly I will accept him.

You shouldn't have any doubt about that. It is the result of many lifetimes

of good fortune that one gets a disciple like this.'" [C.B. Madhya

7.117-118]. On an auspicious day, Sri Gadadhara Pandita received the divine

mantra from Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, upon going to Gaya Dham, first began to

manifest Krsna-prema. There he enacted the pastime of accepting the shelter

of Sri Isvara Puri. After returning to His house He began to exhibit a new

life.

 

Day and night He floated in the ocean of love of Krsna. Gadadhara,

upon seeing the Lord showering of tears in love for Krsna, also began to cry

in ecstatic love. From this time, Gadadhara Pandita was always at

Mahaprabhu's side.

 

One day Sri Gadadhara brought some pan to Sri Gauranga, Who, in an

exuberance of emotion asked him, "Gadadhara! Where is that beautiful

blackish boy Who is dressed in yellow garments?" After asking this, He began

to shed tears.

 

Gadadhara couldn't immediately think of what to say. He finally

respectfully suggested, "He is in your heart." Hearing this, Mahaprabhu

began to tear at his chest with his nails, but Gadadhara quickly grabbed his

hands. Prabhu said to him, "Gadadhara! Let go of My hands. I cannot remain a

moment more not seeing Krsna."

 

Gadadhara replied, "Just try to be a little patient and calm

Yourself. Krsna will come any minute now." Hearing this, Mahaprabhu became

somewhat composed.

 

Sacimata heard all this from a distance and then came running there.

Being very pleased with Gadadhara, she declared, "Though He is just a boy,

He is very intelligent. I am frightened to go before my son when He is in

these moods. But Gadadhara has very cleverly pacified him."

 

mui bhoye nahi painu sammukhe noite sisu hoi kemon prabodhila bhalo mate.

 

[C.B. Mad 2/210]

 

"Sacimata told Gadadhara, 'Gadadhara! You must, please, remain with

Nimai always. If you stay with Him then I won't have to worry."

 

One day, Sri Gadadhara, having heard that Mahaprabhu will speak

Krsna-katha at Suklambara Brahmacari's house, went there and sat down

inside. Meanwhile, Mahaprabhu arrived outside on the verandah and began to

speak about Krsna to an audience of devotees there; Gadadhara Prabhu

listened from within the house. Soon Mahaprabhu became totally absorbed in

the ecstacy of Krsna-prema, which quickly spread to the assembly of

devotees. For some time they continued to taste the mellows of love of Krsna

together and then becalmed themselves.

 

Gadadhara, however, couldn't restrain his ecstacy. With his head

bowed down, he continued to cry very loudly. Hearing his pitiful sobbing,

Mahaprabhu inquired, "Who is crying within the room?" Suklambara Brahmacari

replied, "Your Gadadhara."

 

Mahaprabhu exclaimed, "Gadadhara! You are so pious and virtuous.

Since your very childhood you were so devoted to Krsna. My life has been

wasted. Due to my previous evil activities I cannot get the association of

the Lord of my life, Sri Krsna."

 

Saying this, Prabhu embraced Gadadhara in great love.

 

When Mahaprabhu began His pastimes in Navadvipa, Gadadhara was his

chief companion. Radha Krsna of Vraja are now sporting on the banks of the

Ganga as Gadai-Gauranga, and the cowherd boyfriends of Vraja are assisting

in His pastimes of kirtana.

 

One day after roaming throughout the town of Navadwipa, Mahaprabhu

came to a forest and seated Himself there. Then He began to remember His

pastimes in Vraja. Mukunda began to sing the purva-vag (courtship) songs in

a very sweet voice while Gadadhara collected some flowers from that forest

and after stringing a garland placed it on Prabhu's neck. Previously, in the

way that Sri Radha used to decorate Sri Krsna, Gadadhara began to dress

Prabhu in that exact same manner. Some were singing beautiful songs, while

others began to dance in a very graceful style.

 

Then Sri Gaurasundara taking Gadadhara by His side seated Himself on

a dias at the base of one tree, while Advaita Acarya began to offer arati.

Nityananda seated Himself on Prabhu's right side and Srivasa Pandita began

to decorate everyone with flower garlands. Narahari was fanning that Divine

couple with a whisk made from the tail hairs of forest cows. Suklambar

decorated them all with sandalwood paste while Murari Gupta recited the

premadhvani. Madhava, Vasudeva, Purusottama, Vijaya, and Mukunda began to

sing songs in the various ragas.

 

Then Prabhu closed his pastimes in Nadiya and as per his mother's

request he took up his residence at Nilacala. Gadadhara also went there to

live at this time. He engaged himself in the service of Sri Tota Gopinatha.

Mahaprabhu would very often visit His dear friend Gadadhara and lose Himself

in discussions on the topics of Sri Krsna. The temple of Sri Tota Gopinathji

is located near the ocean at Yameshvar.

 

When Lord Caitanya traveled to Sri Vrindavana, Gadadhara, not being

able to bear separation from Him, wanted to go also but Mahaprabhu reminded

him of his vow of ksetra-sannyasa (by which he was to remain constantly in

Sri Ksetra in the service of Sri Gopinatha) and sent him back.

 

Sri Gadadhara Pandita would regularly recite Srimad Bhagavatam. Sri

Gaurasundara, along with His associates, would listen.

 

gadadhar pandit prabhu age bosi pare bhagavat - sudha dhale rasi rasi

 

[b.R. 3/107]

 

After enacting His pastimes on this planet for forty-eight years,

Sri Gaurasundara merged into the body of Sri Gopinathji, who was served by

Sri Gadadhara Pandita.

 

nyasi siromani cesta bujhe sadya kar? akasmat prithini karila andhakar

pravesila ei gopinatha mandire hoila adarsan, punah na aila bahire

 

[b.R. 8.356-357]

 

In the diary of one Orissan devotee, Mahaprabhu is said to have

first went missing inside the Gundica Mandira. Then the devotees began to

comb the four directions in search of their Beloved Lord. Finally, outside

of Tota Gopinatha Mandira, at Yameswar, the outer garment of Mahaprabhu was

found lying on the ground. A slight crack which is still to be found near

the right knee of Sri Gopinathji is the spot where Mahaprabhu is said to

have entered the Deity.

 

His appearance is on the amavasya (new moon) of the month of Vaisakha.

 

smara gaura-gadadhara keli kalam

bhava gaura-gadadhara paksa caram

srnu gaura-gadadhara caru katham

bhaja godruma-kanon kunja-vidhum

 

[srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura]

 

"Remember Gaura-Gadadhara during the time of Their pastimes,

meditate on Gaura-Gadadhara, the Divine couple, the par-excellence of

beauty. Hear beautiful discussions on the topics of Gaura-Gadadhara, and

worship Them in the forest grove of Godruma, bathed in the light of the

moon."

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The following short biography is quite technical...

 

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Gadadhara Pandita (also known as Pandita Prabhu and Gadai) was

included amongst the Panca-tattva. He was born of Madhava Misra and

Ratnavati-devi in 1486 AD., on the new moon day of Vaisaka (Apr-May), in

the village Beliti. However, according to Jayakrsna dasa's article "Sri

Caitanya-Parisada-Janmasthana-Nirnaya", published in the Sahitya Parisat

Patrika 4, 1377 BS, Gadadhara hailed from Srihatta. Whereas Premavilasa 24,

records his birth place at Chittagong. His younger brother was Vaninatha.

In past incarnations Gadadhara was Radhika and Lalita.

 

A brahmana of the Varendra clan and Kasyapa gotra, Gadadhara, at the

age of thirteen, migrated with his parents to Navadvipa to stay at his

maternal uncle's house, nearby the residence of Jagannatha Misra. Some say

that a wealthy person of Kandipura, named Suraraja, was instrumental in

bringing Gadadhara from Beliti to Navadvipa. Gadadhara remained a bachelor

throughout his life. He received mantra from Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

 

Gadadhara was a constant companion of Lord Gauranga and always read

the Srimad-Bhagavatam to Him. After the Lord took sannyasa and went to

Nilacala, Gadadhara also went with Him. Gadadhara passed away in Puri on the

new moon day in the month of Jaistha (May-June) in 1534 AD. at the age of

forty-seven, eleven months after the disappearance of Lord Caitanya.

 

Lord Caitanya wrote a sloka in His own handwriting on the personal

copy of Gadadhara's Gita. According to Sadhanadipika 9, Gadadhara composed

Premamrtastotra.

 

In the biographies of Lord Caitanya, Gadadhara has been referred to

in the following places:

 

1. Gadadhara Pandita as Isa-sakti, Cc. 1.1.41, 1.4.227, 1.6.48.

2. Meeting with Isvarapuri and others at Navadvipa, and study of

Isvarapuri's book entitled Krsnalilamrta, CBh. 1.11.99-100.

3. Gadadhara faints to hear the kirtana sung by Lord Gauranga at the house

of Suklamvara, CBh. 2.1.56-108.

4. Arguments with Lord Gauranga on Nyaya, CBh. 1.12.20-27.

5. Gadadhara's counsel to Advaita Prabhu to abstain from witnessing the

worship performed by Lord Gauranga, CBh. 1.12.126-142.

6. Viraha-stricken Lord Gauranga comforts Gadadhara, CBh. 2.2.202-209.

7. Betel-leaf offered to Lord Gauranga, CBh. 2.6.65, 2.20.27, 2.22.19.

8. Doubts creeping into Gadadhara's mind when seeing Pundarika in the attire

of an aristocrat, and Mukunda's explanation to clear these doubts, then

Gadadhara receiving diksa, CBh. 2.7.44-112.

9. Gadadhara' s reaction upon seeing Nityananda Prabhu without garments,

CBh. 2.11.23, 2.13.159.

10. Water sports with Lord Gauranga after the conversion of Jagai and

Madhai, CBh. 2.13.341.

11. Gadadhara dancing as a gopika in the drama staged at the house of

Candrasekhar, CBh. 2.18.101-116.

12. Gadadhara stands on the left of Lord Gauranga at the dance-recital

celebrating the conversion of the Kazi, CBh. 2.23.211, 491.

13. In constant association with Lord Gauranga, CBh. 2.24.31.

14. Receiving the command in the house of Lord Gauranga to offer Visnu puja,

CBh. 2.25.91.

15. Gadadhara with reference to sannyasa, CBh. 2.28.44.

16. Gadadhara residing in the same house with Lord Gauranga on the night

before the Lord took sannyasa, CBh. 2.26.166-171.

17. Gadadhara as a companion of Lord Caitanya after sannyasa, CBh. 2.28.104,

3.1.52.

18. Gadadhara accompanies Lord Caitanya to Nilacala, CBh. 3.2.35.

19. Gadadhara staying with Lord Caitanya at Nilacala, CBh. 3.3.228-231.

20. Ksetra sannyasa, CC. 2.1.252.

21. Meeting with Nityananda Prabhu at Tota Gopinatha and Lord Caitanya,

Nityananda Prabhu, and Gadadhara enjoying their meals, CBh. 3.7.112-164.

22. Water sports in Narendra-sarovara, CBh. 3.8.122.

23. Reference to the subject of siksa from Lord Caitanya, CBh. 3.10.22-27.

24. Gadadhara's recital of Srimad Bhagavatam on the bank of the

Narendra-sarovara, CBh. 3.10.22-26.

25. Gadadhara's refusal to give diksa when Vallabha Bhatta attempts to coax

him, CC. 3.7.86-148.

26. "The life and soul of Gadadhara Pandita" and "The Lord Gauranga of

Gadadhara Pandita," CC. 3.7.163-164.

27. Gadadhara argues with Lord Caitanya upholding the view that service to

Lord Caitanya is the supreme duty, CC. 2.16.130-143.

28. Gadadhara's reaction in separation of Lord Caitanya, Bhaktiratnakara

3.135-143.

29. Meeting with Srinivasa Acarya, Bhaktiratnakara 3.147-152.

 

Also see Dhyanacandra Gosvami's Sri Gauragovindarcana Paddhati for

details regarding Sri Gadadhara Mantra, Dhyana, Gayatri, and Sri Gaura

Gadadhara Mantra. Texts 37-44 of the above text notes the existence of

Gadadhara image on the left of Lord Gauranga at Yogapitha as extracted from

Caitanyarcana-candrika.

 

 

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Appearance day of Sri Gadadhara Pandita

 

 

Sri Gadadharastakam

by Srila Svarupa Damodara Gosvami

 

 

Text 1

 

sva-bhakti-yoga-lasinam sada vraje viharinam

hari-priya-ganagragam cacisuta-priyecvaram

saradha-krsna-sevana-prakacakam mahacayam bhajamy aham

gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned and exalted spiritual master, Srila

Gadadhara Prabhu, who appears very splendid, engaged in the Lord's

devotional service. He always performs pastimes in Vraja, where he is very

prominent among the gopis, who are very dear to Lord Hari. Lord Caitanya,

the Son of Saci is the dear Lord of Gadadhara Prabhu, who is preaching the

service of Radha and Krsna.

 

 

Text 2

 

navojjvaladi- bhavana-vidhana-karma-paragam

vicitra-gaura-bhakti-sindhu-ragga-bhagga-lasinam

suraga-marga-darsakam vrajadi-vasa-dayakam bhajamy

aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara

Prabhu. He is expertly absorbed in meditation on the nine rasas of

devotional service, beginning with ujjvala-rasa (conjugal love), and he

dances in the waves of the amazing ocean of devotional service to Lord

Caitanya. He preaches the path of raganuga-bhakti (spontaneous devotional

service), and He is a fit person to attain residence in the transcendental

land of Vraja.

 

 

Text 3

 

sacisutagghri-sara-bhakta-vrnda-vandya-gauravam

gaura-bhava-citta-padma-madhya-krsna-vallabham

mukunda-gaura-rupinam svabhava-dharma-dayakam bhajamy

aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara

Prabhu. The best of those who are devoted to the lotus feet of Lord

Caitanya, the Son of Saci-devi, offer respecful obeisances to him and treat

him with great importance, and he is very dear to Lord Krsna, Who is seated

in the middle of the lotus flower which is his heart, assuming His golden

form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He preaches that Lord Mukunda has assumed the

golden form of Lord Caitanya, and he returns the living entities to their

constitutional position as servants of the Lord.

 

 

Text 4

 

nikunja-sevanadika-prakasanaika-karanam sada

sakhi-rati-pradam maha-rasa-svarupakam

sadacritagghri-pankajam sariri-sad-gurum varam bhajamy

aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned and exalted spiritual master, Srila

Gadadhara Prabhu. It is only because of him that the truth of the exalted

devotional service performed by the intimate associates of Krsna in the

forests and groves of Vrndavana has been revealed. He is preaching the

ecstatic love attained by the gopis, and he is indeed a personification of

the mellows of devotional service. The saintly devotees take shelter of his

lotus feet, and he teaches the truth of spiritual life to the living

entities.

 

 

Text 5

 

mahaprabhor maha-rasa-prakasanagkuram priyam sada

maha-rasagkura-prakacanadi-vasanam mahaprabhor

vrajagganadi-bhava-moda-karakam bhajamy aham

gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara

Prabhu. He is very dear to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it is as if he had

sprouted from the manifestation of the Lord`s ecstatic love. He is always

adorned with the garments of ecstatic love of Godhead, and He delights Lord

Caitanya Mahaprabhu by arousing in the Lord the ecstatic emotional love

experienced by the gopis of Vraja.

 

 

Text 6

 

dvijendra-vrnda-vandya-pada-yugma-bhakti-vardhakam

nijesu radhikatmata-vapuh-prakacanagraham

asesa-bhakti-sastra-siksayojjvalamrta-prabam bhajamy

aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara

Prabhu, who expands the mellows of devotional service and whose lotus feet

are worshipped by the kings of the brahmanas. Among his confidential

associates, he reveals his actual form as Srimati Radharani. He distributes

the nectar of the ecstatic mellow of the gopis conjugal love, strictly

following the instructions of all the devotional scriptures.

 

 

Text 7

 

muda nija-priyadika-svapada-padma-sindhubhir

maha-rasarnavamrta-pradesta-gaura-bhaktidam

sadast-sattvikanvitam nijesta-bhakti-dayakam bhajamy

aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara

Prabhu. With delight he is giving the devotional service of Lord Caitanya

which reveals the nectarean ocean of the most exalted mellows of devotional

service, along with the nectar flowing from the lotus feet of the gopis,

headed by Srimati Radharani, who is most dear to Krsna. Gadadhara Prabhu is

decorated with the eight transcendental ecstatic symptoms of

sattvika-bhava,and he is distributing devotional service to his worshippable

Lord Krsna.

 

 

Text 8

 

yadiya-riti-raga-ragga-bhagga-digdhamanaso naro `api

yati turnam eva narya-bhava-bhajanam tam

ujjvalakta-cittam etu citta-matta-catpado bhajamy aham

gadadharam supanditam guram prabhum

 

I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara

Prabhu. Even a conditioned soul, whose mind becomes anointed by the colorful

waves of spontaneous devotional service as delineated by Srila Gadadhara

Prabhu, quickly attains the highest level of devotional service. He becomes

like a maddened bumble bee whose mind is anointed with the mellow of

ujjvala-rasa (conjugal love).

 

 

Text 9

 

maha-rasamrta-pradam sada gadadhara-astakam pathet tu

yah subhaktito vrajaggana-ganotsavam

saci-tanuja-pada-padma-bhakti-ratna-yogyatam labheta

radhika-gadadharagghri-padma-sevaya

 

"These eight verses glorifying Srila Gadadhara Prabhu distribute the

nectat of the most exalted mellow of devotional service, and they are like a

festival for the gopis of Vraja. If one regularly reads these verses and

serves the lotus feet of Srila Gadadhara Prabhu, who is an incarnation of

Srimati Radharani, then he will become qualified to attain the jewel of pure

devotional service for the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya,the son of Sacidevi."