Srimati Radharani and Her Golden Effulgence

AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja writes as follows of Gadadhara dasa in his Caitanaya-Caritamrta commentary: "About eight or ten miles from Calcutta on the banks of the Ganges is a village known as Endiyadaha-grama. Srila Gadahara dasa was known as an inhabitant of this village...After the disappearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu Gadadhara dasa came from Nabadipa to Katwa. Thereafter he came to Endiyadaha-grama and resided there. He is stated to be the luster of the body of Srimati Radharani, just as Srila Gadadhara Pandita is an incarnation of Srimati Radharani Herself. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is sometimes explained to be radha-bhava-dyuti-suvalita, or characterized by the emotions and bodily luster of Srimati Radharani. Gadadhara dasa is this dyuti or luster. He counts among the associates of both Srila Gaurahari and Nityananda Prabhu...Even though he was an associate of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, he was not among the cowherd boys but was situated in the transcendental mellow of conjugal love. He established a temple of Sri Gaurasundara in Katwa.

"In 1434 sakabda (1534 AD) when Lord Nityanada Prabhu was empowered by Lord Caitanya to preach the sakirtana movement in Bengal, Sri Gadadhara dasa was one of Lord Nityananda’s chief assistants. He preached the sankirtana movement by requesting everyone to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra....

Srila Kavi-karnapura has mentioned in His Sri Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika Srila Svarupa Damodara Gosvamis own words about the position of the five members of the Panca-tattva.

TEXT 10

"I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Krsna, who is non-different from His features as a devotee, devotional incarnation, devotional manifestation, pure devotee energy"*

TEXT 11

I shall now summarily explain the meaning of these words. In this Panca-tattva, the bhakta-rupa (form of a devotee) is Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who formerly appeared as Lord Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja. The bhaktavatara (devotional incarnation) is Lord Nityananda, who foremerly appeared in Vrajabhumai as Lord Balarama. The bhaktavatara (devotional manifestation) is Lord Advaita Acarya, who is not different from Lord Sadasiva. The bhaktakhya (pura devotee) is Srinivasa and the other great devotees as well. The bhaka-sakti (devotional energy- Hladini Sakti ) is Gadadhara Pandita, the foremost of brahmans.

TEXT 12

Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda Avadhuta, and Lord Advaita, are all incarnations of the supremely exalted Personality of Godhead, and They are all known by the title Prabhu (Master). Among Them, Lord Caitanya, who is an ocean of mercy, is known as Mahaprabhu (The Great Master), and the great personalities Lord Nityananda and Lord Advaita are known only as Prabhu (Master). All three are also known Gosvami (Master of the Senses). Gadadhara is called by the title Dvija (Brahmana), and Srinivasa is called by the title Pandita (Learned Scholar). These are the titles of the members of the Panca-tattva."

In conclusion Srila Gadadhara Das is not the same person as Sri Gadadhara Pandit.

Submitted for the pleasure of the Devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by Arijit das.