GAURIDASA PANDITA DISAPPEARANCE DAY

Sri Gauridasa Pandita – Disappearance day A great devotee of Lord Nityananda – Gauridasa Pandita lived in a town called Ambika Kalna on the banks of the Ganges River in the 15th century. His father's name was Sri Kamsari Mishra and his mother's name, Sri Kamala Devi. Amongst the twelve cowherd boys in Vraja lila, Gauri dasa was Subala Sakha. \"Gauri das Pandita's loving devotion was very intense and powerful. He especially empowered himself to deliver, as well as to receive, love of Krishna. He completely surrendered himself along with his caste distinction and his religious dictates at the lotus feet of Nityananda Prabhu. Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda Prabhu were the Lords of his life.\"– Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi 11.26-27 At Gauri dasa Pandita's temple in Ambika Kalna, his worshipable Deities, Sri Gaura-Nityananda are still residing in their entire splendor. In the temple is an old copy of the Bhagavad-gita on palm leaves. There is also an oar from a boat which has an interesting story behind it. Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda once came to Kalna from Santipura by boat, rowing it themselves. Lord Chaitanya kept the oar in His hand, and when he entered Gauri dasa's house He gave it to him, saying, \"With this you should cross over the ocean of material existence, taking all the living entities with you.\" Gauri dasa Pandita's older brother, Surya dasa Sarakkali, had two daughters, Sri Vasudha and Jahnava Devi. He gave them in marriage to Nityananda Prabhu. Near the conclusion of His Navadvipa pastimes, when Mahaprabhu desired to accept sannyasa, He came to Kalna to bid farewell to Gauri dasa. At that time Gauri dasa became extremely afflicted by separation.

Gauri dasa's dearest disciple was Sri Hridayananda. Once on the occasion of Lord Gaursundara's birth anniversary, Gauri dasa went to visit some of his disciples. At the time of going he left Hridayananda in charge of worshiping the Deities, which he began to do with full love. Gradually the appearance day of Mahaprabhu drew very near and Gauri dasa hadn't returned home yet. Hridayananda sent out invitations on his own to all the devotees to attend the festival. When Gauri dasa returned, Hridayananda informed him that he had sent out invitations. Gauri dasa was very pleased by Hridayananda's service, but externally he feigned great anger and said, \"Even in my presence he has shown so much independence. Whatever has been done is done, but he won't be able to remain here.\" Hearing this, Hridayananda offered his obeisances and went to sit underneath a tree on the banks of the Ganga. A rich man passing by in a boat hailed Hridayananda, wishing to make a donation. Hridayananda sent him to his guru. However, Gauri dasa sent the man back to Hridayananda and told him to accept the donation and with it to hold a festival on the banks of the Ganga. Hridayananda began to make the arrangements. The people to whom he had sent invitations began to arrive, but upon hearing that a festival was being held on the banks of the Ganga, they proceeded there first. In the company of many devotees, Hridayananda chanted and danced ecstatically. The sankirtan was so blissful that Sri Gaura-Nityananda came to take part in the dancing and singing. At the same time, Gauri dasa was also holding a festival in his house. When the time came for making an offering, the pujari, Boro Ganga dasa Pandita entered the Deity room only to find that there were no Deities. Gauri dasa could understand the matter very well and, smiling, he picked up a stick and proceeded towards the kirtana festival on the banks of the

Ganges. Sri Sri Gaura-Nityananda also saw him approaching in an angry mood with a stick in his hand, and They quickly entered the temple of Hridayananda's heart. Seeing this, Gauri das forgot his anger and ran towards Hridayananda with his arms outstretched, saying, \"You are so fortunate! From today your name is Hridaya-Chaitanya.\" Thereafter Gauri dasa appointed Hridaya-Chaitanya as the sevaka of the Deities. Gauri dasa’s disappearance is on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Shravana. Gauri dasa Pandita's samadhi is located at a place called Dhir Samir in Vrindavana, on the banks of the Yamuna. His worshippable Deities, Sri Shyama-Raya are also here.