Today is a very sacred day in our line. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa and began to search for his brother Visvarupa. While searching, on this day He found out that he was in Pandarapur, and that he had left his body. He had taken samadhi on the bank of the river Bhima. Then, on this day, though Mahaprabhu was observing Caturmasya-vrata very strictly for four months, He shaved his hair. Before this year, He never shaved for these four months, nor did He cut his nails. He observed all the rules and regulations of Caturmasya.
It is said that Sankararanya was the sannyasa name of Srila Visvarupa, who was the elder brother of Visvambhara (the original name of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu). Sankararanya expired in 1432 Sakabda (A.D. 1510) at Sholapur, where there is a place of pilgrimage known as Pandarapura. This is referred to in the Madhya-lila, Chapter Nine, verses 299 and 300.
(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 10:106 purport.)
Visvarupa was the elder brother of Gaurahari, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When arrangements were being made for the marriage of Visvarupa, He took sannyasa and left home. He took the sannyasa name of Sankararanya. In 1431 Sakabda Era (A.D. 1509), He disappeared in Pandarapura, in the district of Sholapur. As an incarnation of Sankarshana, He is both the ingredient and immediate cause of the creation of this material world. He is nondifferent from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for the amsa and the amsi, or the part and the whole, are not different. As an incarnation of Sankarshana, Visvarupa belongs to the quadruple manifestation of catur-vyuha. In the Gaura-candrodaya it is said that Visvarupa, after His so-called demise, remained mixed within Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 13:74 purport.)
ataeva prabhu tanre bale, ‘bada bhai’
krishna, balarama dui——caitanya, nitai
TRANSLATION
Because Maha-sankarshana is the ingredient and efficient cause of the cosmic manifestation, He is present in every detail of it. Lord Caitanya therefore called Him His elder brother. The two brothers are known as Krishna and Balarama in the spiritual world, but at the present moment they are Caitanya and Nitai. Therefore the conclusion is that Nityananda Prabhu is the original Sankarshana, Baladeva.
(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 13:78 text and translation.) Read Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya lila 7th chapter.
sannyasa kari’ visvarupa giyache dakshine
avasya kariba ami tanra anveshane
TRANSLATION
“My elder brother, Visvarupa, has taken sannyasa and gone to South India. Now I must go search for Him." 44
ajna deha, avasya ami dakshine caliba
tomara ajnate sukhe leuti’ asiba’
TRANSLATION
“Please permit Me to go, for I must tour South India. With your permission, I shall soon return very happily.” 45
suni’ sarvabhauma haila atyanta katara
carane dhariya kahe vishada-uttara
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing this, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya became very much agitated. Catching hold of the lotus feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he gave this sorrowful reply. 46
bhattacarya-sange ara yata nija-gana
jagannatha pradakshina kari’ karila gamana
TRANSLATION
Accompanied by His personal associates and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu circumambulated the altar of Jagannatha. The Lord then departed on His South Indian tour. 58
