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By Giriraj Swami

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter 10, Text 14:

TEXT

pundarika vidyanidhi—bada-sakha jani
yanra nama lana prabhu kandila apani

TRANSLATION

Pundarika Vidyanidhi, the third big branch, was so dear to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that in his absence Lord Caitanya Himself would sometimes cry.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (54), Srila Pundarika Vidyanidhi is described as the father of Srimati Radharani in krsna-lila. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore treated him as His father

Today is auspicious Vasanta Pancami, the first day of spring. It is also the appearance day of Srimati Visnupriya Devi, Sarasvati Puja, the disappearance day of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, and the appearance day of Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi, Sri Raghunandana Thakura, and Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami.

Even ducks and other birds of Vrindaban participate in Krsna’s wonderful pastimes. In Bhag. 10.12.08 Sukadeva Gosvami describes the following to Maharaja Parkshit: “Some boys imitated flyi

Raghunatha dasa Gosvami used to reside on the bank of Sri Radha-kunda. At the time Radha-kunda was just a small pond of water, and therefore sometimes Raghunatha would meditate on enlarging the kund. Then he would chastise himself for desiring something which would require a large amount of money.

Around this time one very wealthy Seth underwent great austerity by walking to Badarikasrama in the Himalayas. Arriving there he very reverently worshiped Sri Badrinarayana and offered much wealth at H

Shri Mukunda Dasa, Shri Madhava Dasa and Shri Narahari Sarakara Thakura were three brothers who lived in Shri Khanda. Shri Mukunda Dasa Thakura’s son was Shri Raghunandan Thakura.

Shri Raghunandana Thakura made his appearance within this world in Shri Khanda. In his home, he became acquainted with the worship of Shri Gopinatha from an early age. One day his father, Mukunda Dasa, who was a doctor, had to go away on medical business.

He called Raghunandana to his side. He told Raghunandana to see

By Madhuryalila Devi Dasi   

Seva Care has released the latest episode of its ongoing podcast series, Care During Tough Times, titled Marriages and Vaishnava Community Support, featuring Dhanya Rico, M.Ed., Ed.S., NCC, a National Certified Counselor specializing in personal and relationship wellness. The episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how individuals and communities can respond to marriage difficulties, separations, and divorces within a devotional framework.

Hosted by Dhanya Devi Da

The Bhakti Vriksha Leadership Training Level-1 program will be held in Mayapur, India, from February 14 to 16, 2026, offering participants a systematic foundation for becoming effective leaders in preaching Krishna-conscious philosophy.

Conducted in English and available both offline in Mayapur and online via Zoom, the training will be led by Nityanand Ashraya Das, Temple President of ISKCON Bahadurgarh, an experienced Bhakti Vriksha coach and trainer, international award recipient, and communit

Born in a dynasty of Vaishnavas, Raghunatha Dasa Goswami was the only son of a wealthy land owner. As a boy, he received Haridasa Thakura’s association and blessings. At fifteen he met Lord Chaitanya. By the mercy of Lord Nityananda he renounced a beautiful wife and an opulent family.

He ran to Jagannatha Puri to intimately serve Shri Gaura Raya and his siksha guru Svarupa Damodara Goswami for sixteen years. Lord Gauranga gave His personal Govardhana Shila and gunja mala to Raghunatha Dasa Goswa

Some years ago, George Harrison was already giving the world the gift of spiritual inspiration through his music when he donated the Bhaktivedanta Manor to Srila Prabhupada.

My sweet Lord . . .

I really want to see you
Really want to be with you
Really want to see you, Lord,
but it takes so long, my Lord.

George Harrison released “My Sweet Lord,” his first solo single, in America in November 1970. Internationally, sales soon exceeded five million copies.

The biographer Simon Leng calls the rele

By Hema Jagannatha Das

On New Year’s Day 2026, approximately 400 devotees gathered at ISKCON Plainfield, NJ, to honor a traditional Sri Jagannath Puri–style Maha Prasad buffet featuring 15 courses.

Organized by ISKCON of Central New Jersey (ICNJ), the annual New Year Sri Jagannath Puri–style buffet has been held for nearly a decade. Even during the COVID year, ICNJ volunteers continued the tradition by preparing and distributing 10+ course Jagannath Puri–style takeaway meals for hundreds of devo

A disciple of Shri Madhavendra Puri, Pundarika Vidyanidhi was Shri Gadadhara Pandit’s guru, and an intimate friend of Svarupa Damodara.

Pundarika Vidyanidhi had other names-Shri Vidyanidhi, Acaryanidhi, Bhaktyanidhi, and Premanidhi (given by Lord Chaitanya). “Simply by hearing his name,” said Shri Gaura, “the whole world becomes purified.”

Premanidhi’s pure devotion caused Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to sometimes cry profusely and call out loudly, “Bop, (father) Pundarika! Pundarika is My father,

This session introduces a teaching presentation on applying the elements and principles of art to deity worship, especially dressing Radha-Krishna, with a focus on Krishna’s turban. The presenter explains that the material comes from training at the Mayapur Academy, a pajari school, and was compiled by Krishna Kanta, a senior priest who dresses Lord Chaitanya daily. Learning these principles helped the speaker better understand why certain deity dressings look harmonious or distracting, and how

Her Grace Gopimata dasi grew up in the midwestern US. In 1977 she traveled to London where she met Srila Prabhupada.

She stayed for ten years in the ashrams there, mostly doing sankirtan. She also served as a pujari and cook as well as performing with the Vaikuntha Players. Later, she married His Grace Ankottha Das and moved back to the U.S. where she and her husband raised 3 sons.

Her Grace Gopimata has been teaching Yoga for over 30 years in Kansas and created the “Yoga with Heart” teacher tr

I felt insulted that he didn’t want my money. I grabbed the book from his hand, threw the book in my briefcase, and walked away quickly, without even so much as a look to say thank you. I’ll read that book, I thought, to find all the faults, and show any shaven-headed fellows next time I met them, that they are just wasting their time with all this religious mumbo jumbo. That if they really want to succeed in life, I could show them how.

——-

I often look back upon that kind soul, unknown to me,

The Manor plays host to book distributors from across the UK and Ireland as we celebrate the National Sankirtan Festival.
It’s a chance to appreciate their efforts in sharing spiritual knowledge, the answer to all of life’s problems, in the form of Srila Prabhupada’s books throughout the year and particularly during the month of December.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117098