SRILA SRIDHARA PANDITA: Disappearance Day
khola-becataya khyatah panditah shridharo dvijah
asid vraje hasya-karo yo namna kusumasavah
(Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 133)
One of the twelve Gopals in Krishna lila was named Kusumasava. He appeared in Gaura-lila as Sridhara Pandit, who was given the nickname khola-beca, “bark-seller.”
Sridhara Pandit was a resident of Nabadwip.
Purport by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
Sridhara was a poor brahmana who made a living by selling banana-tree bark to be made into cups. Most probably he had a banana-tree garden and collected the leaves, skin and pulp of the banana trees to sell daily in the market. He spent fifty percent of his income to worship the Ganges, and the balance he used for his subsistence.
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu started His civil disobedience movement in defiance of the Kazi, Sridhara danced in jubilation. The Lord used to drink water from his water jug. Sridhara presented a squash to Sacidevi to cook before Lord Caitanya took sannyasa. Every year he went to see Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri.
All glories to Srila SRIDHARA Pandita!!
khola-becataya khyatah panditah shridharo dvijah asid vraje hasya-karo yo namna kusumasavah (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 133)
One of the twelve Gopals in Krishna lila was named Kusumasava. He appeared in Gaura-lila as Sridhara Pandit, who was given the nickname khola-beca, “bark-seller.”
—Sridhara Pandit was a resident of Nabadwip.
The Supreme Lord’s affection for Shridhara was evident when Mahaprabhu drank water from Shridhara’s old, beaten iron pot. This act demonstrated the Lord’s love for His devotee’s offerings, irrespective of their material value.
— On another occasion, Mahaprabhu happily accepted a gourd from Shridhara, which Sachi Mata cooked, creating one of the Lord’s favorite dishes.
— Every year he went to see Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri.
Sri Sridhara Pandita’s significance in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition is celebrated for his unwavering devotion to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and exemplary life of humility and service.
His interactions with Lord Chaitanya highlight the intimate relationship between the Lord and His devotees, showcasing the Lord’s accessibility to those with pure hearts.
Nityananda Prabhu says the following to Jiva Goswami:
“Out of his mercy, Mahaprabhu Gauranga Hari would end the kirtan here so that the devotees could rest. It is therefore known as vishrama-sthana, or the Lord’s place of rest. So let us also repose a while here at the house of Sridhara Pandit.”
(Nabadwip-dhama-mahatmya)
According to Hindu lunar calendar Shri Shridhara Pandita was disappeared on Purnima Tithi in Jyeshtha (Trivikrama) lunar month. His Samadhi is located in the 64 Samadhis Area.
All glories to Srila SRIDHARA Pandita!!
