Sri Gaura Ganoddesa Dipika

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This book was written by Sri Kavi Karnapura, who was born in the year 1446, Saka era, in the village of Kaficanapalli, situated in present-day Bangladesa. His father was Sivananda Sen, a great devotee and dear associate of Sri Krsna Caitanya. Sivananda Sen had three sons- Caitanya dasa, Rama dasa and Parmananda dasa.

This Parmananda dasa was also known as Puridasa, or Kavikarnapura. Since he was born by the benediction of Mah4prabhu at Jagannatha Puri, he was named Puridasa. He was the youngest of Sivananda’s three sons. When he was only seven years old, he received nama mantra directly from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Suddenly, in great ecstasy, the baby grabbed Gauranga’s foot and sucked the Lord’s lotus petal toe. Voicing their approval, the assembled Devotees chanted Hari! Hari! Ordered and empowered by the Lord, the boy instantly composed a wonderfully sweet, poetic and enchanting Sanskrit verse. Everyone present felt deeply moved and satisfied with his recitation.

Understanding that the boy had received Lord Caitanya’s mercy, Sri Svarupa Damodara said: "Since this boy’s poetry pleases the heart, and completely fills the ears with nectar, his name will be "Kavi Karnapura." (kavi means poetry; karna-ear; pura-full).

Karnapura was a great devotee and poet, and he was a recipient of Mahaprabhu’s mercy. His compositions are very wonderful. Mahaprabhu treated Sivananda’s entire family as His own. Karnapura also glorified Mahaprabhu as the worship-able lord of his family. Kavi Karnapura’s spiritual master was Srinath Gosvami.

The Deity of Krsnadeva, installed by Srinath at Kumarahatta, is still present there. Although Karnapura first received the Hare Krsna mantra from Sriman Mahaprabhu at Puri, he later on took formal initiation from grinch Gosvami. He composed about ten literatures, including Caitanya- carita-mahakavya, Ananda Vrndavana Campu, Alankdara- kaustubha, Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka, Gaura Ganoddesa Dipika, Brhat ganoddesa dipika; Aryasatakam, Krsnadhnika Kaumudi (a commentary on the tenth canto of Srimad Bhdgavatam), Caitanya Sahasrandma and Kesavastaka.

His Samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area. He was Gunacuda sakhi of Braja.

**Contents and Sample Pages**