GAURA GADADHARA GLORIES

Firstly it should be mentioned that the worship of Gaura Gadadhara is one of the more inner and
esoteric modes of Bhajana in the Navadvipa Lila.
First, who is Gadadhara? It is explained that Gadadhara is Svayam Radha (Radha herself) and not
an avatara or expansion etc of Radha.
KAVI KARNAPURA'S VERDICT (Gaura Ganodesa Dipika):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Verse 147. Srimati Radharani, who is the personification of pure love for Lord Krsna and who is
the queen of Vrndavana, appeared as Sri Gadadhara Pandita, who was very dear to Lord Caitanya.
Kavi Karnapura also says that Lalita (who always follow Radha closely) also is a part of
Gadadhara. This mood of Lalita Sakhi is sometimes also manifest by Gadadhara Pandita too. There
are some padas (devotional songs) that describe that mood of Gadadhara. I have these somewhere
on my laptop and will try to find them.
SVARUPA DAMODARA SAYS (in his Korca/Kadaca Diary):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------avani suraborah srpanditakhya jotendra
sa khalu bhavati rdh srgaurvatare
narahari sarkrasyapi dmodrasya
prabhu nija dayitanam taccsram matam me
Without a doubt, Sr Gaddhara Goswm, the greatest renunciate known by the title of Pandita,
is Rdh in Gaura ll. This is the opinion of Narahari Sarkra, Damodara Pandita, Prabhu's priya
bhaktas, and myself. - Bhaktiratnkara 8. 313
NOTE*** This diary of Svarupa Damodara is no longer available but it is quoted by earlier
acharyas, such as here in Narahari Cakravarti's Bhakti Ratnakara grantha.
LOCANA DASA THAKURA'S REALISATION --------------------------------------------------------------------Locana dasa Thakura is a disciple of Narahari Sarkara Thakura. And Narahari in turn is a follower
of Gadadhara Pandita. Locana dasa says in his padavali:
jaya jaya gadadhara gauranga sundara
eka atma prakata bhava dui kalevara
vrndavane radha-krsna nava yuva dvandva
idanim prakata gadadhara gauracandra
mahabhava svarupa radha vrndavanesvari
sei ei gadadhara pandita avatari
rasarajamaya murti vrajendra nandana
sei ei gauracandra purna prakatana
Jaya Gadadhara! Jaya Gaurangasundara! They are one soul manifest in two bodies. Radha and
Krishna, the youthful divine couple of Vrindavana have now appeared as Gadadhara and
Gaurachandra. Radha Vrindavanesvari, the embodiment of mahabhava has appeared as Gadadhara
Pandita. And that rasaraja Vrajendranandana has become fully manifest as Gaurachandra.

Just like this, there are many other associates who declared that Gadadhara is Radha in their works.
I will refer to some of their songs further on.
WHY RADHA HAS THIS MALE FORM?
Everyone is talking about Krishna's unfulfilled desires, but what about Radhika's?
In Song 54 of Prarthana written by Narottama Das Thakur beginning with the words hede he
ngara-vara uno he muraldhara. We hear Radha praying in the following way to Shyamsundara
Krishna
(2)
rdma sudma sage jakhana vane jo rage
takhana mi duyre dd dye
mane kari sage yi guru-janra bhaya pi
khi rahe tuy pne ceye
(3)
ci navna megha pne tuy bandhu pad de mane
elile kea nhi bdhi
randhana lte ji tuy bandhu gun ad gi
dhyra chalan kari kdi
(4)
man di nao mn dika nao cale bndhile rao
phula nao je kee kari vee
nri n karite vidhi tuy hena gun danidhi
laiy phiritma dee dee
2) When you go to the forest with Sridama and Sudama, at that time I stand at the doorstep thinking
of going with you. But I am afraid of the elders and the respectable people. Therefore, my eyes
simply gaze after you.
3) Whenever I see the new clouds, O my friend, I immediately remember you and I let loose my
hair. When I cook in the kitchen, I simply sing your glories and cry on the pretext of smoke.
4) O beloved Lord! You are neither a jewel nor a diamond that I can keep you tied to the end of my
cloth. You are not a flower that I can decorate my hair with. If I were not a woman, I could have
taken you, the ocean of divine qualities, all over the country.
Lets move now to Vrindavan Das Thakuras Chaitanya Bhagavata
One day, Gadadhara brought Mahaprabhu some tambula. When he arrived at the house of the Lord,
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was deeply absorbed in a mood of separation from Krishna. Mahaprabhu
said, Gadadhara! Where is Syamasundara? Where is that Lord of Vrindavan who is dressed in
yellow cloth? Saying this, the Lord began to weep. Gadadhara was stunned and could not
understand what answer to give. With great reverence, he humbly submitted, Krishna is in your
heart.
Upon hearing this Mahaprabhu began tearing at his chest, but Gadadhara quickly restrained His
hands from doing any damage. The Lord said, Gadadhara! Let go of my hands! If I cannot see
Krishna I will not be able to maintain my life. Gadadhara said, If you just remain patient, Krishna

will surely reveal Himself. He will surely come here before long. With this Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu was pacified. Seeing these pastimes of Gaura-Gadadhara from a little distance,
Sachimata thought to herself with great satisfaction, This boy Gadadhara is very intelligent. I need
not fear for Gaurahari's sake. Sachimata said, Gadadhara! You must always stay by the side of my
son Gaurahari; in this way I shall not have to worry.
Now Radhika/Gadadhara doesnt need to fear anymore for Sachimata herself has given the order for
Gadadhara to forever stay in the company of Gaura Krishna. Now no elder of the village or chaste
housewife can point fingers at Radha Gadadhara for staying side by side her beloved.
A LEADER IN THE WORSHIP OF GAURA GADADHARA NARAHARI SARKARA
THAKURA
You may be familiar with Narahari Sarkara Gayathriji. He is the one being referred to in
Bhaktivinoda's Gaura arati line narahari adi kori camara dulaye....Narahari and the others (adi)
from his home town of Srikhanda are fanning the camara (yak tail fan).
I particularly follow Narahari in my heart because he represents a serious branch of worshiping
Gauranga as parama, supreme. This is termed Gaura-paramya-vada. Where I'd say there is at least
an equal amount of focus of one's worship of Gauranga as is the worship of Krishna. Often
Gauranga's worship is even more prominent for Gaura-paramya-vadis even in the deep stages of
Bhajan, Gauranga and Navadvipa are not just a stepping stone to reach Vrindavan, but are goals in
themselves too.
One nice story from Kavi Karnapura's biography on Gauranga, the mahakavya, relays a story.
One of Sivananda sena's sons brought home a deity of Krishna, I think perhaps the name of the
vigraha was Syama raya. Sivananda Sena was angry with his son, and in a moment of ecstatic and
exclusive Gaura Prema he said We (the bhaktas) took so long and with much effort to make him
golden, why have you made him black again!!!??? Meaning, Krishna appeared in our midst as
Golden Gauranga through so much prayers of the bhaktas and Advaita Acarya etc, why have you
returned him to his black complexion? You will see in the songs of Sivananda sena that he is a firm
worshiper of Gaura Gadadhara also.
Anyhow, back to Narahari Thakura who is the disciple of Gadadhara himself and Guru of Locana
dasa, he says:
gaura lila darasane vancha bara haya mane
bhasaya likhiya kichu rakhi
mui ati adhama likhite na jani krama
kemana koriya taha likhi
gaura gadadhara lila adraba karaye sililaa
kara sadhya koraye varnana
sarada likhena jadi nirantara nirabadi
kahe sadasiva pancanana
e granta likhibe je ekhana janme nai se
janmite vilamba ache bahu
bhasate racana bale bhujibe loka sakale

kabe vancha puraibe pahu

kichu kichu pada likhi jadi iha keha dekhe
prakasa karaye prabhu lila
narahari pabe sukha ghucibe manera dukha
granthagane darabibe sila
"In seeing Gaurangas lila, a great hankering awakens to note down some of these events. But haya!
I am very fallen, and I dont know the means to write them; so how will this great task become
accomplished?
Gaura and Gadadharas lila can melt stones yet who can narrate them? Even if the Goddess
Sarasvati spoke as the (Panch Mukh) Lord Shiva continuously spoke still these lilas would
remain mostly undescribed! Haya! The fit person to write these lilas hasnt taken birth yet... and still
a long time awaits before he or she will I feel! Oh when will Gaura and Gadadharas pastimes
become narrated for the greatest good of the people? Oh when will Gaura fulfill my desire?
Meanwhile, I shall write a few padas/songs to broadcast His lila; Thus my melancholy will
vanquish. For seeing the stone-like hearts of my readers melting Narahari will become very
happy."
For this reason, Locana dasa Thakura was given mercy and he wrote about such sweet topics of
Gaura Lila such as the love of Gaura Gadadhara and the intimacy of Gaura Vishnupriya too, much
of which can be found in Locana dasa Thakura's Caitanya Mangala. (Not to be confused with
another Caitanya Mangala authored by Jayananda Misra which is at best considered only semi
authoritative).
Narahari Sarkara is such a great devotee of Gauranga that in some prayers he replaces Srivasa
pandita in the traditional panch tattva pranamas. You will notice this in Narottama dasa Thakura's
dhana mora nityananda, pati mora gauracandra song. Other references can be pointed out too if
you like.
Narahari is also generally praised by devotees such as Visvanath Cakravarti Thakura in his tika to
Prema Bhakti Candrika and also in Bhakti Candrika (2 different books completely).
gaddhara-prema-bhva-kalkrnta-manoratham |
narahari-prema-rassvda-vihvala-mnasam ||
sarva-bhgavathta-knt-bhva-prakakam |
prema-dna-lalita-dvibhuja bhakta-vatsalam ||
All His wishes were overcome by sportive frolics done
by Gaddhara in his state of prem and His mind was
agitated by savouring the prem of rman Narahari.
Having been invoked by all devotees, He manifested
His mood and complexion. His arms are charming
owing to giving prema and He is affectionate towards
His bhaktas.
- From Bhakti Chandrika of Lokanananda Acharya and Narahari Sarkara. Chapter 5, Advaita
Acharya's Pratyanaga-varnanakhya-stavaraja prayers.

BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA AND WORSHIP OF GAURA GADADHARA

As you may know, Bhaktivinoda Thakura was a great bhakta of Gaura Gadadhara. He has his Gaura
Gadadhara deities which you might have seen. He even disappeared on June 23 1914 on the
disappearance day of Gadadhara Pandita, just see his dedication to Gadadhara!
In various songs, he reveals this love for Gaura Gadadhara also.
In his Godruma Chandra Bhajana upadesha verse 20, Bhaktivinoda advises:
smara gaura-gadadhara keli kalam
bhava gaura-gadadhara paksa caram
srnu gaura-gadadhara caru katham
bhaja godruma-kanon kunja-vidhum
"Remember Gaura-Gadadhara during the time of Their pastimes, Meditate on Gaura-Gadadhar, the
Divine couple, the par-excellence of beauty. Hear beautiful discussions on the topics of GauraGadadhara, and worship them in the forest grove of Godruma, bathed in the light of the moon."
In his arati song also from Gitavali, Bhaktivinoda Thakura begins: bhale gora-gadadharer arati
nehari / nadiya-puraba-bhave jau bolihari - As I behold the wondrous arati of my Lords Gaura
and Gadadhara, I enter into the mood of Their existence previous to appearing in Nadiya (Their
Vrndavana lila as Sri Sri Radha and Krsna). It is simply indescribable.

HA HA MORA GORA KISORA Bhaktivinoda Thakura also describes Gaura Gadadhara in a very beautiful manner in his song, Ha
Ha mora, Gora Kisora which is a favourite of mine.
Here are the first 3 verses:
ha ha mora gaura-kisora
kabe doya kori' sri godruma-bane
dekha dibe mana-cora
"Oh, my most youthful Lord Gaura-kisora! When will You be merciful and show Yourself to me,
thus stealing my mind within the forest of Godruma?"
ananda-sukhada, kunjer bhitore,
gadadhare bame kori'
kancana-barana, cancara cikura,
natana suvesa dhori'
"Within the grove of Ananda-sukhada-kunja, You stand with Sri Gadadhara on Your left side,
radiating the effulgence of pure gold. With beautiful curling hair, You are wearing the fine dress of a
dramatic actor."
dekhite dekhite, sri radha-madhava,
rupete koribe ala
sakhi-gana-sange, koribe natana,
galete mohana-mala

"In an instant Sri Sri Radha-Madhava will appear and brilliantly illuminate the entire scene.
Accompanied by all of Their confidential friends and associates, They will dance with Their necks
decorated with various types of golden necklaces."
Now what is interesting here? The important message here is that Gaura turns into Krishna and
Gadadhara into Radhika. When Gadadhara is around Gaura, Gaura's Radhabhava is generally not
very manifest. We see this in the Puri Lila also. During the day Gauranga would listen to the
Bhagavatam from Gadadhara in the Tota Gopinath mandira and later he would taste the prema of
Radhika in the company of Radha's 2 best Sakhis, Lalita and Visakha, (Svarupa Damodara and
Raya Ramananda) in the Gambhira. Gadadhara is not described as being present in the Gambhira
room at Kasi Misra's home, if Gadadhara will be present there, it can cause a difficulty in tasting
Radhabhava, because Gaura will see Oh Radha is here, hence I must be Krishna.
There are some rarer descriptions though of Gadadhara taking on the Lalita Sakhi mood and then
Gaura takes on Radharani's mood, but this is hardly described but can still be supported by very few
padas attributed by Gauranga's associates and also Kavi Karnapura's statement that Lalita's mood
also is a facet of Gadadhara's mood.

GAURA CANDRIKA METHOD OF SMARANA ESTABLISHED IN KHETURI In early Gaudiya Vaisnava history, there was a very famous festival that took place in Kheturi. This
was presided by great personalities such as Jahnava Mata (Nityananda Prabhu's wife) who lead the
festival, Narottama dasa Thakura and many others. Most of Gauranga's associates had already left
and a new phase was setting in now. There were many things that needed to be resolved. So many
of the leading representatives from the 3 main seats of Gaudiyas, Vrindavan, Navadvipa and Puri
were present. There were many things that came out from that festival on how the sampradaya was
to move forward, expand, keep it's integrity and so on. One such thing that emerged from this
festival was the Gaura candrika.
In accordance with this style of smarana and kirtan, one meditates on corresponding lilas of
Navadvipa that match with Vrindavan. This helps develop the correct moods and appreciation.
For example, if one wants to meditate on the holi lila of Radha Govinda, one can meditate on Gaura
Gadadhara's holi lila to both increase the relish and understanding.
GAURA GADADHARA'S HOLI LILA
(1) holi khelata gaura kisora
rasabati nari gadadhara kora
(rasabati nari narahari kora) - my extra line (akhora)
(2) sveda bindu mukhe pulaka sarira
bhava bhore galatahi nayane nira
(3) vraja rasa gaota narahari sange
mukunda murari vasu nacata range
(4) khene khene murchai pandita kora
heraite sabacara bhave bhela bhora

(5) nikunja mandire pahu kayala vithara

bhume pori kahe kaho murali hamara
(6) kaha govardhana yamunaka kula
kaha malati juthi campaka phula
(7) sivananda kahe pabu suni rasa vani
jaha pahu gadadhara taha rasa khani
TRANSLATION
Gaura kisora plays Holi in the arms of the rasavati female, Gadadhara.
Drops of perspiration cover Their faces, They horripilate and tears flow from Their eyes due to
intense bhava! As Gauranga sings about Vrndavana's mellows with Narahari Sarkara. Murari,
Mukunda and Vasudeva Ghosa then dance in ecstasy!
But Gauranga repeatedly faints falling in Gadadhara's lap! And seeing them the priya bhaktas
swoon! Then coming to rest in a nikunja mandire, Gauranga faints again after exclaiming: `where is
My flute, the Yamuna and Govardhana Hill ? And where are Vrndavana's malati, juthi and campaka
flowers?'
Thus Sivananda says, Listen to my rasa filled words; wherever we find Gaura and Gadadhara, we
find a jewel mine of divine mellows!
GAURA GADADHARA ABSORBED IN THEIR PREVIOUS MOODS Gauranga's mind was in a dilemma.
Absorbed in some feeling he calls out "Radha! Radha!"
Seeing the Ganga, he thinks "the Yamuna."
Seeing a flower garden, Vrindavan falls into his mind.
In his previous spirit, he stood in three bends;
He asks for his yellow cloth and flute.
Taking the dear Gadadhar to his side,
he asks: "Where were you? Where were you?
his words choked with emotion.
Understanding his mood, Gadadhar stands to his left.
Narahari Das cannot understand these amusements. - Narahari Sarkara
GAURA GADADHARA'S WAKING LILA In a more recent pada written by the Vaisnava Jagadbandhu Prabhusundara, he sings:
Wake up Gora, jewel of virtues,
the break of day has come.
With your dear one, how long
will you sleep there in one bed?
(How much more will you sleep? Pray tell.)
(Or, how much more will you pretend?)
(O Peak of Rasa!)
(1) The stars have all departed.
Wake up Gaura and Gadadhara!

So we see this method of Gaura candrika uses from the early days right up to the modern day.
---Bhavatmika lila or Rasatmika lila?
Bhavatmika lila means where the lila is only going on through bhava alone (feelings/emotions
alone). There no is real engagement of lila in its fullest sense.
Rasatmika lila is where it goes beyond bhava alone, there is actual taking place of divine lila.
Gaura Gadadhara's lila is both. Sometimes they relish the moods of Radha and Krishna respectively
by simply remembering them and becoming absorbed in those identities and tasting the moods in
this way (bhavatmika).
Or, they actually manifest the forms of Radha Govinda and Vrindavan there on the spot and perform
lilas exactly in the way (rasatmika).
We have already seen in Bhaktivinoda Thakura's songs such as ha ha mora gora kisora that this
manifestation of Gaura Gadadhara becoming Radha and Govinda takes place, but lets look at an
even more more explicit example from Locana dasa's Caitanya mangala grantha.
THE RASA LILA IN CAITANYA MANGALA Gadadhara would regularly serve the Lord in this way. He would also prepare his resting place in
the bedroom. There he would sleep at the Lords feet, his mind always filled with faith and piety.
The Lord would take great pleasure in Gadadharas sweet words, hearing which he would take him
by his hand off to dance in the kirtan. He would place his other band on Naraharis arm and they
would dance in the house of Srivasa Pandita in the mood of the Rasa lila.
The devotees would see Gauras form turn black like that of Krishna and simultaneously Gadadhara
would transform into Radharani. Narahari became Madhumati. Seeing this, all the devotees called
out the names of Sri Hari. Vrindavan manifested in that very place; the son of Sachi (Mahaprabhu)
began to enjoy his lila just as he previously had done in the association of the cows and cowherd
boys and girls. Those devotees had come again to help the Lord in this lila of relishing rasa.
Sri Raghunandan, as the new Cupid, the one who is known as kamadeva, as well as the other
devotees, began to reveal their previous forms to them, and one by one they joined the dancing.
Seeing this, the associates from other incarnations began to cry, for the moon of Vraja (Krishna) had
appeared in Nabadwip. Sometimes he would play his own lila in the association of Gadadhara and
sometimes the lila would transform into that of Vrindavan where he enjoyed his loving affairs with
Radharani. Seeing such amazing scenes, all the devotees called out the names of Hari and loudly
glorified the Lord. - Locana dasa Thakura, Madhya Lila, Chaitanya Mangal.
We'll finish with the fine conclusion of Gadadhara Pandita's nephew and disciple, Nayananda Misra
who also a very prominent Gaudiya Vaisnava and writer of padavali songs:
keha bole gora janaki-ballabha
radhara priya pancabana re
nayananandera mane ana nahi jane
amara gadadharera prana re

Some say that Lord Gaura is Janaki's beloved Rama, that He is Radha's beloved Krishna,
handsome like Kamadeva. In Nayanananda's heart this thought arises: Lord Gaura is the life's breath
of my Gadadhara. I do not know anything more than this.
Jaya Jaya Gadadhara Jaya Gauracandra, Navadvipa Vraja Lila, Sri Radhe Govinda!