Disappearance Day of Sri Devananda Pandita
Saphala Ekadashi
Disappearance Day
All day
What is the disappearance day of Sri Devananda Pandita?
Sri Devananda Pandita was a well-known teacher of Srimad-Bhagavatam who lived at Kuliya in Navadvipa in the time of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. On Sunday, 3 January 2027, which is also Saphala Ekadashi, devotees remember the day he entered the Lord's eternal pastimes.
Significance
Once Srila Srivasa Thakura, a pure devotee of Lord Caitanya, wept in ecstasy on hearing the Bhagavatam verses. Devananda's students threw him out, and Devananda did nothing to stop them. That silence was an offence at a devotee's feet. Later Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard Devananda lecturing from a distance and spoke sharply, saying that scholarship without devotion can never reveal the Bhagavatam.
By the mercy of Srila Vakresvara Pandita, Devananda came to understand who Lord Caitanya is, and the Lord forgave him. When Lord Caitanya came back to Navadvipa, He gave Devananda this instruction:
Always praise Srimad-Bhagavatam. Never let any explanation of Srimad-Bhagavatam other than bhakti issue forth from your lips.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Devananda Pandita, Gaudiya History biography of Devananda Pandit
How to observe it
Honour Devananda Pandita by hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam with humility and by asking forgiveness of any devotee you may have offended. Because the day is Saphala Ekadashi, devotees also fast from grains and beans, and they break the fast on 4 January between 7:19 AM and 10:45 AM at Kurukshetra.
Questions
When is the disappearance day of Sri Devananda Pandita in January 2027?
It falls on Sunday, 3 January 2027, which is also Saphala Ekadashi.
Who was Sri Devananda Pandita?
He was a respected teacher of Srimad-Bhagavatam at Kuliya in Navadvipa. After he offended Srivasa Thakura, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu forgave him, and he became a devotee.
Why was Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu displeased with Devananda Pandita?
Devananda explained the Bhagavatam without bhakti, and he let his students throw Srivasa Thakura out. The Lord taught that the Bhagavatam can be known only through devotion.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Sunday, 3 January 2027
- Also on this day
- Saphala Ekadashi
- Lived at
- Kuliya, Navadvipa
- Taught
- Srimad-Bhagavatam
Seva for this day
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