Appearance Day of Sri Madhavendra Puri

What is the Appearance Day of Sri Madhavendra Puri?

In 2027 devotees honour the great sannyasi Sri Madhavendra Puri on his appearance day, Thursday, 20 May. This year the same date also marks the appearance of Sri Srinivasa Acarya and of Sri Sri Radha-Ramana Devaji.

Significance

Within the disciplic succession from Madhvacarya, Madhavendra Puri was the first to show the symptoms of love of Godhead, and the Caitanya-caritamrta calls him a desire tree of devotional service, in whom the seed of devotion first bore fruit. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Madhavendra Puri's third disciplic descendant, since his disciple Sri Isvara Puri became the Lord's spiritual master.

Madhavendra Puri installed the Deity of Sri Gopala on Govardhana Hill, where the Annakuta festival was held. At Remuna, Sri Gopinatha stole a pot of sweet rice for him. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recited this verse by Madhavendra Puri, He was overcome with ecstasy:

O My Lord! O most merciful master! O master of Mathurā! When shall I see You again? Because of My not seeing You, My agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?

Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 4.197

How to observe it

Read the fourth chapter of the Madhya-lila of the Caitanya-caritamrta, which tells of Gopala on Govardhana and of the sweet rice at Remuna. Then chant the holy names in the mood of Madhavendra Puri's verse, longing for the day you will see the Lord again.