Appearance Day of Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi

What is the Appearance Day of Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi?

Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi appeared on Vasanta Pancami in the Chittagong area of East Bengal, now Bangladesh, and was a disciple of Sri Madhavendra Puri. The Vaishnava calendar marks his day on Thursday, 11 February 2027. The same date is also the appearance day of Visnupriya Devi, Raghunandana Thakura and Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami.

Significance

In a purport, Srila Prabhupada notes that the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika identifies Pundarika as the father of Srimati Radharani in Krishna-lila. Mahaprabhu therefore treated him as His own father and gave him the title Premanidhi, which means treasure house of love.

Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi, the third big branch, was so dear to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu that in his absence Lord Caitanya Himself would sometimes cry.

Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 10.14

In Navadvipa, Pundarika seemed to be a man of wealth and luxury, and at first even Gadadhara Pandita did not recognise him as a Vaishnava. Then Mukunda Datta recited verses from the Bhagavatam about Putana, and Pundarika fell to the ground in ecstasy. Gadadhara later took initiation from him.

How to observe it

Hear the pastime of Pundarika and Gadadhara, and remember its lesson that no one can judge a Vaishnava by his dress or surroundings. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura draws out this point in his commentary on the Chaitanya-bhagavata. Then chant the holy names, and pray for the humility to honour devotees whose depth is hidden from us.