A disciple of Sri Madhavendra Puri, Pundarika Vidyanidhi was Sri Gadadhara Pandi t's guru, and an intimate friend

of Svarupa Damodara. Once in Jagannatha Puri, Pundarika Vidyanidhi met Svarupa Damodara after a long separation. In a joyful mood of friendship Pundarika and Svarupa wanted to take the dust from each other's feet. A scuffle began as they tried to simultaneously catch the feet of one another, but at the same time, avoid having their own fee t caught. Both being quite strong, neither won. But Sri Gauranga enjoyed their s porting play and everyone laughed. Pundarika Vidyanidhi has other names Sri Vidyanidhi, Acaryanidhi, Bhaktyanidhi, an d Premanidhi (given by Lord Caitanya). Simply by hearing his name, said Sri Gaura, the whole world becomes purified. Premanidhi's pure devotion caused Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to sometimes cry profusely and call out loudly, Bop, (father) Pundarik a! Pundarika is My father, My dearmost friend. When will I see him again? Pundari ka Vidyanidhi is King Vrsabhanu, Sri Radha's father, in Vrndavana lila. Continually floating in the sea of Krishna prema, Pundarika often showed ecstati c bodily symptoms of tears, horripilation, falling unconscious. Whoever recites o r hears the following narration of the meeting of Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Sri G adadhara Pandit will receive the treasure of love of God. (Sri Caitanya Bhagavata ) When he first arrived in Navadvipa Pundarika Vidyanidhi disguised himself as a w orldly sense enjoyer. Besides Mukunda, nobody knew that Pundarika Vidyanidhi was pure a Vaisnava. Today, I will introduce you to a most exceptional Vaisnava, said Mukunda, as he took Gadadhara Pandit to meet Pundarika Vidyanidhi. They found Pundarika reclining on an opulent brass bed covered with red satin sh eets, silk pillows, and topped with a three-tiered canopy. A gem-studded pan box stuffed with fragrant spices and betel nuts waited within arm's reach. Two shin y brass spitoons stood as silent sentries beside the bed. Seeing the mirror stai ned red from his chewing pan, Pundarika laughed heartily. Two servants cooled hi m with peacock fans. Was this a Vaisnava or a prince wallowing in luxury wondered Gadadhara Pandit? D oubts arose in Gadadhara's mind about Pundarika's spiritual status. Reading his mind, Mukunda decided to reveal the highly exalted transcendental identity of Pu ndarika Vidyanidhi. Mukunda recited Srimad Bhagavatam (10.6.35): Always hankering to taste the blood of small children, Putana came to kill baby Krishna. However , because she offered her breast to the Supreme Lord Putana attained the greates t blessing of being accepted as a mother of Sri Krishna. Hearing this verse totally transformed Pundarika Vidyanidhi. A Ganges river of t ears flooded his eyes. Perspiration rained from his body, his hairs stood erect. He ripped off his embroidered silk shirt and wildly thrashed his legs about. Ro lling on the ground, he wailed, The Lord is infinitely merciful. Yet He deprives me of His mercy. His clothes, brass bed, fine bedsheets, mirror, spitoons, all hi s opulent trappings were ripped to shreds smashed to bits. Ten men tried but could n't restrain the force of Pundarika's ecstasy. The manifestations of Pundarika V idyanidhi's pure love for Krishna competed with one another for some time. Final ly, his spiritual emotions reached their peak and he lost external unconscious. After witnessing this spectacular display of transcendental feelings Gadadhara P andit realized his offense in misjudging Pundarika Vidyanidhi to be a materialis tic devotee. To rectify his mistake he wanted to take initiation from Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Six hours later, Sri Pundarika returned to external consciousness. N ow he seemed calm and composed. Happily he initiated Gadadhara Pandit. Pundarika Vidyanidhi is Srimati Radharani's father in Vraja pastimes. His samadhi is in t he 64 Samadhis Area. eg: Just like if a man becomes angry, so somebody tries to satisfy him. Just like so mebody...sometimes our small child becomes angry and cries very loudly and the p arents satisfy, "My dear boy, you are so nice, why you are crying? You can take this," just to pacify. Similarly, when Nsihadeva became very angry for killing, be cause He was angry because Hirayakaipu teased his devotee, Prahlda, so much. Theref

ore, He was very, very angry. Vaiava apardha. If anyone offends a Vaiava, a pure devo tee of Ka, he is the greatest offender. Ka never excuses. That I explained yesterday. It is very... Vaiava apardha is the greatest dangerous offense. Therefore, Caitanya Mahprabhu in His teaching to Sri Rpa Goswm, He has especially, vaiava-apardha ht m re doing everything. He has compared Vaiava apardha as mad elephant. He has very ni cely metaphorically explained this. Just like you have a nice garden, very good garden, you are watering, you are giving protection, giving manure, everything. But if in that garden a mad elephant enters, then it will destroy everything, al l your labor will go to hell immediately. It will destroy everything. Similarly, you may do anything very nicely; but if you commit offense at the feet of a pur e Vaiava, then all your assets will be immediately vanquished. Vaiava apardha. Becaus e Ka is very angry. Tn aha dviata krrn kipmy ajasram yoniu [Bg. 16.19]. In the Bh is said, Ka said, dviata krrn. Dviata, those who are envious upon Vaiava and Viu ngerous position is to be envious of a Vaiava. Viu apardha can be excused, God is ver y kind. But He never excuses Vaiava apardha. That is His vow.