SUBODHANI PURPORT

Srila Chaitanyadâs Goswâmi’s ‘Subodhani’ purport is right next to Sri Krishna-Vallabhâ purport.  Many are of the opinion that Sri Chaitanya dâs was the elder brother of Sri Kavi Karnapur.  However, there is no evidence to show that Sri Shivânanda Sen¹‘s son Sri Chaitanyadâs had ever written any book or purport.  At the end of Subodhani purport we find –

“srigovinda-pada-seva-prabhavad-udita swayam,

tika chaitanyadastasya    krishna-karnamrita-ashraya”.

Meaning – “This Subodhani purport has manifested on her own from Sri Chaitanyadâs due to the sevâ performed at the lotus-feet of Sri Govinda”.

Sri Chaitanyadâs was the priest at Sri Govinda Mandir of Vrindâvan.  He was the grand disciple of Sri Gadâdhar Pandit Goswâmi and the disciple of Sri Bhugarbha Goswâmi. Srila Kavirâj Goswâmi has written in Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita –

“pandit gosair shisya bhugarbha gosain,

gour-katha bina jar mukhe anya nai.

tanr shisya gobinda-pujak chaitanyadas.”

Meaning – “Bhugarbha Gosâin – who was Sri Gadâdhar Pandit’s disciple, discussed nothing other than Gouranga Mahâprabhu. His disciple is Sri Chaitanyadâs who is a priest in Govinda Mandir”.

He is also popularly called as “Pujâri Goswâmi”.  He has written the purport to Sri Geet-Govindam.  Hence, we conclude that he is the same person who has written Subodhani purport.  Although this purport is a short one, it is full of bhâv. Sri Krishnadâs Kavirâj Goswâmipâd has been often inspired by this purport.  In Sâranga Rangadâ, we find many places where he has expanded whatever Sri Chaitanyadâs has written in brief.

(to be continued)

¹ father of Kavi Karnapur