Introduction

Very little is known about the early years of Madhavendra Puri, who appeared in the 14th century. During Nityananda Prabhu’s tour of all the holy places of India, he happened to meet Madhavendra Puripada somewhere in western India.

When Nityananda Prabhu saw Madhavendra Puri Goswami, His transcendental body became completely still. Similarly, Madhavendra Puri completely forgot himself and fainted. Gradually, Nityananda Prabhu and Madhavendra got back their external consciousness. They put their arms around each other’s necks and cried tears of joy.

“Today I have received the fruit of all my travels to the holy places. In seeing the feet of Madhavendra Puri, I have received the treasure of love of God, and thus my life has become blessed.”

Ishvara Puri, Brahmananda Puri, and the other disciples of Sri Puripada who were present became completely enamored by Nityananda Prabhu.

Ecstatic Symptoms of Krishna-Prema

Madhavendra Puri’s love of God was very uncommon. Simply upon seeing a dark raincloud, he would fall down unconscious. Day and night he imbibed the spirituous liquor of Krishna-prema and thus remained intoxicated — sometimes laughing, sometimes crying, and sometimes raising a tumultuous hue and cry.

Madhavendra Puri’s disciples continuously remained engaged in Hari-kirtana. No one knew whether it was day or night. Having become completely absorbed in the mellows of Krishna-prema, the days passed though it seemed to them that not even a moment had elapsed.

Madhavendra Puri told his disciples:

“Never before anywhere in all my travels to all the holy places have I ever seen such love as this. Whenever one gets His association, that place becomes the sum total of all holy places and non-different from Vaikuntha itself. Whoever simply hears about Him will definitely get the association of Sri Krishnachandra.”

In this way, day and night, Madhavendra praised the attractive qualities of Nityananda Prabhu. Lord Nityananda respected Madhavendra Puri as his guru and always behaved with him in that relationship.

After traveling together for some days, Nityananda Prabhu set off toward Setu Bandha, while Madhavendra Puri started for Sarayu. Having lost contact with the external world, neither was aware of his own body. They remained absorbed in transcendental consciousness.

“Madhavendra Puri’s body is totally imbued with divine love... Thus his body has become the place of pastimes of Sri Krishna.”
— Chaitanya Bhagavata Adi 9.155

Madhavendra Puri Discovers Gopala

Srila Madhavendra Puri once traveled to Vrindavana and came upon Govardhana Hill. Almost mad in divine ecstasy, he sat beneath a tree to rest.

A cowherd boy approached him with a pot of milk and said:

“Please drink this milk. Why don’t you beg for food? What meditation are you performing?”

Later, the boy appeared in a dream and revealed:

“I am Gopala, the lifter of Govardhana Hill. I am buried here. Please rescue Me and install Me on the hilltop.”

Madhavendra Puri gathered villagers and unearthed the Gopala Deity. A grand installation ceremony was performed.

Gopala Orders Sandalwood from Jagannatha Puri

After two years, Gopala appeared in Madhavendra Puri’s dream and asked him to bring sandalwood from Jagannatha Puri to cool His body.

Without hesitation, Madhavendra Puri began the long journey. On the way, Advaita Acharya received initiation from him.

Khirachora Gopinath – The Lord Who Stole Sweet Rice

At Remuna, Madhavendra Puri saw the beautiful Deity of Gopinath and learned about the sweet rice offering.

Desiring only to taste it to prepare similar offering for Gopala, he kept his desire hidden.

That night, Gopinath appeared in the priest’s dream and revealed He had stolen a pot of sweet rice for Madhavendra Puri.

Thus, the Deity became famous as Khirachora Gopinath.

Final Instructions and Legacy

Later, Gopala instructed Madhavendra Puri to apply sandalwood paste to Gopinath, explaining They are non-different.

Madhavendra Puri obeyed and remained absorbed in divine love.

His samadhi is located at Remuna, and his worshipable Deity Srinathji is worshipped at Nathdwara.

Srila Madhavendra Puri is glorified as the first sprout of Krishna-prema in the Gaudiya tradition.

Hare Krishna Mandir