Shivananda Sena

Article: Shivananda Sena

Śrī Shivananda Sena was a very intimate servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Just before the rainy season (Caturmasya), he would lead the associates of Caitanya Mahāprabhu from Bengal to Puri, where they would go each year to see the Lord. All the expenses of this journey were borne by him, Sena Shivananda. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 10.54)

Wealth and opulences are properly engaged in the service of Śrī Hari, the guru, and the Vaiṣṇavas. Shivananda Sena used his property and possessions in this way, in the service of Śrī Gauranga and His devotees. His entire family, sons, and servants were all devotees of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. His three sons, Śrī Caitanya Das, Śrī Rama das, and Śrī Karnapur das, were extremely devoted to Mahāprabhu. His two nephews, Śrī Ballabh Sena and Śrī Kanta Sena, were also great devotees.

Sena Shivananda used to reside at Kumarhatta, which is presently known as Halisahir. The location of his worshipable Deities, Śrī Śrī Gourgopal, is unknown at present. However, the Deities worshipped by Srinath Pandit, the guru of Kavi Karnapur, are still residing at Kalyani. This is the temple of Kesto Ray, and is located a few miles from Caitanya Doha.

In his Gaur-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, the son of Shivananda, Śrī Kavi Karnapur, has written that the gopi in Brindavan by the name Bira, who was the messenger of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, is presently known as Śrī Shivananda Sena. The devotees would depart for Puri one month before the Rath-yatra festival and, traveling by foot, they would arrive one month later.

One day, the devotees set out on their trip, as it was an auspicious day to begin a journey. At first they came to Śrī Advaita Acarya’s house in Santipur. After conducting a festival there for one day, Advaita Prabhu, his wife, and son accompanied the party to Mayapur where they would have the darsan of Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mother, Saci Mata. She was somehow or other passing her days in great separation from her son. The devotees all offered their obeisances to her, and she in turn offered obeisances to the feet of Advaita Acarya and his wife Sita Thakurani. Then, while remembering her son, she began to cry.

Advaita Acarya Prabhu and his wife consoled Saci Mata as best as they could, and then, along with the other devotees, they commenced their journey. Though Lord Caitanya had ordered Nityananda Prabhu to preach in Bengal, he would also accompany the devotees to see Mahāprabhu.

Also present were Śrī Acaryaratna, Pundarika Vidyanidhi, Srivas Pandit, along with his brothers and their wives, Vasudeva, Govinda, Madhava Ghosh, Murari Gupta Ojha, Śrī Raghava Pandit, Śrī Khandavasi Narahari, Śrī Gunaraja Khan, etc. Sena Shivananda would bring his wife and their sons, and many of the other devotees as well would bring their wives. The Thakuranis (ladies) would prepare foodstuffs, which were the favourite preparations of Mahāprabhu.

Shivananda would make the arrangements for everyone’s meal as well as the paying of the tolls at the ferry gates. Wherever they would halt for the night, they would hold a festival of dancing and chanting of the Holy names. Shivananda Sena knew all the paths through Orissa. One day he remained behind at the ghat to settle their account with the toll collector, while the rest of the party went ahead. After walking some distance they sat down to rest underneath a tree.

Shivananda, however, was held up and wasn’t able to come right away, and thus there were no arrangements for their meals. Having walked quite some distance that day, everyone was very hungry. Nityananda began to abuse his name and was ready to curse him. “Where is that Shiva? Everyone is dying of hunger but still he hasn’t come. No one is arranging any prasadam. Let his son die as well!” Just then Shivananda arrived. His wife went to him with tears in her eyes, “You didn’t manage any prasadam and now Gosai is very angry.

He has cursed your sons to die.” Shivananda replied, “Now don’t you become crazy. No need to cry needlessly. Just try to get a hold of yourself.” Consoling his wife he came to where Nityananda Prabhu was and offered his dandavats. Nityananda, still in an angry mood, gave him a good kick. Shivananda felt great pleasure to get this mercy from Sripad Nityananda and immediately went to the house of one Gaudiya Vaiṣṇava to arrange prasadam and a place to stay for the devotees. Then he went to bring Nityananda Prabhu there.

Nityananda Prabhu accepted prasadam with the devotees after which Shivananda came, and offering his obeisances at Nityananda Prabhu’s lotus feet he prayed to him; “Today, in accepting me as your servant, you punished me fittingly, according to my offense. But such is your tenderness that under the pretense of punishment you actually awarded me such great mercy.

Who within the three worlds can understand your character? The dust of your lotus feet is very difficult to obtain even for Lord Brahma, but even such a low, vile wretch as me received the touch of these lotus feet on his body. Today my birth and the heritage of my forefathers has become successful, and today I have received devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as well as the ordinary objects of attainment for human beings – religion, economic development, and sense gratification.” Hearing these words of Shivananda, Nityananda Prabhu became very happy and he rose up and very lovingly embraced him. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Ant. 12.31)

One year Shivananda came to Puri, bringing his son, Caitanya Das with him. One day Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked the child: “What is your name?” To this the child replied, “Caitanya Das“. Then Mahāprabhu asked Shivananda: “What kind of name is this?” Shivananda: “As I received inspiration in my heart, so I have chosen this name.”

One day Shivananda suggested to his son that he invite Mahāprabhu for lunch. When Caitanya Das made this request, Mahāprabhu accepted the affectionate invitation offered by the boy. Thus Shivananda along with his wife prepared many preparations of foodstuffs, feeling very happy in heart that Mahāprabhu would be taking His lunch at their house that day. When Mahāprabhu arrived, Shivananda offered his obeisances, and after washing Mahāprabhu’s feet he seated Him for lunch.

At this point Mahāprabhu announced that today’s invitation has been extended by Caitanya Das. Then Caitanya Das placed in front of Mahāprabhu yogurt, limes, ginger, flower pakoras and other salty preparations, arranged very nicely. Seeing this arrangement, Mahāprabhu said: “This boy understands My mind. Therefore today I am very pleased to accept his invitation.” (Caitanya Caritamrita, Ant. 20.180)

Thus Mahāprabhu very happily accepted the prasadam and after finishing, He called Caitanya Das and gave him His remnants.