Śivānanda Sena’s son, Paramānanda Sena, also known as Kavi Karṇapūra, wrote the above verse in his Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā. Just as the female messenger Vīrā acted to enrich the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs, Śivānanda Sena appeared to enrich Gaurahari’s līlā. A Vaiṣṇava may take birth in any family. Śivānanda manifested his līlā of being born in the Vaidya or physician caste to increase its glory. The names of his parents are not known, nor that of his wife. He had three sons: Śrī Caitanya Dāsa, Śrī Rāma Dāsa and Śrī Paramānanda (Kavi Karṇapūra).

Śivānanda made his home in the present day city of Halisahar, in Kumarahatta near Kanchra Para. This is the same town where Īśvara Purī, Mahāprabhu’s guru, was born. Mahāprabhu took some earth from Īśvara Purī’s birthplace. Ever since, devotees have been taking earth from that spot, leaving a hole in the ground big enough to form a pool that has taken the name of Śrī Caitanya Ḍobā.

After Mahāprabhu took sannyāsa, Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita and his family found it impossible to remain in Navadvīpa and so moved to Kumarahatta. Other notable residents of the town were Vāsudeva Datta Ṭhākura, Śrī Khañja Bhagavān Ācāya. According to Caitanya Bhāgavata, Śivānanda was present when Mahāprabhu came to visit Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s house in Kumarahatta:

Vāsudeva Datta came immediately, as did Śivānanda and his family members. (Caitanya Bhāgavata 3.5.18)

Śivānanda was best known for managing the yearly trips to Purī when the Bengali devotees went on pilgrimage to see Mahāprabhu. He would take responsibility for the route they took, the costs of both coming and going, their lodgings, etc.

On the Lord’s order, every single year all the devotees came to see the Ratha-yātrā. Amongst them were Kṛṣṇa’s own singer, Mukunda Datta, Śivānanda and others who were accompanied by their family members. (Caitanya Bhāgavata 3.8.5, 15)

Śivānanda Sena took care of paying the customs duties and ferry fees for the group. He took personal care of everyone in the pilgrimage. He saw to all the devotees’ necessities, especially making lodging arrangements. He knew the roads through Odisha and would show the way. (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 2.16.19-20)

In the third year, when Mahāprabhu’s associates took their wives with them, Śivānanda Sena also took his wife and son, Śrī Caitanya Dāsa. Caitanya Caritāmṛta’s description of that trip is as follows:

Māliṇī accompanied Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita, Śivānanda’s wife travelled with him. Śivānanda’s little boy named Caitanya Dāsa also jubilantly came along with them to see the Lord. Śivānanda dealt with customs officials and made eating and lodging arrangements, ecstatically going on the road to see Mahāprabhu. (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 2.16.22-3, 26-7)

One of Mahāprabhu’s dear devotees was Vāsudeva Datta from Chittagong. He was very generous and somewhat prodigal in his spending. Mahāprabhu told Śivānanda to take charge of his affairs to help him cut back on his expenses, giving practical instructions on the necessity of saving money to run a household.

He respectfully said to Śivānanda, “Please take care of Vāsudeva Datta. He is too generous. He spends whatever he earns the very day he earns it. He is a householder, he has to save some money; if he doesn’t, he will not be able to maintain his wife and family. I want you to supervise his income and expenditures. Be his manager and make proper adjustments. (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 2.15.93-6)

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī has recounted an anecdote in the Caitanya Caritāmṛta about the amazing relationship between Śivānanda and a dog.

One year, as the pilgrimage party made their way to Purī, a stray dog began to tag along behind them. When they had to cross a certain river, the ferryman refused to allow the dog to get on board. Śivānanda paid the ferryman 10 paṇas of cowry shells to take it across. One day, his servant forgot to feed the dog its rice and it disappeared. Śivānanda was so upset that he did not eat his meal that evening.

As they approached Purī, the devotees became increasingly anxious to see Mahāprabhu and on their arrival, they went straight to His residence even before going to the temple to see Lord Jagannātha. They then went to take their meal with Mahāprabhu who, at the end of the meal, sent them all to their lodgings to rest.

The next day, when the devotees came to see Mahāprabhu, they were astonished to see the dog there. Mahāprabhu was laughing and feeding it coconut prasāda and saying, “Chant Kṛṣṇa, Harināma!” The dog was clearly chanting out the divine Names and eating the prasāda given him by the Lord. Everyone was completely amazed to see this extraordinary event. Śivānanda prostrated himself on the ground in obeisances to the dog and begged him for forgiveness. After that, the dog disappeared. By Mahāprabhu’s mercy, the dog had taken a spiritual body and gone to Vaikuṇṭha.

These are the transcendental pastimes of Lord Śacīnandana: He made a dog say the Names of Kṛṣṇa and then sent it to the spiritual world. (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.1.33)

During the Muslim rule, the county courthouse in the town of Ambika was in the neighbourhood of Kalna in the district of Burdwan. This was known then as Ambua Muluk, today as Pyari Ganj. A great Vaiṣṇava named Nakula Brahmacārī lived there. Mahāprabhu entered into Nakula’s heart out of His desire to deliver the people of Bengal. The Brahmacārī began to behave just like someone possessed by celestial influences and would dance, sing and shout in a deep mood of divine love. Both his inner mood and his physical appearance took on Mahāprabhu’s qualities.

When people heard about the miraculous occurrences surrounding Nakula Brahmacārī, they gathered to see him. In his presence everyone would be influenced by his absorption in Mahāprabhu’s mood; they would sing Kṛṣṇa’s Names and begin to experience the taste of kṛṣṇa-prema.

When Śivānanda heard about all this, he could not at first believe that it was true and he decided to test Nakula Brahmacārī to eradicate his doubts. He came to Ambika but kept himself at some distance from the Brahmacārī. His idea was that if Nakula were truly possessed by Mahāprabhu, he would call out to him and tell him what his own secret mantra was. In spite of the fact that Śivānanda was invisible in the great crowd of countless devotees, Nakula called out his name and sent people to look for him. When he heard his name being called, Śivānanda came forth and paid his obeisances to Nakula. The Brahmacārī said,

“You doubted me, so listen carefully and I will put an end to your doubts. Your worshippable mantra is the four-syllable Gaura-Gopāla mantra. Give up the uncertainty you held in your heart.” (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.2.30-1)

When he heard this, Śivānanda became convinced that Nakula Brahmacārī was indeed filled with the presence of Mahāprabhu. He paid his prostrated obeisances to him and acknowledged his faith and devotion to him. This is just one example of Mahāprabhu’s inconceivable potencies.

Śivānanda Sena had a nephew, Śrīkānta Sena, who was so eager to see the Lord that one year he went to Purī alone. Mahāprabhu treated him warmly and kept him for two months before instructing him to return to Bengal. He told him to convey the message to the Bengali devotees that there was no need for them to come to Purī that year, for He Himself would be visiting Bengal in the month of Pauṣa. He would then meet with them all and take prasāda at Jagadānanda Paṇḍita’s house. When Śrīkānta returned with the news, everyone was jubilant in expectation of the Lord’s visit. But when the time of Mahāprabhu’s expected arrival came, Śivānanda, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita and the others who had been waiting anxiously for Him were distressed to see that He did not come.

At that time, Pradyumna Brahmacārī (who had been given the name Nṛsiṁhānanda by Mahāprabhu) happened by and asked them why everyone was so unhappy. When he heard about their disappointment over Mahāprabhu’s not arriving, he assured them that he would bring Mahāprabhu there within three days. Everyone knew of Pradyumna’s spiritual powers and so they believed that he could do it.

Pradyumna sat down in meditation. After two days, he said, “Mahāprabhu has arrived in Panihati. By midday tomorrow he will be at Śivānanda’s house.” Without showing the slightest doubt, he ordered Śivānanda Sena to start making preparations for a feast in honour of Mahāprabhu’s arrival. Pradyumna personally started cooking early in the morning and made a large variety of preparations, which he distributed onto three plates to make offerings to Lord Jagannātha, Nṛsiṁhadeva and to Mahāprabhu. As soon as he sat down in meditation for the offerings, Mahāprabhu personally appeared and ate all three offerings, without leaving any remnants.

Pradyumna was overjoyed to see the Lord accept his offerings. Nevertheless, though he well knew that on a higher level there is no distinction between Mahāprabhu, Nṛsiṁhadeva and Lord Jagannātha, in order to demonstrate the principle of devotion to one’s personal worshipable deity, he said, “Nṛsiṁhadeva has not eaten anything today.” Śivānanda asked why this was so and Pradyumna Brahmacārī answered,

“Mahāprabhu ate the offerings intended for all three deities. Therefore Nṛsiṁhadeva and Lord Jagannātha have gone hungry.” (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.2.71)

When he heard this, Śivānanda felt a twinge of doubt. Nevertheless, he furnished Pradyumna with more raw foodstuffs so that he could prepare another offering for Nṛsiṁhadeva. The next year, when Śivānanda came to Nīlācala, Mahāprabhu one day started to glorify Nṛsiṁhananda’s virtues to all the devotees.

“Last year in the month of Pauṣa, he gave Me such a nice meal. I have never tasted such delicious rice and vegetables!” (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.2.77)

All the devotees were struck with wonder at hearing this, and Śivānanda himself became confident that the incident was true. This is another example of Mahāprabhu’s mercy to Śivānanda.

Śivānanda Sena also received much mercy from Nityānanda Prabhu. One day Nityānanda Prabhu kicked Śivānanda, who thus received the touch of His lotus feet, a rare attainment for even Brahmā and the demigods. Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī has described this incident in the 12th chapter of the Caitanya Caritāmṛta’s Antya-līlā.

After the disappearance of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Mahāprabhu’s ecstatic transformations increased day by day. That year, the devotees gathered in Navadvīpa as usual in preparation for the journey to Purī. Nityānanda Prabhu also joined the party, even though Mahāprabhu had expressly forbidden Him to come to Purī. Śivānanda was in charge of the party and would take care of the customs agents, toll collectors along the way. On this occasion, he was accompanied by his wife and three sons.

Normally, Śivānanda would cross a given toll gate last, after first ensuring that all members of the party had gone through. On one occasion, the procedure took longer than usual and since Śivānanda had not arranged for lodgings for the company in the nearby village, the devotees were obliged to loiter about under a tree. While waiting for Śivānanda to come through the toll gate, Nityānanda Prabhu appeared to take on the mood of a cowherd boy from Vraja overcome by hunger. He made a pretence of being angry at Śivānanda, complaining, “Śiva has still not come and arranged for a place for us to stay and I am dying of hunger. I curse his three sons to die.”

On hearing Nityānanda Prabhu make such a curse, Śivānanda’s wife started to cry. When Śivānanda finally returned, he pacified his wife before he went to see Nityānanda Prabhu, Who kicked him in the head as he paid his obeisances. Śivānanda was overjoyed to receive the merciful touch of the Lord’s foot and immediately went to arrange quarters for the night in the house of a milkman. When Śivānanda had brought Nityānanda Prabhu to his lodgings, he glorified Him and prayed to receive the touch of His feet again and again. He said,

“Today You have accepted me as Your servant, for You have punished me as You would Your own servant. You are so compassionate that even Your punishments are a sign of Your causeless mercy. Who in the three worlds can understand Your personality? The dust of Your feet is unattainable by even Brahmā, yet it has fallen on my wretched body. My life, my family and my service have all become perfected today. Today I have attained devotion to Kṛṣṇa, as well as all the other goals of human life.” (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.12.27-30)

Nityānanda Prabhu was so pleased by Śivānanda’s prayers that He embraced him. However, Śrīkānta, Śivānanda’s nephew, had been upset by Nityānanda Prabhu’s behaviour. He thought, “Śivānanda is Mahāprabhu’s dear associate and respected by all the devotees, and yet Nityānanda Prabhu has kicked him in the head.” He left the party and went ahead to Purī on his own. Upon his arrival, he went to Mahāprabhu and paid his prostrated obeisances. Mahāprabhu’s servant Govinda told Śrīkānta to take off his upper garments when paying obeisances. However, knowing his thoughts, Mahāprabhu said to His associates,

“Śrīkānta has come on his own because of some great mental distress. Don’t tell him what to do, but allow him to do as he pleases.” (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.12.38)

From these words, Śrīkānta could understand that Mahāprabhu is all-knowing and so said nothing about the incident to anyone. The Lord is so affectionate to His devotees that even their friends and relations are also dear to Him.

ahaṁ bhakta parādhīno hy asvatantra iva dvija
sādhubhir grasta-hṛdayo bhaktair bhakta-janapriyaḥ

(O brāhmaṇa,) I am under the control of My devotees, as though I were completely lacking any independence. The saintly devotees have taken possession of My heart, for I am dear to them and they to Me. (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 9.4.63)

Due to their relation to Śivānanda, his wife and three sons also received the Lord’s unlimited mercy. He had named his youngest son Paramānanda Dāsa in accordance with Mahāprabhu’s instruction. Mahāprabhu would jokingly call the child “Purī Dāsa.” When Śivānanda presented the baby to Him, the Lord affectionately allowed him to suck on His toe.

Who can find the limits of the ocean of Śivānanda’s good fortune? The Lord accepted his entire family as His own. The Lord sat down and ate with all the devotees. As He washed His mouth and hands after the meal, He instructed to Govinda to give Śivānanda, his wife and children His remnants every day, for as long as they stayed in Purī. (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.12.51-3)

Mahāprabhu’s unlimited mercy on Śivānanda’s youngest son, Purī Dāsa, is described in Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Chapter 16. One year, when Śivānanda and his wife were in Purī for the Ratha-yātrā, Mahāprabhu said to the little boy, “Say Kṛṣṇa, say Kṛṣṇa!” Though the Lord asked him to chant repeatedly, the boy did not do so. His embarrassed father also tried to get him to chant, but Purī Dāsa was steadfast in not uttering the Holy Name. Mahāprabhu said, “I have induced everyone in the universe, even including the non-moving creatures, to chant the Names of Kṛṣṇa, but was unable to make this little child do so. Whatever is the reason for this?”

Svarūpa Dāmodara ascertained: “You have instructed him in the mantra consisting of Kṛṣṇa’s Name. Now that he has received the mantra, he will not reveal it publicly but only chants it mentally. That is my guess.”

In his Anubhāṣya, Śrīla Bhakti Siddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura has written: “The mantra which one has received from his guru is not to be revealed to anyone else, otherwise it will lose the potency. We have seen this previously from the story about Gadādhara Paṇḍita.”

Another day, Mahāprabhu asked Purī Dāsa to recite a verse. Purī Dāsa broke his silence and recited a verse of his own composition that astonished all those who heard it. He was only a seven-year-old boy with little or no learning. Even Brahmā and the gods cannot understand the glories of Mahāprabhu’s mercy. Purī Dāsa or Kavi Karṇapūra’s verse:

śravasoḥ kuvalayam akṣṇor
añjanam uraso mahendramaṇidāma
vṛndāvana-ramaṇīnāṁ
maṇḍanam akhilaṁ harir jayati

All glories to Hari, the ornament of all the lovely ladies of Vṛndāvana—a blue lotus for their ears, black collyrium for their eyes, and a necklace of blue sapphires to decorate their breasts. (Caitanya Caritāmṛta 3.16.74)

When Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī left home, using an errand for guru Yadunandana Ācārya as a pretext, his father Govardhana Majumadāra sent ten men to Śivānanda, who was already on his way to Purī, asking him to send Raghunātha Dāsa back. They did not find Raghunātha Dāsa with Śivānanda, however, and returned empty-handed. At the end of the rainy season, when Śivānanda and the other devotees returned from Purī, Govardhana Majumadāra heard from some of them that Raghunātha Dāsa was engaged in strict austere practices and begging near the Siṁha Dvāra of the Lord Jagannātha Temple. Raghunātha’s parents were greatly distressed by this news and the next year, Govardhana Majumadāra entrusted 400 coins, two servants and a brāhmaṇa cook to Śivānanda for his son. Raghunātha refused to accept this money for himself, however. Śivānanda’s son Kavi Karṇapūra has glorified Raghunātha Dāsa extensively in his play, Caitanya candrodaya-nāṭaka.

The dates of Śivānanda’s appearance and disappearance are not known. The Gaura Gopāla deity he installed is still being worshiped in the Kṛṣṇa Rāya temple in Kanchra Para.