Quick Facts
Biography
Vishnupriya (Bengali: বিষ্ণুপ্রিয়া) was the daughter of Raj Pandit Sanatan Mishra and second wife of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Life
Vishnupriya was born to Sanatan Mishra of Nabadwip. After the death of Lakshmipriya from the effects of a snakebite Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mother Saci Devi requested him to marry Vishnupriya. According to caste, Sanatana Misra was situated in a higher social position, and so might not agree to the wedding. Saci was concerned that Sanatana Misra, who was higher in social position would refuse to marry his daughter to Nimai Pandita, the son of poor parents, and who had a reputation as an eccentric. When Sacimata submitted the proposal to the matchmaker, he was highly pleased. When she told him she was worried whether or not Sanatana Misra would accept the idea, she said:
- “Thakurani! If Sanatana Misra wouldn't give his daughter's hand in marriage to Nimai Pandita, whom would he have her marry?”
- "Vishnupriya devi". Stephen-knapp.com. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Sanyas
In 1509, at the age of 24 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became a Sanyasi, left home and also Vishnupriya.
Her Hidden greatness
She is eternal companion of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. She is manifestation of Srimati Radharani….and in Sri Krsna lila, she appeared as Satyabhama, the daughter of King Satrajit. Satyabhama was married to Sri Krsna and was one of the principle queen of Sri Krsna. King Satrajit from Sri Krsna lila appeared in Sri Gaura lila as Sri Sanatan Mishra. Mother Satyabhama appeared in the house of Sanatan Mishra as his daughter – Sri Vishnupriya devi. She is the ‘Bhu Shakti’ – Earth potency. Sri Krsna in His Narayan form or Vishnu tattva form has 3 potencies – Sri (Lakshmiji), Bhu (the Goddess of Earth), and Nila (the Goddess of pastimes). Bhu is the energy that creates the cosmic manifestation (nicely explained in Sri Caitanya-Charitamrita Adi lila initial chapters). Bhu-sakti also assists in manifesting Sri Krsna’s pastimes in Vrindavan , the place of His pastimes as they are displayed on the Earth planet in this universe and innumerable other universes. The goddess of this Earth, Prithivi devi, is also included within this potency.
When Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu decided to take sanyas, He gave His own vigraha to Mother Vishnupriya devi. He told her that whenever she would remember Him, He would appear through this vigraha and also would accept all service from her through this vigraha. This vigraha is extremely beautiful and is present in Sri Navadwip dham for us to take darshan. We had shared copies of this vigraha called – Sri Vishnupriya Prana Dhan – Gaura Hari (devotees also sing this phrase at times) with IoHU devotees maybe last year or year before. Attached below is some pics of Sri Vishnupriya Prana Dhan Gaurahari.
Mother Vishnupriya Devi used to chant Hare Krsna Mahamantra daily in morning and would count the # of Mahamantra chanted using rice particles…every time she would chant one Mahamantra, she would take one rice particle and put it on side…then chant another Mahamantra and add another rice particle to the previous one…when she is done chanting, she would cook the rice particles collected while chanting and that would be her meal for the day. And here we are just asked to chant Hare Krsna Mahamantra while being supplied very sumptuous feast by SriSri Radha Krsna and yet we try to find so many reasons why not to chant and proceed to eat just without chanting.
Sri Vishnupriya was the first to establish the deity worship of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The deity she used to worship is also known as Dhameshwara – the Ishwar of Navadwip Dham.
A famous picture of the sandals (padukas) that Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu used to wear and Mother Vishnupriya used to worship (they are also still present in the same temple) [1]