Devananda Pandita was a professional reciter of Srimad-Bhagavatam, but by the mercy of Vakreshvara Pandita and the grace of the Lord he understood the devotional interpretation of the Bhagavatam.

The Professional Reciter

Sri Devananda Pandita was a renowned professional reciter of Srimad-Bhagavatam who propagated Mayavada philosophy through his recitations. By the causeless mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he was transformed and began reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam according to the pure Vaishnava paramparā.

Residence

Sri Devananda Pandita resided in Kuliya-grama. The Chaitanya-bhagavata (Madhya-lila, Chapter 21) states that Devananda Pandita and Visharada (father of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya) lived in the same village. Based on the Chaitanya-bhagavata’s account and Locana Dasa Thakura’s descriptions, it becomes evident that present-day Navadvipa was formerly known as Kuliya-grama.

Srivasa Thakura’s Ecstasy

One day, Srivasa Thakura attended Devananda Pandita’s Srimad-Bhagavatam recitation and became overwhelmed with ecstatic emotion upon hearing the transcendental narratives. However, Devananda’s students, failing to recognize this divine ecstasy, considered Srivasa Thakura to be mad and drove him away from the assembly.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Chastisement

When Mahaprabhu visited Kuliya-grama, He heard Devananda Pandita’s Mayavada interpretation of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Greatly displeased, the Lord chastised Devananda severely for his misinterpretation of the sacred scripture. At that time, Devananda had insufficient faith in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna Himself.

Transformation Through Vakreshvara Pandita’s Association

The turning point came when Sri Vakreshvara Pandita stayed as a guest in Devananda Pandita’s house. During that night, upon hearing the pure science of Krishna from Vakreshvara Pandita, Devananda became fully convinced of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s divine identity. This sublime association inspired him to abandon Mayavada interpretations and begin explaining Srimad-Bhagavatam according to the authentic Vaishnava understanding.

Eternal Identity in Vraja

According to Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (verse 106), Sri Devananda Pandita’s eternal identity is that of Bhaguri Muni, who served as the sabha-pandita (assembly scholar) reciting Vedic literature in the court of Nanda Maharaja in Vrindavan.