Sri Shivananda Sena, the twenty-fourth branch of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s devotional tree, was an extremely confidential servant of the Lord. All the devotees who traveled from Bengal to Jagannatha Puri to meet Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took shelter of Sri Shivananda Sena, who guided them throughout their journey.

Residence and Service

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja describes Sri Shivananda Sena as a resident of Kumarahatta, also known as Halisahara. About one and a half miles away, at Kanchadapada, he installed the Gaura-Gopala Deities and established a temple of Krishnaraya, which still exists today.

Sri Shivananda Sena was the father of Paramananda Sena, also known as Puri Dasa or Kavi Karnapura, the author of Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika. According to that work, Shivananda Sena was the combined incarnation of the Vraja gopis Vira and Duti.

He personally arranged and bore all the expenses for the devotees traveling from Bengal to Jagannatha Puri. Because Vasudeva Datta spent lavishly in devotional service, Sri Shivananda Sena also supervised his expenditures.

His Compassion and Service

Sri Shivananda Sena personally experienced the Lord’s manifestations of sakshat, avesha, and avirbhava.

During one journey to Jagannatha Puri, he compassionately cared for a dog that accompanied the devotees. By receiving the association of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, that dog ultimately attained salvation.

When Raghunatha Dasa later left home to join Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, his father wrote to Sri Shivananda Sena seeking news of his son. Shivananda Sena faithfully replied, and later accepted the responsibility of caring for the servants and money sent for Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.

Loving Exchanges with Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Once Sri Shivananda Sena invited Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to his home and lovingly served Him an elaborate meal. The Lord became slightly unwell due to overeating. Shivananda Sena’s son then offered suitable food to help His digestion, greatly pleasing the Lord.

The Loving Dealings of Lord Nityananda Prabhu

During one pilgrimage to Jagannatha Puri, the devotees had to spend the night beneath a tree without proper shelter. Feeling hungry, Lord Nityananda Prabhu displayed transcendental anger and cursed the sons of Shivananda Sena.

His wife became deeply distressed, but when Shivananda Sena returned, he simply replied, “Let us all die if Sri Nityananda Prabhu desires.”

Later, when Nityananda Prabhu saw Shivananda Sena, He kicked him while expressing His displeasure over the delay in arranging food. These exchanges reveal the intimate loving relationship between the Lord and His confidential devotee.

The Blessings Upon His Family

Shivananda Sena’s nephew, Srikanta, became disturbed by these events and went directly to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri. The Lord pacified him.

On that occasion, the Lord allowed the child Puri Dasa to suck His toe. By Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s order, the child immediately became able to compose Sanskrit verses.

The Lord also instructed His servant Govinda to offer His prasadam remnants to the entire family of Sri Shivananda Sena.