Parameshvara Dasa was completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda. He was the Lord’s constant companion. Shrila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja says that anyone who remembers his name, Parameshvara Dasa, will easily attain love of Krishna.
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Parameshvara dasa
paramesvara-dasa—nityanandaika-sarana
krsna-bhakti paya, tanre ye kare smarana
(C.C.1.11.29)
Parameshvara dasa, said to be the fifth gopala of Krishna-lila, completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Nityananda. Anyone who remembers his name, Parameshvara dasa, will get love of Krishna very easily.
Shrila Prabhupada writes in the purport:
In the temple, Baladeva and Shri Shri Radha-Gopinatha are together on the throne. It is supposed that the Deity of Baladeva was installed later because according to transcendental mellow, Baladeva, Krishna and Radha cannot stay on the same throne. (In the image: Shri Shri Radha Gopinatha and in the left Shri Baladeva).
Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya, “The Chaitanya-bhagavata states that Parameshvara dasa, known sometimes as Parameshvari dasa, was the life and soul of Shri Nityananda Prabhu. The body of Parameshvara dasa was the place of Lord Nityananda’s pastimes. Parameshvara dasa, who lived for some time at Khadadaha village, was always filled with the ecstasy of a cowherd boy. Formerly he was Arjuna, a friend of Krishna and Balarama. He was the fifth among the twelve gopalas. He accompanied Shrimati Jahnava-devi when she performed the festival at Khetari. It is stated in the Bhakti-ratnakara that by the order of Shrimati Jahnava-mata, he installed Radha-Gopinatha in the Temple at Atapura, in the district of Hugli. The Atapura station is on the narrow-gauge railway line between Howrah and Amata. Another Temple in Atapura, established by the Mitra family, is known as the Radha-Govinda Temple. In front of the Temple, in a very attractive place among two Bakula trees and a Kadamba tree, is the tomb of Parameshvari Thakura, and above it is an altar with a Tulasi bush. It is said that only one flower a year comes out of the Kadamba tree. It is offered to the Deity.
“Parameshvari Thakura belonged, it is said, to a vaidya family. A descendant of his brother’s is at present a worshiper in the Temple. Some of their family members still reside in the district of Hugli, near the post office of Chanditala. The descendants of Parameshvari Thakura took many disciples from brahmana families, but as these descendants gradually took to the profession of physicians, persons from brahmana families ceased becoming their disciples. The family titles of Parameshvari’s descendants are Adhikari and Gupta. Unfortunately, his family members do not worship the Deity directly; they have engaged paid brahmanas to worship the Deity. In the temple, Baladeva and Shri Shri Radha-Gopinatha are together on the throne. It is supposed that the Deity of Baladeva was installed later because according to transcendental mellow, Baladeva, Krishna and Radha cannot stay on the same throne. On the full-moon day of Vaishakha (April—May), the disappearance festival of Parameshvari Thakura is observed in this Temple.”
In front of the Temple, in a very attractive place among two Bakula trees and a Kadamba tree, is the tomb of Parameshvari Thakura, and above it is an altar with a Tulasi bush. It is said that only one flower a year comes out of the Kadamba tree. It is offered to the Deity. (In the wallpaper: Shri Gopinath, ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai, Kadamba flower).
Parameshvara Dasa Thakura
namnarjunah sakha prag yo dasa sa parameshvarah
Parameshvara das Thakur was previously Arjuna, one of Krishna’s twelve cowherd boyfriends. (Gaura-Ganoddesha-Dipika 132)
Shrila Parameshvara Thakur appeared in a Vaidya family. He made his home in Antpur, a village which was previously known by the name of Bishakhali. The Antpur station is on the Champadanga branch of the Howrah-Amta rail line. Parameshvara Thakur’s Shripat is not far from the train station and near the old Radha Govinda Temple established of the diwan or chief minister of Burdwan’s king, Tej Bahadur.
After the Lord took sannyas in Katwa, he headed for Vrindavan in a state of divine intoxication before being diverted to Advaita Acharya’s house in Shantipur by Nityananda Prabhu. Sachi Mata and the other Devotees from Navadwip all came to see the Lord there. At His mother’s request, Mahaprabhu agreed to stay in Puri and took the path through Chatrabhoga to Nilachala in the company of Nityananda, Mukunda, Jagadananda and Damodar.
The first time that the Lord wished to go to Vrindavan from Nilachala, He came through Bengal, though He was eventually unsuccessful, He passed through Panihati, Kumarahatta, Kuliya, Ramakeli, Kanair Natshala, Shantipur, etc., before returning to Puri. When Nrisinghananda Brahmachari heard that Mahaprabhu was going to Vrindavan, he meditated on the Lord’s route, imagining a road of jewels as far as Kanair Natshala, when he realized that this was as far as the Lord would go, that he would not make it to Vrindavan this time. (In the wallpaper: Lotus Feet of Shri Gaura Chandra, ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai).
The first time that the Lord wished to go to Vrindavan from Nilachala, He came through Bengal, though He was eventually unsuccessful, He passed through Panihati, Kumarahatta, Kuliya, Ramakeli, Kanair Natshala, Shantipur, etc., before returning to Puri. When Nrisinghananda Brahmachari heard that Mahaprabhu was going to Vrindavan, he meditated on the Lord’s route, imagining a road of jewels as far as Kanair Natshala, when he realized that this was as far as the Lord would go, that he would not make it to Vrindavan this time. Thousands of people were accompanying the Lord at this time. When He arrived at Kanair Natshala, He remembered Sanatan Goswami’s advice,
“To go on pilgrimage with such a large company of Devotees is not recommended. You are going to Vrindavan with an entourage of hundreds and thousands of people, and this is not a fitting way to go on a pilgrimage.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita 2.1.222-4)
On His way back to Nilachala, Mahaprabhu stopped at Advaita’s house in Shantipur. This time He was accompanied by Balabhadra Bhattacharya and Damodar Pandit. When the Lord returned from Gaya, he also went as far as Kanair Natshala where he had a vision of Muralidhara Shri Krishna, who embraced him before he disappeared (Chaitanya Bhagavat 2.2.179-85). Once he returned to Nilachala, Mahaprabhu told Nityananda Prabhu to go with his own associates to Bengal to deliver the lowborn, foolish and fallen people. Amongst his associates at that time were Shri Rama Das, Gadadhara Das, Raghunatha Vaidya, Krishna Das Pandit, Parameshvara Das and Purandara Pandit. While travelling with Nityananda, these Devotees displayed various ecstatic moods. These are described in the Chaitanya Bhagavat:
Krishna Das Pandit, Parameshvara Das and Purandara Pandit were all enthusiastic to join Nityananda. So all of his personal associates accompanied him on this journey back to Bengal. Before starting off, Nityananda first empowered them by saturating them with Krishna prema. They all completely forgot their external identities. There was no end to the variety of ecstatic moods that manifested in each one of their bodies. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 3.5.232-235)
Parameshvara Das and Krishna Das both shouted “Hoi! Hoi!” in the spirit of cowherd boys. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 3.5.240) Parameshvara Das was one of the most important of Nityananda Prabhu’s companions, who appeared specifically to enrich his pastimes. Nityananda Prabhu considered him to be his very own life. This too is stated in the Chaitanya Bhagavat:
Parameshvari Das is Nityananda’s life. Nityananda used his body as an extension of his own. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 3.5.732)
It is also stated in the Chaitanya Bhagavat that Mahaprabhu manifested Himself in the Gauranga Deity Parameshvari Das worshiped in Antpur. 
On His way back to Nilachala, Mahaprabhu stopped at Advaita’s house in Shantipur. This time He was accompanied by Balabhadra Bhattacharya and Damodar Pandit. When the Lord returned from Gaya, he also went as far as Kanair Natshala where he had a vision of Muralidhara Shri Krishna, who embraced him before he disappeared (Chaitanya Bhagavat 2.2.179-85). (In the wallpaper: Shri Muralidhara, ISKCON Manhattan, NYC, USA).
Purandara Pandit and Parameshvari Das both saw the manifestation of Gaurachandra in the Deity. As soon as they saw Him, they ran towards Him and fell down, crying in the ecstasy of love. (chaitanya Bhagavat 5.95-6)
It is said in the Bhakti-ratnakara that Parameshvari Das was in the entourage of Nityananda’s shakti, Jahnava Mata, when she went to the Kheturi festival.
Jahnava Ishvari happily walked in the company of Gauranga, Nakarii Krishna Das, Damodar, Parameshvari, the learned Balaram, Mukunda, Vrindavan Das, etc. (Bhakti-ratnakara 10.376-7)
Shri Parameshvari Das Thakur also accompanied Jahnava Mata on her last trip to Vraja Dhama and witnessed her merging into the body of Radhika in the Gopinath Temple. He established the worship of Radha-Gopinath Deities in Antpur on Jahnava’s order.
Once back from Vraja, Parameshvari Das stayed for some time in Khardaha and Garalagacha village in Puri district. When Narottama Das came to Khardaha, he gave him directions to Puri. In Chaitanya Charitamrita, it is written that just by remembering Parameshvari Das one can attain love for Krishna.
Parameshvari Das took exclusive shelter of Nityananda Prabhu. Whoever remembers him attains devotion to Krishna. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.11.29)
Shri Parameshvari Das had miraculous powers. On one occasion, Harinama-sankirtan was being at the house of Kamalakara Pippalai in the town of Akna Mahesh situated near Serampore. Parameshvari was dancing in ecstasy during the kirtan. Hearing the sounds of the kirtan and seeing the ecstatic dancing caused some of the local atheists to become very envious. They decided to pollute the kirtan area and to teach the Devotees a lesson, so they threw a dead jackal in the midst of the kirtan group. But Parameshvari did not stop dancing for a moment. By the force of his kirtan, the jackal came back to life and started to howl along with the kirtan. The other Devotees were astonished by this display of power and overcome by transcendental joy. This has been mentioned in the Vaishnava-vandana:
I very attentively worship Parameshvari Das, who made a jackal come back to life during sankirtan.
In front of the Temple in Antpur are two huge Bakula trees and a Kadamba tree. Between them is the samadhi tomb of Parameshvari Das, over which is a Tulasi Altar. It is said that Bakula trees grew from the branch of a tree that grew there during the time of Parameshvari Thakur. Every year, the Kadamba tree produces a flower that is used for the worship of the Deities. Parameshvari Thakur’s tirobhava festival is held every year on the vaishakhi purnima.
[Excerpted from “Shri Chaitanya: His Life & Associates” by Shrila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj]
Parameshvara Dasa Thakura – Biography
Parameshvara das, said to be the fifth gopala of Krishna lila, completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Nityananda. Anyone who remembers his name, Parameshvara dasa, will get love of Krishna very easily. (In the image: Wives of brahmanas are giving food to Krishna and His friends).
Shri Parameshvara dasa Thakura appeared in a family of physicians. His Shripat is at Atapur, which was on the Chanpandanga branch of the Howrah-Amrah rail line. Rail service on this line has been discontinued. Direct bus service is available from Howrah station; it is about a 2 hour journey from there. Atapur was previously known as Vishakhala. Shri Shri Radha-Govinda are still residing at his Shripat. In front of the Temple are two Bakul trees and in between them is Parameshvara Thakura's Samadhi mandira.
Shri Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami has written: "Parameshvara das, said to be the fifth gopala of Krishna lila, completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Nityananda. Anyone who remembers his name, Parameshvara dasa, will get love of Krishna very easily." [C.C. Adi 11.29]
Shri Kavi Karnapura Goswami has written: namnarjunah sakha prag yo dasah paramesvarah, "Parameshvara dasa Thakura was previously the cowherd friend of Shri Krishna named Arjuna."
Shri Vrindavana dasa Thakura has written:
nityananda jivan paramesvar das
jahar vigrahe nityananda vilasa
Krishna das paramesvar das dvi jon
gopabhave hoi hoi kore sarvakkon
"Parameshvara is the life of Lord Nityananda and his form (body) is the place of his pastimes. Krishna dasa and Paramesvara, being in the mood of cowherd boys, are always raising a commotion."
When Jahnava Mata attended the festival at Kheturi, Parameshvara accompanied her and went to Vrindavana with her as well. He installed Shri Shri Radha-Gopinatha at Atapur in accordance with the desire of Shri Jahnava Devi, who was personally present during the installation celebration.
paramesvari dasa thakura bandibo sabdhane
srigale loyar nam sankirtan sthane
One day, near Shri Rampur, at Akna Mahesh (the Shripat of Kamalakara Pippalai), there was a festival of nama-sankirtan going on within the Temple of Lord Jagannatha there. Parameshvara was present and was dancing in a completely God-intoxicated state. At that time some miscreants passed by there, and seeing a dead fox lying on the road, they picked it up and threw it into the midst of the sankirtan party. The highly exalted Vaishnavas present didn't feel any anger towards those ignorant fools, but Parameshvara felt sad to see the unfortunate dead fox, and so by his merciful glance he brought it back to life. Then that fox trotted out of the nat-mandir (kirtan hall) to the utter bewilderment of those miscreants, who then immediately fled from the spot.
Parameshvara dasa Thakura accompanied the Deity of Radharani that Shri Jahnava Devi sent to Vrindavana for Shri Govinda. He was the very dear servant of Shri Jahnava Mata. His disappearance is on the full moon day of the month of Vaishakha. On that day the khunti that he used in sankirtan is placed next to his samadhi mandir. Khunti – this is a symbol carried on a staff preceeding the kirtana party. Supposedly its history dates from the time when the Kazi gave his promise that no one would ever disturb the sankirtan parties again. This was an emblem of the Kazi, and its presence infront of the sankirtan party indicated that the party was sanctioned by the Kazi and thus no one should disturb them. Today it is decorated with eyes, tilak, flower garlands and cloths, and worshipped as a manifestation of Mahaprabhu Himself.
On that day the khunti that he used in sankirtan is placed next to his samadhi mandir. Khunti - this is a symbol carried on a staff preceeding the kirtana party. Supposedly its history dates from the time when the Kazi gave his promise that no one would ever disturb the sankirtan parties again. This was an emblem of the Kazi, and its presence infront of the sankirtan party indicated that the party was sanctioned by the Kazi and thus no one should disturb them. Today it is decorated with eyes, tilak, flower garlands and cloths, and worshipped as a manifestation of Mahaprabhu Himself. (In the wallpaper: Deities of Parameshvara Dasa Thakura and his samadhi).
Parameshvara Dasa Thakura
Parameshvara Dasa is one of the dvadasha gopalas named Arjuna. (In the image: Arjuna Gopa).
Parameshvara Dasa was completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda. He was the Lord's constant companion. Shrila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja says that anyone who remembers his name, Parameshvara Dasa, will easily attain love of Krishna.
Parameshvara Dasa also humbly served Shri Jahnava Mata. He accompanied the Deity of Radharani that Jahnava Mata sent to Vrindavana for Govindaji. In Krishna lila, Parameshvara Dasa is one of the dvadasha gopalas named Arjuna. His samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area.
Parameshvara Dasa also humbly served Shri Jahnava Mata. He accompanied the Deity of Radharani that Jahnava Mata sent to Vrindavana for Govindaji. In Krishna lila, Parameshvara Dasa is one of the dvadasha gopalas named Arjuna. His samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area.
Shri Parameshvara Dasa Thakura ki jai!