CC ADI 10.24
rāghava-paṇḍita-prabhura ādya-anucara
tāṅra eka śākhā mukhya-makaradhvaja kara
SYNONYMS

rāghava paṇḍita—of the name Rāghava Paṇḍita; prabhura—of the Lord; ādya—original; anucara—follower; tāṅra—his; eka—one; śākhā—branch; mukhya—chief; makaradhvaja—of the name Makaradhvaja; kara—surname.

TRANSLATION

Rāghava Paṇḍita, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's original follower, is understood to have been the seventh branch. From him proceeded another subbranch, headed by Makaradhvaja Kara.

PURPORT

Kara was the surname of Makaradhvaja. At present this surname is generally found in the Kāyastha community. The Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, verse 166, states:

Rāghava Paṇḍita was formerly a confidential gopī in Vraja during the time of Lord Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, and his former name was Dhaniṣṭhā. This gopī, Dhaniṣṭhā, always engaged in preparing foods for Kṛṣṇa.

dhaniṣṭhā bhakṣya-sāmagrīṁ
kṛṣṇāyādād vraje 'mitām
saiva sāmprataṁ gaurāṅga-
priyo rāghava-paṇḍitaḥ