Disappearance of Ishvara Puri

Ishvara Puri was the spiritual master of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu was Krishna Himself disguised as His own devotee, and, as such, wasn't lacking in spiritual knowledge, but He accepted Srila Ishvara Puri as His guru to establish the importance of accepting a spiritual master.

Ishvara Puri appeared in Kumarhatta, in what is now West Bengal. He was one of the foremost disciples of Madhavendra Puri, whom he humbly served during Madhavendra Puri's last days. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes that Ishvara Puri was the best of sannyasis(renunciates). To honor Ishvara Puri, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted him as His spiritual master. Ishvara Puri wrote Krishna-lilamrita, “The Nectar of Krishna's Pastimes.”

More:

• Video: Madhavendra Puri and Ishvara Puri, with Chaturatma dasa
• Ishvara Puri in Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi-lila 9.11
• More about Ishvara Puri on vrindavan.org
• Blogs: Transcription of a talk on Ishvara Puri by Kadamba Kanana Swami
• Lecture: Kumar Hatta, birthplace of Ishvara Puri, by Romapada Swami

Photo of Ishvara Puri murti (statue) courtesy of lotusimprints.com