Ananta (or Sisu Ananta) was the youngest amongst the famous panchasakhas. According to Udaya Kahani of Acyutananda, Ananta was born at Balipatna in the district of Puri in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Purusottamadeva (1486 AD.). He was known as Sisu (child) and founded the Sisu‑sampradaya. In later years many poets added the title Sisu to their names.
The story behind the name Sisu is found in the book of Iswara Dasa: Once Ananta and Jagannatha Dasa paid a visit to Laksmi and Narayana in Vaikuntha. Assuming the form of a sakhi (female associate), Jagannatha attracted the attention of the divine couple. Ananta assumed the form of Padmana (Pradyumna, the infant son of Laksmi). The deities caressed the child as Pradyumna. Jagannatha dasa was searching and realized through mediation that Ananta had become the child and was sitting near the deities (Sri Caitanyabhagavata chapter LXIV, pada 126‑132, p.403). After this incident, `Sisu’ was added to Ananta’s name.
The most renowned amongst the Sisu poets were; Sisu Arjuna Dasa, author of Ramabhiva and Kalpalata; Sisu Balarama Dasa, author of Rasa; Sisu Sankar Dasa, author of Ushabhihara; Sisu Pratapraya, author of Sasisena; Sisu Dayanidhi Dasa, author of Aswamedha Yaga.
None of Sisu Ananta’s works have been published yet, except Udebakhana, and some small poems. The following is a list of his manuscripts which have been preserved in the State Museum of Orissa: Gaduda-Ananta-Sambada, Agatachumbaka-Malika, Hetudayabhagabata, Udebakhara Chhatabakhara, Thika bakhara stotra, choutisa and bhajanas.
After returning from Gaudadesa, Lord Caitanya enquired about Ananta’s writings. Ananta informed the Lord that he had written the Bhabisya Purana.
In the Sri Caitanyabhagavata of Iswar Dasa it is explained that all the members of the panchasakha came to Puri, near Baradanda, in the month of Caitra (March‑April) to join the sankirtana party. The close relationship between Lord Caitanya and the panchasakha was apparent at this time. There is also a description, in the same book, of Lord Caitanya’s visit to Cuttack on his way to Vrndavana. At that time the king sent a messenger to bring the panchasakha’s. When they arrived, Lord Caitanya embraced them all.
The author also describes the incident of how Ananta received the title `Sisu’. It is further explain that Ananta was an associate of Krsna in the Dvapara age. At that time the Lord explained that He would advent in the age of Kali as Caitanya (Caitanya mora nija dehi), thus He advised Ananta to also take birth then.
According to Iswara Dasa, after destroying the Yadava class, Balarama‑Sankarsana went to live in the Vindu‑Sarovara as the serpent Ananta. At the age of fifteen, Ananta was told by a sage, “Hear me, O Ananta. Nityananda, the embodiment of Sankarsana, has taken birth in Gaudadesa. Caitanya, the Lord of the universe, will go to Nilacala, along with his companions, and you will serve His lotus feet. Nityananda is Sankarsana, and you are His partial self. That is why you bear the name Ananta.” The hermit further explained that in the Dvapara‑yuga Ananta had taken birth as Dama.
On His way to Puri, Lord Caitanya visited Konarka. Ananta met Him there and fell at the Lord’s feet. Lord Caitanya advised Nityananda to initiate Ananta. Thus, with a joyful heart, NItyananda imparted the maha‑mantra into the ear of Ananta.
There is a story in Chourasi Ajna, written by Sudarsan Dasa, in which Sisu Ananta displays his occult powers before his other four associates, as well as Lord Caitanya and Prataparudra. According to Chourasi Ajna, Ananta plucked the ripened jackfruit from the plant and distributed it amongst all the people present there.
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