Sripada Brahmananda Prabhu, later known as Sri Paramananda, was a fourth-generation descendant of Nandakisora. He established the Sripata of Nityananda Prabhu in Vrndavana. Brahmananda was very handsome, and when he and his cousin-brother Nrisimhananda performed kirtana together, the audience was so absorbed that it seemed as if Lord Caitanya and Nityananda Prabhu were personally present. He was an accomplished kirtaniya, well versed in sastras, and he appreciated these qualities in others.
Under the guidance of the ascetic Vaisnava Golokadasa Babaji, Brahmananda mastered the art of kirtana. When people heard him perform, they left all other work to attend. Distinguished persons and other kirtaniyas became so absorbed that they forgot the time of day. On occasions when kirtana continued until midnight, Brahmananda arranged food for about forty Vaisnavas.
Brahmananda meticulously performed two annual rituals in memory of his parents. During one such occasion, a day-long kirtana recital was arranged, followed by nagara-sankirtana the next day. The first day’s kirtana was led by Krsnadasa Babaji, accompanied by his brother Gauradasa Babaji. At that time, kirtana performed by Gaura and Krsnadasa was considered unparalleled.
When the kirtana ended, Brahmananda escorted Krsnadasa to a separate bed placed alongside his own. Being tired, Krsnadasa quickly fell asleep, and Brahmananda quietly massaged his body. When asked what he was doing, Brahmananda replied that Krsnadasa should concern himself more with the nagara-sankirtana than the massage.
Brahmananda Prabhu was a close friend of Siddha Jagannathadasa Babaji. He was dignified, blissful, devoid of anger, and uninterested in material pleasure. He accepted all food offered to him with love. Prabhupada Premananda once told his disciple Madhavadasaji that Brahmananda had earned more than two lakh rupees, yet he did not keep a single paise for himself.
One day, at Sripata Purulia, as Brahmananda completed his sadhana, he learned that his eldest son had passed away. Though relatives arrived weeping, Brahmananda remained unperturbed, took prasada from the pujari, and continued his bhajana, leaving the family to perform the funeral rites. Thereafter, he never mentioned his son.
Brahmananda was magnanimous. When a devotee committed an act unbecoming of a true Vaisnava, he blamed himself for not properly guiding the devotee. Simultaneously, he ensured the person was separated from others, and if necessary, sent him elsewhere at his own expense.
Once, in Brahmananda Prabhu’s presence, Siddha Krsnadasaji recited Sri Radha’s snana-sringara lila continuously for twenty-four hours.
Sripada Brahmananda Prabhu departed on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Jaistha in the Bengali year 1305 (1898 AD.), leaving behind a legacy of devotion, humility, and selfless service.
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