“Uddharana Datta Thakura, the eleventh among the twelve cowherd boys, was an exalted devotee of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. He worshipped the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda in all respects.”
In Braja lila he was Subahu sakha. [G.g.d.]
After remaining at Khardaha for some days, Nityananda Prabhu and His associates came to Saptagram. Saptagram was the abode of the seven rshi’s and is known in this world also as Triveni-ghata. Previously, the seven rshis did austerities at this ghata by which they obtained the lotus feet of Govinda. Three goddesses are present at this Triveni sangam, namely the Jahnavi (Ganga), Yamuna and Sarasvati. This most renowned place can destroy the sinful reactions of those who simply see it. Nityananda Prabhu along with His associates took bath in great happiness at this very place. The temple of the most fortunate Sri Uddharana was located on the banks of that very Triveni-ghata.
“With his body, mind and words, free from falsehood, he always worshiped the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda. He was extremely fortunate as he received the right to serve the eternal form of Nityananda. Birth after birth, Lord Nityananda is the Supreme controller, and birth after birth, Uddharana is His servant. All of the various families of vaniks (merchants by caste) were purified by the influence of Uddharan Datta, there is no doubt about it. Nityananda Prabhu descended in this world to deliver the vaniks. He gave them the right to perform loving devotional service. Nitai Cand personally wandered from door to door throughout Saptagram, chanting the Holy Names as His pastimes. In reciprocation, all the families worshipped His lotus feet and took shelter there. All the world becomes charmed to see their worship of Lord Krsna. Who can estimate the glories of Lord Nityananda who delivered these vaniks, who were originally low class, mean minded and foolish. In one hundred years I cannot describe the sankirtana pastimes of Nityananda Ray which He performed with His associates in Saptagram. The bliss that was previously felt in Nadia during the Lord’s pastimes of sankirtan there was again felt, in equal measure, during Prabhu Nityananda’s sankirtan pastimes here.” [C.B. Antya 5.443-461]
“Uddharana Datta Thakura’s father’s name was Srikar Datta and his mother’s name, Sri Bhadravati. Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura was the finance minister of the king of Naihati village. The ruins of the king’s palace can still be seen there today.
The place where Uddharana Datta Thakura lived and from which he managed the business of the king is even today known as Uddharanpur.” [C.C. Adi 11.81]
A six-armed Deity of Mahaprabhu (sad-bhuja murti), which was the worshippable Deity of Uddharana Datta Thakura, is still present at Saptagram. To the right of Mahaprabhu is Nityananda Prabhu and to His left Sri Gadadhara. On another simhasana is Sri Sri Radha Govinda, and below, a painting and Deity of Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura. Sri Jahnava Mata came to Uddharana Datta’s house [B.R. 11.775], but he was not present on this earth then. His son’s name was Srinivasa Datta Thakura.
Saptagram is the first station after Bandel on the Bandel-Bard- dhaman line. Within the ruins of the king’s palace at Bonauaribat there is a grand temple where the Deities of Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga and Lord Balarama are still being worshipped.
Bonauaribad can be reached from Katwa by bus.
Uddharana Datta Thakura’s disappearance is on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Pausa.
Note: Special thanks to Jaya Tirtha Caran prabhu from NZ for allowing us to use some of the content from his site to compile these pages.