Raghava Pandita was formerly a confidential gopi in Vraja named Dhanistha

Expressions researched:
Raghava Pandita was formerly a confidential gopi in Vraja

CC Adi-lila

Rāghava Paṇḍita was formerly a confidential gopī in Vraja during the time of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, and his former name was Dhaniṣṭhā.

CC Adi 10.24, Translation and Purport: 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.

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

dhaniṣṭhā bhakṣya-sāmagrīṁ kṛṣṇāyādād vraje ’mitām

saiva samprati gaurāṅga-priyo rāghava-paṇḍitaḥ

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.