Krishnananda Agamavagisha
Krishnananda Agamavagisha (কৃষ্ণানন্দ আগমবাগীশ) (a.k.a. Mahamahopadhyaya Krishnananda Bhattacharya) was a noted Kulin Bengali Brahmin of Shreehatta origin and a renowned Pandita (Scholar) and Sadhaka of Tantra tradition who lived around 1575 CE. He is the author of the "Tantrasara".
He (being the introducer of Navya Tantric-scripture, "Tantrasara") considered to be one among the four pillars of Shreehatta origin scholars in Nabadwip worked for Sanatana Philosophy, alongside Raghunatha (introducer of Navya Nyaya), Raghunandana (introducer of Navya Smriti), and Vishvambhara : Chaitanya (introducer of Navya Vaishnava).
Life
"Krishnananda Agamavagisha" was born from Acharya Mahesha in the year 1650 at Nabadwip. He had four sons - Kashinatha, Mathuranatha, Harinatha and Vishvanath. He had a brother Sahasraksha who was a staunch Vaishnava and a worshipper of Lord Krishna. Krishnananda was ascent from Ramatoshana, the author of "Pranatoshani".
Contributions
He is considered one of the greatest exponents of Tantric activism in Bengal. He authored "Brihat Tantrasara", one of the most exhaustive worship and sadhana text for Tantra. Aagameshwari Kali puja, the oldest Kali Puja of Nabadwip was started by him.
Death
It is believed that he underwent death in meditative trance at Mallarpur, Birbhum.
Dakshina Kali
The development of worship of the form of Goddess Kali as Dakshinakali, is also often attributed to Krishnananda Agamavagisha.
Influences
Krishnananda Agamavagisha was also the guru of Kali devotee poet Ramprasad Sen.[32]