Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c9.s5.51

c9.s5.51

Vaṃśidāsa, being convinced by means of a vision that he should propagate the worship of Caitanya's image, carved an image out of the wood of the tree under which Caitanya was born. It is also said elsewhere that Pratāparudra of Orissa had a life-size image of Caitanya made some time before his death, but since there is no independent evidence that Pratāparudra was ever a convert to Caitanyaism, the authenticity of this story is doubtful. According to Murāri-gupta (iv. 14. 8, if this part of the work is genuine), Caitanya-image was worshipped by Viṣṇupriyā. Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita is also said to have established and worshipped an image of Caitanya and Nityānanda (Gaur-Nitāi). In any case, these are isolated and sporadic instances and do not bear witness to any theoretical establishment of Caitanya-worship as a cult.