Uddharana Datta was the best of the Bhagavatas, who served Nityananda’s lotus feet in every way possible.
Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.11.41
Whenever the Supreme Divinity, Nandanandan Sri Krishna, adopts the devotional mood and bodily luster of Srimati Radharani in order to become Sri Krishna Chaitanya, He is always accompanied by His eternal associates, who join Him in order to enrich His pastimes. Thus, Krishna’s primary expansion or prakasa, Baladev, accepts the attitude of a devotee as Sri Nityananda Prabhu, appearing in Ekachakra village in order to embellish Mahaprabhu’s lila. He too has his entourage of personal confidantes who descend to this earth to assist him in playing his role. Nityananda is Baladeva Tattva: he is none other than Lord Sesa, the source of three purusavataras, Maha Sankarshan’s causal form or mula Sankarshan. His chief companions are known as the Dvadasa-gopalas or twelve cowherds. Thus it is stated in the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (129):
Subahur yo vraje gopo data uddharanakhyakah
The Cowherd Named Subahu Became Uddharan
Uddharana Datta Thakur is thus one of the Twelve Gopals.
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