Devananda Pandita was a professional reciter of Srimad-Bhagavatam who turned to pure devotional service during the time of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Devananda Pandita used to explain Srimad-Bhagavatam through impersonalistic interpretations.
The biography of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s early pastimes, Chaitanya Bhagavata, explains that because Devananda Pandita had once showed disrespect to Srivas Thakura, a great devotee of Mahaprabhu, he wasn’t able to understand the essence of the Bhagavatam, which is love and devotion for Krishna. But when Devananda Pandita later did some service for another devotee, Mahaprabhu was pleased with him and revealed to him the path of devotion to Krishna.
(Image shows Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and some of His closest devotees chanting at the home of Srivas Thakura. Srivas is pictured fourth from right.)
More:
- Video: Shivananda Sena, Vakreshvara Pandit, and Devananda Pandit
-part of our Lives of the Vaishnava Acharyas series, hosted by Chaturatma dasa. - Devananda Pandit’s dealings with Lord Chaitanya and His devotees, from Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi-lila 10.77
- More about Devananda Pandita on Gaudiya History.com