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44 to have appeared before the saint and fed him, as he was fasting, forgetful of all physical pain—merged in his trances and love for the god. At Remuna Krishna is said to have stolen thickened milk for his devoted follower. In the religious literature of the mediæval world, such legends are common. Whatever may be their value, there can be no question as to Madhav's having been a highly religious soul, worthy of popular veneration; for in India such legends are only told of those men whose saintliness of character and spirituality are much above the level of average men. Madhav always tried to avoid worldly fame. When crowds in great numbers, filled with admiration came to offer him their tribute of respects at Remuna, he fled from the place, but, says the Charitamrita, "Fame follows the man of worth who does not seek it, and when Madhav came from Remuna to Puri, he found himself already a renowned man there, sought for by the king and all the nobility of Orissa." Madhavendra Puri was a good poet himself, and wrote many Sanskrit verses some of which are to be found in the Padavali compiled by Rupa Goswami.

Madhavendra's disciples were already many in Bengal, noted amongst whom were Keshav Bharati, Ishwar Puri and Adwaita who instructed Chaitanya in the ways of Bhakti. Another of his disciples was Pundarik Vidyanidhi of Chittagong who was held in great reverence by Chaitanya.