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Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta
[Antya-līlā, Ch. 11]
He conducted a great festival to celebrate the passing away of Haridāsa Thākura.
TEXT 105
মহাভাগবত হরিদাস—পরম-বিদ্বান্।
এ সৌভাগ্য লাগি’ আগে করিলা প্রয়াণ ॥ ১০৫ ॥
mahā-bhāgavata haridāsa—parama-vidvān e saubhāgya lāgi’ āge karilā prayāṇa
SYNONYMS
mahā-bhāgavata —great devotee;  haridāsa —Haridāsa Thākura;  parama-vidvān —the most learned;  e saubhāgya lāgi’ —because of his great fortune;  āge —first;  karilā prayāṇa —he passed away.
TRANSLATION
Haridāsa Thākura was not only the topmost devotee of the Lord, but also a great and learned scholar. It was his great fortune that he passed away before Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
PURPORT
Haridāsa Thākura is mentioned here as the most learned scholar,  parama-vidvān . Actually, the most important science to know is the science of getting out of the clutches of material existence. Anyone who knows this science must be considered the greatest learned person. Anyone who knows the temporary situation of this material world and is expert in achieving a permanent situation in the spiritual world, who knows that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is beyond the jurisdiction of our experimental knowledge, is understood to be the most learned scholar. Haridāsa Thākura knew this science perfectly. Therefore, he is described in this connection as  parama-vidvān . He personally preached the importance of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa  mahā-mantra , which is approved by the revealed scriptures. As stated in the  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam  (7.5.24):
iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau bhaktiś cen nava-lakṣaṇā kriyeta bhagavaty addhā tan manye ‘dhītam uttamam
There are nine different processes of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, the most important being  śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam —hearing and chanting. Haridāsa Thākura knew this