I came across an intriguing reference to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as alluded to by one of the yoga traditions associated with Gorakhnath (possibly from the 12th or 13th century). According to a list of disciplic succession linking a certain Bahina Bai (1628-1700) back to Gorakhnath (and ultimately to Adinath, or Shiva), three ‘links’ after Gorakhnath,
. . . (6) Dnyaneshvara gave his blessing to Satchidananda, the home of bhakti. (7) Further on Vishvambhara, in the beauty of his Shiva form, gave the mantra to Raghava (Chaitanya). (8) He gave it to Keshava Chaitanya, and he to Babaji Chaitanya, who gave it to Tukoba (Tukaram). (9) Because Bahini [Bahina Bai?] placed her undivided devotion at the feet of Tukoba, she received (the mantra through him).
G. W. Briggs, who quotes this passage (translated by J.E. Abbott, The Poet Saints ofMaharashtra. Series, 10 Vols. Poona, 1926-34, Bahina Bai, p. 1) in his bookGorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [1937] 1973, p. 235), continues: “There are evidently gaps in this list. The dates, so far as certain, in this list are: Bahina Bai, 1628-1700; Tukoba, 1608-1649; Visvambhara (Krsna Carianya [sic]), 1485-1533. . .”
Since Dnyaneshvara (or Jnaneshvara) and Tukaram are well-known figures in the Sant tradition of Maharastra – the former prior to Sri Caitanya and the latter after him, the list suggests minimally a confirmation of the tradition that Sri Caitanya spent some time in Maharastra during his travels. Somewhat curious is the mention of his pre-sannyasa name, as by this time he had taken to the sannyasa order. Also curious is the mention of three further ‘Chaitanyas’, indicating that this was not an uncommon name for ascetics. The list also indicates that Sri Caitanya was enough known and honored by members of this particular disciplic line – loosely identifiable as ‘Shaivites’ (?) – to include him as one of their own mantra-bestowing gurus.