Vrindavana dasa Thakura
The mother of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakur’s was Sri Narayani-devi, the neice of Srivasa pandita. In his Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Vrndavana dasa has described how his mother attained the affectionate favor of Sri Gaurasundara.
“Narayani-devi received the entire remnants of Mahaprabhu’s meal. Though she was only an insensible child he bestowed His mercy on her in this way.”
Also as a result of this mercy, Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakur, whose life and soul was Sri Gaura-Nityananda, took his birth from her womb.
narayani–caitanyera ucchista-bhajana tanra garbhe janmila sri-dasa-vrndavana
Narayani eternally eats the remnants of the foodstuffs of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was born of her womb. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 8.41)
He hasn’t mentioned the name of his father. It is believed that Narayani-devi was married to someone at Kumarhatta. However, while she was still carrying the child in her womb, she was widowed. Being reduced to a condition of poverty by the loss of her husband, she finally accepted shelter in the house of Sri Vasudeva Datta Thakur, at Mamgachi, where she helped with the housework. Here Vrindavana dasa began his studies.
In the preface to Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati has written, “Narayani-devi raised her child in the home of the father of Sri Malini-devi where she had accepted shelter.”
Vrindavana dasa was born four years after Mahaprabhu took sannyasa. When Mahaprabhu disappeared he couldn’t have been more than twenty years old. He was initiated by Sri Nityananda Prabhu and was apparently the last disciple whom Sri Nityananda accepted. He accompanied Sri Jahnava Mata to the Kheturi maha-mahotsava. Sri Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has glorified Vrindavana dasa Thakur as the Veda Vyasa of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
“The pastimes of Krsna have been described in the Srimad Bhagavatam by Veda Vyasa. Vrindavana dasa is the Veda Vyasa of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya. He has composed Caitanya Mangala which destroys any inauspiciousness for those who hear it.
So that we can understand the glories of Caitanya-Nitai, the essence of the conclusions regarding devotional service as expanded in Srimad Bhagavatam and the limits of the conclusions regarding Krsna bhakti, he has composed this great literature to uplift mankind. To compose such a work is not conceivable for a human being therefore we can understand that Sri Caitanya Himself is speaking through him. I offer my obeisances tens of millions of times at the lotus feet of that person who has given us such a scripture which can deliver the whole world.” (Caitanya Caritamrita)
A devotee of Lord Sri Krsna is celebrated in terms of devotional service rendered to the Lord; thus we know Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura as the son of Narayani. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura notes in this connection that there is no reference to his paternal ancestry because there is no need to understand it.
In the preface to Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati has written, “Narayani-devi raised her child in the home of the father of Sri Malini-devi where she had accepted shelter.”
Vrndavana dasa was born four years after Mahaprabhu took sannyasa. When Mahaprabhu disappeared he could not have been more than twenty years old. He was initiated by Sri Nityananda Prabhu and was apparently the last disciple whom Sri Nityananda accepted. He accompanied Sri Jahnava Mata to the Kheturi maha-mahotsava. Sri Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has glorified Vrndavana dasa Thakura as the Veda Vyasa of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
bhagavate krsna-lila varnila vedavyasa caitanya-lilate vyasa-vrndavana dasa
Srila Vyasadeva described the pastimes of Krsna in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Vyasa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Vrndavana dasa. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 11.55)
caitanya-lilara vyasa,-dasa vrndavana madhura kariya lila karila racana
Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, the authorised writer of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is as good as Srila Vyasadeva. He has described the pastimes in such a way to make them sweeter and sweeter. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 13.48)
Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was an combined incarnation of Vedavyasa and also a friendly cowherd boy named Kusumapida in krsna-lila. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 11.55 purport)
“O fools, just read Caitanya-mangala! By reading this book you can understand all the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. As Vyasadeva has compiled the pastimes of Lord Krsna in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Thakura Vrndavana has depicted the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Thakura Vrndavana has composed Caitanya-mangala.
Hearing this book will annihilate all misfortune. By reading Caitanya-mangala one can understand the glories or truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Krsna. In the Caitanya-mangala [later known as Caitanya-bhagavata] Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has given the conclusion and essence of devotional service by quoting from the authoritative statements of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
If even a great atheist hears Caitanya- mangala, he immediately becomes a great devotee. The subject matter of this book is so sublime that it appears that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura. I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vrndavana dasa Thakura. No one else could write such a wonderful book for the deliverance of the fallen souls. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 8.33-40)
Vrindavana dasa Thakur’s Sripat, where his worshipable Deities of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai are still residing, is at Denur. Denur can be reached by bus from Navadvipa.
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