The Glories of Vrndavana Dasa Thakura 4/16/20

The Glories of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura

Narayani eternally eats the remnants of the food of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was born of her womb.

Vrndavana dasa Thakura is Lord Nityananda’s favorite devotee, and therefore he is the original Vyasadeva in describing the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Vyasadeva described the pastimes of Krsna in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Vyasa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Vrndavana dasa.

In text 43 of the Gaura-gannoddesa-dipika, a book written by Kavi-Karnapura that describes all the associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and who they previously were, there is the following statement regarding Narayani: When Lord Krsna was a child, He was nursed by a woman named Ambika, who had a younger sister named Kilimbika. During the time of Lord Caitanya’s incarnation, the same Kilimbika used to eat the remnants of food left by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 

That Kilimbika was Narayani, who was a niece of Srivasa Thakura’s. Later on, when she grew up and married, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was born from her womb. 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 Srimati Narayani.

Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was an incarnation of Vedavyasa and also a friendly cowherd boy named Kusumapida in Krsna-lila. In other words, the author of Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, the son of Srivasa Thakura’s niece Narayani, was a combined incarnation of Vedavyasa and the cowherd boy Kusumapida.

Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s Sri Caitanya-bhagavata was originally entitled Sri Caitanya-mangala, but when Srila Locana dasa Thakura later wrote another book named Sri Caitanya-mangala, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura changed the name of his own book, which is now therefore known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata. The life of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very elaborately described in the Caitanya-bhagavata, and Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami has already informed us that in his Sri Caitanya-caritamrta he has described whatever Vrndavana dasa Thakura has not mentioned. This acceptance of Sri Caitanya-bhagavata by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami indicates his acceptance of the disciplic succession. A writer of transcendental literature never tries to surpass the previous acaryas. (CC Adi-lila 8.33-48, 11.54-55. Antya-lila 20.82-89)

O fools, just read Sri Caitanya-mangala! By reading this book you can understand all the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 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 all fallen souls. (Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami CC Adi-lila 8.33-40)

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

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The mother of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura's was Sri Narayani devi, the niece of Srivasa pandita. In his Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, Vrndavana dasa has described how his mother attained the affectionate fervour 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 Thakura, whose life and soul was Sri Gaura-Nityananda, took his birth from her womb.

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 Thakura, 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 Thakura 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." (C.C. where and give SP's translation)

Vrindavana dasa Thakura's Sripat, where his worshippable Deities of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai are still residing, is at Denur. Denur can be reached by bus from Navadvipa.