ore mudha loka, suna caitanya-mangala
caitanya-mahima yate janibe sakala
SYNONYMS
ore—O all of you; mudha—foolish; loka—people; suna—just hear; caitanya-mangala—the book of this name; caitanya—Lord Caitanya’s; mahima—glories; yate—in which; janibe—you will know; sakala—all.
TRANSLATION
O fools, just read Sri Caitanya-mangala! By reading this book you can understand all the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
PURPORT
Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s Caitanya-bhagavata was originally entitled Caitanya-mangala, but when Srila Locana dasa Thakura later wrote another book named Caitanya-mangala, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura changed the name of his own book, which is now therefore known as Caitanya-bhagavata.
The life of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very elaborately described in the Caitanya-bhagavata, and Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami 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 Gosvami indicates his acceptance of the disciplic succession. A writer of transcendental literature never tries to surpass the previous acaryas.
Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.33 : PURPORT
krsna-lila bhagavate kahe veda-vyasa
caitanya-lilara vyasa–vrndavana-dasa
SYNONYMS
krsna-lila—the pastimes of Lord Krsna; bhagavate—in the book Srimad-Bhagavatam; kahe—tells; veda-vyasa—Vyasadeva, the editor of the Vedic literature; caitanya-lilara—of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyasa—compiler; vrndavana-dasa—is Vrndavana dasa.
TRANSLATION
As Vyasadeva has compiled all the pastimes of Lord Krsna in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Thakura Vrndavana dasa has depicted the pastimes of Lord Caitanya
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.34
vrndavana-dasa kaila ‘caitanya-mangala’
yanhara sravane nase sarva amangala
SYNONYMS
vrndavana-dasa—of the name Vrndavana dasa; kaila—compiled; caitanya-mangala—the book named Caitanya-mangala; yanhara—of which; sravane—by hearing; nase—annihilated; sarva—all; amangala—inauspiciousness.
TRANSLATION
Thakura Vrndavana dasa has composed Sri Caitanya-mangala. Hearing this book annihilates all misfortune.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.35 :
caitanya-nitaira yate janiye mahima
yate jani krsna-bhakti-siddhantera sima
SYNONYMS
caitanya-nitaira—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu; yate—in which; janiye—one can know; mahima—all glories; yate—in which; jani—I can understand; krsna-bhakti—of devotion to Lord Krsna; siddhantera—of the conclusion; sima—limit.
TRANSLATION
By reading Sri Caitanya-mangala one can understand all the glories and truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Krsna.
PURPORT
Srimad-Bhagavatam is the authoritative reference book from which to understand devotional service, but because it is very elaborate, few men can understand its purpose. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the original commentary on the Vedanta-sutra, which is called nyaya-prasthana. It was written to enable one to understand the Absolute Truth through infallible logic and argument, and therefore its natural commentary, Srimad-Bhagavatam, is extremely elaborate. Professional reciters have created the impression that Srimad-Bhagavatam deals only with Krsna’s rasa-lila, although Krsna’s rasa-lila is described only in the Tenth Canto (chapters 29-35). They have in this way presented Krsna to the Western world as a great woman-hunter, and therefore we sometimes have to deal with such misconceptions in preaching.
Another difficulty in understanding Srimad-Bhagavatam is that the professional reciters have introduced bhagavata-saptaha, or seven-day readings of the Bhagavatam. They want to finish Srimad-Bhagavatam in a week, although it is so sublime that even one verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam, if properly explained, cannot be completed in three months. Under these circumstances, it is a great aid for the common man to read Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s Caitanya-bhagavata, for thus he can actually understand devotional service, Krsna, Lord Caitanya and Nityananda. Srila Rupa Gosvami has said:
sruti-smrti-puranadi-
pancaratra-vidhim vina
aikantiki harer bhaktir
utpatayaiva kalpate
“Devotional service to the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic scriptures like the Upanisads, Puranas, Narada-pancaratra, etc., is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society.” Due to misunderstanding Srimad-Bhagavatam, people are misled regarding the science of Krsna. However, by reading Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s book one can very easily understand this science
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.36
bhagavate yata bhakti-siddhantera sara
likhiyachena inha jani’ kariya uddhara
SYNONYMS
bhagavate—in Srimad-Bhagavatam; yata—all; bhakti-siddhantera—in understanding devotional service; sara—essence; likhiyachena—has written; inha—this; jani’-I know; kariya—making; uddhara—quotation.
TRANSLATION
In Sri Caitanya-mangala [later known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata] Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has given the conclusion and essence of devotional service by quoting the authoritative statements of Srimad-Bhagavatam
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.37
manusye racite nare aiche grantha dhanya
vrndavana-dasa-mukhe vakta sri-caitanya
SYNONYMS
manusye—a human being; racite—compiled; nare—cannot; aiche—such; grantha—book; dhanya—so glorious; vrndavana-dasa—the author, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura; mukhe—from his mouth; vakta—speaker; sri-caitanya—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
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.
PURPORT
Srila Sanatana Gosvami has written in his Hari-bhakti-vilasa:
avaisnava-mukhodgirnam
putam hari-kathamrtam
sravanam naiva kartavyam
sarpocchistam yatha payah
Transcendental literature that strictly follows the Vedic principles and the conclusion of the Puranas and pancaratrika-vidhi can be written only by a pure devotee.
It is not possible for a common man to write books on bhakti, for his writings will not be effective. He may be a very great scholar and expert in presenting literature in flowery language, but this is not at all helpful in understanding transcendental literature. Even if transcendental literature is written in faulty language, it is acceptable if it is written by a devotee, whereas so-called transcendental literature written by a mundane scholar, even if it is a very highly polished literary presentation, cannot be accepted.
The secret in a devotee’s writing is that when he writes about the pastimes of the Lord, the Lord helps him; he does not write himself. As stated in the Bhagavad-gita (10.10), dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam upayanti te. Since a devotee writes in service to the Lord, the Lord from within gives him so much intelligence that he sits down near the Lord and goes on writing books. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami confirms that what Vrndavana dasa Thakura wrote was actually spoken by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and he simply repeated it.
The same holds true for Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami wrote Sri Caitanya-caritamrta in his old age, in an invalid condition, but it is such a sublime scripture that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja used to say, “The time will come when the people of the world will learn Bengali to read Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.”
We are trying to present Sri Caitanya-caritamrta in English and do not know how successful it will be, but if one reads the original Caitanya-caritamrta in Bengali he will relish increasing ecstasy in devotional service.CC Adi-lila 8.39
vrndavana-dasa-pade koti namaskara
aiche grantha kari’ tenho tarila samsara
SYNONYMS
vrndavana-dasa-pade—unto the lotus feet of Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura; koti—millions; namaskara—obeisances; aiche—such; grantha—book; kari’-compiling; tenho—he; tarila—delivered; samsara—all the world.
I took permission from Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura by praying at his lotus feet, and upon receiving his order I have attempted to write this auspicious scripture
CC Adi-Lila 8.81
Caitanya-lilate ‘vyasa’–vrndavana-dasa
tanra krpa vina anye na haya prakasa
SYNONYMS
caitanya-lilate—in describing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyasa—Vyasadeva; vrndavana-dasa—is Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura; tanra—his; krpa—mercy; vina—without; anye—other; na—never; haya—becomes; prakasa—manifest.
TRANSLATION
Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura is the authorized writer on the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Without his mercy, therefore, one cannot describe these pastimes CC Adi Lila 8.82
> bhagavate krsna-lila varnila vedavyasa
caitanya-lilate vyasa–vrndavana dasa
SYNONYMS
bhagavate—in Srimad-Bhagavatam; krsna-lila—the pastimes of Lord Krsna; varnila—described; veda-vyasa—Dvaipayana Vyasadeva; caitanya-lilate—in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyasa—Vedavyasa; vrndavana dasa—Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura.
TRANSLATION
Srila Vyasadeva described the pastimes of Krsna in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Vyasa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Vrndavana dasa.
PURPORT
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.
There is a descriptive statement by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in his commentary on Sri Caitanya-bhagavata giving the biographical details of the life of Vrndavana dasa Thakura CCAdi lila 11 55.
caitanya-lilara vyasa,–dasa vrndavana
madhura kariya lila karila racana
SYNONYMS
caitanya-lilara—of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyasa—the authorized writer Vyasadeva; dasa vrndavana—Vrndavana dasa Thakura; madhura—sweet; kariya—making it; lila—pastimes; karila—did; racana—compilation.
TRANSLATION
Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, the authorized writer of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is as good as Srila Vyasadeva. He has described the pastimes in such a way as to make them sweeter and sweeter Cc Adi-Lila 13.48
prabhura lilamrta tenho kaila asvadana
tanra bhukta-sesa kichu kariye carvana
SYNONYMS
prabhura—of the Lord; lilamrta—the nectar of the pastimes; tenho—he (Vrndavana dasa Thakura); kaila—did; asvadana—taste; tanra—his; bhukta—of food; sesa—remnants; kichu—something; kariye—I do; carvana—chew.
TRANSLATION
The transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya have actually been relished by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura. I am simply trying to chew the remnants of food left by him CC Adi lila 13.50
caitanya-lilara vyasa–dasa vrndavana
tanra ajnaya karon tanra ucchista carvana
SYNONYMS
caitanya-lilara vyasa—the Vyasadeva, or compiler of the pastimes, of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dasa vrndavana—Vrndavana dasa Thakura; tanra—of him; ajnaya—upon the order; karon—I do; tanra—his; ucchista—of the remnants of food; carvana—chewing.
TRANSLATION
Actually the authorized compiler of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Srila Vrndavana dasa, the incarnation of Vyasadeva. Only upon his orders am I trying to chew the remnants of food that he has left CCml 1.13
sahaje vicitra madhura caitanya-vihara
vrndavana-dasa-mukhe amrtera dhara
SYNONYMS
sahaje—naturally; vicitra—wonderful; madhura—sweet; caitanya—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vihara—the activities; vrndavana-dasa—of Vrndavana dasa Thakura; mukhe—from the mouth; amrtera—of nectar; dhara—shower.
TRANSLATION
By nature all the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very wonderful and sweet, and when they are described by Vrndavana dasa Thakura, they become like a shower of nectar ccml 4.5
caitanya-mangale iha likhiyache sthane-sthane
satya kahena,–’age vyasa kariba varnane’
SYNONYMS
caitanya-mangale—in the book named Caitanya-mangala; iha—this statement; likhiyache—has written; sthane-sthane—in many places; satya—the truth; kahena—he says; age—in the future; vyasa kariba varnane—Vyasadeva will describe them more elaborately.
TRANSLATION
In Caitanya-mangala, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has stated in many places the factual truth that in the future Vyasadeva will describe them elaborately.
PURPORT
The statement age vyasa kariba varnane is similar to a text in the Caitanya-bhagavata (First Chapter, text 180) in which Vrndavana dasa Thakura says:
sesa-khande caitanyera ananta vilasa
vistariya varnite achena veda-vyasa
“The unlimited pastimes of Sri Caitanya will be described by Vyasadeva in the future.”
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that these statements indicate that in the future, other representatives of Vyasadeva will elaborately describe Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.
The purport is that any pure devotee in the disciplic succession who describes the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is confirmed to be a representative of Vyasadeva Cc Antya-lila 20.87
Hare Krishna! On 17 May, Thursday is the auspicious Appearance Day of a great Vaishnava acarya,
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura, the last initiated disciple of Lord Nityananda and author of
Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. The Life and Pastimes of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very elaborately described in
Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura took initiation at the age of 16. He was the dear-most disciple of Lord Nityananda.
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura's mother's name was Sri Narayani Devi. Narayani Devi was the daughter of Srivas Thakura's brother. When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu revealed his divinity in the house of Srivasa, showing his true self to the assembled devotees there, Narayani Devi was only a four year-old girl. In the Caitanya Bhagavata it is written: "The golden moon, Sri Gauranga, revealed himself as the soul of all souls. At that time he ordered Narayani to chant the name of Krishna. Although she was only four years old, she became mad with love of God. And crying, "O Krishna!" she swooned in ecstasy. As she laid on the ground in a trance of bliss, her eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed with divine love."
Narayani Devi's son was Vrindavana Das Thakura. In the Caitanya Bhagavata he has written of how Narayani was the object of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's affection: "As a result of her great piety, Narayani would get whatever remnants the Lord might leave after eating. Although she was only an unschooled little girl, the Lord would favour Srivas Thakur's niece by giving her the leftovers of food touched by His holy lips."
Indeed it was by the mercy of Lord Caitanya that Vrindavan dasa Thakura took birth in the womb of Narayani. Sri Gauranga and Sri Nityananda were the very life and soul of Vrindavana dasa Thakura.
Gaura Ganodesa Dipika describes that Narayani was previously Kilimbika, the younger sister of Lord Sri Krishna's nursemaid, Ambika. It is also explained that Ambika became Malini Devi, the wife of Srivasa Pandita. Therefore, Ambika and Kilimbika reappeared in Gauranga Mahaprabhu's pastimes as Malini Devi and Narayani Devi, in their same roles as maidservants.
Narayani Devi was just 4 years old when Gauranga Mahaprabhu bestowed Krishna-prema upon her. She was staying with Srivasa Pandita and Malini Devi at Srivasa Angan. One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu suddenly appeared there in the mood of the Supreme Lord shouting, "I am Him! I am Him!" He burst into Srivasa Pandita's temple room and revealed Himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead to the shaken and thunderstruck Srivasa Pandita. Mahaprabhu then called for everyone in Srivasa Pandita's household, including Narayani.
After assuring everyone there was nothing to fear from Chand Kazi's soldiers, Gauranga Mahaprabhu divulged His plans to defeat the Kazi and his ban on Harinam Sankirtan. First, as the Supersoul, He would change the Kazi's heart. Then, if necessary, He would defeat all the Kazi's priests to establish supremacy of chanting the Holy Name: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. And to prove that supremacy, He would make all people and animals chant Hare Krishna in sublime ecstasy. Seeing Narayani, Gaurahari then said, "Narayani! Chant Krishna's Name and cry in ecstasy." At this, little Narayani became agitated with spiritual emotions and cried out, "O Krishna," while rolling around, absorbed in
Krishna-prema.
Gaurahari always gave Narayani special attention whenever He saw her, and personally gave her betel nut remnants from His mouth. Sometime after Mahaprabhu left Mayapur, Narayani married and moved to another village. She was pregnant when her husband suddenly died and this is when Malini Devi brought her to Mamgachhi to live.
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura is an incarnation of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Vedavyasa wrote the Vedas. He then wrote Srimad Bhagavatam, the mature fruit of the Vedas that describes Lord Krishna's pastimes. Then, as Vrindavan Das Thakura, Vyasdeva wrote Sri Caitanya Bhagavata (previously known as
Caitanya Mangala); it describes Krishna's pastimes as Gaurahari in Navadvipa-Mayapur. This most enchanting rendition of Gauranga Mahaprabhu's pastimes gives the conclusion of
Srimad Bhagavatam --
Bhakti, the devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura wrote in his commentary to Caitanya Bhagavata, "At the ancestral home of Malini Devi, Vrindavan Das played as a small boy growing up. There he was nourished and cared for just like a valuable gem." Vrindavan Das Thakura took initiation from Lord Nityananda at 16 years of age and went travelling and preaching with Him. When they were in Denur, in the district of Burdwan, Lord Nityananda told him to stay and preach there and so he never personally saw Lord Caitanya. He went to the first Gaura Purnima festival at Kheturi-grama, accompanying Sri Jahnava Devi, the eternal consort of Lord Nityananda.
Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Gosvami shows his supreme homage and gratitude by honoring Vrndavana Dasa Thakura with the appellation "Vyasa" in the Caitanya-Caritamrta Antya 20.82:
"Vrndavana Dasa Thakura is Lord Nityananda's favourite devotee. And therefore he is the original Vyasadeva in describing the pas¬times of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."
As Srila Vyasadeva told Sri Krishna's pastimes in Bhagavatam and other Puranas, Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura described Caitanya
lila in
Caitanya Bhagavata.
The humble heart of Krishna Dasa Kaviraja pours out more praises of Vrindavan Dasa Thakura:
"Hearing Caitanya Bhagavata destroys all misfortune. By reading Caitanya Bhagavata one will understand the glories of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. And he will attain the highest perfection of knowledge-pure love of Krishna.
"Since such a wonderful book could not be written by a human being, it seems that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself has spoken it through the mouth of Srila Vrindavana Dasa Thakura. I offer millions of respectful obeisances to the lotus feet of Vrindavana Dasa Thakura. By compiling such a valuable book he has delivered everyone from the cycle of birth and death." (Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi 8.33-42)
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura's samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area of Sridham Vrindavana.
On the left side are NITAI-GAURANGA. "NITAI-GAURANGA" are the original Deities worshiped by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura. On right-side are SRI SRI RADHA-KRISHNA, installed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Gosvami. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also installed the deity of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura (white in color).
Directions to reach Mamgachhi:
#1) The birthplace of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura at Mamgachhi in Sri Modrumadvipa Island is one of the main stopoverS during Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama, which is organized every year about 10 days before Guara-Purnima Festival at Sridham Mayapur. One can visit Mamgachhi by attending Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama.
#2) Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura's birthplace can also be visited by taking a rickshaw from Navadvipa Ghat. It will take about 45minutes to reach this place. Packaged tours can also be arranged by contacting Mayapur Tourism office at: Mayapurtours@gmail.com.
Nearby places to visit at Mamgachhi:
#1) Sri Vasudeva Dutta's house: This is 50 meters away from Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura's birthplace. Vasudeva Datta was a very liberal Vaisnava who would spend all his money for the worship of his beloved Deity, Madana Gopala, without any consideration of future expenses in spite of the difficulties for his family. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has such affection for Vasudeva Datta, He vowed on 3 separate occasions that He belonged to Vasudeva Datta. He would say, "I am only Vasudeva Datta's man. My body is meant only to please Vasudeva Datta and he can sell me anywhere."
#2) Madana-Gopala Temple & House of Sri Sarangapani: This is 100 meters from Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura's birthplace. Beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Radha Madana-Gopala worshipped by Vasudeva Datta and Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha worshipped by Sri Saranga Deva.
#3) Siddha-Bakul tree: In the courtyard of Sri Sarangapani's house there is a neem tree also known as Siddha-Bakul. This tree was totally dried up but only until Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced this tree. The tree came back to life by Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu's embrace. Lord Caitanya used to come here regularly along with His associates to perform Harinam Sankirtan.
Live Video from Sri Sri Krishna-Balaram Temple, Vrindavana
Live Darshan of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda Ji, the beloved Deities of Srila Rupa Goswami, Jaipur
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Comments
Son of Narayani, in the house of Srivasa Thakura, associate of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura's books are wonderful, so he is known as the Srila Veda Vyasa of Mahaprabhu's pastimes. He also wrote Nityananda Bhagavata, which contains some similar, but also many additional pastimes of Gour Nitai. NB is a must read for devotees serving Nityananda Prabhu. (thats us!)