vraje sthitau gayakau yau
madhukantha-madhuvratau
mukunda-vasudevau tau
dattau gauranga-gayakau
“In Vraja there were two very nice singers named Madhukantha
and Madhuvrata. They appeared in caitanya-lila as Mukunda and
Vasudeva Datta, who were singers in the society of Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.” When Lord Caitanya was a student, Mukunda Datta was
His class friend, and they frequently engaged in logical arguments.
Sometimes Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu would fight with Mukunda Datta,
using tricks of logic. This is described in the Caitanya-bhagavata,
Adi-lila, Chapters Eleven and Twelve. When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
returned from Gaya, Mukunda Datta gave Him pleasure by reciting
verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam about krishna-lila. It was by his
endeavor that Gadadhara Pandita Gosvami became a disciple of
Pundarika Vidyanidhi, as stated in Sri Caitanya-bhagavata,
Madhya-lila, Chapter Seven. When Mukunda Datta sang in the
courtyard of Srivasa Prabhu, Mahaprabhu danced with His singing,
and when Lord Caitanya for twenty-one hours exhibited an ecstatic
manifestation known as sata-prahariya, Mukunda Datta inaugurated
the function by singing.
Sometimes Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu chastised Mukunda Datta by
calling him khadajathiya beta because he attended many functions
held by different classes of nondevotees. This is stated in the
Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya-lila, Chapter Ten. When Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu dressed Himself as the goddess of fortune to dance in
the house of Candrasekhara, Mukunda Datta began the first
song.
Before disclosing His desire to take the renounced order of
life, Lord Caitanya first went to the house of Mukunda Datta, but
at that time Mukunda Datta requested Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to
continue His sankirtana movement for a few days more before taking
sannyasa. This is stated in Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya-lila Chapter
Twenty-six. The information of Lord Caitanya’s accepting the
renounced order was made known to Gadadhara Pandita, Candrasekhara
Acarya and Mukunda Datta by Nityananda Prabhu, and therefore all of
them went to Katwa and arranged for kirtana and all the
paraphernalia for Lord Caitanya’s acceptance of sannyasa. After the
Lord took sannyasa, they all followed Him, especially Sri
Nityananda Prabhu, Gadadhara Prabhu and Govinda, who followed Him
all the way to Purushottama-kshetra. In this connection one may
refer to Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya-lila, Chapter Two. In the
place known as Jalesvara, Nityananda Prabhu broke the sannyasa rod
of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Mukunda Datta was also present at that
time. He went every year from Bengal to see Lord Caitanya at
Jagannatha Puri. (CC Adi lila 10:41. purport.)
"Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu blessed Mukunda Datta with
punishment and in that way vanquished all his mental
depression."
PURPORT
Mukunda Datta was once forbidden to enter the association of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because of his mixing with the Mayavadi
impersonalists. When Lord Caitanya manifested His maha-prakasa, He
called all the devotees one after another and blessed them, while
Mukunda Datta stood outside the door. The devotees informed the
Lord that Mukunda Datta was waiting outside, but the Lord replied,
“I shall not soon be pleased with Mukunda Datta, for he explains
devotional service among devotees, but then he goes to Mayavadis to
hear from them the Yoga-vasishtha-ramayana, which is full of
Mayavada philosophy. For this I am greatly displeased with him.”
Hearing the Lord speak in that way, Mukunda Datta, standing
outside, was exceedingly glad that the Lord would at some time be
pleased with him, although He was not pleased at that moment. But
when the Lord understood that Mukunda Datta was going to give up
the association of the Mayavadis for good, He was pleased, and He
at once called to see Mukunda. Thus He delivered him from the
association of the Mayavadis and gave him the association of pure
devotees. (A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. CC Adi lila 17:65
purport.)
Vasudeva Datta, the brother of Mukunda Datta (in some places
he is known as the father of Mukunda Datta), was also a resident of
Cattagrama. In the Caitanya-bhagavata it is said, yanra sthane
krishna haya apane vikraya: Vasudeva Datta was such a powerful
devotee that Krishna was purchased by him. Vasudeva Datta stayed at
Srivasa Pandita’s house, and in the Caitanya-bhagavata it is
described that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was so pleased with
Vasudeva Datta and so affectionate toward him that He used to say,
“I am only Vasudeva Datta’s man. My body is only meant to please
Vasudeva Datta, and he can sell Me anywhere.” Thrice He vowed that
this was a fact and that no one should disbelieve these statements.
“All My dear devotees,” He said, “I tell you the truth. My body is
especially meant for Vasudeva Datta.” Vasudeva Datta initiated Sri
Yadunandana Acarya, the spiritual master of Raghunatha dasa, who
later became Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. This will be found in the
Caitanya-caritamrita, Antya-lila, Sixth Chapter, verse 161.
Vasudeva Datta spent money very liberally; therefore Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu asked Sivananda Sena to become his sarakhela, or
secretary, in order to control his extravagant expenses. Vasudeva
Datta was so kind to the living entities that he wanted to take all
their sinful reactions so that they might be delivered by Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. CC Adi
10:41-42 purports)
This is described in the Fifteenth Chapter of the
Caitanya-caritamrita’s Madhya-lila, verses 159 through 180.
There is a railway station named Purvasthali near the
Navadvipa railway station, and about one mile away, in a village
known as Mamagachi, which is the birthplace of Vrindavana dasa
Thakura, there is presently a temple of Madana-gopala that was
established by Vasudeva Datta. The Gaudiya Matha devotees have now
taken charge of this temple, and the seva-puja is going on very
nicely. Every year all the pilgrims on the navadvipa-parikrama
visit Mamagachi. Since Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
inaugurated the navadvipa-parikrama function, the temple has been
very well managed.
