The mother of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura's was Sri Narayanidevi, the niece of Srivasa pandita. In his Sri Caitanya Bhagavata,Vrndavana dasa has described how his mother attained theaffectionate fervour of Sri Gaurasundara.
"Narayani devi received the entire remnants of Mahaprabhu'smeal. Though she was only an insensible child he bestowed His mercyon 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 fromher womb.
He hasn't mentioned the name of his father. It is believedthat Narayani devi was married to someone at Kumarhatta. However,while she was still carrying the child in her womb, she waswidowed. Being reduced to a condition of poverty by the loss of herhusband, she finally accepted shelter in the house of Sri VasudevaDatta Thakura, at Mamgachi, where she helped with the housework.Here Vrindavana dasa began his studies.
In the preface to Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, Sri BhaktisiddhantaSarasvati has written, "Narayani devi raised her child in the homeof the father of Sri Malini devi where she had acceptedshelter."
Vrindavana dasa was born four years after Mahaprabhu tooksannyasa. When Mahaprabhu disappeared he couldn't have been morethan twenty years old. He was initiated by Sri Nityananda Prabhuand was apparently the last disciple whom Sri Nityananda accepted.He accompanied Sri Jahnava Mata to the Kheturi maha-mahotsava. SriKrsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has glorified Vrindavana dasa Thakuraas the Veda Vyasa of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
"The pastimes of Krsna have been described in the SrimadBhagavatam by Veda Vyasa. Vrindavana dasa is the Veda Vyasa of thepastimes of Sri Caitanya. He has composed Caitanya Mangala whichdestroys any inauspiciousness for those who hear it. So that we canunderstand the glories of Caitanya-Nitai, the essence of theconclusions regarding devotional service as expanded in SrimadBhagavatam and the limits of the conclusions regarding Krsnabhakti, he has composed this great literature to uplift mankind. Tocompose such a work is not conceivable for a human being thereforewe can understand that Sri Caitanya Himself is speaking throughhim. I offer my obeisances tens of millions of times at the lotusfeet of that person who has given us such a scripture which candeliver the whole world." (C.C. where and give SP'stranslation)
Vrindavana dasa Thakura's Sripat, where his worshippableDeities of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai are still residing, is at Denur.Denur can be reached by bus from Navadvipa.
