At “Sri Modrumadvipa” Island of Sri Navadvipa Dhama
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s Birthplace & Ancestral Home of Srivasa Pandita
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s mother’s name was Sri Narayani Devi. She was the daughter of Srivasa Thakura’s brother. Narayani devi was only a 4 year old girl when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu revealed His divinity in the house of Srivasa, showing His true self to the assembled devotees there. In the Sri 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 4 years old, she became mad with love of Supreme Lord. 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, it is 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 Srivasa Thakur’s niece by giving her the leftovers of food touched by His holy lips.” Indeed it was by the mercy of the Lord Caitanya that Vrindavan das Thakura took birth in the womb of Narayani. Sri Gauranga and Sri Nityananda were the very life and soul of Vrindavana das Thakura.
Transcendental Sisters Re-appear
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 Favoured by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
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 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, wife of Srivasa Pandita brought her to Mamgachhi to live.
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura – The Literary Incarnation for Mahaprabhu’s Pastimes
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). Sri Caitanya Bhagavata describes Krishna’s pastimes as Gaurahari in Navadvipa. This most enchanting rendition of Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s pastimes gives the conclusion of Srimad-Bhagavatam – Bhakti, the devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna. Srila 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. As Srila Vyasadeva told Sri Krishna’s pastimes in Bhagavatam and other Puranas, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura described Caitanya lila in Caitanya Bhagavata.
Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami shows his supreme homage and gratitude by honoring Vrindavana Dasa Thakura with the appellation “Vyasa” in the Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Antya 20.82:
nityānanda-kṛpā-pātra — vṛndāvana-dāsa
caitanya-līlāya teṅho hayena ‘ādi-vyāsa’
“Vrindavana dasa Thakura is Lord Nityananda’s favourite devotee, and therefore he is the original Vyasadeva in describing the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”
The humble heart of Krishnadasa Kaviraja pours out more praises for Vrindavan Das 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 Das 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.” (Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi 8.33-42). Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis area of Sri Vrindavana Dhama.
Main entrance to Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s birthplace at Mamgachhi. This place is the ancestral home of Malini Devi, the wife of Srivasa Pandita. Mamgachhi is in “Sri Modruma Dvipa” island, which is one of the nine island of Sri Navadvipa Dhama
Temple at the Birthplace of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura
Deities at Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s Birthplace. Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura lived as a celibate and worshipped his beloved deities.
Deities at Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s Birthplace
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur has written this Vaishnava song “Nace Re Nace Re Nitai Gaur Guna Maniya”. In this song, Vrindavan Das Thakur describes the beauty of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, while they are dancing!
(1)
Nace re nace re nitai gaur guna maniya
Nace re nace re nitai gaur guna maniya
(nace re nace re nitai gaur dvija maniya)
bame priya gadadhara, srivasa advaita bara,
parisada taragana jinya
(2)
baje khola karatala, madhura sangita bhala,
gagana bhorilo haridhvaniya
(3)
candana carcita gay, phagu bindu bindu tay,
vanamala dole bhalo boliya
(4)
gale subhra upavita, rupa koti kama jita,
carane nupura ranaraniya
(5)
dui bhai naci jay, sahacara gana gay,
gadadhara ange pore dhuliya
(6)
puruba rabhasa lila, ebe pahu prakasila,
sei brindaban ei nadiya
(7)
bihare gangatire, sei dhira samire,
vrndavana dasa kohe janiya
(1) Nitai and Gaura gunamani are dancing and dancing, with beloved Gadadhara on Their left, and Srivasa and Advaita [on the right] while Their associates defeat the stars [that surround the Gaura-moon].
(2) The mridangas and karatalas are played and sweet songs are sung. The sky is filled with the chanting of harinama.
(3) His body is anointed with sandal paste and drops of Holi juice, and a forest flower garland dangles nicely across His chest.
(4) A white brahmin thread hangs across His neck, His form defeats millions of Cupids and ankle bells jingle on His feet.
(5) The two brothers are dancing and Their associates sing while Gadadhara’s body is pelted with powder.
(6) Now the Lord re-manifests His previous joyful Vrindaban pastimes in this Nadiya.
(7) Now He enjoys on the bank of the Ganga just like in Vrindavan’s Dhira samira kunja. Vrindavana Das tells you, for he knows it.
Directions to reach Mamgachhi:
#1) Birthplace of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura at Mamgachhi in Sri Modrumadvipa island, is one of the main stopover 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 this Parikrama.
#2) Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura birthplace can also be visited by taking a rickshaw from Navadvipa ghat. It will take about 45mins to reach this place. Packaged tours can also be arranged by contacting Mayapur Tourism office.
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 spent all his money for the worship of his beloved deity – Sri Madana Gopala, without any consideration of future expenses in spite of the difficulties for his family. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has such affection for Vasudeva Datta, that He vowed on three 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 when 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 Sankirtana.
Useful resources:
Sri Madana-Gopala Temple at Mamgachhi: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=14116
Nace Re Nace Re Nitai Gaur Guna Maniya Bhajan: https://soundcloud.com/ruchikaharekrishna/nache-re-nache-re-nitai-gaura-dvija-mania
Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=14426
Mayapur TV: http://Mayapur.tv / Vrindavana TV: https://Vrindavan.tv/
Holy Pilgrimages: www.Holy-Pilgrimages.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolyPilgrimages
Holy Dham: www.HolyDham.com
One’s memory of Lord Krishna is revived by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one’s ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord.
Chant:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare |
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ||
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