Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura - 4
[Excerpted from "Sri Chaitanya: His Life & Associates" by Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj]
vedavyaso ya evasid daso vrindavano’dhuna
sakha yah kusumapidah karyatas tam samavishat
Vedavyasa became Vrindavan Das Thakur. Krishna’s friend Kusumapida also entered into him for special purposes. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 109)
Vedavyasa described Krishna-lila in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Non-different from Vyasa, Vrindavan Das described Mahaprabhu’s lila in his Chaitanya Bhagavat. His book was first called Chaitanya Mangala, but when Locana Das gave the same name to his biography of the Lord, it was dubbed “Chaitanya Bhagavat”.
Vrindavan Das’s Mother, Narayani
Vrindavan Das was born on the Krishna-dvadashi of the month of Vaishakh in 1429 of the Shaka era (1507 AD). Some say he was born in Mamgachi in the Nabadwip area, others say his birthplace was in Kumarahatta. His father was Vaikunthanatha Vipra, who originally came from Sylhet (Sylhet), his mother Narayani Devi. Narayani was the daughter of Srivasa Pandit’s elder brother, Shrinalina Pandit. Kavi Karnapura has also mentioned her name in his Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika:
ambikayah svasa yasin namna shrila-kilimbika
krishnocchishtam prabhuïjana seyam narayani mata
Kilimbika, who used to eat Krishna’s remnants, was the younger sister of Krishna’s nurse Ambika (Srivasa’s wife, Malini). In Mahaprabhu’s lila, she became Narayani.
Narayani also achieved fame because she received Gaurasundara’s mercy when he gave her his remnants. When the Lord displayed his divine form in the Mahaprakasha in Srivasa Angan, Narayani was only a small child of four, but the Lord made her intoxicated with the ecstasy of prema. Whether born in Mamagachi or in Kumarahatta, Vrindavan Das later lived in the village of Denuria, within the Matreshvara precinct of Burdwan district. Thus Denuria is considered to be his Shripata. He spent some of his childhood with his mother in Mamagachi, at the home of his maternal grandparents where Narayani was married. Vrindavan Das’s Gaura-Nitai deities are still worshiped at the Mamagachi home. When his father died, he and his mother moved to Srivasa’s house where he received Mahaprabhu’s special blessings.
Vrindavan Das Writes Chaitanya Bhagavat
Because of the copious blessings he received from Nityananda Prabhu, Vrindavan Das is said to have been his initiated disciple.
Vrindavan Das is the recipient of Nityananda’s blessings. He is the original Vyasa of Chaitanya’s pastimes. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 3.20.82)
He wrote Chaitanya Bhagavat in 1535 AD. Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, the author of Chaitanya Charitamrita, has written the following in praise of Vrindavan Das Thakur:
Vrindavan Das, the son of Narayani, wrote the Chaitanya Mangala. Vedavyasa described Krishna’s life in the Srimad Bhagavatam and Vrindavan Das is the Vyasa of Chaitanya-lila. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.11.54-5)
Just as Vyasadeva compiled Lord Krishna’s pastimes in Srimad Bhagavatam, Thakur Vrindavan Das depicted Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes. His Chaitanya Mangala annihilates all misfortune. From it, I learned the wonders of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda and came to know all the most subtle doctrines of devotional service to Krishna. Vrindavan Das Thakur has summarized the essence of the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavatam in his Chaitanya Mangala. If even a Muslim or an atheist should listen to Chaitanya Mangala, he immediately becomes a great Vaishnava. An ordinary human being could not have composed such a sublime work; Lord Chaitanya himself has spoken through the mouth of Vrindavan Das. I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vrindavan Das Thakur who has delivered the entire universe through his book. He was born in the womb of Narayani who eternally enjoys Sri Chaitanya’s remnants. How wonderful is his description of the activites of the Lord, simply by hearing which the three worlds have become sanctified! (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.8.34-42)
Vrindavan Das became so absorbed in the description of Nityananda Prabhu’s lila that he did not elaborately relate all of Mahaprabhu’s activities, only summarizing them in abbreviated form. Krishnadas then elaborated on these undescribed activities in his Chaitanya Charitamrita.
Vrindavan Das the authorized biographer of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and equal to Srila Vyasadeva. He has described the Lord’s pastimes in such a way as to make them sweeter and sweeter. I shall try as far as possible to fill in the accounts he left out out of fear of excessively enlarging his book. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.13.48-9)
Vrindavan Das’s Criticisms of Vaishnava Aparadha
Vrindavan Das primarily Mahaprabhu’s early activities such as his pastimes as a student, his childhood, his chastisement of the Qazi, his departure from Nabadwip, as well as some aspects of his life in Puri. Vrindavan Das Thakur demonstrated infinite mercy on the fallen souls by warning them:
eta parihare-o je papi ninda kare
tabe lathi maron tar shirera upare
Even after being told how objectionable it is, if someone still blasphemes the Vaishnavas, then I will kick him in the head.
These same words are repeated in the Adi, Madhya and Antya-khandas of the Chaitanya Bhagavat. Some foolish and arrogant persons misunderstand such statements and criticize Vrindavan Das for having made them. Such criticism leads them into the mud of offensiveness. In this connection, the remarks of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur, the founder of the Sri Chaitanya Math and all the Gaudiya Maths, are well worth studying: “‘I am ready to kick the heads of those envious and hellish persons who blaspheme Nityananda Prabhu, if by so doing I will be able to forever prevent them from repeating their attempts to show disrespect for the Supreme Lord. Not only that, but if by so doing I can bring about a slear conception of the truth, I will be performing them the greatest service.’
“So says Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa and acharya of the Vaishnava faith. If even a single fleck of dust should fall from his foot on the head of a sinful blasphemer, then that person will be blessed and all his sinful conditioning will inevitably be eradicated. In words which embody the Goddess of Learning and a flood of pure devotion, the Thakur reveals compassion for even the most atheistic blasphemer with the unswerving faith appropriate to a servant of Nityananda Prabhu, the supreme guru. He tells them that though they should be the object of indifference due to their foolishness, nevertheless, because of their ignorance of the truth of Nityananda, their insistence on rushing headlong on the path to hell, and their reluctance to act in their own real self-interest, he and other compassionate Vaishnavas like him who practice and preach the Lord’s doctrines unselfishly and disinterestedly act for their welfare. The compassion which is manifested in Vrindavan Das’s statement is beyond the comprehension of those who have no understanding of what is truly in their own self interest. Anyone who follows in the footsteps of Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa, and both practices and preaches the Vaishnava religion is always engaged in an effort to bring about the ultimate well-being of everyone. Though he may make a superficial show of wishing to punish the enemies of the Lord, in fact he harbors a compassion toward them which knows no limit.”
Vrindavan Das Thakur’s disappearance day is the Krishna Dashami of Vaishakh. There is some dispute the exact year of his disappearance which was likely 1511 Shaka (1589 AD).
---------------------------------------------------------------
Following is borrowed from www.Vedabase.net
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 11.55
bhagavate krsna-Iila varnila vedavyasa
caitanya-Iilate vyasa--vrndavana dasa
TRANSLATION
Srila Vyasadeva described the Pastimes of Krsna in the 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 so n of Srivasa Thakura's niece Narayan-i, 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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 11.54
vrndavana-dasa--narayanira nandana
`caitanya-mangala ' yenho karila racana
TRANSLATION
Vrndavana dasa Thakura, the son of Srimati Narayani, composed Sri Caitanyamangala [later known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata].
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.33
ore mudha loka, suna caitanya-mangala
caitanya-mahima yate janibe sakala
TRANSLATION
O fools, just read 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 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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.34
krsna-lila bhagavate kahe veda-vyasa
caitanya-lilara vyasa--vrndavana-dasa
TRANSLATION
As Vyasadeva has compiled all the pastimes of Lord Krsna in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Thakura Vrndavana dasa has depicted the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.35
vrndavana-dasa kaila `caitanya-mangala'
yanhara sravane nase sarva amangala
TRANSLATION
Thakura Vrndavana dasa has composed Caitanya-mangala. Hearing this book will annihilate all misfortune.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.36
caitanya-nitaira yate janiye mahima
yate jani krsna-bhakti-siddhantera sima
TRANSLATION
By reading Caitanya-mangala one can understand all the glories or truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Krsna.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.37
bhagavate yata bhakti-siddhantera sara
likhiyachena inha jani' kariya uddhara
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, Adi-lila 8.38
'caitanya-mangala' sune yadi pasandi, yavana
seha maha-vaisnava haya tataksana
TRANSLATIONIf even a great atheist hears Sri Caitanya-mangala, he immediately becomes a great devotee.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.39
manusye racite nare aiche grantha dhanya
vrndavana-dasa-mukhe vakta sri-caitanya
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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.40
vrndavana-dasa-pade koti namaskara
aiche grantha kari' tenho tarila samsara
TRANSLATION
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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.41
narayani -- caitanyera ucchista-bhajana
tanra garbhe janmila sri-dasa-vrndavana
TRANSLATION
Narayani eternally eats the remnants of the food of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was born of her womb.
PURPORT
In text 43 of the Gaura-ganoddesa-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:
ambikayah svasa yasin namna srila-kilimbika
krsnocchistam prabhunjana seyam narayani mata
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 Narayani. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura notes in this connection that there is no reference to his paternal ancestry because there is no need to understand it.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.42
tanra ki adbhuta caitanya-carita-varnana
yahara sravane suddha kaila tri-bhuvana
TRANSLATION
What a wonderful description he has given of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya! Anyone in the three worlds who hears it is purified.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.44
vrndavana-dasa kaila 'caitanya-mangala'
tahate caitanya-lila varnila sakala
TRANSLATION
Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has written Sri Caitanya-mangala and therein described in all respects the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
----------------------------------------------------------
In brief
Shri Modadrumadwip is the birthplace of Shrila Vrindavan das Thakur, the writer of the celebrated biography of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu known as Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata. He is an incarnation of Shri Krishna Dwaipayana Vedavyasadeva. His mother was Narayani devi, the niece of Shrivas Pandit. At the age of four, she received the remnants of Mahaprabhu's food directly from His own hands. Chanting the names of Krishna, she became ecstatic. Mahaprabhu showered her with affection from her childhood until the time He took sannyasa. Afterwards she married one brahmana, and at this location, the birthplace of Vrindavan das Thakur, Shrila Saraswati Thakur established Modadruma Gaudiya Math.
When Nityananda Prabhu mercifully guided Shri Jiva Goswami on parikrama of Shridham Navadwip, at Modadrumadwip they spent the night at the house of Narayani devi. Vrindavan das, although only a lad, was able to render some service to the Lord. Later when Vrindavan das grew older, he wanted to take diksa from Lord Chaitanya. But before he could travel to him, Mahaprabhu finished His manifest pastimes. Totally devastated, Vrindavan das went to Lord Nityananda who consoled him. Then Lord Nityananda Himself gave him initiation. The Nitai-Gauranga and Shri Jagannath Deities previously served by Shrila Vrindavan das Thakur are presently still worshiped here. Haribol!
vedavyaso ya evasid daso vrindavano’dhuna
sakha yah kusumapidah karyatas tam samavishat
Vedavyasa became Vrindavan Das Thakur. Krishna’s friend Kusumapida also entered into him for special purposes. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 109)
Vedavyasa described Krishna-lila in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Non-different from Vyasa, Vrindavan Das described Mahaprabhu’s lila in his Chaitanya Bhagavat. His book was first called Chaitanya Mangala, but when Locana Das gave the same name to his biography of the Lord, it was dubbed “Chaitanya Bhagavat”.
Vrindavan Das’s Mother, Narayani
Vrindavan Das was born on the Krishna-dvadashi of the month of Vaishakh in 1429 of the Shaka era (1507 AD). Some say he was born in Mamgachi in the Nabadwip area, others say his birthplace was in Kumarahatta. His father was Vaikunthanatha Vipra, who originally came from Sylhet (Sylhet), his mother Narayani Devi. Narayani was the daughter of Srivasa Pandit’s elder brother, Shrinalina Pandit. Kavi Karnapura has also mentioned her name in his Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika:
ambikayah svasa yasin namna shrila-kilimbika
krishnocchishtam prabhuïjana seyam narayani mata
Kilimbika, who used to eat Krishna’s remnants, was the younger sister of Krishna’s nurse Ambika (Srivasa’s wife, Malini). In Mahaprabhu’s lila, she became Narayani.
Narayani also achieved fame because she received Gaurasundara’s mercy when he gave her his remnants. When the Lord displayed his divine form in the Mahaprakasha in Srivasa Angan, Narayani was only a small child of four, but the Lord made her intoxicated with the ecstasy of prema. Whether born in Mamagachi or in Kumarahatta, Vrindavan Das later lived in the village of Denuria, within the Matreshvara precinct of Burdwan district. Thus Denuria is considered to be his Shripata. He spent some of his childhood with his mother in Mamagachi, at the home of his maternal grandparents where Narayani was married. Vrindavan Das’s Gaura-Nitai deities are still worshiped at the Mamagachi home. When his father died, he and his mother moved to Srivasa’s house where he received Mahaprabhu’s special blessings.
Vrindavan Das Writes Chaitanya Bhagavat
Because of the copious blessings he received from Nityananda Prabhu, Vrindavan Das is said to have been his initiated disciple.
Vrindavan Das is the recipient of Nityananda’s blessings. He is the original Vyasa of Chaitanya’s pastimes. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 3.20.82)
He wrote Chaitanya Bhagavat in 1535 AD. Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, the author of Chaitanya Charitamrita, has written the following in praise of Vrindavan Das Thakur:
Vrindavan Das, the son of Narayani, wrote the Chaitanya Mangala. Vedavyasa described Krishna’s life in the Srimad Bhagavatam and Vrindavan Das is the Vyasa of Chaitanya-lila. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.11.54-5)
Just as Vyasadeva compiled Lord Krishna’s pastimes in Srimad Bhagavatam, Thakur Vrindavan Das depicted Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes. His Chaitanya Mangala annihilates all misfortune. From it, I learned the wonders of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda and came to know all the most subtle doctrines of devotional service to Krishna. Vrindavan Das Thakur has summarized the essence of the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavatam in his Chaitanya Mangala. If even a Muslim or an atheist should listen to Chaitanya Mangala, he immediately becomes a great Vaishnava. An ordinary human being could not have composed such a sublime work; Lord Chaitanya himself has spoken through the mouth of Vrindavan Das. I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vrindavan Das Thakur who has delivered the entire universe through his book. He was born in the womb of Narayani who eternally enjoys Sri Chaitanya’s remnants. How wonderful is his description of the activites of the Lord, simply by hearing which the three worlds have become sanctified! (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.8.34-42)
Vrindavan Das became so absorbed in the description of Nityananda Prabhu’s lila that he did not elaborately relate all of Mahaprabhu’s activities, only summarizing them in abbreviated form. Krishnadas then elaborated on these undescribed activities in his Chaitanya Charitamrita.
Vrindavan Das the authorized biographer of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and equal to Srila Vyasadeva. He has described the Lord’s pastimes in such a way as to make them sweeter and sweeter. I shall try as far as possible to fill in the accounts he left out out of fear of excessively enlarging his book. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.13.48-9)
Vrindavan Das’s Criticisms of Vaishnava Aparadha
Vrindavan Das primarily Mahaprabhu’s early activities such as his pastimes as a student, his childhood, his chastisement of the Qazi, his departure from Nabadwip, as well as some aspects of his life in Puri. Vrindavan Das Thakur demonstrated infinite mercy on the fallen souls by warning them:
eta parihare-o je papi ninda kare
tabe lathi maron tar shirera upare
Even after being told how objectionable it is, if someone still blasphemes the Vaishnavas, then I will kick him in the head.
These same words are repeated in the Adi, Madhya and Antya-khandas of the Chaitanya Bhagavat. Some foolish and arrogant persons misunderstand such statements and criticize Vrindavan Das for having made them. Such criticism leads them into the mud of offensiveness. In this connection, the remarks of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur, the founder of the Sri Chaitanya Math and all the Gaudiya Maths, are well worth studying: “‘I am ready to kick the heads of those envious and hellish persons who blaspheme Nityananda Prabhu, if by so doing I will be able to forever prevent them from repeating their attempts to show disrespect for the Supreme Lord. Not only that, but if by so doing I can bring about a slear conception of the truth, I will be performing them the greatest service.’
“So says Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa and acharya of the Vaishnava faith. If even a single fleck of dust should fall from his foot on the head of a sinful blasphemer, then that person will be blessed and all his sinful conditioning will inevitably be eradicated. In words which embody the Goddess of Learning and a flood of pure devotion, the Thakur reveals compassion for even the most atheistic blasphemer with the unswerving faith appropriate to a servant of Nityananda Prabhu, the supreme guru. He tells them that though they should be the object of indifference due to their foolishness, nevertheless, because of their ignorance of the truth of Nityananda, their insistence on rushing headlong on the path to hell, and their reluctance to act in their own real self-interest, he and other compassionate Vaishnavas like him who practice and preach the Lord’s doctrines unselfishly and disinterestedly act for their welfare. The compassion which is manifested in Vrindavan Das’s statement is beyond the comprehension of those who have no understanding of what is truly in their own self interest. Anyone who follows in the footsteps of Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa, and both practices and preaches the Vaishnava religion is always engaged in an effort to bring about the ultimate well-being of everyone. Though he may make a superficial show of wishing to punish the enemies of the Lord, in fact he harbors a compassion toward them which knows no limit.”
Vrindavan Das Thakur’s disappearance day is the Krishna Dashami of Vaishakh. There is some dispute the exact year of his disappearance which was likely 1511 Shaka (1589 AD).
---------------------------------------------------------------
Following is borrowed from www.Vedabase.net
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 11.55
bhagavate krsna-Iila varnila vedavyasa
caitanya-Iilate vyasa--vrndavana dasa
TRANSLATION
Srila Vyasadeva described the Pastimes of Krsna in the 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 so n of Srivasa Thakura's niece Narayan-i, 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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 11.54
vrndavana-dasa--narayanira nandana
`caitanya-mangala ' yenho karila racana
TRANSLATION
Vrndavana dasa Thakura, the son of Srimati Narayani, composed Sri Caitanyamangala [later known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata].
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.33
ore mudha loka, suna caitanya-mangala
caitanya-mahima yate janibe sakala
TRANSLATION
O fools, just read 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 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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.34
krsna-lila bhagavate kahe veda-vyasa
caitanya-lilara vyasa--vrndavana-dasa
TRANSLATION
As Vyasadeva has compiled all the pastimes of Lord Krsna in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Thakura Vrndavana dasa has depicted the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.35
vrndavana-dasa kaila `caitanya-mangala'
yanhara sravane nase sarva amangala
TRANSLATION
Thakura Vrndavana dasa has composed Caitanya-mangala. Hearing this book will annihilate all misfortune.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.36
caitanya-nitaira yate janiye mahima
yate jani krsna-bhakti-siddhantera sima
TRANSLATION
By reading Caitanya-mangala one can understand all the glories or truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Krsna.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.37
bhagavate yata bhakti-siddhantera sara
likhiyachena inha jani' kariya uddhara
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, Adi-lila 8.38
'caitanya-mangala' sune yadi pasandi, yavana
seha maha-vaisnava haya tataksana
TRANSLATIONIf even a great atheist hears Sri Caitanya-mangala, he immediately becomes a great devotee.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.39
manusye racite nare aiche grantha dhanya
vrndavana-dasa-mukhe vakta sri-caitanya
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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.40
vrndavana-dasa-pade koti namaskara
aiche grantha kari' tenho tarila samsara
TRANSLATION
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.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.41
narayani -- caitanyera ucchista-bhajana
tanra garbhe janmila sri-dasa-vrndavana
TRANSLATION
Narayani eternally eats the remnants of the food of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was born of her womb.
PURPORT
In text 43 of the Gaura-ganoddesa-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:
ambikayah svasa yasin namna srila-kilimbika
krsnocchistam prabhunjana seyam narayani mata
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 Narayani. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura notes in this connection that there is no reference to his paternal ancestry because there is no need to understand it.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.42
tanra ki adbhuta caitanya-carita-varnana
yahara sravane suddha kaila tri-bhuvana
TRANSLATION
What a wonderful description he has given of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya! Anyone in the three worlds who hears it is purified.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.44
vrndavana-dasa kaila 'caitanya-mangala'
tahate caitanya-lila varnila sakala
TRANSLATION
Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has written Sri Caitanya-mangala and therein described in all respects the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
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In brief
Shri Modadrumadwip is the birthplace of Shrila Vrindavan das Thakur, the writer of the celebrated biography of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu known as Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata. He is an incarnation of Shri Krishna Dwaipayana Vedavyasadeva. His mother was Narayani devi, the niece of Shrivas Pandit. At the age of four, she received the remnants of Mahaprabhu's food directly from His own hands. Chanting the names of Krishna, she became ecstatic. Mahaprabhu showered her with affection from her childhood until the time He took sannyasa. Afterwards she married one brahmana, and at this location, the birthplace of Vrindavan das Thakur, Shrila Saraswati Thakur established Modadruma Gaudiya Math.
When Nityananda Prabhu mercifully guided Shri Jiva Goswami on parikrama of Shridham Navadwip, at Modadrumadwip they spent the night at the house of Narayani devi. Vrindavan das, although only a lad, was able to render some service to the Lord. Later when Vrindavan das grew older, he wanted to take diksa from Lord Chaitanya. But before he could travel to him, Mahaprabhu finished His manifest pastimes. Totally devastated, Vrindavan das went to Lord Nityananda who consoled him. Then Lord Nityananda Himself gave him initiation. The Nitai-Gauranga and Shri Jagannath Deities previously served by Shrila Vrindavan das Thakur are presently still worshiped here. Haribol!
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