Shri Vamsivadananda Thakura appeared on the full moon day of the month of Caitra. Within Kuliya exist the villages, Teghari. Beciyava, Bedrapara and Cinedanga. The sons of Srikar Chattopadhyay moved from Bilvagram (Patuli) to Beciyanagram. Shri Shri Yudhisthir Chattopadhyay had three sons: Madhava Das (Chakari Chattopadhyay), Shri Hari Dasa (Tin Kari), and Shri Krishna Sampati (Dui Kari).
When Mahaprabhu came from Puri to have the darshan of his mother and the river Ganges he stayed for seven days in the house of Madhava dasa at Kulia. At this time he excused Devananda Pandit along with all of the offenses of everyone else. Therefore the place came to be known as ‘Aparadh Banjan Pat.’
Shri Vamsi Thakura appeared in the home of Shri Madhava Dasa. His mother’s name was Shrimati Candrakala Devi. Vansivadananda is the incarnation of Shri Krishna’s flute. On the day of his birth, Mahaprabhu was present in the house of Shri Madhava Das, along with Shri Advaita Acharya. Madhava was very devoted to Mahaprabhu and Prabhu was also very affectionate to him and his son Vansi. Vansi Das was present at Navadwipa when Acharya Prabhu came there.
Vamsi was engaged in the service of Visnupriya and was the receptacle of her unlimited mercy. One time Visnupriya Devi and Vansi Thakura decided to give up taking food and water, there not being any point in maintaining their bodies which were so racked with the pain of separation from Mahaprabhu. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, however, didn’t approve of this and manifested Himself before them. Then He requested them not to behave so rashly and then instructed them both to worship His Deity form to mitigate their feelings of separation.
After Visnupriya’s disappearance, Vamsivadana brought this Deity of Mahaprabhu from Mayapura to Kulia. This Deity of Mahaprabhu is very beautiful and is still being worshipped in the present town of Navadwip. The name of the temple and Deity is Dhameswara. It is said that the name Vansivadananda is carved into the underneath of the base of the Deity.
When his descendent, Ramachandra Gosvami came to live at Baghna Para by the mercy of Jahnava Mata, the worship of the Deity passed into the hands of the residents of Malancha.
There was a Deity of Gopinath at Kulic worshipped by Vamsi’s ancestors and he installed a Deity of Pranaballabha at their home in Kulia. Where these Deities are at present is unknown. Vamsi Thakur resided at Bilvagram for some time with his relatives there. He had two sons, Shri Chaitanya dasa and Shri Nityananda dasa. The two sons of Chaitanya Dasa were Shri Ramacandra and Shri Sacinandana. Ramachandra was the adopted son and disciple of Jahnava Mata. He established the worship of Shri Shri Kanai Balai at Baghna Para. As he never married the worship passed on to his brother Sacinandana whose descendants are the resident Gosvamis there.
Shri Vansivadananda was a poet and composer of songs. He composed one song about the Lord’s acceptance of sannyasa based on the lamentations of Shri Sacimata and Shri Visnupriya. Some say that Ramai (Ramachandra Gosvami), the son of Chaitanya dasa (Vansi Thakura’s son) Gosai was an incarnation of Vansi Thakura.
We take this chance to examine the life and teachings of this great Vaishnava saint on the auspicious occasion of his Appearance Day, Shri Vamsivadana Thakura. Learning more about Shri Vamsivadana Thakura, a close friend of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and his services to Gaudiya Vaishnavism is worthwhile.
Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was close friends with Shri Vamsivadana Thakura, a famous Vaishnava saint. His bhajans and kirtans are treasured as manifestations of profound devotion and love for God, and his life and teachings inspire and uplift followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism today.
Let us commemorate Shri Vamsivadana Thakura’s contributions to Gaudiya Vaishnavism on this auspicious occasion of his Appearance Day and strive to increase our devotion to and affection for God by adhering to the practices and teachings he has left for us. As we work to serve and appease the divine couple, Radha and Krishna, with all of our hearts and minds, may he bestow his blessings upon us all.
The Life and Teachings of Shri Vamsivadana Thakura
One of the most important associates of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the creator of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and a famous Vaishnava saint, was Shri Vamsivadana Thakura. In the early sixteenth century, he was born in the village of Krsnanagara in the Indian state of West Bengal’s Nadia region.
Shri Vamsivadana Thakura demonstrated a strong propensity for devotional service to God at an early age. He particularly enjoyed chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and would do so for extended periods while demonstrating tremendous love and devotion. As he got older, he started to hang out with other God-fearing individuals and became more knowledgeable about Gaudiya Vaishnavism’s tenets.
Shri Vamsivadana Thakura’s teachings emphasized bhakti or the performance of devotional worship to God. He emphasized the significance of forging a caring bond with God and fully submitting oneself to His will. He advocated the practice of devotional service to achieve the ultimate aim of human existence, which is to arrive at pure love for God.
In addition to being a scholar, Shri Vamsivadana Thakura was an authority on the bhakti-rasa theory, which discusses the various types of devotional worship of God. According to him, devotional worship’s five main rasas, or flavors, are Shanta, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, and madhurya. The highest rasa of bhakti, or the state of intimate love and devotion, is known as madhurya. Each rasa denotes a distinct relationship or mood with God.
Shri Vamsivadana Thakura’s role in the life of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu benefited greatly from the influence of Shri Vamsivadana Thakura. He was one of the Lord’s best friends and witnessed many significant events, such as the ecstatic dances he performed at the Ratha Yatra festival in Puri.
According to legend, Shri Vamsivadana Thakura had a special bond with Lord Krishna. Even though he was present in Navadvipa, he could see Krishna and his antics with the gopis in Vrindavan. This talent was evidence of his unwavering confidence in the Lord’s grace and presence and his intense devotion to Lord Krishna.
Shri Vamsivadana Thakura’s contributions to Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Dedicated songs and lyrics were frequently written and composed by Shri Vamsivadana Thakura. Gaudiya Vaishnavism adherents still sing and treasure the bhajans and kirtans he composed in honour of Lord Krishna.
The creation of the bhakti-rasa doctrine was one of Shri Vamsivadana Thakura’s most important contributions to Gaudiya Vaishnavism. According to this theory, it’s critical to develop a loving relationship with God founded on devotion and service. The writings and teachings of Shri Vamsivadana Thakura had a notable impact on the formation of this theory and Gaudiya Vaishnavism’s later development.
The Devotional Practices and Prayers Associated with Shri Vamsivadana Thakura
Gaudiya Vaishnavism adherents connect Shri Vamsivadana Thakura with several devotional rituals and prayers. The recital of his well-known bhajan, “Radha-Krishna Prana Mora,” is one of the most well-liked rituals. This bhajan, sung in honour of Radha and Krishna, the divine couple, is a potent tool for cultivating devotion and affection for God.
Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is another significant supplication connected to Shri Vamsivadana Thakura. The Hare Krishna mantra is the most potent and effective method to chant the holy names of God, and Shri Vamsivadana Thakura was a strong supporter of this practice. It is said that reciting this mantra aloud while being sincere and devoted will help one get closer to God and foster a loving connection with Him.
The Significance of Shri Vamsivadana Thakura’s Bhajans and Kirtans
The bhajans and kirtans of Shri Vamsivadana Thakura are regarded as some of the most exquisite and heartfelt manifestations of love for God. They move and uplift the souls of those who hear them because they are infused with a profound sense of love and longing for the divine.
“Radha-Krishna Prana Mora,” one of his most well-known bhajans, is a touching display of devotion to the divine pair. It conveys the devotee’s deep love and longing for Radha and Krishna and their wish to do everything possible to please them.
The Influence of Shri Vamsivadana Thakura on Later Vaishnava Saints and Poets
Later Vaishnava saints and poet Shri Vamsivadana Thakura had a major impact. His bhajans and kirtans moved many followers of God to greater levels of devotion and love. His lessons on bhakti-rasa theory influenced the growth of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Narottama dasa Thakura was one of the most well-known poets Shri Vamsivadana Thakura inspired. As a close student of Nityananda Prabhu’s wife, Jahnava Devi, Narottama dasa Thakura was greatly inspired by Shri Vamsivadana Thakura’s teachings and writings. In the Gaudiya Vaishnava faith, Narottama dasa Thakura became one of the most renowned poets and songwriters.
Conclusion
Keep reading our articles to learn more about Lord Krishna and the Iskcon temple. Keep chanting the Krishna mantra “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.”
