Friday, May 11, 2018 Ekadasi for both Mayapur, West Bengal, Bharata Bhumi time and Los Angeles, California USA time zones
Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura avirbhava tithi [appearance day] Saturday, May 12, 2018 [Mayapura, West Bengal, Bharata Bhumi time]
Srila Prabhupada explains the unique position of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura, in the Gaudiya Sampradaya
compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa
On the left side, the original Gaura-Nitai deities worshiped by Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura
On the right side the Radha-Krsna deities installed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Srila Prabhupada: The readers of this small description of the life and precepts of Lord Caitanya will profit much to go through the books of Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura (Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata)
Many devotees of Lord Caitanya like Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, Śrī Locana dāsa Ṭhākura, Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, Śrī Kavikarṇapūra, Śrī Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī and in this latter age within two hundred years, Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartī, Śrī Baladeva Vidyābhūṣana, Śrī Śyāmānanda Gosvāmī, Śrī Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, Śrī Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and at last Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura (our spiritual master) and many other great and renowned scholars and devotees of the Lord have prepared voluminous books and literatures on the life and precepts of the Lord. Such literatures are all based on the śāstras like the Vedas, Purāṇas, Upaniṣads, Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata and other histories and authentic literatures approved by the recognized ācāryas. They are unique in composition and unrivaled in presentation, and they are full of transcendental knowledge. Unfortunately, the people of the world are still ignorant of them, but when these literatures, which are mostly in Sanskrit and Bengali, come to light the world and when they are presented before thinking people, then India’s glory and the message of love will overflood this morbid world, which is vainly searching after peace and prosperity by various illusory methods not approved by the ācāryas in the chain of disciplic succession.
The readers of this small description of the life and precepts of Lord Caitanya will profit much to go through the books of Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura (Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata) and Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta). The early life of the Lord is most fascinatingly expressed by the author of Caitanya-bhāgavata, and as far as the teachings are concerned, they are more vividly explained in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Now they are available to the English-speaking public in our Teachings of Lord Caitanya.
The Lord’s early life was recorded by one of His chief devotees and contemporaries, namely Śrīla Murāri Gupta, a medical practitioner of that time, and the latter part of the life of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was recorded by His private secretary Śrī Dāmodara Gosvāmī, or Śrīla Svarūpa Dāmodara, who was practically a constant companion of the Lord at Purī. These two devotees recorded practically all the incidents of the Lord’s activities, and later on all the books dealing with the Lord, which are above mentioned, were composed on the basis of kaḍacās (notebooks) by Śrīla Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Murāri Gupta. ink to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/1/introduction/sb_introduction
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has sung that the devotees of Lord Caitanya are so powerful that each one of them can deliver a universe.
The Ganges water is celebrated as being able to eradicate all kinds of sinful reactions. In other words, when a person takes his bath in the Ganges, he becomes freed from all life’s contaminations. The Ganges water is celebrated in this way because it emanates from the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, those who are directly in touch with the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and who are absorbed in the chanting of His glories are freed from all material contamination. Such unalloyed devotees are able to show mercy to the common conditioned soul. Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has sung that the devotees of Lord Caitanya are so powerful that each one of them can deliver a universe. In other words, it is the business of devotees to preach the glories of the Lord and deliver all conditioned souls to the platform of śuddha-sattva, pure goodness. Here the word su-sattva means śuddha-sattva, the transcendental stage beyond material goodness. By his exemplary prayers, Lord Śiva teaches us that our best course it to take shelter of Lord Viṣṇu and His Vaiṣṇava devotees. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/4/24/58
The Eighth Chapter of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is summarized by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya. In this Eighth Chapter the glories of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda are described, and it is also stated that one who commits offenses in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra does not achieve love of Godhead, even after chanting for many years. In this connection, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura warns against artificial displays of the bodily symptoms called aṣṭa-sāttvika-vikāra. That is also another offense. One should seriously and sincerely continue to chant the Pañca-tattva names śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda. All these ācāryas will bestow their causeless mercy upon a devotee and gradually purify his heart. When he is actually purified, automatically he will experience ecstasy in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Previous to the composition of Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura wrote a book called Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata. Only those subjects which were not discussed by Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura in his Caitanya-bhāgavata have been taken up by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī to be depicted in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. In his very old age, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī went to Vṛndāvana, and by the order of Śrī Madana-mohanajī he wrote Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Thus, we are now able to relish its transcendental bliss. CC Adi Lila Chapter 8 introduction
By reading Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s Caitanya-bhāgavata, one can actually understand devotional service, Kṛṣṇa, Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda
caitanya-nitāira yāte jāniye mahimā
yāte jāni kṛṣṇa-bhakti-siddhāntera sīmā
SYNONYMS
caitanya-nitāira—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu; yāte—in which; jāniye—one can know; mahimā—all glories; yāte—in which; jāni—I can understand; kṛṣṇa-bhakti—of devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa; siddhāntera—of the conclusion; sīmā—limit.
TRANSLATION
By reading Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala one can understand all the glories and truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
PURPORT
Śrīmad-Bhagavatam is the authoritative reference book from which to understand devotional service, but because it is very elaborate, few men can understand its purpose. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the original commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra, which is called nyāya-prasthāna. It was written to enable one to understand the Absolute Truth through infallible logic and argument, and therefore its natural commentary, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, is extremely elaborate. Professional reciters have created the impression that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam deals only with Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā, although Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā is described only in the Tenth Canto (chapters 29-35). They have in this way presented Kṛṣṇa to the Western world as a great woman-hunter, and therefore we sometimes have to deal with such misconceptions in preaching. Another difficulty in understanding Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is that the professional reciters have introduced bhāgavata-saptāha, or seven-day readings of the Bhāgavatam. They want to finish Śrīmad-Bhagavatam in a week, although it is so sublime that even one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, if properly explained, cannot be completed in three months. Under these circumstances, it is a great aid for the common man to read Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s Caitanya-bhāgavata, for thus he can actually understand devotional service, Kṛṣṇa, Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has said:
śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi-
pañcarātra-vidhiṁ vinā
aikāntikī harer bhaktir
utpātāyaiva kalpate
“Devotional service to the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic scriptures like the Upaniṣads, Purāṇas, Nārada-pañcarātra, etc., is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society.” Due to misunderstanding Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, people are misled regarding the science of Kṛṣṇa. However, by reading Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s book one can very easily understand this science. nk to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/36
bhāgavate yata bhakti-siddhāntera sāra
likhiyāchena iṅhā jāni’ kariyā uddhāra
SYNONYMS
bhāgavate—in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; yata—all; bhakti-siddhāntera—in understanding devotional service; sāra—essence; likhiyāchena—has written; iṅhā—this; jāni’-I know; kariyā—making; uddhāra—quotation.
TRANSLATION
In Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala [later known as Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata] Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has given the conclusion and essence of devotional service by quoting the authoritative statements of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/37
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.
manuṣye racite nāre aiche grantha dhanya
vṛndāvana-dāsa-mukhe vaktā śrī-caitanya
SYNONYMS
manuṣye—a human being; racite—compiled; nāre—cannot; aiche—such; grantha—book; dhanya—so glorious; vṛndāvana-dāsa—the author, Srīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; mukhe—from his mouth; vaktā—speaker; śrī-caitanya—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TRANSLATION
The subject matter of this book is so sublime that it appears that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.
PURPORT
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī has written in his Hari-bhakti-vilāsa:
avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ
pūtaṁ hari-kathāmṛtam
śravaṇaṁ naiva kartavyaṁ
sarpocchiṣṭaṁ yathā payaḥ
Transcendental literature that strictly follows the Vedic principles and the conclusion of the Purāṇas and pañcarātrika-vidhi can be written only by a pure devotee.
It is not possible for a common man to write books on bhakti, for his writings will not be effective. He may be a very great scholar and expert in presenting literature in flowery language, but this is not at all helpful in understanding transcendental literature. Even if transcendental literature is written in faulty language, it is acceptable if it is written by a devotee, whereas so-called transcendental literature written by a mundane scholar, even if it is a very highly polished literary presentation, cannot be accepted. The secret in a devotee’s writing is that when he writes about the pastimes of the Lord, the Lord helps him; he does not write himself. As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (10.10), dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te. Since a devotee writes in service to the Lord, the Lord from within gives him so much intelligence that he sits down near the Lord and goes on writing books. Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī confirms that what Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura wrote was actually spoken by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and he simply repeated it. The same holds true for Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī wrote Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in his old age, in an invalid condition, but it is such a sublime scripture that Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja used to say, “The time will come when the people of the world will learn Bengali to read Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta.” We are trying to present Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in English and do not know how successful it will be, but if one reads the original Caitanya-caritāmṛta in Bengali he will relish increasing ecstasy in devotional service. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/39
vṛndāvana-dāsa-pade koṭi namaskāra
aiche grantha kari’ teṅho tārilā saṁsāra
SYNONYMS
vṛndāvana-dāsa-pade—unto the lotus feet of Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; koṭi—millions; namaskāra—obeisances; aiche—such; grantha—book; kari’-compiling; teṅho—he; tarilā—delivered; saṁsāra—all the world.
TRANSLATION
I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. No one else could write such a wonderful book for the deliverance of all fallen souls.Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/40
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura is the son of Nārāyaṇī, the nice of Srivasa Thakura.
nārāyaṇī–caitanyera ucchiṣṭa-bhājana
tāṅra garbhe janmilā śrī-dāsa-vṛndāvana
SYNONYMS
nārāyaṇī—of the name Nārāyaṇī; caitanyera—of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ucchiṣṭa-bhājana—eater of the remnants of food; tāṅra—of her; garbhe—in the womb; janmilā—took birth; śrī-dāsa-vṛndāvana—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Thākura.
TRANSLATION
Nārāyaṇī eternally eats the remnants of the food of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was born of her womb.
PURPORT
In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, a book written by Kavi-karṇapūra that describes all the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and who they previously were, there is the following statement regarding Nārāyaṇī:
ambikāyāḥ svasā yāsīn
nāmnā śrīla-kilimbikā
kṛṣṇocchiṣṭaṁ prabhuñjānā
seyaṁ nārāyaṇī matā
When Lord Kṛṣṇa was a child, He was nursed by a woman named Ambikā, who had a younger sister named Kilimbikā. During the time of Lord Caitanya’s incarnation, the same Kilimbikā used to eat the remnants of food left by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. That Kilimbikā was Nārāyaṇī, who was a niece of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura’s. Later on, when she grew up and married, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was born from her womb. A devotee of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is celebrated in terms of devotional service rendered to the Lord; thus we know Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura as the son of Nārāyaṇī. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura notes in this connection that there is no reference to his paternal ancestry because there is no need to understand it. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/41
vṛndāvana-dāsa kaila ‘caitanya-maṅgala’
tāhāte caitanya-līlā varṇila sakala
SYNONYMS
vṛndāvana-dāsa—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; kaila—did; caitanya-maṅgala—the book of the name Caitanya-maṅgala; tāhāte—in that book; caitanya-līlā—the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; varṇila—described; sakala—everything.
TRANSLATION
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has written Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala and therein described in all respects the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/44
Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī took permission not only from the Vaiṣṇavas and Madana-mohana but also from Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura before writing Sri Caitanya caritamrta
vṛndāvana-dāsera pāda-padma kari’ dhyāna
tāṅra ājñā lañā likhi yāhāte kalyāṇa
SYNONYMS
vṛndāvana-dāsera—of Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; pāda-padma—lotus feet; kari’-doing; dhyāna—meditation; tāṅra—his; ājñā—order; lañā—receiving; likhi—I write; yāhāte—in which permission; kalyāṇa—all auspiciousness.
TRANSLATION
I
took permission from Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura by praying at his lotus feet, and upon receiving his order I have attempted to write this auspicious scripture.
PURPORT
Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī took permission not only from the Vaiṣṇavas and Madana-mohana but also from Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, who is understood to be the Vyāsa of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/81
caitanya-līlāte ‘vyāsa’–vṛndāvana-dāsa
tāṅra kṛpā vinā anye nā haya prakāśa
SYNONYMS
caitanya-līlāte—in describing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyāsa—Vyāsadeva; vṛndāvana-dāsa—is Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; tāṅra—his; kṛpā—mercy; vinā—without; anye—other; nā—never; haya—becomes; prakāśa—manifest.
TRANSLATION
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura is the authorized writer on the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Without his mercy, therefore, one cannot describe these pastimes. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/82
Māmagāchi, West Bengal is the birthplace of Sri Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura
vāsudeva datta–prabhura bhṛtya mahāśaya
sahasra-mukhe yāṅra guṇa kahile nā haya
SYNONYMS
vāsudeva datta—of the name Vāsudeva Datta; prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bhṛtya—servant; mahāśaya—great personality; sahasra-mukhe—with thousands of mouths; yāṅra—whose; guṇa—qualities; kahile—describing; nā—never; haya—becomes fulfilled.
TRANSLATION
Vāsudeva Datta, the nineteenth branch of the Śrī Caitanya tree, was a great personality and a most confidential devotee of the Lord. One could not describe his qualities even with thousands of mouths.
PURPORT
Vāsudeva Datta, the brother of Mukunda Datta, was also a resident of Caṭṭagrāma. In the Caitanya-bhāgavata it is said, yāṅra sthāne kṛṣṇa haya āpane vikraya: Vāsudeva Datta was such a powerful devotee that Kṛṣṇa was purchased by him. Vāsudeva Datta stayed at Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s house, and in the Caitanya-bhāgavata it is described that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was so pleased with Vāsudeva Datta and so affectionate toward him that He used to say, “I am only Vāsudeva Datta’s man. My body is only meant to please Vāsudeva 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 Vāsudeva Datta.” Vāsudeva Datta initiated Śrī Yadunandana Ācārya, the spiritual master of Raghunātha dāsa, who later became Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī. This will be found in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līla, Sixth Chapter, verse 161. Vāsudeva Datta spent money very liberally; therefore Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Śivānanda Sena to become his sarakhela, or secretary, in order to control his extravagant expenses. Vāsudeva Datta was so kind to the living entities that he wanted to take all their sinful reactions so that they might be delivered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is described in the Fifteenth Chapter of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta’s Madhya-līlā, verses 159 through 180.
There is a railway station named Pūrvasthalī near the Navadvīpa railway station, and about one mile away, in a village known as Māmagāchi, which is the birthplace of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, there is presently a temple of Madana-gopāla that was established by Vāsudeva Datta. The Gauḍīya Maṭha devotees have now taken charge of this temple, and the sevā-pūjā is going on very nicely. Every year all the pilgrims on the navadvīpa-parikrama visit Māmagāchi. Since Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura inaugurated the navadvīpa-parikrama function, the temple has been very well managed. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/10/41
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was an incarnation of Vedavyāsa
bhāgavate kṛṣṇa-līlā varṇilā vedavyāsa
caitanya-līlāte vyāsa–vṛndāvana dāsa
SYNONYMS
bhāgavate—in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; kṛṣṇa-līlā—the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa; varṇilā—described; veda-vyāsa—Dvaipāyana Vyāsadeva; caitanya-līlāte—in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyāsa—Vedavyāsa; vṛndāvana dāsa—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.
TRANSLATION
Śrīla Vyāsadeva described the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Vyāsa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was Vṛndāvana dāsa.
PURPORT
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was an incarnation of Vedavyāsa and also a friendly cowherd boy named Kusumāpīḍa in kṛṣṇa-līlā. In other words, the author of Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, the son of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura’s niece Nārāyaṇī, was a combined incarnation of Vedavyāsa and the cowherd boy Kusumāpīḍa. There is a descriptive statement by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura in his commentary on Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata giving the biographical details of the life of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/11/55
Srila Prabhupada explains that the notes of Svarupa Damodara and Murari Gupta are the basis for Vrindavana dasa Thakura’s Caitanya-Bhagavavta
sei, anusāre likhi līlā-sūtragaṇa
vistāri’ varṇiāchena tāhā dāsa-vṛndāvana
SYNONYMS
sei—that; anusāre—following; likhi—I write; līlā—pastimes; sūtra-gaṇa—notes; vistāri’-very explicitly; varṇiyāchena—has described; tāhā—that; dāsa-vṛndāvana—Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.
TRANSLATION
The notes kept by Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara and Murāri Gupta are the basis of this book. Following those notes, I write of all the pastimes of the Lord. The notes have been described elaborately by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/13/47
caitanya-līlāra vyāsa,–dāsa vṛndāvana
madhura kariyā līlā karilā racana
SYNONYMS
caitanya-līlāra—of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyāsa—the authorized writer Vyāsadeva; dāsa vṛndāvana—Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; madhura—sweet; kariyā—making it; līlā—pastimes; karilā—did; racana—compilation.
TRANSLATION
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, the authorized writer of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, is as good as Śrīla Vyāsadeva. He has described the pastimes in such a way as to make them sweeter and sweeter. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/13/48
prabhura līlāmṛta teṅho kaila āsvādana
tāṅra bhukta-śeṣa kichu kariye carvaṇa
SYNONYMS
prabhura—of the Lord; līlāmṛta—the nectar of the pastimes; teṅho—he (Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura); kaila—did; āsvādana—taste; tāṅra—his; bhukta—of food; śeṣa—remnants; kichu—something; kariye—I do; carvaṇa—chew.
TRANSLATION
The transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya have actually been relished by Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. I am simply trying to chew the remnants of food left by him. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/13/50
vistāriyā varṇilā tāhā vṛndāvana-dāsa
ei ta’ paugaṇḍa-līlāra sūtra-prakāśa
SYNONYMS
vistāriyā—having elaborated; varṇilā—has described; tāhā—that; vṛndāvana-dāsa—Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana dāsa; ei ta’-this is; paugaṇḍa-līlāra—of the pastimes of His early age; sūtra-prakāśa—manifestation of the synopsis.
TRANSLATION
Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has elaborately described all these pastimes of the Lord’s early age. What I have given is but a condensed presentation of the same pastimes. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/15/31
paugaṇḍa vayase līlā bahuta prakāra
vṛndāvana-dāsa ihā kariyāchena vistāra
SYNONYMS
paugaṇḍa vayase—in His early age; līlā—pastimes; bahuta prakāra—of various kinds; vṛndāvana-dāsa—Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; ihā—this; kariyāchena—has done; vistāra—the elaborate explanation.
TRANSLATION
The Lord performed many varieties of pastimes in His early age, and Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has described them elaborately. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/15/32
vṛndāvana-dāsa ihā kariyāchena vistāra
sphuṭa nāhi kare doṣa-guṇera vicāra
SYNONYMS
vṛndavana-dāsa—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; ihā—this; kariyāchena—has made; vistāra—elaborate description; sphuṭa—what was clear; nahi—not; kare—does; doṣa-guṇera—of both the faults and the virtues; vicāra—analysis.
TRANSLATION
Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has previously elaborately described this. That which is clear need not be scrutinized for good qualities and faults. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/16/26
sei aṁśa kahi, tāṅre kari’ namaskāra
yā’ śuni’ digvijayī kaila āpanā dhik-kāra
SYNONYMS
sei—that; aṁśa—portion; kahi—I mention; tāṅre—unto Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; kari’-making; namaskāra—obeisances; yā’-of which; śuni—hearing; dig-vijayī—the conquering paṇḍita; kaila—did; āpanā—his own; dhik-kāra—condemnation.
TRANSLATION
Offering my obeisances to Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, I shall try to describe that portion of the Lord’s analysis which, when he heard it, made the Digvijayī feel himself condemned. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/16/27
Sahajiyas become offenders at the lotus feet of Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura
sva-mādhurya rādhā-prema-rasa āsvādite
rādhā-bhāva aṅgī kariyāche bhāla-mate
SYNONYMS
sva-mādhurya—His own conjugal love; rādhā-prema-rasa—the mellow of the loving affairs between Rādhārāṇī and Kṛṣṇa; āsvādite—to taste; rādhā-bhāva—the mood of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī; aṅgī kariyāche—He accepted; bhāla-mate—very well.
TRANSLATION
To taste the mellows of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s loving affairs in Her relationship with Kṛṣṇa, and to understand the reservoir of pleasure in Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Himself, as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, accepted the mood of Rādhārāṇī.
PURPORT
In this connection Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura writes in his Anubhāṣya, “Śrī Gaurasundara is Kṛṣṇa Himself with the attitude of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu never gave up the attitude of the gopīs. He remained everlastingly predominated by Kṛṣṇa and never accepted the part of the predominator by imitating conjugal love with an ordinary woman, as sahajiyās generally do. He never placed Himself in the position of a debauchee. Lusty materialists like the members of the sahajiyā-sampradāya hanker after women, even others’ wives. But when they try to ascribe the responsibility for their lusty activities to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they become offenders to Svarūpa Dāmodara and Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. In Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, Ādi-khaṇḍa, Chapter Fifteen, it is said:
sabe para-strīra prati nāhi parihāsa
strī dekhi’ dūre prabhu hayena eka-pāśa
‘Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu never even joked with others’ wives. As soon as He saw a woman coming, He would immediately give her ample room to pass without talking.’ He was extremely strict regarding the association of women. The sahajiyās, however, pose as followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu although they indulge in lusty affairs with women. In His youth Lord Caitanya was very humorous with everyone, but He never joked with any woman, nor in this incarnation did He talk about women. The gaurāṅga-nāgarī party is not approved by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu or Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Even though one may offer all kinds of prayers to Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one should strictly avoid worshiping Him as the Gaurāṅga Nāgara. The personal behavior of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the verses written by Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura have completely repudiated the lusty desires of the gaurāṅga-nāgarīs.”Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/17/276
sahaje vicitra madhura caitanya-vihāra
vṛndāvana-dāsa-mukhe amṛtera dhāra
SYNONYMS
sahaje—naturally; vicitra—wonderful; madhura—sweet; caitanya—of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vihāra—the activities; vṛndāvana-dāsa—of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; mukhe—from the mouth; amṛtera—of nectar; dhāra—shower.
TRANSLATION
By nature all the activities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are very wonderful and sweet, and when they are described by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, they become like a shower of nectar.Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/madhya/4/5