Planet ISKCON

This year’s Brisbane Rathayatra was attended by the largest number of devotees and friends yet. It was a rainy day but the weather didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm to join in the parade and festivities in King George Square.

Kalasamvara from New Zealand led the kirtan first and he was followed by HH Krsna Caitanya Maharaja who had just arrived from India.Their Lordships, as always, looked beautiful and the devotees were blissfully dancing and chanting in front of Them.

We are rule-breakers. Otherwise, our minute independence and free will would not have brought us to these bodies in the material world. Of course, some souls take birth here just for pure loving service, but these eternally liberated souls are few in number compared to the rest of us! Thomas Keating, a Trappist Monk in the […]

The post COMING OF AGE #15 – Rules and Rituals appeared first on ISKCON News.

Among the large temples, Ujjain, India, collected 4,775 book points, the largest increase at 212%. I'm sure the temple's founder, our dearly missed Bhakti Caru Swami, is pleased with the devotees there. A temple in a city I'd never heard of--Bharuch, India--was #2 in the medium temples with 12,096 book points. Book distribution in India is just booming. Here's a temple in a city I'd never heard of and it's the #2 medium temple in the world. Simply amazing. In the small temple category, Cueramaro, Mexico, had another robust month with 4,551 book points, an increase of 155%. A very steady book distribution temple. Continue reading "World Sankirtan Newsletter March 2024
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Today is Srila Vrindavan dasa Thakura’s disappearance day. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 11.55) states, “Srila Vyasadeva described the pastimes of Krsna in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Vyasa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Vrndavana dasa.” Srila Prabhupada elaborates in his 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 son of Srivasa Thakura’s niece Narayani, was a combined incarnation of Vedavyasa and the cowherd boy Kusumapida.” Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was the last initiated disciple of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.

In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 8.33–40, 42, 44) Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami glorifies Srila Vrindavan dasa Thakura and his book Sri Caitanya-bhagavata (then called Sri Caitanya-mangala): “O fools, just read Sri Caitanya-mangala! By reading this book you can understand all the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Thakura Vrndavana dasa has composed Sri Caitanya-mangala. Hearing this book annihilates all misfortune. By reading Sri Caitanya-mangala one can understand all the glories and truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Krsna. 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. If even a great atheist hears Sri Caitanya-mangala, he immediately becomes a great devotee. 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. 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. What a wonderful description he has given of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya! Anyone in the three worlds who hears it is purified. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has written Sri Caitanya-mangala and therein described in all respects the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.”

In his purport to text 45, Srila Prabhupada writes, “Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s Sri Caitanya-bhagavata was originally entitled Sri Caitanya-mangala, but when Srila Locana dasa Thakura later wrote another book named Sri Caitanya-mangala, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura changed the name of his own book, which is now therefore known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata. The life of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very elaborately described in the 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.”

And he writes in his purport to text 48, “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”—Srila Prabhupada explains, “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-gita (10.10), dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam upayanti 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. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami confirms that what Vrndavana dasa Thakura wrote was actually spoken by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and that Vrndavana dasa simply repeated it.”

How blessed we are to receive knowledge of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu through our glorious parampara—and to be engaged in their service.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

According to the Nrsimha Purana, if someone helps build a beautiful temple for Lord Nrsimhadeva, he goes to Vaikuntha. The TOVP Give To Nrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 10 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 22 (Nrsimha Caturdasi) to complete Lord Nrsimha’s Wing in the TOVP is one such rare opportunity. And Ambarisa prabhu is matching all donations, dollar-for-dollar.

“O devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Nrsimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikuntha planets.”

Nrsimha Purana

The Nrsimha Wing in the TOVP is scheduled for completion by Nrsimha Caturdasi, May 22. Your sacrifice of funds for this purpose is an insignificant price to pay to enter the Vaikuntha planets. Go to the Give To Nrsimha Campaign page today, whether you have already donated, pledged and fulfilled your pledge or never given before, and solidify your supreme destination to the spiritual world.

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For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of March 2024. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN March 2024 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Sri Abhirama Thakura, also known by the name Sri Rama das, was one of the twelve gopalas or cowherd boys, of Vraja. In the eternal lila he is Sridama, one of the key members of Krishna and Balarama’s gopas.

One day in Dwapara yuga, Krishna, Balarama and their cowherd friends were playing hide-and-seek in the woods of Vrindavan. Suddenly, Krishna remembered Nadia and wanted to go there and enjoy some pastimes there. Taking Balaram and all their friends with Him, He advented in Navadwipa. Somehow, Sridama got left behind in Vraja and remained in his hiding place in a cave.

   When everyone was performing kirtan in Navadwipa, Gauranga Mahaprabhu suddenly remembered Sridama. Horripilating in ecstatic love, He shed tears and called out “Ah Sridama, where shall I find you now?” and he fell unconscious.

   Nityananda Prabhu lifted Him on to his lap and brought Him back to consciousness. When asked the reason for His distress, Mahaprabhu said, “Where is Sridama? Tell me where he is! I will go immediately and bring him!” Mahaprabhu further revealed to Nityananda, “He is living in Vrindavan – go there and bring him here quickly! I am heart broken in his absence.”

   Pacifying Sri Gauranga, Nityananda Prabhu assured Him that he would find Sridama and bring him back to Navadwipa. Nitai Rama set out and eventually reached Govardhan area in Vraja. Nityananda Prabhu was wearing his usual blue dhoti and anga-vastra and had his hair tied in a knot on the top of his head.

   Arriving near Govardhan hill, Nityananda started calling out, “Sridama!” again and again. Finally Sridama came out of the cave to see who was calling him. Seeing the strange man dressed in blue, Sridama asked “Who are you? Why are you calling me?” Nityananda introduced himself as Balarama and said that His name was previously “Balai”.

   However, Sridama had a doubt in his mind due to the different appearance and get-up of Nityananda. (The stature of people in Dwapara yuga was much taller than the people in Kali yuga). Sridama said, “If you are really Balai, then you should be as powerful as Him. I shall clap my hands and run. If you are truly Balai, then you will be able to catch me.”

   Hearing this, Nitai said, “Run if you must. Let’s see how far you will be able to go.” Clapping his hands, Sridama said, “Ha Balai, you will not be able to catch me!”

   Sridama gopala then tied his cloth tightly between his legs in the manner of a wrestler and began to run around Govardhan Hill. After circumambulating Sri Giriraja four times, he looked back to see if Nityananda had caught up with him. Seeing that Nitai had kept pace, he thought “This is indeed Balarama!”

   Sridama said, “You must be tired, my friend. Take some rest now. Since I did not see your form of Balarama I had some doubt in my mind. But you went around Govardhana Giri four times! Who else but Balai has the energy to do that!” Then he asked, “Tell me why have you come looking for me?”

   Nityananda replied “Krishna fell unconscious because He could not see you!” Sridama asked, “Where has Kanai gone?” Nityananda replied, “Now everyone has gone to Navadwipa. If you will accompany me, we will have some special pastimes there. Come quickly!”

   Sridama said, “No, I shall not go. Going with you means that I will have to live in someone’s womb there. Considering the pain, who wants to live in that condition! I will not go.”

   Nityananda said, “Just come with me and let us discuss the matter with Kanai. You can remain for now, as you are.”

   Sridama laughed and said, “Alright then, carry me on your shoulders! All that running has made me tired.” Nitai said, “If I refuse, then you will go around telling everyone that I could not carry you because of the difference in our respective sizes. You are the chief amongst us cowherd boys. Please consider that you should be sympathetic about the happiness and distress of others.”

Sridama said, “Well.. you and I are just the same. You very well know that when Krishna’s side loses, I sometimes carry you on my back!” Nityananda replied, “Everyone knows that you are subjugated by Kanai’s love. None of the pastimes that happen in Vraja by day or by night are unknown to you. All the other cowherd boys always sing your praises. Come now. Let us go and meet Gauranga.

All the twelve gopalas (twelve intimate associates of Lord Nityananda, who are the expansions of the twelve primary cowherd boys, gopas, in Krishna lila) and sixty-four mahantas (64 devotees that are considered to be the most confidential associates of Mahaprabhu) know you and sing your praises.

   Hearing these words, Sridama went and got dressed. He dressed himself in a very enchanting way. The beauty of his hair, dress and cow-herder’s paraphernalia was extremely attractive. 

Soon the two of them approached Navadwipa. When Sri Gauranga saw that they had arrived, He embraced Sridama and started talking to him. “Where have you been? What kind of bliss were you in that I had to send Nityananda to bring you here?!”

   Sridama asked, “Tell me the reason for your appearance here. Why do you all have shaven heads and wear these rags. Seeing your condition breaks my heart.”

   Mahaprabhu explained, “Sridama, with the end of Dwapara yuga, the influence of Kali began. In this age, renunciation is proper.” Sridama said, “I don’t understand. Please explain.”

In the mood of Krishna, Mahaprabhu said, “There are four yugas, Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali. In Dwapara, Krishna is Svayam Bhagavan. In Kali yuga, He incarnates as Sri Krishna Chaitanya. Now in the beginning of Kali yuga, I shall reveal this truth which is also mentioned in the sastras. You should know that my form as Krishna Chaitanya is the very same as my form of Krishna. Gaura-lila and Krishna lila are one. In Gaura-lila, I and my associates have assumed the role of Devotees and are relishing the mellows of love of Krishna. Now my name is Krishna Chaitanya and from today you will be known as Abhirama.”

Gopalasyapriya Dasi with Silavati Devi Dasi at New Vrindaban. On April 26, 2024, Her Grace Shilavati Devi Dasi (ACBSP) left her body between 9:50-9:55 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Wheeling, WV (near New Vrindaban). Srila Prabhupada personally instructed her in deity worship in Los Angeles and regularly sent devotees to her for […]

The post Remembering Shilavati Devi Dasi appeared first on ISKCON News.

The most auspicious Akshaya Tritiya on May 10 begins the TOVP Give To Nrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser. From May 10 until May 22 (Nrsimha Caturdasi), all donations and pledge payments to the TOVP will be matched by Ambarisa prabhu and used to complete the Nrsimhadeva Wing.

If you have made a pledge, this is the time to complete it. If you have already completed a pledge, this is the time to begin another. If you have given a one-time donation before, give again. Ambarisa will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar.

Go to the Give To Nrsimha Campaign page on the TOVP website and be a part of history in completing the largest Nrsimhadeva temple in the world.

“O devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Nrsimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikuntha planets.”

Nrsimha Purana

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Jayananda Prabhu was born on April 27, 1939.

Here is a wonderful account of how he manifested his presence at the time of his mother’s passing away, which I call “A Hospice Miracle”:

Krishna’s Mercy—Serving Jayananda Prabhu’s Mother

(Derived from a letter by Kalindi Dasi to her spiritual master, Candramauli Swami)

In mid-July I started wearing tilak to my work at the hospice. I thought that since many other spiritual practitioners were expressing their faith by wearing crosses, doves, silk threads, pentacles, and other items, I would wear my tilak, which tells the world that I am a devotee of theLord. And I have found that simply keeping tilak at work has opened the door for spiritual questions and conversations.

On the morning of Monday, August 6, 2007, after our daily report and medical-staff checks, we began doing our usual tasks of caring for the patients. As ours is only a ten-bed facility, we are able to give loving care to each patient individually. Often, while I care for or bathe patients who are unable to do such tasks for themselves, I chant or sing the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. On this particular morning I was caring for a woman named Jane Kohr, who had been with us for almost a week. She was a kind and polite person, and I enjoyed the time I was spending with her. Around 8 a.m. on August 6, I entered her room and found that she was getting closer to leaving her body. She was unresponsive to verbal cues, and her body was limp. I sang the maha-mantra one last time, while she received her final bath. Hospice staff called her family, who were always friendly and appreciative of our care for her. When I was finished, I spoke with some of the family members in the hall. Jane’s grandson approached me to thank me, and then he pointed to his forehead and to my tilak and asked if I was a Hare Krishna. I smiled and said that yes, I was a devotee of Krishna. “Well,” he said, “then maybe you know of my uncle Jayananda.”

“The Jayananda?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. And he told me how his uncle had built the Ratha-yatra carts. He then went in to inform his mother that I was a Hare Krishna.

Gaynelle, Jayananda Prabhu’s sister, came out of the room and said that she was so happy that a Krishna devotee had cared for her mother. The whole family expressed that it meant so much to them. Gaynelle kept saying that she couldn’t believe that I was a Hare Krishna. She said that she told her mother but wasn’t sure that her mom could hear her. I said that I had a feeling she already knew, and I laughed.

Jane, a granddaughter, mentioned that she remembered her uncle making really great Indian food and offering it to God and then the family sitting on the floor and eating it. She remembered his robes and how happy he was. Jane said that he had been pretty depressed before meeting devotees.

I let Jayananda Prabhu’s family know that during the Ratha-yatra festival we hang a nice photo of him next to Srila Prabhupada’s photo. They told me that an old friend of Jayananda’s (who is not a devotee) happened to be in Africa several years ago and saw his first Ratha-yatra festival there, and to his astonishment there was a huge photo of Jayananda Prabhu on the front of the cart. He had called Gaynelle to share the news.

They told me that Jayananda was always very kind, even as a child, and never spoke badly of others. From the many stories they told me, his saintly qualities shined through even in his childhood. Gaynelle told me that her brother once spent hours on a family vacation at the beach picking ticks and fleas off a homeless dog. He couldn’t stand to watch it suffering. Jayananda’s nephew told me about running around the kitchen table as a small child with his uncle, who was laughing and chanting Hare Krishna.

When I went back into Jane’s room, the family was gathered around her bed holding her hand. Her breaths were faint, and she was about to leave her body. I stepped out to give the family some space, and about five minutes later they came to the front desk and asked for me to look at her. When I opened the door, I saw that her body had turned yellow and waxy. It was apparent that the soul had left and that the physical body was all that remained. The nurse reported that she had passed, and the family, though sad, also felt relief.

Gaynelle told me that she had asked her brother for support. Since he couldn’t physically be at their mother’s passing, she had been looking for a sign that he was supporting her. She felt that a devotee’s being present and caring for her mother was not a mere coincidence. It was, I believe, Krishna’s endless mercy!

I thanked the relatives for allowing me to serve their family, offered my pranamas, and said, “Hare Krishna.”

Varuthini Ekadasi falls in the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Vaisakha. On the day of Varuthini Ekadasi, devotees worship and offer prayers to Lord Vamana the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the literal sense, Varuthini means ‘protected’ and thus the devotees get protected from various negativities and evils by observing Varuthini Ekadashi.

This Ekadasi is the last prior to the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya on May 10, a holy day when many important events have taken place in Vedic history. It also precedes the Give To Nrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser which starts on Akshaya Tritiya. Ambarisa prabhu is matching all donations and pledge payments during the fundraiser to help complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in the TOVP. Please visit the Give To Nrsimha Fundraiser page on our website from May 10 – 22 and help finish the Lord’s temple.

  NOTE: Varuthini Ekadasi is observed on May 4th worldwide. Please refer to your local calendar through www.vaisnavacalendar.info.

  View, download and share the TOVP 2024 Calendar​.

The Glories of Varuthini Ekadasi

From the Bhavishya Purana

Sri Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “Oh Vasudeva, I offer my most humble obeisances unto You. Please now describe to me the Ekadasi of the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (April-May), including its specific merits and influence.”

Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh King, in this world and the next, the most auspicious and magnanimous Ekadasi is Varuthini Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Vaisakha. Whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely removed, obtains continuous happiness, and achieves all good fortune.

Fasting on Varuthini Ekadasi makes even an unfortunate woman fortunate.

Upon anyone who observes it, this Ekadasi bestows material enjoyment in this life and liberation after the death of this present body. It destroys the sins of all and saves people from the miseries of repeated rebirth.

“By observing this Ekadasi properly, King Mandhata was liberated. Many other kings also benefited from observing it, kings such as Maharaja Dhundhumara, in the Ikshvaku dynasty, who became free from leprosy resulting from the curse that Lord Shiva had imposed upon him as a punishment.

“Whatever merit one obtains by performing austerities and penances for ten thousand years is achieved by a person who observes Varuthini Ekadasi.
The merit one achieves by donating a great amount of gold during a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra is gained by one who observes this one Ekadasi with love and devotion, and certainly attains his goals in this life and the next.

“In short, this Ekadasi is pure and very enlivening and the destroyer of all sins.

Better than giving horses in charity is giving elephants, and better than giving elephants is giving land. But better still than giving land is the giving of sesame seeds, and better than that is giving of gold. Still better than giving gold is giving food grains for all the forefathers, demigods (devas), and human beings become satisfied by eating grains. Thus, there is no better gift of charity than this in the past, present or future.

“Yet learned scholars have declared that giving away a young maiden in marriage to a worthy person is equal to giving away food grains in charity. Moreover, Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has said that giving cows in charity is equal to giving food grains. Still better than all these charities is teaching spiritual knowledge to the ignorant. Yet all the merits one can attain by performing all these acts of charity are attained by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadasi.

“One who lives off the wealth of his daughters suffers a hellish condition until the inundation of the entire universe, Oh Bharata. Therefore one should be especially careful not to use the wealth of his daughter.

Oh best of kings, any householder who takes his daughter’s wealth out of greed, who tries to sell his daughter, or who takes money from the man to whom he has given his daughter in marriage, such a householder becomes a lowly cat in his next life.

“Therefore it is said that whoever, as a sacred act of charity, gives away in marriage a maiden decorated with various ornaments, and who also gives a dowry with her, obtains merit that cannot be described even by Chitragupta, the chief secretary of Yamaraja in the heavenly planets. That very same merit, however, can be easily achieved by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadasi.

“The following things should be given up on the Dashami, (the tenth phase of the Moon), the day before the Ekadasi:
Eating on bell-metal plates, eating any kind of urad-dahl, eating red-lentils, eating chick-peas, eating kondo (a grain that is primarily eaten by poor people and that resembles poppy seeds or agarpanthas seeds), eating spinach, eating honey, eating in another person’s house/home, eating more than once, and participating in sex of any kind.

“On the Ekadasi itself one should give up the following:

Gambling, sports, sleeping during the daytime, betal nuts and its leaf, brushing one’s teeth, spreading rumors, faultfinding, talking to the spiritually fallen, anger, and lying.

“On the Dwadasi the day after Ekadasi (the twelfth phase of the Moon), one should give up the following:

Eating on bell-metal plates, eating urad-dahl, red-lentils, or honey, lying, strenuous exercise or labor, eating more than once, any sexual activity, shaving the body, face or head, smearing oils on one’s body, and eating in another’s home.”

Lord Sri Krishna continued, “Whoever observes the Varuthini Ekadasi in this way becomes free from all sinful reactions and returns to the eternal, spiritual abode.

One who worships Lord Janardana (Krishna) on this Ekadasi by staying awake throughout the entire night, also becomes free from all his previous sins and attains to the spiritual abode.

“Therefore, Oh king, he who is frightened of his accumulated sins and their attendant reactions, and thus of death itself, must observe Varuthini Ekadasi by fasting very strictly.

Finally, Oh noble Yudhisthira, he who hears or reads this glorification of the sacred Varuthini Ekadasi obtains the merit earned by donating one thousand cows in charity, and at last he returns home, to the Supreme abode of Lord Vishnu in the Vaikunthas.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Varuthini Ekadasi from the Bhavishya Purana.

This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree

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On the Caitra Purnima, the full moon day of the month of Caitra, Sri Vamsivadananda Thakura took birth within this world. It was a sweet moon and everyone sang in great joy at the appearance of such a great soul.

Vamsivadananda Thakura is also known as Vamsivadana, Vamsi dasa, Vamsi. It was in the house of Sri Madhava dasa that Vamsivadananda Thakura took birth. His mother’s name was Srimati Candrakaladevi. Vamsivadananda Thakura is the avatara of Krsna’s flute. 

The day that he took birth, Caitanya Mahaprabhu was staying in the house of Sri Madhava dasa.  Advaita acarya Prabhu was also present.  Madhava dasa was a greatly devoted soul and was very attached to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Lord was very affectionate towards his son, Vamsi.

Sri Narahari Cakravarti Thakura writes in his Bhakti-ratnakara (4.23) that when Srinivasa acarya went to visit the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Mayapura during his pilgrimage to Nabadwipa, he met Vamsivadananda Thakura. At that time Vamsivadananda Thakura bestowed his blessings upon the young Srinivasa acarya who also managed to take darsana of the holy feet of Sri Visnupriya devi. Narahari writes, “Vamsivadananda Thakura sat the young  Srinivasa acarya upon his lap and wet his head with tears of ecstasy in love of Godhead.”

After the disappearance of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Vamsivadananda Thakura was engaged as a servant by Visnupriya devi. It is said that he became the foremost recipient of her mercy.  After the disappearance of Visnupriya devi he took the Mahaprabhu deity established by her to Koladwipa which is presently the town known as Nabadwipa dhama. There he established the worship of the Mahaprabhu deity. There, he also established a deity of Krsna known as Pranavallabha. 

 Vamsivadananda Thakura was a lyrical poet and a composer of songs. All his songs are especially sweet and mellow and express deep moods of devotion. In one famous song he has expressed the separation felt by Mother Saci upon the sannyasa of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Vamsivadananda Thakura has also composed songs about Krsna’s dana-lila, nauka-vilasa,  and vana-vihara-lila.