Srivasa Thakura

Srivasa Thakura Biography

Srivasa Thakura, also called Srivasa Pandita was a close associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is believed to be the complete incarnation of Lord Krishna and Radha combined. Thakura was also a member of the Pancha Tattva, alongside Sri Advaita Acharya, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Krishna Chaitanya and Sri Gadadhara Pandita who formulated and wrote the basic teachings and practices of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Thakura is being defined as tatastha-shakti, a marginal energy of Lord Krishna in person. Srivasa is mentioned in the Pancha Tattva mantra as representative of a pure devotee. Devotees of Lord Chaitanya chant these mantras every day.

He belonged to Srivasangam, the place where Kazi, a noted Muslim leader ruled. Every night, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates would chant the names of Krishna and dance in Srivasa Pandita's house. Sri Caitanya also performed sankirtana-yajna. As he too was so dedicated to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he provided all helps he can do. He never made any effort to support himself or his dependents. Once Kazi had a dream in which Chaitanya asked him not to his religious practices. Kazi agreed to it and it’s widely believed that Kazi is the rebirth of Kamsa, but Sri Chaitanya showed him mercy by making him devotee. There also exists a story which tells that Kazi tried to convert Hindus to Muslims. But most of the Muslim followers later converted to Islam.

It was from his home where, the great bhakti movement of Gaudiya Vaishnavism started about five hundred years ago, which has now spread throughout the world. He previously lived in Sri Hatta. But his bhakti brought him to Ganges in Nabadwip where he remained close with Krishna devotees.

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Updated: March 12, 2014