Sri Srivasa Pandita is described as the incarnation of Närada Muni. Through Srivasa Thakura, Lord Caitanya taught that He is conquered by the love of His devotees, and how anyone who is dear to His devotee also conquers His heart.
Srivasa Pandita appeared at Biyanibazar in Sylhet district as the second son of Sri Jaladhar Pandit. It is mentioned in Caitanya-caritämåta that Çréväsa had three brothers: Çréräma, Çrépati, Çrénidhi, and Çrékänta. But Jaladhar Pandit had an older son named Nalina Paëòita, who disappeared when the family lived in Biyanibazar. When Çréväsa was twelve years old, Jaladhära took his family to Navadvépa and remained there.
Because young Nimäi Paëòita seemed to have grown arrogant by His scholarship, one day Çréväsa told Him, “Why do people undertake study? So that they might understand what is devotion to Çré Kåñëa. If by scholarship one does not gain such devotion, then how will that learning help him? It becomes simply a tedious endeavour which in the end is nothing but a waste of time. If you have actually learned something then begin your worship of Çré Kåñëa now.”
Nimäi laughed and replied, “By your mercy, certainly that will come to be. If you are all kind enough to Me, then definitely I shall attain devotion to Çré Kåñëa’s lotus feet.” Shortly thereafter, Mahäprabhu journeyed to Gaya where He accepted initiation from Çré Éçvara Puré. The Lord did so to teach that without the blessings and guidance ofof great souls, and without the prayers of great Vaiñëavas beseeching Kåñëa to extend His mercy to us, there is no hope of our really receiving the mercy of Kåñëa. Lord Kåñëa was born in Mathurä but performed His most intimate pastimes in Våndävana. Similarly, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu was born in the house of Jagannätha Miçra, yet He performed His most intimate pastimes in the house of Çréväsa Öhäkura.
One night while Lord Gauräìga was engaged in kértana, the son of Çréväsa Öhäkura – who was suffering from fever – left his body. The ladies started weeping very loudly. Çréväsa Öhäkura, on hearing the news, quickly ran into the room and found his son’s dead body. He told the ladies to give up this crying, that there should be no grief, and that even a most sinful person who dies while hearing the holy name and glories of Kåñëa will be liberated. He told them, “My son is so fortunate to have left his body hearing the harinäma saìkértana of Lord Caitanya and His devotees. Now if you wish to cry, do it silently in your own heart, but do not tell anyone what has happened, because if you disturb the ecstatic dancing of my Lord Gauräìga then I will tie a pot around my neck and drown myself in the Ganges today.”
After speaking all these words, Çréväsa Öhäkura went back into the kértana and, with a big smile on his face, began dancing with Lord Caitanya and Vaiñëavas. The kértana went on throughout the entire night. When Mahäprabhu came to know of the passing of Çréväsa’s son, He cried tears of love and said, “How could I ever leave the association of such a pure devotee as Çréväsa Öhäkura? He loves me so much that he does not even express his grief over the death of his own son!”
Mahäprabhu gave this benediction to Çréväsa: “There will never be poverty in your house. If you simply remain indoors, whatever you require for your worship will come to your door.”
At present, ISKCON is serving the temple at the birthsite of Çréväsa Paëòita. There is also an ancient temple where the deity of Vasudeva, established in the seventh century, is still being worshipped.
How to Go There
Buses are available from Sylhet to Biyanibazar. The Çréväs Angan is about 500m from Biyanibazar bus stop.
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