Srivasa Thakura (Śrīvāsa Thakura) was a 15-century religious figure in

Gaudiya Vaishnava Gaudiya Vaishnavism (), also known as Chaitanya Vaishnavism, is a Vaishnava Hindu religious movement inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) in India. "Gaudiya" refers to the Gaura or Gauḍa region of Bengal (present-day Malda dist ...

tradition of

Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...

. He was a close associate of

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (; ), born Vishvambhara Mishra () (18 February 1486 – 14 June 1534), was an Indian Hindus, Hindu saint from Bengal and the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mode of worshipping Krishna with bha ...

and is venerated as a member of the Pancha Tattva in the sect. As per Gaudiya tradition, Srivasa is regarded as ''tatastha-shakti'', a marginal energy the god

Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...

. Devotees who are headed by Srivasa are described as "parts" of transcendental body of Chaitanya (his eyes, ears, hands, disc/cakra, etc.). Srivasa was devoted to the worship of Krishna and spread of his worship including conversion to Gaudiya Vaishnavism of adherents of Buddhism. Srivasa propagated the ''sankirtana'', congregational chanting of Krishna's names. He studied the ''

Bhagavata Purana The ''Bhagavata Purana'' (; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam)'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' () or simply ''Bhagavata (Bhāgavata)'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen major Puranas (''Mahapuranas'') and one ...

'' with Advaita Acharya, who was at that time in Navadwip. Srivasa lived in Srivasangam, where he preached ''sankirtana.'' Srivasangam was ruled by Kazi, a noted Muslim leader - who was initially opposed to Gaudiya Hinduism. It is said that Kazi had a vision of Chaitanya in his dream and after he which he promised not to oppose the ways of Srivasa. Srivasa Thakura had previously lived in Sri Hatta, but because he wanted the association of devotees, he went to live on the banks of the

Ganges The Ganges ( ; in India: Ganga, ; in Bangladesh: Padma, ). "The Ganges Basin, known in India as the Ganga and in Bangladesh as the Padma, is an international which goes through India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China." is a trans-boundary rive ...

Nabadwip Nabadwip (), also spelt Navadwip, historically known as Nadia, is a heritage city in Nadia district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is regarded as a holy place by Hindus, and is the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Located on the wes ...

. Srivasa Thakura had three brothers: Sripati, Srirama and Srinidhi. He also had one son, but at a young age his son died.

Pancha Tattva mantra

Srivasa is mentioned in the

Pancha Tattva (Vaishnavism) The Pancha Tattva (, from Sanskrit ''pañca'' meaning "five" and ''tattva'' "truth" or "reality"), in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism, are five 15th-century religious figures, venerated as the five aspects of the god Krishna. B ...

mantra as representative of a pure devotee.Pancha Tattva mantra
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Life and pastimes of Srivasa Pandita

Pastimes at his house in MayapurMore pastimes - Pastimes with Chand Kazi

Footnotes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thakura, Srivasa 16th-century Hindu religious leaders Gaudiya religious leaders Bengali Hindus Scholars from West Bengal Chaitanya Mahaprabhu