Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur (17th Century AD) was born in a village at Murshidabad in the present day West Bengal. He was the spiritual disciple of Sri Krishna Sarana Chakravarthy, and from his Guru, he has learnt the essence of Srimad Bhagavatham and Bhagavat Gita. After some time, due to his staunch devotion and dedication on Lord Krishna, he went to Vrindavan worshipped Lord Krishna, and in course of time, though he was a married, but, he has relieved from his family responsibilities, become a Saint, and acquired the title, “SRI HARI VALLABAR”.
He has written lot of precious texts in praise on Lord Krishna, and due to his expertise in penning bhakti poems, he was called as a King among the Poets. He used to write bhakti texts on the open air, and due to his supreme powers, during summer and winter season, sun-rays and rainfall would not disturb him. Sri HariVallaba used to participate in debates with great scholars, and due to his sincerity and devotion on Lord Krishna, he used to win in all the debates. He also used to tell stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatham to the small children in an easily understandable manner.
Once when some of his enemies tried to kill him, Lord Krishna and Ma Radharani had suddenly emerged from the body of “Sri HariVallabar”, and made them to realize that they always dwell on the soul of Sri HariVallbar. Sri HariVallabar is also considered to be an incarnation of Sri Rupa Goswamy, who was also a famous Krishna Devotee, and he died on an auspicious Vasanta-panchami day by singing the Holy Kirtans of Lord Krishna and near the Samadhi Shrine of Sri Lokanatha Goswamy, Sri HariVallabar’s Samadhi is also located.
Some of the wonderful texts written by him were:-
1. Chintamani
2. Chandrika
3. Krishna Prema
4. Gitavali
5. Subodhini
6. Bhakti Lahri
7. SriKrishnamahapurusha
TEACHINGS OF SRI HARI VALLABAR
1. The various forms of Lord Krishna are one and the same.
2. The beauty of Lord Krishna cannot be expressed in words.
3. Doing service to Lord Krishna is the main responsibility of the mankind.
4. Love Lord Krishna deeply from your heart.
5. Always be in the company with Lord Krishna in order to get the true perfection in your life.
6. Study the great epics like Srimad Bhagavatham and Bhagavat Gita in order to know deeply about Lord Krishna.
7. Realize Lord Krishna throughout your life, and always aim to reach the feet of Lord Krishna through your selfless bhakti on him.
8. Develop Mad Bhakti towards Lord Krishna in order to see him on each and every object.
9. You cannot get utmost satisfaction on any other thing in the world, but, you could get full satisfaction by sincerely worshipping Lord Krishna.
“KRISHNAM VANDE JAGADGURUM”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR