Journey of Devotion: In the Footsteps of Vrinda Kunda Baba

This is part 3 of a series of 4 articles. Here is part 1, part 2, and part 4.

This article unveils the extraordinary devotion of Madhava Dasa, affectionately known as “Vrinda Kunda Baba,” a Vaishnava dedicated to the service of Srimati Vrinda Devi. From the glories of Vrnda Devi to her mystical connection with Lord Krishna, Baba’s life story and his profound love for Vrinda Devi unfold, offering readers a glimpse into a world of divine love. Join the journey of devotion, the passing of a sadhu, and the commitment of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples to carry on the care of sacred Vrnda Kunda. It is a narrative that reveals the transformative power of unwavering devotion and the boundlessness of divine grace.

The following article is an excerpt from the writings of Govinda Dasī (ACBSP) published in Back To Godhead Magazine January/February 1993 edition 

Serving Tulasi’s Home

In November 1989, I met “Vrinda Kunda Baba,” or Madhava Dasa, a renowned scholar and Vaishnava saint, and a great devotee of Srimati Tulasi Devi. He had spent years in Vrindavana working to restore and develop Vrinda Kunda, the eternal home of Vrinda Devi, the cowherd-girl form of Tulasi Devi. Madhava Baba’s knowledge of the scriptures, especially those relating to the glories of Tulasi Devi, was vast. Not surprisingly, I felt an immediate connection.

Because Baba had become old and ill, he wanted to leave his work to reliable people who were also devoted to Tulasi Devi. Somehow, by the divine arrangement of the Lord, he ended up at ISKCON’s Krishna-Balarama temple.

Every day Baba talked to us of the glories of Vṛndā Devī as described in the Skanda Purāṇa, Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Padma Purāṇa, Garuḍa Purāṇa, Nāradīya Purāṇa, and other Vedic texts. He carefully translated the Vṛndādevy-aṣṭakam by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravarti Ṭhākura, and he told us about the mercy of Lord Caitanya. We learned that the Lord would have a Tulasī tree carried before him in His sankirtana party.

On meeting him, I felt a strong urge to assist him and began by helping with his medical expenses. Later, when he became bedridden in February and March of 1990, I worked with Vidya Devi Dasi, Muralidhara Dasa, and Mohana Dasa to help provide nursing and medical care for him in his final days.

At that time, I was inspired to paint a picture of Vrinda Devi. Madhava Baba knew all the scriptural references to Vrinda Devi, and he carefully supervised the tiniest details of this painting. The scriptures describe Vrinda Devi as having a beautiful complexion like molten gold, a shimmering golden effulgence, and an enchanting pearl on her nose. A gentle smile decorates her lips.

She wears blue garments and is decorated with pearls and flowers. Her right hand is raised in blessing the devotees, and on her left hand, she holds her yellow parrot, Daksha, who has thousands of parrot disciples of various colors: red, green, yellow, blue, white. The parrots serve Vrinda Devi by carrying messages to various parts of Vrindavana.

Vrinda Devi is in charge of the Vrindavana lila—the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. She decides which flowers will bloom, which birds will sing, which songs will be sung, which breezes will blow, which food will be served, which games will be played, which musical instruments will be played.

Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani have given Vrinda Devi her role as queen of Vrindavana. Vrinda Devi may be likened to a grand director or choreographer of the Vrindavana lila, and her parrots are her communication service. She always stays in Vrindavana, absorbed in love for Radha and Krishna. Her great yearning is to expertly arrange Their meeting, and by doing this she feels the greatest joy.

When the painting was finished, I would hold it up before Baba daily, and he would chant his prayers to Vrinda Devi, his worshipable deity. Often he would cry when he saw her.

Once he looked up at me and very humbly said, “Thank you, Mataji. You have made just the exact replica of Vrinda Devi.”

I told him, “Baba, because you are now unable to walk and go see your beloved deity, Vrinda Devi has arranged to come to see you.”

We pressed Baba to tell us his life story so we could tape it for future publication. He was reluctant.

Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani have given Vrinda Devi her role as queen of Vrindavana. Vrinda Devi may be likened to a grand director or choreographer of the Vrindavana lila, and her parrots are her communication service. She always stays in Vrindavana, absorbed in love for Radha and Krishna. Her great yearning is to expertly arrange Their meeting, and by doing this she feels the greatest joy.

“No Mataji, I don’t want name and fame.”

We persisted, imploring him that it would be a necessary part of continuing the development of Vrinda Kunda. We pleaded that name and fame would come after he had left this world. He finally agreed, for the service of Vrinda Devi, and we began documenting his life story and the story of the development of Vrinda Kunda.

Srila Prabhupada had told us that Vrindavana is named after Vrinda Devi. It means “forest of Tulasi.”

Baba explained, “This Vrindavana-dhama belongs to Sri Krishna. It is the shining crest jewel of all the Vaikunthas, and Srimati Radharani, the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, has made Vrinda Devi the ruling monarch of Lord Krishna’s opulent and auspicious abode of Vrindavana.”

Every day Baba talked to us of the glories of Vrinda Devi as described in the Skanda Purana, Brahma-vaivarta Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Naradiya Purana, and other Vedic texts. He carefully translated the Vrindadevy-astakam by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, and he told us about the mercy of Lord Caitanya. We learned that the Lord would have a Tulasi tree carried before him in His sankirtana party.

Vrinda Devi is in charge of the Vrindavana Lila—the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. She decides which flowers will bloom, which birds will sing, which songs will be sung, which breezes will blow, which food will be served, which games will be played, which musical instruments will be played.

During this time, I visited Vrnda Kunda. There is a small, simple temple there, and a lovely pond lined with Tulasi trees. The atmosphere was surcharged with a unique spiritual essence. I sat quietly and chanted and meditated beside Tulasi Devi. In my mind I had a fleeting “glimpse” of a beautiful palace, with winding crystal staircases and shimmering decor. I wondered at this, and when I saw Baba I asked him about it. He began to describe such a palace from various scriptural quotations. I was stunned.

In a miraculous way that only Lord Krsna could have designed, this aged saint, who was born in a highly situated brahmana family and who had spent his entire life as a sadhu, was now being cared for by a small crew of American and European disciples of Srīla Prabhupada. Witnessing his love and devotion for Vrnda Devi was our greatest gift. It was as if Srila Prabhupada had arranged for us to receive further instruction and opportunity to serve Srimati Tulasi Devi by sending Baba into our midst.

A Divine Soul Departs

Baba’s passing away was glorious. It was early, just after mangala-arati, on March 27, 1990. Vidya and I were in the temple making Tulasi garlands when Baba’s nurse rushed in, telling us to come quickly. On the way to his room I grabbed the painting of Vrinda Devi to take to him.

As I entered the room, I was a bit shaken by the hanging presence of impending death. Death is a powerful, compelling force, hard to describe, yet almost tangible.

I held the painting for Baba to see and said, “Vrinda Devi has come.”

He focused on the beautiful form of Vrinda Devi and tried to say his Sanskrit prayers to her. His last audible words were “Krishna! Krishna!”

What may be fearful and horrible for others was for Baba a joyous reunion with his beloved Lord. Krsna came and filled the room with His love and radiance, and Baba left with Him to eternally serve Vrinda Devi at her home in Vrinda Kunda.

We sat beside his bed and chanted Hare Krishna on our beads. Dinabandhu Dasa arrived and began playing the harmonium and singing. It was a soft and gentle kirtana, penetratingly sweet and melodious. The whole room was filled with a golden glow. Baba’s eyes were fixed on Vrinda Devi, and when he could no longer see externally, his eyes were shining in ecstasy and focused on some other world. It was as if he was clearly seeing Krishna and his beloved Vrinda Devi.

A beautiful smile was on his lips. His breath came in tiny gasps, and with each breath his ecstasy increased. His face shone with a remarkable radiance. Then he was gone. It was a moment of incredible awe and ecstasy! We were seeing a divine soul depart for the realm of Goloka, and we cried for joy.

There is great spiritual merit accrued from caring for holy places. And of all holy places, Vrinda Kunda is one of the most auspicious.

Baba’s departure left an indelible imprint on my mind. I saw the energy of death in action—compelling, relentless, moving forward like a bulldozer, pushing the soul out of the body. It was fierce and final, frightening and overwhelmingly real. This was the essence and inner meaning of time. I tasted the divine words of the Gita: “I come as death.”

Then I saw the devotee’s response to death: full surrender at the Lord’s lotus feet with pure love and trust. And I witnessed the Lord’s divine protection of His devotee. What may be fearful and horrible for others was for Baba a joyous reunion with his beloved Lord. Krishna came and filled the room with His love and radiance, and Baba left with Him to eternally serve Vrinda Devi at her home in Vrinda Kunda.

Baba’s work at Vrinda Kunda was left unfinished. I believe it was his gift to us, Srila Prabhupada’s generations of disciples. Because of Srila Prabhupada’s efforts in spreading the glories of Tulasi Devi all over the world, Vrinda Devi led Baba Madhava Dasa to choose ISKCON to continue her service at Vrinda Kunda.

The small crew of us who cared for Baba all feel deeply committed to carrying on his work at Vrinda Kunda. By Krishna’s grace, the daily worship of Vrinda Devi is still going on. We promised Baba that a compound wall will be built around Vrinda Kunda and other improvements will be made. Through this work, our spiritual strength will be increased and our understanding of Krishna-bhakti will become mature. There is great spiritual merit accrued from caring for holy places. And of all holy places, Vrinda Kunda is one of the most auspicious.