Srila Haridasa Thakura

Srila Haridasa Thakura was born near Vanagrama, near the border of Bangladesh, very close to Yashohara district, about one mile away, in a village named Budana.

In a few days, by virtue of his past life impressions, without receiving any instructions from anyone, he naturally started chanting the holy names of the Lord. Just like the association received by Prahlada Maharaja in the womb of his mother wasn’t externally tangible, similarly, Srila Haridasa Thakura must have definitely received some devotee association as well.

Renouncing his home, he came to the forests of Benapola. He built a small straw hut there, and spent all his days and nights chanting and remembering the holy names.

He lived alone. Whenever he would feel hungry, he would go to the village of Benapola to beg alms and honour whatever he would get.

As per bona fide scriptures, Srila Haridasa Thakura was born in a yavana (muslim) family. Some people also believe that he was born of some brahmana's widow daughter. But his mother died when he was young so he was raised by some Muslims. In East Bengal, this was customary and hence not a big deal. [Some believe that] this is why he is known as a muslim. However this is not at all correct.

Once, when I had just come to the matha as a new devotee, in one essay as an offering to my Gurudeva, I had written that as per the belief of some people, Srila Haridasa Thakura was a hindu, but was raised by muslims and that is why he came to be known as a muslim. But since he had the samskaras of a hindu, that is why he was like this [having strong attachment to chanting of holy names].

[Hearing this] Guru Maharaja became annoyed with me, "Where from have you brought this information from?" At that time, I could not understand why he was so angry.

But later, when I saw that Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura is saying this [that he was born in a Muslim family], backed by bona fide scriptures [then I realised my mistake].

Therefore you should not accept anything else.
Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada, Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana, whatever the personalities of our guru parampara tell us, we will only accept that and follow in their footsteps. There is no need to accept anything else.

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