Introduction

Sri Ramadasa, later known as Abhirama Thakura, was one of the twelve gopalas, the cowherd companions of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. He is described in various scriptures such as Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā and Bhakti-ratnakara. His life includes accounts of his residence, activities, and notable pastimes.

Identity and Background

Ramadasa Abhirama was fully absorbed in the mellow of friendship. He made a flute from a bamboo stick with sixteen knots. He was an inhabitant of Khanakula Krishnanagara.

According to Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (126), Sri Ramadasa was formerly Sridama, one of the cowherd associates of Krishna. In the Bhakti-ratnakara (Fourth Wave), there is a detailed description of Sri Abhirama Thakura.

Role in the Chaitanya Movement

By the order of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Abhirama Thakura became a great acharya and preacher of the Chaitanya movement. He was a very influential personality, and nondevotees were very much afraid of him. He was always in ecstasy and was extremely kind to fallen souls.

Descriptions of His Potency

It is said that if Abhirama Thakura offered obeisances to any stone other than a salagrama shila, it would immediately fracture. It is also said that he had a whip, and whoever he touched with it would immediately become an elevated devotee of Krishna.

Residence and Temple at Khanakula Krishnanagara

Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura describes the location of Khanakula Krishnanagara in his Anubhasya.

Approximately ten miles southwest of Champadanga railway station, on the narrow-gauge railway line from Howrah to Amta in the Hugli district, there is a small town named Khanakula Krishnanagara. The temple where Abhirama Thakura worshiped is situated there.

During the rainy season, when the area becomes flooded, travel is possible through another route known as the South Eastern Railway. On this line, there is a station named Kolaghat. From there, one must travel by steamer to Ranichaka. From Ranichaka, Khanakula is located about seven and a half miles to the north.

The temple is located in Krishnanagara near the bank of the Khana, also known as the Dvarakeshvara River. Because of this, the place is known as Khanakula Krishnanagara.

Siddha Bakula Kunj and Temple Worship

Outside the temple, there is a bakula tree known as Siddha-bakula-kunj. It is said that Abhirama Thakura sat beneath this tree.

The temple where he worshiped has a long history. The deity worshiped there is known as Gopinatha. Many sevaita families reside near the temple and continue the worship.

Annual Festival

In Khanakula Krishnanagara, a large fair is held every year in the month of Chaitra, during Krishna saptami, the seventh day of the dark moon. Many hundreds and thousands of people gather for this festival.

Disciples

Among his many disciples, Shriman Shrinivasa Acharya was the most well-known and dear to him.

The Pastime at Khardaha

A pastime described in Abhirama lilamrita narrates the arrival of Abhirama Gopala Thakura in Khardaha.

Abhirama Thakura had a very powerful personality. It is described that if he offered obeisances to any person who was not the Lord or empowered by the Lord, that person would die immediately. Similarly, if he bowed before any stone that was not a saligrama sila, it would crack.

It is said that several deities in Bengal had cracked when Abhirama Thakura offered obeisances to them. It is also described that the previous seven sons of Nityananda Prabhu had died after receiving obeisances from him.

When Sri Birchandra Prabhu appeared, Nityananda Prabhu did not invite Abhirama Thakura to the birth ceremony. He instructed the boatmen of Khardaha not to carry him across the Ganges.

Abhirama Thakura came to the bank of the Ganges and asked the boatmen to take him across. The boatmen, being afraid, submerged their boats in the water.

Abhirama Thakura then spread his cloth on the water, sat on it, and crossed the river.

After reaching Khardaha, he went to Kunja Vatika. Nityananda Prabhu received him and fed him.

Afterward, despite the requests of Jahnava and Vasudha, Abhirama Thakura offered obeisances to the child Birchandra. The child was not harmed.

Seeing this, Abhirama Thakura composed verses glorifying Birchandra and began to sing and dance.