Banshi vat, also known as Vamshi vata, is a revered location in Bhandirvan that lies just a few hundred meters from Bhandirvata, where Radha and Krishna’s wedding occurred. Krishna used to ascend this tree and play His flute to summon the cows grazing nearby, thus gathering them and bringing them back home. Occasionally, on a lovely and serene evening, He would also summon His beloved gopis from this spot. When they arrived, the rasa-lila would unfold under the shade of the Banshi vat. We consider ourselves greatly fortunate to have visited Banshi vat and to have smeared our sinful bodies with the dust of this holy place.
Located under the Vamshi Vata tree, is the temple of Sridama where a deity of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is also enshrined. Legend has it that Lord Chaitanya, Nityananda, and Advaita Acharya all visited this sacred site. When Sri Krishna went to Mathura, Sridama Sakha was heartbroken. He went to the solitary Vamshi vata and remembered Sri Krsna’s sweet pastimes, which filled his heart with sorrow. Sridama continued to wait until he met Sri Krishna.
Sridama participates in Lord Chaitanya’s Harinama Sankirtana
In Abhiram Lilamrita, a pastime is recounted where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told Nityananda Prabhu about an incident in the age of Dvapara. During a game of hide and seek, Sridama hid in a cave to avoid being seen by Krishna, who eventually left Vrindavana for Mathura and became the king of Yadus. Despite thousands of years passing, Sridama remained hidden in the cave, completely engrossed in the game with his beloved Lord. Sri Chaitanya was so moved by this story that he fell unconscious while calling out for Sridama. Sri Chaitanya and Nityananda were actually incarnations of Krishna and Balarama in Kali Yuga.
To bring Sridama to Nadiya, Lord Nityananda went to Vrindavana and called out for him. Sridama came out of hiding but didn’t recognize Lord Nitai at first. Nitai revealed himself as Balarama and to test his claim, Sridama challenged him to a game of clapping hands and running. Balarama kept pace with him and caught him after four laps around Govardhan, confirming his identity. The two friends embraced each other and talked about old times. Sri Nityananda Prabhu playfully scolded Sridama for being a “murkha” or fool for sleeping in the cave for so long.
“Kahilen – ei hoyeche kalikaal
Ghumaiya rahili murkha! Jatite goala”
(Abhirama Lilamrta)
–
Lord Nitai said, this is the age of Kali. You foolish cowherd boy, you have spent an entire yuga sleeping in that cave.
Sri Nityananda Prabhu informed Sridama about Lord Krishna’s descent as Sri Chaitanya and his mission of spreading the congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names. He also revealed that Lord Chaitanya deeply missed Sridama and desired his company in his pastimes. However, Sridama was hesitant to visit Navadvipa, fearing the pain of taking a new birth. Sri Nityananda Prabhu reassured him that he could participate in Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes in his current form. Thus, the two friends joyfully journeyed from Vrindavana to meet their beloved Lord. When they finally reunited, both were overwhelmed with emotion and embraced each other. They reminisced about their sweet memories in Vrindavana. Sridama was physically large, but Lord Nitai and Sri Chaitanya playfully mounted his shoulders and his height reduced to that of a normal person. Sridam came to be celebrated as Abhiram gopal in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes.
How to Reach
Bhandirvan is just 20 Kilometers away from Vrindavan. The place is well connected via roadways. It lies within the jurisdiction of Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. The surrounding area is known as Shyamavan and is one of the smaller forests (upavana) of Vraja. Vamshi vata is situated only a few hundred meters from Bhandirvata.