Dhananjaya

He was previously Vasudama Sakha of Vraja-lila, one of the twelve Gopalas

(Gauraganoddesa-dipika, 127).

On the left side of the entrance of his Sripata at Sitala in Burdwan there is a raised
altar with a Tulasi plant which is called Dhananjaya Panditera Samadhi. The deities
of Gaura Nitai, Gopinatha, and Damodara are worshipped there.

Some say he came from Jadagram in Chittagong and his parents were Sripati
Vandyopadhyaya and Kalindi devi. However, according to Sri Gaurangamadhuri (a
Bengali periodical), Dhananjaya was born of Adideva Vacaspati and Dayamayi devi
in Siyanmuluka village in the Birbhum district. As a child, Dhananjaya offered his
humble obeisances to Tulasi, lying prostrate, three times daily.

Shortly after his marriage to Haripriya he renounced his family and left on a
pilgrimage. His affluent father gave him a large sum of money to cover his travel
expenses, however, as soon as he saw Lord Caitanya he turned over all the money
and took up the begging bowl instead. (Vaisnavavandana)

After having darsana of Lord Caitanya at Navadvipa, Dhananjaya went back to Sitala
where he transformed a number of dacoits and heretics into devotees. Later, while on
his way to Vrndavana, he stayed at Sancra Pancra village (also known as
`Dhananjayera Pata')for a few days. After his return from Vrndavana he installed
deities at Jalandi village and then went to Sitala village where his Samadhi exists. His
younger brother Sanjaya Pandit settled at Jalandi and his descendants are still there
serving the Radha Govinda deity.