Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
Beneath this Vaṁśīvaṭa is the temple of Śrīdāma Bhaiyā. When Śrī Kṛṣṇa went to Mathurā, Śrīdāma Sakhā was heart-broken. He went to this solitary Vaṁśīvaṭa, where he remembered Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s sweet pastimes, filling his heart with sorrow. Many days later, when Śrī Kṛṣṇa returned to Gokula after killing Dantavakra, He again met with Śrīdāma here and took Śrīdāma with Him. One can have darśana of Śrīdāma in the temple here.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
This particular Vamsi Vata at Bhandiravana, which is also known as Shridama Vata, is different from the celebrated Vamsi Vata near Dhira Samira in Vrindavana. It is said that Krishna once called all the gopis here to enjoy rasa-lila pastimes by playing the most enchanting tune on His celebrated vamsi (flute). However this particular Vamsi Vata appears to be more closely connected to Krishna’s pastimes with the cowherd boys and in particular Radha’s brother Shridama who held great attachment to Bhandiravana. It is said that at this place under the vata tree, Krishna would play His vamsi or flute in order to call all the cows together before returning home in the late afternoon. It has been mentioned in the Gopala-champu that there was a crossing point for the cows in a shallow part of the Yamuna near Nanda Ghata which is where the cowherd boys would cross the Yamuna with their cows while returning to Nandagrama.
Beneath the banyana tree, which is known as Vamsi Vata (Shridama Vata), is a temple dedicated to Krishna’s great friend Shridama, who was Radharani’a elder brother. In the temple is a Deity of Shridama playing a flute, also called a vamsi. When Krishna left Vrindavana for Mathura, He promised to return as soon as possible, but Shridama was so upset at Krishna’s sudden departure that he decided to come to this place where he had enjoyed so much fun playing with Krishna, and sit in meditation while remembering all those incredible pastimes until the day his friend Krishna would return. Since then, this banyana tree became celebrated as Shridama Vata. Although Krishna did not immediately return, He did eventually return to Vrindavana sometime after His meeting with the Vrajavasis at Kurukshetra. On His return, after slaying the demon Dantavakra at Datiya Village, Krishna once again met His dearly beloved friend Shridama and all the Vrajavasis at Gorai near Mahavana.
