Yadunandana dasa or Thakura was a Vaidya by caste and a disciple of Hemalata, the daughter of Shrinivasa Acharya.
His Shripata was at Malihati village (or Meleti) to the north of Katoa. He wrote the book which contains a biography of Shrinivasa Acharya. In his book Karnananda, Shri Yadunandana dasa mentions the name of his guru at the end of every chapter and respectfully glorifies her: “Hemalata, the daughter of Shrinivasa Acharya prabhu, is just like a creeper of divine love and is a beautiful creation of the Supreme Lord. I, Yadunandana dasa, take pleasure in writing the book Karnananda, keeping her lotus feet fixed within my heart.” Upon hearing this book Hemalata Devi was deeply impressed and named it Karnananda.
Yadunandana acquired great fame for his lucid translations of Vidagdhamadhava, Govindalilamrta and Krishnakarnamrta. His poems have been included in Padamrtasamudra.
In 1459 Saka the great composer Shri Yadunandana dasa was born in the village of Khalihati, which was situated on the western bank of the Bhagirathi and the northern part of Kantakanagara, 13 crosa south of the district of Mursidabad.
He translated Shri Govinda-lilamrta in verse and in that book he states:
“Worship the feet of guru which is the only abode of peace and which is the mine of all good qualities the daughter of Acharya Prabhu is Shri Hemalata, whose name can bring fulfillment of all desires finding me in utter darkness of ignorance and in utter damnation, she gave me her kind refuge and by her mercy my eyes have been opened by throwing away the darkness of ignorance.”
Shrimati Hemalata Thakurani was a wonderful genius amongst the Vaishnavas in Gauda. She, like her father Shrinivasa, preached the teaching of Lord Chaitanya everywhere. Through her influence even the most wicked persons became interested and attracted to the path of devotion.
Shri Yadunandana dasa was very sincere and devoted to his guru. He frequently stayed at the house of Shrimati Hemalata in the village of Budhaipara on the western bank of the Bhagirathi, where he served her with utmost care. There are no records available about Yadunandana’s marriage or children. He was a versatile genius, composing numerous songs and translating many books into verse.