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Raghunatha Dasa Goswami – Biography 2

Raghunath Das (1495-1586) was the first of the six Goswamis to meet Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Born in a small vilage of Shri Krishnapur in West Bengal, he belonged to a fabulously rich family of landords. His family were millionares, even in those days. (In the image: Shrila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami).

Hussein Shah, the Emperor of Bengal leased the entire Saptagram district to Raghunath das' father and brother for an annual rent of Rs.12 lakhs. The family collected Rs.20 lakhs per year as taxes so even after paying the King, they had immense wealth.

Raghunath Das was instructed in his boyhood by Balaram Acharya, a great scholar and an advanced Devotee of the Lord. He introduced Raghunath Das to Haridas Thakur, the great Namacharya Devotee of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who imparted a deep devotional spirit to Raghunath Das. At the age of 15, Raghunath Das heard about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's visit to Shantipur after His taking sanyas and despite resistance from his parents, ran away from home to meet Him.

His heart was completely melted by Mahaprabhu's beauty and charming Personality, His Devotion and His Teachings of Devotion for Krishna. Mahaprabhu Himself was also aware of this. Raghunatha would not leave Mahaprabhu, but the Lord told him, "Return home now. Don't be over-enthusiastic; control yourself. Keep your Divine Love for Krishna within your heart, and don't express it outwardly. Don't advertise it. Very soon the time will come when Krishna will call you. He will make a way out for you. Don't allow any external show but keep it within your heart."

Raghunath das returned home. He was married to a woman said to be of exquisite beauty. However, having no interest in material life whatsoever, soon he began to live in the outer section of the house. Observing his son's increasing detachment in worldly matters, his father and other guardians thought that his condition had become very grave, so ten men were engaged to keep guard that he may not leave.

Return home now. Don't be over-enthusiastic; control yourself. Keep your Divine Love for Krishna within your heart, and don't express it outwardly. Don't advertise it. Very soon the time will come when Krishna will call you. He will make a way out for you. Don't allow any external show but keep it within your heart. (In the wallpaper: The divine form of Supreme Personality of Godhead Shri Krishna, in the backside-thinking person).

Later he also met Nityananda Prabhu in Panihati. Nityananda Prabhu said to him, "Give a feast here for My followers. You are the son of a rich man, so please try to give a feast here for My followers."

Raghunatha did so (the famous dhadhi-chida mahotsava) and Nityananda Prabhu was very pleased. He blessed him, saying, "Very soon your bright day will come." And He addressed His Devotees, "See this young boy – he has immense wealth; in abundance he has everything required for a young man's enjoyment, but he does not care for it. Krishna's Grace has come down into his heart, so he does not care for anything of this world."

One day in the early morning before sunrise, the family Guru, Yadunandana Acharya, suddenly arrived at the house. Finding Raghunatha in the outer section of the house, he met him and requested him, "I am going out for some important business, but there is no one to worship my Deity. So please ask a Brahmana disciple in my name to serve the Deity for a day or two during my absence." As Yadunandana Acharya walked out of the house, Raghunatha accompanied him. The guards saw him going with the family Guru, so they did not intervene. On the way, Raghunatha requested the Guru, "Please go ahead with your business, and I shall request a brahmana to do the worship in your absence."

The Guru left. Raghunatha took advantage of the situation. After giving appropriate instructrions to a brahmana, he started off in the direction away from Puri. He knew that as soon as his family realized he was missing, they would send men to search for him on the road to Puri. So for the whole day he walked in the opposite direction. In the evening he stopped at a cowherdsman's house, took a little milk from him and passed the night in the cowshed. Then in the morning he started for Puri.

When his guardians found that Raghunatha had not returned home, they heard from the guards that he had gone out with the family Guru. They went to the Guru's place, but Raghunatha was not to be found. Then they thought that he must have gone to Puri, and they sent men to find him there. They returned without finding him. In this way, Raghunatha cleverly managed to escape.

For twelve days he walked to Puri, taking food for only three of those days. On the other days no food was necessary. He was helped by Divine Love, surcharged with bhakti.

He had already heard that Mahaprabhu was at Gambhira, the Kashi Mishra Bhavan. He went there, and in the courtyard fell flat in obeisance unto Mahaprabhu. Mukunda Datta announced to the Lord, "Raghunatha has come." Mahaprabhu said,"Good, look after him. He has come here with great difficulty, walking for days without food. Take care of him for a few days. Then, he will manage for himself."

For a few days Raghunatha took Prasad there. After that he began to beg at the gate of the Jagannatha Temple. The parents now thought it was impossible to bring him back, and they did not make any further attempt. But they sent some money with one Brahmana and two servants, instructing them to hire a house and offer Raghunatha a place to stay, and see that their son may not die without food.

They tried their best, but Raghunatha continued to subsist on alms. Over a period of two years, Raghunatha invited Mahaprabhu to take Prasad at that house, and the Lord did so for his satisfaction. After that, Raghunatha left that idea, thinking, "This is only to produce some name and fame for me. Mahaprabhu is not pleased with such Prasadam."

Svarupa Damodara was the dearmost personal associate of Mahaprabhu and a very good scholar as well. Mahaprabhu gave Raghunatha over to the charge of Svarupa Damodara, saying, "I request Svarupa Damodara to take your charge, and he will advise you what will be necessary for your devotional life."

Even though this was a great honour, it just made Raghunath Das all the more humble. He rarely approached Chaitanya Mahaprabhu directly, considering himself to be unfit to associate with Him. He served Swarup Damodar with great devotion, exemplifying the 'dasanudas' (servant of the servant) mood of a pure Devotee.

One day, Raghunatha approached Mahaprabhu and asked 'You have managed to make me leave home and hearth, but now what is my best benefit? If You please tell me in Your own words, my heart will be satisfied."

Don't indulge in worldly talk, don't hear worldly talk. Try your best to avoid mundane matters. Don't eat delicious food, but take whatever ordinary food may come of its own accord; and don't dress luxuriously. Always try to take the Name of Krishna with the attitude of giving respect to others, without expecting respect from anyone. Be humble, and never aspire for respectful dealings from others. In this way, try to take the Name of Krishna constantly. And within, try to serve Shri Shri Radha- Krishna in Vrindavana. Mentally, be in Vrindavana rendering Service to Shri Shri Radha-Krishna-lila. (In the wallpaper: Shri Shri Radha Krishna, ISKCON Chennai).

Mahaprabhu said,"I have given you over to the charge of Svarupa Damodara. He is more qualified than even Myself. Still, if you want to hear something directly from Me, then I say in brief:

gramya-katha na sunibe, gramya-varta na kahibe

bhala na khaibe ara bhala na paribe

amani manada hanya krsna-nama sada labe

vraje radha-krsna seva manase karibe

"Don't indulge in worldly talk, don't hear worldly talk. Try your best to avoid mundane matters. Don't eat delicious food, but take whatever ordinary food may come of its own accord; and don't dress luxuriously. Always try to take the Name of Krishna with the attitude of giving respect to others, without expecting respect from anyone. Be humble, and never aspire for respectful dealings from others. In this way, try to take the Name of Krishna constantly. And within, try to serve Shri Shri Radha- Krishna in Vrindavana. Mentally, be in Vrindavana rendering Service to Shri Shri Radha-Krishna-lila.''

Mahaprabhu told Raghunatha that this was the essence of His advice to him. Then, He again took Raghunatha's hand and offered it to the hand of Svarupa Damodara. He said, "I am giving you to the charge of Svarupa Damodara. He is the best Spiritual Teacher. He will take care of you."

With passing years the devotion and austerities of Raghunath Das only increased. He would chant for twenty-two hours every day, sleeping for only one hour, and sometimes not even that. He gave up all food and drink, taking just a few drops of buttermilk a day. His fame as a mystic became so widespread that Devotees from miles across would come to see him. With characteristic humility he would offer obeisances to each of the around two thousand Devotees who daily approached him. He also offered one thousand obeisances to the Lord and chanted at least one hundred thousand Holy Names daily. His intense devotion and austerities attracted sages, scholars and spiritualist from far and wide.

Raghunath Das Goswami stayed in Puri for sixteen years after which time Chaitanya Mahaprabhu left the world. Two or three years later, his spiritual master, Svarup Damodar also left his body, and Raghunath Das Goswami, now forty years of age, following the last instructions of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu left for Vrindavana to assist Rupa and Santana Goswami in their mission to re-establish Vrindavana to its rightful position at the apex of all holy places.

Appreciating his renunciation and devotion, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave him His personal Shila from Govardhana Hill and a string of gunja mala. These were incalculably precious items, since they were personally with the Lord for more than three years. (In the wallpaper: Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, ISKCON Chennai, Govardhan Shilas of Raghunatha Dasa Goswami).

In Vrindavan, at the request of Rupa and Sanatana Goswami, Raghunath Das Goswami would spend two hours every day recounting the pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. As the legend goes, Raghunath Das Goswami would spend several hours on the banks of Radha-kunda, completely absorbed in his meditation of the Divine Couple.

On one occasion, Sanatana Goswami witnessed Shri Krishna Himself was guarding His Devotee from a pair of tigers that had come to drink in the Radha-kunda. On another occasion, Sanatana Goswami saw Shrimati Radharani, drenched in transcendental perspiration, smilingly holding Her veil to shield Her Devotee from the intense afternoon sun. Considering themselves to be the servants of Shrimati Radharani, Sanatana Goswami chastised Raghunath Das Goswami for taking service from their Masters. He asked him to build a small hut for his protection, which Raghunath Das Goswami complied with. This would start the tradition of building bhajan-kutirs by Devotees to chant and meditate in isolation.

Das Goswami was also instrumental in getting Shri Radha and Shyam Kund deepened, enlarged and renovated.

Das Goswami wrote deeply profound verses about the pastimes of Radha-Krishna. These have been compiled into the Stava-mala, Dana-charita and Mukta-charita books. Beyond his literary accomplishments, he is best remembered as the very emblem of renunciation. He was totally detached from material enjoyment and is appropriately known as the prayojana acharya, one who teaches by his own example about the ultimate goal of life.

He lived a long life and met with Shrinivas Acharya and Shri Jhanava Mata when they visited Radha Kund.

Raghunatha das Goswami entered into the Divine Couple's eternal pastimes on Shukla Dvadashi in the month of Padmanabha in 1586 (corresponding to 23rd October). The tithi also marks the teerobhav of Shrila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami and Shrila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami, the author of Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita.

In Vraja leela, Shrila Raghunath das is identified as Shri Rasa Manjari or Bhanumati, one of the principal manjaris engaged in the intimate service of Shri Radha.

His samadhi lies in Shri Radha Kund.

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On one occasion, Sanatana Goswami witnessed Shri Krishna Himself was guarding His Devotee from a pair of tigers that had come to drink in the Radha-kunda. (In the wallpaper: from left to right Shri Gopinath, ISKCON Chowpatty, Shrila Raghunatha Das Goswami).

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Haridas Thakur receives Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Grace

“Oh my Lord, please hear my plea. I am born in a low family. My body is abominable. I am always engaged in inferior works. Therefore I am the lowest and most condemned amongst men. I am untouchable. But yet You have magnanimously given me the opportunity to serve You. In giving me the opportunity to serve You, You have delivered me from the most horrible hellish conditions and You have elevated me to the platform of Vaikuntha.” (In the image: Shrila Haridas Thakur).

Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami explains how much the Lord loves His Devotee, what the Lord is willing to do for His Devotee; how the Lord is intoxicated in ecstasy by the love of His Devotees.

When Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was living in Puri during the last eighteen years of His lila, His bhava of separation from Krishna was growing more and more intense day by day.

During the day He would perform nama-sankirtana with His Devotees and during the night in the company of Svarupa Damodara Goswami and Ramananda Raya, His love in separation would surpass the boundaries of human conception, throwing His associates in turmoil of anxious concern and amazement.

One day, by Lord Chaitanya’s arrangement, His personal servitor Govinda brought Shri Jagannatha’s Maha-prasada to the Siddha Bakula, the bhajan kutir of Shrila Haridas Thakur. When Govinda came in to Haridas Thakura’s garden, he found that Haridas was lying on the ground, softly chanting the Holy Names. Govinda said, “Thakur, on Lord Chaitanya’s command I have brought the Maha-prasada of Lord Jagannatha. Please come and accept it.”

Haridas Thakur looked up and in a very feeble voice said, “I have not yet finished my prescribed rounds of chanting the Holy Names of Krishna. Therefore I cannot eat. But at the same time this is Jagannatha’s Maha-prasada! I must honour and respect it.” So Haridas Thakur bowed down with folded hands offering prayers to the Prasada and then took a very tiny portion and honoured that.

The next day Mahaprabhu came to Siddha Bakula and saw Haridas Thakur slowly chanting his rounds. The Lord asked, “Haridas, are you well?” Haridas Thakur replied, “My body is all right, but my mind and intelligence are not well.” Lord Chaitanya asked, “What is the cause of your illness?” Haridas replied, “My Lord, kindly hear my plea. I am not able to complete the prescribed number of rounds of Krishna’s Holy Names, therefore I am in a diseased condition.”

“I fear that soon You will close Your pastimes in this material world. My dear Lord, please do not let me see this closing chapter of Your pastimes. Before that day comes let my body fall before You. This is my one cherished desire, my Lord. Allow me to take Your most cherished, worshipful lotus feet and embrace them to my heart. Allow my eyes to gaze at your moon-like face, and let my tongue constantly chant your Holy Names, Shri Krishna Chaitanya. In this state take the life air from my life and allow me to fall at Your feet. Please my Lord if it is possible by Your mercy, fulfill this one wish of mine.” (In the image: Shri Krishna Chaitanya, ISKCON Chennai, Tamil Nadu).

Lord Chaitanya said to Haridas, “Thakur, you are very old now. Please reduce the number of rounds you are chanting. You are already liberated. You have transcended the modes of material nature. You have achieved the perfection of life. There is no need for you to chant so much. You have fulfilled the purpose of your incarnation in this world. Now please Haridas, reduce the number of rounds that you chant every day.”

Thakur Haridas with folded hands and a faltering voice replied, “Oh my Lord, please hear my plea. I am born in a low family. My body is abominable. I am always engaged in inferior works. Therefore I am the lowest and most condemned amongst men. I am untouchable. But yet You have magnanimously given me the opportunity to serve You. In giving me the opportunity to serve You, You have delivered me from the most horrible hellish conditions and You have elevated me to the platform of Vaikuntha.”

Haridas Thakur continued, he said, “My Lord, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead and your independent will is supreme. The whole world is dancing according to your sweet will, and out of your causeless mercy you have made me dance in so many ways. For example even though I am most sinful and most condemned, in the assembly of qualified Brahmins, in the house of Advaita Acharya you gave me the honour of taking the first remnants of the sraadha although I have no qualification for that. My dear Lord, you are always merciful to your Devotee. And although I am not a Devotee – I am only an imitation of your Devotee, I have a very strong desire that I wish You to fulfill. I have had this desire, this one single desire in my heart for a very long time.”

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was deeply moved. He said, “Haridas, what are you saying? The only happiness I find in the material world is in your association. Why do you want to leave me behind?” Haridas replied, “ My Lord, why are You creating an illusion? I am most condemned, I am most abominable, You have millions and millions of Devotees, and each and every one of them is fit to sit on top my head. They are all helping You in a very useful way in Your pastimes. But, I am useless, I am condemned. My Lord, if an insignificant insect dies, what is the loss to this world? My Lord, please fulfill my desire.”

As the Lord had to perform His noon duties, Lord Chaitanya told Haridas Thakur that He would return the next day and left. The next morning, the Lord with all of His Devotees in Puri, went to the house of Haridas Thakur. Lord Chaitanya asked. “What is the news Haridas?” Haridas replied, “The news is whatever mercy You bestow upon me”

Then the Lord instructed His Devotees to begin Naam Sankirtan. Vakreshvara Pandit was the lead dancer. Svarupa Damodara was the lead singer. Ramananda Raya, Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya and all the Devotees present were chanting and dancing in ecstasy.

Thakur Haridas went and took the dust of the lotus feet every Devotee and placed it on his head. Then Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began to explain to His Devotees His love for Haridas Thakur.

As He was describing the glories of Shrila Haridas Thakur with pure, unadulterated love He gradually became so enthusiastic and joyous that it seemed as though He had five mouths. The Devotees were struck with wonder and ecstasy to hear the Lord praise His Devotee with such deep affection.

All the assembled Devotees were overjoyed to see Lord Chaitanya glorify Haridas with such enthusiasm. Then Thakur Haridas again went and again took the dust from the lotus feet of every Devotee and placed it on his head in utter humility.

Then he sat Lord Chaitanya down before him and took His lotus feet, those beautiful golden lotus feet, that are the shelter of all existence and the shelter of all spiritual and material worlds.

And he pressed those feet with his two hands upon his heart, and gazed at Lord Gaurchandra’s lotus face. His eyes were like two bumblebees drinking the nectar of the moon-like face of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. And with tears streaming from Haridas Thakur’s eyes, gazing at the Lord he repeatedly chanted with deep emotion. “Shri Krishna Chaitanya. Shri Krishna Chaitanya.” (In the image: Lord Chaitanya holding Haridas Thakur).

In the assembly of Devotees, by Lord Chaitanya’s grace, Haridas Thakur’s life air left his body at that moment. As he lay there… lifeless, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s spiritual rapture and ecstasy went seemingly beyond control. The entire Kirtan became tumultuous. The mrdanga, kartals, the enthusiasm and the love in the Devotees’ voices cried out Krishna’s Holy Names. Mahaprabhu maddened by His love, lifted up Haridas and embracing him to His heart began to dance!

Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki Jaya!

All the Devotees seeing their beloved Haridas Thakur had left them, were weeping in the agony of separation, and at the same time seeing the Lord’s love for His Devotee they were lost in ecstatic amazement.

They chanted and danced and just couldn’t stop. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would not give up the body of Haridas. Eventually Svarupa Damodara somehow gently stopped the Lord from dancing. He said, “My Lord it is time for the last rites. We must perform the funeral ceremony. Let us make the arrangements.”

During that time a beautiful palanquin was made and Thakur Haridas’s body was laid on that. The Nama Sankirtan procession went from Siddha Bakula to the ocean. Vakreshvara Pandit was dancing, Svarupa Damodara and others were singing, and Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu out of love for his beloved Devotee led the procession, dancing in ecstasy until they arrived at the sea.

There Mahaprabhu personally took the body of Haridas Thakur. The Supreme Personality of Godhead lovingly held that body and personally bathed it with his own hands in the waters of the sea. And then Shri Chaitanya proclaimed loudly that for all time to come this sea in Puri was now a holy place of pilgrimage because it has bathed the body of Thakur Haridas. Lord Chaitanya bathed in the sea every single day, but in His opinion now it had become a holy place of pilgrimage because it bathed His blessed Devotee’s body. And as Shri Chaitanya was bathing Thakur Haridas’s feet the Devotees were drinking that water and sprinkling it on their heads in ecstatic love.

Then Mahaprabhu, with His own hands began to dig in the sand. The Devotees also helped Him dig until there was a suitable grave in the ground. Then Shri Chaitanya had Haridas Thakur’s body lowered . They anointed his limbs with fresh, fragrant sandal wood pulp which was the remnants of Jagannatha. Then they place upon his body Lord Jagannatha’s remnants, some pieces of the silk rope that is used to pull Lord Jagannatha, and they put garlands and some of Lord Jagannatha’s ornaments and clothes and the Lord’s Mahaprasad.

And then Lord Chaitanya with His own hands very lovingly put sand over Haridas’s body. After he was buried in his Samadhi the Devotees right then and there put a sign to commemorate. Mahaprabhu led all the Devotees to take their bath in the sea and then coming out of the sea they circumambulated the Samadhi Mandir of Haridas Thakur about four times.

And then Lord Chaitanya with His own hands very lovingly put sand over Haridas’s body.

Then arriving at the main gate entrance to Lord Jagannatha’s Temple Shri Gaurhari declared: “Today we are going to have a feast in the honour of the great Vaishnava Acharya Haridas Thakur”!

And Lord Chaitanya taking the position of the most menial servant went to each shop to beg alms for the feast. With tears of love in His eyes He begged each shopkeeper with His cloth open. “Please in honour of Haridas Thakur I beg some alms from you.” And each shopkeeper – and there were hundreds of them – brought entire baskets full of Mahaprasad. Svarupa Damodar Goswami said, “Lord Chaitanya, why don’t You go home for sometime we will do this begging.”

They brought so much Mahaprasad that Svarupa Damodara said to each shopkeeper, “just give four or five handfulls of each preparation. That will be more than enough.” Here Svarupa Damodara Goswami – Lalita Sakhi, who is the most confidential assistant of Radha-Damodar in the Spiritual World begging from ordinary people to glorify a Vaishnava.

Soon there were huge amounts of Mahaprasad. Then Lord Chaitanya began to serve each preparation. However Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was so eager to satisfy His Devotees that one handful was more than five men could eat. Such was His enthusiasm to serve. Svarupa Damodara Goswami approached Mahaprabhu and said, “ My Lord please let us serve, because no one is going to eat until You eat.”

So He sat down with Brahmananda Bharati and Paramananda Puri. Svarupa Damodara Goswami, the most confidential associate, the siksha guru of Ragunatha das Goswami, served Mahaprasad to all the Devotees and everyone there. Jagadananda Puri, Damodara Pandit, Shankara Pandit and Kashishvara Pandit also joyfully served the Mahaprasad.

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to serve, but He was not allowed. His Devotees would not eat. So for the satisfaction of His Devotees and the Vaishnavas He sat to eat. But the Lord eats, we honour, because for Him it is bhoga. In the role of a Devotee He was honouring Prasada. And as He was eating Prasada with all of the Devotees, He still said “Give them more, Give them more!”

Then to honour Shrila Haridas Thakur Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu got up to wash His hand and all the Devotees also got up to wash their hands. Shri Chaitanya personally gave each Devotee a garland with His own hands. And with His own hands He took sandalwood pulp and ornamented their limbs with that – serving His Devotees.

And then Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spoke to everyone. He said, “Today we have honoured the passing of Haridas Thakur. How fortunate is anyone who in anyway participated in this most sacred event. Anyone who was in the kirtan in the passing of Haridas, anyone who was there to bathe his body in the sea, anyone who has honoured this Prasada or heard the kirtan, all of you will become most dear to Krishna. You will achieve the supreme mercy of Krishna. That is the power of Haridas Thakur. By the Lord’s love and kindness he has given Me the association of Haridas Thakur, the Namacharya. But, now by the Lord’s inconceivable will He has taken away that association. Haridas Thakur is the Acharya of the chanting of the Holy Names. He has spread the Holy Name of Krishna in all directions. But now the Lord has taken him away from us. He was the crown jewel of this entire world, but now the world is bereft of that jewel. Everyone very loudly with raised arms call out Jai Jai Haridas! Jai Jai Haridas! Jai Jai Haridas! And chant the Hold Names of the Lord!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.”

The Devotees chanted the Holy Names with great love and then the Lord returned to His abode at Gambhira. As He was walking He was simultaneously feeling the deep anguish of separation from His beloved Devotee. And at the same time He was feeling ecstasy.

This is something that can only be understood by the mercy of the Lord. We can theoretically comprehend certain things, but bhakti is about the experience of the heart. But to actually experience it, to actually realize it, is only possible by the mercy of the Lord.

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu proclaimed Haridas Thakur to be the crest-jewel of all Devotees. He proclaimed him to be the Namacharya – the custodian and giver of the Holy Name of God! Such a rare honour has never before been conferred on any other Devotee.

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Abhirama Gopala Thakura – Biography

Sri Abhiram Thakur, also known by the name Sri Ramdas, was one of the twelve gopalas or cowherd boys, of Vraja.

Sri Abhiram Thakur, also known by the name Sri Ramdas, was one of the twelve gopalas or cowherd boys, of Vraja. In the eternal lila he is Sridam, one of the key members of Krishna and Balaram’s gang.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur writes, “There is a small town called Khanakula Krishnagar, in Hooghly district, where the Temple in which Sri Abhiram Thakur worshipped is situated. The Temple is located in Krishnanagar, near the kula (bank) of the khana (Dvarakeswar River). Therefore this place is celebrated as Khanakul Krishnanagar. The Deity in the temple is known as Gopinath and is extremely charming to behold. Gopinath appeared in a dream to Abhiram and told him “I am buried in the earth nearby. Please take me out and worship me.”

There is a big bakula tree outside the Temple. This place is known as siddha bakula kunj. It is said when Sri Abhiram Thakur came there, he sat down under this tree. In Khanakula Krishnanagar there is a big fair held every year in the month of Chaitra (March-April) on the saptami of the dark fortnight, Krishna saptami.

The local legend about Sri Abhiram Thakur is as follows. One day in Dwapara yuga, Krishna, Balaram and their cowherd friends were playing hide-and-seek in the woods of Vrindavan. Suddenly, Krishna remembered Nadia and wanted to go there and enjoy some pastimes there. Taking Balaram and all their friends with Him, He advented in Navadwip. Somehow, Sridama got left behind in Vraja and remained in his hiding place in a cave.

When everyone was performing kirtan in Navadwip, Gauranga Mahaprabhu suddenly remembered Sridam. Horripilating in ecstatic love, He shed tears and called out “Ah Sridam, where shall I find you now?” and he fell unconscious.

Nityananda Prabhu lifted Him on to his lap and brought Him back to consciousness. When asked the reason for His distress, Mahaprabhu said, “Where is Sridam? Tell me where he is! I will go immediately and bring him!” Mahaprabhu further revealed to Nityananda, “He is living in Vrindavan – go there and bring him here quickly! I am heart broken in his absence.”

Pacifying Sri Gauranga, Nityananda Prabhu assured Him that he would find Sridam and bring him back to Navadwip. Nitai Rama set out and eventually reached Govardhan area in Vraja. Nityananda Prabhu was wearing his usual blue dhoti and anga-vastra and had his hair tied in a knot on the top of his head.

Arriving near Govardhan hill, Nityananda started calling out, “Sridam!” again and again. Finally Sridam came out of the cave to see who was calling him. Seeing the strange man dressed in blue, Sridam asked “Who are you? Why are you calling me?” Nityananda introduced himself as Balaram and said that His name was previously “Balai”.

However, Sridam had a doubt in his mind due to the different appearance and get-up of Nityananda. (The stature of people in Dwapara yuga was much taller than the people in Kali yuga). Sridam said, “If you are really Balai, then you should be as powerful as Him. I shall clap my hands and run. If you are truly Balai, then you will be able to catch me.”

Hearing this, Nitai said, “Run if you must. Let’s see how far you will be able to go.” Clapping his hands, Sridam said, “Ha Balai, you will not be able to catch me!”

Sridam gopal then tied his cloth tightly between his legs in the manner of a wrestler and began to run around Govardhan Hill. After circumambulating Sri Giriraj four times, he looked back to see if Nityananda had caught up with him. Seeing that Nitai had kept pace, he thought “This is indeed Balaram!”

Sridam said, “You must be tired, my friend. Take some rest now. Since I did not see your form of Balaram I had some doubt in my mind. But you went around Govardhan Giri four times! Who else but Balai has the energy to do that!” Then he asked, “Tell me why have you come looking for me?”

Nityananda replied “Krishna fell unconscious because He could not see you!” Sridam asked, “Where has Kanai gone?” Nityananda replied, “Now everyone has gone to Navadwip. If you will accompany me, we will have some special pastimes there. Come quickly!”

Sridam said, “No, I shall not go. Going with you means that I will have to live in someone’s womb there. Considering the pain, who wants to live in that condition! I will not go.”

Nityananda said, “Just come with me and let us discuss the matter with Kanai. You can remain for now, as you are.”

Sridam laughed and said, “Alright then, carry me on your shoulders! All that running has made me tired.” Nitai said, “If I refuse, then you will go around telling everyone that I could not carry you because of the difference in our respective sizes. You are the chief amongst us cowherd boys. Please consider that you should be sympathetic about the happiness and distress of others.”

Sridam said, “Well.. you and I are just the same. You very well know that when Krishna’s side loses, I sometimes carry you on my back!” Nityananda replied, “Everyone knows that you are subjugated by Kanai’s love. None of the pastimes that happen in Vraja by day or by night are unknown to you. All the other cowherd boys always sing your praises. Come now. Let us go and meet Gauranga. All the twelve gopalas (twelve intimate associates of Lord Nityananda, who are the expansions of the twelve primary cowherd boys, gopas, in Krishna lila) and sixty-four mahantas (64 Devotees that are considered to be the most confidential associates of Mahaprabhu) know you and sing your praises.

Hearing these words, Sridam went and got dressed. He dressed himself in a very enchanting way. The beauty of his hair, dress and cowherder’s paraphernalia was extremely attractive.

You should know that my form as Krishna Chaitanya is the very same as my form of Krishna. Gaura-lila and Krishna lila are one. In Gaura-lila, I and my associates have assumed the role of Devotees and are relishing the mellows of love of Krishna.

Soon the two of them approached Navadwip. When Sri Gauranga saw that they had arrived, He embraced Sridam and started talking to him. “Where have you been? What kind of bliss were you in that I had to send Nityananda to bring you here?!”

Sridam asked, “Tell me the reason for your appearance here. Why do you all have shaven heads and wear these rags. Seeing your condition breaks my heart.”

Mahaprabhu explained, “Sridam, with the end of Dwapara yuga, the influence of Kali began. In this age, renunciation is proper.” Sridam said, “I don’t understand. Please explain.” In the mood of Krishna, Mahaprabhu said, “There are four yugas, Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali. In Dwapara, Krishna is svayam Bhagavan. In Kali yuga, He incarnates as Sri Krishna Chaitanya. Now in the beginning of Kali yuga, I shall reveal this truth which is also mentioned in the sastras. You should know that my form as Krishna Chaitanya is the very same as my form of Krishna. Gaura-lila and Krishna lila are one. In Gaura-lila, I and my associates have assumed the role of Devotees and are relishing the mellows of love of Krishna. Now my name is Krishna Chaitanya and from today you will be known as Abhiram.

Nityananda Prabhu called everyone and smiling said, “From today, he will be known as Abhiram. We have kept this name since it indicates that there is no difference between Sridam and me. [Abhiram = to be known as “Rama”.]

After the disappearance of Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, Abhiram Thakur continued to live with Virbhadra Gosai, Nityananda Prabhu’s son. By the grace of Nityananda Prabhu, Abhiram Thakur became a great Acharya and preacher of the Chaitanya cult of devotional service. It is said Abhiram Thakur had a whip named “Jaya Mangala” and that whomever he touched with it would immediately become a devout Krishna Bhakta.

Vande ‘ham sri sri gopinath mahaprabhur vijayate

Yatraabhiraamo mahaan goswami sri yuta paadakamalam

Maalini sahitam shaktyaavataaram sahagana-charanaambuje

Sadaa sharanam iti

Obeisances to Sri Sri Gopinath (the worshipful Deity of Sri Abhiram Thakur)

All glories to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!

May I always meditate on the lotus feet of the great Abhiram Goswami,

The empowered incarnation, along with his spouse Malini and other associates

Again and again I take shelter of their lotus feet

http://www.srigaurangashram.in

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura – Biography

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur.

The most revered Swamiji came to fulfill the Mission of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he took up the thread where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu left. It is he who has given to the modern world an authentic account and commentary on the life and teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the light of the Upanishads and Vedanta. He established more than sixty-four Maths throughout India and abroad where Brahmacharis and Sanyasis in hundreds are trained in monastic life of prity and asceticism to carry his message from door to door.

The Swamiji was pre-eminently a philosopher. His ideas were rational and always logical, that was why he never failed to attract the intelligentsia. He asked the people not to have a blind faith. Faith, if not solidly based on a philosophical conception, is likely to be shaken. He was uncompromising and orthodox in bringing out the Truth in its intrinsic purity. He was a fighter for the establishment of truth and the dignity of Vaishnava character, an upholder and protector of Gaudiya Vaishnava Faith. His untiring efforts and many sided activities for the spread and dissemination of Vaishnavism were unprecedented in the annals of Vaishnavism.

“God is worshipped not only by Brahmins. Everyone has right to call upon and worship Him. Everyone can have the right to wear the sacred thread. Get rid of your sins and impurities and you become Brahmin and not otherwise by the accident of your birth”.

He is democrat of the democrats. He says: “GOD IS WORSHIPPED NOT ONLY BY BRAHMINS. EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CALL UPON HIM AND WORSHIP HIM. EVERYONE CAN HAVE THE RIGHT TO WEAR THE SACRD THREAD. GET RID OF YOUR SINS AND IMPURITIES AND YOU BECOME A BRAHMIN AND NOT OTHERWISE BY THE ACCIDENT OF YOR BIRTH”. He started a countrywide movement to carry the message of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His sole aim in life in all this was to see that the Divine Incarnation, Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is recognized and worshipped, His teachings are followed and His songs are sung in every part of India. (Now we see his wishes are fulfilled by successive disciples in western countries also.)

From http://gaudiyamathchennai.com

Vishnupriya Devi – Biography

sri-sanatana-misro'yad pura satrajito napa

vishnupriya jagan-mata yat-kanya bhu-svarupini

He who was King Satrajit in Krishna lila was Sanatan Mishra in Chaitanya lila.

The mother of the universe, the incarnation of the Lord's bhu-sakti,

is his daughter Vishnupriya.

(Gaura Ganodesa Dipika 47)

Krishna married Satyabhama, the daughter of King Satrajit and a Yadu princess. In Gaura lila, this same Satrajit became Sanatan Mishra and she became Vishnupriya Devi. All manifestations of Vishnu tattva have three energies, known as Sri, Bhu and Nila (or Lila). Lakshmipriya Devi is the sri-sakti of Mahaprabhu in his majestic Gaura-Narayan attitude; Vishnupriya is his bhu-sakti and Nabadwip Dham is his lila-sakti. Srila Gadadhara Pandit Goswami is the sakti of Gaura-Krishna, or Mahaprabhu in the mood of Krishna. Knowledge is of two kinds, apara vidya or material knowledge, and para vidya, or transcendental knowledge. Vishnupriya Devi is the personification of transcendental knowledge. Devotees worship her on her appearance day on the sukla pa cami of the month of Magh. On the same day, those materialistic persons who are seeking the perfection of knowledge of this world worship the goddess of learning, Saraswati. Vishnupriya Devi's grandfather was Durga Das Mishra. Some people believe that Durga Das was Vishnupriya's father. In the Prema-vilasa, the family of Durga Das Mishra's descendants through Yadavacharya is known as Vishnupriya's parivara.

Mahaprabhu's marriage to Vishnupriya Devi

Vrindavan Das Thakur describes the birth of Gaura-Narayan's sakti, Vishnupriya Devi, in his Chaitanya Bhagavat. Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami has also mentioned the event in his Chaitanya Charitamrita.

In the Adikhanda, the death of Mahaprabhu's first wife is described, and then his second marriage to the daughter of the court pandit. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 1.1.110)

Then he was married to Vishnupriya Thakurani, after which he defeated the Digvijayi Pandit. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.16.25)

For the materialistic person, the marriage of a man and woman is the source of bondage. When the Lord marries in imitation of ordinary mortals, it becomes a something quite different: it is a transcendental affair. By chanting and hearing about the union of the Supreme Lord with his divine energy, one is liberated from the material energy.

Whoever hears about the holy pastime of the Lord's marriage will be liberated from his bondage to this world. Lakshmi sat beside the Lord and the house of Sachi was filled with light. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 1.10.110-1)

Whoever saw the Lord's effulgent form on that day was freed from his or her sins and went to Vaikuntha. This is why the Lord is known as the merciful lord of the fallen. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 1.15.216-7)

Mahaprabhu spent an inordinate time absorbed in teaching his students on a trip to eastern Bengal, and Lakshmipriya Devi found it impossible to support his absence. So, meditating on his lotus feet, she departed from this world. When Mahaprabhu finally arrived back in Nabadwip, he consoled his mother who was deeply affected by the loss of her daughter-in-law. Sachi Mata then started looking for another wife for her son and consulted Kashinatha Pandit for that purpose. Kashinatha was a well-known matchmaker who is described in Gaura-gaanodesa-dipika (50) as having been the Brahmin in Krishna lila named Kulaka who was sent by Satrajit to arrange the marriage between his daughter Satyabhama and Krishna. He then went to the court pandit Sanatan Mishra to arrange the marriage between Mahaprabhu and his daughter, the devotionally minded Vishnupriya. Kashinatha said the following to Sanatan Mishra:

Give your daughter to Vishvambhara Pandit; it is a perfect combination. She alone is worthy of such a divine husband, while he deserves such a pious and chaste wife. Just as Krishna and Rukmini were worthy of each other, so are Vishnupriya and Nimai Pandit. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 1.15.57-59)

From her early childhood, Vishnupriya Devi was always devoted to her parents and to Vishnu, taking her bath in the Ganges three times daily. She regularly saw mother Sachi there, paying obeisances and being blessed by her. In this way, Sachi already knew Vishnupriya's good qualities, and so was happy to agree to accept her as a wife for her son. Buddhimanta Khan was a rich and wise friend of Nimai's family who volunteered to bear the entire expense of his marriage. Once it had been decided that Vishnupriya and Vishvambhara would be married, an auspicious day and moment were fixed for the ceremony. With great pomp, the adhivasa rituals were carried out on the eve of the marriage. The Lord arrived at Sanatan Mishra's house in a palanquin at dusk and Gaura and Vishnupriya's wedding ceremony was performed according to both scriptural and popular traditions. On the following day, Vishnupriya joined her new husband on the palanquin and returned with him to his house. If one hears the eternal pastime of the wedding of Lakshmi and Narayan, then he loses his desire for the material relationship of enjoyer and enjoyed, for one comes to understand that Narayan alone is the supreme enjoyer of the entire universe. Buddhimanta Khan was fulfilled by receiving Mahaprabhu's embrace and mercy. Vrindavan Das Thakur has further written the following about the wedding:

Some people of the pious women said, They remind me of Gauri and Shiva. Others said, It seems that they are Lakshmi and Narayan. Yet others said, No, they rather resemble Rati and Kamadeva. Some compared them to Indra and Sachi, and others to Rama and Sita. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 1.15.205-8)

Vishnupriya Devi after Nimai's sannyas

When Mahaprabhu left home to go to Katwa and take sannyas, he was only 24 years old. Lochan Das Thakur has described Vishnupriya's terrible feelings of separation in the days that followed his departure in the Chaitanya Mangala:

The earth splits from the sound of Vishnupriya's crying: the birds and beasts, even the trees and stones shed tears when they heard it. Falling to the ground she would lament, crying out Why does my sinful life not end? In separation, her breath was like fire, drying her lips and her body trembled constantly. (Cm 2.14.15-6)

The Advaita-prakasa also describes how Vishnupriya lived her life in terrible separation from the Lord after his departure. Every morning, she would go for her bath in the Ganges with mother Sachi, after which she spent the entire day inside the house, never allowing the moon or the sun to see her form. Not even the devotees were allowed to see anything more than her feet, nor would anyone ever hear her voice. Constantly shedding tears and eating only Mother Sachi's remnants, she became pale and thin. She took intense delight in the Holy Name, chanting all day long in solitude before a portrait of Gauranga, serving it as though he were present in it and surrendering herself to his lotus feet. In this way, she demonstrated the ideal character of a devoted wife as well as the forbearance spoken of by the Lord in his verse, trinad api sunicena. taror api sahishnuna, etc. Srinivas Acharya received Vishnupriya Devi's blessing. He personally witnessed her devotion to Mahaprabhu in separation. Narahari Chakravarti has described this in his Bhakti-ratnakara:

Every day Srinivas would come to see her. He observed her daily activities, which are beyond description. She had completely renounced sleep, and if ever she closed her eyes, it would be while lying on the bare ground. Her bodily luster, which had formerly glowed more brilliantly than gold, had become dull and she was as thin as the waning moon on its fourteenth day. She set aside grains of rice to count the Holy Names she chanted, and would cook only this rice and offer it to her Lord. Of this amount, she would only eat a small portion. No one understood how she could remain alive. (BhaktiR09;ratnakara 4.47-51)

Jahnava Devi's disciple Nityananda Das has also described the standard Vishnupriya Devi set for bhajan in his Prema-vilasa.

Listen, brothers, to the way which Isvari Vishnupriya would take the names of the Lord. By listening to this, you will get a feeling for the lila. Every day she would place two clay pots on either side of her, one filled with uncooked rice, the other empty. Each time she completed one mantra of sixteen names and thirty-two syllables, she would joyfully place a grain of rice into the empty container. She would chant in this way until three o'clock in the afternoon, and then would take whatever rice had accumulated and cook it. This is the only food that she prepared, drenching it with her tears before she offered it to the Lord. It is not possible to estimate how many names Mahaprabhu himself chanted, but he chanted all day and night. Similarly, his beloved wife Vishnupriya chanted incessantly through the day and the night. Such dedication to the Holy Name was not impossible for her, for the Lord had planted the seed of his power in her.

It is said that Vishnupriya Devi was the first to establish worship of a murti of Gauranga. This has been stated in Murari Gupta's kaaaca:

prakasa-rupena nija-priyayah

samipam asadya nijam hi murtim

vidhaya tasyam sthita esa krsnah

sa laksmi-rupa ca nisevate prabhum

Krishna came to his beloved wife in this expansion form to remain by her side as the Mahaprabhu deity. Thus she, the incarnation of the goddess of fortune, was able to serve him constantly.

The devotees of Mahaprabhu sometimes said that just as Ramachandra, who had taken the vow of monogamy, performed a sacrifice to a golden Sita that he had had made during his exile in the forest rather than marry a second time, so Vishnupriya repaid her debt to her Lord in the pastimes of Gaura-Narayan by having an image of Mahaprabhu created so she could perform the sacrifice of the Holy Name to him. This deity is still present and worshiped in Nabadwip.

Sri Vamsivadana Thakur and Ishan Thakur were blessed by the service of taking care of Vishnupriya Devi and Sachi Devi after Mahaprabhu took sannyas.

[Excerpted from "Sri Chaitanya: His Life & Associates" by Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj]