Category Archives: Gaudiya Vaishnav Biographies

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Founder Acharya of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness).

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada appeared in a family of pure Gaudiya Vaisnavas in 1896 in Calcutta. From early childhood he showed signs of pure devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. At the tender age of five, he single-handedly organized a neighborhood Ratha-yatra festival to glorify Lord Jagannatha. He authentically decorated a small cart to resemble the Lord's colossal chariot in Puri. Besides leading the kirtana party, he organized cooking and prasadam distribution. With his enthusiasm and ecstatic love for Lord Krishna he engaged the community in chanting:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Unlike other children his age who would waste their time playing, Srila Prabhupada preferred to visit the local Radha Krishna temple. For hours together, he would lovingly gaze upon the transcendental forms of Radha-Govindaji, absorbing Their divine blessings and beautiful darsana. In his youth, Maharaja Parikshit used to dress a Deity of Krishna. Similarly, from his childhood, Srila Prabhupada also began worshiping small Deities of Radha and Krishna. He quickly mastered the traditional beats and ragas on mrdanga and harmonium. With pure devotion Srila Prabhupada would sing sweet devotional bhajans to please Radha-Govindaji.

At twenty-six, he met his eternal spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (Founder-Acarya of Gaudiya Math). At their first meeting, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gave Srila Prabhupada a divine command: "Go to the West and spread Krishna Consciousness in the English language." In full faith Srila Prabhupada embraced the order as his life and soul. After realizing his guru's teachings, he started writing and distributing Back to Godhead, an English language magazine on the science of Krishna consciousness. Although begun in 1944 in a small way, Back to Godhead now circulates worldwide in over fifty languages.

"Back To Godhead" journals.

Srila Prabhupada, like all pure Vaisnavas, showed immense compassion for the suffering conditioned souls. Although they are rotting in the materialistic life of ignorance, the stubborn conditioned souls insist that they "have no time for spiritual life." Neither their indifference, nor the sizzling summer heat of Delhi could keep Srila Prabhupada from distributing the cooling balm of Krishna consciousness. Once while selling Back to Godhead he collapsed on the street from heat stroke. Yet he remained fixed in his determination to please his spiritual master.

He took sannyasa in 1959 after retiring from household life.Taking shelter of Vrindavana, he rented a bhajana kutir in the Radha-Damodara temple where he absorbed the association of Sri Rupa and Sri Jiva Gosvamis. Srila Prabhupada spent the next six years performing intensive Krishna bhajana. Regularly, he bathed in Yamuna, and took darshan of Madana Mohana, Govindaji, Gopinatha, and Radha Ramana. He prayed for the mercy of the six Gosvamis and continued writing and printing. During bhajana he would receive blessings, inspiration, and direct guidance from the all-merciful Sri Rupa Gosvami.

Srila Prabhupada takes sannyasa.

At this time, he began his life's main literary work, an English translation with commentary of the Srimad Bhagavatam. For Srila Prabhupada it was out of a devotional outpouring than a mere translation from esoteric Sanskrit to understandable English. Gaudiya Vaisnava history reveals that some advanced Devotees would begin crying in spiritual happiness while reading the Srimad Bhagavatam. Smearing the ink on the pages, their tears would make the lines illegible. Similarly, Srila Prabhupada once said that his Srimad Bhagavatam commentaries are actually expressions of his "devotional ecstacies." Working alone, Srila Prabhupada wrote, begged money to print, and personally hauled the paper to publish the first three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam. Recollecting these times, he once said humbly to his disciples:

"I did not know anything about writing. But my spiritual master told me to spread Lord Krishna's glories in English. So this is what I tried to do, following in the steps of my Guru Maharaja. He was such a transcendental aristocrat. I had no great personal qualifications. I just tried to follow his instructions."

Srimad Bhagavatam-earlier editions.

Other disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura tried unsuccessfully to preach Krishna consciousness in English-speaking Europe. Srila Prabhupada, however, had full faith in his guru and Krishna's name. Fearless as Abhimanyu, he brought Krishna Consciousness to the world's most powerful country, America. Besides speaking English and being a "super power," America was leading the world in the sinful activities of meat eating, illicit sex, gambling, intoxication. If Americans would take up Krishna consciousness, thought Srila Prabhupada, then surely it would spread to "every town and village," as Lord Chaitanya predicted five-hundred years ago. After all, "What's a glorious victory without a glorious fight," which Srila Prabhupada would sometimes say.

At the age of seventy, armed with karatals and a crate of Bhagavatams, Srila Prabhupada set off to America in 1965 on the steamship "Jaladutta." During the arduous forty-day sea journey the ship met heavy storms. For two consecutive nights, he had severe heart attacks which almost killed him. On the third night, Lord Krishna appeared to Srila Prabhupada in a dream. The Supreme Lord Himself was pulling the ship to America, encouraging Srila Prabhupada and giving him all protection. Srila Prabhupada penned this prayer upon reaching New York City:

Jaladutta.

"My dear Lord Krishna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me. How shall I make them understand the message of Krishna consciousness? I am very unfortunate, unqualified, and most fallen. Therefore, I. am seeking Your benediction so I can convince them. For I am powerless to do so on my own.

"0 Lord, I am like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance. O Lord, make me dance as You like."

In Manhattan, Srila Prabhupada struggled through the icy cold snowbound winter of 1965. He continued writing and occassionally selling a few Bhagavatams. But for one year nothing really happened. Gradually, a few yoga students began attending his classes on Bhagavad-gita. The word spread that an "Indian swami was in town teaching a unique yoga method: chanting Hare Krishna." After his room was robbed, he moved into a small storefront apartment at 26 Second Avenue in the Lower East Side.

In nearby Tompkins Square Park, Srila Prabhupada led the first public chanting of Hare Krishna in the Western world. On July 13, 1966, he founded ISKCON (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and initiated a dozen disciples. To receive initiation disciples must promise to give up all forms of illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. Srila Prabhupada was well on his way to realizing his mission.

Srila Prabhupada in New York's Topkins Square Park, 1966.

Under Srila Prabhupada's pure guidance the Krishna consciousness movement quickly flourished. Within months ISKCON Radha-Krishna temples opened in New York, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Montreal and

London. In the 1970's, he traveled around the world fourteen times, establishing 108 Radha-Krishna temples in all the major cities of the Americas, Europe, Africa, India, Asia, and Australia. He initiated a total of five thousand sincere disciples from different nationalities.

He opened ashrams and pure vegetarian "Govinda's" restaurants. On every continent he started Vedic gurukulas and goshallas.

He opened ashrams and pure vegetarian "Govinda's" restaurants. On every continent he started Vedic gurukulas and goshallas. Srila Prabhupada was the first spiritual master to introduce both elegant Deity worship of Radha and Krishna and the annual Ratha-yatra festival of Lord Jagannatha in the western countries. ISKCON's Jagannatha Ratha-yatra festivals, complete with three beautiful wooden carts carrying Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Lady Subhadra, a thunderous sankirtana procession, and massive prasadam distribution, take place every year in over two-hundred cities worldwide.

Though constantly traveling and preaching to priests, princes, politicians, philosophers, scientists, and his disciples, Srila Prabhupada kept translating the Srimad Bhagavatam. He wrote over eighty books about. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Nectar of Devotion, The Science of Self-Realization, and English translations with commentaries on Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Isopanisad, Upadesamrta, Narada Bhakti-sutras, Mukunda mala-stotra, and Caitanya Caritamrta are some of his works. Prabhupada's books have been translated into fifty languages such as French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Swahili, Hindi, Bengali. Almost a billion copies have been distributed worldwide.

Srila Prabhupada was the first spiritual master to introduce both elegant Deity worship of Radha and Krishna...

In only eleven years, between the ages of seventy and eighty-one, Srila Prabhupada accomplished his mission. He credited his phenomenal success to personal effort, an unshakeable faith in his spiritual master and the Holy Names of Lord Sri Krishna. He was not an ordinary person. Srila Prabhupada was personally chosen and empowered by the Supreme Lord to spread Krishna consciousness and chanting Hare Krishna all over the world.

In Vrindavana, during the auspicious month of Kartika in 1977 on November 14, while surrounded by loving disciples singing their hearts out in kirtana, Srila Prabhupada chanted Hare Krishna and entered the eternal pastimes of Radha-Syamasundara. To this day ISKCON keeps growing through cooperation and strict following of Srila Prabhupada's pure example and perfect instructions. As one of the world's most dynamic religious and cultural movemments, ISKCON has more than four-hundred temples on five continents. In former communist Russia, fifty ISKCON temples serve the people of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Srila Prabhupada's samadhi is in Vrindavana at the ISKCON Krishna-Balarama Mandir.

ISKCON's Jagannatha Ratha-yatra festivals, complete with three beautiful wooden carts carrying Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Lady Subhadra, a thunderous sankirtana procession, and massive prasadam distribution, take place every year in over two-hundred cities worldwide.

Vasudeva Ghosh

Vasudeva Ghosh (Vasu Ghosh) and his two brothers, Madhava and Govinda, are eternal associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Fixed in madhurya rasa, they accepted Sri Radhika as their ultimate shelter (ashraya vigraha). The brothers expertly performed sweet melodious kirtans. Whenever they sang, Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda would immeditately dance in ecstasy. Every year they came for Ratha Yatra in Jagannatha Puri. They led the chanting in one of the seven kirtana groups arranged by Lord Caitanya.

Vasudeva Ghosh used his music and song to preach in Bengal. He wrote many Bengali songs about Lord Gauranga which are still sung by devotees. In one he says:

"If Lord Gaura had not appeared in this age of Kali, then how could we tolerate living? He has given the very essence, the very charm of life divine love without which it is impossible to live in this world. Without Caitanya Mahaprabhu how could we ever know that Srimati Radharani reigns supreme in the kingdom of divine love? Having received all these things from Lord Gaura Hari, now we think life is worth living."

In another bhajana Vasudeva Ghosh says, "In Your former lila as Lord Ramacandra, You became famous for constructing a floating bridge of stones across the sea to Sri Lanka. Now in this Kali yuga, You have given us the bridge of Hari Nama sankirtana by which even the lame and blind can cross the sea of birth and death and attain the supreme spiritual happiness." He is Gunatunga-sakhi in Radha Madhava's nitya nikunja vraja lila. His samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area.

Narottama Dasa Thakura

Appearing as the son of a king, Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura (Shri Thakura Mahasaya) showed all the bodily symptoms of a mahapurusha (an exalted divine person). He had long arms, a deep navel, golden-complexioh, beautiful eyes shaped like the lotus petals. In school, he was a sruti dhara (able to memorize whatever he hears) Although he quickly mastered Sanskrit and the Vedas, he hankered to serve Krishna. He was a lifelong brahmachari. (In the image: Shrila Narottama Dasa Thakura).

When he arrived in Navadwipa-dhama all the Devotees asked him about the health and activities of the Goswamis in Vrindavana. They were eager to hear the news from Vrindavana. After visiting all of Gauranga's pastime places in Gaura Mandala, Narottama Dasa did the same in Shri Kshetra Dhama (Jagannatha Puri). Then he went to see the Devotees and Shri Chaitanya's pastime spots in Shantipura, Shri Khanda, Kanthak Nagar, Ekachakra, and Kheturi Gram.

In Kheturi, Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura arranged the famous Kheturi Mahotsava. This was the first "Gaura-Purnima" festival to honor the divine appearance day of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. During the festival six Deities were installed: Shri Gauranga Deva, Shri Vallabhi Kanta, Shri Vraja Mohana, Shri Krishna, Shri Radha Kanta, Shri Radha Ramana. .

With his sweet voice Narottama Dasa began a wonderful kirtana. His chanting filled the heavens, and brought down tears of prema from the eyes of the Devotees, who were all sporting in the ocean of ecstasy. "In the midst of their kirtana, the munificent Shri Chaitanya Himself and all His personal associates appeared and joined in the sankirtana. Like a flash of lightning in the midst of a mass of beautiful blue clouds, Shri Chaitanya Himself appeared in the crowd of Devotees through a divine manifestation." (Bhakti-ratnakar)

"At that time, although Mahaprabhu had ,left this world years before, many different devotees saw Mahaprabhu in different ways. Those of Sri Navadvipa dhama saw Him more intimately as Nimaicandra or Visvambhara, as they knew Him during His youth. Those devotees were attracted to Mahaprabhu in sakhya and vatsalya rasa. The followers of the six Gosvamis, who only knew Mahaprabhu as a sannyasi, related to Him in the mood of dasya rasa. And hundreds of devotees also worshiped Lord Caitanya in an aisvarya mood of awe and reverence.

"This festival is considered a major achievment in Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Hundreds and hundreds of Devotees were invited, including direct disciples of Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, and Advaita Acharya. At this time, many differences existed in the interpretation of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Acharyarani Jahnava Devi came from Kardaha with her entourage. Presiding over all the Vaishnavas, she resolved their diverse conclusions into one consistent Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy.

"For the first time, the festival featured many kirtana styles which integrated the glorification of Lord Chaitanya with the glorification of Lord Krishna and His pastimes. And because so many Vaishnavas were present at one place, it automatically made the Kheturi festival extraordinary. It also acted as an important step toward unifying all the Gaudiya Vaishnavas." (Shri Navadwipa-dhama parikrama)

Narottama Dasa Thakura wrote many devotional songs about the spiritual master, the Devotees, devotional service, the six Goswamis, Gaura-Nityananda and Radha-Krishna. Although composed with sweet melodies in simple Bengali language, Narottama Dasa's songs give shastric siddhanta and devotional inspiration. Shrila Prabhupada often sang these bhajanas. Considering them non-different from Vedic shastra, He quoted them in his Bhagavatam lectures. Prarthana and Prema-bhakti-chandrika are Narottama's most famous works.

The following excerpt comes from Prema-bhakti-chandrika: "Radha and Krishna are my goal in life and death, and They are the masters of my breath. Performing my bhajana only for Them, I rise and fall in the ocean of prema. I pray that I can always maintain this conception within my heart as my highest ideal.

"Let me serve the lotus feet of Radha-Govinda. Let my mind be filled with dedication to Their divine forms that defeat the beauty of Cupid and Rati. With a straw between my teeth I fall at Their divine feet and present my humble appeal: '0 Kishora-Kishori! 0 son of Nanda Maharaja-Shyamasundara! And 0 daughter of King Vrishabhanu, Shri Radha. You enchant even Hari, and Your bodily complexion is the color of a golden lotus. 0 Krishna, with a bodily color like an indranila gem (blue jewel), Your beauty mocks Cupid.

'0 topmost dancers Shri Radha and Shri Krishna-please dance within my mind. 0 You whose beauty increases the charm of Your dazzling ornaments, day and night I only wish that I shall go on singing Your glories in great ecstasy."

Narottama Dasa serves Shrimati Radhika as Chamaka-manjari. His samadhi is in Radha Gokulananda's Temple courtyard.

Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami

By the order of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami remained a lifelong brahmachari. His service was constant chanting of Hare Krishna and reading Shrimad Bhagavatam. In Jagannatha Puri, Raghunatha satisifed Lord Gauranga by his exceptional cooking and kirtana performances, which won him the title, kirtana acharya.

When he came to Vrindavana, the Vaishnavas (including Shri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis) would regularly listen to his singing of Bhagavata shlokas in four tunes as sweet as a cuckoo. His recitation was unparalleled; even Vyasadeva enjoyed it. He fulfilled Lord Chaitanya's order to preach the glories and peerless significance of the grantha-raja Shrimad Bhagavatam.

His tears of pure love for Radha-Govinda would wet the pages. Raghunatha Bhatta was so absorbed in Krishna-katha that he never heard or spoke worldly topics, what to speak of criticizing Devotees. He believed that all Vaishnavas are sincerely serving the Lord according to their realization, and therefore one should overlook their faults.

Under his inspiration, a wealthy disciple built a gorgeous Temple in Vrindavana for Shri-Shi Radha-Govindaji. Even after four-hundred and fifty years, this intricately hand-carved red stone Temple remains the most beautiful Temple in Vrindavana and all of Northern India. Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami faithfully served Govindaji for forty years.

He was a scholar in all subjects, although he didn't write any books like the other Goswamis. Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami learned everything simply by hearing shastras. Fearing that Muslims might desecrate Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami's sacred form, Shri Jiva Goswami had his body burned. The ashes were placed in two samadhis, one in Radha-kunda, another in the 64 Samadhis Area. In Radha-Govindaji's nitya-lila he serves as Rasa or Raga manjari, one of Shri Radha's asta manjaris.

When he came to Vrindavana, the Vaishnavas (including Shri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis) would regularly listen to his singing of Bhagavata shlokas in four tunes as sweet as a cuckoo. His recitation was unparalleled; even Vyasadeva enjoyed it. He fulfilled Lord Chaitanya's order to preach the glories and peerless significance of the grantha-raja Shrimad Bhagavatam. (In the wallpaper: Shri Shri Radha Gopinath, ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai).

Raghunatha Dasa Goswami

Shrila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.

Born in a dynasty of Vaishnavas, Raghunatha Dasa Goswami was the only son of a wealthy land owner. As a boy, he received Haridasa Thakura's association and blessings. At fifteen he met Lord Chaitanya. By the mercy of Lord Nityananda he renounced a beautiful wife and an opulent family. He ran to Jagannatha Puri to intimately serve Shri Gaura Raya and his siksha guru Svarupa Damodara Goswami for sixteen years. Lord Gauranga gave His personal Govardhana Shila and gunja mala to Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.

Raghunatha Dasa couldn't live after Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu left this world. So, he came to Vrindavana to end his life by jumping off Govardhana Hill. Shri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis affectionately received him. They convinced him to live on and enlighten all the Vrajavasi Vaishnavas with Shriman Mahaprabhu's Puri pastimes. For three hours a day on the banks of Radha-kunda he spoke about Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Raghunatha Dasa did Radha-Krishna bhajana at Radha-kunda for forty years. He lived an austere life of pure devotion. Raghunatha Dasa Goswami showed the standard of renunciation required to attain the eternal loving service of Radha-Giridhari in the nitya nikunja lilas at Radha-kunda, His perfect example enthuses all Gaudiya Vaishnavas to develop unalloyed pure love for Radha-Krishna.

Shri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami's daily bhajana included: chanting 64 rounds japa (1,00,000 Holy Names); doing manasi-seva in his spiritual body; worshiping Govardhana Shila; bathing thrice in Radha-kunda; offering one-thousand obeisances to Krishna; offering two-thousand to Vaishnavas and embracing them; resting ninety minutes, and some days not at all; Keep in mind however, when an eternal associate of the Lord externally rests, internally he continues serving. He ate only one leaf cup (100 grams) of buttermilk daily.

Throughout his life he never ate anything for sense gratification. He took the bare minimum to keep body and soul together. It's said that after the disappearance of Lord Chaitanya Raghunatha Dasa ate only fruit and milk. After Shri Sanatana Goswamipada left he existed on a leaf cup of buttermilk every day or two. And when Shri Rupa Goswami entered nitya-lila Raghunatha gave up all eating and drinking! He was slowly burning in the fire of separation from the Lord and His loving servants. The Vrajavasis would cry upon seeing his weakened condition.

Shri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami wrote three books; Stavavalli (contains Manah Shiksha, Vilapa-kusumanjali and more), Mukta-charita, Dana Keli Chintamani. In Jaiva Dharma, Shrila Thakura Bhaktivinoda said, "Raghunatha Dasa Goswami showed the esoteric method of engaging oneself in the loving service of Shri-Shri Radha-Krishna." Raghunatha Dasa wrote and taught that the divine service of Shrimati Radharani in Vrindavana is the topmost spiritual perfection. For this he was known as the prayojana acharya, the teacher who reveals the highest fulfillment in life.

Raghunatha Dasa Goswami clearly established the supremacy of Shrimati Radharani. In Vilapa-kusumanjali, a collection of intimate prayers, he states that Shri Radha's service is the highest attainment. Feeling extreme impatience and hopelessness, due to separation from the "Queen of his life," he desperately prays for Radharani's service:

"My life is worthless. I will give it up without receiving Your mercy. Living in Radha-kunda and Vrindavana is meaningless to me. To say nothing of Vrindavana, even Krishna Himself is useless to me without You. 0 Shrimati Radharani, You are the only object of my life. Please be merciful to me. Crying profusely in great lamentation, I hold Your lotus feet to my heart and beg for Your loving service. May this Vilapa-kusumanjali bring even the slightest satisfaction to You."

Shrila Raghunatha Dasa serves Shri Radha as Rati-manjari in Shri Vrindavana-dhama. His samadhi is at Radha-kunda and the 64 Samadhis Area.

Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami

Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami.

Appearing near Katva, Krishna Dasa Kaviraja left for Vrindavana after Lord Nityananda told him in a dream: are are krishnadasa, na karaha bhaya, Vrindavana yaha tanha, sarva larya haya, "0 my dear Krishnadasa, do not be afraid. Go to Vrindavana. For there you will attain all things." (Chaitanya-charitamrta Adi 5.195)

Krishna Dasa took diksha from Raghunatha Dasa Goswami. He lived a renounced life at Syama-kunda near Manasa Pavana Ghat, Radharani's midday bathing place.

Shri Jiva Goswami, as per his custom of giving titles of honor to qualified Devotees, gave Krishna Dasa the title Kaviraja (the king of poets) for his poetic masterpiece Govinda-lilamrta. Shri Narottam a Dasa Thakura wrote in Prarthana: "Krishna Dasa Kaviraja, who composed the Shri Chaitanya-charitamrta, is the connoisseur among Devotees. His Govinda-lilamrta moves stones to tears, but alas, my mind is not attracted to it."

During Krishna Dasa's time, all the Vaishnavas would gather at Govindaji's Temple to hear Shri Haridasa Pandit read Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata. The Devotees were eager to hear about Lord Gauranga's later pastimes, so they asked Krishna Dasa Kaviraja to write them. Krishna Dasa prayed to Madana Mohana for ability and blessings. The Deity's flower garland fell down, indicating divine sanction.

Krishna Dasa Kaviraja's Chaitanya-charitamrta is the most accurate, authentic, and philosophical biography of Lord Chaitanya. Every line is full of infinite humility, enthusiasm, and devotion for Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Shri Nityananda Prabhu. Krishna Dasa had the wonderful power of speaking without offending, even when rebuking his opponents.

He had vast knowledge in all Vedic scriptures. His books show his skill in the Srutis, Smrtis, Nyaya, Jyotir shastra, and the culinary arts. Although he was an erudite scholar, a strict ascetic, a paramahamsa rasika Vaishnava, Krishna Dasa writes about himself, "I am deaf, dumb, wholly illiterate, worldly-minded, and lower than a worm in stool." His personal humility automatically attracts the heart of any reader of Chaitanya-charitamrta.

Krishna Dasa Kaviraja was a living example of "humbler than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree." A Devotee will advance spiritually and understand Shri Chaitanya's teachings on Radha-Krishna prema bhakti by reading Chaitanya-charitamrta.

By associating with Shri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja, an eternally liberated associate of Lord Chaitanya, one will develop the Vaishnava qualities of humility, innocence, integrity, equanimity, gentleness, purity, selflessness, patience, kindness, gravity, freedom from material desires, mild temperament, control over the six passions, friendliness, honoring all beings, being silent, expert, poetic, and absolute surrender to Shri Krishna.

In Vraja lila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja is Kasturi-manjari, one of the eight most intimate maidservants of Srimati Radharani. His samadhi is at Radha-kunda, and at the Radha-Damodara Temple according to some.

In Vraja lila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja is Kasturi-manjari, one of the eight most intimate maidservants of Srimati Radharani. His samadhi is at Radha-kunda, and at the Radha-Damodara Temple according to some. (In the image: Samadhi of Shrila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami).

Madhvacharya

Madhvacharya took diksha at age five, sannyasa at twelve and left home. He appeared with a mission to fight and defeat Sankara's Mayavada (impersonal) philosophy. By giving a pure interpretation of Vedanta-sutra he promoted pure theism. He named his innovative shastric explanation dvaita-dvaita-vada (pure dualism). (In the image: Shrila Madhvacharya).

Shri Madhvacharya appeared in 1238 A.D. near Udupi, Karnataka in South India. He was considered an incarnation of Vayu (wind god). He had an unusually strong physique and extraordinary intellectual power. Once a fierce Bengali tiger attacked Madhvacharya's sannyasa disciple, Satya Tirtha. Madhvacharya wrestled the tiger and sent him away with his tail between his legs. Madhvacharya took diksha at age five, sannyasa at twelve and left home. He appeared with a mission to fight and defeat Sankara's Mayavada (impersonal) philosophy. By giving a pure interpretation of Vedanta-sutra he promoted pure theism. He named his innovative shastric explanation dvaita-dvaita-vada (pure dualism).

After Shankaracharya, who had previously toured India spreading impersonalism, Madhvacarya also traveled the length and breadth of India preaching personaltheism and devotion to Lord Vishnu. He defeated innumerable Jains, Buddhists, Mayavadis, atheists, logicians, and agnostics.

With a hope of meeting Shrila Vyasadeva himself Madhvacharya walked up the Himalayas. Vyasadeva gave him a Shalagrama sila called Ashtamurti, approved his Bhagavad-gita commentary, and blessed Madhvacharya with deeper realizations of the sastras.

In Udupi, Madhvacharya installed a beautiful Deity of Gopala standing alone holding a cowherding stick. This Deity manifested from within a chunk of gopi-candana (sacred clay). He established eight mathas (Temples) to lovingly serve "Udupi Krishna." The sannyasi leaders of each matha worship the Krishna Deity with a rigorous regimen of ceremonial ritual, punctuality, and impec-cable personal conduct. Every Ekadashi they observe nirjala (total fast all food and water).

The Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya originates with the Madhvas. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His followers thoroughly studied Madhva's works before compiling their philosophy. For the Sat Sandarbhas Shri Jiva Goswami drew heavily from Madhva's writings. Jiva Goswami found 'the Gaudiya philosophy of acintya-bheda-abheda tattva in Madhva's Bhagavat-parya. Shri Chaitanya Himself visited Udupi, the seat of Madhva's sect. The Lord introduced Hari Nama sankirtana into their sect.

In Udupi, Madhvacharya installed a beautiful Deity of Gopala standing alone holding a cowherding stick. This Deity manifested from within a chunk of gopi-candana (sacred clay). He established eight mathas (Temples) to lovingly serve "Udupi Krishna." (In the image: Udupi Krishna, Karnataka).

The Madhvas and Gaudiyas share many of the same philosophical points. Both consider it necessary to surrender to the lotus feet of the guru (gurupadashraya). In Sutra Bhasya, Madhvacharya cites the Brihat Tantra and Mahasamhita to show that a disciple may reject a "bogus guru" who proves to be useless. He may then accept another qualified self-realized person as his guru.

In Prameya-ratnavalli, Shri Baladeva Vidyabhushana summarized the nine principles common to both Shri Chaitanya's and Madhva's teachings. In Vaishnava Siddhanta Mala, Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ordered all Gaudiya Vaishnavas to carefully observe the nine instructions of truth given by Shri Madhavacharya through our guru parampara.

Shri Madhvacharya's Nine Teachings

(1) Bhagavan Shri Krishna alone is the Supreme Absolute Truth, one without a second.

(2) He is the object of knowledge in all the Vedas.

(3) The universe is real, satya.

(4) The differences between Ishvara (God), Jiva (soul) and Matter are real.

(5) Jiva souls are by nature the servants of the Supreme Lord Hari.

(6) There are two categories of jivas; liberated and illusioned.

(7) Liberation (moksha) means attainmg the lotus feet of Bhagavan Krishna, in other words, entering an eternal relationship of service to the Supreme Lord.

(8) Pure devotional service to Krishna is the only way to attain this liberation.

(9) The truth may be known by pratyaksha (direct perception), anuman (inference or logic), sabda (spiritual sound or Vedic authority.

Shri Madhvacharya serves as Madhavi-gopi in Radha-Govinda's eternal Vrindavana pleasure pastimes.

Liberation (moksha) means attainmg the lotus feet of Bhagavan Krishna, in other words, entering an eternal relationship of service to the Supreme Lord. (In the image: Krishna embracing His friend Gopa Kumar).

Haridasa Thakura

As Prahlada Maharaja appeared in a family of demons and Hanuman appeared as a monkey, Shri Haridasa Thakura appeared amongst the lower caste. Haridasa had a handsome form with all aristocratic features. Highly intellectual, he won all debates in Sanskrit and philosophy. Yet, he never lost his temper. In his youth, he became famous for his extreme devotion and ascetism. Though born in a Muslim family, when he became a Vaishnava, even brahmanas would eagerly smear their bodies with the dust of his feet.

The Supreme Lord Anantadeva Himself praises Haridasa Thakura, "Even Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva always desire to associate with such Devotees as Haridasa. And the demigods desire to touch the transcendental body of Haridasa. Simply by saying his name, Haridasa, one will be promoted to Krishna's abode." (Caitanya Bhagavata).

Navadwipa was full of gross materialists and Kali worshipers guided by smarta brahmanas before Mahaprabhu began His sankirtana movement. The smartas forbid loud chanting by the Vaishnavas on the plea that "it might awaken Lord Vishnu, who would become angry and curse Navadwipa with a famine." But it was Haridasa's habit to loudly chant Hare Krishna while wandering along the Ganges bank. Every day before taking his one and only meal he would finish 192 rounds (300,000 Holy Names of Krishna).

One time a rascal brahmana challenged Haridasa Thakura.The brahmana said that the proper method is to chant Hare Krishna silently within one's mind. Quoting the Vedas, Shrimad Bhagavatam, and Naradiya Purana, Haridasa conclusively proved that loud chanting of Krishna's names gives one-hundred times more result than silent chanting. Yan-nama grhann akhilan, srotm atmanam evaca, sadyah punati. .. "Anyone who chants Your name purifies all who hear His chanting, as well as Himself." (Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.34.17) Haridasa concluded with, "Which is better to feed yourself, or to feed yourself and simultaneously feed a thousand others?"

Some people mistakenly think, "Since Haridasa Thakura always chanted Hare Krishna he wasn't relishing the mellows of Radha-Madhava's pastimes." Krishna's name is a wish-fulfilling gem (nama cintamani) and the very embodiment of rasa (rasa vigraha). So, by purely chanting the Holy Names Haridasa Thakura definitely tasted the transcendental mellows of loving devotion to Radha-Madhava. Haridasa Thakura, the connoiseur of the Holy Name, taught everyone how to enter the rasa sastras through the door of Mahaprabhu's mercy, received by purely land constantly chanting the Holy Names of Krishna.

One time a rascal brahmana challenged Haridasa Thakura.The brahmana said that the proper method is to chant Hare Krishna silently within one's mind. Quoting the Vedas, Shrimad Bhagavatam, and Naradiya Purana, Haridasa conclusively proved that loud chanting of Krishna's names gives one-hundred times more result than silent chanting. Yan-nama grhann akhilan, srotm atmanam evaca, sadyah punati. .. "Anyone who chants Your name purifies all who hear His chanting, as well as Himself." (Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.34.17) Haridasa concluded with, "Which is better to feed yourself, or to feed yourself and simultaneously feed a thousand others?" (In the image: Harinaam Sankirtan Yagya, leading kirtan HG Madhava Prabhu, somewhere in Europe).

Feeling threatened by Haridasa Thakura's conversion to Vaishnavism, the Muslim ruler arrested him. To enlighten the Kazi Haridasa said, "All living entities in creation are inspired by the Lord in the heart to act in different ways. People of different religions praise the Lord's Holy Names and qualities according to the view of their scriptures. The Supreme Lord accepts everyone's mood. If anyone shows malice towards another's religion he actually shows malice to the Lord Himself, who is worshiped by that religion. Since God is one, that person becomes envious of the same Supreme Lord that he himself is worshiping."

The governor grasped these words, but the Kazi (the local ruler) insisted that Haridasa make a choice: "Either give up your belief or die."

Haridasa replied firmly, "If my body is hacked to pieces and even if I am killed–still I will keep chanting Hare Krishna."

The infuriated Kazi ordered Haridasa Thakura publicly whipped to death. He was brutally beaten, dragged through twenty-two markets, and thrown in the Ganges. Absorbed in remembering Lord Hari, he miraculously survived by God's grace. The Kazi, the brahman as, and his rivals ran to Haridasa. They gave Haridasa Thakura an enthusiastic welcome and begged forgiveness for their offenses. He forgave them and blessed them with devotion. Haridasa thought the ordeal was fit punishment for his having heard Vaisnava blasphemy from the mouth of the Kazi.

Prema-vilasa says Haridasa took diksa from Shri Advaita Acharya. Haridasa Thakura exerted immense influence from the start of Shri Chaitanya's sankirtana movement. Teaming up with Lord Nityananda, he spread Krishna consciousness in Bengal. When Haridasa Thakura came to Jagannatha Puri Lord Chaitanya gave him a room in the garden next to His. Every day the Lord sent Prasadam to Haridasa. They also met regularly to discuss Krishna-katha.

While seeing Lord Chaitanya's lotus face, holding His feet upon his chest, and chanting Shri Krishna Chaitanya, Haridasa left the world. Lord Chaitanya personally carried the body of Haridasa to the sea. And with His own hands buried him in the sand. Then Mahaprabhu begged alms for a festival to honor Haridasa Thakura's departure. Lord Chaitanya paid tribute to His pure Devotee:

"Let us all sing the glories of Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa was the crest-jewel of the world. By his death the earth has lost its treasure. Out of His great mercy Krishna had given Me his association. And now He has taken him away. When Haridasa himself wished to leave the world I could not hold him back. Just like Bhismadeva, Haridasa gave up his life at his own will." (Chaitanya-charitamrta Antya 11.93-98.)

The samadhi of Haridasa Thakura is located by the sea in Jagannatha Puri.

Shri Harinamacharya Shrila Thakura Haridasa ki jail
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

"If my body is hacked to pieces and even if I am killed--still I will keep chanting Hare Krishna." (In the image: Sankirtan party brahmacharis).

Gauridasa Pandit

"Gauridasa, My Murti form is as good as I am," said Lord Gauranga, "We will forever remain in your home to accept your service." (In the image: Shri Shri Gaura Nitay Deities of Shrila Gauridasa Pandit).

"Gauridasa Pandit, the emblem of the most elevated devotional service in love of Godhead, had the greatest potency to receive and deliver such love. Making Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda the Lords of his life, Gauridasa Pandit sacrificed everything for the service of Lord Nityananda."( Chaitanya-charitamrta).

Before taking sannyasa, Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda visited Gauridasa Pandit in Ambika Kalna. Fearing their impending separation, Gauridasa cried and begged the Lord to stay longer. Mahaprabhu made life-like neem wood Deities of Gaura-Nitai to console his loving servant. "Gauridasa, My Murti form is as good as I am," said Lord Gauranga, "We will forever remain in your home to accept your service."

Gauridasa Pandit worshiped Gaura Nitai in many intimate ways–talking sweetly to Them, tooking a variety of tasty foods, discussing shastra with Them, attending to Their every need throughout the day. Even when old and feeble, Gauridasa ceaselessly served his worship able Lords Shri-Shri Gaura-Nitai.

Although poor, he desired to decorate Gaura-Nitai with costly beautiful ornaments. Knowing his mind, Gaura-Nityananda lavishly adorned Themselves. Beholding Their exquisite beauty Gauridasa became astonished. "Where did They get these ornaments?" he thought. Shri-Shri Gaura-Nitai would often enact such transcendental pastimes in the home of Their pure Devotee, Shri Gauridasa Pandit.

Samadhi of Gauridasa Pandit, Vrindavan.

One time, Chaitanya Dasa, Gauridasa's foremost disciple, organized a huge sankirtana festival on the bank of the Ganges. Enraptured by the kirtana, Gauridasa's Deities jumped off the altar and joined the Devotees in chanting and dancing. Discovering the Deities missing from the Temple, Gauridasa grabbed a stick and ran to catch Gaura-Nitai. Seeing his angry mood, Gaura-Nitai vanished. At that moment, Gauridasa watched in amazement to see Gaura-Nitai enter the heart (hrdaya) of Chaitanya Dasa. Gauridasa embraced his beloved disciple, bathed him with tears, and said, "You are most fortunate. From today your name will be Hrdaya Chaitanya, one who holds Shri Chaitanya within his heart."

Since then Gaura-Nitai's darsana at Gauridasa Pandit's Temple is offered in many brief intervals like Banke-bihariji in Vrindavana. To keep Gaura-Nitai from jumping off the altar, the pujaris open and quickly close the curtain throughout the darshana time.

While doing bhajana in Dhira Samira Kunja in Vrindavana, Gauridasa Pandit entered the eternal go carana lila (cowherding pastimes) of Krishna-Balarama, In Vraja he is Subala, a dvadasa gopala. His samadhi is within the Shyama-Raya Temple compound in Dhira Samira, Vrindavana.

Rupa Goswami

In 1517, Shri Rupa Goswami and Shri Sanatana Goswami, his elder brother, came to Vrindavana to fulfill four orders of Lord Chaitanya's: (1) Uncover Shri Krishna's lost pastime places. (2) Install Deities, start puja. (3) Write bhakti-shastras. (4) Propagate the rules of bhakti-yoga. (In the wallpaper: Rupa amd Sanatana Goswamis, Lord Shri Gopintha in Jaipur and Temple of Madan Mohan, Shri Vrindavan Dham).

In 1517, Shri Rupa Goswami and Shri Sanatana Goswami, his elder brother, came to Vrindavana to fulfill four orders of Lord Chaitanya's:

(1) Uncover Shri Krishna's lost pastime places.

(2) Install Deities, start puja.

(3) Write bhakti-shastras.

(4) Propagate the rules of bhakti-yoga.

Wearing only kaupina (loincloth) and kantha (patchwork quilt), Shri Rupa Goswami lived a mendicant's life absorbed in hearing, chanting, writing about Radha-Govinda's sweet loving pastimes in Shri Vrindavana-dhama. More details of his conduct and character are mentioned in Sanatana Goswami's biography.

Shri Rupa Goswami wrote practical yet profound transcendental books. He established Shri-Shri Radha-Govindaji, the beloved Deities of the entire Gaudiya sampradaya. Through extensive Vedic research Shri Rupa Goswami proved that Shri Chaitanya's teachings present the highest philosophy and the perfection of religion.

Gaudiya Vaishnavas are known as rupanugas, followers of Shri Rupa Goswami. Every raganuga Devotee aspires to become a servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Shri Rupa Goswami. Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura sings, shri-rupa-manjari-pada, se more sampada, sei mor bhajana pujana: "The feet of Shri Rupa-manjari (Rupa Goswami's eternal form as Shri Radha's maidservant in Vraja) are my only wealth. They are the only object of my service and worship."

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu commissioned Shri Rupa Goswami to write on the science of rasa-tattva. In Chaitanya-chandrodaya, Shri Kavi Karnapura says that Shri Rupa Goswami is the form of true love and devotion. Shri Chaitanya empowered him to explain His own love and devotion, and to propagate it to the world. Lord Chaitanya manifested His own pastimes through Shri Rupa Goswami. He received the title bhakti-rasacharya (guru of devotional mellows) for his devotional classics, Bhakti-rasamrta sindhu, Ujjvala Nilamani, Lalita Madhava and others. Bhakti-rasamrta sindhu gives the essence of all Vedic scriptures regarding the kingdom of bhakti. In great detail it explains how to advance in Krishna consciousness and attain prema-bhakti, pure unalloyed love for Radha-Govinda in Shri Vrindavana.

To understand the loving affairs of Radha and Krishna, says Narottama Dasa Thakura, you must serve the lotus feet of Shri Rupa Goswami with intense eagerness. Serving means hearing (studying), chanting and strictly following the teachings of Shri Rupa Goswami. Serving also means praying to, crying out to, meditating upon, and dedicating your entire life to the lotus feet of Shri Rupa Goswami (Shri Rupa-manjari). Sadhana Dipika states that those on the path of devotional service must always associate with Shri Rupa Goswami's doctrines on prema-bhakti. By the grace of Shri Jiva Goswami one can understand the transcendental truths of Rupa Goswami's teachings.

"When Shri Rupa Goswami would sit in his bhajana kutir at Ter Kadamba (Nandagram, Vrindavana), and write about the pangs of separation that Shri Radha and Shri Krishna felt for one another the leaves of the Kadamba tree would fall off; just like tears running down the face of someone in pain. And when Shri Rupa wrote about Radha and Krishna's ecstatic loving reunion, that overjoyed Kadamba tree immeditately sprouted new leaves and blossoming flowers. By the mercy of a pure Vaishnava like Shrila Rupa Goswami this Kadamba tree could understand and appreciate the intimate and confidential subject matters which remain beyond our comprehension." (In the wallpaper: Shri Shri Radha Gopinath, a book and falling leaves).

The following quote shows the incredible potency of Shri Rupa Goswami's transcendental writing:

Shri Rupa Goswami established the Deities of Radha-Govinda in Vrindavana. Bhakti-ratnakar quotes one song from Shrinivasa Acharya to describe the beauty of Rupa Goswami's beloved Govindaji Deity: "Having seen the incomparable beauty of Shri Govinda, Shri Radhika begins describing it to Her sakhis: 'Who has sculptured that moon like face and who has sculptured those two lotus eyes? Only My heart knows how I feel when I see Him. Who has shaped His earrings, cut carefully in gems? My mind is fixed on them. His nose pearl surrounded by a golden ring looks like a moon-like white flower surrounded by lightning, smiling from behind some blue clouds.

'His forehead is decorated with sandal tilaka and beautiful mind-enchanting designs. He shines within My heart. Yet My heart aches being incapable of beholding His beautiful face to My full satisfaction. If God had given Me the power I could continually enjoy His sweet voice. His arms are stronger than the trunks of elephants. My youthful body longs for the touch of His fingers. His graceful movements rival the gait of a maddened elephant. He is an ocean of beauty.'"

Today in Jaipur, Rajasthan Shri Rupa Goswami's original Deities of Radha-Govindaji are forever expanding their unlimited beauty. Everyday ten-thousand Devotees run to attend Their mangala arotika. A prati-bhu Deity of Govindaji resides in "new" Govindaji Temple behind the historic masterpiece of architecture that once served Radha-Govinda in Vrindavana.

Shri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja says the Deity of Radha-Govindaji shows us how to worship Radha and Krishna. Radha-Govindaji accept our service and give inspiration to increase our surrender on the path of bhakti. Acting exactly like the shiksha-guru, Govindaji directs us and gives us opportunities to serve Him.

Some authorities claim that in 1564 Shri Rupa Goswami entered Radha-Govindaji's nitya-lila, just twenty-seven days after the disappearance of Shri Sanatana Goswami. Shri Rupa Goswami's samadhi and bhajana kutir are in Seva Kunja within the courtyard of the Radha-Damodara Temple.

"Having seen the incomparable beauty of Shri Govinda, Shri Radhika begins describing it to Her sakhis: 'Who has sculptured that moon like face and who has sculptured those two lotus eyes? Only My heart knows how I feel when I see Him. Who has shaped His earrings, cut carefully in gems? My mind is fixed on them. His nose pearl surrounded by a golden ring looks like a moon-like white flower surrounded by lightning, smiling from behind some blue clouds. 'His forehead is decorated with sandal tilaka and beautiful mind-enchanting designs. He shines within My heart. Yet My heart aches being incapable of beholding His beautiful face to My full satisfaction. If God had given Me the power I could continually enjoy His sweet voice. His arms are stronger than the trunks of elephants. My youthful body longs for the touch of His fingers. His graceful movements rival the gait of a maddened elephant. He is an ocean of beauty.'" (In the wallpaper: Shri Govindaji, Jaipur).