Opening Prayers

*namo mahā-vadānyāyakṛṣṇa-prema-pradāyate*

*kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ*

(pranama mantra of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)

kanaka-jalada-gātrau nīla-śoṇābja-netrau

mṛgamada-rasa-bhālau mālatī-kunda-mālau

|tarala-taruṇa-veśau nīla-pītāmbareśau

smara nibhṛta-nikuñje rādhikā-kṛṣṇa-candrau ||16||

Radha’s body is yellow, like gold, and Krishna’s body is blue, like a cloud. Their eyes are like blue and red lotuses, black irises with the tint of rose around the edges. Tilak designs of deer musk adorn their foreheads, and they’re garlanded by malati and kunda malas. Their deep blue and pitambara outfits match their new youth. Oh my mind! Just meditate on Radha and Krishna within the hidden nikunjas!

 

**Nikunja Rahasya Stava (Part II), 3**

ha devi kaku-bhara-gadgadayadya vaca

yace nipatya bhuvi dandavad udbhatartih |

asya prasadam abudhasya janasya kritva

gandharvike nija-gane gananam vidhehi ||2||

**(Sri Gandharva Samprarthanastakam- 2)**

 

ańga-śyāmalima-chaṭābhir abhito mandī-kṛtendīvaraḿ

jāḍyam- jāguḍa-rociṣām- vidadhatam- paṭṭāmbarasya śriyā

vṛndāraṇya-vilāsinam- hṛdi lasad-dāmābhir āmodaraḿ

ādhā-skandha-niveśitojjvala-bhujam- dhyāyema dāmodaram

On Lord Damodara, whose dark bodily luster embarrasses the blue lotus flowers, the splendor of whose silken garments stuns the glory of yellow kuìkuma, who enjoys transcendental pastimes in Vrndavana forest, whose chest is fragrant with a brilliant flower garland, and whose magnificent arm rests on Radha’s shoulder, let us meditate.

(Volume 1 of the Stavamala. Last Song)

 

bhaktya vihina aparadha-laksaih

ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye

krpa-mayi! tvam saranam prapanna

vrnde! numaste caranaravindam

**(Sri Vrinda Devi Ashtakam – VERSE EIGHT)**

 

sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda

sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda

 

**(Panchtatva Pranam mantra)**

 

Today is the disappearance day of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, one of the Sad-Goswamis. First, we need to understand what “tirobhava” means and what “avirbhava” means. Today, a quote of Param Gurudev (Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj) came which states, “When a liberated great personality disappears from this world, meaning they leave this world, that is called tirobhava. For ordinary people, it’s called death.”

 

Param Gurudev Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj writes, as mentioned in the Bhagwat Patrika: “When Sri Bhagavan and His associates leave their bodies, or appear to die, it is like the death of a magician. Like the death of a magician or juggler, it is an illusion. The truth is that just as they appear in the world through the avirbhava shakti. Similarly, they leave with their bodies through the tirobhava shakti, they become unmanifested. This act of them leaving the world, or appearing to die, as ordinary people say, ‘they died,’ is an illusion, like the death of a magician.”

 

Param Gurudev is explaining that the power by which they show themselves to the world, through which we see them appear before us, is avirbhava shakti (appearence energy). And when they disappear from our sight, that is tirobhava shakti (disappearence energy). Param Gurudev (Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj) wrote in one place, “How is the departure of a liberated great personality from the world? It’s like a snake shedding its outer skin. That skin is not the snake, but it belongs to the snake. Similarly, liberated great personalities leave their outer covering, but we cannot understand it.”

 

Now, I will give the example of a magician’s trick as mentioned by Param Gurudev (Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj). In Krishna’s Musal-lila, when Bhagavan left the world, He was sitting, and the sole of His foot appeared reddish. A hunter mistakenly thought it was the tongue of a deer and shot an arrow. And Bhagavan left the world. People say His body was cremated. But how could an ordinary arrow cause the departure of Krishna, who was unharmed by the arrows of great warriors like Bhishma and Karna, who fought against so many warriors in Dvaraka? Srila Vishwanath Chakravarti Thakur explained how this happens in his commentary.

 

A magician or juggler came to the capital of a king with his wife and two twin sons to perform. As they performed, people went and told the king. The queen desired to invite them to the palace. The performance was grand. Two poles were set up on either side, and a rope was tied between them. The magician’s wife climbed onto it, carrying five pots on her head and a bamboo stick in her hand, walking back and forth. She did not fall, her balance was beautiful. When she came down, the queen was so pleased that she took off her necklace and put it around the wife’s neck. Everyone started clapping, and the sound of applause resonated throughout the palace. The two children came and one said, “I want this necklace,” and the other said, “I want it too.” The necklace was taken off her neck, and the two children started pulling it. Now, there was a tug-of-war. The magician’s wife let go of her hand, and both children held it with their left hands. What to do now? Both of them simultaneously drew swords and struck at the same time, one cutting his own throat, the other cutting his own throat, and blood flowed everywhere. Now what to do? And their mother started crying, hitting her head, beating her chest, “Oh, because of me this happened! What will I do if my children are gone?”

 

She picked up a sword and cut her throat. Seeing this, the magician said, “If I had a wife I could get more children, what would I do alone in life?” He picked up another sword and cut his throat. Now there was complete silence.

 

The queen thought, “I am the main reason for this. If I hadn’t given the necklace, this wouldn’t have happened.”

 

The king said, “How could you know this would happen? What is your fault?”

 

All the bodies were collected and thrown into the forest. On the third day, a letter arrived, “O King, I have already received the reward for the first performance. But you have not given me the reward for the second performance. I should get the reward, shouldn’t I? We are poor; we came to your capital hoping for a reward. None of us died. Our address is written in the letter. If you don’t believe, come. I am fine, my wife is fine, and my children are fine.”

 

Hearing this, the king told the queen, “Let’s go now!”

 

The king, queen, ministers, and army came. As they were approaching, the magician’s wife was wearing the same necklace, and the two children, holding garlands in their hands, were welcoming them.

 

If an ordinary magician can perform such a trick, why can’t Krishna? There is clear proof. This is not tirobhava. It was time for Krishna to leave the world after being here for so long. Krishna left with all His companions. Brahma, Shiva, and all were offering prayers. And what did He do? When Krishna left the world, He took dharma and knowledge with Him. What did He leave behind? He left the Bhagavatam, why? Because Bhagavatam is Krishna’s very form.

 

Now, it is Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s disappearance day. Just as Bhagavan is, so is he, an eternal associate. Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami was born in Srirangam, South India. His father’s name was Sri Venkat Bhatta. And Venkat Bhatta had two other brothers, Sri Trimalla Bhatta and Prabodhananda Saraswati. Prabodhananda Saraswati was a very great scholar; all were scholars at that time. Sriman Mahaprabhu went to South India to deliver the world. During the rainy season, saintly people used to stay in one place. Why? How would they travel on foot in the rain? Everyone would get wet and fall ill. Now Sriman Mahaprabhu reached Srirangam. Sri Venkat Bhatta, Trimalla Bhatta, and Prabodhananda Saraswati took Him to their house. He stayed there for four months.

 

At that time, Gopal Bhatta Goswami was a small child. Mahaprabhu stayed there for four months and would joke with them and teach them principles in between. One day, Mahaprabhu was saying, they used to serve Lakshmi-Narayana.

 

“Oh Bhatta Ji! The worshipable deity of your sampradaya, your worshipable deity Lakshmi Devi, is the crest jewel of chaste women. Being the crest jewel of chaste women, why does she desire the company of our worshipable deity, a cowherd boy? Is this a characteristic of chastity?”

Bhatta: “Krishna and Narayana are one, so what is the harm if Lakshmi associates with Krishna? They are one.”

“This would harm her chastity,” Mahaprabhu said. They are indeed one ‘tattvata’, but in terms of rasa , Krishna is far superior.”

Then Mahaprabhu explained, “If they are one, why didn’t Lakshmi get Krishna? What is the reason? Without following the gopis, one cannot attain the service of Sri Nandanandana (Krishna). Lakshmi had this pride, ‘I am a Brahmani, I have so many maidservants, why should I follow the gopis?’ This is one reason, the main reason! The second reason is that she cannot give up her Brahmani pride. The third reason is that she has to marry a gopa and meet Krishna secretly, which she is also not willing to do.

 

She said, ‘I can marry you, but not any gopa!’

Krishna said, ‘This won’t work.’

Due to these three reasons, Lakshmi still has to perform penance in Bel Van (forest of bel trees) to this day. She has not met Krishna.”

Then Mahaprabhu said, “Raise this child and teach him, make him a scholar, but do not marry him!”

This is exactly what happened. Now Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami grew up, became a scholar, and Mahaprabhu told him to serve his parents, which he did. When his parents passed away some time later, he came to Vrindavan, as Mahaprabhu had told him to go to Vrindavan. When he was living in Vrindavan, while performing his devotional service, he brought 12 Shaligram Shilas and served them. He wondered where the mouth, feet, and head of the Shaligrams were, as they were round. Some Shaligrams, like the Narasimha Shila, have an open mouth, so one can see its face. Not all Shaligrams are like that.

A merchant came. What did the merchant do? It is a merchant’s rule to give donations. He was donating to all temples. What was he giving? Clothes, ornaments, jewelry, all of this he gave to him too. Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami thought, “Where are the eyes, mouth, and feet of my Thakur Ji? How can I dress Him with these clothes? What should I do?” He felt a little hurt in his heart. He fell asleep at night, and Thakur Ji manifested from Shaligram.

“Gopal Bhatta! why are you sad? Get up and see who I am!”

In one deity, there is the form of Govind, Gopinath, and Madan Mohan, all three. A small deity, and if you zoom in on that photo, you can see the teeth inside; Thakur Ji has teeth. This is evident from the photo. You can’t see the teeth like this, but when you zoom in on the picture, you will see them.

 

So, it’s not just an idol; if it were, where would the teeth come from? See how merciful Bhagawan is! And even now, the Shaligram from which He manifested is attached behind Sri Radha Raman. And there is a rule of Sri Radha Raman that He does not accept offerings (bhoga) in the temple; He goes to the kitchen to eat. When it’s Raj Bhoga or other types of bhoga, it is not offered to Him in the temple. It is the rule for Thakur Ji that He is taken to the kitchen, and there He sits and accepts the bhoga. This still happens. And in no other temple is the kitchen run by gas; wood is used for fire. And in Radha Raman Ji’s stove, the fire is always burning. They don’t light wood with matches. They bring fire from hot burning iron and use that to light the wood. It stays very hot, and when it touches the wood, it catches fire. They bring a big ladle and light coal, then use that ladle for the wood. No other Thakur Ji, except Sri Radha Raman, ever accepts bhoga in the kitchen. Only Sri Radha Raman does this.

 

In our sampradaya, there are six Sandarbhas: Tattva Sandarbha, Bhagavat Sandarbha, Paramatma Sandarbha, Krishna Sandarbha, Bhakti Sandarbha, and Priti Sandarbha. The first four are Sambandha Tattva, the fifth is Bhakti Sandarbha, and the sixth is Priti Sandarbha – Prayojana Tattva. Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami compiled these all together in summary form. Some time later, Srila Jiva Goswami-pada, published these six Sandarbhas as separate works. These are originally Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s. First, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami compiled them all in a summary form as one, then Srila Jiva Goswami-pada, for fallen souls like us, explained them further and separated them into different parts based on their subject matter.

 

One day, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami was in Vrindavan. It was Ekadashi. Hita Harivansh came to him chewing paan (beetle leaf). Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami asked him, “Son! Are you chewing paan on this Ekadashi?”

 

Then, the disciple angrily replied to Guruji, “This has been offered as bhoga! Should I throw it away?”

 

It is said, “kṛṣṇa yei bhajei sei hayata catur” (those who worship Krsna are indeed the wise).

 

When a devotee’s Gurudev asks them something, they respond angrily. This should not happen. One should not reply angrily to Gurudev. The person you are talking to angrily has been practicing bhakti for many years and is also senior, which is why he has more knowledge than you.

 

So, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s disciple angrily said, “Should I throw it away?”

 

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami softly replied, “Son! Ekadashi is for the sadhak (practitioner), and there is no Ekadashi for Bhagavan. So, did you offer roti, daal, sabzi, grains, everything to Bhagavan?”

 

“Yes! I offered everything.”

 

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami asked, “Then what did you do with it?”

 

“I ate that too! I wouldn’t throw it away.”

 

Then what happened? Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami Ji abandoned him. When a Sad-guru abandons a disciple, they have no place anywhere. Slowly, that disciple’s heart became hard and mind, very disturbed, and he couldn’t concentrate on anything. Then he jumped into the Yamuna and committed suicide. That is why his followers – the Radha-Vallabhis, still do not observe Ekadashi. They had started for a few days in between but then stopped.

 

In our sampradaya, the havans (fire rituals) for weddings and all, these were spread by Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. Sriman Mahaprabhu sent Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatan Goswami as commanders to Vrindavan. Before that, Mahaprabhu had sent Srila Lokanath Das Goswami and His maternal cousin Srila Bhugarbha Goswami to Vrindavan. Some time later, He sent Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatan Goswami as commanders. Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatan Goswami were given specific responsibilities, but Srila Bhugarbha Goswami and Srila Lokanath Goswami were not given any responsibility. Srila Rupa Goswami was clearly told to do: *Lupta tirtha Uddhar* (restoration of lost holy places), *Bhakti Granth Pranayan* (composition of devotional scriptures), *Sri Vigrah Prakash* (manifestation of deities), *Vaishnava Sadachar Pranayan* (establishment of Vaishnava etiquette). These were the direct instructions given to Rupa Goswami and Sanatan Goswami.

 

First, Madan Mohan was manifested by Srila Sanatan Goswami. Who is this Madan Mohan? The presiding deity of Sambandha (relationship). Our relationship with Krishna, signified by Srila Sanatan Goswami, who represents the diksha guru, establishes the relationship with Krishna. And the presiding deity for this is Sri Madan Mohan. And Radha Govind Dev was manifested by Srila Rupa Goswami. Sri Radha Govind Dev Ji is the deity of Abhidheya (the process of devotion). And Sri Radha Gopinath was manifested by Sri Premananda Ji, then later He was given to Sri Madhu Pandit Prabhu. Sri Madhu Pandit received Sri Radha Gopinath from Sri Premananda Ji, who is the presiding deity of Prayojana Tattva (the ultimate goal of devotion). These three symbolize Sambandha, Abhidheya, and Prayojana Tattva.

 

First, Srila Sanatana Goswami wrote Sri Brihad Bhagavatamritam and many commentaries on other scriptures. Srila Rupa Goswami wrote many other scriptures. These lost holy places in Vraj Mandal, which was entirely forest, were revealed by both brothers as commanders of Sriman Mahaprabhu. They also revealed devotional scriptures, as I just mentioned, and then there was Vaishnava Sadachar Pranayan (establishment of Vaishnava etiquette).

 

In the whole of India, the strictest rules and regulations in bhakti are followed in South India. They still have very beautiful and firm pronunciation of shlokas and stutis. In South India, you cannot wear any kurta in the temple, and many other strict rules are followed. Without performing achaman, you cannot enter temples. So, Srila Sanatan Goswami ordered Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to go South India, collect some scriptures, and come back. When Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami came back, Srila Sanatan Goswami wrote commentaries on them and released many scriptures, giving full credit to Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. See how merciful Srila Sanatan Goswami is, giving all credit to Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. Guruji (Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj) used to say, “This is the guru’s specialty. Guru always wants to make the disciple honored.”

 

Just as everyone knows that Guruji (Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj) built the Govardhan Matha (Sri Giridhari Gaudiya Matha). But did Guruji (Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj) ever lift a brick or cement to build the Math? All that work was done under him by labours. Similarly, Srila Sanatan Goswami sent Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to South India to collect scriptures, and then Srila Sanatan Goswami Ji himself wrote all the commentaries, but published them under Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s name. If it were a modern guru, they would say, “Oh! This is my student, why would I name a commentary for him?” That is why Srila Sanatan Goswami is so generous. He wrote the entire commentary himself but published it in the name of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. If Gopal Bhatta Goswami had not come to Vrindavan, we would not understand Vaishnava Sadachar.

 

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s disciple is Srila Srinivas Acharya, Srila Lokanath Das Goswami’s disciple is Srila Narottam Das Thakur, and Srila Shyamananda Prabhu’s disciple is Srila Hridaya Chaitanya. These three gurus sent their disciples to Vrindavan to receive further education. At this time, Srila Sanatan Goswami and Srila Rupa Goswami had already departed from this world. Earlier, there were no books or pens, so everything was written on leaves. These three disciples, after receiving education, made their own copies of the scriptures, as there was no other way at that time. So, they were bringing them back after copying.

 

There is a place in West Bengal, named Van Vishnupura. These days it is called Vishnupura. In that Vishnupura, there used to rule a King named Virhambir. Now, who was that King? A very big dacoit, his ministers were dacoits, his Gurudev was a Dacoit, all were dacoits. All were thieves and dacoits, all! Virhambir had grown up in that dacoit family and then became King of dacoits. But what would these dacoits do? They would steal but only to help the poor people. And what else would they do? Listen to Harikatha daily. Their Gurudev used to speak Harikatha, and all would listen. In their group, there used to be an Astrologer as well. That Astrologer too was a thief. He would let everyone know that the given set of people had a lot of money (so the dacoits could steal).

 

Now Srila Narottam Thakur, Srila Hridaya Chaitanya, and Srinivas Prabhu were bringing all the Devotional Literature in a big box, loaded on a bullock cart. During night time, they would sleep. The Astrologer had told the dacoits that three people were carrying very precious assets with them on a bullock cart. And while they were resting, the dacoits came and carried the box with them. Now the next morning when all of them woke up, they saw the bullock cart and box were not there anymore, and they started to search for it. But they couldn’t find it.

Srila Gopal Bhatt-test2

Opening Prayers

namo mahā-vadānyāyakṛṣṇa-prema-pradāyate

kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

(pranama mantra of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)

kanaka-jalada-gātrau nīla-śoṇābja-netrau

mṛgamada-rasa-bhālau mālatī-kunda-mālau

|tarala-taruṇa-veśau nīla-pītāmbareśau

smara nibhṛta-nikuñje rādhikā-kṛṣṇa-candrau ||16||

Radha’s body is yellow, like gold, and Krishna’s body is blue, like a cloud. Their eyes are like blue and red lotuses, black irises with the tint of rose around the edges. Tilak designs of deer musk adorn their foreheads, and they’re garlanded by malati and kunda malas. Their deep blue and pitambara outfits match their new youth. Oh my mind! Just meditate on Radha and Krishna within the hidden nikunjas!

Nikunja Rahasya Stava (Part II), 3

ha devi kaku-bhara-gadgadayadya vaca

yace nipatya bhuvi dandavad udbhatartih |

asya prasadam abudhasya janasya kritva

gandharvike nija-gane gananam vidhehi ||2||

(Sri Gandharva Samprarthanastakam- 2)

ańga-śyāmalima-chaṭābhir abhito mandī-kṛtendīvaraḿ

jāḍyam- jāguḍa-rociṣām- vidadhatam- paṭṭāmbarasya śriyā

vṛndāraṇya-vilāsinam- hṛdi lasad-dāmābhir āmodaraḿ

ādhā-skandha-niveśitojjvala-bhujam- dhyāyema dāmodaram

On Lord Damodara, whose dark bodily luster embarrasses the blue lotus flowers, the splendor of whose silken garments stuns the glory of yellow kuìkuma, who enjoys transcendental pastimes in Vrndavana forest, whose chest is fragrant with a brilliant flower garland, and whose magnificent arm rests on Radha’s shoulder, let us meditate.

(Volume 1 of the Stavamala. Last Song)

bhaktya vihina aparadha-laksaih

ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye

krpa-mayi! tvam saranam prapanna

vrnde! numaste caranaravindam

(Sri Vrinda Devi Ashtakam – VERSE EIGHT)

sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda

sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda

(Panchtatva Pranam mantra)

Today is the disappearance day of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, one of the Sad-Goswamis. First, we need to understand what “tirobhava” means and what “avirbhava” means. Today, a quote of Param Gurudev (Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj) came which states, “When a liberated great personality disappears from this world, meaning they leave this world, that is called tirobhava. For ordinary people, it’s called death.”

Param Gurudev Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj writes, as mentioned in the Bhagwat Patrika: “When Sri Bhagavan and His associates leave their bodies, or appear to die, it is like the death of a magician. Like the death of a magician or juggler, it is an illusion. The truth is that just as they appear in the world through the avirbhava shakti. Similarly, they leave with their bodies through the tirobhava shakti, they become unmanifested. This act of them leaving the world, or appearing to die, as ordinary people say, ‘they died,’ is an illusion, like the death of a magician.”

Param Gurudev is explaining that the power by which they show themselves to the world, through which we see them appear before us, is avirbhava shakti (appearence energy). And when they disappear from our sight, that is tirobhava shakti (disappearence energy). Param Gurudev (Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj) wrote in one place, “How is the departure of a liberated great personality from the world? It’s like a snake shedding its outer skin. That skin is not the snake, but it belongs to the snake. Similarly, liberated great personalities leave their outer covering, but we cannot understand it.”

Now, I will give the example of a magician’s trick as mentioned by Param Gurudev (Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj). In Krishna’s Musal-lila, when Bhagavan left the world, He was sitting, and the sole of His foot appeared reddish. A hunter mistakenly thought it was the tongue of a deer and shot an arrow. And Bhagavan left the world. People say His body was cremated. But how could an ordinary arrow cause the departure of Krishna, who was unharmed by the arrows of great warriors like Bhishma and Karna, who fought against so many warriors in Dvaraka? Srila Vishwanath Chakravarti Thakur explained how this happens in his commentary.

A magician or juggler came to the capital of a king with his wife and two twin sons to perform. As they performed, people went and told the king. The queen desired to invite them to the palace. The performance was grand. Two poles were set up on either side, and a rope was tied between them. The magician’s wife climbed onto it, carrying five pots on her head and a bamboo stick in her hand, walking back and forth. She did not fall, her balance was beautiful. When she came down, the queen was so pleased that she took off her necklace and put it around the wife’s neck. Everyone started clapping, and the sound of applause resonated throughout the palace. The two children came and one said, “I want this necklace,” and the other said, “I want it too.” The necklace was taken off her neck, and the two children started pulling it. Now, there was a tug-of-war. The magician’s wife let go of her hand, and both children held it with their left hands. What to do now? Both of them simultaneously drew swords and struck at the same time, one cutting his own throat, the other cutting his own throat, and blood flowed everywhere. Now what to do? And their mother started crying, hitting her head, beating her chest, “Oh, because of me this happened! What will I do if my children are gone?”

She picked up a sword and cut her throat. Seeing this, the magician said, “If I had a wife I could get more children, what would I do alone in life?” He picked up another sword and cut his throat. Now there was complete silence.

The queen thought, “I am the main reason for this. If I hadn’t given the necklace, this wouldn’t have happened.”

The king said, “How could you know this would happen? What is your fault?”

All the bodies were collected and thrown into the forest. On the third day, a letter arrived, “O King, I have already received the reward for the first performance. But you have not given me the reward for the second performance. I should get the reward, shouldn’t I? We are poor; we came to your capital hoping for a reward. None of us died. Our address is written in the letter. If you don’t believe, come. I am fine, my wife is fine, and my children are fine.”

Hearing this, the king told the queen, “Let’s go now!”

The king, queen, ministers, and army came. As they were approaching, the magician’s wife was wearing the same necklace, and the two children, holding garlands in their hands, were welcoming them.

If an ordinary magician can perform such a trick, why can’t Krishna? There is clear proof. This is not tirobhava. It was time for Krishna to leave the world after being here for so long. Krishna left with all His companions. Brahma, Shiva, and all were offering prayers. And what did He do? When Krishna left the world, He took dharma and knowledge with Him. What did He leave behind? He left the Bhagavatam, why? Because Bhagavatam is Krishna’s very form.

Now, it is Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s disappearance day. Just as Bhagavan is, so is he, an eternal associate. Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami was born in Srirangam, South India. His father’s name was Sri Venkat Bhatta. And Venkat Bhatta had two other brothers, Sri Trimalla Bhatta and Prabodhananda Saraswati. Prabodhananda Saraswati was a very great scholar; all were scholars at that time. Sriman Mahaprabhu went to South India to deliver the world. During the rainy season, saintly people used to stay in one place. Why? How would they travel on foot in the rain? Everyone would get wet and fall ill. Now Sriman Mahaprabhu reached Srirangam. Sri Venkat Bhatta, Trimalla Bhatta, and Prabodhananda Saraswati took Him to their house. He stayed there for four months.

At that time, Gopal Bhatta Goswami was a small child. Mahaprabhu stayed there for four months and would joke with them and teach them principles in between. One day, Mahaprabhu was saying, they used to serve Lakshmi-Narayana.

“Oh Bhatta Ji! The worshipable deity of your sampradaya, your worshipable deity Lakshmi Devi, is the crest jewel of chaste women. Being the crest jewel of chaste women, why does she desire the company of our worshipable deity, a cowherd boy? Is this a characteristic of chastity?” Bhatta: “Krishna and Narayana are one, so what is the harm if Lakshmi associates with Krishna? They are one.” “This would harm her chastity,” Mahaprabhu said. They are indeed one ‘tattvata’, but in terms of rasa , Krishna is far superior.” Then Mahaprabhu explained, “If they are one, why didn’t Lakshmi get Krishna? What is the reason? Without following the gopis, one cannot attain the service of Sri Nandanandana (Krishna). Lakshmi had this pride, ‘I am a Brahmani, I have so many maidservants, why should I follow the gopis?’ This is one reason, the main reason! The second reason is that she cannot give up her Brahmani pride. The third reason is that she has to marry a gopa and meet Krishna secretly, which she is also not willing to do.

She said, ‘I can marry you, but not any gopa!’ Krishna said, ‘This won’t work.’ Due to these three reasons, Lakshmi still has to perform penance in Bel Van (forest of bel trees) to this day. She has not met Krishna.” Then Mahaprabhu said, “Raise this child and teach him, make him a scholar, but do not marry him!” This is exactly what happened. Now Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami grew up, became a scholar, and Mahaprabhu told him to serve his parents, which he did. When his parents passed away some time later, he came to Vrindavan, as Mahaprabhu had told him to go to Vrindavan. When he was living in Vrindavan, while performing his devotional service, he brought 12 Shaligram Shilas and served them. He wondered where the mouth, feet, and head of the Shaligrams were, as they were round. Some Shaligrams, like the Narasimha Shila, have an open mouth, so one can see its face. Not all Shaligrams are like that. A merchant came. What did the merchant do? It is a merchant’s rule to give donations. He was donating to all temples. What was he giving? Clothes, ornaments, jewelry, all of this he gave to him too. Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami thought, “Where are the eyes, mouth, and feet of my Thakur Ji? How can I dress Him with these clothes? What should I do?” He felt a little hurt in his heart. He fell asleep at night, and Thakur Ji manifested from Shaligram. “Gopal Bhatta! why are you sad? Get up and see who I am!” In one deity, there is the form of Govind, Gopinath, and Madan Mohan, all three. A small deity, and if you zoom in on that photo, you can see the teeth inside; Thakur Ji has teeth. This is evident from the photo. You can’t see the teeth like this, but when you zoom in on the picture, you will see them.

So, it’s not just an idol; if it were, where would the teeth come from? See how merciful Bhagawan is! And even now, the Shaligram from which He manifested is attached behind Sri Radha Raman. And there is a rule of Sri Radha Raman that He does not accept offerings (bhoga) in the temple; He goes to the kitchen to eat. When it’s Raj Bhoga or other types of bhoga, it is not offered to Him in the temple. It is the rule for Thakur Ji that He is taken to the kitchen, and there He sits and accepts the bhoga. This still happens. And in no other temple is the kitchen run by gas; wood is used for fire. And in Radha Raman Ji’s stove, the fire is always burning. They don’t light wood with matches. They bring fire from hot burning iron and use that to light the wood. It stays very hot, and when it touches the wood, it catches fire. They bring a big ladle and light coal, then use that ladle for the wood. No other Thakur Ji, except Sri Radha Raman, ever accepts bhoga in the kitchen. Only Sri Radha Raman does this.

In our sampradaya, there are six Sandarbhas: Tattva Sandarbha, Bhagavat Sandarbha, Paramatma Sandarbha, Krishna Sandarbha, Bhakti Sandarbha, and Priti Sandarbha. The first four are Sambandha Tattva, the fifth is Bhakti Sandarbha, and the sixth is Priti Sandarbha – Prayojana Tattva. Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami compiled these all together in summary form. Some time later, Srila Jiva Goswami-pada, published these six Sandarbhas as separate works. These are originally Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s. First, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami compiled them all in a summary form as one, then Srila Jiva Goswami-pada, for fallen souls like us, explained them further and separated them into different parts based on their subject matter.

One day, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami was in Vrindavan. It was Ekadashi. Hita Harivansh came to him chewing paan (beetle leaf). Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami asked him, “Son! Are you chewing paan on this Ekadashi?”

Then, the disciple angrily replied to Guruji, “This has been offered as bhoga! Should I throw it away?”

It is said, “kṛṣṇa yei bhajei sei hayata catur” (those who worship Krsna are indeed the wise).

When a devotee’s Gurudev asks them something, they respond angrily. This should not happen. One should not reply angrily to Gurudev. The person you are talking to angrily has been practicing bhakti for many years and is also senior, which is why he has more knowledge than you.

So, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s disciple angrily said, “Should I throw it away?”

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami softly replied, “Son! Ekadashi is for the sadhak (practitioner), and there is no Ekadashi for Bhagavan. So, did you offer roti, daal, sabzi, grains, everything to Bhagavan?”

“Yes! I offered everything.”

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami asked, “Then what did you do with it?”

“I ate that too! I wouldn’t throw it away.”

Then what happened? Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami Ji abandoned him. When a Sad-guru abandons a disciple, they have no place anywhere. Slowly, that disciple’s heart became hard and mind, very disturbed, and he couldn’t concentrate on anything. Then he jumped into the Yamuna and committed suicide. That is why his followers – the Radha-Vallabhis, still do not observe Ekadashi. They had started for a few days in between but then stopped.

In our sampradaya, the havans (fire rituals) for weddings and all, these were spread by Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. Sriman Mahaprabhu sent Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatan Goswami as commanders to Vrindavan. Before that, Mahaprabhu had sent Srila Lokanath Das Goswami and His maternal cousin Srila Bhugarbha Goswami to Vrindavan. Some time later, He sent Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatan Goswami as commanders. Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatan Goswami were given specific responsibilities, but Srila Bhugarbha Goswami and Srila Lokanath Goswami were not given any responsibility. Srila Rupa Goswami was clearly told to do: Lupta tirtha Uddhar (restoration of lost holy places), Bhakti Granth Pranayan (composition of devotional scriptures), Sri Vigrah Prakash (manifestation of deities), Vaishnava Sadachar Pranayan (establishment of Vaishnava etiquette). These were the direct instructions given to Rupa Goswami and Sanatan Goswami.

First, Madan Mohan was manifested by Srila Sanatan Goswami. Who is this Madan Mohan? The presiding deity of Sambandha (relationship). Our relationship with Krishna, signified by Srila Sanatan Goswami, who represents the diksha guru, establishes the relationship with Krishna. And the presiding deity for this is Sri Madan Mohan. And Radha Govind Dev was manifested by Srila Rupa Goswami. Sri Radha Govind Dev Ji is the deity of Abhidheya (the process of devotion). And Sri Radha Gopinath was manifested by Sri Premananda Ji, then later He was given to Sri Madhu Pandit Prabhu. Sri Madhu Pandit received Sri Radha Gopinath from Sri Premananda Ji, who is the presiding deity of Prayojana Tattva (the ultimate goal of devotion). These three symbolize Sambandha, Abhidheya, and Prayojana Tattva.

First, Srila Sanatana Goswami wrote Sri Brihad Bhagavatamritam and many commentaries on other scriptures. Srila Rupa Goswami wrote many other scriptures. These lost holy places in Vraj Mandal, which was entirely forest, were revealed by both brothers as commanders of Sriman Mahaprabhu. They also revealed devotional scriptures, as I just mentioned, and then there was Vaishnava Sadachar Pranayan (establishment of Vaishnava etiquette).

In the whole of India, the strictest rules and regulations in bhakti are followed in South India. They still have very beautiful and firm pronunciation of shlokas and stutis. In South India, you cannot wear any kurta in the temple, and many other strict rules are followed. Without performing achaman, you cannot enter temples. So, Srila Sanatan Goswami ordered Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to go South India, collect some scriptures, and come back. When Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami came back, Srila Sanatan Goswami wrote commentaries on them and released many scriptures, giving full credit to Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. See how merciful Srila Sanatan Goswami is, giving all credit to Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. Guruji (Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj) used to say, “This is the guru’s specialty. Guru always wants to make the disciple honored.”

Just as everyone knows that Guruji (Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj) built the Govardhan Matha (Sri Giridhari Gaudiya Matha). But did Guruji (Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj) ever lift a brick or cement to build the Math? All that work was done under him by labours. Similarly, Srila Sanatan Goswami sent Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to South India to collect scriptures, and then Srila Sanatan Goswami Ji himself wrote all the commentaries, but published them under Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s name. If it were a modern guru, they would say, “Oh! This is my student, why would I name a commentary for him?” That is why Srila Sanatan Goswami is so generous. He wrote the entire commentary himself but published it in the name of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. If Gopal Bhatta Goswami had not come to Vrindavan, we would not understand Vaishnava Sadachar.

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s disciple is Srila Srinivas Acharya, Srila Lokanath Das Goswami’s disciple is Srila Narottam Das Thakur, and Srila Shyamananda Prabhu’s disciple is Srila Hridaya Chaitanya. These three gurus sent their disciples to Vrindavan to receive further education. At this time, Srila Sanatan Goswami and Srila Rupa Goswami had already departed from this world. Earlier, there were no books or pens, so everything was written on leaves. These three disciples, after receiving education, made their own copies of the scriptures, as there was no other way at that time. So, they were bringing them back after copying.

There is a place in West Bengal, named Van Vishnupura. These days it is called Vishnupura. In that Vishnupura, there used to rule a King named Virhambir. Now, who was that King? A very big dacoit, his ministers were dacoits, his Gurudev was a Dacoit, all were dacoits. All were thieves and dacoits, all! Virhambir had grown up in that dacoit family and then became King of dacoits. But what would these dacoits do? They would steal but only to help the poor people. And what else would they do? Listen to Harikatha daily. Their Gurudev used to speak Harikatha, and all would listen. In their group, there used to be an Astrologer as well. That Astrologer too was a thief. He would let everyone know that the given set of people had a lot of money (so the dacoits could steal).

Now Srila Narottam Thakur, Srila Hridaya Chaitanya, and Srinivas Prabhu were bringing all the Devotional Literature in a big box, loaded on a bullock cart. During nighttime, they would sleep. The Astrologer had told the dacoits that three people were carrying very precious assets with them on a bullock cart. And while they were resting, the dacoits came and carried the box with them. Now the next morning when all of them woke up, they saw the bullock cart and box were not there anymore, and they started to search for it. But they couldn’t find it. And then they were lamenting, “Oh, we came from far away to Navadvip Dham in Bengal and we lost all our Devotional Literature.” Still searching but to no avail.

Now within the three of them, Srinivas Acharya (the disciple of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami) was the eldest and told them to search for the scriptures in that region himself. He advised Srila Narottam Thakur and Shyamananda Prabhu to look for it in places away from that region. All agreed!

Now Srinivas Acharya heard that somewhere in that kingdom, Srimad Bhagavatam lectures happened daily. And out of interest, he went there, took a seat, and started listening. And the dacoits, seeing Srinivas Acharya, thought within themselves that a bird was coming into their trap on its own. Thinking all that, the dacoits were very happy all around.

And during the Harikatha, the topic was Sri Raas Panch Adhyayi from Srimad Bhagavat, shlok number 7.

ŚB 10.31.7 praṇata-dehināṁ pāpa-karṣaṇaṁ tṛṇa-carānugaṁ śrī-niketanam phaṇi-phaṇārpitaṁ te padāmbujaṁ kṛṇu kuceṣu naḥ kṛndhi hṛc-chayam

Now the explanation of this shlok was already happening before Srinivas Acharya stepped in. And the King’s Guru, although a dacoit himself, had some knowledge about this context of Harikatha.

ŚB 10.31.1 jayati te ’dhikaṁ janmanā vrajaḥ śrayata indirā śaśvad atra hi dayita dṛśyatāṁ dikṣu tāvakās tvayi dhṛtāsavas tvāṁ vicinvate

And the explanation continues….shlok by shlok….and when the explanation had come onto the seventh shlok, “praṇata-dehināṁ pāpa-karṣaṇaṁ”

The Gopis are telling Krishna, “Oh Shyam Sundar, please place your lotus feet on our breasts.” Krishna said, “No, No, No, I am a very religious person, I cannot do as you are asking me to do. There is fire burning inside your hearts, if I place it there, I will get a blister on my feet. My feet are very delicate (tender).”

“praṇata-dehināṁ pāpa-karṣaṇaṁ”

Now Gopis are telling, “All those living beings who surrender to you, you deliver them from all their sinful reactions. In the same way we are surrendered to you, if you are saying that we are full of sins, then by placing your feet, you can deliver all of us from that because we have surrendered before you.”

Now Gopis are saying, “tṛṇa-carānugaṁ”

“When you go for Cow Grazing, the cows have hoof in their feet, and they are not concerned about the thorny bushes and just jump over it easily. But you are running behind them, and at that time, don’t these hard sharp objects sting you in your feet? So are our hearts even rough than that?”

Krishna said, “No, No, you are outsider women and I can’t put my feet on the breasts of outsider women, especially I can’t do this to any woman.”

“śrī-niketanam”

Gopis said, “Then Lakshmi is also a woman, then how does she take you in her lap and caress you, at that time you don’t say anything.”

So the Gopis are able to counter Krishna’s facts everytime.

Krishna again said, “No I can’t place my feet, because there is poison fuming inside your hearts and I will get blisters on my feet.”

“phaṇi-phaṇārpitaṁ” meaning

Gopis said, “When you were dancing on the Hoods of the Kaliya serpent, like Ta-Ta-Thai, Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-Thai, Ta-Ta-Thai, Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-Thai Then that time no blisters came on your feet!! That Kaliya had so much poison in himself, that there were no trees, small plants, shrubs, bushes around that part of Yamuna. If a bird would fly above that region, it would die due to fumes rising from the poison.”

“Are you saying inside us there is poison?” And Krishna knew he had lost the argument, and was unable to reply anything in return.

So Srinivas Acharya observed that these people were unable to explain the topic in the Harikatha properly. And he Questioned them about how they were explaining it, incorrectly and in any random order. And told them, it doesn’t work like this.

This was a true indication that Srinivas Acharya is the disciple of Srila Gopal Bhatt Goswami.

He went out of the audience and came close to the speaker’s seat. The speaker left the place and asked for the correct explanation of the topic from Srinivas Acharya and seated him on the Vyas Asan. And after that Srinivas Acharya gave a commendable explanation of the topic and everyone was astonished to hear Harikatha from him. The dacoits thought, “Oh, we were thinking of looting him, but this person is extraordinary.” And therefore Harikatha will be heard from him (Srinivas Acharya) everyday. The King then asked for Diksha (Initiation) from Srinivas Acharya, even the Gurudev of King asked for initiation and eventually everyone asked to be Initiated by Srinivas Acharya.

So then, Srinivas Acharya agreed, and said, “Alright, I will initiate all of you, but you will have to follow all the rules and regulations.”

The dacoits agreed for all that, but still they are dacoits. First they steal and then distribute it to poor people. Srinivas Acharya then asked for Guru Dakshina (Offerings to the Lotus feet of Srila Gurudev) and everyone agreed and dacoits even went on to say that they will offer whatever is asked of them. Srinivas Acharya said, “We were 3 people coming from Vrindavan, and there was a lot of Devotional Literature in our Bullock cart. But in your kingdom it got stolen by someone. Please help me find that.”

The King then clapped and the dacoits understood, what the King meant by the gesture. Because when the dacoits had stolen the scriptures, they saw that a lot was written on the taal patra (dried palm leaves used as writing material), but couldn’t understand anything. Their Astrologer had told the dacoits about the precious assets in the box and Srinivas Acharya agreed that it is what he had been searching for (the Devotional Literature or the invaluable asset). So if the disciple (Srinivas Acharya) is like this, then how great the Guru (Srila Gopal Bhatt Goswami) would be!!

Someone asked a tree, “What is your name?”

The tree replied, “‘Phalen Parichiyate’, meaning, a fruit is the result of the tree, and based on that, the tree is recognized.”

Similarly, a disciple is the result of the Guru, and offspring are the result of the parents. And that same exalted personality is Srila Gopal Bhatt Goswami, and today is his disappearance day.

So that is for today.

Hare Krishna

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees and can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.