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EDITORIAL  About the AuthorOther Stories by this Author Appearance Day Of Shrila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami BY TRIDANDI SWAMI BHAKTIRATNA SADHU MAHARAJ EDITORIAL, Jan 22 (VNN) — January 22nd, 2003, Wednesday (Uttara-phalguni Pancami) SRILA GOPAL BHATTA GOSWAMI The all-merciful Lord Sri Gaura Hari, as He travelled from village to village throughout the south of India, continued to distribute love of Godhead wherever He went. Hearing the nectarean names of Hari from His lotus mouth, thousands and thousands men and women felt relief from the blazing fire of material existence. Various wretched, miserable and fallen souls lives were completely rejuvenated and thus they became virtuous and happy. While causing rains of love of God to fall anywhere and everywhere, without consideration of time or place, Sri Gaurasundara came to the holy place of Sri Rangaksetra. The temple of Sri Rangaksetra was extremely large, the crest of the temple tower pierced the sky. Throughout the day and night hundreds and thousands of pilgrims were going and coming to take darsan of Lord Ranganath. The temple hall resounded with the sounds of hundreds and thousand of brahmanas chanting Vedic hymns. In the midst of this scene from Vaikuntha, entered Sri Gaurasundara chanting the names of Krsna in his sweet voice that defeated the voices of 10 million Gandharvas. Everyone in the temple became dumbstruck, amazed and thrilled with wonder. What unprecedented beauty; His bodily effulgence makes molten gold appear lack-lustre. From His eyes which are like the full blown petals of a lotusflower trickled down tears of ecstatic love. Every limb, every part of His body was filled with such exquisite grace that even the mind of Cupid gets stolen away. The brahmanas began to consider, "Is this a demigod? Can such symptoms and emotions be found in human beings?" Again resounding the halls with the transcendental vibrations of Sri Hari's name, when He came before the Deity and fell down as a tree is blown down by the wind, some people thought that a mountain of gold was rolling on the ground. Sri Vyenkata Bhatta seeing this divine personage became restless with ecstasy. His heart being flooded with devotion he got up and began to move the crowds away so that the Lord could engage in chanting and dancing. When the Lord had regained His external consiousness after engaging in sankirtan, Vyenkata Bhatta approached Him and took the dust of His lotus feet. Mahaprabhu gazed towards him and saying, "Krsna! Krsna!" embraced him firmly. Sri Vyenkata Bhatta invited Mahaprabhu to come to his house and having brought Him there, very reverently washed His lotus feet and along with the other family members, he drank the water. Sri Bhattaji's house became filled with joy. Mahaprabhu came to Ranga Ksetra in the Christian year 1511. Vyenkata Bhatta had two brothers, Trimalla Bhatta and Prabodhananda Sarasvati. They all belonged to the Ramanuja sampradaya and Prabodhananda Sarasvati was a tridandi sannyasi of that order. Vyenkata Bhatta had a son named Gopal, who was then just a child. When the boy came to offer his obeisances at the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu, He picked him up and very affectionately seated him in His lap. Mahaprabhu would call Gopal after He had finished His meal and offer His remnants to the boy. In this way He prepared him for the positon of Acarya. After remaining at Vyenkata Bhatta's house during the four months of the rainy season (Caturmasya) Mahaprabhu prepared to continue His journey of the South. Vyenkata Bhatta's house began to ebb in a tide of tears in anticipation of His departure. Gopal fell at His lotus feet in a dead faint. Therefore Mahaprabhu remained for a couple of more days in order to console the boy. He instructed him to serve his mother and father and always engage in chanting Krsna's glories and thereafter to come to Vrindavan. Very quickly Gopal became expert in grammar, poetry and rhetoric and then began his study of Vedanta. His uncle Prabodhananda, specifically began to instruct him from the devotional scriptures (Bhakti-sastra). Gopal Bhatta always remained thinking of the lotusfeet of Mahaprabhu and when he might again be able to meet Him. At the same time however he couldn't leave his aged mother and father. Finally having reached their final days they called their son Gopal and instructed him to go to the lotusfeet of Mahaprabhu in Vrindaban. Then while meditating on His lotusfeet themselves they went to join Him in His eternal lila. Thus Gopal set out for Vrindavan and when he arrived there Rupa Gosvami immediately went word to Mahaprabhu to inform Him of Gopal's arrival there. Mahaprabhu had previously indicated to Rupa and Sanatan that Gopal Bhatta would one day come there to Vrindavan, so upon his arrival they treated him with the same care and affection they would their own brother. They immediately became life long companions. When Mahaprabhu received word that Gopal Bhatta had come to Vrindavan, He was very pleased and sent with that messenger a wooden sitting plank which He had used along with a pair of His undergarments and one of His cloths. Having received these gifts Gopal Bhatta was in ecstasy and he worshipped them as the prasad of Mahaprabhu. When he would worship his Deities he would sit on that wooden plank. This piri (wooden seat) and Mahaprabhus clothes are still being worshipped at Radha-Ramana Mandir. Gopala Bhatta, like Rupa and Sanatana, had no fixed residence and would spend the night in various kunjas (forest groves). He spent his time studying the scriptures and composing various literatures. Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami used to worship eleven Saligram-silas. Wherever he would go he would bring them with him in a piece of cloth tied at the corner. One time a rich Seth came to meet Gopala Bhatta to have his darsana. Being very impressed with the Gosvami he wanted to render some service which he presented in the form of some valuable cloths and ornaments. Gopala Bhatta kept the cloths and ornaments with his silas and thought that, "If I had a Deity then I would be able to decorate Him so nicely with these clothes and ornaments." In the evening after offering some bhoga and arotika to his salagram silas, Gopala Bhatta put them to rest, covering them with a wicker basket. Late in the night, Gopala Bhatta took a little rest and then, in the early morning went to take bath in the Yamuna. Returning from his bath, he uncovered the salagramas in order to wake Them, and saw amongst Them a Deity of Krsna playing the flute. There were now eleven silas and this Deity. Floating in the ocean of ecstasy, he fell to the ground in order to offer his dandavats and then recited various prayers and hymns. When Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis as well as many other devotees received news of this miraculous event they came running to see the Lord. Gazing on the Lord's transcendental form, which bewildered all the living entities of the many various planets, they all bathed Him with their tears. This Deity whom the Gosvamis named, "Sri Radha-Raman Deva" made His appearance on the full moon day of Vaisakha in the year 1542. Except for Vrindadevi, Sri Radha-Ramanaji is the only one of the original Deities of Vrindavana who never left to go to Jaipur. He is still being worshipped in Vrindavana near Nidhuban kunj. Sri Radha-ramana Deva, unlike other Deities, has very intricate features, including fingernails and even teeth. On the back side of His body parts of the original salagram sila from which He manifested Himself can be seen. There is a story that the small son of one of the sevaits was playing with the Deity once and put a small stick in one ear of the Deity and pushed it through out the other ear. The stick however, had blood on it, and that boy died vomiting blood that very day. Once Sri Gopala Bhatta went to Hardwar. As he was returning, suddenly a downpour started and thus he took shelter in the house of one brahmana. This brahmana was very devoted and he very carefully began to serve Sri Gopala Bhatta, who thus became very pleased. As this brahmana had no children Sri Bhattaji blessed him that he might have a son who would be a devoted follower of Lord Hari. The brahman replied that, "My first son I will send to you in order to serve you." Approximately ten years later when Gopala Bhatta returned from bathing in the Yamuna one day, he saw a young boy sitting at the door of his kutir. When the boy saw the Gosvamiji approaching, he got up and then fell down to offer his dandavats. Gopala Bhattaji inquired who the boy was, to which he replied, "My home was in Devandyagram within Saharanpur near Hardwar. My father has sent me here to serve you. My name is Gopinatha." Then Gopal Bhatta could remember the time when he went to Haridwar many years ago. So this boy remained with him and very carefully began to serve him. Eventually he became known as Sri Gopinatha Pujari Gosvami as he served Sri Radha-ramana Deva through his life as a brahmacari. His younger brother Sri Damodara dasa, along with his family, accepted iniation from Sri Gopinathaji and also became engaged in the service of the Deity. Sri Damodara dasa's three sons were named Harinatha, Mathuranatha and Harirama. Sri Gopala Bhatta, in his worship of Sri Radha-ramana would sometimes see that He had taken the form of Sri Gaurasundara. "Becoming subservient to the love of Sri Gopala Bhatta, Sri Radha-ramana would sometimes accept the form of Sri Gaurasundara." Sri Gopala Bhatta was the initiating guru of Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu. He wrote many books including: Sat-sandarbha-karika, Sri-Krsna-vallabha (Krsna-karnamrta-tika), Sat-kriya-sara-dipika, and Laghu Hari-bhakti-vilasa with Dig-darsini-tika. From this work, Sri Sanatana Gosvami compiled the Hari-bhakti-vilasa now followed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas. In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami's name in Vraja-lila has been given as Guna manjari. His birth was on the day of the dark fortnight of the month Pausa in the year 1503 (Christian), 1425 (Sakabda). His disappearance was on the sixth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Sravana in the year 1578 (Christian), 1500 (Sakabda). Age: 75 years. January 22nd, 2003, Wednesday (Pancami) Disappearance day of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami GOPALA BHATTA GOSWAMI (different version of biography) Gopala Bhatta was born on the third lunar day of the dark fortnight of Pausa (Dec-Jan) 1500 AD. (GPC. states that his birth was in 1503 AD.). His father, Venkata Bhatta was a renowned Vaisnava from the Ramanuja-sampradaya and lived in the village Velagundi of Srirangam, on the bank of the Kaveri river, in the Trichinapalli district. Gopala was one of the "Chaya Gosvami's" and was Anangamanjari in his past incarnation . Some argue he was Gunamanjari (Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika). During his pilgrimage of Sri Ranga-ksetra in South India, Lord Caitanya lived at the house of Venkata Bhatta while observing His vow of Caturmasya in 1511 AD. When Lord Caitanya arrived the house of Venkata, Gopala, who was only a child of eight years, offered his obeisances at the feet of the Lord. Lord Caitanya picked Gopala up, placed him on His lap, and fondled him lovingly. Later, the Lord called Gopala and gave him the remnants of food left from His plate. During Lord Caitanya's stay at their house, Gopala served Him regularly. As Venkata was a Vaisnava belonging to the Ramanuja-sampradaya, he worshipped the Deity of Laksmi Narayana. His pure devotional service to the deities was very pleasing to Lord Caitanya. Being in constant association with one another, Lord Caitanya and Venkata gradually developed a friendly relationship. Indeed sometimes they use to joke and laugh together. For example, Lord Caitanya told Venkata, "Your worshipful goddess of fortune, Laksmi, who always remains on the chest of Narayana, is certainly the most chaste woman in the creation. How is it that she wants to associate with my Lord, Lord Krsna, a cowherd boy, who is engaged in tending cows?" Venkata replied, "According to transcendental realization, there is no difference between the forms of Narayana and Krsna. Yet in Krsna there is a special transcendental attraction due to the conjugal mellow, and consequently He surpasses Narayana. Mother Laksmi considered that her vow of chastity would not be damaged by her relationship with Krsna. Rather, it was in great fun that Laksmi wanted to associate with Krsna. Why are you joking so much about this?" The Lord said, "But can you tell me why goddess Laksmi, who for a long time accepted vows and regulative principles and performed unlimited austerities, could not enter the rasa dance? The authorities of Vedic knowledge (Sruti) could attain Krsna through practice of tapasya?" Venkata replied, "I am an ordinary human being. Since my intelligence is very limited, my mind cannot enter within the deep ocean of pastimes of the Lord. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna Himself. You know the purpose of Your activities, and the person whom you enlighten can also understand your pastimes." (CC. 2.9) The Lord said, "Krsna has a specific characteristic; He attracts everyone's heart by the mellow of His personal conjugal love. By following in the footsteps of the inhabitants of the planet known as Vrajaloka, or Goloka Vrndavana, one can attain the shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna. However, these Vrajavasi's do not know that Lord Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Rather, they know Krsna as the son of the king of Vrajabhumi, and consider that there cannot be any relationship with the Lord in the rasa of opulence. There at Vrajabhumi someone accepts Him as a son, while someone else treats Him as an intimate friend. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, the son of mother Yasoda, is accessible to those devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but He is not easily accessible to mental speculators, to those striving for self-realization by severe austerity and penance, or to those who consider the body to be the same as the self. Lord Krsna belongs to a cowherd community, and the gopis are the dearmost lovers of Krsna. Although the wives of the denizens of the heavenly planets are most opulent within the material world, neither they nor any other women in the material universe can acquire Krsna's association. Goddess Laksmi wanted to enjoy Krsna and at the same time retain her spiritual body in the form of Laksmi. She, however, did not follow in the footsteps of the gopis in her worship of Krsna. According to the verse composed by Vyasadeva, the supreme authority on Vedic literature, no one can enter into the rasa-lila dance in any form other than the bodies of the gopis. On the other hand, the authorities of Vedic literature known as sruti-gana worshipped Lord Krsna in the ecstasy of the gopis and followed in their footsteps. They acquired bodies like those of gopis and took birth in Vrajabhumi. In those bodies they were allowed to enter the rasa-lila dance. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, attracts the mind of goddess Laksmi, but Lord Narayana cannot attract the minds of the gopis. This proves the super-excellence of Krsna. To say nothing of Lord Narayana personally, Lord Krsna Himself appeared as Narayana just to play jokes on the gopis, but failed to attract the serious attention of the gopis in ecstatic love. Once Lord Krsna playfully manifested Himself as Narayana with four victorious hands and a beautiful form. When the gopis saw this exalted form, their ecstatic feeling abated, and they paid their humble obeisances to Lord Narayana. Later, when Sri Radha arrived on the scene and looked at the form of Narayana, Lord Krsna revealed Himself. A learned scholar, therefore, cannot understand the gopi's ecstatic feelings which are firmly centered upon the original form of Lord Krsna as the son of Nanda Maharaja. The wonderful feelings of the gopis in ecstatic parama-rasa with Krsna constitute the greatest mystery of spiritual life. There is no difference between Lord Krsna and Lord Narayana for They are the same form. Similarly, there is no difference between the gopis and the goddess Laksmi, for they are also the same form. Goddess Laksmi enjoys the association of Krsna through the gopis. One should never make a distinction between the forms of the Lord, for such conceptualizing is offensive." Venkata then said, "Out of your causeless mercy you have told me of the glories of Lord Krsna. No one can reach the end of the opulence, qualities, and forms of the Lord." After saying this, Venkata Bhatta fell down before the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord, out of His causeless mercy, embraced him." When the period of Caturmasya was completed, Lord Caitanya took permission to leave Venkata Bhatta. At that moment the members of Venkata's family, thinking of being separated from the Lord, began to cry, while Gopala fell down unconscious at the feet of Lord Caitanya. The Lord instructed Gopala to stay at home for the time being to look after his parents, and advised him to go to Vrndavana after sometime. Gopala began to study Vyakarana-kavya, Alamkara, and Vedanta, within a short time he became an expert in the said sastras. He also acquired knowledge of Bhakti-sastra under his uncle Prabodhananda Sarasvati. (Bhakti-ratnakara first wave) Gopala concentrated his mind remembering the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya, patiently waiting for the time when he would be free to go to Vrndavana, at the same time nursing his aged parents as commanded by the Lord. He did not have to wait very long, as his parents had reached the last stage of their lives. One day they called Gopala and said, "After our disappearance you should go to Vrndavana and take refuge under the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya." Soon thereafter, Gopala's parents passed away remembering the lotus feet of the Lord upto the very last moment. (Bhakti-ratnakara first wave). At last Gopala was freed from material encumbrances and departed for Vrndavana. On his arrival there, Gopala stayed with Rupa and Sanatana, who had already heard about him from Lord Caitanya. Rupa Gosvami sent a messenger to Puri to inform Lord Caitanya of Gopala's arrival. Meanwhile, they treated Gopala as their own brother, and very soon a relationship of love and intimacy developed between them. Upon receiving the message at Puri, Lord Caitanya was delighted and told the devotees there about Gopala. The Lord then sent a messenger with a reply to Rupa, along with his personal brahmana thread, kaupina, and an outer-garment for Gopala. (GVA mentions that apart from a holy thread and a kaupina, a blackish colored wooden seat were given by Lord Caitanya for Gopala, which are still preserved in the temple of Radharamana at Vrndavana and regularly worshipped). Gopala accepted the items as the Lord's kripa-prasada and began to follow the instructions for him conveyed through the Lord's letter to Rupa. Gopala was, like Rupa and Sanatana, a homeless person. He would spend night at various groves and study religious books or do his writing work. Once Gopala Bhatta went on a welfare visit to a village called Devavandya in Sharanpur district. One afternoon he was held up due to an unexpected rain and took shelter in the house of a local brahmana who was a childless devotee. Being very pleased with the cordial reception offered by the brahmana, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami showered his blessings upon the brahmana and said that he would soon beget a devout son. The brahmana reciprocated by making a commitment that he would offer his first son for the seva of Gopala Bhatta. On his way back to Vrndavana, Gopala collected twelve salagrama's from the bed of the river Gandaki. Gopala worshiped the twelve stones and carried them from place to place with him in a cloth-bag. Eventually he began to feel a longing to worship a deity. Around the same time a wealthy businessman came for darsana of Gopala Bhatta, and being very satisfied, left behind many gifts including ornaments and clothing as an offering to the Lord. Gopala placed all the items before his salagrama stones and in the evening performed routine arati. After practicing bhajan till the late hours of the night, Gopala put his salagrama's to rest for the night, placing a basket over the twelve stones. The next morning, to his amazement, he found that his long cherished desire had been fulfilled; one of the salagrama's had taken the form of Lord Krsna; standing and playing His flute. This deity came to be known as the famous Radharamana vigraha of Vrndavana. (According to information recorded in Anuragavalli pp 14, Rupa Gosvami had been associated with the appearance of Radharamana.) Ten years passed, then one day at noon, when Gopala Bhatta was returning to his bhajan kutir after taking bath in the Jamuna, he saw that a child was seated near the entrance of the kutir. Upon seeing Gopala Bhatta, the child got up and paid his humble obeisances to Gopala, lying prostrate on the ground. When questioned, the child explained that he had come from Devavandya village in the district of Saharanpur. He stated further that his name was Gopala and his father had sent him to serve Gopala Bhatta. Gopala Bhatta then remembered the past incident and took the child in as his own sevaka. In later years the child came to be known as Gopinatha Pujari Gosvami. He dedicated his bachelor life to the service of the Deity Radharamana. Srinivasa Acarya received diksa from Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. He passed away on the fifth lunar day of the light fortnight of Asada (June-July) 1585 AD. His samadhi is located behind the Radharamana temple in Vrndavana. The following are the works of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami: 1. A treatise on smrti entitled Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa; some argue that the book was actually compiled by Sanatana Gosvami (Bhakti ratnakara 1.19-98) 2. Padas 1019, 2834, 2967, and sloka 38 have been included within Padakalpataru. 3. A tika entitled Sri Krsnavallabha on Sri Krsnakarnamrta by Karnapura. (Bhakti-ratnakara 1.228, Anuragavalli and Sadhanadipika pp 257) 4. A book of verse based on Sat-sandarbha by Jiva Gosvami. The Disppearance of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami - 21st July >From Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Sarkara Thakura O my divine master, Sri Gopala Bhatta, the bee at Sri Gaura's lotus feet. You are the sun which destroys the darkness of illusion, the ocean of mercy and the greatest of all brahmanas. You are the son of Sri Venkata Bhatta and are just like a valuable jewel of divine love and devotion. You have relieved the fallen souls from material bondage and awarded them real happiness. O master, please save me. My dear master, Srila Gopala Bhatta, who is always situated at the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. You are the most expert devotee of the Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met Sri Gopala Bhatta in South India. I shall summarize the history of the Bhatta family: Sri Gopala Bhatta was the son of Sri Venkata Bhatta. Sri Venkata Bhatta lived in the south and was a renowned brahmin scholar of all sastras. Trimalla, Venkata and Sri Prabodhananda were three brothers of whom Sri Gaura candra was the very life and soul. Formerly they were worshippers of Sri Laksmi Narayana, but by the favor of Mahaprabhu they later became great devotees of Radha Krsna. During his visit to the South, Prabhu Gaurahari spent four happy months in the house of the Bhattas. In the book Caitanya Caritamrta, there was a beautiful description of the Lord's Southern tour. There was no mention of Gopala Bhatta in the Caitanya Caritamrta but his family is mentioned. In Caitanya Caritamrta (madhu kanda 9/82-83) there is mention of a Vaisnava named Sri Venkata Bhatta who respectfully invited Prabhu to his house. He washed the feet of the Lord and drank the water with all the members of his family. It was said that Gopala, the son of Venkata became ecstatically emotional by drinking that water. Although he tried to control his body it shivered in ecstatic love. Gopala was a beautiful young man whose complexion was as bright as a golden champaka flower. His lotus like face had large eyes and eyebrows and his nose and forehead bore the bright tilaka of the Vaisnavas. How beautiful were his ears and neck. How beautiful were his hands, chest and thin waist. How beautiful were his shank, knees, reddish feet. He wore bright clothes and was decorated with many ornaments. Everyone was fascinated by his ever increasing beauty and his manliness. Having received Mahaprabhu - his life and soul - Gopala engage himself most gladly in the Lord's service. I worship Sri Gopala Bhatta Prabhu who was the best of all brahmanas and was engaged with utmost sincerity in the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I am unable to describe how Gaurahari favored Sri Gopala Bhatta. The character of Sri Gopala Bhatta Nevertheless I shall attempt to describe the character of Gopala who was always engaged in the service of Sri Mahaprabhu. He was not satisfied to see Mahaprabhu as an ascetic but he lamented privately. He addressed Providence with a choked voice, "O Providence, why was I born in this far away place? "Why have you forced me to see Prabhu in the dress of an ascetic and deprived me from observing His pastimes in Nadia? "How cruel you are to allow Him the life of a renunciate when I long to see Him as Vrajendra Nandana, the Lord of Sri Radhika." Lamenting in this way he wept like a mad man and breathed a heavy sigh as hot as fire. Forgiving Providence, Gopala then lamented that the ill fortune was his own fault. Having spent himself in lamentation, Gopala remained reticent yet Gaurahari could understand the state of Gopala's mind. When Gopala fell asleep, the Lord of Navadvipa appeared to him in a dream. Lord Gaurasundara strolling through the streets of Navadvipa and he was there with him. Nityananda and Advaita took him lovingly in their arms but when they were about to tell him something, he woke up from his sleep. Gopala looked around in bewilderment and them went impatiently to find Sri Gaura. Mahaprabhu was delighted and revealed Himself in the form of a cowherd boy with a blue complexion. The divine beauty remained but in a few moments the blue complexion turned golden. The glow of Gaurasundara's beauty enchanted the universe. How beautiful was that hair that curled across His shoulders. His forehead was decorated by Vaisnava tilaka, his eyebrows were dramatically raised and his magnificent glance stole the hearts of all the ladies. His beautiful face defeated the pride of the autumn moon and His smile showered nectar. His beautiful dhoti was wrapped with three folds and decorated with various ornaments, His gestures and postures were fascinating. The garland of malati flowers hanging round Nimai's neck enchanted Gopala. He fell to the feet of Mahaprabhu and again looked at his face withexpectation, but the Lord had reassumed His ascetic form. Prabhu Gauracandra pacified Gopala and gave him direct instructions. He ordered him to go to Vrndavana as soon as possible for there he would meet two valuable jewels namely Rupa and Sanatana. "Tell them about My desire," said Mahaprabhu. "In Vrndavana, you will get many disciples from all over the world." Having instructed Gopala, Prabhu took him in his lap and soaked his body with tears from His own eyes. Prabhu advised Gopala to keep the instructions confidential and not discus them with anyone. Gopala was very happy with that.Sri Venkata Bhatta was satisfied seeing the sincerity with which Gopala served Sri Gauranga. He dedicated his son to the gracious feet of Gauracandra and became truly happy. Thereafter Gopala spent his days and nights with Sri Gaurahari. The thought that Prabhu would leave their house after four months made the three brothers morose. Trimalla, Venkata and Sri Prabodha nanda wondered how they could spend their days without Prabhu. "Who will joke with us" they asked each other. "Who will accompany us while we bathe in the river Kaveri? "Who will perform sankirtana in the temple of Ranganatha and who will give worthless fellows like us the gem of deviation? Without Prabhu's presence these crowds will all disperse and the holy place shall be vacant." Though tears streamed silently down their faces, they did not disclose their worries to any one. At the end of the scheduled four months when Prabhu actually left their houses, they cried out in despair. As the Lord left their house, the Bhatta's fell on the ground at His feet. Prabhu pacified the three brothers by embracing them affectionately. After pacifying Gopala, Mahaprabhu continued on His Southern tour. At last He reached Nilacala where He met His associated and devotees. He visited Gauda and Vrndavana where He also met many of His devotees. The great ascetic Sri Krsna Caitanya gratified the Kali Yuga with help of his devotees. Wherever he went he informed his devotees that he had decided to stay in Nilacala. But in South India Sri Venkata Bhatta and his two brothers grew morose because of the separation from Sri Caitanya. In the absence of his master Sri Gopala's state of mind was beyond description. He reflected on that moment of separation when Mahaprabhu had assured him that his desires would soon be fulfilled. He thought of Mahaprabhu's promise to take him to Vrndavana. Gopala remained absorbed in love of Sri Gauranga, and his fame in explaining devotional doctrines began to spread throughout the country. His pleasure was derived from spreading the glories of Sri Gauranga and defeating the views of the illusionists. Educated people eulogized Gopala Bhatta and wondered how he had gained so much knowledge so easily. Somebody said, "The credit goes to Sri Parabodhananda who has educated him since his childhood. "No one can match the learning of Sri Gopala who certainly gained his knowledge through the earnest efforts of his uncle." Somebody said, "Because of his vast learning Prabhonanda has earned the title Saraswati. Whether awake or sleeping he never thinks of anyone but his Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya." According to Hari Bhakti Vilasa (1:2) "Gopala Bhatta, the disciple of Srila Prabodhananda and a favorite devotee of Lord Sri Gaura Sundara, is compiling the book Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa, having satisfied Sri Raghunatha dasa and Rupa Sanatana." A renunciate in worldly matters, Sri Gopala Bhatta was both affectionate and poetic.He was an expert in singing, playing musical instruments and dancing. The book of verse compiled by Sri Gopala Bhatta for which Prabhonanda should be given first credit - uses to enchant both the readers and the listeners. In this way, everyone praised Sri Prabodhananda and Gopala, his nephew who was highly learned and also kind hearted. Sri Gopala took serious responsibility in looking after his parents who were always satisfied with him. Once a brahmin told Sri Venkata Bhatta, "You must be proud to be the father of a son who is illustrious in every way. "I have never seen such deep devotion as your son exhibits nor such submission toward parents." Venkata Bhatta was delighted to tell the brahmin about Gopala's life long endurance to be a great man. Gopala had eagerly anticipated seeing Lord Jagannatha in Nilacala and at the same time he was interested in learning Vyakarana and other scriptures. Sri Venkata Bhatta also told the brahmin how his son Gopala had shown sincerity in serving Sri Krsna Caitanya, the Absolute Being. The brahmin enjoyed the stories about Gopala and admired Sri VenkataBhatta for being the happy father of such a fine son. Thereafter the brahmin returned home. The parents of Gopala were certainly fortunate to have a son who had fully dedicated himself to the gracious feet of Sri Caitanya. They gladly permitted their son to go to Vrndavana and thereafter they uttered the name of Mahaprabhu and left the world forever. After sometime Gopala met Rupa and Sanatana in Vrndavana. Although Sri Caitanya was in Nilacala at that time because he was God Himself He could understand that Gopala had gone to Vrndavana. In the house of Gadadhara Prabhu and his devotees used to take their seats. Only the most fortunate could witness the beautiful scene. The great ascetic, Prabhu Gaurarai, softly spoke His mind to the devotees. " I feel concerned because I have not received any news from Vraja for a long time." He told the devotees that he wanted to send some letters to Vrndavana, but as He spoke, a letter arrived from Rupa and Sanatana in Vraja giving news of Gopala Bhatta's arrival there. In His enthusiam over the letter, Mahaprabhu began to describe Gopala to his devotees. "During My southern tour, I had the pleasure of staying at the house of Venkata Bhatta. "There I met Sri Bhatta's son Gopala who had already proven himself a great scholar of all scriptures. "With the permission of his father, Gopala had gladly served Me with great sincerity. "Lord Krsna has been kind to him and he has now gone to live in Vrndavana. "Rupa and Sanatana are very dear to Me and they sent Me a letter as soon as Gopala arrived there." Prabhu's devotees were happy to hear the Lord relate His story. The Lord praised Rupa and Sanatana and then sent them His reply. He wrote, "I am glad to hear of Gopala's arrival in Vrndavana. You should accept him as your own brother. "Continue to send Me letters from time to time informing Me of your welfare and activities. "The books which you have already written and those which you are currently writing will later be well accepted by the world. "The person who will help to circulate all books, has now arrived by the wish of Lord Krsna." Mahaprabhu ordered a person to take the letter and many clothes for his Vrndavana disciples and to leave without delay for Vraja. When the coruier met the Gosvamis in Vrndavana, he delivered the doras, Kaupinas and outer garments along with the letter. I dare not attempt to describe how joyfully the Gosvamis received the gifts and letter from Mahaprabhu. Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana lovingly accepted Sri Gopala as their brother. An internal revelation helped Gopala identify Sanatana Gosvami at once. Sri Sanatana Gosvami described the book Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa to Gopala. While listening to the book, Gopala harbored a secret to serve the deity of the Lord. One night in a dream, Sri Govinda dev told Rupa about Gopala's desrie. Under Sri Rupa's affectionate guidance Gopala learned to serve Sri Radha Raman. This subject shall be discussed in detail later, but for now I will say that Gopala's effort in serving the Lord was very sincere. Lokenatha, Bhugarva, Pandita Kasiwara, Sri Paramananda and the other devotees all showered thier love on Gopala Bhatta. He liked to spend his days with Rupa Sanatana discussing the loving pastimes of Sri Krsna Caitanya. Sri Gopala's heart swelled with love for Sanatana while a deep friendship grew between him and Sri Rupa. But above all other relationships, Sri Bhatta relished his absorbtion in the service of Sri Radha Raman. By dint of his knowledge and devotion, Gopala could satisfy anyone's desirea, and he soon became dear to everyone in Vrndavana. According to Prachinairapuktama:I pay my tribute to Sri Gopala Bhatta who became satisfied by the love and friendship of Sanatana and Rupa Gosvami and who constantly remained absorbed in the service of Sri Radha Ramana. Some have tried to describe the activities of Gopala Bhatta, but many have failed. Whoever tries to debate the deep rooted significance of his life will be plagued by guilt. Even the former great poets had failed to describe the whole life and activity of Gopala Bhatta. I hope that I will be able to describe it later but not now. Having taken permission from many devotees, Krsnadasa kaviraja wrote several books. Sri Gopala Bhatta would not permit his name to be mentioned in amy of the books although he did authorize and encourage Sri Kaviraja to write. As ignorant persons we will never know why Gopala Bhatta forbade his name to be mentioned. Perhaps his humility did not allow it. Kaviraja had'nt the audicity to flout his order and thus Gopala's name is mentioned rarely in Sri Kaviraja's book.I have heard from an old Vaisnava that Lokenatha Gosvami gave the same order that his name not be used. Krsnadasa Kaviraja took pleasure in writing the infrequent passages which glorified Gopala Bhatta, and he never told Sri Bhatta how he had written them. I cannot write extentively about the depth of knowledge of Sri Gopala Bhatta during his life in Vrndavana for fear the book will become too large. Sri Bhatta had given many comments on the book Krsnakarmamrta which gave much pleasure to all the Vaisnavas. Sri Gopala Bhatta, a remarkable person in the path of pure devotion had performed many supernatural activities. At a much later time, Srinivasa met him and got his desires fulfilled. On the order of Prabhu, Srinivasa took his initiation from Gopala Bhatta and later propagated the Gosvami scriptures in Gauda. SRI SRI RADHARAMANA & GOPAL BHATTA GOSWAMI Now I will tell you in brief how Radha Raman of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami became manifest. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami to find Lord Hari in Salagrama Sila. Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami told Sri Rupa Gosvami about the instruction of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, and Rupa Gosvami lovingly replied, "Sri Govinda dev is everything to you, yet it is his desire that you serve him seperately." After a few days Lord Hari became self manifest from the Salagrama Sila. Who can understand the great fortune of Sri Gopal Bhatta Gosvami by which Radha Raman became self manifest in a beautiful form. In Radha Raman's beautiful form the face was like Govinda dev's, the chest was like Sri Gopinath's and the feet were like Sri Madan Mohan's. The three Lords were all manifest in the form of Radha Raman, a combination that Gopala Bhatta Gosvami had cherished before the Lord's self manifestation. Sanatana Gosvami Bhugarbha Gosvami and other Gosvamis were very satisfied to see the system by which Gopala Bhatta served Radha Raman. On the auspicious day of the full moon in the month of Vaisakha Radha Raman was installed on the Singhasan. A great festival was held to mark the installation of the deity and since then Radha Raman has become famous throughout the world as the Lord who was bound by the love of Gopala Bhatta. These self-manifestation of Radha Raman has been described in Sanskrit in Sadhana Dipika. There it is stated:"I worship Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami whose life and soul were the lotus feet of Sri Govinda deva of Vrndavana, but who accepted the task of serving Him seperately according to the instruction of Sri Rupa Gosvami. "The worshipable object of that seperated service was Sri Radha Ramana dev. Govinda dev, who became manifest by the great love of Sri Rupa Gosvami, was the same as Radha Raman. The reason behind the seperate service of Gopala Bhatta has been learned from different reliable persons. "I worship that inhabitant of Vraja, Sri Gopala Bhatta, son f Sri Venkata Bhatta who was the elder brother of Tridandi Swami Srila Prabhodananda Saraswati." If one can see Sri Madan Gopala with Sri Radhika, Sri Govinda withVrndavaeswari, and Sri Gopinatha with Sri Virshabanu Kumari, his life will surely be successful. While serving seperately, Sri Gopala Bhatta's eagerness increased and he understood that it was the Lord's desire to be served in this seperate way. One day Sri Radha Raman wanted to reveal himself to Gopala Bhatta. Understanding the desire of Sri Gopala Gosvami, Sri Radha Raman showed Sri Bhatta that he and Gopala were the same being. The intimate assocaites of Gopala Bhatta performed the ceremony of Abhiseka of Radha Raman and thus the worship of Radha Raman became established. The deity made his own temple and helped Gopala Bhatta Gosvami begin his worship. Establishment of the identity of Sri Gopala Bhatta We have briefly described the manner in which Sri Radha Raman bacame manifest, this knowledge is the source of all happiness. Sri Radha Raman was the life and soul of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, and while sleeping or awake he knew nothing but the service of his Lord. Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami drank the nectar of the beauty of Radha Raman to his heart's content. In Krsna's pastimes in Vrndavana Gopala Bhatta had previously appeared as the Ananga Manjari or Guna Manjari. In Gaura Ganoddesha Dipika it has been described that Ananga manjari of Krsna's Vrndavana pastimes has appeared as Gopala Bhatta in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes. Other experts on the topics of Krsna's lila have also described that Gopala Bhatta was the Guna manjari in Krsna's lila. Being enchanted by the beauty of his deity, Sri Gopala Bhatta decorated the Lord with different flower ornaments according to Radha Raman's choice. While serving radha Raman, Gopala Bhatta's joy increased moment by moment andhe constantly remembered his service to Sri Gaura Candra. He could hardly retain his composure and he remembered the way he had served Gaura Candra in his own house on the instruction of his father. He became moved by the memory of that service and shed tears profusely while looking at his beautiful Radha Raman. Sri Radha Raman reveals himself as Sri Gauranga. Sri Radha Raman, who was ever bound by the love of Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, took pleasure in revealing himself in the form of Sri Gaura Sundara. He was young and dressed so beautifully that he enchanted the entire universe. His beauty was more exquisite than that of Madana (Cupid). Seeing the beauty of Sri Gaura Candra his heart overflowed with joy and he called out, "What have I seen" as he fainted on the ground. With tears straming from his eyes he joyfully glorified Sri Radha Raman and Sri Gaura Candra. Whatever desire found a place in the heart of Sri Gopala Bhatta would immediately be satisfied by Radha Raman. Throughout the world the wonderful activities of Radha raman, the life and soul of Gopala Bhatta were known. On the way Srinivasa and the others met Sri Jiva Gosvami and together then proceeded towards Gopala Bhatta's place. When they arrived they saw that Gopala Bhatta was sitting in a lonely corner completely absorbed in the form of Sri Radha Raman. Ocassionally he recited verses he had composed and those recitations charmed everyone. He would say, "O Lord of Vandira, you are decorated with peacock feathers and your body is smeared with sandal paste; you are the flirt of Vrndvana and your complexion is deep blue like the color of a full bloomed blue lotus; you have tamed the great snake named Kaliya and as the son of Nanda you are the emboiment of supreme joy. O lotus eyed Govinda, Mukunda, you ae slender and beautiful. BE kind to a poor man like me." The behavior of Sri Bhatta Gosvami is beyond description. Knowing that Sri Jiva had arrived he eagerly looked towards the path. Sri JIva, Srinivasa and the others reached his house. They bowed to Sri Gosvami and Sri Jiva requested Sri Gosvami, "Please infuse Srinivasa with your complete strength." "Place your feet on Srinivasa's head so that he can easily reach Gaudadesha." "Bless him so that by curbing the pride of the hearetics he can easily distribute the books there." While considering Sri Jiva's request Gopala Bhatta prayed to Sri Radha Raman. It cannot be described how Sri Radha Raman gave his mercy to Srinivasa and then permitted him to leave. Seeing the mercy which Radha Raman had bestowed on Srinivasa, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami affectionately brought mala prasad to Srinivasa. With tears in his eyes Srinivasa bowed again and again at the feet of Sri Bhatta Gosvami. Sri Bhatta consoled him in a gentle voice and dedicated him to Sri Radha Raman. Bestowing unlimited mercy on Srinivasa, Sri Bhatta Gosvami wished him all success. Sweetly he blessed Narottama saying, "Let Sri Radha Raman fulfil all your desires." He affectionately told Srinivasa, "May Sri Radha raman be kind to you." He embraced each of them and they all bowed at this feet. Sri Bhatta Gosvami turned to Jiva and said, "tomorrow morning I shall go to the Govinda temple." On the Disappearance day of the acaryas, we worship them by singing Stavas, stutis & sucakas in their glorification morning & evening with tears in our eyes and all the devotion which we have we should beg for their mercy. Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami Sucaka Kirtana by Manodar das sri gopala-bhatta prabhu, tuya sri carana kabhu, dekhibo ki nayana bhariya.(1) suniya asima guna, panjare vindhila ghuna, nichani niya yaire mariya (2). pirite gadala tanu, dasabana hema janu, candramukhe aruna adhara (3) jhalake dasana-kanti, jini mukutara panti hasi kahe amrta-madhura.(4) paranera prana yara, rupa sanatana ara, raghunatha-yugala jivana(5) pandita krsna lokanatha, jana deha-bheda matra saravasva sri-radha-ramana (6) premete vithara anga, caitanya-carana bhanga, sri-nivase dayara adhina(7) sabhe meli rasasvada, bhava-bhare unmada, ei vyavasaya ciradina (8) lilasudha-sura-dhuni, rasika-mukuta-mani rasavese gada gada hiya (9) aho aho ragasindhu, aho dina-jana bandhu, yasa gaya jagata bhariya (10). ha ha murti su-madhura, ha ha karunara pura, ha ha cintamani guna-khani (11). ha ha prabhu ekabara, dekhao madhuri-sara, sri-carana-kamala Iavani.(12) aneka janmera pare, asesa bhagyera tare, tuya parikara pada payan.(13) nija karamera dose, majinu visaya rase, janama gonainu kholi khayan (14). aparadha pare mane, tathapi tomara gune, patita-pavana asabandha (15). Iobhete cancalamati upekhile nahi gati, pukaraye manohara manda. (16) Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami Sucaka Kirtana (translation) (1) Whenever I see the beautiful lotus feet of Sri Gopala Bhatta Prabhu, my eyes flood with tears. (2) One becomes free from the cycle of birth and death by hearing about your unlimited qualities. (3) Being attracted by your moonlike face and lips radiant like the rising sun, I can't be pierced by Cupid's ten golden arrows. (4) Your beautiful teeth resemble a string of pearls. Your joyful words are saturated with sweet nectar. (5,6) The devotees Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana Gosvamis, Raghunatha Dasa, Raghunatha Bhatta, Raghava Pandita, Krsna Dasa Kaviraja, Lokanatha Gosvami are your life. And your soul is Radha-Ramanaji. (7) With your body full of love you offer obeisances to Lord Caitanya, and like a honeybee you are attached to His lotus feet. You kindly gave shelter to Srinivasa Acarya. (8) Your only engagement is associating with pure devotees, relishing rasa, and tasting the divine madness of gopi-bhava. (9) The pastimes of Radha-Ramana flow through your mind like the celestial Ganges. You are the crest jewel of rasika Vaisnavas. Relishing prema-rasa, you become overwhelmed with ecstatic emotions. (10) Oh, ocean of spontaneous love for Radha-Ramana. You are the friend of the fallen. Your fame is sung throughout the universe. (11) Oh, your form is most sweet and full of mercy. And your unlimited qualities act like a touchstone. (12) Just once, Oh master, let me see your lotus feet, the essence of all sweetness. (13) After many many births, I have attained the rare fortune of serving the servants of your eternal associates. (14) Because of bad karma I have wasted my life enjoying sense-gratification. (15) I am full of offenses. But my only hope is that you, being full of merciful qualities, will deliver this fallen soul. (16) Although my mind is fickle and I'm greedy and sinful, still this Manohara Dasa calls out to you. Please don't neglect me. About the Author Other Stories by this AuthorContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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