Day Two--Srila Rupa and Srila Jiva Goswamis

Yesterday we started our parikrama, or walking tour, of Vrndavana at Radha Damodara Mandir. Not only does this temple house the wonderful Deities of Sri Sri Radha Damodara, it's also the final samadhi resting place of many exalted Vaishnavas. Both Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Jiva are buried in samadhi here on the grounds. They were both great Vaishnavas and founders of our lineage. Here's a little bit about each of them.

http://www.radhadamodarmandir.com/


-o(-)o- Srila Rupa Goswami -o(-)o-

Even though there are so many great acaryas, Srila Rupa Gosvami has been attributed with the honor of being that person who has established the mano-‘bhistam, the innermost heart’s desire, of Sri Krsna in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told him:

"The ocean of the transcendental mellows of devotional service is so large that no one can estimate its length and breadth. However, just to help you taste it, I am describing one drop. --Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 19.137

Lord Caitanya gave one drop of the ocean of rasa to Srila Rupa Gosvami, and that one drop was sufficient to inundate millions upon millions of universes. After some time Srila Rupa Gosvami went to Vrndavana and began to perform his bhajana, their hearing, chanting, and remembering Krsna.

Rupa Goswami wrote:
"The beauty and splendor of Sri Krsna's lotus feet has eclipsed many billions of cupids. The artistic dancing of His sidelong glances has charmed the gopis' hearts. His form is like a glittering new rain-cloud. He is an ocean of great transcendental pastimes. He is the supreme good fortune of all beautiful young girls in the three worlds. I pray that this Sri Krsna becomes the cause of the great happiness in Your heart." --Sri Ujjvala-Nilamani, by Srila Rupa Goswami


-o(-)o- Srila Jiva Goswami -o(-)o-

Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu (1511-1596) was the nephew of Srila Rupa Goswami, the son of his brother Sri Vallabha (Anupama). In his infancy he had the great fortune of seeing Sri Caitanya and Mahaprabhu placed His lotus feet upon the child's head exclaiming that the boy would grow up to be a great preceptor in the Gaudiya sampradaya.

In his studies the young Jiva excelled in all subjects, especially Sanskrit grammar, poetry and rhetoric. Sri Jiva went on to Varanasi to study and then set out for Vrndavana to join his uncles Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana. He followed in their footsteps and became a very prolific writer.

Here are some verses from his explanation of the MahaMantra:

1.
By His uncommon beauty, Sri Krsna Candra
takes away the mind of everyone.
However, when Sri Radha expands Her own
cleverness, She also captures Sri
Krsna's mind. Therefore She is called "Hara"

2.
By His loveliness and by the sweet sound of
His flute, Sri Krsna, who is
decorated with the most captivating qualities,
attracts Radha. Therefore He
is called "Krsna."

3.
It has been heard from the mouths of great
souls that Lord Hari led away
the fawn-eyed Radha from the Rasa dance to a
secluded bower. Therefore Radha
is called "Hara."

4.
As He sports with Radha, His blackish
effulgence causes shiny gold to
also appear blackish. Therefore He is called
"Krsna."

for the full text
http://bvml.org/SJG/mt.html
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