Srila Rupa Goswami was born around 1489 CE. Although there is some controversy in his birthplace as different writers mentioned different birthplaces of Srila Rupa Goswami. Few of them say that he was born in Naihati, West Bengal. Few say that he was born in Bakla Chandradvipa or Fateyabad Pargana, Jessore in East Bengal. The other says that he was born in Ramakeli in Maldah, West Bengal Everybody used to call him Santosha in his childhood. His father was a pious Brahman named Kumar Dev, and Srila Sanatana Goswami was his Elder Brother. Srila Rupa Goswami spent twenty-two years at his home and fifty-one years serving in Braj dharma.
Srila Rupa Goswami was highly educated and was well versed in Vedic scriptures. He was also good in Sanskrit, Arabic, and Persian language. Due to their noble characters and academic proficiency, Rupa and his elder brother Sanatana were later forced into government service by the Sultan of Bengal, Alauddin Husain Shah. Rupa became the Sultan’s chief secretary (Dabir-i- Khas), while Sanatana became the state revenue minister (Sakhir-i-Mallik).
when Rupa Goswami Met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Srila Rupa Goswami and his brothers first met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Ramakeli in 1514 CE. The meeting changed their lives. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was in Prayagraj when he met Srila Rupa Goswami and Anupama for the second time. Rupa Goswami was commanded explicitly by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to carry out two tasks:
- To re-locate and preserve the lost holy places of Vrindavana,
- To write and preach Gaudiya Vaisnava theology.
Srila Rupa Goswami is one of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s disciples, who is non-other than Krishna in the mood of Srimati Radharani. Srila Rupa Goswami has revealed confidential aspects of Vraja-Prema-bhakti via his teachings and works of literature. Gaudiya Vaishnavas are also called Rupanugas, or followers of Srila Rupa Goswami. All the Previous Gaudiya Vaishnava Acharya have accepted Srila Rupa Goswami as their Siksha Guru. Srila Rupa Goswami is no ordinary acharya and is Rupa Manjari, a dear, the most confidential maidservant of Srimati Radharani in the Nitya-Goloka-Vrindavan.
Sculpting Radha Damodar Deities.
The Srila Rupa Goswami carved the deities of Sri Sri Radha Damodar. He had a dream that he should carve the deities of Radha and Krishna, but he did not know how to do it. After that, he was instructed to start carving the deities, and as he moves forward, the deities will manifest themself. So that is how the most beautiful deities of Shri Shri Radha Damodar appeared.
Radha Damodar Mandir was that temple where Srila Prabhupada stayed during his stay in Vrindavan and wrote Vedic scriptures, specially Bhagwatam, before leaving to the USA to follow the order of his Spiritual Master Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada.
Appearance Of Sri Govind Dev
One day Srila Rupa Gosvami was sitting on the bank of the Yamuna, thinking that he could not fulfill the orders of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. when he was thinking like this, a Brajwasi appeared and asked the reason, “Why do you look so depressed?”
Srila Rupa Goswami replied – My life is futile because I could not follow the order of the Lord. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had ordered me to establish Lord Sri Krishna‘s service and find the holy places.
The Brajwasi replied- please come with me.
Sri Rupa Gosvami followed the Brajwasi, who took him to a hillock. This spot is known as Gauratila, and Sri Govinda deva is lying under this hillock where a cow used to come every day and bathes this hill with her milk.
And then the brajwasi suddenly disappeared.
Under the order of Srila Rupa Goswami, they all took axes and spades and began to dig at Gauratila. The next afternoon he went to the hill and saw a cow standing there, pouring her milk. After that, the Deity of Sri Govinda deva appeared more beautiful than millions of Cupids.
After the beautiful abhisheka of Sri Govinda deva, the Brahmanas offered the bhoga to the Lord. The gopas of Braja brought numerous baskets of curd, milk, rice, and vegetables as offerings, and the Brahmanas immediately began to cook many varieties of preparations. Later, Srila Rupa Goswami established the worship of Radha Govind Dev Ji. It is a very popular temple in Vrindavan as well as Jaipur. Aurangzeb attacked Vrindavan and destroyed many temples, including Radha Govind Dev Ji Mandir. It is a very popular mandir in Jaipur, and the deities are being served there grandly. Hence, Vaishnavas say that Jaipur is the second Vrindavan as most of the principal deities of Vrindavan are still in Jaipur.
Manifestation Of Sri Vrinda Devi
One day Srila Rupa Goswami began to meditate upon Sri Vrinda Devi. Then Vrinda Devi appeared and said – “I am living in the bank of Brahma kunda, you can find me there”. He then went to the bank of Brahma Kunda and began searching.
Suddenly a beautiful woman of golden complexion appeared in front of Srila Rupa Goswami. She was very luminous, and when she appeared, the atmosphere filled with the sweet fragrance. Srila Rupa Goswami immediately began offering prayers. After that, Srila Rupa Goswami understood that she was none other than Sri Vrinda Devi. This is how Sri Vrinda Devi appeared in this world.
Radha Rani Appearance For Rupa Goswami
One day Srila Rupa Goswami desired to Serve Kheer Prasadam to Srila Sanatana Goswami, but there were no ingredients for cooking.
Then Sri Radha Rani came to fulfil his desire in the guise of a milkmaid and brought milk, rice and sugar for him.
She asked him to accept these ingredients and prepare the Kheer; however, Srila Rupa Goswami said that he does not know how to prepare the Kheer, and he requests that the milkmaid prepare the Kheer. She accepted his request and prepared the Kheer. After that, Srila Rupa Goswami requested her to sit down, but she declined, “No, I cannot stay any longer.
I have many things to do at home.”
Saying this, the girl suddenly disappeared.
Srila Rupa Goswami was astonished by the girl’s sudden departure.
While honoring the prasadam, Srila Sanatana Goswami was filled with ecstasy and asked Srila Rupa Goswami, “Where did you get the rice and milk to cook this prasada?”
Srila Rupa Goswami said, “One young milkmaid brought it to me.”
Srila Sanatana Goswami questioned, “Did she suddenly appear before you?”
“Yes,” Rupa Goswami replied, “this morning when I was thinking that I would like to prepare some prasadam for you, a girl suddenly arrived with a gift of rice and milk.”
Hearing this, Sri Sanatana Goswami began to cry and told Srila Rupa Goswami, “Who could have supplied something which such an excellent taste other than Srimati Radharani.
Books Written By Srila Rupa Goswami
- Upadesamrta (Nector Of Instruction)
- Nector Of Devotion
- Hamsaduta
- Uddhava Sandesa
- Sri Krsna Janmatithi Vidhi
- Sri Radha Krsna Ganadesa Dipika (Vrhad and Laghu)
- Sri Stavamala
- Sri Vidaghdha Madhava (drama)
- Sri Lalita Madhava (drama)
- Danakeli Daumudi
- Sribhaktirasamrtasindhu
- Ujjala Nilamoni
- Prajuktakhyatacandrika
- Sri Mathura-Mahatma
- Padyavali
- Natakacandrika
- Samkhepa Bhagavatamrta
- Samanya Virudavali Lakshmana
Samadhi And Bhajan Kutir
In 1564AD, on the day of Sukla Dvadashi in the month of Sravana, he disappeared from this world and entered the eternal abode of Lord Krishna. Srila Rupa Goswami’s Samadhi and Bhajan Kutir are located at Radha Damodar Mandir in Vrindavan. The samadhi area is lovely for any sincere devotee to sit and chant their rounds without any disturbance.
And he used to do his Bhajan under the pious tree at Ter Kadamba, famous for Krishna’s lovely childhood pastime and his Gopas.
Srila Rupa Goswami ki Jai.
Sri Sri Rukmani Dwarkadhish ki Jai.
Shobha Radhika Devi Dasi
(ISKCON-Dwarka New-Delhi)
The post Srila Rupa Goswami – Disappearance Day appeared first on Iskcon Dwarka.
