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Jiva Goswami
Jiva Goswami
Nayana-ranjana Das
sri-rupa carana-dvandva
raginam vrajavasinam
sri-jivam satatam vande
mandesvananda dayinam
(Bhakti-ratnakara 4.289)
Rupa, Sanatana and Vallabha were three of Kumaradeva's sons. And Jiva
was the son of Vallabha. He was born in 1511 AD in Ramakeli. Sri Jiva
was a talented boy even from his childhood and had completed his
studies in Vyakarana and other subjects within a very short time.639
Sanatana and Rupa were pleased with their nephew Sri Jiva and treated
him affectionately.640
People were enchanted to see Sri Jiva who was a beautiful and
qualified as Rupa, Sanatana and Sri Vallabha.644
I wish I could die taking away with me any misfortune which might
befall Sri Jiva.645
Sri Jiva had grown very discontent in Gauda and he was pulled by his
attractions to his uncles in Vrndavana.684
"My dear friends, it is certain that Sri Jiva will soon leave his
house forever." "But he is merely a boy," someone argued.702
"His love for Prabhu knows no bounds," commented another man. "He is
the light of the brahmana class," said another. "The whole village
will sink into utter darkness if he leaves."704
At the same time Sri Jiva sat wondering when he would leave his
house.706
One evening, he sat alone crying and singing the holy name.707
Once before in Ramakeli Sri Jiva had had a dream in which he saw
Prabhu and His associates dancing in sankirtana and enchanting the
world with a flow of love unobtainable by Lord Brahma. Tonight he saw
the same scene in his dream.713-714
I will tell you later what he saw in his dream, but now I want to
acquaint you with the former history of Sri Jiva.718
When Sri Jiva was only a boy, he avoided playing with his friends or
other activities which had no connection with Krsna.719
He would make images of Krsna and Balarama, worship them with flowers
and sandal paste and dress them with fine clothes and
ornaments.720-721
He loved the Deities of Krsna and Balarama so much that even when he
was alone he would play with them. At bedtime he would clasp the
Deities tightly to his chest and sleep. His parents could not separate
their son from his Deities although they thought he was merely
playing.724-725
Everyone was happy to see Jiva's love for Krsna and Balarama.726
Caitanya and Nitai were so bound by his love for Them that they
appeared to him in a dream.727
Krsna and Balarama also appeared in a dream, and Sri Jiva was
enchanted to see Krsna in dark blue color and Balarama in white
color.728
They looked like Kandarpa and enchanted the universe with Their
beautiful postures.729
Suddenly Krsna and Balarama were replaced by Gaura and Nitai and the
universe was perfumed by the scent of Their bodies.730-731
Overjoyed with his vision Sri Jiva wept and fell at the feet of the
two masters.732-733
Gaura-Nityananda Raya, the twin oceans of mercy put their feet on the
head of Sri Jiva and embraced him affectionately. Whatever they spoke
fell like nectar on the ears of Sri Jiva.734-735
When Sri Jiva bowed against Their feet, They disappeared and Sri Jiva
fell into an abyss of disappointment.738
When he woke from sleep, the dawn was breaking and he prepared to
leave for Vrndavana on the pretext of studying there.739
He bid farewell to his followers and left Fateya with only one
servant.741
Someone said, "My dear friend, I cannot take my eyes off him. I wish I
could die carrying away all misfortune which might befall him.748-749
Although the people talked, Sri Jiva continued his journey rapt in
ecstasy.751
That holy dhama covered sixteen krosa of land with many beautiful
flower gardens, tanks, forests, groves, cottages and the banks of the
Ganga.755-756
As he wondered, Sri Jiva saw many Vaisnavas who were happy to meet him
and took him directly to the cottage of Srivasa Pandita where
Nityananda Prabhu and his associates were sitting.757-759
He raised Sri Jiva from the ground, embraced him warmly and said, "I
have come here from Kardaha simply to meet you."766-767
In this way he pacified Sri Jiva in various ways and asked Srinivasa
and other Vaisnavas to favor him.768
He kept Sri Jiva in His association for some days and then requested
him to go west.769
At the time of his departure Sri Jiva bowed at the feet of Nityananda
in the sadness of their intimate separation.770
Sri Jiva offered his respects to the feet of all the Vaisnavas and
then left for Vrndavana.773
From Navadvipa Sri Jiva went to Kasi where he met Sri Madhusudana
Vacaspati, the professor of all sastras who was as great as
Brhaspati.775-776
The scholar was pleased to meet Sri Jiva and kept him at his place for
a long time during which he gave him lessons on Vedanta and other
sastras.777
From Kasi, Sri Jiva went to Vrndavana and got the mercy of Rupa and
Sanatana.780
The books written by Sri Jiva Gosvami were namely the Vyakarana named
Sri Harinamamrta, its notes Sutra Malika and its metallurgical
analysis, Krsnacarana dipika, Gopala Virudavali, the last portion of
Rasamrta, Sri Madhava Mahotsava, Sankalpa-Kalpavrksa, Bhavartha
Sucaka-Campu, Gopala-tapani Tika, Brahma-samhita Tika, Rasamrta Tika,
Ujjvala-nilamani Tika, Yagosara Stava tika, Sri Gayatri Bhasya of Agni
Purana, the narrative of the footprints of Sri Krsna of Padma Purana,
the collective records of the hands and footprints of Sri Radhika, the
former position of Gopala Campu, the last portion of Gopala Campu, the
famous seven treatises of Srimad Bhagavata namely Tattva-sandarbha,
Bhagavata-sandarbha, Bhakti-sandarbha, Priti-sandarbha,
Krama-sandarbha, Krsna-sandarbha and Paramatma-sandarbha.833-851
The orders of Sri Rupa Sanatana to Sri Jiva and Sri Gopala Bhatta
"Previously I told you that on the 20th day of the month of Vaisakha
you will obtain wonderful association.234
"That devotee will reach Vrndavana today, and after meeting him you
will become very happy.235
"At the time of the arati of Govindadeva, when the crowd is thin, you
should search for him.236
"In great pain he left Gauda and he has already gotten news of our
disappearance.238
"He decided to give up his life but we appeared before him to console
him.239
"We cannot describe his affliction but when you see him you will
understand.240
"You should arrange his initiation from Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and when
his study is completed give him all the books.241
"What more can we tell you about him? Through this Srinivasa Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu will perform many activities."243
The happiness of Srinivasa knew no bounds and he fell on the ground
again and again to offer obeisances to Jiva Gosvami. To his heart's
content he observed the beauty of Sri Radha Damodara, the life and
soul of Sri Jiva Gosvami.283-285
Rupa Gosvami had manifest the Deity of Radha Damodara and had offered
it to Jiva Gosvami in a dream.286
No one can describe the character of Sri Jiva Gosvami; his life, soul,
and everything was the lotus feet of Sri Rupa Gosvami.287
Sri Sri Radha Damodara became manifest through the mercy of Sri Rupa
Gosvami and the ocean of mercy, Rupa Gosvami, gave the Deity to Sri
Jiva for his service.290
Seeing the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Damodara, Sri Jiva Gosvami
remained always in an ecstatic mood.292
Sometimes the Lord would ask Sri Jiva for some food and Sri Jiva would
watch the Lord eat it.293
One day, when the Lord was playing His flute with a smile on His face,
He called Sri Jiva to come and watch.294
Sri Damodara was very young and was decorated with enchanting
ornaments. Upon seeing the Lord Sri Jiva Gosvami immediately
fainted.295
When he gained consciousness his heart was filled with ecstatic love
and his long, large eyes overflowed with tears.296
I have told only a few of the activities, but there were many episodes
in the pastimes of Radha Damodara which attracted everyone towards
Him.297
One day Sri Jiva took interest in explaining the verses of the book
Uddipana Vivaha.396
Srinivasa had been empowered by Sri Rupa Gosvami and explained the
verse successfully. Whoever listened to it became satisfied and
happy.399
Although Sri Jiva saw that Srinivasa felt very humble in the midst of
this praise, he discarded that humility by addressing Srinivasa as
Acarya.403
With the permission of Sri Jiva, Acarya Srinivasa began to educate the
Vaisnavas of Vraja.404
Because his ability to learn was far greater than anyone else's, Jiva
Gosvami gave Narottama the title of Thakura Mahasaya.423-424
Anyone who showed sincere interest in hearing these topics was sure to
get the blessings of Prabhu Visvambhara.428
Once Sri Rupa was writing a book in a quiet place in Vrndavana. It was
a hot day, and to dry the sweat from Rupa's body Sri Jiva would stand
beside him and fan him. The beauty of both Sri Rupa and Sri Jiva was
bright. At that time Sri Vallabha came to visit Rupa and when he
looked at Rupa's book Bhaktirasamrta Grantha Mangala Carana he told
Rupa, "I shall edit it." When he went to bathe in the Jamuna Sri Jiva
followed on the pretext of taking water from the Jamuna. Although he
did not know Sri Vallabha personally, Jiva asked him, "What is the
flaw in Mangala Carana?"
Meanwhile Sri Jiva returned from the river and Sri Rupa scolded him in
a very quiet voice, "It was very kind of Bhatta to visit me and for my
own benefit he wanted to edit my book. This much you could not
tolerate by your Vaisnava grace? Go back to your home and return to
Vrndavana where you will be able to be patient."
At once Sri Jiva left the place and headed east towards his home.
When his mind became peaceful he decided to remain in a solitary place
in the forest as he did not have permission to return to the
association of Rupa Gosvami. He lived here in a hut made of leaves;
sometimes he ate a little and sometimes he ate nothing while he passed
his time in great distress and lamentation. He thought that if he
gave up his life he would be able to obtain the lotus feet of his
Lord.
Knowing that this sannyasi must be Sri Jiva, Sanatana went to see him
affectionately. Seeing Sanatana within his patched hut Sri Jiva could
not control himself and fell flat on the ground at Sanatana's feet.
The villagers were quite astonished. Sanatana asked Sri Jiva to
explain his difficulty and Jiva very lovingly explained everything.
After consoling the villagers Sanatana left Sri Jiva in his hut and
went to see Rupa in Vrndavana.
Sanatana explained the situation to Sri Rupa and said, "Jiva is alive,
but he is so weak that even the breeze can rock his body." At once
Sri Rupa brought Jiva back to Vrndavana and nursed him affectionately.
Everyone was happy with Sri Jiva's recovery and Rupa Sanatana bestowed
all responsibility on him. By their mercy the greatness of Sri Jiva's
knowledge spread throughout the world.
His devotion gave immense pleasure to Sri Jiva Gosvami. One day Sri
Jiva and the other Vrndavana Gosvamis assembled happily at the Govinda
temple.222-223
They prayed to Sri Govinda, "O Lord, please bestow on Srinivasa the
strength he will require to distribute these books."224
The moment they finished their prayers, a garland dropped from the
neck of Sri Govinda for Srinivasa.225
With tears of love in his eyes the priest quickly took it and
respectfully handed it to Srinivasa.226
He received the garland with utmost respect and affection for the Lord
and as he beheld the beautiful face of Sri Govinda he became
impatient.227
Everyone who saw the grace bestowed on Srinivasa from Sri Govinda
praised both the Lord and His devotee.229
Sri Jiva and the others then settled the day that Srinivasa would
leave for Gaudadesa.230
It was agreed that the fifth day of the bright moon night of the month
of Agrahayana was the appropriate date for the commencement of the
journey.231
Simply by the grace of Sri Jiva, one can understand the truths of his
philosophy.
Srinivasa next went to the temple of Radha Damodara - the life of Sri
Jiva Gosvami - to take leave his leave. Srinivasa got the favor of
Sri Radha Damodara, the source of divine rasa.309-310
How kindly Sri Radha Damodara gave him permission to leave is beyond
anyone's ability to describe. Sri Jiva gave Srinivasa the mala
prasad.311
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."405-406
"Bless him so that by curbing the pride of the heretics he can easily
distribute the books there."408
Seeing the mercy which Radha Ramana had bestowed on Srinivasa, Gopala
Bhatta Gosvami affectionately brought mala prasad to Srinivasa.411
Thereafter Sri Acarya began to study once again under Sri Jiva
Gosvami, and Sri Jiva was pleased by the Acarya's intent. From Sri
Jiva, Srinivasa learnt the book Sri Gopala Campu and other books and
was happy to study under Sri Jiva.
From this report Sri Jiva Gosvami could understand the condition of
those holy places since the disappearance of Mahaprabhu and His
beloved companions. Ramacandra informed them that the inhabitants of
Gauda wanted Srinivasa to return and both Srinivasa and Sri Jiva took
the request seriously. Thereafter they took Ramacandra with them to
visit the temple of Radha Damodara.
Sri Jiva Gosvami announced that Srinivasa would return to Gauda and on
the day after the full moon Sri Jiva once again entrusted Syamananda
to Srinivasa. He also gave Srinivasa some books which had been revised
by him. The Gosvamis of Vrndavana gathered in the temple of Sri
Govinda to bid farewell to Srinivasa. The Acarya bowed at their feet
and then went to see the moon-like face of Sri Govinda. Ramacandra and
Syamananda also bowed at the feet of the Gosvamis.
Sri Jiva had already selected a beautiful house for her and he took
her there with her followers. After their worship of Sri Govinda,
Gopinatha and Madana Mohana, the Vaisnavas came to visit Sri Isvari at
her house. The residents of Vrndavana also came in a huge crowd to
meet her. While she spoke privately with Gopala Bhatta, Lokanatha and
others, Sri Jiva waited patiently to meet her. When she expressed the
desired to visit the temples of Vrndavana they gladly took her to Sri
Govinda, Gopinatha, Madana Mohana, Sri Radha Vinoda, Sri Radha Ramana
and Sri Radha Damodara.