Tapana Mishra and Nimai Pandita
Raghunatha's father's name was Sri Tapana Mishra. When Nimai Pandita was traveling through East Bengal teaching, he met Tapana Mishra, who was a very learned scholar, yet he was not sure what the real goal of life was and how to attain it.
The Dream
One night after long contemplation, Tapana Mishra saw a divine personality in a dream who said to him: "Mishra! Worry no more about this matter. Nimai Pandita will come to you very soon. He is not an ordinary human being. He is the incarnation of Nara Narayana."
In the morning Tapana Mishra went to meet Nimai Pandita. Arriving at the place where the Lord was staying, he saw the Lord sitting on a bed, and the whole house was glowing with the effulgence of His body.
Mahaprabhu's Teachings
"In every age the Supreme Lord descends Himself and for the benefit of all living entities gives instructions on how to attain Him. In Satya yuga the process is meditation, in Treta yuga – sacrifice, in Dvapara yuga – Deity worship, and in Kali yuga – congregational chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord – Harinama Sankirtana."
— Mahaprabhu to Tapana Mishra
Hearing these invaluable instructions, Tapana Mishra offered dandavats and asked if he could accompany Him back to Navadvipa. Mahaprabhu replied that Tapana Mishra must immediately go to Kashi, where they would meet again in the near future.
Meeting in Kashi
Several years later, traveling to Vrindavana through the forests of Jharikhanda, Mahaprabhu arrived at Kashi Dhama. While Tapana Mishra was bathing at Manikarnika Ghat, he heard a sannyasi shouting thunderously: "Hari bol! Hari bol!"
Astonished, Tapana Mishra saw an exceptionally tall and beautiful sannyasi, whose effulgence illuminated everything around. Getting out of the water, he became convinced that it was the same Nimai Pandita, and fell at His feet shedding tears of ecstasy.
Mahaprabhu lifted him and embraced him. Tapana Mishra accompanied the Lord to his home, where Raghunatha Bhatta, while still a child, had the opportunity to serve the Lord by massaging His feet and washing His clothes.
Raghunatha Travels to Puri
When Raghunatha Bhatta was traveling from Benares to Puri, he thought: "I wonder if Mahaprabhu will remember me? I was just a child then, and here in Puri there are many devotees, I doubt if he will remember such a rascal as me."
But as soon as he arrived in Puri and was about to offer dandavats to Mahaprabhu, Sri Gaurasundara called him: "Raghunatha" and even before Raghunatha could offer obeisances, Mahaprabhu embraced him very firmly.
Raghunatha's eyes filled with tears of joy and holding Mahaprabhu's lotus feet he asked Him: "O most merciful Lord, do You still remember me?"
Mahaprabhu replied: "What to speak of this life! I remember the affection that you and your mother and father showed Me life after life. With what love your mother fed Me daily while I was in Kashi."
Prasada from Home
Raghunatha conveyed his parents' regards and took out from his bag various dishes that his mother had prepared for Sri Gaurasundara. Mahaprabhu was very pleased and asked His servant Govinda to keep everything carefully.
Mahaprabhu's Gifts
Mahaprabhu gave Raghunatha Bhatta His own Tulasi beads and later Lord Jagannatha's tulasi garland, as well as betel and pan – remnants of prasada from Lord Jagannatha.
Worship of Srimad Bhagavatam
Unlike the other Goswamis, it is not known whether Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami worshiped any specific Deity of the Lord or not. His worshipable deity – Srimad Bhagavatam is still worshiped in Vrindavana at the Gadadhara Bhatta Pitha, next to the Madana Mohana temple.
Raghunatha Bhatta was a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. In Gaura Ganodesha Dipika it is mentioned that Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami is Raga Manjari in Krishna lila.
Biographical Details
- Born: 1505, Gaura dvadashi in the month of Ashvina
- Departed: 1579, Gaura dashami in the month of Jyeshtha
- Father: Tapana Mishra
- In Krishna Lila: Rāga Mañjarī
- Spiritual Master: Gadadhara Pandita
Self-Check Questions
- How did Tapana Mishra meet Nimai Pandita?
- What instructions did Mahaprabhu give to Tapana Mishra?
- What is special about Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami among the other Goswamis?