Raghunatha Dasa Goswami lived on the banks of Radha Kunda and became one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavana who expanded the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His life is an example of pure devotional service and renunciation.
Renovation of Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda
At that time Radha Kunda was a small pond of water, and so sometimes Raghunatha Dasa would dream of enlarging this kunda. Then he would scold himself for wanting something that requires a large amount of money.
At the same time, a very wealthy Seth performed great austerities by traveling to the Himalayas, to Badarikashrama. Arriving there, he offered respects to Sri Badrinarayana with great devotion and offered Him much wealth. At night, while he slept there, the Seth dreamed that Sri Badrinarayana instructed him to travel to Vraja and give all his wealth to Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, who lives near Aritagrama.
"If he refuses to take it, mention My name to him and remind him about the renovation of Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda."
The Seth was very pleased to see such a wonderful dream and returned home happy, then traveled to Vraja. There he met Raghunatha Dasa Goswami and told him the whole incident. Dasa Goswami was somewhat surprised to hear this news, but immediately gave his consent. Thus the Seth began to dig these two kundas.
On the bank of Radha Kunda stood the five Pandavas in the form of trees. As the work progressed, it was decided to cut down these trees the next day, but at night the five Pandavas appeared to Raghunatha Dasa in a dream and forbade him to cut the trees. These trees stand to this day. When the renovation of the kundas was completed, the bliss of the devotees knew no bounds. Next to the kundas, the kunjas (groves) of the eight gopis were planted. Seeing all this, Raghunatha Dasa was plunged into ecstasy. Next to the kundas, the kunjas (groves) of the eight gopis were planted.
Living by Radha Kunda
Raghunatha Dasa Goswami lived on the banks of Radha Kunda without any permanent residence. He would sleep under different trees every night. Sometimes he would stay by Manasa Ganga. At that time, this area was full of predatory beasts.
Sanatana Goswami's Vision
One day Sanatana Goswami came to Manasa Ganga to meet Gopala Bhatta Goswami. Before going to eat at Gopala Bhatta's house, he wanted to bathe at Pavana Ghat in Manasa Ganga. From there he saw two tigers come to the kunda, drink some water, and prowl around.
Nearby, Raghunatha Dasa Goswami was sitting under a tree, absorbed in bhajana. Sanatana Goswami watched this in fear, but became even more frightened when he saw Sri Krishna standing further away and watching everything. Then he asked Raghunatha Dasa to perform his bhajana in a hut.
Radharani Protects from the Sun
On another occasion, Raghunatha Dasa, who still did not care where he lived, was sitting in the scorching sun at midday, absorbed in his bhajana. Just then Srimati Radharani was passing by, and when She saw the sun shining directly on Raghunatha's head, She stood behind him and held up the end of Her sari, protecting Dasa Goswami from the sun's rays. Then one of the Goswamis passed by and saw this heart-rending scene, where profuse sweat was pouring from Srimati Radharani's transcendental body. Then he also asked him to build himself a kutir for bhajana, and this time he agreed.
Devotion to Srimati Radharani
In Vraja, Krishna is served by Radharani and Chandravali, both of whom have countless maidservants. According to the rasas of paramour love, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami considered himself a maidservant of Srimati Radharani's friends. Since Chandravali is Radharani's main rival, Sri Dasa Goswami never went to her kunja, and did not speak with her sakhis.
The Story of Palasha Leaves
A Vrajavasi named Sri Dasa Vrajavasi would bring Sri Dasa Goswami a cup of buttermilk made from leaves every day. Drinking only that much, Raghunatha Dasa would engage in bhajana all day long.
One day Sri Dasa Vrajavasi went to Chandravali's kunda, which is called Sakhi-sthali, while herding cows. He saw a very large palasha tree there with very large leaves, so he picked some leaves to make cups. The next day, he brought buttermilk to Dasa Goswami in one of the new cups.
Raghunatha Dasa took the cup and asked: "Sri Dasji, where did you get such fine palasha leaves?" Sri Dasji replied: "When I was herding cows, I came to Sakhi-sthali and found those leaves there."
Just hearing the word 'Sakhi-sthali', Raghunatha Dasa flared up with anger and threw away the cup with buttermilk, saying: "Followers of Srimati Radharani will never accept anything from that place."
Seeing Raghunatha Dasa's loyal devotion to Srimati Radharani, Sri Dasji was astonished.
The Power of Meditation
Raghunatha Dasa Goswami always served Sri Sri Radha-Govinda in his mind. One day in his meditation he cooked sweet rice and offered it to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. With great pleasure They accepted the offering and the other sakhis also tasted the prasada.
Then Raghunatha himself honored their remnants with great ecstasy, as he was able to satisfy Sri Sri Radha-Govinda and their beloved associates. Out of great joy he ate a little more than he was accustomed to.
The Doctors' Diagnosis
In the afternoon Raghunatha Dasa usually spoke about Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But that day when the devotees gathered in the afternoon to hear him, they saw that the door was closed. They waited for a while, but when it appeared that no one was moving inside, they became a little worried and called out: "Goswamiji, are you alright?" Sri Dasa Goswami replied: "My body is not well."
The devotees became very concerned and immediately sent a message to Sanatana Goswami in Mathura. At that time Sanatana was staying with Sri Vallabhacharya's son Sri Vitthalnathji, who immediately sent two doctors to Radha Kunda to check on Sri Dasa Goswami.
After checking his pulse, the doctors decided that "due to overeating a rice and milk dish, his body feels very heavy."
Hearing this diagnosis everyone was stunned. That Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, who lived on buttermilk alone, would get sick from overeating sweet rice was very amazing, especially since he ate it in meditation.
Identity in Krishna Lila
There are various opinions about Raghunatha Dasa Goswami's identity in Krishna lila. Some claim that he is Rasa Manjari, some say that he was Rati Manjari, and still others say that he was Bhanumati.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave Raghunatha Dasa a Govardhana Shila, which is still worshiped at Sri Gokulananda Mandir in Vrindavana.
Literary Works
He wrote several books: Stavavali, Dana-charita, Mukta-charita and others.
Biographical Details
- Year of Birth: 1498 (1495-1571?)
- Year of Departure: 1586
- Residence: Radha Kunda, Vrindavana
- Major Works: Stavavali, Dana-charita, Mukta-charita
Self-Check Questions
- How did Raghunatha Dasa Goswami renovate Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda?
- Why did Raghunatha Dasa refuse to accept palasha leaves from Sakhi-sthali?
- How was Raghunatha Dasa's meditation so deep that he got sick from "overeating"?
- What gift did Chaitanya Mahaprabhu give to Raghunatha Dasa Goswami?
- What works did Raghunatha Dasa Goswami write?