Early Life
Sri Kumaradeva had many sons. Among them were Sri Amar (Sanatana), Sri Santosh (Rupa), and Sri Vallabha (Anupama) – great devotees.
Initially, the two brothers studied at their uncle's house, but when the local Shah heard about their education, he invited them to his service.
In 1515, Chaitanya Mahāprabhu visited Ramakeli, the then capital of Gaudadesha, where Sakara Malik (Sanatana) and Dabir Kas (Rupa) worked as ministers, along with their brother Anupama, who had a small son (Jiva).
Sanatana Goswami and Srimad Bhagavatam
One morning, Sanatana Goswami had a dream in which a brahmana gave him the Srimad Bhagavatam. Waking up suddenly and seeing no one around, he felt very disappointed. Later in the morning, after he had bathed and performed his puja, a brahmana came to his house and gave him the Bhagavatam, instructing him to study it carefully. Receiving this book in such a way, Sanatana was overwhelmed with bliss and from that day on considered the Bhagavatam the essence of all scriptures.
"My only constant companion, my only friend, guru and wealth, my deliverer, my great fortune and source of my happiness, the form in which I taste pleasure, my obeisances unto you, O Srimad Bhagavatam." – Sri Krishna Lila Stava
Sanatana Goswami and Madana Gopala
For some time, Sanatana Goswami lived in Mahavana, the birthplace of Krishna, in a kutir – a hut made of leaves. One day he was walking along the banks of the Yamuna begging for alms.
The Meeting
Madana Gopaladeva was just there playing with the village cowherd boys, and when He saw Sanatana Goswami, He ran to him shouting: "Baba! Baba!" Grabbing Sanatana's hand, He began to plead: "I want to go with you!"
That night he had a dream in which he again saw the same boy. Smiling very sweetly, He grabbed Sanatana by the hand and said: "Baba! Tomorrow I will come and stay with you. My name is Madana Gopala."
Sanatana woke up and opening the door of his hut saw a beautiful Deity of Gopala standing outside. His effulgence radiated in all directions. Sanatana performed Gopala's abhisheka and began to worship Him.
Salt and Ghee
One day Madana Gopala refused to eat, complaining that the chapatis were without even salt. Sanatana replied: "Today salt for You, tomorrow ghee. But I am sorry, I do not have the time or inclination to run to rich people and ask them for these special things."
Madana Mohana is the son of a king. Seeing that He eats only dry chapatis, Sanatana felt very sad. Madana Mohana understood: "Sanatana wants to serve Me more." Then He Himself decided that the service to Him would increase.
Sri Krishna Dasa Kapura
A few days later, a wealthy kshatriya named Sri Krishna Dasa Kapura was traveling to Mathura on business, but his boat ran aground. Learning about Sanatana Goswami, he came to him to ask for blessings. Sanatana directed him to pray to Madana Mohana.
Krishna Dasa prayed: "O Madana Gopala Deva! If by Your mercy my boat is freed, all the profit will go to this Goswami to use in service to You."
Already that same afternoon it began to rain heavily and the boat sailed successfully. With the profit received, he built a temple and kitchen for the worship of Madana Gopala. This is the Madana Mohana temple known today in Vrindavana.
Other Pastimes of Sanatana Goswami
Snake or Braids?
One day Sanatana Goswami came to Radha Kunda to meet Sri Rupa. He read a verse by Rupa in which Radharani's braids are compared to a snake's hood, and doubted this comparison. Later, while bathing, he saw girls playing on the other bank and noticed a black snake hanging over one girl.
He began to shout: "Ohe Lali! Careful! There is a snake right behind you!" But when he rushed to save her, the girls disappeared. Sanatana understood that it was Srimati Radharani Herself, and the "snake" was Her beautiful braids. Rupa's comparison was correct.
Krishna Brings Milk
While Sanatana was meditating at Pavana Sarovara without food, Krishna Himself, dressed as a cowherd boy, brought him milk. When Sanatana asked why the boy was troubling Himself, Krishna replied: "I am herding cows and saw that you are not eating anything." Later Sanatana understood that it was the Lord Himself.
Sweet Rice
Once Rupa Goswami wanted to make sweet rice for Sanatana but had no ingredients. Sri Radha Thakurani, dressed as a milkmaid, brought him rice, sugar, and milk. tasting the prepared prasada, Sanatana felt ecstasy and asked where the ingredients came from. Learning the story, he understood that it was Srimati Radharani Herself, and asked Rupa never again to have such desires that trouble the Lord.
Mosquitoes at Chakleshvara
At Chakleshvara, Sanatana was tormented by mosquitoes, so he decided to leave. That night Lord Shiva appeared to him and promised that the mosquitoes would no longer disturb him. Since then, there have been no mosquitoes in that place.
Govardhana Shila
In his old age, it was difficult for Sanatana to perform the full Govardhana parikrama (24 miles). Krishna gave him a Govardhana Shila with the impressions of His footprint, flute, stick, and calf's hoof. Krishna said that circumambulating this Shila 4 times is equal to a full parikrama. This Shila is now kept in the Radha Damodara temple.
Rupa Goswami and Govinda Deva
Sri Rupa Goswami was the rasācārya – he was well versed in the science of relationships and described the stages of devotional service. His worshipable Deity was Sri Govinda Deva, whom he tried to find in Vraja.
Discovery of Govinda
Sad due to unsuccessful searches, Rupa met a cowherd boy at Gomatila. The boy showed him the place where a cow poured milk every day. When the boy disappeared, Rupa, together with the villagers, began to dig in the indicated spot and discovered the beautiful Deity of Sri Govinda.
The news spread quickly. Brahma and the demigods came to see. Mahāprabhu sent Kashishvara Pandita to help worship the Deity. Sri Govinda Deva is now worshiped in Jaipur.
Other Events in Rupa Goswami's Life
Jiva Goswami and Vallabhacharya
Once Vallabhacharya was visiting Rupa and began correcting a verse in Rupa's "Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu". Young Jiva Goswami, Rupa's nephew, later asked Vallabha by the Yamuna about the errors and defended them, demonstrating his deep learning.
When Vallabha told Rupa about this, he scolded Jiva for disrespecting an elder (guru respect) and ordered him to leave. Jiva lived in an abandoned temple at Nanda-ghata, fasting and crying, until Sanatana found him and reconciled him with Rupa, who then entrusted Jiva with editing his writings.
Lalita Madhava and Raghunatha Dasa
Rupa's work "Lalita Madhava" is about the mood of separation (vipralambha). Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, reading it, became so immersed in grief that Rupa had to write another work "Dana-keli-kaumudi" (about joyful pastimes) and exchange the manuscript to save Raghunatha from excessive sorrow.
Discovery of Vrinda Devi
Vrindadevi appeared to Rupa in a dream and indicated her location near Brahma-kunda. There he discovered her Deity.
Principal Writings
Sanatana Goswami
Bṛhat-bhāgavatāmṛta
Hari-bhakti-vilāsa
Kṛṣṇa-līlā-stava
Bṛhat Vaiṣṇava Toṣaṇī
Rupa Goswami
Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu
Ujjvala-nīlamaṇi
Vidagdha-mādhava
Lalita-mādhava
"Sri Rupa Goswami has established in this world a mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Chaitanya. When will he give me shelter at his lotus feet?"
— Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, Sri Rupa Pranama
Sanatana Goswami
- Born: 1482
- Departed: 1564
- In Vrindavana: 43 years
- In Krishna Lila: Labanga Mañjarī
Rupa Goswami
- Born: 1489
- Departed: 1564
- In Vrindavana: 51 years
- In Krishna Lila: Rūpa Mañjarī
Self-Check Questions
- State the birthplace and age in which Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana Goswamis lived.
- Briefly tell about their contribution to Chaitanya Mahāprabhu's preaching mission.