Pranam Mantra of Rupa Goswami:
śrī-caitanya-mano-‘bhīṣṭaṁ,sthāpitaṁ yena bhū-tale
svayaṁ rūpaḥ kadā mahyaṁ, dadāti sva-padāntikam
Identity:
In this material world, Sri Rupa Goswami fulfilled the desire of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He is worshipped by the nobles of the World Vaishnava Association. He has acquired a notable place in Gaudiya Vaishnavism for the following contributions:
- Discovering Shri Krishna’s lost pastime places.
- Installing of Radha Govinda.
- Writing bhakti-shastras.
- Propagating the rules of bhakti-yoga.
Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami says in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta (Madhya, Chapter 19):
“vṛndāvanīyāṁ rasa-keli-vārtāṁ, kālena luptāṁ nija-śaktim utkaḥ
sañcārya rūpe vyatanot punaḥ sa, prabhur vidhau prāg iva loka-sṛṣṭim”
Before the creation of this cosmic manifestation, the Lord enlightened the heart of Lord Brahmā with Vedic knowledge. In the same way, the Lord, being anxious to revive the Vṛndāvana pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa, impregnated the heart of Rūpa Gosvāmī with spiritual potency. By this potency, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī could revive the activities of Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana.
Appearance :
In Sajjana Toshani, second year (1885 AD) Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura described about Srila Rupa Gosvami’s appearance. According to him, Rupa Goswami appeared in 1489 AD and lived for 75 years. He spent 22 years in the household and 53 years in Vrindavan.
Position in the spiritual world:
Goswami Kavi Karnapura wrote:
“sri-rupa-manjari khyata yasid vrndavane pura
sadya rupakhya-gosvami bhutva prakatatam iyat”
Translation: She who was known in Vrindavan as Rupa Manjari, has now appeared as Rupa Goswami.
(Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika 180)
Among the Gopi companions of Radharani, Lalita Sakhi is chief. Among the maidservants of Lalita, Sri Rupa Manjari is chief. Therefore in Gaura Lila, six Goswamis are headed by Sri Rupa Goswami.
Achieving royal designation:
Hussain Shah was the ruler of Gauda-Bengal at that time. He found two brothers Rupa and Sanatana and recognised them as extraordinarily intelligent and prudent. He brought them to his royal house and appointed them as his ministers. Although they were reluctant, they performed their duties in fear of the Yavana king. The king offered them plenty of money and property. From then Rupa and Sanatana started living in Ramkeli, the capital of Gauda. Rupa Goswami was awarded the title of Wazir (Minister) with the special charge of administration. The Badsah gave the name “Dabir Khas” to Rupa Goswami and “Sakar Mallik” to Sanatana Goswami.
First meeting with Mahaprabhu at Ramkeli:
Rupa and Sanatana wrote several letters to Mahaprabhu, expressing their humility. From Nilachala, Mahaprabhu went to Kuliya, Navadvipa. Then He went to Ramkeli, the capital of Gauda. The main purpose of Mahaprabhu was to meet Rupa and Sanatana. In Ramkeli Rupa and Sanatana met with Mahaprabhu. As soon as they met Sriman Mahaprabhu, their old memory arose in their mind. They humbly accepted their position as lower than a blade of grass by symbolically holding some straw in their mouth. They prostrated themselves at the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu and began to weep and express humility. Hearing their prayers, Mahaprabhu said – “Dear Dabir Khas, you two brothers are my eternal servants. From today your names are Rupa and Sanatana. Leave this humility. My heart aches to see the wretch.” Mahaprabhu said again – “I had no reason to come to Gauda. I have come here to see you both. But no one knows my mind. Now go home. Don’t be afraid. You are my constant servants from birth to birth. Soon Krishna will rescue you.”
Meeting with Mahaprabhu at Prayag:
After learning that Mahaprabhu would travel to Vrindavan on the forest path, Rupa Goswami also left home along with his brother Anupam Mallik. Rupa Goswami informed this news to Sanatana Goswami through a letter. In this letter, Rupa Goswami gave a hint of his escape. Rupa Goswami arrived at Prayaga. There he met Mahaprabhu in the house of a South Indian Brahmin. Seeing Mahaprabhu Rupa Goswami became overjoyed. He along with his brother Anupama, offered their respectful obeisances to Mahaprabhu. Out of humility, they chanted many verses by symbolically holding some straw in their mouth. At this time Vallabha Bhatta lived in the village of Arail on the other side of Yamuna near Triveni-Sangam. When Mahaprabhu arrived at this place, Rupa and Anupama came there and met Him.
Mahaprabhu’s teachings at Dasashwamedha Ghat:
Mahaprabhu traveled for ten days on a boat with Vallabha Bhatta. Finally, He reached the Dasasvamedha Ghat of Kashi. There in a secluded place, Mahaprabhu infused Rupa Goswami with His potency by teaching him Krishna tattva, Bhakti tattva, and Rasa tattva. He also taught the confidential pastimes of Sri Krishna which had been lost over time. These teachings are called Sri Rupa Siksha. Mahaprabhu instructed Rupa Goswami for ten days.
Arrival at Nilachala:
Srila Rupa Gosvamipad went to Vrindavan from Prayag. There he stayed for a month to fulfill Mahaprabhu’s orders. Then he left for Vrindavan to meet Sanatana Goswami. He walked along the bank of the Ganges and came to Prayaga. But Sanatana Goswami went to Mathura from Kashi via Prayag. Therefore he could not meet Rupa & Anupama. After reaching Mathura Sanatana Goswami got to know the details of Rupa and Anupama from Subuddhi Roy.
Meeting with Mahaprabhu at Nilachala:
Mahaprabhu suddenly appeared at Haridasa Thakura’s place to give darshan to Rupa Goswami. Attracted by Rupa Goswami’s humility and pure devotion, Mahaprabhu embraced him. Then sitting together with Rupa and Haridasa Mahaprabhu inquired about Rupa’s well-being and Sanatana’s news and had some spiritual conversation. One day Mahaprabhu came there with all the devotees. Rupa Goswami bowed down before everyone. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became very pleased and asked Sri Advaita and Nityananda to bless Rupa Goswami. Every day Govinda provided Mahaprabhu’s remnants to Haridasa and Rupa Goswami.
Knowing the heart of Mahaprabhu in Rathyatra:
By the grace of Mahaprabhu, Srila Rupa Goswami became aware of the innate ecstatic mood of Mahaprabhu. During the Rath Yatra, Mahaprabhu danced before the chariot of Jagannath in the mood of Srimati Radharani. At that time He chanted a verse. Nobody could realize the inner meaning of those words except Svarupa Damodara. But Srila Rupa Goswami composed a verse and wrote it on a palm-leaf manuscript. In this verse, he beautifully described the meaning of that particular verse quoted by Mahaprabhu during Rath Yatra. He pounded the palm leaf into the thrash roof and went to take a sea bath. Meanwhile, Mahaprabhu came there and discovered the palm leaf. He recited the verse and was amazed. He became very happy and blessed Rupa Goswami.
Rupa Goswami’s beautiful handwriting:
While Rupa Goswami was composing the drama Vidagdha Madhava, Mahaprabhu suddenly arrived there. He saw the beautiful handwriting of Rupa Goswami and admired him abundantly.
“kyā puṅthi likha?’ bali’ eka-patra nilā
akṣara dekhiyā prabhu mane sukhī hailā”
Translation: The Lord inquired, “What kind of book are you writing?” He held up a palm leaf that was a page of the manuscript, and when He saw the fine handwriting, His mind was very pleased.
“śrī-rūpera akṣara — yena mukutāra pāṅti
prīta hañā karena prabhu akṣarera stuti”
Translation: Thus being pleased, the Lord praised the writing by saying, “The handwriting of Rūpa Gosvāmī is just like rows of pearls.”
Srila Rupa Goswami’s poetic talent:
Mahaprabhu visited Rupa Goswami’s place along with Svarupa Damodara, Raya Ramananda, Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, and other devotees and started praising Rupa’s poetic talent. Śrī Rupa’s quality, his poetic genius, and his scholarly analysis of Vaishnava literature amused Mahaprabhu. No desire of Śrīman Māhāprabhu was unknown to Śrī Rupa Goswami.
Discovery of Govinda Dev:
Rupa Goswami was wandering from one village of Vrindavan to another. He was anxious about how to propagate the worship of Krishna.
Nowhere in Vrindavan, he could find Krishna. He lost his patience and went to the bank of Yamuna. Meanwhile, Krishna himself appeared before him in the disguise of a coward boy of Vrindavan. The boy consoled Rupa Goswami by saying “Don’t worry. Govinda Dev is secretly residing in a place near Gomatila. Every morning, a beautiful cow cheerfully offers milk there.” Rupa Goswami informed all the Vrajavasis and excavated that place. Finally, the beautiful deity of Govinda Dev appeared from that place.
Contribution of Rupa Goswami to fulfill the mission of Mahaprabhu:
Mahaprabhu taught Rupa Goswami about the confidential pastimes of Krishna and the means to attain the Vraja Prema.
“sanātana-kṛpāya pāinu bhaktira siddhānta
śrī-rūpa-kṛpāya pāinu bhakti-rasa-prānta”
Translation: By the mercy of Sanātana Gosvāmī I have learned the conclusions of devotional service, and by the grace of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī I have tasted the highest nectar of devotional service.
“vṛndāvanīyāṁ rasa-keli-vārtāṁ, kālena luptāṁ nija-śaktim utkaḥ
sañcārya rūpe vyatanot punaḥ sa, prabhur vidhau prāg iva loka-sṛṣṭim”
Translation: Before the creation of this cosmic manifestation, the Lord enlightened the heart of Lord Brahmā with the details of the creation and manifested the Vedic knowledge. In the same way, the Lord, being anxious to revive the Vṛndāvana pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa, impregnated the heart of Rūpa Gosvāmī with spiritual potency. By this potency, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī could revive the activities of Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana, activities almost lost to memory. In this way, He spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness throughout the world.
Books authored by Rupa Goswami:
The Nectar of Instruction, The Nectar of Devotion, Ujjwala Nilamani, Hamsa Duta, Mathura Mahatmya, Padyavali, Siddhanta Ratna, Kavya Kaustubha, Krsna-janma-tithi-vidhi, Nataka-candrika, Uddhava-sandesa (News of Uddhava), Mathura-mahatmya, Sri Radha-krsna-ganoddesa-dipika (A Lamp to See the Associates of Radha-Krsna), Laghu-bhagavatamrta, Laghu Ganoddesa Dipika and so on.
Srila Prabhupada on Rupa Goswami:
“I advise all to preach the teachings of Rupa-Raghunath (disciples of Lord Chaitanya) with all energy and resources. Our ultimate goal shall be to become the dust of the lotus feet of Sri Sri Rupa and Raghunath Goswamis.
We wish that this mass of our body of flesh and blood may be sacrificed at the altar of preaching the Sankirtan Movement (congregational chanting of the Holy Name of Godhead) propagated by Lord Chaitanya. We are not desirous of becoming a hero of work or a reformer of religion, but our reality may be identified with the dust of the Lotus Feet of Sree Rupa and Raghunath for that is our everything. The flow of the transcendental tide of the attraction of devotion will never be blocked, and you with all your energy shall devote yourself to fulfilling the desire of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. Many amongst you are well qualified and able workers. We have no other desire whatsoever.”
“Adadanas trnam dantair idam yache punah punah
Srimad-rupa padambhoja-dhulih syam janma-janmani”
Translation: Clasping a straw between my teeth, I repeatedly beg to attain the dust of the lotus feet of Srimad Rupa Goswami birth after birth.
Our only desire is to be a particle of dust at the lotus feet of Rupa Goswami who fulfilled the desire of Mahaprabhu. To realize the teachings of Rupa and Raghunatha Goswamis it is advised to follow the interpretation of Narottama Dasa Thakura.
Disappearance, Bhajan Kutir and Samadhi:
Srila Rupa Goswami’s original samadhi and bhajan kutir is situated behind the Radha Damodara temple in Vrindavan. His other Bhajan kutir is at Terikadamba near Nandagrama. Rupa Goswami disappeared on the next day of Jhulana Ekadashi tithi on the bright moon of Bhadra.
