The Royal Assembly of world Vaisnavas:

It was Srila Jiva Gosvami who coined the term “Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha” (the royal assembly of the topmost vaishnavas) and mentioned it at the end of each volume of his ‘sat-sandarbha’ (six treatises) aka “Bhagavata Sandarbha”. In the conclusion of Sri Tattva Sandarbha, he wrote:

“Iti kaliyuga pavana sva-bhajana vibhjana prayojana avatara sri sri bhagavat krsna caitanya deva carananucara Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha sabhajana bhajana sri rupa sanatana anusasana bharati garbhe sri bhagavata sandarbhe tattva sandarbho nama prathamah sandarbha”

Translation:

Thus ends Tattva Sandarbha, the first book of the Bhāgavata

Sandarbha, which was written under the instruction of Śrīla Rūpa

Gosvāmī and Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, the revered leaders of the royal assembly of world Vaiṣṇavas. They are unalloyed servants of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the purifier of the jīvas in Kaliyuga, who descended to distribute the benediction of His own devotional worship.

The significance of Srila Jiva Gosvami’s statements:

The term “visva-vaisnava” refers to the worldwide Vaishnavas; “rāja” means the best among the vaishnavas; “sabha” refers to assembly. Therefore the phrase “Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha” stands for the “royal assembly of the topmost vaishnavas of the world”. These revered Vaishnavas are the intimate attendants of the feet of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu is “kali-yuga pavana” i.e. the purifier of the jivas in Kaliyuga (the bestower of the knowledge of sambandha or interrelatedness) and svabhajana-vibhajana i.e. who distributes the knowledge of abhidheya or the means of attainment and “prayojana-avatari” ie He is svayam bhagavān or Kṛṣṇa Himself as well as the embodiment of Kṛṣṇa prema and He distributes Kṛṣṇa prema, the ultimate purpose. The two associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Rupa and Sanatana are the revered leaders of the royal assembly of world Vaishnavas. The Six Treatises or Bhāgavata Sandarbha was written on the basis of their teachings.

The Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha is illuminated by the light of Srila Jiva Gosvami’s “Sat Sandarbha”

Therefore, those whose hearts are illuminated by the light of the “Sat Sandarbhas”, become eligible to be the members of the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha. Unfortunately, when the so-called Vaishnava society fails to receive this light due to the lack of presence of a bonafide Gaudiya Vaishnava acarya, the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha conceals itself. Again when a proper Gaudiya Vaishnava acarya appears, the sabha also comes into light. Since the departure of Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti and Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana, the sabha went concealed for a long time. It was Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, the original founder of Sri Chaitanya Math and Sri Gaudiya Math, re-manifested Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha on 21st magha, Bengal era 1326 (February 1919 AD) at Sri Bhaktivinoda Asana, No. 1 Ultadingi Junction Road, Calcutta .

What is Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha?

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord Krishna Himself. He is the only treasure of the hearts of all Vaishnavas in the world. Thus He is the king of all Vaishnavas. The Lord appeared in this world to preach the unalloyed prema bhakti. He taught us how the conditioned jivas are related with the Supreme Absolute (samvandha); the loving exchanges between God and the living beings through Bhakti (avidheya); and how to captivate the Supreme in love and attain the highest goal of human life (prayojana). Srila Jiva Gosvami established the ‘Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha’ to preach the samvandha, abhidheya and prayojana teachings given by Mahaprabhu following the footsteps of Mahaprabhu’s intimate associates Svarupa, Rupa and Sanatana through his own examplery practices. In modern times Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura re-initiated the mission. Subsequently, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada founded his own organisation and made a massive advancement of this mission.

Some important personalities of Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha:

Srila Jiva Gosvami:

The chief courtier of the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha is Srila Jiva Gosvami. Srila Rupa Gosvami & his elder brother Srila Sanatana Gosvami are the revered leaders of this assembly.

Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada:

Another important courtier of this assembly is Srila Bhakti Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada.

Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakura:

Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakura is another major figure of this assembly.

Some Chronological Facts:

Through this Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha Srila Jiva Gosvami sent the trio: Thakura Narottama, Srinivasa Acarya & Syamananda Prabhu to preach along with the Gosvami texts. The trio preached throughout Assam, Bengal and Orissa, spread the rupanuga gaudiya vaisnavism and brought the flood of prema again after Sri Caitanya Maharabhu.

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Gosvami Prabhupada:

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Gosvami Prabhupada established Gaudiya maths and missions worldwide. Through this organisation the teachings of Sriman Mahaprabhu and the philosophy of unalloyed bhakti continued to flood the eastern and western countries.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

Through this Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura re-introduced the namhatta of Lord Sri Nityananda prabhu and preached the “hata” of chanting the holy names devoid of offences.

History of Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha:

“Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha” has been manifested thrice in this material world till date.

Srila Jiva Gosvami

About eleven years after the disappearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, i.e. in 1545 AD, the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha was established in Sridham Vrindavan under the leadership of Srila Jiva Gosvamipada, one of the Six revered Gosvamis of Vrindavan.

Members of Visva Vaishnava Raj Sabha

All the Vaishnavas who consider themselves the adherents of Srila Rupa Gosvami, are the members of this assembly. The chief commanders of these Vaishnava soldiers were Srimad Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami and Srimad Jiva Gosvami. The other members of this assembly were 1) Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami 2) Gopala Bhatta Gosvami 3) Kashisvara Gosvami 4) Loknatha Gosvami 5) Bhugarbha Gosvami 6) Krsna Dasa Kaviraja Gosvami and many other devout Gosvamis were present as members in this great assembly.

Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada

On the auspicious day of the appearance of Sri Vishnupriya Devi, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada re-established the “Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha” for the third time at Sri Bhaktivinoda Asana at Ultadingi Junction. This meeting was held on February 5, 1919.

Members of the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha:

1) Sri Kunja Vihari Vidyabhushana, later known as Srimad Bhakti Vilasa Tirtha Gosvami Maharaja, 2) Sri Jagadisa Bhakti Pradip, later known as Srimad Bhakti Pradip Tirtha Gosvami Maharaja,

3) Sri Pramoda Bhushana Chakraborty, later known as Srimad Bhakti Pramod Puri Gosvami Maharaj, 4) Shri Priyanath Devasharma 5) Shri Ramgopal Vidyabhushan 6) Shri Haripada Vidhyaratna etc. The meeting was conducted smoothly in the presence of many other dignitaries.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya, known as the Bhagiratha of pure devotion, as it was preached by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, re-established the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha for the second time. He wanted to promote the succession. The meeting was held on Sunday, June 26, 1885, in 399 Chaitanya era at Ramgopal Bose’s residence at Krishna Singha lane (now Bethune Road), Calcutta. Srila Prabhupada himself was present in this meeting. At that time his name was Sri Bimala Prasad Siddhanta Sarasvati. He was a member of this Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha. Other members were: 1) Madangopal Gosvami, 2) Nilakanta Gosvami, 3) Vipinvihari Gosvami, 4) Radhikanath Gosvami, Shishir Kumar Ghosh and other eminent persons.

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The purpose of founding Sri Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha by Sri Jiva Gosvami Prabhupada:

The main objective of Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhupada behind founding Sri Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha was to preserve the purity of acintya bheda-abheda school introduced by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and to establish and propagate the school of acintya bheda-abheda philosophy in this world. In this way Sri Jiva Gosvami wanted to spread the glories of the lotus feet of Srila Svarupa Damodara, Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami by sending the preachers to Gauda Mandala (Bengal). He authored and compiled several books (namely Sat-Sandarbha) to defend his sampradaya from the adherents of deviant philosophies.

The purpose of the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha founded by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya:

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya re-established the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha in 399 Caitanya era. In the following year i.e. in 400 Chaitanya era, he celebrated the fourth centenary of the annual advent festival of Sri Chaitanya Deva. Also, the great purpose of this assembly was to carry out the functions of sri namhatta properly, publish pure devotional books and preach them and other activities.

Purpose of Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha, founded by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada

1) Establishing mathas (monasteries) in different parts of the world (2) Encouraging the young generation of the country to practise brahmacarya (celibacy) and engaging them in the service of the Godhead (3) To make the living beings aware of the real “atma dharma” (qualities of the soul) or “svarupa dharma” by bringing an inundation of pure devotion and to establish a spontaneous, permanent and universal brotherhood. (8) To make the Sanskrit and Bengali philosophical books like “Srimad Bhagavatam”, “Vedanta Kalpadruma”, Sat Sandarbha”, “Vaishnava Manjusha”, “Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu”, “Baladeva Gita”, “Sri Caitanya Caritamrta” etc. accessible and affordable to the common people at low cost. (5) To publish spiritual magazines in different languages like “Gaudiya” (Weekly) and “Sajjana Tosani” (Monthly) “Nadiya Prakasa” (Daily), “The Harmonist” (Monthly in English) and in other languages for the preaching of pure devotion.

Different ministries of Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada:

The Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha was divided into different constituents and took on different responsibilities of preaching. As follows:

Manada Mandali

Honouring those who will render significant service to the Lord or the devotees.

Sri Krsna Caitanya Pracara Mandali

Nama Pracara Sakha:

To go various places for the purpose of preaching and practise them personally; delivering lectures, recitation, expositions, ista-gosthi (discussion among the devotees), discussions, preaching campaign from door-to-door, nagara-sankirtana etc.

Sastra Pracara Sakha:

To rint and publish booklets, books etc which are in line with the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates; discover lost manuscripts and preach them in accordance with the patra-raja of the assembly.

Sastra Siksha Sakha:

Regular teaching of Bhakti Shastras; classifying the students and training them; commencing yearly examination during the festival of advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srimad Bhaktivinoda Thakura every year.

Jijnasa Mandali:

‘Varsa pariksa’ to examine the character and understand the nature of a newcomer before accepting him in the service of the Lord, as a preacher or as a member of the mission.

Pasanda Dalana Mandali

To take proper actions if any person or community attacks the pure devotion, devotees or God in any way out of envy, if the Bhagavad Dharma is criticized in any way; to give reasonable answers to the questions of opponents, to publish pamphlets, protests in periodicals and do general criticism.

Utsava Mandali

To take the responsibilities of the festivals in the appearance and disappearance days of the Lord and His devotees.

Bhaktya-Nusthana Mandali:

To make efforts to revive the lost tirthas (sites related to the Lord), founding mathas, temples and preaching centres in various places to protect the pure devotion under the guidance of the Acarya.

Under the leadership of the Patra-raja Paramahamsa Parivrajaka Acharya Varya Om Vishnupada Sri Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura of sri Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha, different preachers in different sections took the responsibility of the service and formed the constituency.

Some important issues discussed in the assembly of “Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha”

All Glories to Sri Mayapura Candra

A month-long festival starting from 16th of Bhadra is arranged at “sri Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha” aka Bhaktivinoda Asana to celebrate the auspicious advent of Hari, Guru & Vaishnavas.

Address: No.1 Ultadingi Junction Road, south of Pareshnath temple.

“Jive daya” (showing kindness to all living beings), ‘name ruci” (attaining taste in chanting the names of the Lord) & “vaisnava sevana” (to serve the vaishnavas) are the absolute Dharma. This very lesson was taught by Thakura Bhaktivinoda. The living beings possess the material bodies that suffer from hunger and thirst. To protect and purify the body with the remnants of the Lord, is called “jive daya”. When one violates the injunctions of honouring prasada, the body becomes sick. To give medicine and proper diet to the invalids shows kindness to the living being. By forgetting God, the living beings have become capricious. When the living beings acquire properly, they become aware of this bondage. To educate the living beings about this knowledge is showing mercy to them. When the living entity attains such mercy, he attains the taste in chanting the holy names as well. To purify the body and mind by practising Hari kriya (actions dedicated to Hari) and Hari jnana (knowledge leading to Hari), as prescribed in the scriptures, are the implements of “jive daya”. To serve Hari, Guru & Vaisnavas is the absolute eternal dharma (duty) for the jivas. This is the greatest mercy.

   If a living being serves Hari-Guru & Vaisnava with his body and mind, his atma dharma (original nature) will develop. Sri Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha has started that task with utmost care. All living beings of the world, please come and join them. There is neither greater activity nor greater knowledge than this. ‘Sukla vitta’ or honest finances are required from the saintly people for the expenses of this great universal affair. The pure-hearted people, please join together and benefit the noble society.  This is the highest implement of money. In this way the human life will be worthwhile. There is no violence, no sin, no crime; only benefit of one’s own and others.

vaishnava dasanudasa

Sri Priyanath Debsharma (Mukhopadhyay Vidyavacaspati)

Sri Ramgopal Vidyabhushan (MA)

Sri Haripada Vidyaratna (Kavibhushan, Bhakti Sastri, MA)

Editors-in-Chief of Visva Vaishnav Raja Sabha

Speech delivered by Srila Prabhupada at

Recently, many pure devotees have gathered and re-established the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha in Calcutta Bhaktivinod Asana on the auspicious appearance day of Vishnupriya Devi. Although this is an eternal association of pure devotees. But in this material world, it manifested for three times. After the disappearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a shadow of ignorance started to cast throughout the world. In the eleventh year of Mahaprabhu’s disappearance, in Vraja-mandala six brilliant stars appeared and were engaged in the service of Gauracandra. Apart from them Lokanatha Gosvami, Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami, Kasisvara Gosvami & some other great personalities were present in the royal assembly of Lord Gaura Candra. Sri Gaurasundara’s 64 intimate associates also were present. Twelve associates of Sri Nityananda Prabhu were present. The Namahatta, propagated by Lord Nityananda Prabhu is an important pillar of this Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha.

Mahaprabhu Sri Krishna Chaitanya Deva is the deliverer in this age of Kali. He grants the knowledge of sambandha and teaches us how to perform His bhajana. He is the origin of all avataras and determines avidheya and the embodiment of prayojana i.e. Krsna-prema. The devotees of Sri Gaura are also called as attendants of the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya. The assembly of His devotees is called Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha. Sri Rupa Gosvami is the ‘sabha-jana patra-raja’ (revered courtman) of this royal assembly of world vaishnavas and Sri Sanatana Gosvami is the ‘varenya’ (respected personality). Those who accept themselves to be the followers of Srila Rupa Gosvami, are the fellows of the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha. Sri Sri Prabhupada Srimad Jiva Gosvami and Sri Sri Prabhupada Srimad Dasa Gosvami (Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami) are the foremost leaders of them. Following the misfortune of the material universe, of Lord Gaura Sundara manifesting His disappearance pastime, Srimad Jiva Prabhu propagated the Bhagavata Dharma following the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvami & Srila Sanatana Gosvami. Those who were accepted by the two foremost preceptors i.e. Srila Rupa & Sanatana, are the honourable fellows of this assembly. Srila Jiva Gosvami being the leader of the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha, compiled and propounded the precepts of Srila Rupa Gosvami in the assembly. This compilation is called the bhagavata sandarbha or sat-sandarbha.

The members of this Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha appreciate that compilation as the teachings of Srila Sanatana Gosvami and perform hari-bhajan. Another leader of the assembly, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami Prabhu Maharaja accepted the teachings of Srila Rupa Gosvami to his heart and gave the purest and transcendental bhajana system. This is the only acceptable path for the devotees of Lord Gaura. Taking refuge to the unspotted lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Raghunatha, the best among the kings of the rasika bhaktas. Sripada Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami Prabhu was another courtman of the royal assembly of world vaishnavas. Also Srila Narottma Dasa Thakura Mahasay, the crest-jewel of the transcendental devotees, became another revered personality of this assembly. Gradually, Sripad Vishvanath Chakraborty Thakura and other chiefs among the kings of the pure devotees spread moonbeams in this assembly. The darkness of maya can not dominate the three worlds all the time. Therefore radiant stars of the associates of Sri Gaura Candra come in between. In the year of 399 Chaitanya era, a bright star arose in the sky of world vaishnavas. He revived the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha. 33 years ago, many people got illuminated by the light of that assembly in Calcutta. As a result of its radiance, within 33 years, today, the pleasant rays of Shri Gourachandra are visible through the gentle eyes.

As the autumn cloud suddenly permeates the sky and covers the moon, the materialistic pseudo-Vaishnavas put on the dress of the Vaishnavas and block the transcendental light in the society. That pioneer among the followers of Srila Rupa Gosvami, has left this material world four years ago. Meanwhile the beams got interrupted by the mist of the deviant philosophies. Considering the fact, the community of the followers of the Rupanugas has determined to preserve the pure light of Hari-katha amidst turbulent storms. The transcendental flower of krsna-prema was bloomed in the hands of Sri Rupa, Raghunatha, Jiva and other acaryas. Srimad Bhaktivinoda Thakura showed the bud of the flower to the world. After his departure, that bud started blooming. The followers of Srila Rupa Gosvami will protect the beauty and fragrance of the flower from the attack of mischievous people and help the bumble-bee like devotees to attain the lotus feet of Gaura. In this context, we request you to read Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi, Chapter 9, written by the rasika bhakta raja (king among the rasika bhaktas) to comprehend the attempts made by Sri Caitanya malakara (garland-maker) out of love. Those who are adamantly adverse to the Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha, if they try to do any service, the attendants of the assembly will not accept. To those who are adamantly opposed to the Sri Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha, Gaursundara will inculcate the mood of servitude of agha, vaka & putana in their hearts and give them no place in this assembly. We express specific sorrow and shed tears for them. If Gaurasundara had the intention that there should be no adherent of other than Sri Rupa Prabhu, or that there should be no existence of Sri Visva Vaishnava Raja Sabha except the nama-hatta of Nitai-Chand, then He would not have expanded the Rupanugas.