Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati's Sri Caitanya-candramrta [The Nectar Moon of Sri Caitanya]

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A Glimpse into the Life of Srila Prabodhananda

Sarasvati

 

Beginning in the year 1511 Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

made a pilgrim's journey of the holy places in South

India, where He gave His mercy to the devotees there.

Starting from Jagannatha Puri, He first went to the

Godavari River, and from there travelled to many holy

places in what is now the state of Madras. On Sukla

Ekadasi of the month of Asadha, Sriman Mahaprabhu

arrived at Sri Ranga-ksetra, where He decided to stay

and practice austerities during the four months of

Caturmasya. In this way Lord Caitanya spent four

months seeing the beautiful form of the Deity, Lord

Ranganatha, and preaching the message of Sri Krsna.

At this time Lord Caitanya stayed at the home of three

brothers, Tirumalaya, Vyenkata (whose son was Gopala

Bhatta Gosvami), and Gopala Guru (Prabodhananda

Sarasvati), who were Sri Vaisnavas, followers of

Ramanujacarya, and devoted to the worship of

Laksmi-Narayana. Lord Caitanya explained the

superiority of Lord Krsna's lila to His hosts, and

their conversation on this point is recorded in

Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter Nine. At

this time Gopala Guru (Prabodhananda Sarasvati) became

very devoted to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and

Vyenkata's son (Gopala Bhatta Gosvami) also became

attached to the Lord. In his youth, Gopala Bhatta was

instructed by Prabodhananda Sarasvati.

 

Prabodhananda Sarasvati became a follower of Sri

Caitanya and is considered one of the great acaryas in

the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya. Actually he is one

the greatest eternal associates of the Lord. When the

Lord appeared in His original form of Sri Krsna,

Prabodhananda Sarasvati was one of the important

gopis. This is recorded in Kavi Karnapura's

Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (163):

 

"The gopi Tungavidya, who appeared in Vrajabhumi

during Lord Krsna's pastimes, also appeared during the

pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. At that time

she appeared as Prabodhananda Svami, who became famous

as Sarasvati because of his eloquent (sarasvati)

glorification of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu."

 

Prabodhananda Sarasvati is also mentioned in the

introduction to Srila Sanatana Gosvami's

Hari-bhakti-vilasa (1.2):

 

"This book, Hari-bhakti-vilasa was originally compiled

by Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, the disciple of

Prabodhananda Sarasvati, who is very dear to Lord

Krsna. Gopala Bhatta brought great happiness to Srila

Rupa Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, and Srila

Raghunatha dasa Gosvami."

 

Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati is also described in

Narahari Sarakara's Bhakti-ratnakara:

 

"Prabodhananda Sarasvati was full of all good

qualities, and therefore he was known everywhere by

the name Sarasvati."

 

"He was very devoted to the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, Sri Krsna Caitanya, and he always remembered

Him, even when he slept."

 

"He was full of love for the devotees, and was also

very austere and renounced. His handsome form was

very pleasing to see, and he was also a learned poet

and scholar. No one could compare with him in the

arts of singing, dancing, and playing musical

instruments."

 

"Everyone who heard his eloquent speech became filled

with happiness. These are the incomparable glories of

Prabodhananda Sarasvati." After Lord Caitanya left

South India and returned to Jagannatha Puri in Orissa,

Prabodhananda Sarasvati became rapt in always

remembering Him within his heart. Prabodhananda left

his home in Ranga-ksetra and travelled to Sri

Vrndavana, where he stayed in the forest of Kamyavana,

and where he was soon met by his nephew Gopala Bhatta

Gosvami.

 

-- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

 

 

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"Radha-Krishna prana mora jugala-kisora, jivane marane gati aro nahi mora."

 

"The divine couple, Sri Radha and Krsna, are my life and soul. In life or death

I have no other refuge but Them."

 

-- Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura