Pastimes of Srila Gopal Bhatta Gowami - READ CAREFULLY

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The Disppearance of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami - 21st July

 

>From Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Sarkara Thakura

 

O my divine master, Sri Gopala Bhatta, the bee at Sri Gaura`s lotus

feet. You are the sun which destroys the darkness of illusion, the

ocean of mercy and the greatest of all brahmanas. You are the son of

Sri Venkata Bhatta and are just like a valuable jewel of divine love and

devotion. You have relieved the fallen souls from material bondage and awarded

them real happiness. O master, please save me.

 

My dear master, Srila Gopala Bhatta, who is always situated at the

lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. You are the most expert devotee of the

Lord.

 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met Sri Gopala Bhatta in South India. I shall summarize

the history of the Bhatta family: Sri Gopala Bhatta was the son of Sri Venkata

Bhatta.

 

Sri Venkata Bhatta lived in the south and was a renowned brahmin scholar of all

sastras.

Trimalla, Venkata and Sri Prabodhananda were three brothers of whom Sri Gaura

candra was the very life and soul.

 

Formerly they were worshippers of Sri Laksmi Narayana, but by the favor of

Mahaprabhu they later became great devotees of Radha Krsna. During his visit to

the South, Prabhu Gaurahari spent four happy months in the house of the

Bhattas.

 

In the book Caitanya Caritamrta, there was a beautiful description of the

Lord's Southern tour.

There was no mention of Gopala Bhatta in the Caitanya Caritamrta but his family

is mentioned.

In Caitanya Caritamrta (madhu kanda 9/82-83) there is mention of a Vaisnava

named Sri Venkata Bhatta who respectfully invited Prabhu to his house.

 

He washed the feet of the Lord and drank the water with all the members of his

family.

It was said that Gopala, the son of Venkata became ecstatically emotional by

drinking that water. Although he tried to control his body it shivered in

ecstatic love.

 

Gopala was a beautiful young man whose complexion was as bright as a golden

champaka flower. His lotus like face had large eyes and eyebrows and his nose

and forehead bore the bright tilaka of the Vaisnavas.

 

How beautiful were his ears and neck. How beautiful were his hands, chest and

thin waist.

How beautiful were his shank, knees, reddish feet. He wore bright clothes and

was decorated with many ornaments.

 

Everyone was fascinated by his ever increasing beauty and his manliness.

Having received Mahaprabhu - his life and soul - Gopala engage himself most

gladly in the Lord's service.

 

I worship Sri Gopala Bhatta Prabhu who was the best of all brahmanas and was

engaged with utmost sincerity in the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I am

unable to describe how Gaurahari favored Sri Gopala Bhatta.

 

The character of Sri Gopala Bhatta

 

Nevertheless I shall attempt to describe the character of Gopala who was always

engaged in the service of Sri Mahaprabhu. He was not satisfied to see

Mahaprabhu as an ascetic but he lamented privately. He addressed Providence

with a choked voice, "O Providence, why was I born in this far away place? "Why

have you forced me to see Prabhu in the dress of an ascetic and deprived me

from observing His pastimes in Nadia?

 

"How cruel you are to allow Him the life of a renunciate when I long to see Him

as Vrajendra Nandana, the Lord of Sri Radhika." Lamenting in this way he wept

like a mad man and breathed a heavy sigh as hot as fire. Forgiving Providence,

Gopala then lamented that the ill fortune was his own fault. Having spent

himself in lamentation, Gopala remained reticent yet Gaurahari could understand

the state of Gopala's mind.

 

When Gopala fell asleep, the Lord of Navadvipa appeared to him in a dream.

Lord Gaurasundara strolling through the streets of Navadvipa and he was there

with him.

Nityananda and Advaita took him lovingly in their arms but when they were about

to tell him something, he woke up from his sleep.

 

Gopala looked around in bewilderment and them went impatiently to find Sri

Gaura.

Mahaprabhu was delighted and revealed Himself in the form of a cowherd boy with

a blue complexion. The divine beauty remained but in a few moments the blue

complexion turned golden.

 

The glow of Gaurasundara's beauty enchanted the universe. How beautiful was

that hair that curled across His shoulders. His forehead was decorated by

Vaisnava tilaka, his eyebrows were dramatically raised and his magnificent

glance stole the hearts of all the ladies.

His beautiful face defeated the pride of the autumn moon and His smile showered

nectar.

His beautiful dhoti was wrapped with three folds and decorated with various

ornaments, His gestures and postures were fascinating.

 

The garland of malati flowers hanging round Nimai's neck enchanted Gopala.

He fell to the feet of Mahaprabhu and again looked at his face withexpectation,

but the Lord had reassumed His ascetic form. Prabhu Gauracandra pacified Gopala

and gave him direct instructions. He ordered him to go to Vrndavana as soon as

possible for there he would meet two valuable jewels namely Rupa and Sanatana.

 

"Tell them about My desire," said Mahaprabhu. "In Vrndavana, you will get many

disciples from all over the world." Having instructed Gopala, Prabhu took him

in his lap and soaked his body with tears from His own eyes. Prabhu advised

Gopala to keep the instructions confidential and not discus them with anyone.

Gopala was very happy with that.Sri Venkata Bhatta was satisfied seeing the

sincerity with which Gopala served Sri Gauranga.

 

He dedicated his son to the gracious feet of Gauracandra and became truly

happy. Thereafter Gopala spent his days and nights with Sri Gaurahari. The

thought that Prabhu would leave their house after four months made the three

brothers morose. Trimalla, Venkata and Sri Prabodha nanda wondered how they

could spend their days without Prabhu. "Who will joke with us" they asked each

other. "Who will accompany us while we bathe in the river Kaveri?

 

"Who will perform sankirtana in the temple of Ranganatha and who will give

worthless fellows like us the gem of deviation? Without Prabhu's presence these

crowds will all disperse and the holy place shall be vacant." Though tears

streamed silently down their faces, they did not disclose their worries to any

one. At the end of the scheduled four months when Prabhu actually left their

houses, they cried out in despair.

 

As the Lord left their house, the Bhatta's fell on the ground at His feet.

Prabhu pacified the three brothers by embracing them affectionately. After

pacifying Gopala, Mahaprabhu continued on His Southern tour. At last He reached

Nilacala where He met His associated and devotees.

He visited Gauda and Vrndavana where He also met many of His devotees.

 

The great ascetic Sri Krsna Caitanya gratified the Kali Yuga with help of his

devotees.

Wherever he went he informed his devotees that he had decided to stay in

Nilacala.

But in South India Sri Venkata Bhatta and his two brothers grew morose because

of the separation from Sri Caitanya.

 

In the absence of his master Sri Gopala's state of mind was beyonddescription.

He reflected on that moment of separation when Mahaprabhu had assured him that

his desires would soon be fulfilled. He thought of Mahaprabhu's promise to take

him to Vrndavana.

Gopala remained absorbed in love of Sri Gauranga, and his fame in explaining

devotional doctrines began to spread throughout the country. His pleasure was

derived from spreading the glories of Sri Gauranga and defeating the views of

the illusionists.

 

Educated people eulogized Gopala Bhatta and wondered how he had gained so much

knowledge so easily. Somebody said, "The credit goes to Sri Parabodhananda who

has educated him since his childhood. "No one can match the learning of Sri

Gopala who certainly gained his knowledge through the earnest efforts of his

uncle."

 

Somebody said, "Because of his vast learning Prabhonanda has earned the title

Saraswati.

Whether awake or sleeping he never thinks of anyone but his Lord Sri Krsna

Caitanya."

According to Hari Bhakti Vilasa (1:2) "Gopala Bhatta, the disciple of Srila

Prabodhananda and a favorite devotee of Lord Sri Gaura Sundara, is compiling

the book Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa, having satisfied Sri Raghunatha dasa and Rupa

Sanatana."

 

A renunciate in worldly matters, Sri Gopala Bhatta was both affectionate and

poetic.He was an expert in singing, playing musical instruments and dancing.

The book of verse compiled by Sri Gopala Bhatta for which Prabhonanda should be

given first credit - uses to enchant both the readers and the listeners. In

this way, everyone praised Sri Prabodhananda and Gopala, his nephew who was

highly learned and also kind hearted.

 

Sri Gopala took serious responsibility in looking after his parents who were

always satisfied with him. Once a brahmin told Sri Venkata Bhatta, "You must be

proud to be the father of a son who is illustrious in every way. "I have never

seen such deep devotion as your son exhibits nor such submission toward

parents." Venkata Bhatta was delighted to tell the brahmin about Gopala's life

long endurance to be a great man.

 

Gopala had eagerly anticipated seeing Lord Jagannatha in Nilacala and at the

same time he was interested in learning Vyakarana and other scriptures. Sri

Venkata Bhatta also told the brahmin how his son Gopala had shown sincerity in

serving Sri Krsna Caitanya, the Absolute Being.

The brahmin enjoyed the stories about Gopala and admired Sri VenkataBhatta for

being the happy father of such a fine son. Thereafter the brahmin returned

home.

 

The parents of Gopala were certainly fortunate to have a son who had fully

dedicated himself to the gracious feet of Sri Caitanya. They gladly permitted

their son to go to Vrndavana and thereafter they uttered the name of Mahaprabhu

and left the world forever.

After sometime Gopala met Rupa and Sanatana in Vrndavana. Although Sri Caitanya

was in Nilacala at that time because he was God Himself He could understand

that Gopala had gone to Vrndavana.

 

In the house of Gadadhara Prabhu and his devotees used to take their seats.

Only the most fortunate could witness the beautiful scene. The great ascetic,

Prabhu Gaurarai, softly spoke His mind to the devotees. " I feel concerned

because I have not received any news from Vraja for a long time."

 

He told the devotees that he wanted to send some letters to Vrndavana, but as

He spoke, a letter arrived from Rupa and Sanatana in Vraja giving news of

Gopala Bhatta's arrival there.

In His enthusiam over the letter, Mahaprabhu began to describe Gopala to his

devotees.

"During My southern tour, I had the pleasure of staying at the house of Venkata

Bhatta.

 

"There I met Sri Bhatta's son Gopala who had already proven himself a great

scholar of all scriptures. "With the permission of his father, Gopala had

gladly served Me with great sincerity.

"Lord Krsna has been kind to him and he has now gone to live in Vrndavana.

 

"Rupa and Sanatana are very dear to Me and they sent Me a letter as soon as

Gopala arrived there." Prabhu's devotees were happy to hear the Lord relate His

story. The Lord praised Rupa and Sanatana and then sent them His reply. He

wrote, "I am glad to hear of Gopala's arrival in Vrndavana. You should accept

him as your own brother. "Continue to send Me letters from time to time

informing Me of your welfare and activities. "The books which you have already

written and those which you are currently writing will later be well accepted

by the world.

 

"The person who will help to circulate all books, has now arrived by the wish

of Lord Krsna."

Mahaprabhu ordered a person to take the letter and many clothes for his

Vrndavana disciples and to leave without delay for Vraja.

 

When the coruier met the Gosvamis in Vrndavana, he delivered the doras,

Kaupinas and outer garments along with the letter. I dare not attempt to

describe how joyfully the Gosvamis received the gifts and letter from

Mahaprabhu.

 

Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana lovingly accepted Sri Gopala as their brother.

 

An internal revelation helped Gopala identify Sanatana Gosvami at once. Sri

Sanatana Gosvami described the book Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa to Gopala. While

listening to the book, Gopala harbored a secret to serve the deity of the Lord.

One night in a dream, Sri Govinda dev told Rupa about Gopala's desrie. Under

Sri Rupa's affectionate guidance Gopala learned to serve Sri Radha Raman. This

subject shall be discussed in detail later, but for now I will say that

Gopala's effort in serving the Lord was very sincere.

 

Lokenatha, Bhugarva, Pandita Kasiwara, Sri Paramananda and the other devotees

all showered thier love on Gopala Bhatta. He liked to spend his days with Rupa

Sanatana discussing the loving pastimes of Sri Krsna Caitanya.

 

Sri Gopala's heart swelled with love for Sanatana while a deep friendship grew

between him and Sri Rupa. But above all other relationships, Sri Bhatta

relished his absorbtion in the service of Sri Radha Raman. By dint of his

knowledge and devotion, Gopala could satisfy anyone's desirea, and he soon

became dear to everyone in Vrndavana.

 

According to Prachinairapuktama:I pay my tribute to Sri Gopala Bhatta who

became satisfied by the love and friendship of Sanatana and Rupa Gosvami and

who constantly remained absorbed in the service of Sri Radha Ramana.

 

Some have tried to describe the activities of Gopala Bhatta, but many have

failed.

Whoever tries to debate the deep rooted significance of his life will be

plagued by guilt.

Even the former great poets had failed to describe the whole life and activity

of Gopala Bhatta.

I hope that I will be able to describe it later but not now.

 

Having taken permission from many devotees, Krsnadasa kaviraja wrote several

books.

Sri Gopala Bhatta would not permit his name to be mentioned in amy of the books

although he did authorize and encourage Sri Kaviraja to write.

 

As ignorant persons we will never know why Gopala Bhatta forbade his name to be

mentioned. Perhaps his humility did not allow it. Kaviraja had'nt the audicity

to flout his order and thus Gopala's name is mentioned rarely in Sri Kaviraja's

book.I have heard from an old Vaisnava that Lokenatha Gosvami gave the same

order that his name not be used.

 

Krsnadasa Kaviraja took pleasure in writing the infrequent passages which

glorified Gopala Bhatta, and he never told Sri Bhatta how he had written them.

I cannot write extentively about the depth of knowledge of Sri Gopala Bhatta

during his life in Vrndavana for fear the book will become too large.

 

Sri Bhatta had given many comments on the book Krsnakarmamrta which gave much

pleasure to all the Vaisnavas. Sri Gopala Bhatta, a remarkable person in the

path of pure devotion had performed many supernatural activities. At a much

later time, Srinivasa met him and got his desires fulfilled. On the order of

Prabhu, Srinivasa took his initiation from Gopala Bhatta and later propagated

the Gosvami scriptures in Gauda.

 

SRI SRI RADHARAMANA & GOPAL BHATTA GOSWAMI

 

Now I will tell you in brief how Radha Raman of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami became

manifest.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami to find Lord Hari in

Salagrama Sila. Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami told Sri Rupa Gosvami about the

instruction of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, and Rupa Gosvami lovingly replied, "Sri

Govinda dev is everything to you, yet it is his desire that you serve him

seperately."

 

After a few days Lord Hari became self manifest from the Salagrama Sila.

Who can understand the great fortune of Sri Gopal Bhatta Gosvami by which Radha

Raman became self manifest in a beautiful form. In Radha Raman's beautiful form

the face was like Govinda dev's, the chest was like Sri Gopinath's and the feet

were like Sri Madan Mohan's.

The three Lords were all manifest in the form of Radha Raman, a combination

that Gopala Bhatta Gosvami had cherished before the Lord's self manifestation.

 

Sanatana Gosvami Bhugarbha Gosvami and other Gosvamis were very satisfied to

see the system by which Gopala Bhatta served Radha Raman. On the auspicious day

of the full moon in the month of Vaisakha Radha Raman was installed on the

Singhasan.

 

A great festival was held to mark the installation of the deity and since then

Radha Raman has become famous throughout the world as the Lord who was bound by

the love of Gopala Bhatta.

These self-manifestation of Radha Raman has been described in Sanskrit in

Sadhana Dipika.

There it is stated:"I worship Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami whose life and soul

were the lotus feet of Sri Govinda deva of Vrndavana, but who accepted the task

of serving Him seperately according to the instruction of Sri Rupa Gosvami.

 

"The worshipable object of that seperated service was Sri Radha Ramana dev.

Govinda dev, who became manifest by the great love of Sri Rupa Gosvami, was the

same as Radha Raman. The reason behind the seperate service of Gopala Bhatta

has been learned from different reliable persons.

 

"I worship that inhabitant of Vraja, Sri Gopala Bhatta, son f Sri Venkata

Bhatta who was the elder brother of Tridandi Swami Srila Prabhodananda

Saraswati."

If one can see Sri Madan Gopala with Sri Radhika, Sri Govinda

withVrndavaeswari, and Sri Gopinatha with Sri Virshabanu Kumari, his life will

surely be successful. While serving seperately, Sri Gopala Bhatta's eagerness

increased and he understood that it was the Lord's desire to be served in this

seperate way.

 

One day Sri Radha Raman wanted to reveal himself to Gopala Bhatta.

Understanding the desire of Sri Gopala Gosvami, Sri Radha Raman showed Sri

Bhatta that he and Gopala were the same being. The intimate assocaites of

Gopala Bhatta performed the ceremony of Abhiseka of Radha Raman and thus the

worship of Radha Raman became established. The deity made his own temple and

helped Gopala Bhatta Gosvami begin his worship.

 

Establishment of the identity of Sri Gopala Bhatta

 

We have briefly described the manner in which Sri Radha Raman bacame manifest,

this knowledge is the source of all happiness. Sri Radha Raman was the life and

soul of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, and while sleeping or awake he knew nothing but

the service of his Lord.

Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami drank the nectar of the beauty of Radha Raman to his

heart's content. In Krsna's pastimes in Vrndavana Gopala Bhatta had previously

appeared as the Ananga Manjari or Guna Manjari.

 

In Gaura Ganoddesha Dipika it has been described that Ananga manjari of Krsna's

Vrndavana pastimes has appeared as Gopala Bhatta in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's

pastimes. Other experts on the topics of Krsna's lila have also described that

Gopala Bhatta was the Guna manjari in Krsna's lila. Being enchanted by the

beauty of his deity, Sri Gopala Bhatta decorated the Lord with different flower

ornaments according to Radha Raman's choice. While serving radha Raman, Gopala

Bhatta's joy increased moment by moment andhe constantly remembered his service

to Sri Gaura Candra.

 

He could hardly retain his composure and he remembered the way he had served

Gaura Candra in his own house on the instruction of his father. He became moved

by the memory of that service and shed tears profusely while looking at his

beautiful Radha Raman.

Sri Radha Raman reveals himself as Sri Gaura.

 

Sri Radha Raman, who was ever bound by the love of Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami,

took pleasure in revealing himself in the form of Sri Gaura Sundara. He was

young and dressed so beautifully that he enchanted the entire universe. His

beauty was more exquisite than that of Madana (Cupid). Seeing the beauty of Sri

Gaura Candra his heart overflowed with joy and he called out, "What have I

seen" as he fainted on the ground.

 

With tears straming from his eyes he joyfully glorified Sri Radha Raman and Sri

Gaura Candra.

Whatever desire found a place in the heart of Sri Gopala Bhatta would

immediately be satisfied by Radha Raman. Throughout the world the wonderful

activities of Radha raman, the life and soul of Gopala Bhatta were known.

 

On the way Srinivasa and the others met Sri Jiva Gosvami and together then

proceeded towards Gopala Bhatta's place. When they arrived they saw that Gopala

Bhatta was sitting in a lonely corner completely absorbed in the form of Sri

Radha Raman. Ocassionally he recited verses he had composed and those

recitations charmed everyone.

 

He would say, "O Lord of Vandira, you are decorated with peacock feathers and

your body is smeared with sandal paste; you are the flirt of Vrndvana and your

complexion is deep blue like the color of a full bloomed blue lotus; you have

tamed the great snake named Kaliya and as the son of Nanda you are the

emboiment of supreme joy. O lotus eyed Govinda, Mukunda, you ae slender and

beautiful. BE kind to a poor man like me."

 

The behavior of Sri Bhatta Gosvami is beyond description. Knowing that Sri Jiva

had arrived he eagerly looked towards the path. Sri JIva, Srinivasa and the

others reached his house. They bowed to Sri Gosvami and Sri Jiva requested Sri

Gosvami, "Please infuse Srinivasa with your complete strength.Place your

feet on Srinivasa's head so that he can easily reach Gaudadesha.Bless him so

that by curbing the pride of the hearetics he can easily distribute the books

there."

 

While considering Sri Jiva's request Gopala Bhatta prayed to Sri Radha Raman.

It cannot be described how Sri Radha Raman gave his mercy to Srinivasa and then

permitted him to leave. Seeing the mercy which Radha Raman had bestowed on

Srinivasa, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami affectionately brought mala prasad to

Srinivasa.

 

With tears in his eyes Srinivasa bowed again and again at the feet of Sri

Bhatta Gosvami.

Sri Bhatta consoled him in a gentle voice and dedicated him to Sri Radha Raman.

Bestowing unlimited mercy on Srinivasa, Sri Bhatta Gosvami wished him all

success.

Sweetly he blessed Narottama saying, "Let Sri Radha Raman fulfil all your

desires."

He affectionately told Srinivasa, "May Sri Radha raman be kind to you." He

embraced each of them and they all bowed at this feet. Sri Bhatta Gosvami

turned to Jiva and said, "tomorrow morning I shall go to the Govinda temple."