Sunday, August 1, 2021 [Mayapura, West Bengal, Bharata Bhumi time]
Subject: Sri Lokanatha Goswami Tirobhava Tithi [disappearance day]
compiled by Narasimha dasa and Yasoda nandana dasa
Sri Lokanatha Goswami tirobhava [disappearance day]Tuesday, July 26,.2016 [Los Angeles, California time]Wednesday, July 27, 2016 [Mayapura, West Bengal time]
compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa
Srila Prabhupada glorifies Sri Lokanatha Goswami
Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 1: The Spiritual Masters : Adi 1.19 : PURPORT : Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained this mode of devotional service in three stages, and therefore these worshipable Deities were installed in Vṛndāvana by different Gosvāmīs. They are very dear to the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas there, who visit the temples at least once a day. Besides the temples of these three Deities, many other temples have been established in Vṛndāvana, such as the temple of Rādhā-Dāmodara of Jīva Gosvāmī, the temple of Śyāmasundara of Śyāmānanda Gosvāmī, the temple of Gokulānanda of Lokanātha Gosvāmī, and the temple of Rādhā-ramaṇa of Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī. There are seven principal temples over four hundred years old that are the most important of the five thousand temples now existing in Vṛndāvana.
Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 7: Lord Caitanya in Five Features : Adi 7.164 : PURPORT : When Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī went to Vṛndāvana, there was not a single temple, but by their preaching they were gradually able to construct various temples. Sanātana Gosvāmī constructed the Madana-mohana temple, and Rūpa Gosvāmī constructed the Govindajī temple. Similarly, their nephew Jīva Gosvāmī constructed the Rādhā-Dāmodara temple, Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī constructed the Rādhā-ramaṇa temple, Śrī Lokanātha Gosvāmī constructed the Gokulānanda temple, and Śyāmānanda Gosvāmī constructed the Śyāmasundara temple. In this way, many temples were gradually constructed. For preaching, construction of temples is also necessary. The Gosvāmīs not only engaged in writing books but also constructed temples because both are needed for preaching work. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted the cult of His saṅkīrtana movement to spread all over the world. Now that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has taken up this task of preaching the cult of Lord Caitanya, its members should not only construct temples in every town and village of the globe but also distribute books that have already been written and further increase the number of books. Both distribution of books and construction of temples must continue side by side in parallel lines.
bhūgarbha gosāñi, āra bhāgavata-dāsayei dui āsi’ kaila vṛndāvane vāsa
SYNONYMS
bhūgarbha gosāñi—of the name BhūgarbhaGosāñi; āra—and; bhāgavata–dāsa—of the name Bhāgavatadāsa; yei dui—both of them; āsi‘-coming; kaila—did; vṛndāvane vāsa—residing in Vṛndāvana.
TRANSLATION
The eleventh branch of Gadādhara Gosvāmī was Bhūgarbha Gosāñi, and the twelfth was Bhāgavata dāsa. Both of them went to Vṛndāvana and resided there for life.
PURPORT
Bhūgarbha Gosāñi, formerly known as Prema–mañjarī, was a great friend of Lokanātha Gosvāmī, who constructed the temple of Gokulānanda, one of the seven important temples of Vṛndāvana-namely, Govinda, Gopīnātha, Madana–mohana, Rādhāramaṇa, Śyāmasundara, Rādhā–Dāmodara and Gokulānanda-that are authorized institutions of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas.Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 12: The Expansions of Advaita Acarya and Gadadhara Pandita : Adi 12.82 :
Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 12: The Expansions of Advaita Acarya and Gadadhara Pandita : Adi 12.88 : PURPORT : The Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, verse 183, mentions that Śivānanda Cakravartī was formerly Lavaṅga-mañjarī. The Śākhā-nirṇaya, written by Yadunandana dāsa, also names other branches of Gadādhara Paṇḍita, as follows: (1) Mādhava Ācārya, (2) Gopāla dāsa, (3) Hṛdayānanda, (4) Vallabha Bhaṭṭa (the Vallabha-sampradāya, or Puṣṭimārga-sampradāya, is very famous), (5) Madhu Paṇḍita (this famous devotee lived near Khaḍadaha in the village known as Sāṅibonā-grāma, about two miles east of the Khaḍadaha station, and constructed the temple of Gopīnāthajī in Vṛndāvana), (6) Acyutānanda, (7) Candraśekhara, (8) Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, (9) Dāmodara, (10) Bhagavān Ācārya, (11) Ananta Ācāryavarya, (12) Kṛṣṇadāsa, (13) Paramānanda Bhaṭṭācārya, (14) Bhavānanda Gosvāmī, (15) Caitanya dāsa, (16) Lokanātha Bhaṭṭa (this devotee, who lived in the village of Tālakhaḍi in the district of Yaśohara and constructed the temple of Rādhāvinoda, was the spiritual master of Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura and a great friend of Bhūgarbha Gosvāmī), (17) Govinda Ācārya, (18) Akrūra Ṭhākura, (19) Saṅketa Ācārya, (20) Pratāpāditya, (21) Kamalākānta Ācārya, (22) Yādava Ācārya and (23) Nārāyaṇa Paḍihārī (a resident of Jagannātha Purī).
saṅge gopāla-bhaṭṭa, dāsa-raghunātharaghunātha-bhaṭṭa-gosāñi, āra lokanātha
SYNONYMS
saṅge—with Rūpa Gosvāmī; gopāla–bhaṭṭa—GopālaBhaṭṭa; dāsa–raghunātha—Raghunāthadāsa Gosvāmī; raghunātha–bhaṭṭa–gosāñi—RaghunāthaBhaṭṭa Gosvāmī; āra—and; lokanātha—Lokanāthadāsa Gosvāmī.
TRANSLATION
When Rūpa Gosvāmī stayed at Mathurā, he was accompanied by Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī and Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī.
PURPORT
Śrī Lokanātha Gosvāmī was a personal associate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and a great devotee of the Lord. He was a resident of a village named Tālakhaḍi in the district of Yaśohara in Bengal. Previously he lived in Kācnāpāḍā. His father’s name was Padmanābha, and his only younger brother was Pragalbha. Following the orders of Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhu, Śrī Lokanātha went to Vṛndāvana to live. He established a temple named Gokulānanda. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura selected Lokanāthadāsa Gosvāmī to be his spiritual master, and he was his only disciple. Because Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī did not want his name mentioned in Caitanya–caritāmṛta, we do not often see it in this celebrated book. On the E.B.R. Railroad, the Yaśohara station is located in Bangladesh. From the railway station one has to go by bus to the village of Sonākhāli and from there to Khejurā. From there one has to walk, or, during the rainy season, go by boat to the village of Tālakhaḍi. In this village there are still descendants of Lokanātha Gosvāmī’s younger brother.Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 18: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Visit to Sri Vrndavana : Madhya 18.49
n Bhakti-ratnākara (Sixth Wave), there is a list of many of the chief devotees who accompanied Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. gosvāmī gopāla-bhaṭṭa ati dayāmaya
bhūgarbha, śrī-lokanātha--guṇera ālayaśrī-mādhava, śrī-paramānanda-bhaṭṭācārya
śrī-madhu-paṇḍita–yāṅra caritra āścaryapremī kṛṣṇadāsa kṛṣṇadāsa brahmacārī
yādava ācārya, nārāyaṇa kṛpāvān
śrī-puṇḍarīkākṣa-gosāñi, govinda, īśānaśrī-govinda vāṇī-kṛṣṇadāsa aty-udāra
śrī-uddhava–madhye-madhye gauḍe gati yāṅradvija-haridāsa kṛṣṇadāsa kavirāja
śrī-gopāla-dāsa yāṅra alaukika kāya
śrī-gopāla, mādhavādi yateka vaiṣṇava“The following Vaiṣṇavas were present with Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī: the merciful GopālaBhaṭṭa Gosvāmī; Bhūgarbha Gosvāmī; Śrī Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī, a reservoir of good qualities; Śrī Mādhava; Śrī ParamānandaBhaṭṭācārya; Śrī MadhuPaṇḍita, whose characteristics are all wonderful; PremīKṛṣṇadāsa; KṛṣṇadāsaBrahmacārī; Yādava Ācārya; the merciful Nārāyaṇa; Śrī Puṇḍarīkākṣa Gosvāmī; Govinda; Īśāna; Śrī Govinda; the magnanimous VāṇīKṛṣṇadāsa; Śrī Uddhava, who occasionally visited Bengal; DvijaHaridāsa; KṛṣṇadāsaKavirāja; Śrī Gopāladāsa, whose body is completely spiritual; Śrī Gopāla; Mādhava; and many others.”Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 18: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Visit to Sri Vrndavana : Madhya 18.52_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
srimad-radha-vinodaika-
seva-sampat-samanvitam
padmanabhatmajam srimal-
lokanatha prabhum bhaje“I worship the lotus feet of Srila Lokanatha Prabhu, the son of Sri Padmanabha. He is a storehouse of singleminded service to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Vinoda.”
Pranam mantra for Lokanatha Dasa Goswami written by Narottama Dasa Thakura.
In the mangalaracana to the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, Sri Sanatana Goswami offers his respects to Lokanatha Goswami as follows:
vrindavan priyan vande
sri govinda padasritansrimad-kashishvaramlokanatam sri krishnadasakam
“I offer my obeisances unto Sri Kashishvara Pandit, Sri Lokanatha Goswami and Sri Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami who are very dear to Sri Govinda in Vrindavana, having taken shelter at his lotus feet.”
Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura Mahashaya prays as follows at the lotus feet of his gurudeva:
ha ha prabhu lokanatha, rakha padadvandvekripadrishthye chaha yadi haiya anande
manovancha siddhi habe hang purna trishna
hethaya chaitanya mile setha radhakrishna
tumi na karile daya ke kairbe ara
manera vasana purna kara eibara
ei tini samsare mora ara keho nai
kripa kari nija padatale deha thai
radhakrishna lilaguna gao ratri dine
narottama vancha purna nahe tuwa vine
“O Lokanatha, O gurudeva! If you are pleased with me, please keep me in the shelter of your lotus feet, and cast your merciful glance upon me. By your mercy I can find the perfection of inner fulfillment. And by your mercy I can someday meet Sri Caitanya and Radha-Krishna. If you are not merciful to me, then what shall I do? Please, just once, fulfill my heart’s desire. In the three worlds of birth and death no one is more in need of your mercy. Please give me your mercy and give me a place at your lotus feet. Day and night I sing the qualities and pastimes of Radha and Krishna. Still, the inner aspirations of Narottama for the service of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda and Caitanya Mahaprabhu can only be realized through your grace, o Lokanatha Goswami Prabhu.”
lokanathakhya-gosvami
shri-lila-ma�jari pura\Lokanatha Goswami was known as Lila Manjari in Krishna lila.
(Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 187)
shrimad-radha-vinodaika-seva-sampat-samanvitam
padmanabhatmajam shrimal-lokanatha-prabhum bhaje
I worship Lokanatha Prabhu, the son of Padmanabha, whose life revolved around the wealth of service he possessed in his deity Radhavinoda.
(Bhakti-ratnakara 1.297)
The descendants of Lokanatha�s brother, Pragalbha Bhattacharya are still living in Talakharii. Bhugarbha Goswami was Lokanatha�s closest friend and constant companion. He was Prema Manjari in Vraja (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 187).
bhugarbha-thakkurasyasit purvakhya prema-ma�jari.
According to the Sadhana-dipika, Bhugarbha was Lokanatha�s paternal uncle. The Shakha-nirnayamrita adds the following comments on Bhugarbha Goswami:gosvaminam ca bhugarbham bhugarbhottham suvishrutam
sada mahashayam vande krishna-prema-pradam prabhum
shrila-govinda-devasya seva-sukha-vilasinam
dayalum premadam svaccham nityam ananda-vigraham
I offer my reverence to the illustrious Bhugarbha Prabhu, who is said to have been born from the bowels of the earth. He bestows love of Krishna; he takes pleasure in the service of Govinda Deva, is compassionate, simple and always joyful.
Sri Sri Radha Vinoda – Deities of Lokanatha Goswami in Vrindavana
Samadhi of Sri Lokanatha Goswami
Original deities of Sri Radha Vinoda now in Jayapura, Rajasthan
“I worship Shri Lokanath Prabhu, the son of Shri Padmanabh, who possesses great wealth of devotion to Shri Shri RadhaBinod and always engaged in Their service.” Shrila Lokanath Gosvami was born in the village of Talkhari, within the district of Jessore, Bangladesh, as the son of Shri Padmanabh Bhattacarja and his wife, Shri Sita debi. Talkhari can be reached from Sonakhali and Khejura.
Shri Padmanabh was a devoted follower (most probably the initiated disciple) of Shri Adwaita Acarja, who was very fond of him. The younger brother of Lokanath was Pragalbha Bhattacarja. His descendants are still residing at Talkhari. From his childhood Lokanath was disinterested in worldly affairs. He decided to leave his home and came to Nabadwip to have darshan of Mahaprabhu. Shri Gaursundor very lovingly embraced Lokanath and instructed him to go to Brindaban as soon as possible.Lokanath could understand that Mahaprabhu would renounce His family life and accept sannyasa within a few days. When he considered how Prabhu’s near and dear ones would react to see His head shorn of its beautiful locks of curly hair, he felt very aggrieved and began to cry. Mahaprabhu consoled him and told him that they would meet again in Brindaban. With tears flowing from his eyes Lokanath offered his obeisances to Mahaprabhu, the all-omniscient Lord, Who lovingly embraced him.
After explaining some hidden truths to him, He instructed him to go to Brindaban. Thus Lokanath, after surrendering his self at the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu, set out for Brindaban in the company of Bhugarbha.Lokanath never returned home. Being afflicted greatly by separation from the Lord, he set out to tour the holy places, and then finally came to Brindaban. Meanwhile, Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted sannyas and departed Nadiya for Nilacal. After some time, when Mahaprabhu set out on His tour of South India, Lokanath also journeyed there after having received this news. From the South Mahaprabhu came to Brindaban and Lokanath followed Him there. But by the time he reached Brajabhumi, Mahaprabhu had already left for Prayag. Lokanath was extremely sad. Again having missed darshan of his Prabhu, He decided to leave the next morning for Prayag. In a dream however, Prabhu came to console Lokanath and requested him to stay in Brindaban. Not wanting to neglect the order of Mahaprabhu, Lokanath remained at Brajadham.
After some days he and Bhugarbha Gosvami met the dear disciples of Mahaprabhu, Shri Rupa, Shri Sanatan, Shri Gopal Bhatta and Subuddhi Ray amongst others. Only Subuddhi Ray had come to Brindaban before Lokanath and Bhugarbha. They were all very affectionate to one another; especially Bhugarbha had a very intimate relationship with Lokanath. Only there was some bodily difference between them, otherwise they were one. Amongst the Goswamis, Lokanath was the eldest. He had reached the outermost boundaries of the realm of renunciation and was thus always intensely absorbed in loving ecstatic mellows.In the mangalacaran of Shri Baisnab Toshani we find the following verse: “I worship Shrimat Kasisvar, Lokanath and Shri Krishnadas (Kabiraj), who have taken shelter at the lotus feet of Shri Gobinda and who are very dear to Shri Brindaban.” Similarly in the mangalacaran (invocation of auspiciousness) of Shri Hari Bhakti Vilas,” May Kasisvar, Shri Krishnadas and Lokanath continue to reside in Brindaban (Krishna ban) and attain to the full limits of beauty and splendour.” Lokanath Goswami used to visit the many places of Krishna’s pastimes within Brajadham and in this way he was always absorbed in intense ecstasy. Once Lokanath came to the banks of Kisori kund within the village of Umrao, by the side of Chatrabon, and remained there for a few days. He wanted very much to be able to worship the Deity form of the Lord, so Shri Krishna, Who is within the heart of everyone, accepted another form and arrived there with just such a suitable Deity in His possession. He presented the Deity to Lokanath, telling him, “This Deity’s name is RadhaBinod. Then Krishna went away.
Lokanath received the Deity and looked up to see who had brought Him, but seeing no one present he began to reflect on the mystery of His appearance. Seeing Lokanath deep in thought, RadhaBinod laughed, “Who would have brought Me here! I have come Myself! I live here on the banks of Kisorikund and this is My village, Umrao. Now please give me some thing to eat.”
Lokanath was beside himself with bliss. Immersed in that ecstasy, he prepared some foodstuffs and offered them to RadhaBinod. Then he made a bed of flowers and laid the Deity down to take rest. He fanned the Deity with some leaves and meditated on massaging the lotus feet of his Lord. Having surrendered his body, mind and very life itself, he was totally absorbed as though drinking a flow of honey-like nectar. Lokanath Goswami had no permanent abode. Some Brajabasi villagers wanted to build a little hut for him but he wasn’t interested. He preferred to take shelter under the trees. He made a cloth satchel for RadhaBinod which he kept around his neck. RadhaBinod were like a rare gem suspended on a necklace round the neck of Lokanath. His activities represented the crest jewel of asceticism and the other Goswamis managed to keep him in their company only by great endeavour. It is very difficult to describe the character of Lokanath Goswami, who was so dear to Mahaprabhu. When Mahaprabhu and some of the other Goswamis began their pastimes of disappearance, Lokanath maintained his life only due to the desire of Mahaprabhu.[Bhakti Ratna 1st Taranga]
Lokanath Gosvami was quite adamant not to accept any disciples, since the worship they might offer him could be a disturbance to his mood of devotional service. ‘Raj Kumar’ Narottam however, had a similar determination to accept Lokanath as his guru .
It is not possible to describe the care with which Narottam Thakur served his guru. In the early morning he would clean the place where his guru used to answer the calls of nature. Shri Lokanath Goswami finally conceded to initiate Narottam das Thakur Mahasoy with the divine mantra. There is no mention anywhere of any other disciple of his. Lokanath Goswami, having become quite advanced in years, entered into his eternal pastimes while residing at Khadir bon (Khoyra gram). On the banks of a large lake there, called Shri Jugalkund, his samadhi has been established.His worshipful Deities Shri Shri RadhaBinod are at present being worshipped in Jaipur, Rajasthan. His puspasamadhi is within the courtyard of Shri Gokulananda Mandir in Brindaban.
It is said that Shrila Krishna das Kabiraj Goswami approached Lokanath Goswami for his blessings and any information that he might be able to provide for the compilation of Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita. At that time, Lokanath forbade Kabiraj Goswami to mention his name or describe anything about him. In order to honour the request of this great Baisnab, Kabiraj Gosvami therefore didn’t write anything about him. His identity in Braja lila is Lilamanjari. His disappearance is on the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Srabon