SRI BHUGARBHA GOSVAMI
As there is not much mention of Sri Lokanatha Gosvami in Vaisnava literatures, similarly there is
not much mention either of Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami, who was his very close friend. Following
Mahaprabhu's order, they both came to live at Vraja-dhama. Their hearts were inseparable.
Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami was the disciple of Sri Gadadhara Pandita. He in turn had a number of
disciples, namely: Sri Caitanya dasa (the pujari of Sri Govinda deva), Sri Mukundananda
Cakravarti, Premi Krsna dasa, etc.
In the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, it is mentioned that Sri Bhugarbha dasa and Sri Bhagavat dasa
came to Vrndavana and took up residence there. [Cc. Adi 12.81]
In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami's identity as Prema manjari in Krsna-lila,
has been given.
His samadhi is near the samadhi of Sri Rupa Gosvami, within the courtyard of Sri Sri Radha-
Damodara temple.
Srila Bhugarbha Gosvami and Srila Lokanatha Gosvami were one, only their bodies were
different. [Bhakti Ratnakara]
His disappearance is on the 14th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartika.
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SRI KASISVARA PANDITA GOSVAMI
Sri Kasisvara Pandita Gosvami had a temple near Sri Rampura at Catara. Mahaprabhu sent him
to Vrndavana later on in his life. His disciple was Sri Govinda Gosai, the pujari of Sri Govinda
Deva.
When Srila Rupa Gosvami discovered Sri Govinda Deva's Sri Vigraha at Gomati tila, he
immediately sent word to Mahaprabhu at Puri. Mahaprabhu in turn requested Sri Kasisvara
Pandita to go to Vrndavana. Kasisvara however expressed that "to have to give up your
association will cause my heart to be split in two. Therefore please consider how I can honour
your request without giving up my life."
Mahaprabhu could understand the heart of Kasisvara and therefore he gave him a selfmanifested
Deity of Himself. Mahaprabhu sat down along with this Vigraha and accepted prasada
at which Kasisvara's faith was kindled. Mahaprabhu intimated to him with this Deity and
established him on the right side of Sri Govinda Deva. Then he began to serve Them with great
love.
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Krishna Rasa Yatras:
The purnima or full moon of Damodara month is the second full moon of the autumn season, and
rasa lila is again celebrated. This second rasa yatra is celebrated more in Bengal, whereas the
first one is celebrated more in Vrndavana.
On this day one should perform full worship of Radha and Krsna with many flowers, and place
them in a rasa mandapa surrounded by the gopis.
Krishna Vasant Rasa is similar excepting that it is in the Spring (Vasant), at this time everyone
dresses in yellow. On this full moon night the devotees usually leave out pots of sweet rice
payasam for the Lord to enjoy during His rasas.
Lord Balaram also has His Rasayatra at this time - separately though with His gopikas.
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Sripad Nimbarkacarya:
Sri Nimbarka Acarya comes in the line of the Kumara Sampradaya and is believed to have lived
around the 11th and 12th centuries. Born in the modern Murgarapattam in the southern Dravidian
province, he was the son of Aruni and Jayanti, a very pious brahman a couple of the Tailanga
order.
He was a great ascetic of the Tridandi order. He wrote many books according to the
Dvaitadvaitavada and he lived most of his devotional life at a place called Nimbagrama near
Govardhana at Vrindavana.
While at Nimbagrama, he defeated a great Jain pandit in a discussion. The Jain had refused to
dine with him saying that the Sun had already set and so he would not take any food. At this,
Nimbarka by his own potency made the sun appear from a Nimba tree and the astonished Jain
accepted his hospitality. It is said that his name Nimbarka or Nimbaditya has been derived from
this miracle of Aditya or Arka meaning sun from a nimba tree.
Once in a village near the forest of Bilva Paksha, a group of brahmanas came to engage in the
worship of Lord Siva. Just as Lord Visnu is very much pleased when He is offered the leaves of
His most beloved Tulasi, so Lord Siva is pleased by offerings of leaves from the bilva or bael tree.
Thus the brahmanas worshipped Lord Siva by offering bilva leaves, for a period of one fortnight
and satisfied Lord Siva greatly.
Amongst those brahmanas was one whose name was Nimbarka. He had been particularly
attentive in his worship of Lord Siva. Being especially pleased with Nimbarka's devotion, Lord
Siva personally appeared to him.
"Nimbarka," said Lord Siva, "at the edge of this village is a sacred bael forest. There, in that
forest, the four Kumaras are absorbed in meditation. By their mercy you will receive
transcendental knowledge, for they are your spiritual masters, and by rendering service unto
them you will receive all that is of value." After saying this Lord Siva disappeared.
Nimbarka immediately went to that place and with great determination he searched for the four
Kumaras in every direction, until he finally found them, shining as brilliantly as the sun. They were
seated on a very beautiful natural platform beneath a tree and they appeared like fire blazing on
an altar. They were all very young, seeming to be no more than five years in age, but they
appeared most noble in character as they sat there naked, rapt in meditation. Nimbarka was so
excited that he cried out, "Hare Krsna!"
This sudden sound startled the four brothers, breaking their meditation. Opening their eyes, they
saw before them the blissful form of an ideal devotee, and with great pleasure they embraced
Nimbarka, one after another.
"Who are you," they asked, "and why have you come here? We are certainly ready to answer all
your prayers."
Nimbarka fell at the feet of the four brothers like a rod, and with great humility he introduced
himself.
With a sweet smile on his face Sanat Kumara then said, "The all-merciful Supreme Personality of
Godhead, knowing that Kali-yuga will be extremely troublesome for the living entities, resolved to
proagate devotional service to Himself. With this goal in m ind, He has empowered four
personalities with devotion and sent them into this world to preach. Ramanuja, Madhva, and
Visnuswami are three and you are the fourth of these great souls. Laksmi accepted Ramanuja as
a disciple, Brahma accepted Madhva, Rudra accepted Visnuswami and meeting you today we
have the good fortune of being able to instruct you. This is our intention. Previously we were
engaged in meditating on the impersonal Brahman, but by the causeless mercy of Lord Visnu, we
have been relieved of this sinful activity. Since I have realised that it is essential to preach pure
devotional service, I have composed a literary work entitled Sanat Kumara Samhita. After taking
initiation from me, you should follow the instructions I have set forth therein."
Nimbarka was greatly enlivened at the prospect of taking initiation and he immediately ran to take
bath in the Ganges. After this he quickly returned and prostrated himself once more before the
effulgent brothers.
"O deliverers of the fallen," said Nimbarka, in all humility, "please deliver this low-born rascal."
The four Kumaras gave him the Radha-Krsna mantra and instructed him in the method of
worshipping Radha and Krsna with the sentiments of great love called Bhava Marga.
In that sacred bael forest Nimbarka began to worship Sri Sri Radha Krsna according to the Sanat
Kumara Samhita and he chanted the mantra they had given him. Very soon Radha and Krsna
revealed Themselves to Nimbarka. They stood before him, spreading an effulgence which
illuminated all directions. In sweet voices They addressed him thus: "Nimbarka, you are very
fortunate, for you have performed Sadhana in Sri Navadwipa. We both combine, and assume one
form, as the son of Sacidevi." At that moment Radha and Krsna combined and displayed Their
form of Gauranga.
Beholding this splendid vision, Nimbarka began to tremble. "Never," he said, "Never have I ever
seen or heard of such a form at any time."
Lord Gauranga then said, "Keep this form, which I now show you, a secret for the time being.
Just preach about devotional service and the pastimes of Radha and Krsna, for I gain great
satisfaction from this. When I make My appearance and perform My education pastimes, you will
also appear. Taking birth in Kashmir as a great pandit, you will tour all over India defeating all
opposition. Your reputation and learning will be celebrated everywhere and you will be known as
Kesava Kashmiri. Whilst wandering in Sri Navadwipa you will come to Sri Mayapur. Simply by
hearing your name all the great pandits of Navadwipa will flee. Intoxicated with scholastic pride, I
will take great pleasure in defeating you. However, by the mercy of Mother Sarasvati, the
goddess o f learning, you will realize My true identity. Giving up your false pride, you will take
shelter of Me and I will reward you with the supreme gift of loving devotional service and will
again despatch you to preach. Thus you can satisfy Me by preaching the philosophy of dvaitaadvaita.
Keep My identity a secret. In the future when I begin My sankirtan movement, I will
personally preach, taking the essence of your philosophy and the philosophies of Madhva,
Ramanuja and Visnuswami."
After instructing Nimbarka in this way, Lord Gauranga disappeared, and filled with intense
ecstacy, Nimbarka began to shed tears of love. After worshipping the lotus feet of his gurus and
taking their permission, he left Sri Navadwipa to begin his preaching mission.
(Source: Sri Navawipa-dham mahatmya)
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