English
28 July 2024
Disappearance day of Srila Lokanath Goswami
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj
Jai Jai Sri Chaitanya Jai Nityananda! I welcome you all. Today is the disappearance day of Srila Lokanath Goswami. So we will discuss his pastimes.
je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela Lokanath-thakur (Je Anilo 1)
Translation: He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy—where has such a personality as Lokanath Acarya gone?
We know where he has gone. He has entered the eternal pastimes of the Lord. But we are bereft of his physical association. Lokanath Goswami was an associate of Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was Manjulali Manjari in Krsna lila. And as per the will of Krsna he appeared in this world.
We had visited his Samadhi at Bangladesh. Padmamali Prabhu could arrange the darshans of pastime places related to Srila Lokanath Goswami. His worshipable Deity was Sri Sri Radha Vinod ji. His temple is at Jaipur. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Bangladesh, Lokanath Goswami wanted to come along with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stopped him and instructed him to serve his parents till their end of life. Later on after his parents died, Lokanath Goswami visited Sri Navadip dham. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was 24 years old by then and he wanted to take Sannyas. And this was unbearable to everyone specially Srila Lokanath Goswami.
Thus Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked him to go to Vrindavan. He assured him that I'll come to Vrindavan. But later on Sachi Mata asked Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to stay at Sri Jagannath Puri and not to go to Vrindavan. Later on when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to South India, Lokanath Goswami followed but by then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had left South India for Sri Vrindavan Dham.
Lokanath Goswami ran back towards Sri Vrindavan Dham but by the time he reached Vrindavan, he got the news that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is heading back towards Sri Jagannath Puri Dham and he is at Prayagraj at present. He was about to leave for Prayagraj but then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed him to stay at Sri Vrindavan Dham always and to never leave Sri Vrindavan Dham ever.
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya,
rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya (Chaitanya Bhagavat)
Translation: Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is a combination of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
Thus Lokanath Goswami could never meet Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in person ever after. He also has a very intense desire to serve the deities of the Lord. To satisfy this desire, Krsna himself appeared and handed over his Deity form to Srila Lokanath Goswami. That form was Sri Sri Radha Vinod ji. Though we hear that there were 6 Goswami's of Vrindavan.
he radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah
sri-govardhana-kalpa-padapa-tale kalindi-vane kutah
ghoshantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair maha-vihvalau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau (Shad Goswami Astakam 8)
Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were chanting very loudly everywhere in Vrindavana, shouting, "Queen of Vrindavana, Radharani! O Lalita! O son of Nanda Maharaja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the Yamuna? Where are you?" These were their moods in executing Krishna consciousness.
krishnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamritambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-kripa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau (Shad Goswami Astaka 1)
Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Krishna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe.
But in some places we also read that there were 8 Goswami's in Vrindavan - Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami and the other 4 Goswami’s + Lokanath Goswami + Bhu Garbha Goswami. Just like other Goswami's of Vrindavan, Lokanath Goswami would also wander around the holy land of Vraja. There is a place named Khadirvan where Lokanath Goswami established his Bhajan kutir.
Other Goswami's had their temples in Vrindavan which is known as Sapta Devalya. But Lokanath Goswami would worship his Lordships in his heart. He would carry his Lord around his neck.
nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau
lokanam hita-karinau tri-bhuvane manyau saranyakarau
radha-Krsna-padaravinda-bhajananandena mattalikau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau (Shad Goswami Astaka 2)
Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are very expert in scrutinizingly studying all the revealed scriptures with the aim of establishing eternal religious principles for the benefit of all human beings. Thus they are honored all over the three worlds and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of Radha and Krishna.
Once he was chanting the Holyname , he was completely absorbed in this process right from early in the morning till afternoon. By then it was time to offer Raj Bhoga to the Lord. But he had no external consciousness. Radha Vinod was worried, when will he offer Raja Bhoga to me.
Then Krsna himself appeared as Lokanath Goswami and cooked Raja Bhoga. The servant who was assisting Lokanath Goswami came out to take something. Then he saw, Lokanath Goswami was busy chanting and he was completely absorbed in it. And then again he went to the Kitchen. There he saw, Lokanath Goswami was cooking.
Then he could understand that Radha Vinod has himself appeared to cook. Such pastimes would happen with him. But he wouldn't let them be shared in public.
vairāgya-vidyā-nija-bhakti-yoga-
śikṣārtham ekaḥ puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-śarīra-dhārī
kṛpāmbudhir yas tam ahaṁ prapadye (CC Madhya 6.254)
Translation: Let me take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who has descended in the form of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to teach us real knowledge, His devotional service and detachment from whatever does not foster Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He has descended because He is an ocean of transcendental mercy. Let me surrender unto His lotus feet.
He wanted to avoid any name, fame or glory. He requested Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami to not mention his name anywhere in Chaitanya Charitamrita. He would say, I am not worthy.
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye
mama janmani janmanishvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi (Shikshastakam 4)
Translation: O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.
He had a pledge that he would never accept any disciple. But he had to break his pledge because of Srila Narottam Das Thakura.
śrī-nārada uvāca
brahmacārī gurukule
vasan dānto guror hitam
ācaran dāsavan nīco
gurau sudṛḍha-sauhṛdaḥ (ŚB 7.12.1)
Translation: Nārada Muni said: A student should practice completely controlling his senses. He should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master. With a great vow, the brahmacārī should live at the gurukula, only for the benefit of the guru.
Even though Narottam Das Thakura was born as a Prince, but he accepted his service attitude. He would clean the place every morning where Srila Lokanath Goswami would go to pass stool. Such humility, forced Srila Lokanath Goswami to break his vow.
sri-guru-charana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma
bando mui savadhana mate
jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,
Krsna-prapti hoy jaha ha'te (Sri Guru Vandana 1)
Translation: The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.
This Guru Vandana prayers which we sing every morning, were actually composed by Srila Narottam Das Thakura as an offering to Srila Lokanath Goswami Maharaj.
sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu
lokanath lokera jivana
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya
ebe jasha ghushuk tribhavana (Sri Guru Vandana 4)
Translation: Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. We take shelter of your lotus feet. You are the friend of the most fallen.
Instructions of the spiritual master should be the life and soul of a disciple. And there should be no other desires. Once I was leading Kirtan in Srila Prabhupada's quarters at Sri Vrindavan Dham. And then I asked Srila Prabhupada, Prabhupada is there anything I can do for you to get healed? Srila Prabhupada replied, No just chant Hare Krsna. Lead Kirtan and then he said, ar na koriho mane asha. This comes from here,
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, chittete koriya aikya,
ar na koriho mane asha
sri-guru-charane rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasade pure sarva asha (Sri Guru Vandana 2)
Translation: Make the teachings emanating from the lotus mouth of our spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else. Attachment to his lotus feet is the best way to make spiritual advancement. His mercy fulfills all desires for spiritual perfection.
Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked Lokanath Goswami to never leave Vrindavan. And Lokanath Goswami Prabhupada instructed Srila Narottam Das Thakura to go back to Bengal and preach Krsna consciousness there. Similar instructions Acharya tree received from Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhupada also.
Also very similar instructions, I had also received from Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada instructed me to go to Mayapur from Sri Vrindavan Dham through Bullock cart. First he asked us to go to Sri Mayapur Dham. And then once we reached Sri Mayapur Dham then he asked us to go to Sri Jagannath Puri Dham from there.
Once we reached Sri Jagannath Puri Dham and Srila Prabhupada was pleased with our service. Then he said, We could have millions of such carts. Devotees would have Darshans of Sri Sri Radha Vinod at Jaipur. Whenever I visit there I make sure to have their Darshans. Make sure to take their Darshans the next time you visit Jaipur.
barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ
bibhrad vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ vaijayantīṁ ca mālām
randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayāpūrayan gopa-vṛndair
vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ (ŚB 10.21.5)
Translation: Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karṇikāra flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayantī garland, Lord Kṛṣṇa exhibited His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vṛndāvana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories.
This is how Srila Sukhdev Goswami has explained the transcendental form of the Lord. Here we can see his Samadhi Temple. You can have his Darshans and pray so that we could also attain Sri Krsna.
chakshu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
divya-jnan hride prokashito
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasha jate
vede gay jahara charito (Sri Guru Vandana 3)
Translation: He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
We should pray that may the Guru Parampara bless us with the transcendental knowledge. Let us pray like this at the Lotus feet of Srila Lokanath Goswami. Let's try to understand his personality. I really like Lokanath Goswami Prabhupada's personality.
śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ
kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca
jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ
brahma-karma svabhāva-jam (Bg. 18.42)
Translation: Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness – these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work.
As Srila Prabhupada blessed me with his name, Srila Prabhupada made me Lokanath Swami. Though I received his transcendental name but I don't know when I will develop the qualities like Srila Lokanath Goswami. I am Lokanath for name sake only. But I am trying my best to attain this.
mach-chittā mad-gata-prāṇā bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaśh cha māṁ nityaṁ tuṣhyanti cha ramanti cha (BG 10.9)
Translation: With their minds fixed on Me and their lives surrendered to Me, My devotees remain ever content in Me. They derive great satisfaction and bliss in enlightening one another about Me and in conversing about My glories.
I offer such my prayers for success in this attempt, you can also pray on my behalf. There are some additional pictures from Sri Vrindavan Dham - Sri Sri Gokulananda temple. Here we can see Srila Lokanath Goswami and Srila Narottam Das Thakura. Srila Lokanath Goswami is holding Sri Sri Radha Vinod ji in one hand and on the other hand he is holding his chanting beads.
This is how they gave Holyname to this world. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Bangladesh, there he had performed kirtan along with Lokanath Goswami. Lokanath Goswami Prabhupada's father was also a very great devotee. He had studied under the guidance of Srila Advaitacharya at Shantipur.
You can also share these pastimes during the day. You can pass on the mercy of Srila Lokanath Goswami with others. You can search the biography and sketches of Srila Lokanath Goswami and go through that during the day.
This is the picture of Bhajan kutir at Khadirvan. He received Radha Vinod ji at this place. This is his birthplace at Bangladesh. ISKCON was planning to purchase this land. This discussion was going on when I visited Bangladesh last time. Bangladesh was part of Bengal only, East Bengal. Many associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came from there.
Thank you. Hare Krsna.
