SRI SANATANA GOSWAMI

In his Laghu-Vaisnava-Tosani, Sri Jiva Goswami has mentioned their family
lineage begining with Sri Sarva, who was a yajur vedi brahmana, Bharadvaja
gotriya, from Karnataka. His son was Sri Aniruddha deva who had two sons Sri
Rupesvara and Sri Harihardeva. There was apparently some altercation between
the two brothers, who had different mothers (Aniruddha deva had two wives) as a
result of which Sri Rupesvara along with his wife and eight horses, came to
Paulastya-desa, where he was befriended by the ruler of that land, Sri
Sekaresvar. Sri Padmanabhadeva, the son of Sri Rupesvar was extremely learned
in all the Vedas. He came with his family to live at Naihati, on the banks of
the Ganga. He had eight daughters and five sons. His five sons, following in
the footsteps of their predecessors, were very expert in the study of Vedas.
Their names were Purusottama, Jagannatha, Narayana, Murari and Mukundadeva.
Mukundadeva's son, Sri Kumara deva, being oppressed by some of the other family
members, came to live at Bakla Candradvip. Sri Kumaradeva had many sons,
amongst whom Sri Amar (Sanatana), Sri Santosh (Sri Rupa) and Sri Vallabha
(Anupama) were great devotees.

Sri Sanatana was born in the Christian year 1488 (Sakabda 1410). He, along with
his brothers, began his studies from their maternal uncle's house, in a small
village, Sakurma, near the capital of Gaura-desa.

The Badsa Hussain Shah, having heard of their profound scholarship and
intelligence, decided to engage the two brothers as his ministers. Though they
were unwilling, the order of the Badsa could not be entirely neglected. Thus
they came to live at Ramakeli, the capital of Gaura-desa at that time, and were
presented much wealth by the Badsa. Many brahmanas and pandits from distant
lands would stay with Rupa and Sanatana whenever they would come to Ramkeli,
especially, those from Karnataka and Navadwipa. There is still a house near the
Ganga, called Bhattabati, which is said to have been their residence.

They had many instructors and professors. In rhetoric their teacher was Sri
Vidyabhusanapada. They were trained in philosophy by the brother of Sarvabhauma
Bhattacarya, Sri Vidyavacaspati, as well as Sri Paramananda Bhattacarya, Sri
Rampada Bhadrapada. Their names have been mentioned in the commentary of the
tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.

These three brothers were from childhood endowed with great devotion to the
Lord. In memory of Sri Vrindavana, near their residence they planted many
auspicious trees such as Tamal, Kadamba, Juthika and Tulasi. In the midst of
these gardens constructed Shyama-kunda and Radha-kunda. In these auspicious
surroundings they always remained absorbed in service to Sri Madana Mohana.
Having heard something about the famous Nimai Pandita they became very anxious
to have His darsana, and always meditated on when they might get such a
chance.

One morning, Sanatana Goswami, saw a dream in which one brahmana was presenting
the Srimad Bhagavatam to him. Suddenly he woke up, but seeing that no one was
there, he felt sad. Later on, in the morning after he had finished his bath and
performance of puja, one brahmana came to his house and presented him with the
Bhagavata, instructing him to study it very thoroughly. Having received it in
this way, he was beside himself with bliss, and from that day, considering the
Bhagavata to be the essence of all scriptures, he began its thorough study.

"My only constant companion, my only friend, guru, wealth, that which has
delivered me, my great fortune and the source of my good luck, the form through
which I taste pleasure, my obeisances to you, Srimad Bhagavatam." [Sri
Krsna-lila stava].

When the brothers learned that Nimai Pandita, the life and soul of Nadia, had
accepted sannyasa and gone to stay at Puri, they fainted dead away, having lost
hope of getting His darsana. They were a little pacified only after a celestial
voice informed them that they would be able to see the Lord, here in Ramakeli
itself.

After five years had passed, Mahaprabhu decided to come to Bengal to have
darsana of his mother and mother Ganga. All of the devotees were in ecstasy and
Saci mata was so overjoyed that she was not even aware of her own body. After
spending a few days with Advaita Acarya in Santipur, He came to Ramakeli. [C.
C. Mad 1.166]

Sakara Mallik (Sanatan) and Dabir Khas (Rupa), along with their brother Sri
Ballabha (Anupama), who had a son who was just a small child (Sri Jiva), they
offered salutations at the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu.

After Mahaprabhu had left Ramakeli to return to Puri, the brothers began to
observe some vows and rituals in order to obtain shelter at His lotus feet.
After sending the family members to their residences at Candradwip and
Fateyabad, Sri Rupa and Anupama loaded a boat with their accumulated wealth and
left Ramakeli. Sanatan remained there alone. Thereafter, Rupa and Anupama,
having received news of Mahaprabhu's journey to Vrindavana, set out to meet
Him. Arriving at Prayaga, their desire was fulfilled. At that time they
informed Mahaprabhu that their brother had been incarcerated at Ramakeli.
Mahaprabhu simply smiled and replied that he would get his freedom very soon.

Meanwhile, after the successful departure of Rupa and Anupama, Sanatan was
planning how he also could make his getaway. The Badsa had entrusted Dabir Khas
and Sakar Mallik with the main responsibility of managing the affairs of his
kingdom. When Sanatana stopped attending his darbar on the plea of being ill,
he sent his personal doctor to examine him. The doctor informed him that there
was nothing wrong with Sakara Mallik, and so the Badsa personally came there to
find out what was the matter. The Badsa addressed Sanatana Gosvami, "My doctor
says that you are perfectly healthy. All my affairs depend on you, but you are
simply sitting in your house, in the company of these pandits. Your brother has
also left. In this way my kingdom will topple. I don't know what you are trying
to do to me."

Sanatana Gosvami said, "We will no longer be able to assist you in the affairs
of your government. You had better find someone else to do it."

The Badsa got up in great anger and declared, "You brothers have ruined all my
plans."

Sanatan replied, "You are the independent ruler of Gauda. If you feel anyone
has committed any misdeed, then you can punish him as you see fit."

The Badsa had Sanatan imprisoned. During this time the Badsa was preparing to
go to Orissa to engage in warfare with the king of that country, so he
requested Sanatana to accompany him. Sanatana refused, telling him, "As you
will naturally try to give pain to the Deities in the temples and the sadhus, I
will not be able to accompany you."

Therefore the Badsa set out for Orissa leaving Sanatana imprisoned. At this
time Sanatana received a letter from Sri Rupa, stating that he had depositied
eight hundred gold coins with one grocer. With the help of this money, Sanatana
should immediately arrange his release. The account of his escape and journey
to meet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Varanasi is found in C.c., Madhya-lila ch.
20. After that he went to Vrndavana.

In a kutir cottage made from leaves, Sanatana Gosvami lived for some time at
Mahabon, the birth place of Sri Krsna. One day, he was walking along the banks
of the Yamuna, going to beg some foodstuffs in a nearby village. Madana
Gopaladeva was playing with some cowherd boys there, and when he saw Sanatana
Gosvami he came running towards him, "Baba! Baba!". Catching hold of Sanatana's
hand he told him, "I want to go with you!"

"Lala!" (?) replied Sanatana, "Why do you want to go with me?"

"I want to stay where you live."

"If you stay with me, what will you eat?"

"Baba! Whatever you eat."

"But I only eat some dry capatis and chick peas."

"Then that is what I will eat."

"No that won't be enough for you. You should stay with your mother and father."
"Na, baba, na. I want to stay with you."

Sanatan Goswami patiently explained that the boy might feel difficulty if he
stayed with him, and sent him home. Then he went to beg some capatis in the
village.

That night, in a dream, he saw that boy again come to him. Smiling very
sweetly, he caught hold of Sanatana's hand and said, "Baba! I am coming
tomorrow to stay with you. My name is Madana Gopal". His dream ended and he
woke up. Losing himself in great ecstasy, he said to himself, "What did I see?
Such a beautiful boy!" Thinking of Lord Krsna he opened the door to his hut and
saw standing outside a beautiful Deity of Gopal. His effulgence shone in all
directions. For a few seconds Sanatana was completely stunned as he gazed upon
Gopal's radiant smile. He expected that the Deity might say something or come
towards him. Finally, tears of love gliding down his cheeks, Sanatana fell to
the ground, offering his dandavats.

Gradually, he performed Gopala's abhiseka (bathed the Deity) and offered
worship to Him. Sanatana's brother Rupa came there and, seeing the Deity, was
deeply moved in ecstatic love. Sanatana kept the Deity with him in his leaf hut
and began to worship Him in great happiness. Srila Rupa Gosvami immediately
sent word of this auspicious event to Mahaprabhu, at Puri.

According to the different perspectives of vision of various devotees, Krsna's
pastimes might sometimes be described in different ways, putting more or less
emphasis on the external events that surround the internal moods and sentiments
felt by Krsna and His devotees. In light of this, it has been described in the
Prema-vilasa that the Madana Mohana Deity resided at the home of one Mathura
brahmana, Damodar Caube by name. Subsequent to the period of time during which
He was worshipped by Sri Advaita Acarya, Damodar Caube, his wife Ballabha and
their son, Madan Mohan, used to worship the Deity in the mood of parental
affection and friendship. Damodar Caube's son used to play together with Lord
Madana Gopala. Sometimes, like naughty brothers, they would slight one another
and then complain to the parents. Their parents would feed them together at the
same time and lay them down to rest together.

Sanatana Gosvami used to sometimes beg chapatis from Caube's house. When he saw
how the Deity was being worshipped he would instruct Damodara's wife
Ballabhadevi in the rules and regulations of proper Deity worship. However, she
found all of these rules very difficult to follow. One day when Sanatana saw
the Deity Madana Gopala and the boy Madan Mohan eating their lunch together, he
became moved by the transcendental mood there and the symptoms of ecstatic love
appeared in his body. Then he told Ballabhadevi that she should worship Madana
Gopala according to the dictates of her heart.

One night Sanatana Gosvami and Damodar Caube's wife both had a dream
simultaneously in which Madana Gopala requested to be able to come and live
with Sanatana Gosvami. In great happiness Sanatana received Madana Gopala from
the family and took Him to a small hillock near Surja ghat, where he
constructed a small hut made of branches and leaves. Then he began to serve
Madana Gopala, preparing offerings for Him from whatever he obtained by
begging.

One day Madana Gopala refused to eat, complaining that there wasn't even any
salt in the chapatis. Sanatana replied, "Today it's salt and tomorrow it will
be ghee. But I am sorry. I don't have the time or the inclination to chase
around after rich men requesting special items from them". Having silently
listened to this reply Madana Mohana didn't say anything further, but rather
arranged that Krsna dasa Kapoor would come that way, as will subsequently be
described.

Sanatana Gosvami would beg some flour from the village and then with that
prepare capatis for Madana Gopala. Sometimes he would collect some forest
vegetables, roots or spinach and also prepare some vegetables. If sometimes
there was no ghee or oil, or salt, then he would just cook dry capatis. But he
felt very bad about this. On the other hand, he could not see an alternative.
Mahaprabhu had ordered him to compile Bhakti-sastras (devotional scriptures)
and the major portion of his time was devoted to that. Sometimes it simply
wasn't possible to find time to beg some money with which to purchase salt and
oil.

"Madana Mohana is the son of a Maharaj. Seeing that He is simply eating dry
capatis Sanatana felt very sad; Madana Mohana, who is within the heart of
everyone could understand, 'Sanatana wants to render greater service to Me.'
Then Madana Mohana Himself desired that His service might be increased."

Within a few days a wealthy ksatriya named Sri Krsna dasa Kapoor came to
Mathura to engage in trade and business. By chance, however, his boat became
stuck on a sand bar in the Yamuna and by no means could he manage to free it.
By the by, he came to learn that a sadhu by the name Sri Sanatan Gosvami was
living nearby. In order to seek the blessings of the sadhu, Krsna dasa Kapoor
came to his hermitage and found Sanatana Gosvami engaged in writing.

Sanatana Gosvami's body was very lean and thin from the practice of great
austerities and he was wearing only a kaupin. Krsna das offered his dandavats
and Sanatana Gosvami in turn offered him a grass mat to sit on. Krsna dasa
touched the mat with his hand and sat on the ground. He appealed to the
Gosvami, "Baba! Please bestow your mercy on me."

Sanatana replied, "I am a beggar. What mercy can I bestow upon you?"

"I simply want your blessings. My boat is stuck on a sand bar in the Yamuna,
and we can't free it by any means."

"I am completely ignorant about all these matters. You can speak to Madana Gopa
about it."

Krsna das offered his dandavats to Madana Mohanji and spoke to Him, "O Madana
Gopala Deva! If, by Your mercy my boat is freed, then whatever profit is
realized from the sale of its cargo, I will give to this Gosvami to be engaged
in Your service."

Praying this way, Kapoor Seth took leave from Sanatan Gosvami. That afternoon
there was such a downpour of rain that the boat very easily floated off the
sand bar and on to Mathura. Krsna dasa could understand that this was the mercy
of Lord Madana Gopala Deva. His goods were sold at a very handsome profit and
with this money he constructed a temple and kitchen and made all the necessary
arrangements for the royal execution of Sri Madana Gopala's worship. Seeing
this arrangement, Sanatana Gosvami was very happy and after some period
initiated Krsna dasa Kapoor as his disciple.

Sri Madana Mohana Deva is presently worshiped at Karauli, Rajasthan. When the
daugher of the king of Jaipur was offered in marriage to the king of Karauli,
she very insistently requested that her father send Lord Madana Mohana with her
as a dowry, as he was very attached to Him. Her father was very reluctant and
agreed only after stipulating one condition: "Madana Mohana would be placed in
a room with many other Deities. Whoever she chose while blindfolded could go
with her to Karauli."

Madana Mohana reassured her by telling her that would be able to recognize Him
by the soft touch of His arm. By this stragem, she easily recognized Madana
Mohana who still resides in Karauli till this day. There is a direct bus to
Karauli from Jaipur. Otherwise, one can go by train from Mathura to Hindaun and
then from there to Karauli by bus.

One day Sanatana Gosvami came to Radha-kunda to meet Sri Rupa and Sri
Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. Upon his arrival they both got up to greet him and
after respectfully seating him, they immersed themselves in discussion of the
nectarean pastimes of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. At that time Srila Rupa Gosvami was
composing some hymns in praise of Srimati Radharani, collectively known as
"Catu Puspanjali". Sanatan Gosvami, while reading these, came across one
verse:

<MI>O nava gorocana gauri praba rendi barambaram mani stavak vidyoti veni
byalangana fanam<M>

Here "byalangana fanam" means that the braids of Radharani's hair appeared very
beautiful like the hoods of a snake. Sanatana Gosvami reflected, "Is that a
proper comparison 'like the hood of a poisonous snake'?"

At noon Sanatan came to the banks of Radha-kunda, and after offering prayers
there, he began to take his bath. Then, on the opposite bank of the kunda, he
noticed some cowherd girls playing under the shade of a large tree. As he
watched them from the distance, it appeared that a black snake, hanging from
the tree, was about to wrap itself around the neck and shoulders of one of
those cowherd girls. Sensing some danger he called out to her, "Ohe Lali! Look
out! There is a snake just behind you!" But the girls were absorbed in their
play and didn't take notice of him. So he immediately took off running to save
them from the impending danger. Seeing him approaching them, Srimati Radharani
and Her friends began to laugh. Then they disappeared. Sanatana was completely
stunned but then gradually the understanding came to him that Sri Rupa's
comparison was appropriate.

Coming to the banks of Pavan Sarovar, Sanatana Gosvami entered into some woods
there, and giving up food and water, he became absorbed in intense meditation
on the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. Sri Krsna, who is within the heart
of everyone, could understand that His devotee was going without food, so He
came there in the dress of a cowherd boy, with a pot of milk in His hand, and
stood smiling before Sanatana Gosvami. [B.R. 5/1303]

"Baba! I brought some milk for you."

"Oh Lala! Why have you gone to such trouble for me?"

"I saw you are sitting here for so long without any food."

"How do you know that I am not eating anything?"

"I come here to pasture my cows and I watch you to see what you are doing. But
you never take any food."

"You should have sent someone else, you are just a small boy. You have suffered
some difficulty in bringing this milk here for me."

"Na, na, Baba. It was no trouble. At home everyone else was busy, so I was
happy to be able to come myself."

Sanatan Gosvami requested the boy to sit down while he transfered the milk into
another container.

"Na Baba! I can't sit down now. It is almost sunset. I have to milk my cows
now. I will come to get the pot tomorrow."

When when Sanatana looked up there was no one there. He could understand Sri
Krsna Himself had brought him this milk. With tears of love streaming down his
cheek, he drank the milk. From that day he gave up fasting and would go to beg
some foodstuffs from the Brijabasis. The Brijabasis also built him a small
hut.

One day Rupa Gosvami had a desire to cook some sweet rice for his elder
brother, Sanatana, but he had none of the necessary ingredients. Sri Radha
Thakurani, who fulfills the desires of her devotees, could understand
everything. Dressing Herself as a cowherd girl, she came there carrying a
basket containing rice and sugar with a pot of milk in her other hand.
"Svamin! Svamin! Please accept this offering which I have brought".

Hearing someone calling in such a sweet voice, he opened the door of the kutir
and saw an extremely beautiful cowherd girl standing there with a present of
rice, sugar and milk in her hands.

"Lali! What brings you here so early this morning?"

"Svamin, I came to bring you this present."

"Oh! But you have gone to so much trouble."

"What trouble? I have come to serve the sadhus."

Sri Rupa requested her to sit down, but she replied that there was much work at
home, so she couldn't sit down just now. And then she was gone. Sri Rupa looked
up and saw that there was no one there and was a little startled. "Now where
did she run off to so quickly?"

He prepared the sweet rice and after offering to Sri Giridhari, he gave the
prasadam to Sri Sanatana. Sanatana was in total ecstasy while accepting this
prasadam and inquired, "From where did you get the rice and milk?"

Sri Rupa replied, "One cowherd girl brought everything."

Sanatana asked, "Just like that? Suddenly she brought everything?"

"Yes. This morning I was thinking to make some sweet rice for you. Just after
that I saw one cowherd girl standing before our kutir with all the ingredients
in her hands."

As Sanatana heard this, tears began to glide down his cheeks. "The taste of
this sweet rice is from another world. Who else could have brought such
ingredients but Srimati Radha Thakurani herself. Don't desire like this again."
[B.R. 5.1322]

Everyday Sri Sanatana Gosvami would circumambulate the fourteen mile
circumference of Govardhan hill. As he became advanced in years this became
somewhat difficult, but he was not inclined to give up his vow. Krsna, however
could understand that it was difficult for him, so He came to him one day
dressed as a cowherd boy.

"Baba! You have become old now, so I think it isn't necessary for you to
circumambulate Govardhan hill anymore."

"No Lala! This is my regular vow, my worship."

"You can renounce this vow in your old age."

"No Lala. One should never renounce his vows."

"Baba. I have a very good idea, if you will accept it."

"If it is acceptable surely I will accept it."

Then Sri Krsna presented him a stone from Govardhan hill with the imprint of
His foot, a calf's foot print and the impressions of a stick and flute in it.

"Baba! This is a Govardhan sila."

"What will I do with this?"

"You can circumambulate this sila, and that will be the same as
circumambulating Giri-Govardhan." Saying this much the cowherd boy disappeared.
Then Sanatana could understand that Giriraja Himself had presented His
worshippable form to him and from that day he would circumambulate this sila.

Sometimes Sri Sanatana used to stay at Mahaban. One day he saw some cowherd
boys playing on the banks of the Yamuna, and amongst them was one boy whom he
thought was Madana Gopala. "Is that my Madana Gopala playing there? No it must
be one of the local village boys."

Then on another day as he was passing by the Yamuna, there again he saw that
same boy and thought, "This time let me wait and see where he goes." Finally as
the evening approached the boys finished playing and set out for their
respective homes. Following behind that particular boy, sure enough, Sanatana
saw him enter the temple. Then he could understand that Madana Gopala goes
every day to the banks of the Jamuna to play with the other boys.

Wherever Sri Sanatana and Sri Rupa would go throughout Vraja, in all the
various villages the two brothers were much adored by the Brajabasis, who would
feed them milk and yogurt. They in turn would see the Vrajavasis as Krsna's own
family members and respect them in that way. Though it was not their business
to engage in ordinary gossip, with the Brajavasis they would inquire about
their well-being, e.g. how many sons and daughters they had and who had been
married where, what everyone's various names were, how their cows were giving
milk, how the bulls were working in the fields, how the harvest was going on,
who had fallen ill and if they were getting better or not.

In this way Rupa and Sanatana became the life of the villagers and the
Brijabasis also became the life of Rupa and Sanatana.

Sri Sanatana would sometimes stay at Cakreswar, near Govardhan. At that place
there were many mosquitos, which was a great disturbance. When he was one day
being harassed by these insects, Sanatan remarked, "I won't stay here anymore.
It is impossible to concentrate on anything. Neither can I write, nor chant."
That night, Lord Siva came to Sanatan and told him, "Sanatan! Please continue
your service here in a happy frame of mind. From tomorrow there will be no more
disturbance from mosquitos."

After that there were no more mosquitos and Sanatana continued his bhajan free
from disturbance.

Sri Sanatana Gosvami compiled many scriptures. These include: Sri
Brhat-bhagavatmrta, Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa and its Dig-darsani-tika, Sri
Krsna-lilastava (dasam carit), Sri Bhagavata-tipani (commentary on Srimad
Bhagavatam) and Brhat-vaisnava-tosani.

Sri Sanatan Gosvami was born 1488 (Christian); 1410 (Sakabda). At the age of 27
he came to live at Braja where he remained for 43 years. He thus lived to be 70
years old. His disappearance was on the full moon day of Asar in the year 1558
(Christian calendar). His name in Braja-lila is Rati-manjari.