One day, in Sridham Mayapura at the holy birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a proud disciple of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura named Gopal dasa Babaji, began to imitate the renunciation of Srila Gaurakisora. Gopal dasa, who seemed to be absorbed in devotional service, always sat in one place performing his bhajana. He neglected his other service, always sat in one place performing his bhajana. He neglected his other service of watching the garden. Horses, cows and goats would wander into the area and destroy the garden. Gopal dasa always had a very indifferent attitude towards this. Gopal would chant the Holy name of Krsna incessantly. Since he was so absorbed in devotional service, all these external activities seemed less important to him. He was not very much attached to performing his relative duties.

Once he proudly approached Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and told him that Srila Gaurakisora lacked the qualities of a true renunciant. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati harshly chastised Gopal for his ultimate benefit. He began to describe the unearthly character of Srila Gaurakisora and the way he was so absorbed in Krsna consciousness. He glorified the magnanimous renunciation that Srila Gaurakisora displayed. After some time, Gopal dasa approached Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and complained about how Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had chastised him. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura informed Gopal dasa,"Whatever Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati told him was for his own benefit."

It is said that in Mayapura, even the Muslims knew that the renunciation of Srila Gaurakisora was genuine, whereas Gopal dasa was known as a cheap imitationist. A person who imitates advanced devotees of the Lord by making a show of renunciation, can never actually become a real renunciant, or perform solitary worship of the Supreme Lord in devotional ecstasy.