By Giriraj Swami
Today is the disappearance day of Srila Jiva Gosvami, one of the Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana, direct disciples of Lord Chaitanya. Srila Prabhupada writes, “Srila Jiva Gosvami composed and edited at least twenty-five books. They are all very much celebrated . . . After the disappearance of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami in Vrndavana, Srila Jiva Gosvami became the acarya of all the Vaisnavas in Bengal, Orissa, and the rest of the world, and it is he who used to guide them in their devotional service. In Vrndavana he established the Radha-Damodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America.” (Cc Adi 10.85 purport)
In London I am staying in the home of Ramanuja dasa and Shyama Sakhi dasi, and their son Varun. In Vrindavan Varun did some service to restore and preserve Srila Jiva Gosvami’s chanting beads (japa-mala), and in reciprocation, the Goswami in possession of the beads gave one to Varun. Today I chanted japa on that bead, remembering Srila Jiva Goswami’s exalted qualities and activities—and love. And in response to a prayer to him, I felt that he instructed me, “Just serve your gurudeva. By the service of your gurudeva you will get everything.”
In his purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 4.71), Srila Prabhupada writes, “Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhu gives the following directions in his Bhakti-sandarbha (270): ‘Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one’s having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krsna in this Age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances, and austerities, because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied by the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.’ ”
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