The Vedic Scriptures

The following important Vedic scriptures will be presented here in brief:

The scriptures of Rupa, Sanātana and Jiva Goswami

The saints known as the six Goswamis, Sanātana Goswami, Rupa Goswami, Raghunatha Dasa, Raghunatha Bhatta, Gopala Bhatta and Jiva Goswami, are followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and acaryas in the Gaudiya Vaiṣṇava Sampradaya. They lived in India about 500 years ago. Rupa Goswami and Sanātana Goswami were brothers and Jiva Goswami was their nephew. After Rupa and Sanātana Goswami had taken refuge with Śrī Caitanya and been instructed by him in the science of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, they were commissioned by the Lord to live in the holy place of Vrindavana and were authorised by him to write books on bhakti-yoga, preach devotional service to Kṛṣṇa and build temples. Jiva Goswami sought refuge at the lotus feet of Śrī Nityananda Prabhu and was commissioned by him to join his uncles in Vrindavana.

Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada writes in a commentary on a verse in the Caitanya-Caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Ch. 4:

“Śrīla Rupa Gosvami and Sanātana Gosvami used to be ministers in the government of Nawab Hussain Shah, and they were householders, but later became Gosvamis. A Gosvami is one who carries out the will of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The title “Gosvami” is not an inherited designation, but is due to someone who is in control of his senses and has dedicated his life to carrying out Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's will. Therefore Śrīla Sanātana and Śrīla Rupa became Gosvamis after dedicating their lives to the service of the Lord.”

In the Caitanya-Caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Ch. 4, verses 218-236, Śrīla Kṛṣṇadas Kaviraja Goswami writes:

Śrīla Rupa Gosvami and Sanātana Gosvami collected many revealed scriptures, and from the evidence in those scriptures they excavated all the lost sites of pilgrimage. Thus they established temples for the worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Śrīla Sanātana Gosvami compiled the Bhāgavatāmṛta. From this book one can understand who is a devotee, what is the process of devotional service, and who is Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth.

Śrīla Sanātana Gosvami wrote a commentary on the Tenth Canto known as Dasama-tippani, from which we can understand the transcendental pastimes and ecstatic love of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

He also compiled the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, from which we can understand the standard behavior of a devotee and the full extent of a Vaiṣṇava's duty.

Śrīla Sanātana Gosvami also compiled many other books. Who can enumerate them? The basic principle of all these books is to show us how to love Madana-mohana and Govindaji.

Śrīla Rupa Gosvami also wrote many books, the most famous of which is Bhakti-rasamṛta-sindhu. From that book one can understand the essence of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa and the transcendental mellow one can derive from such service.

Śrīla Rupa Gosvami also compiled the book named Ujjvala-nilamani, from which one can understand, to the fullest limits, the loving affairs of Śrī Śrī Radha and Kṛṣṇa.

Śrīla Rupa Gosvami also compiled two important dramas named Vidagdha-madhava and Lalita-madhava, from which one can understand all the mellows derived from the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Śrīla Rupa Gosvami compiled 100,000 verses, beginning with the book Dana-keli-kaumudi. In all these scriptures he elaborately explained the transcendental mellows of the activities of Vrindavana.

The son of Śrī Vallabha, or Anupama, Śrīla Rupa Gosvami's younger brother, was the great learned scholar named Śrīla Jiva Gosvami.

After renouncing everything, Śrīla Jiva Gosvami went to Vrindavana. Later he also wrote many books on devotional service and expanded the work of preaching.

In particular, Śrīla Jiva Gosvami compiled the book named Bhāgavata-sandarbha, or Sat-sandarbha, which is the essence of all scriptures. From this book one can obtain a conclusive understanding of devotional service and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

He also compiled the book named Gopala-campu, which is the essence of all Vedic literature. In this book he has exhibited the ecstatic loving transactions and pastimes of Radha and Kṛṣṇa in Vrindavana.

In the Sat-sandarbha Śrīla Jiva Gosvami set forth the truths about the transcendental love of Kṛṣṇa. In this way he expanded 400,000 verses in all his books.

When Jiva Gosvami wanted to go to Mathura from Bengal, he requested permission from Śrīla Nityananda Prabhu.

Because of Jiva Gosvami's relationship with Rupa Gosvami and Sanātana Gosvami, who were greatly favored by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Nityananda Prabhu placed His feet on the head of Śrīla Jiva Gosvami and embraced him.

Lord Nityananda Prabhu ordered, “Yes, go soon to Vrindavana. That place has been awarded to your family, to your father and uncles, by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and therefore you must go there immediately.”

By the order of Nityananda Prabhu, he went and actually achieved the result of His order, for he compiled many books for a long time and preached the cult of bhakti from Vrindavana.

These three – Rupa Gosvami, Sanātana Gosvami and Jiva Gosvami – are my spiritual masters, and so also is Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. I therefore offer prayers at their lotus feet, for I am their servant.