Sri Jiva Goswami

Born about 1511, son of Vallabha, brotherof Rupa. Played with murthis of Krishna &Balarama

When Jiva was three or fouryears old, his unclesresigned from theirministerial posts at the courtof Alauddin Hussein Shah(ruled 1493–1519 CE) aftertheir initial meeting withChaitanya Mahaprabhu(1486–1534 CE) and theydecided to join his ranks asmendicants.

Bhakti Ratnagara

Hearing that his father anduncles had made theirdecision to work in theservice of ChaitanyaMahaprabhu, the youngJiva desired to join themalso.

Narahari summarizes Jiva’s early lifestory as follows: In a dream, Jiva had avision of Mahaprabhu dancing in themidst of sankirtan.

He was overwhelmed by feelings ofdivine love and soon thereafter lefthis home in Bakla Candradvipa. Atage 17 he met Nityananda Prabhu atNabadwip in the home of SrivasaPandit and received his blessings.

• Nityananda showedhim all the places ofGaura lila aroundNavadvip.

• Unclear whetherJiva ever metChaitanya Mahaprabhu.

With fatherly affection, Nityanandatouched Jiva’s head with his feet. Heshowed incomparable mercy towardJiva, lifting him from the ground andembracing him tightly.

After keeping Jiva there for sometime with him, Nityananda Prabhusent him off to the West... He said,“Hurry off now to Vraja. That is theplace the Lord has given over to yourfamily.” (Bhakti-ratnakara 1.765-9,772)

He then went to Kasi to study underMadhusudana Vacaspati, who was

student of Sarvabhauma.

• Arrived in 1541 at height ofVrndavan’s glory, was favorite (&youngest) of everybody

• Initiated by Rupa Goswami, & livedwith him

• Discussion withVallabhacharya,Jiva told toconquer anger

• SanatanReminded Rupaof LordChaitanya’sprinciple, “Bekind to everyJIVA.”

It is said that a certain dig-vijayi scholar,eager to amass mundane prestige, came toRupa and Sanatan to get their signature as anadmission of defeat in debate.Jiva’s gurusconceded defeat without any argument andthe arrogant scholar proclaimed them to benothing but ignorant fools. He then asked Jivato also sign such an admission of defeat. Jiva,however, decided to take on the puffed-upBrahmin in debate in order to silence hisscurrilous tongue. In this way, he preservedthe integrity of his spiritual master’sreputation and demonstrated the idealbehavior of one who is guru-devatatma, i.e.,one who recognizes his spiritual master to behis worshipable deity and source of life.

After the disappearance of Rupa andSanatan, Jiva was established as thetopmost teacher of doctrine in thesampradaya. He engaged everyonein the worship of Krishna throughteaching the truths given byMahaprabhu himself.

In essence, the philosophy of Achintyabheda abheda, or "inconcieveble onenessand difference”, avoids the extremes ofShankara's monistic Advaita vedanta andMadhva's pure dualism (Dvaita) byinterpreting the material and spiritualpotencies of the Supreme Person(Bhagavan) as being simultaneously oneand different with Him.

At that time (1542)he also establishedthe VishvaVaishnava RajaSabha (WorldVaishnavaAssociation) and theRupanugaVidyapitha, aneducational facilityfor GaudiyaVaishnavas to studythe works of Rupaand Sanatana.

His erudition andspirituality were sofamous that the Moghulemperor Akbar becamehis ardent admirer anddonated paper for hiswriting.

Deity given to Jiva by Rupa, who carved it.Temple established in 1558.

Ma Jahnava,wife ofNityanandavisited himtwice withmanyfollowers.

When Srinivas (who initiatedking Virahanvira book lifter),Narottama and Dukhi KrishnaDas came from Bengal, hetaught them and gave them thetitles Acharya, Thakur andShyamananda. He then sentthem back to Bengal with all thescriptures that had been writtenby the Goswamis, withinstructions to preach thereligion of the Holy Names andlove of Krishna.

Works 25 + Books• Laid Philosophical foundation

to Vaishnavism;• Vyakarana (grammar) 3 books• Stava (drama) 9 books• Lila 1 book• Tika (commentaries) 6 books• Harinamamrta Vyakarana

(names)• Sandarbhas, (9 books)

• Died 1608• His deity, Radha Damodar, is still

being worshiped in the RadhaDamodar temple in Vrindavan. Hissamadhi tomb is on the grounds ofthe Radha Damodar temple and hisbhajana-kutira is preserved in RadhaKund, near Lalita Kund.

The End