Gopalaguru Gosvami A 16th century Krishnaite theologian and saint from Orissa Date of Birth: . Country: Dive

1. Gopalaguru Goswami: A 16th-Century Krishnaite Saint and Theologian
2. Early Life and Education
3. Expertise in Rasa
4. Spiritual Lineage
5. Establishment of the Temple
6. Meeting with Narottama Dasa
7. Passing and Appearances in Vrindavan
8. Legacy and Samadhi

Gopalaguru Goswami: A 16th-Century Krishnaite Saint and Theologian

Born in the 16th century in Orissa, Gopalaguru Goswami was a prominent Krishnaite theologian and saint.

Early Life and Education

Gopalaguru belonged to a brahmin family in Utkala. As a young child, he became a disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and studied under Vakresvara Pandit. Chaitanya was fond of Gopalaguru and often joked about his intelligence, calling him "guru." The name stuck, and he became known as Gopalaguru Goswami.

Expertise in Rasa

Under the guidance of Swarupa Damodara and Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, Gopalaguru became an expert in rasa, the science of love between Radha and Krishna. He authored the book "Smarana-paddhati" ("System of Remembrances for the Lord").

Spiritual Lineage

Gopalaguru passed on his knowledge to his disciple Dhyanachandra Goswami, who elaborately explained the worship of Chaitanya and Radha-Krishna in raganuga-bhakti. Gopalaguru remained with his guru, Vakresvara Pandit, in Puri at the house of Kashi Mishra, where Chaitanya had once stayed.

Establishment of the Temple

After Vakresvara Pandit's passing, Gopalaguru built a temple behind the Gambhira for the worship of Radha-Krishna. He installed the deities of Radha-kanta in the temple.

Meeting with Narottama Dasa

As described in the "Bhakti-ratnakara," Narottama Dasa visited Kashi Mishra's house in Puri and met Gopalaguru.

Passing and Appearances in Vrindavan

Gopalaguru passed away in Puri on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartika. Two weeks later, news of his passing reached the Vaishnavas in Vrindavan, who held a second departure ceremony. To their astonishment, Gopalaguru appeared before them sitting under a bakula tree in the temple courtyard. He revealed that in his spiritual body as a gopi, he eternally resided in Vrindavan, serving Radha and Krishna.

Legacy and Samadhi

According to some sources, Gopalaguru is identified as the gopi named Tungavidya in Krishna's eternal pastimes. His samadhi in Vrindavan is located in the Dhira-samira area.