That Govardhan sila was the most precious thing in Lord Caitanya’s life. Seeing Raghunath Das Goswami’s genuine humility, deep service attitude, attachment for the holy name, Vaishnava seva, hearing about Krishna and his profound austerities, Lord Caitanya gave him this Govardhan Sila. Raghunath Das Goswami performed his austerities, for essentially two reasons.
HUMILITY: He thought that he was not worthy of taking regular Prasad. He considered it appropriate to eat the remnants which even the cows would spit out. That was his humility.
FOCUS: He performed that severe austerity, so that he would not be in any way distracted by any forms of sense pleasure, so that he could focus 100% of his attention in meditating on Radha and Krishna.
Seeing the sincerity of Raghunath Das Goswami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, presented to him, through Svarupa Damodar Goswami, that Govardhan Sila and a Gunja Mala. Raghunath Dasa Goswami was thinking, “By giving me this Govardhan Shila, Lord Caitanya is giving me the residence at Govardhan Hill. And by presenting to me this Gunja Mala, my Lord is giving me eternal loving service to Srimati Radharani”.
Raghunath Das Goswami, was the most humble devotee. He would not even talk to Lord Caitanya directly, it was always through other people, because he felt himself so unworthy. He wouldn’t approach Lord Nityananda directly. He would offer obeisances from a distance; Lord Nityananda would go and pick him up. He would offer obeisances to Lord Caitanya from a distance and devotees would say, “There is Raghunath”. And He would pick him up. That was the nature of Raghunath Das Goswami.
We are hearing Govardhan Lila, Caitanya Mahaprabhu is giving us the opportunity to participate in our original spiritual bodies, in these unlimited divine pastimes.
– Radhanath Swami
