Radha Gokulanand temple was the bhajan kutir of Lokanath Goswami. He was born in the Jessore district of Bangladesh. His father’s name was Padmanabha and his mother was Sita. They were great devotees and associates of Sri Advaita Acharya. When he was a young man, he went to Sri Navadwip dham and took shelter of Lord Caitanya. Lord Caitanya told him that soon He was going to accept sannyasa and that he should leave for Vrindavan since he would not be able to bear the pain of seeing the Lord accepting the robes of a sannyasi and His beautiful hair being cut..Lokanath Goswami left for Vrindavan along with Bhugarbha Goswami and they were waiting for the Lord to arrive there.
After the Lord accepted sannyasa he settled in Puri and left for His South India tour. When Lokanath Goswami came to know about this, he immediately left for south India to meet the Lord. As he approached the southern provinces he was informed that Lord had returned to Puri. Lokanath Goswami started for Puri but by that time Lord had started for Vrindavan. Lokanath Goswami was so eager to meet the Lord that he immediately started walking to Vrindavan. But when he finally arrived in Vrindavan he was informed that after 2 months of staying in Vrindavan, Lord Caitanya had left
for Prayag. Hearing this Lokanath Goswami fainted and when he returned to consciousness he decided to go to Prayag the next morning. In the night Lord Caitanya appeared in his dream and told him, “These are all My past times. I want you to stay in Vrindavan. Because very soon, Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami, Raghunatha Bhatt Goswami, Raghunatha Das Goswami, Gopal Bhatt Goswami, Jiva Goswami, will all be coming to Vrindavan. I want you to live with them. You remain in Vrindavan and you will feel My presence always.” This was the nature of the service attitude of these great devotees. Lokanath Goswami wanted to be with Lord Caitanya but it was the Lord’s order that he stay in Vrindavan. On the physical level he never saw Lord Caitanya again for the rest of his life.
Near the Khadirvan forest there is a village Umraon. Lokanath Goswami would perform his bhajan in that village near the Kishori Kund. In his heart grew an intense desire to have a deity to worship. When a great soul has a desire to serve, we can understand that it is Krishna within the heart of that devotee who wants to receive service from that devotee. Thus the desire of such a great devotee is actually Krishna’s desire. One day while he was sitting with this thought, an extraordinary personality came up to him, handed him a deity and immediately disappeared. Lokanath Goswami was bewildered and the deity spoke, “My name is Radha Vinod. I have been living in this forest
for a long time just waiting for you. I have come by Myself without the help of anyone else to give Myself to you.” Hearing this Lokanath Goswami began to tremble. Radha Vinod smiled and said, “I am hungry, cook for Me.”
Lokanath Goswami cooked nice bhoga and offered to the Lord. He hung Them around his neck and that was the temple. He would travel around like this for many years. When Rupa and Sanatana Goswami came to Vrindavan, they invited Lokanath Goswami to come and live with them.
– Radhanath Swami
Wonderful explanation by HH Radhanath Swami. HH Radhanath Swami has a unique ability to present more and more refined meanings of the Vedic truths. These truths are embodies in the life of HH Radhanath Swami as he practices what he preaches. This is the reason why the vani of HH Radhanath Swami coming through his writings, lectures, is so deeply profound and affects the heart.
All the Vaishnava qualities can be found in the fullest in the life of HH Radhanath Swami as Mahraj follows the path of bhakti and pleasing his spiritual master Srila Prabhupad, to the greatest possible extent. Thank you for sharing
Yes I do agree with you.
Very nice pastime, beautifully explained by Radhanath Swami.
How glorious the life of Loknath Swami is….Thanks swamiji for enlightening us…
What an amazing description of the pastimes of Shri Shri Radha Vinodji by Radhanath Swami.
What amazing pastimes! The Lord always reciprocates according to the mood of the devotee.
Wonderful past time of the Lord and his devotees..This past time teaches us how Lord responds to fulfill the intense desire of devotee.
Wonderful pastime indeed. Lord’s such pastimes with His pure devotees are transcendental to this material world. Such pastimes are heart-purifying.
Yes indeed and they are faith giving too.
Thanks HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj for narrating this wonderful pastime explaining the spirit of devotion of exalted devotees of lord.
When a great soul has a desire to serve, we can understand that it is Krishna within the heart of that devotee who wants to receive service from that devotee. Thus the desire of such a great devotee is actually Krishna’s desire. All glories to Radhanath swami maharaj
It is a truly inspiring story ,This pastime of lord with his pure devotees is simply amazing. It was Krishna’s desire to get served from his devotee…!!And a devotee has to become qualified by doing bhakti so that krishna can have such desire…..
This was the nature of the service attitude of these great devotees. Lokanath Goswami wanted to be with Lord Caitanya but it was the Lord’s order that he stay in Vrindavan. On the physical level he never saw Lord Caitanya again for the rest of his life. All glories to these glorious devotees. Thanks for the sweet pastime.
Beautiful
How great are these devotees with deep service attitude & longing to sacrifice everything for Lord that Lord personally wished to be worshipped by them..
Very heart touching story narrated in a very enlivening way by HH Radhanath Swami.
Wonderful pastime of appearance of Sri Sri Radha Vinod ji.
What an amazing lecture by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Great point!