A Glimpse into the Life of Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati
by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Lord Chaitanya |
At this time Lord Caitanya stayed at the home of three brothers, Tirumalaya, Vyenkata (whose son was Gopala Bhatta Gosvami), and Gopala Guru (Prabodhananda Sarasvati), who were Sri Vaisnavas, followers of Ramanujacarya, and devoted to the worship of Laksmi-Narayana. Lord Caitanya explained the superiority of Lord Krsna's lila to His hosts, and their conversation on this point is recorded in Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter Nine.
At this time Gopala Guru (Prabodhananda Sarasvati) became very devoted to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Vyenkata's son (Gopala Bhatta Gosvami) also became attached to the Lord. In his youth, Gopala Bhatta was instructed by Prabodhananda Sarasvati.
Prabodhananda Sarasvati became a follower of Sri Caitanya and is considered one of the great acaryas in the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya. Actually he is one the greatest eternal associates of the Lord. When the Lord appeared in His original form of Sri Krsna, Prabodhananda Sarasvati was one of the important gopis. This is recorded in Kavi Karnapura's Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (163):
"The gopi Tungavidya, who appeared in Vrajabhumi during Lord Krsna's pastimes, also appeared during the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. At that time she appeared as Prabodhananda Svami, who became famous as Sarasvati because of his eloquent (sarasvati) glorification of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu." Prabodhananda Sarasvati is also mentioned in the introduction to Srila Sanatana Gosvami's Hari-bhakti-vilasa (1.2):
"This book, Hari-bhakti-vilasa was originally compiled by Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, the disciple of Prabodhananda Sarasvati, who is very dear to Lord Krsna. Gopala Bhatta brought great happiness to Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami."
Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati is also described in Narahari Sarakara's Bhakti-ratnakara: "Prabodhananda Sarasvati was full of all good qualities, and therefore he was known everywhere by the name Sarasvati."
"He was very devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Caitanya, and he always remembered Him, even when he slept."
"He was full of love for the devotees, and was also very austere and renounced. His handsome form was very pleasing to see, and he was also a learned poet and scholar. No one could compare with him in the arts of singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments."
"Everyone who heard his eloquent speech became filled with happiness. These are the incomparable glories of Prabodhananda Sarasvati." After Lord Caitanya left South India and returned to Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, Prabodhananda Sarasvati became rapt in always remembering Him within his heart. Prabodhananda left his home in Ranga-ksetra and travelled to Sri Vrndavana, where he stayed in the forest of Kamyavana, and where he was soon met by his nephew Gopala Bhatta Gosvami.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura