Fourth Theme: Jiva Gosvami takes up and perfects the work of Sri Gopala Bhatta

 

In the following sections (fourth and fifth) Jiva Gosvami informs us that the work he was about to write had been begun by a friend of his, a bhatta born into a family of brahmanas in South India who, after studying the books of other prominent Vaishnavas, had written a work.

The allusion to Gopala Bhatta Gosvami is obvious. Some might wonder why his name is not directly attributed to him. 

Prabhupada explains this in the Caitanya Caritamrta (Adi-lila 10.105, commentary):

“When Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami asked permission from all Vaishnavas to write Caitanya Caritamrita, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami was among those who granted it, but asked that his name not be mentioned. Therefore, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami only mentions it in one or two passages, and very cautiously.”

 

Sri Gopala had a keen sense of humility, which led him to not want to appear more than necessary.

Therefore, Bhagavata-sandarbha was initiated by Gopala Bhatta and then adopted and perfected by Jiva Gosvami.

Some of the eminent Vaishnavas with whom Sri Gopala had studied were Madhvacarya, Sridhara Swami and Ramanuja, among others.

 

In the next verse, the author refers to himself with the word jivakah, which means “little soul” or “simple soul”. Despite their intellectual and spiritual greatness, the Vaishnava Acaryas always feel incompetent, because spiritual advancement means moving towards the realization that one is a small part of the energy of Sri Krishna. Since the nature of the soul is always subordinate to that of the Supreme, the mentality of the devotee naturally leans towards constant modesty and, despite his boundless scholarship and holiness, Sri Jiva was no exception to this model.

This is a section of the book “Tattva Sandarbha”, in English.

To buy the complete book, click here