Sri Ramanujacarya: The Beacon of Bhakti and Vedantic Wisdom

In the glorious lineage of Vaiṣṇava Acaryas, Sri Ramanujacarya stands as a divine beacon of knowledge, devotion, and service. His life and teachings continue to illuminate the path of bhakti for seekers across generations. His appearance and disappearance are sacred events observed with great reverence, as he was a direct manifestation of the Lord’s mercy to uplift conditioned souls.

The Divine Appearance of Sri Ramanujacarya

Sri Ramanujacarya appeared in the year 1017 CE in the town of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in a pious Brahmin family. His very birth was a divine arrangement by the Supreme Lord to re-establish the pure tenets of Vaishnavism. As per Vaishnava tradition, he is considered an incarnation of Sesa, the eternal servant of Lord Visnu, who takes various forms to serve the Lord in different capacities.

From a young age, Sri Ramanujacarya exhibited extraordinary intelligence, devotion, and a deep yearning for transcendental knowledge. His early education was under Yadava Prakasa, a well-known Advaiti scholar. However, Ramanuja’s natural inclination towards bhakti led to ideological differences with his teacher. The Lord arranged for him to receive shelter under the great Vaishnava saint, Sri Yamunacarya, whose influence played a crucial role in shaping Sri Ramanujacarya’s spiritual mission.

Restoring the Path of Bhakti

At a time when impersonalism had gained widespread influence, Sri Ramanujacarya re-established the personalistic philosophy of Vedanta, known as Visistadvaita. His teachings harmonised scriptural authority, philosophical reasoning, and intense devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sriman Narayana.

His magnum opus, the Sri Bhasya, is a masterful commentary on the Vedanta-sutras, refuting monistic interpretations and establishing the Supreme Lord as the transcendental reality, full of attributes and eternally distinct from the jivas and prakṛti. He also composed works like Gita Bhaṣya, Vedartha Sangraha, and Saranagati Gadyam, emphasising complete surrender (prapatti) to Lord Narayana as the ultimate path of liberation.

Unparalleled Devotional Service

Unlike many scholars of his time, Sri Ramanujacarya did not confine his teachings to the learnt elite. He tirelessly worked to make bhakti accessible to all, regardless of caste or background. His deep compassion led him to break rigid societal barriers, embracing sincere devotees from all walks of life.

One of the most inspiring incidents from his life was when he received the sacred mantra from his guru and, instead of keeping it secret, climbed atop the temple tower of Sri Rangam and loudly proclaimed it to all. His guru chastised him, warning that he would be doomed for revealing this confidential knowledge. However, Sri Ramanujacarya humbly responded, “If by sharing the Lord’s name, I can uplift countless souls, then I gladly accept any consequence upon myself.” Such was his unmatched spirit of surrender and compassion.

The Glorious Disappearance of Sri Ramanujacarya

After a lifetime of unparalleled service, Sri Ramanujacarya entered his divine pastimes of departure at the sacred temple of Sri Rangam in 1137 CE. Before his departure, he instructed his disciples to continue spreading Vaiṣṇava Siddhanta, emphasizing humility, service, and unwavering devotion to Sriman Narayana.

Even today, his divine presence is felt through the sacred murti of Sri Ramanujacarya at Sri Rangam, which, as per Vaiṣṇava tradition, is said to contain his original transcendental body. Pilgrims from around the world visit this sacred site, seeking his blessings to progress in devotional service.

Sri Ramanujacarya’s Eternal Legacy 

Sri Ramanujacarya’s teachings remain eternally relevant for devotees seeking to deepen their relationship with the Supreme Lord. His emphasis on:

• Unalloyed bhakti over dry intellectualism
• Saranagati (complete surrender) as the means of attaining the Lord
• Devotional service beyond caste and societal divisions
• Scriptural wisdom applied with compassion and humility

These principles serve as guiding lights for sincere practitioners in the path of Krishna consciousness. His influence extends even beyond his sampradaya, as many Vaiṣṇava traditions, including Gauḍiya Vaishnavism, acknowledge his invaluable contributions.

As we commemorate both the divine appearance and disappearance of Sri Ramanujacarya, let us take inspiration from his life of dedication, humility, and boundless mercy. By sincerely following his teachings, we too can awaken pure love for the Supreme Lord and serve as instruments in spreading the mission of bhakti across the world.

” Sri Ramanujacarya Mahabhagavata Ki Jaya!”

Introduction to Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is one of the largest and most important spiritual events in the world, with its roots tracing back to ancient Vedic stories. According to Vedic scriptures, during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean of milk), both demigods and demons worked together to extract amrita (the elixir of immortality). In the process, a pot containing the amrita was formed. A battle ensued between the demigods and demons to claim the pot. To trick the demons, Lord Vishnu appeared as the enchanting Mohini and distributed the nectar only to the demigods.

While trying to escape with the pot, a few drops of amrita fell on four places on Earth: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. These places are now considered sacred, and every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these locations.

What is Kumbh Mela?

The word “Kumbh” means pot, and “Mela” means fair. The Kumbh Mela represents the churning of the ocean of milk and the sacred nectar that emerged from it. The Mela is a spiritual gathering held at four major locations — Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik — each of which hosts the event in rotation every three years.

The most significant Kumbh Mela takes place in Prayagraj, where millions of pilgrims gather at the Sangam, the meeting of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the Saraswati rivers. The event holds deep spiritual importance, and millions believe that taking a dip in the holy waters during the Kumbh Mela cleanses the soul and helps attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).

Mahakumbh Mela 2025: A Spiritual Milestone

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 will take place in Prayagraj and is set to be one of the largest religious gatherings ever. It occurs every 12 years according to the Hindu lunar calendar and is believed to be the most auspicious time for spiritual advancement. Pilgrims gather to bathe in the sacred waters of the Sangam, believing that this act will wash away their sins and bring them closer to moksha.

 

Key Highlights of Mahakumbh Mela 2025

Celestial Alignment: The timing of the Mahakumbh Mela is based on the alignment of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon, making it the most spiritually powerful event of its kind.

Opportunity for Spiritual Growth: Thousands and thousands of saints and spiritual leaders gather during the Kumbh Mela, offering blessings and teachings to the pilgrims. This is a great opportunity to seek spiritual guidance.

Massive Gathering: The Kumbh Mela is the largest peaceful gathering in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims from across the globe.

Sacred Bathing: The most important ritual is taking a holy dip in the river at Sangam, which is believed to purify the soul and cleanse sins.

Location and Key Dates for Kumbh Mela 2025

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 will take place in Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahabad), which is located at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. According to vedic texts, this confluence is considered the holiest place on Earth, where sins are forgiven, and enlightenment is attained.

January 13, 2025: Paus Purnima (Opening Ceremony)
January 14, 2025: Makar Sankranti (First Shahi Snan or Royal Bathing)
January 29, 2025: Mauni Amavasya (Major Bathing Day)
February 12, 2025: Maghi Purnima (Closing Ceremony)

These dates are significant for different bathing rituals, where millions of pilgrims gather to cleanse themselves in the holy waters of Sangam.

The Festival of Faith and Spirituality

The Kumbh Mela is not just a religious event, but also a vibrant festival that includes cultural performances, food stalls, handicraft markets, and lively celebrations of faith. Devotees perform spiritual practices like chanting, fasting, and meditation, alongside taking part in sacred rituals.

The Mahakumbh Mela is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to witness the world’s largest peaceful gathering, where millions of devotees come together to seek spiritual advancement.

ISKCON’s Role in Kumbh Mela

Since 1971, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been an important part of the Kumbh Mela. ISKCON’s presence focuses on spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna, and its camps offer spiritual activities such as kirtans (devotional chants), book distributions, and the serving of prasadam (sanctified food).

ISKCON devotees also actively engage with pilgrims, offering spiritual guidance and support, and emphasizing the importance of Krishna consciousness. Their participation highlights the global significance of the Kumbh Mela and provides visitors with the opportunity for spiritual growth.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on the Kumbh Mela

In his commentary on the Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada elaborates on the deep historical and spiritual significance of the Kumbh Mela:

“Bathing during the month of Māgha at Māgha-melā still takes place. This has been a very old melā (assembly) from time immemorial. It is said that the Lord in the form of Mohinī took a bucket of nectar and kept it at Prayāga. Consequently, Māgha-melā has been observed, and there is an assembly of holy men there every year. Every twelfth year there is a Kumbha-melā, a great festival, and all the holy men from all over India assemble there. The brāhmaṇa wanted to take advantage of the Māgha-melā and bathe there.”

— Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Chapter 18, Text 145, Purport

Prabhupada’s words highlight the historical continuity of these spiritual gatherings, which began with the divine event of Lord Vishnu, as Mohini, placing the pot of nectar at Prayāga. This divine act gave rise to the Māgha-melā, which later evolved into the Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years, gathering holy men and pilgrims from across India and beyond.

Why Attend Mahakumbh Mela 2025?

Spiritual Cleansing: Pilgrims believe that a dip in the holy Sangam waters will purify the soul, wash away sins, and bring salvation.

Inspiration from Saints and Sages: The event is an opportunity to meet and receive blessings from revered spiritual leaders and saints.

Cultural Experience: Beyond the spiritual aspects, the Kumbh Mela is also a vibrant cultural celebration, offering visitors a chance to experience India’s rich traditions.

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj promises to be a transformative experience for anyone seeking spiritual enlightenment. Whether you are a pilgrim or a curious traveler, witnessing this grand festival of faith will be a moment to remember for a lifetime. Make sure to plan your visit and be part of this extraordinary gathering that celebrates the spiritual essence of India.

Srila Jayadev Goswami appeared in Kendubilva gram in West Bengal’s Birbhum district in the 11th or 12th century. At that time King Laxman Sen’s kingdom was in Navadwip. The village Kendubilva is situated near the Ajay River. He received his deities of Shri Shri Radha Madhav from the river. Srila Jaydev Goswami used to worship it. These deities of Shri Shri Radha Madhav are now present in Kanak Vrindavan near Jaipur. Srila Jayadev Goswami’s father’s name was Bhoj Dev and His mother’s name was Vama Devi.

How did Srila Jayadev Goswami’s marriage take place?

There used to be a Brahmin in Jagannath Puri and that Brahmin was not having any child, so for a long time, many years, he was praying to Lord Jagannath for a child. Lord Jagannath blessed him a lot and then They had a daughter named was Padmavati, and as the daughter grew up, after some time when she became eligible for marriage, then the Brahmin brought his daughter to Lord Jagannath and the Brahmin said that Jagannathji, I have dedicated this daughter to your feet, I want to get her married. So Jagannath ji again came to him in his dream and told him to go to Navadwip, My devotee Jayadev Goswami is there and he always chants the names of Hari, he is a very detached Vaishnav.

And you get them married to him. Then that Brahmin came to Sri Jayadev Goswami with his daughter and Sri Jayadev Goswami understood why he had come. Jayadev Goswami clearly refused saying that he had no interest in marriage.Hearing this, the Brahmin became very sad. Then the Brahmin said, okay if I cannot marry her to you then I will not take my daughter back with me. So the Brahmin left his daughter there and after that his daughter said, Oh Vaishnav Thakur, if you do not accept me, then I will give up my life right here. You are my Lord, my master. I have accepted you from my heart. I cannot accept any other man.

So Jayadev Goswami got very worried. And Sri Jayadev Goswami was forced to marry Padmavati. This is how Sri Jayadev Goswami married Padmavati.

Sri Jayadeva Goswami started writing a book in Champahati at that time, whose name is Gita Govinda. He has written Dashavatara stotram in mangalacharan, in the beginning. We sing one of those hymns every day when we praise Lord Narasimha in the morning.

tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛńgaḿ
dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛńgam
keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare

Govardhan Acharya was a minister in the kingdom of King Laxman Sen. When Govardhan Acharya read this Dashavatara stotra, he was very impressed. He said that I should show this Dashavatara stotra to the king. The king will be very happy after reading it. So Govardhan Acharya took this stotram to him and showed it to him. The king was very happy. He was impressed and asked who had written this.

I want to meet that Vaishnav. Then Govardhan Acharya said that this is Jayadev Goswami who has written this Dashavatara stotra. He does not meet any one, any king, any person with special status. Then the king said, okay, I will go in disguise but I will definitely meet him. He came once in disguise and was very impressed after seeing Sri Jayadeva Goswami. He prostrated himself before him like a humble Vaishnav and bowed his head before him. Jayadev Goswami welcomed him with great respect and honoured him.

From his words it became clear that this is King Lakshman Sen. The King invited him and said that you come and become the poet of our kingdom, become the court poet.Then Jayadeva Goswami said that it is okay if you are forcing me to become your court poet, if I become a poet then I will not stay here in Navadwip. I will go from here to Jagannath Puri, but I cannot come to you. The king thought that he is a very detached Vaishnav. Then he said that there is a very beautiful place in Champahati, there are Champak trees all around, you will like it a lot. You will be able to do your bhajan very well there. So in this way, the king is praying again and again.Then Jayadeva Goswami accepts this proposal and starts living in ChampaHati in Navadwip.

He had started writing Gita Govinda further. So when he was writing Geeta Govinda, he reached the tenth canto. There he was remembering the leela
that Radha Rani is waiting for Krishna, Krishna has delayed. She became very angry and started expressing her pride and Radharani refused to meet him or talk to him. So when Radharani expresses her pride, it becomes very difficult for Krishna to break that pride. Although Krishna is the supreme Lord.

But even though he has to bow before Shrimati Radharani and what did Krishna do to break the maan, he took Radha’s feet and wore it on his head, such a leela was energized. Sri Jayadeva Goswami stopped after writing the first line In which he wrote smara garala khandanam. He wrote only this much, after that he stopped, his hands started shaking and he could not write further.

Sri Jayadeva Goswami said, what am I writing, That is all the powers are manifested in the Almighty Lord Shri Krishna and Radharani is his antaranga shakti, she is his eternal servant. How is it possible that the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna will wear the feet of Radha Rani on his head? Is this possible? He put down the pen and went to take a bath.Then the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna himself arrived at his house assuming the guise of Sri Jayadeva Goswami and went inside the room and completed that line smara garala khandanam mama sirasi mandanam dehi pada pallavam udaram

Padmavati got the opportunity to serve Prasad to Lord Krishna who was in the guise of Sri Jayadev Goswami. He took the prasad and left. After sometime original Sri Jayadev Goswami came back after taking a bath. He
saw Padmavati accepting the prasad. What are you doing? Today I am seeing such a scene Padmavati that you are taking the prasad before me, what is the reason? Is your health fine?

Padmavati said that you have come back so soon, you had just gone. I am not able to understand what is happening. So Jayadev Goswami went inside and he saw Gita govinda. He could see the complete line in it. Jayadev Goswami understood it directly, Madhav, Krishna himself had come here and he has completed this line, this is a miracle. He called Padmavati, see what a miracle has happened, do you know Madhav himself came and completed the line? He certified that what I have written is correct and you are very fortunate. You fed Prasad with your own hands to Madhav.

I did not get this good fortune. So in this way Jayadev Goswami wrote the book Gita Govinda, which is very popular, even today in Jagannath Puri. Jagganathji likes Gita Govind very much and there are many incidents related to it.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also appreciates the Gita Govinda written by Sri Jayadeva Goswami.
Day and night, the Lord would speak as though He were Radha meeting Uddhava. He would also relish the poems of Chandi Das, Jayadeva Goswami and Vidyapati.

(Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.13.41-2)

Sri Jayadeva Gosvami also composed a book named Chandraloka. His disappearance is on Pausha Sankranti.

We pray at the lotus feet of Sri Jayadeva Goswami that we may develop strong faith in the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna and become intensely engaged in the pure devotional service of the Lord.

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”

 

If you are a devotee of the Gaudiya Vaishnava faith, then you surely know the significance of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s appearance day. One of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, is known to have been at the forefront of forming the theological and spiritual underpinnings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The way he lived his life is a strong example of persistent devotion, deep learning, and an unrelenting dedication to promoting Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings.

The Early Life and Birthplace of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami

Today, we know the village where Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami was born, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. It was earlier known as the village of Bel Gundi, which was close to the Kaveri River in Sri Ranga Kshetra. He was born in 1503 into the home of Sri Venkat Bhatta, a devoted Sri Vaishnava priest. His family displayed deep devotion to Srirangam’s ruling deity, Lord Ranganatha, and Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami displayed remarkable spiritual qualities at a young age, whereby he was observed performing religious activities.

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Visit to South India

During his tour of South India, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Srirangam, where he met Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami—a meeting that became a turning point in Gopal Bhatta’s life. During the Chaturmasya period, Mahaprabhu spent four months at the home of Sri Venkat Bhatta. Then, young Gopal Bhatta was greatly influenced by Mahaprabhu’s friendship and blessings during this period. It gave him a deep love for the teachings of Bhakti. He learned from him to dedicate his life to the service of the Supreme Lord, which became his guiding principle.

Journey of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to Vrindavan

Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatana Goswami became two of the most important disciples or students of Mahaprabhu, and they welcomed Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to Vrindavan after his parents left.

In the valley of Vrindavan, Gopal Bhatta immersed himself in activities like spiritual service, worship, and writing. He further went into spirituality and bhakti with his contact with the other Goswamis.

The Shaligram Miracle to Know About

Once, on his preachings tour, an event happened with Srila Gopal Bhatta that changed his life. He witnessed a miracle while he was offering water to the Sun while bathing in the Gandaki River. Now, what was that miracle? Well, as he cupped water in his hands, a Shaligram stone materialized, and as he kept offering water, twelve Shaligram stones appeared one after the other. He understood that this was a gift from God, so he went to Vrindavan with the Shaligrams and worshipped them in his kutir on the Yamuna River near Keshighat.

Manifestation of Shri Radha Raman

The faith and devotion of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to the Supreme Lord grew with yet another incident that he witnessed in his life! Once, a merchant was visiting Vrindavan and gave the Goswamis’ deities priceless garments and decorations. Gopal Bhatta Goswami felt sad because his Shaligram deities did not have a human-like shape in which to wear these ornaments. He wanted to devote himself and pray to the Supreme Lord with more intensity, so much so that he could not even sleep at night.

A Night of Intense Prayer

In his endeavour to pray more intensely and devote himself to the Supreme Lord, he observed that his One Shaligram stone out of twelve had changed into the lovely deity of Shri Radha Raman the following morning. He was holding a flute and in a tribhanga (threefold bending) position. The Shaligram stone had changed the way he manifested it. This brought immense joy to Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, and he gifted the deity clothes and ornaments and organized a grand appearance festival, inviting Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Sanatana Goswami, and other devotees.

The Unique Attributes of Shri Radha Raman

To date, devotees have immense faith, respect, and love in their hearts for the Shri Radha Raman deity. According to some of the devotees, Shri Radha Raman’s face is similar to “Govind Dev Ji,” his chest is similar to “Gopinath Ji,” and his lotus feet are similar to “Madan Mohan Ji.” So, worshipping the Shri Radha Raman is considered equivalent to the worship of Vrindavan’s three main deities. Shri Radha Raman Ji has stayed in Vrindavan and is worshipped by everyone with the same faith and attention as before, in contrast to many other deities who were relocated to Jaipur during times of political turmoil.

Contributions of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami to Gaudiya Vaishnavism

The Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition has benefited greatly from Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s contributions. This is because he has served significantly to the creation and preservation of religious literature. He wrote “Laghu Hari Bhakti Vilas,” a book that explains the importance and details of customs and values of devotional life in the direction of Srila Sanatana Goswami. Later, Srila Sanatana Goswami revised and even made this book bigger to create the extensive “Hari Bhakti Vilas,” which included a thorough commentary called “Digdarshini.”

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami is known to have spread the teachings of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Bhakti Rasa through his writings and lectures.

The Legacy of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami: A Life of Devotion and Inspiration

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami played a significant role in helping people understand and follow the path of bhakti. He created a lot of disciples, and he was found disseminating the teachings of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, permanently altering the Vaishnava tradition.

In 1578, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami entered the Lord’s eternal pastimes on Shravan Krishna Panchami. His sacred samadhi, located near the Shri Radha Raman temple in Vrindavan, remains a cherished place of pilgrimage. Thousands visit this temple to experience the serene atmosphere and behold the breathtaking beauty of Shri Radha Raman Ji, who is revered as a symbol of Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s devotion and the Lord’s boundless grace.

To this day, the legacy of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami inspires countless individuals to follow the path of Bhakti, reminding us of the Lord’s response to unwavering faith and sincere service. By remembering his life, teachings, and contributions, we not only strengthen our spiritual journey but also draw closer to the Supreme Lord. May we all be blessed, like Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami ji, to render loving service to the Supreme Lord. Hare Krishna!