The Life of Srila Lokanath Goswami
Srila Lokanath Goswami is revered as a close associate of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who instructed him to reside in Vrindavan and engage in solitary worship. As a viviktanandi Vaishnava, Srila Lokanath found great joy in worshiping the Lord in solitude, embracing a life of renunciation. His deep devotion led him to take a vow not to accept any disciples, choosing instead to focus entirely on his personal worship and service to the Lord.
Srila Narottam Thakur’s Devotion
On the other hand, Srila Narottam Thakur, who was born into a royal family, was also a fervent devotee of Lord Krishna and a follower of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. He made a solemn vow to receive diksha (spiritual initiation) from no one other than Srila Lokanath Goswami. Despite Lokanath Goswami’s vow not to accept disciples, Narottam’s desire for his mercy was so intense that he decided to serve him in a most humble and selfless manner.
Secret Service in the Night
Every night, Srila Narottam would secretly go to the place where Srila Lokanath Goswami performed his bodily functions. With great care and devotion, he would clean the area, sift the earth to make it fine and clean, and leave fresh water and earth for Lokanath to use for cleansing afterward. This menial service was performed in secrecy, with Narottam hiding the broom and other cleaning materials in the earth to avoid detection.
As he performed this service, Srila Narottam’s heart was filled with joy, considering himself fortunate to have the opportunity to serve his spiritual master in such a humble way. He held the broom to his chest, repeating, “This is the power that will help me attain my lord’s lotus feet,” and his tears of devotion would flow, soaking his chest.
The Revelation of the Servant
Over time, Srila Lokanath Goswami noticed that the place was being meticulously cleaned every day, and he became curious to find out who was performing this humble service. One evening, he hid in the jungle, chanting the holy Name and waiting to discover the identity of the person who had been serving him so diligently.
At midnight, Srila Lokanath saw someone cleaning the area and asked who it was. When he learned that it was Srila Narottam, the son of a king, he was astonished and deeply moved. Despite his vow not to accept disciples, he was touched by Narottam’s humility and devotion. Overcome with compassion, Srila Lokanath softened his resolve and agreed to give Narottam diksha.
A Lesson in Devotion
Srila Narottam Thakur’s story exemplifies the depth of humility and dedication that a disciple should have in the service of one’s spiritual master. His willingness to perform even the most menial tasks in secrecy, out of pure love and devotion, eventually won him the mercy of his guru, Srila Lokanath Goswami. This narrative serves as an extraordinary example of how sincere and selfless service can attract the grace of both the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Humility in Service: True devotion is expressed through humility and a willingness to serve, regardless of one’s social status or personal pride.
- Persistence in Devotion: Srila Narottam’s persistent and selfless service, even without recognition, exemplifies how true devotion does not seek reward or acknowledgment.
- Guru’s Compassion: The story highlights the boundless compassion of a genuine spiritual master, who is moved by the sincerity and dedication of a disciple.
- The Power of Bhakti: Pure love and devotion have the power to melt even the strictest of vows, as demonstrated by Srila Lokanath’s eventual acceptance of Srila Narottam as his disciple.
Prayer
O Supreme Lord Krishna,
Grant us the humility and devotion
To serve our spiritual master as Srila Narottam Thakur did.
May we always perform our duties selflessly,
Seeking not recognition, but only Your divine grace.
Guide us to be persistent in our devotion,
And may our hearts be filled with the joy of serving You.
Quote from Shastra
“tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ”
Translation:
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.”
— Bhagavad Gita 4.34
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita encapsulates the essence of Srila Narottam Thakur’s approach to his spiritual master, demonstrating the importance of humility, inquiry, and service in the relationship between disciple and guru.