Jiva Goswami was born in Ramakeli, West Bengal, as the son of Anupama, who was the younger brother of the renowned Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis. This made Jiva Goswami their nephew and Rupa and Sanatana his uncles.
Lord Chaitanya’s Visit to Ramakeli
At one point, all three brothers—Rupa, Sanatana, and Anupama—were forcibly employed in the service of Nawab Hussain Shah. It was during this time that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Ramakeli on his way to Vrindavan, specifically intending to meet Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis. This meeting marked the first time they came face to face.
During this significant visit, Jiva Goswami was only three years old. As Lord Chaitanya entered the garden of their home, young Jiva, who was sitting on his mother’s lap, immediately jumped up, displaying a spontaneous attraction to Mahaprabhu. His mother was astonished by his reaction. While Rupa and Sanatana conversed with Lord Chaitanya, little Jiva hid behind a tree, attentively listening and smiling as he absorbed the words of the Lord. At one point, Lord Chaitanya pointed to Jiva and told Rupa and Sanatana that the work they would leave unfinished would be continued by this young boy, Jiva.
Jiva Goswami’s Devotion
The brief encounter with Lord Chaitanya left an indelible impression on young Jiva. He gave up playing with his friends and became deeply absorbed in studying the Shastras and worshipping his deities of Krishna and Balarama, which his mother had given him as an infant. Despite his tender age, Jiva spent countless hours with his deities—bathing them, dancing for them, singing to them, making clothes, and offering them garlands and food. His devotion was so intense that he would often sacrifice his own comfort to ensure that his deities were well cared for, even wrapping them in his own chador when it was cold.
A Similar Story by Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada once shared a similar story about one of his godbrothers, who, as a seven-year-old child, worshipped Radha Gopinath deities. One unseasonably cold night, the boy began shivering uncontrollably. Despite receiving medical treatment, the shivering persisted until Radha Gopinath appeared in the boy’s dream and reminded him that he had forgotten to offer them warm shawls. After the boy offered shawls to the deities, his own shivering ceased immediately.
Krishna and Balarama’s Revelation
One night, when Jiva Goswami was only six years old, Krishna and Balarama appeared to him in a dream. They revealed that they had incarnated in the age of Kali as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda. They assured him that, in time, he would be empowered to spread their divine message. In the dream, Krishna and Balarama transformed into Gaura and Nityananda, and Jiva Goswami, filled with devotion, began shouting their names upon waking. His mother, hearing this, tried to calm him by promising that he would soon be able to go to Navadvipa to be with Gaura Nityananda.
Jiva Goswami’s Determination
When Jiva was ten years old, his mother passed away, following the earlier departure of his father, Anupama. With no immediate family left, young Jiva resolved to leave home, determined to fulfill his spiritual destiny.
Lesson to be Learned
This story illustrates the profound impact that divine association and spiritual mentors can have on even the youngest of devotees. Jiva Goswami’s early experiences with Lord Chaitanya and his unwavering devotion to Krishna and Balarama demonstrate how a sincere heart, even in a child, can become a vessel for great spiritual achievements. It also emphasizes the importance of nurturing devotion from a young age and the deep, lasting influence that early spiritual experiences can have on one’s life.
Prayer
“O Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda, just as you blessed young Jiva with your divine presence and guidance, please bless us with unwavering devotion and the determination to serve you with a pure heart. May we always find joy in your service and be empowered to spread your message of love and compassion.”
