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Gopinatha Temple

If you go back to the main road and continue down the road 30 seconds, just past the water taps, you come to the Radha Gopinatha Temple, on the right. This temple is right next to Radha Kunda.

On the altar of this temple, on the left side is Ananga Manjari (the younger sister of Radharani), in the middle is the Deity of Gopinatha, on the right side is Srimati Radharani. It is said that this temple was established by Jahnava Devi, the wife of Lord Nityananda. In Caitanya-lila, Ananga Manjari, the younger sister of Radharani, appeared as Jahnava Devi. In the Radha Gopinatha Temple in Vrindavana there is also a deity of Ananga Manjari on the altar.

Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami’s Samadhi
Some of the ashes of Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami are entombed in a shrine located in the Gopinatha Temple. There is 24-hour kirtana at this spot. Behind the samadhi, is a small movable stone. Under this stone is caranamrita from Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami’s samadhi-murti. You can also get some of Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami’s buttermilk maha-prasada, which is kept behind the kirtana party in a small niche in the wall.

There is a amazing pastimes that took place while Raghunatha dasa Gosvami was sitting by the bank of Shyama Kunda. One day two tiger came out of the jungle and drunk some water next to him. He was so absorbed in chanting that he did not notice the tigers. Krishna suddenly appeared and stood by Raghunatha Dasa to protect him. Sanatana Gosvami then arrived and saw Krishna standing over Raghunatha Dasa. After the tigers left, Krishna turned and smiled at Sanatana Gosvami and then disappeared. Sanatana Gosvami then came to Raghunatha Dasa and chastised him saying that what kind of bhajana was he doing that Krishna had to come to protect him. Sanatana Gosvami then asked Raghunatha Dasa to build a kutir to do his bhajana.

At another time, Raghunatha Dasa was sitting on the bank of Radha Kunda. It was extremely hot and Raghunatha Dasa started sweating profusely. He was also crying in separation from Radharani. Radharani seeing this came personally and held her veil over Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami to protect him from the scorching Sun. Radharani also started to sweat heavily and her clothing became wet.
At this time Sanatana Gosvami arrived and saw Srimati Radharani protecting Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami from the Sun. Radharani then looked at Sanatana, smiled and then disappeared. Sanatana Gosvami then came and chastised Raghunatha for taking the service of Radharani. Raghunatha then turned and saw the footprints of Radharani in the muddy earth.

Raghunatha then started to cry and roll around on the ground. Sanatana Gosvami was finally able to comfort Raghunatha. A cottage was then built for Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami.

Jahnava Baithak
If you exit out the door to the left of the altar, containing the Deity of Gopinatha, it leads to a small platform jutting out into Radha Kunda. This is where Jahnava Devi (in 1582), the wife of Lord Nityananda, stayed for around four days. This spot is known as Jahnava Baithak, the sitting place of Jahnava. There is a Tamala tree and a small shrine here.

Jahnava Devi was sitting at this place in deep meditation and she heard the sound of Krishna’s flute. When she looked up she saw Lord Gopinatha with Radharani and the gopis standing under a Tamala tree.

Jahnava Devi met Jiva Goswami, Raghunatha dasa Goswami, Krishnadasa Kaviraja and Gopala Bhatta Goswami during her visit to Vrindavana. As stated in Bhakti-ratnakara, Jahnava Devi was requested by Jiva Goswami to go to Radha Kund to see Raghunatha Goswami. When Raghunatha dasa Goswami met her because of ecstatic love he cried so greatly that he couldn’t see her.
Next to this place is Jahnava Ghata.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides