Sri Sri Radha-
Gopinatha,
the deities
personally
served and
worshipped
by Srila Govinda Ghosa in
Agradwip, are one of the
ancient deities in Gaura
Mandala. Govinda Ghosa is
an eternal associate of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Caitanya Bhagavata
describes that the three
brothers, Sri Vasudeva
Ghosa, Sri Madhava Ghosa
and Sri Govinda Ghosa were
very expert singers. Sri
Nityananda Prabhu Himself
would dance as they sang.
Darshan of Sri Gopinatha is
rare as the Lord gives
darshan for only few days in
a year. The Lord visits the
fair at Krishnanagar during
this month and stays there
to be worshipped by the
king of Krishnanagar. On His
way to Krishnagar, the Lord
passes through Mayapur for
a day and Mayapur
devotees wait for this day.
Mayapur devotees along
with Jananivas and
Pankajanghri Prabhu
performed puja, arati and
offered bhoga to Gopinath.
Gopinath deities gave
darshan in a boat. They
were dressed with flower
crowns with simple but
beautiful outfits. Jananivasa
Prabhu narrated the pastime
of how Gopinatha had
loving exchange with his
devotee Sri Govinda Ghosa.
The Lord promised to
perform pinda ceremony to
Govinda Ghosa on his
departure as his son has
passed away untimely. He
persuaded Govinda Ghosa
to continue worshipping
Him and cook bhoga for
Him in exchange to this
deal.
Caitanya Bhagavata gives
the following description on
this lila.
Sri Govinda Ghosa and
the Pinda dan lila:
When Mahaprabhu set out
for Sri Vrindavana from
Nilacal with His devotees,
Govinda Ghosa was also
present. There is an incident
described by one
Acyutacarana Caudhuri. One
day, Mahaprabhu, after
accepting his noon meal,
extended his hand, thus
requesting some amlaki
(dried fruit which aids in
digestion). Govinda
immediately ran out to bring
some from some
householders in the village
near where they were
staying.
The next day when
Mahaprabhu similarly
extended His hand after
lunch, Govinda again placed
in it some amlaki.
Mahaprabhu looked at him
and inquired as to how he
was able to provide it so
quickly whereas yesterday it
had required some time to
bring. Govinda replied that
he had kept some for
Mahaprabhu from yesterday.
Mahaprabhu said that since
he was saving things he
should remain in that village
and, becoming a
householder, he should
worship Sri Gopinathaji
there.
As per the order of
Mahaprabhu, Govinda began
to worship Gopinathji, and
after marrying he had a son
who would also assist him in
the worship of the Deity. But
his wife and then later his
son passed on to the next
world.
Govinda became very sad.
In a fit of anger he lay
down on his bed. He didn't
cook anything that day,
neither he ate anything,
neither did he offer anything
to Gopinathaji. In the night,
Gopinatha came and began
to massage Govinda's legs.
Then He asked him, "I don't
understand your
intelligence. One of your
sons dies, and you decide,
"Whats the point in feeding
the other one - let him die
also."
Govinda replied, "I don't
know what you're talking
about. I had only one son."
"Am I not also your son?
You are feeding Me and
taking care of Me as your
son. Now when I am
dependent on you, you
decide to neglect Me all
together."
"Well, anyway, now there's
no one to perform my
sraddha and the offering of
pinda to my forefathers. Will
You do that?"
"Yes, I can do it. Why not?
So now will you give Me
something to eat?"
Having heard Gopinatha's
reply, Govinda was very
happy and got up to
prepare an offering. To this
day, the Deity dresses in a
plain white cloth and with a
kusa grass ring on His
finger, He offers pinda on
the disappearance day of
Govinda Ghosa Thakura.
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