Six Goswamis of Vrindavan

The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan were a group of saintly scholars and devotees who played a pivotal role in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, which focuses on the worship of Lord Krishna, particularly in his form as the divine lover in Vrindavan. They were disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534), who is revered as an incarnation of Krishna in the Gaudiya tradition and is known for spreading the practice of bhakti (devotion) through congregational chanting of the holy names of God.

The Six Goswamis are celebrated for their deep devotion, scholarly contributions, and efforts to revive the holy places associated with Krishna’s life in Vrindavan. Their works laid the foundation for the theological and philosophical framework of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. They lived simple, renounced lives and exemplified the ideals of bhakti.

Here are the Six Goswamis:

1. Rupa Goswami (1489–1564): The most prominent among the Goswamis, he was a disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and is considered the principal theologian of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. His major works include the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (which describes the science of devotion) and Ujjvala-nilamani (which elaborates on the pastimes of Krishna with the gopis). Rupa Goswami laid out the system of rasa (spiritual emotions) that forms the core of Gaudiya Vaishnava theology.
2. Sanatana Goswami (1488–1558): The elder brother of Rupa Goswami, Sanatana was also a key figure in the revival of Vrindavan’s sacred places. His major works include Brihad-bhagavatamrita, which outlines the spiritual journey of a soul in pursuit of love for God, and Hari-bhakti-vilasa, a manual for Vaishnava practices. He worked tirelessly to uncover lost holy sites related to Krishna’s pastimes.
3. Jiva Goswami (1513–1598): The nephew of Rupa and Sanatana, Jiva Goswami was one of the greatest Sanskrit scholars and philosophers in Indian history. He wrote the Sat-sandarbhas, six treatises that comprehensively explain Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy. He also composed the Gopala Champu, a poetic work describing the pastimes of Krishna in Vrindavan.
4. Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami (1505–1579): He was known for his deep devotion to the recitation of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the scripture that narrates the stories of Lord Krishna and his devotees. He was instrumental in propagating the devotional teachings of Lord Chaitanya and spent much of his life in Vrindavan, worshiping Radha and Krishna.
5. Raghunatha dasa Goswami (1495–1571): A highly renounced devotee, Raghunatha dasa Goswami was an epitome of detachment from the material world and intense devotion to Krishna. His most famous work is Manah-shiksha, a guide for disciplining the mind and attaining pure devotion. He spent much of his time absorbed in meditation on Radha and Krishna’s pastimes, particularly at the sacred site of Radha-kunda in Vrindavan.
6. Gopala Bhatta Goswami (1503–1578): He was a scholar and a devoted follower of Lord Chaitanya. Gopala Bhatta Goswami compiled important scriptures such as the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (with Sanatana Goswami), which is a handbook of Vaishnava rituals and regulations. He is also credited with initiating the worship of the deity of Radha-Ramana in Vrindavan, a manifestation of Krishna.

The Six Goswamis contributed extensively to devotional literature and the revival of sacred sites in Vrindavan, making it a center for Krishna worship. Their lives and teachings are highly revered, and they are often invoked in Gaudiya Vaishnava prayers as ideal examples of dedication to Krishna.