Six Goswamis of Vrindavan
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The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan were a group of influential devotional teachers (gurus) from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, closely associated with the land of Vrindavan where they spent much time in service of the Vaishnava saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. They are highly regarded within the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage for their extreme renunciation of physical comforts and pleasures in the practice of Bhakti Yoga, and for their philosophical presentations of the teachings of their guru, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
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[edit] Vrindavan
As well as producing a prolific amount of writings regarding Vaishnava philosophy and practices, the Six Goswamis also dedicated a significant amount of their time to uncovering many purportedly ancient and sacred areas of land in Vrindavan associated with Radha, Krishna and the Gopis. These sections of land are believed to be the sites wherein Radha and Krishna performed specific pastimes (lilas) during the previous yuga in accordance to the events recorded in the Bhagavata Purana. Although having little in the way of financial possessions themselves, the Goswamis managed to inspire the building of a number of large and ornate temples on or around these sites (dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna) which play a major role in Vrindavan society still to this day.
[edit] Members
The six members of the group were:
- The brothers Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami
- Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami
- Jiva Goswami (nephew of Rupa and Sanatana)
- Gopala Bhatta Goswami
- Raghunatha dasa Goswami.
