Surrender and Vaishnava Etiquette – Sanatana Goswami
[Antya 4]
While travelling to Puri, Sanatana Goswami contracted a skin disease. Considering himself physically infirm, spiritually fallen, and unfit to render devotional service, he resolved to end his life. Upon arrival in Puri, he went to meet Haridas Thakur, at which time Sri Caitanya suddenly arrived there. Despite Santana’s protests, the Lord embraced his diseased body and then regrettably informed him that his brother (Anupama) had passed away. As they spoke, Sri Caitanya understood Sanatana’s plan to commit suicide. Thus, the Lord returned a few days later and instructed him not to commit such an act. As a surrendered devotee, Sanatana’s body, the Lord postulated, was now His property, and He had many tasks to achieve through it - there was no question of destroying it. Sanatana happily accepted, offering himself as a wooden doll in the loving hands of his divine master.
One day, Sri Caitanya invited Sanatana Goswami to Yameshvara Tota for prasadam. Despite the blazing heat, Sanatana came via the beach, causing his feet to severely blister due to the scorching hot sand. He deliberately took this painful route to avoid encountering the servants of Jagannatha, who he felt would be contaminated if they accidentally touched him. Sri Caitanya commended Sanatana for his impeccable culture and etiquette, explaining that such ideal behaviour is the ornament of a Vaishnava. Later, when Jagadananda Pandita instructed Sanatana in other matters, Sanatana humbly accepted his advice, but Sri Caitanya severely reprimanded Jagadananda for impudently instructing a superior Vaishnava. Sri Caitanya then extolled the glories of Sanatana and personally embraced him, causing his skin disease to immediately disappear.
Sanatana then left for Vrindavana via the Jharikhanda route that Sri Caitanya had travelled. After arriving in the holy dham, he continued his efforts to fulfil the instructions issued to him by Sri Caitanya Thus, the Six Goswamis combinedly served to fully execute their God-given mission.
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