Surrender and Vaishnava Etiquette – Sanatana Goswami
[Antya 4]
Last updated
[Antya 4]
Last updated
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 Shri Chaitanya 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, Shri Chaitanya 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, Shri Chaitanya 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 accidently touched him. Shri Chaitanya 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 Shri Chaitanya severely reprimanded Jagadananda for impudently instructing a superior Vaishnava. Shri Chaitanya 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 Shri Chaitanya had travelled. After arriving in the holy dham, he continued his efforts to fulfil the instructions issued to him by Shri Chaitanya. Thus, the Six Goswamis combinedly served to fully execute their God-given mission.