Rupa and Sanatana’s Escape
[Madhya 19 & 20]
After their initial meeting with Sri Caitanya, Rupa and Sanatana began planning their escape from Ramakeli in order to fully dedicate themselves to the sankirtana movement. Rupa Goswami made the first move, dividing his accumulated wealth between his relatives and the saintly persons, carefully keeping aside an emergency fund for the future. Freeing himself from all social ties, Rupa eagerly set out to meet Sri Caitanya. Travelling with his younger brother Vallabha, they eventually met the Lord in Prayag. Feeling deep gratitude and appreciation, they humbly prostrated themselves before Sri Caitanya and offered heartfelt prayers of glorification. For the next ten days, Sri Caitanya instructed Rupa at Dasashvamedha Ghat, freely revealing the most profound spiritual insights to him.
Sanatana Goswami, however, could not escape as easily. Losing all interest in governmental affairs, he feigned sickness and stayed home to discuss the Srimad-Bhagavatam with brahmana scholars. One day, when the Nawab unexpectedly appeared, he was shocked and infuriated by the scene, questioning Sanatana as to his intentions. When Sanatana made clear he wanted to leave, the Nawab ruthlessly arrested and imprisoned him. Rupa heard of his brother’s plight and secretly informed him of the emergency fund he had kept, suggesting a plan to bribe the jailer. Sanatana Goswami did just that. Using his expert diplomatic skills, he gained release from the prison cell and began a gruelling journey towards Varanasi. In a dishevelled state he arrived at Chandrasekhar’s home and humbly submitted himself before his Lord, much to Sri Caitanya’s delight. For the next two months, Sri Caitanya personally instructed Sanatana Goswami in the science of devotion.
During this period, Vallabha Bhatta and Raghupati Upadhyaya also came to meet Sri Caitanya. They witnessed the ecstatic mood of Sri Caitanya and the endearing character of Rupa Goswami.
A sage was once asked to describe the nature of illusion. He ran out into the courtyard, slung his arms around a tree, and began shouting 'Let me go! Let me go!' It was a graphic response. We desire freedom from the material world, yet we maintain so many attachments. The escape of Rupa and Sanatana depicts the soul’s disentanglement from material affairs and subsequent dedication to spiritual life. For most, the complete abandonment of family and society may neither be possible nor recommended. The principle of renunciation, however, is universal for all aspiring spiritualists: 'Renunciation is the basic principle sustaining the lives of Sri Caitanya’s devotees. Seeing this renunciation, Sri Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is extremely satisfied.'
Worldly life entails awkward dealings with money, possessions, people and career to name but a few. One may understandably develop the notion that such a lifestyle is incompatible with spiritual goals. True renunciation, however, does not entail a mere abandonment of such dealings and activities. One must renounce the mentality that one is the ‘controller’ and ‘enjoyer’ of all his deeds. By offering the results of one’s daily work (money, knowledge, influence, and other such benefits) in service to God, knowing God to be the ultimate enjoyer and controller, one achieves the same state of renunciation as those who physically leave everything behind.
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