At Home in Jagannath Puri

As of December 2015, Jagannath Puri became my new home base in India. This marks a new chapter for me. I feel very nourished here, in this powerful vipralambha-ksetra.

birth place of bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati

chakra tirtha

Gopinath Tota

Gurudeva: “On one side of Gopinatha we see Srimati Radhika, on the other side Lalita, and both are black like Krsna. Being in the mood of Radhika, when Mahaprabhu used to see Gopinatha, He (She) became one in mood with Krsna and became black. Radha becomes black by seeing Her Prananatha and becoming absorbed in Him. She sometimes takes the flute of Krsna and begins to play it, and in this way also, She becomes black. This is the mood of Tota Gopinatha with Radhika and Lalita. Then, in the mood of Srimati Radhika, Krsna becomes Mahaprabhu, and Lalita becomes Sri Svarupa Damodara.” Friday, 03 September 1993

Question: Does Tota Gopinatha give some special benedictions?

Srila Maharaja: Yes, He can give His service. What is the meaning of Gopinatha? Who is Gopinatha?

Question: Lord of the gopis. Master of the gopis.

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: No, no; it doesn’t mean master. Natha means prana – life. Krsna is the gopis’ life. But this is not a name. What is His name? If anyone asks you, “Who are you?” you will generally state a relation between you and someone else. Similarly, there is a relation between Krsna and the gopis, and this relation is very high. Therefore, if you go to Gopinatha, He will give you the benediction that you can serve Him as the gopis serve. You will also be able to serve like them. You will realize that it is Gopinatha who gives this benediction. You cannot realize this at present, but when the time comes, you will realize it.