Category:Becoming a Gosvami
Theme Analysis
The title gosvāmī is central to the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, but Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that it is not merely a hereditary designation or a professional priest's label. Etymologically, go means "senses" and svāmī means "master." Therefore, a gosvāmī is one who has fully conquered the dictation of the senses. This stands in contrast to a go-dāsa, or a servant of the senses. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the historical examples of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī—who were formerly government ministers—to demonstrate that this status is achieved through spiritual advancement and the grace of Lord Caitanya, not just by birth. The path to becoming a gosvāmī involves strict regulation of habits and dedicating the senses entirely to the service of the Lord.
- Master vs. Servant: The fundamental definition is one who controls the mind and senses (gosvāmī), as opposed to one controlled by them (go-dāsa).
- Transformation: Rūpa and Sanātana were transformed from politicians into gosvāmīs by the mercy of Mahāprabhu.
- Qualification over Birth: One need not be born in a specific family to become a gosvāmī; it is a matter of training and attitude.
- Practical Application: To become a gosvāmī means to refuse the dictation of the senses (eating, sleeping, mating) and only accept what is required for service.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Becoming a Gosvāmī - Master of the Senses.
Pages in category "Becoming a Gosvami"
The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 16 total.
A
- A devotee who has attained the title of gosvami but is not born of a brahmana father or of a gosvami in the family of Nityananda or Advaita Prabhu should not be artificially puffed up by thinking that he has become a gosvami
- Advancement in Krsna consciousness depends on the attitude of the follower. A follower of the Krsna consciousness movement should become a perfect gosvami
G
O
- One has to become a gosvami and control his senses. One should not simply use his senses for sense gratification; rather, the senses should be employed just as much as required for maintaining body and soul together
- One must be master of the senses. That is defined by Rupa Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami. When they were ministers they were not gosvami. But when they become disciples of Lord Caitanya, Sanatana Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami, & was trained by Him, they became gosvami
- One who can keep himself steady and resist the attraction of material nature is certainly a hero and deserves to be called a gosvami. Unless one is master of the senses, he cannot become a gosvami
S
- Sri Rupa Gosvami presented himself as an ordinary grhastha and minister in government service but became a gosvami when he was actually elevated by the instruction of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami were previously ministers directly in charge of the government of Nawab Hussain Shah, and they were also householders, but later they became gosvamis