SANATANA GOSVAMI
He belonged to the sakha of Lord Caitanya. In his past incarnation he was Ratimanjari, or Ragamanjari, or Lavanga manjari (GGD. 181-182, CC. 1.10.84).
He was born around 1410 Saka (1488 A.D.) (printing of date is not clear in GVA p. 1397:1420?)
At a fairly young age he studied under the foremost teacher of the time, Vidyavacaspati, and acquired a sound command over all branches of theology. Sanatana had an immense fascination for Srimad Bhagavatam.
Mukunda, the paternal grandfather of Sanatana, joined the royal government service at Gauda during the rule of Sultan Barbak Shah (1460-1470 A.D.). Barbak's son died after reigning for seven years and was succeeded by Fateh Shah. In order to ensure the security of his kingdom and his palace, Barbak Shah brought a large number of slaves from Abyssima who were called "Habsi." These slaves soon mobilized and killed Fateh Shah in the capital. Some amongst these slaves ruled for six or seven years and brought about their own ruin. The minister of the last slave ruler, named Hussain Shah, finally ascended the throne of Gauda.
During the rule of Fateh Shah, Mukunda died and Sanatana was appointed to Mukunda's post. In this way Sanatana saved himself during the interval of slave rule by occupying the high position of Dabir Khas (private secretary) [CCM 1.184 - Sakara Mallik]. Sanatana took charge of defence activities and Hussain Shah ruled as advised by Sanatana. At that time Rupa was given the responsibility of governing the boundary areas.
Rupa and Sanatana received land for their personal use from the royal government, consisting of Yusafpur and Cengutia pargana in Fatehabad. There, on the bank of the river Bhairai they built a huge palace (See the book Jasohar Khulnar Itihas 1.349-3 58 for details on this). They also arranged to build several mansions with lakes, etc. at Ramakeli (CC. R.G. Nd. PP. 305-306).
One night when Sri Sanatana Gosvami was very young he had a dream in which a brahmana came to him and offered him a Srimad Bhagavatam. Sanatana was extremely happy, until the dream faded away. In the morning after completing his bath and worship he sat down in his usual spot. At that time a brahmana approached him and handed him the Bhagavatam saying, "Take this Bhagavata and read it everyday. In this way all your desires will be fulfilled." The brahmana then went away. Sanatana was overwhelmed with joy and from that day he regarded Srimad Bhagavatam as the only scripture and read it daily without fail. In his Sri Krsnalila stava Sri Sanatana Gosvami praises the Srimad Bhagavatam as follows: "My only companion, my only friend, guru, my deliverer, my fortune and my source of pleasure, I pay my tribute to you."
It was at Ramakeli that Rupa and Sanatana first met Lord Caitanya. Later Sri Rupa and Anupama departed with all their riches to Fateyavada. Sri Sanatana then began to think of giving up the service to the state. The Badshah had already invested full responsibility for the management of the state to Sri Sanatana and Rupa and could not think of running the state without them. Sri Sanatana sent a message of his illness to the Badshah and stopped attending the court. On hearing of this illness, the Badshah sent a Vaidya (a doctor) to see Sanatana. When the Vaidya arrived at his house he found Sanatana discussing scriptures with 15-20 scholars. Upon examining Sanatana he found no illness and thus reported it to the Badshah. The Badshah then paid a visit to Sanatana's house where he was respectfully received by Sanatana and the Panditas and offered a beautiful seat. The Badshah asked Sanatana, "The doctor I sent to examine you has reported that you have no disease. The state administration is dependent upon you, yet you are not coming to court. Already your brother has left, and my state activities have come to a stand still. I cannot understand what you are thinking." Sri Sanatana replied, "It is useless to depend on me. Please appoint another person for this task." The Yavana king angrily said, "You have spoiled my activities." Sri Sanatana replied, "You are the King of Gauda and can do anything you like, now you can punish me for neglecting my duties." The King was furious and ordered the Kazi to imprison Sanatana.
At that time the King was at war with Orissa. Prior to his leaving for the war, Hussain Shah paid a second visit to Sanatana and asked him to accompany him. However, Sanatana replied, "You are going to give trouble to the Deities and to virtuous men, I will not go with you." Thus the Badshah left without him and Sanatana remained in prison.
While Sanatana was imprisoned, a letter arrived from Srila Rupa Gosvami stating, "Somehow try to get freed from the prison. I left eight hundred mohars with a grocer-man. I am leaving for Vrndavana with Anupama." Sanatana was very happy to receive this news.
Sanatana Gosvami then told the Mohammedan jailkeeper, "Dear sir you are a saintly person and are very fortunate. You have full knowledge of the revealed scriptures such as the Koran and similar books. If one releases a conditioned soul or imprisoned person according to religious principles, he himself is also released from material bondage by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Previously I have done much for you. Now I am in difficulty. Please return my goodwill be releasing me. Here are five thousand gold coins. Please accept them.
In this way Sanatana convinced the jailkeeper, who replied, "I am willing to release you, but I am afraid of the government." Sanatana replied, "There is no danger. The Nawab has gone to the south. If he returns tell him that Sanatana went to pass stool near the bank of the Ganges and that as soon as he saw the Ganges, he jumped in. Tell him, `I looked for him a long time, but I could not find any trace of him. He jumped in with his shackles, and therefore he was drowned and washed away by the waves.' There is no reason for you to be afraid, for I shall not remain in this country. I shall become a mendicant and go to the holy city of Mecca." Sanatana then stacked seven thousand gold coins before the jailkeeper. He then agreed, and that night he cut Sanatana's shackles and let him cross the Ganges.
In this way Sanatana was released. However, he was not able to walk along the path of the fortress. Walking day and night, he finally arrived at the hilly tract of land known as Patada. There he met a landholder and submissively requested him to get him across that hilly tract of land. A man who was expert in palmistry was at that time staying with the landlord. Knowing about Sanatana, he whispered to the landlord, "This man possesses eight gold coins."
Hearing this the landlord was very pleased and said to Sanatana, "I shall get you across that hilly tract at night with my own men. Now just take these grains and cook lunch for yourself." Sanatana then went to the riverside and took his bath. After having fasted for two days, he cooked the grains given by the landlord and ate.
However, having formerly been a minister of the Nawab, he began to contemplate the situation. He wondered why the landlord was offering him such respect. Thus he questioned his servant, Isana, who revealed that he was carrying seven gold coins. Sanatana then took the gold coins and handed them over to the landlord saying, "I have these seven gold coins with me. Please accept them, and from a religious point of view please get me across the hilly tract of land. Smiling, the landlord said, "Before you offered them, I already knew that there were eight gold coins in your servant's possession. On this very night I would have killed you and taken your coins. I am very satisfied with your behavior. I shall not accept these gold coins, but I shall get you across that hilly tract of land simply to perform a pious activity."
Sanatana replied, "If you do not accept the coins, someone else will kill me for them. It is better that you save me from the danger by accepting the coins." After this settlement was made, the landlord gave Sanatana four watchmen to accompany him. They went through the forest path for the whole night and thus brought him over the hilly tract of land. After crossing the hills, Sanatana Gosvami told his servant, "Isana, I think you still have some balance left from the gold coins." Isana replied, "I still have one gold coin in my possession." Sanatana Gosvami then said, "Take the coin and return to your home."
After departing from Isana, Sanatana began traveling alone with a waterpot in his hand. Simply covered with a torn quilt, he thus lost all his anxiety. Walking and walking, he finally arrived at a place called Hajipura. That evening he sat down within a garden.
In Hajipura there was a gentleman named Srikanta, who happened to be the husband of Sanatana Gosvami's sister, who was engaged in government service. Srikanta had 300,000 gold coins with him, which had been given to him by the emperor for the purchase of horses. Thus Srikanta was buying horses and dispatching them to the emperor. When Srikanta was sitting in an elevated place, he could see Sanatana Gosvami. That night he took a servant and went to see Sanatana. When they met, they had many conversations, Sanatana told him in detail about his arrest and release. Srikanta then told Sanatana, "Stay here for at least two days and dress up like a gentleman. Abandon these dirty garments. Sanatana Gosvami replied, "I shall not stay here even for a moment. Please help me cross the Ganges. I shall leave immediately." With great care, Srikanta gave him a woolen blanket and helped him cross the Ganges. Thus Sanatana Gosvami departed again.
After a few days, Sanatana Gosvami arrived at Varanasi. He was very pleased to hear about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's arrival there. He then went to the house of Candrasekhar and sat down by the door. Understanding what was happening, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Candrasekhar, "There is a devotee at your door. Please call him in." Going outside, Candrasekhar could not see a Vaisnava at his door. When he informed the Lord, He said, "Is there anyone at your door at all?" Candrasekhar replied, "There is a Muslim mendicant." Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately said, "Please bring him here." Candrasekhar then spoke to Sanatana Gosvami, who was still sitting beside the door. "O Muslim mendicant, please come in. The Lord is calling you." Sanatana was very pleased to hear this order, and he entered Candrasekhar's house.
As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Sanatana Gosvami in the courtyard, He immediately went up to him with great haste. After embracing him, the Lord was overwhelmed with ecstatic love. Sanatana was also filled with love, yet in a faltering voice , he said, "Oh my Lord, do not touch me." Shoulder to shoulder, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sanatana Gosvami began to cry unlimitedly, much to Candrasekhar's astonishment. Catching his hand Mahaprabhu took Sanatana Gosvami inside and made him sit in an elevated place next to Him. When the Lord began cleansing Sanatana Gosvami's body with His own hand, Sanatana said, "Oh my Lord, please do not touch me." The Lord replied, "I am touching you just to purify Myself because by the force of your devotional service you can purify the whole universe. Saints of your caliber are themselves places of pilgrimage. Because of their purity, they are constant companions of the Lord, and therefore they can purify even the places of pilgrimage." He then introduced Sanatana to Candrasekhar, Tapana Misra and the other devotees.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu called Candrasekhar and asked him to take Sanatana Gosvami with him and to take away Sanatana's present dress. Candrasekhar then took Sanatana Gosvami to bathe in the Ganges, and afterwards brought him a new set of clothes, but Sanatana did not accept them. When the Lord heard about this He was very happy. At noon Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took Sanatana Gosvami to the house of Tapana Misra for lunch.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu felt unlimited happiness to observe Sanatana Gosvami's strict following of the principles of sannyasa. However, He repeatedly glanced at the woolen blanket Sanatana Gosvami was wearing. Thus Sanatana could understand that the Lord did not approve of it. He then began to consider to give it up. Sanatana then went to the bank of the Ganges to bathe. While there, he saw that a mendicant from Bengal had washed his quilt and had spread it out to dry. Sanatana Gosvami told the Bengali mendicant, "My dear brother, please do me a favor. Trade me your quilt for this woolen blanket." Saying this Sanatana exchanged the blanket for the quilt and returned to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Lord then asked, "Where is your woolen blanket?" Sanatana Gosvami then narrated the whole story. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I have already deliberately considered this matter. Since Lord Krsna is very merciful, He has nullified your attachment for material things. Why should Krsna allow you to maintain a last bit of material attachment? After vanquishing a disease, a good physician does not allow any of the disease to remain." Sanatana Gosvami replied, "The Supreme Personality of Godhead has saved me from the sinful life of material existence. By His desire, my last piece of material attraction is now gone."
Sanatana then clasped the feet of the Lord and said, "I was born in a low family, and my associates are all low-class men. I myself am fallen and am the lowest of men. Indeed, I have passed my whole life in the well of sinful materialism. I do not know what is beneficial for me and what is detrimental. Nonetheless, in ordinary dealings people consider me a learned scholar, and I am also thinking of myself as such. Out of Your causeless mercy, You have delivered me from the materialistic path. Now, by the same causeless mercy, please tell me what my duty is. Who am I? Why do the threefold miseries always give me trouble? If I do not know this, how can I be benefited? Actually I do not know how to inquire about the goal of life and the process for obtaining it. Being merciful upon me, please explain all these truths."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Lord Krsna has bestowed His full mercy upon you so that all these things are known to you. For you, the threefold miseries certainly do not exist. Since you possess Lord Krsna's potency, you certainly know these things. However, it is the nature of a sadhu to inquire. Although he knows these things, the sadhu inquires for the sake of strictness. Those who are anxious to awaken their spiritual consciousness, who have unflinching intelligence and who are not deviated, certainly attain the desired goal. You are fit to propagate the cult of devotional service. Therefore gradually hear all the truths about it from Me. I shall tell you about them."
Thus for two months the Lord instructed Sanatana Gosvami on the science of devotional service. The Lord then requested him to write books describing this science. Mahaprabhu said, "Your two brothers Rupa and Anupama have already gone to Vrndavana. You should also go there, and I shall return to Nilacala. You will also come there to see Me in due course of time." Mahaprabhu then took his leave from the devotees, who all cried helplessly. Sri Sanatana bid farewell to the Kasi devotees and started for Vrndavana.
In Vrndavana Sanatana met Subuddhi Raya, but he missed Rupa Gosvami, who had already left. Rupa and Sanatana had followed two different paths, thus they did not meet along the way. After some time Sanatana Gosvami came alone from Mathura to Jagannatha Puri to see Lord Caitanya. Because of bathing in bad water and not getting enough food every day while travelling on the path through Jharakhanda Forest, he developed a disease that made his body itch. Suffering greatly from this itching, he resolved that in the presence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu he would throw himself under the wheel of Jagannatha's car and in this way commit suicide.
When Sanatana Gosvami came to Jagannatha Puri, he stayed under the care of Haridasa Thakura for some time and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very happy to see him. The Lord informed Sanatana about the death of his younger brother Anupama, who had great faith in the lotus feet of Lord Ramacandra. One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Sanatana Gosvami, "Your decision to commit suicide is the result of the mode of ignorance. One cannot get love of God simply by committing suicide. You have already dedicated your life and body to My service; therefore your body does not belong to you, nor do you have any right to commit suicide. I have to execute many devotional services through your body. I want you to preach the cult of devotional service and go to Vrndavana to excavate the lost holy places." After having thus spoken, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left, and Haridasa Thakura and Sanatana Gosvami had many talks about this subject.
One day Sanatana Gosvami was summoned by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who wanted him to come to Yamesvara-tota. Sanatana reached the Lord through the path along the beach by the sea. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Sanatana Gosvami which way he had come, Sanatana replied, "Many servitors of Lord Jagannatha come and go on the path by the Simha-dvara gate of the Jagannatha temple. Therefore, I did not go by that path, but instead went by the beach." Sanatana Gosvami did not realize that there were burning blisters on his feet because of the heat of the sand. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was pleased to hear about Sanatana Gosvami's great respect for the temple of Lord Sri Jagannatha.
Because his disease produced wet sores on his body, Sanatana Gosvami used to avoid embracing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but nevertheless the Lord would embrace him by force. This made Sanatana Gosvami very unhappy, and therefore he consulted Jagadananda Pandita about what he should do. Jagadananda advised him to return to Vrndavana after the cart festival of Jagannatha, but when the Lord heard about this instruction, He chastised Jagadananda Pandita and reminded him that Sanatana Gosvami was senior to him and also more learned. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu informed Sanatana Gosvami that because Sanatana was a pure devotee, the Lord was never inconvenienced by his bodily condition. Because the Lord was a sannyasi, He did not consider one body better than another. The Lord also informed him that He was maintaining Sanatana and the other devotees just like a father. Therefore the moisture oozing from Sanatana's itching skin did not affect the Lord at all. After speaking with Sanatana Gosvami in this way, the Lord again embraced him, and after this embrace, Sanatana Gosvami became free from the disease. The Lord ordered Sanatana Gosvami to stay with Him for that year, and the next year, after seeing the Ratha-yatra festival, he left Purusottama-ksetra and returned to Vrndavana.
Sri Sanatana Gosvami used to worship Krsna living in a cottage near the birth place of Sri Krsna in Mahavana. One day Sanatana was begging alms near the bank of the Yamuna, where Madana Gopala deva and the other gopa boys used to play. When Madana Gopala saw Sri Sanatana, He ran to Sanatana and grabbing his hand said, "Oh father, I shall go with you." Sanatana said, "My dear son, why will you come with me?" Gopala insisted, "I want to stay with you. Sanatana replied, "But what am I going to feed you?" Gopala asked, "What do you eat?"
Sanatana said, "I eat only dry bread and gram." Gopala replied, "I shall also eat that then." Sanatana protested, "You will not be able to eat that. You please stay with your parents." But Gopala insisted that He wanted to go with Sanatana. Eventually Sanatana pacified the boy and sent him to his parents. Sanatana then continued begging alms. That night, the same boy appeared in Sanatana's dream and smilingly said, "Oh father, I am Madana Gopala. Tomorrow I shall come with you." He then disappeared. Sri Sanatana woke up and was mad with joy thinking, "What have I seen? I never saw such a beautiful child." Chanting the holy name, he opened the door and saw a beautiful Deity of Gopala waiting on the doorstep. The entire area was glowing due to the presence of the Deity. Sanatana stood spell-bound, tears of love poured from his eyes, wetting the feet of Gopala. He then performed the abhiseka ceremony and worshiped the Deity with the utmost devotion. When Sri Rupa Gosvami saw the Deity of Gopala, he was also overwhelmed with ecstasy. Sri Rupa immediately sent a messenger to tell Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Puri about the appearance of the Lord. Thus Sri Sanatana Gosvami continued worshiping Madana Gopala in his cottage.
Sri Sanatana Gosvami used to beg wheat and make bread from it, then he would offer the bread to Gopala. Sometimes he prepared vegetable curry for Gopala, while other times, being without oil or salt, he was unable to do so. Often times he offered only dry bread to Gopala. This disturbed Sanatana, but what could he do, he had been ordered by the Lord to write books. Being busy with this work, how could he find time to beg paise for buying oil and salt? Nevertheless, it saddened Sanatana to offer only dry bread to his Lord. The omniscient Lord, understanding the mind of his devotee said, "Sanatana feels hurt to offer me dry bread. He would like to offer Me opulent foodstuff...
Once a rich ksatriya of Multan named Sri Krsnadasa Kapur, came to Mathura for some trading business. Along the way his boat became stuck on a sand bank in the Yamuna and he was unable to travel any further down the river. When Krsnadasa Kapur heard that there was a great saint named Sanatana Gosvami living nearby he eagerly sought him out and found Sanatana immersed in writing. He wore only a kaupina and his body was emaciated. Krsnadasa immediately fell prostrate at the feet of Sanatana. Sanatana offered him a seat, but Krsnadasa did not accept it, rather he sat on the ground. "Baba," Krsnadasa said, "please be kind to me, my boat is stuck in the Yamuna and I am unable to set it free." Sri Sanatana replied, "I know nothing, you tell your problem to Madana-gopala." Krsnadasa offered his obeisances to Madana-gopala and begged that His boat be freed, promising that he would then dedicate all of his profits for the service of Madana-gopala. That same afternoon there was a heavy storm which made it possible for Kapur to set his boat free. Seeing this as the mercy of the Lord, Krsnadasa donated all of his profits for the service of Madana-Gopala, namely to build Him a temple, prepare bhoga and arrange royal service for Him daily. Thus Sanatana's desire to serve the Lord opulently was fulfilled and he was overcome with joy. Krsnadasa Kapur accepted initiation from Sri Sanatana Gosvami.
One day, desiring to see Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, Sri Sanatana came to Radha kunda. Rupa and Raghunatha eagerly got up from their seats, offered their obeisances and a seat to Sanatana. They sat together happily discussing topics of Krsna. Sri Rupa had written a book named Chatu Puspanjali in which he quoted Sri Radha stava. Sri Sanatana read that stava in which he came across the word "vyalanganaphanam" (i.e. the plait of Sri Radharani looks just like the hood of a female snake). Sri Sanatana began to wonder whether it was correct to compare the plait of Sri Radharani to the hood of a venomous female snake. At noon Sri Sanatana Gosvami went to take bath in the kunda. Along the way he came across some gopa girls playing under a tree near the kunda. As he looked at them it appeared to him that there were snakes swinging on their backs. He anxiously warned the girls, "Oh girls, beware of the snakes, they are climbing up in your plaits." The girls were playing happily and did not hear Sanatana, who then ran towards them to warn them. Seeing Sanatana running toward them, Sri Radha and her playmates smilingly disappeared. Sri Sanatana was shocked and perplexed, but remembering the comparison given by Sri Rupa, he clearly understood everything.
One day when Sri Sanatana Gosvami was living at Mahavana, he came across Sri Madana Gopala playing on the bank of the Yamuna. Astonished, he thought, "What am I seeing? Is that actually Madana Gopala?" He thought that perhaps it was another gopa boy. On another day he again saw the same gopa playing with the other gopas. That day Sanatana decided to wait and see where the boy went. When evening came, the gopa boys began to return to their houses after playing. Madana Gopala then entered into the temple. In this way Sanatana came to understand that Madana Gopala used to play daily on the bank of the Yamuna.
At one time Sanatana gave up taking rice or water and sat meditating in a solitary place on the bank of Pavana-Sarovara. At this time the omniscient Lord arranged to provide food for His devotee. Just before dusk, Sri Krsna, in the guise of a little boy, came before Sri Sanatana with some milk and said, "Oh father, I have brought your milk." Sanatana: Why have you gone through so much trouble to bring me milk? Sri Krsna: Because I know that you are fasting. Sanatana: How did you know? Sri Krsna: When I came back from grazing the cattle I passed by the lake and saw you sitting here. Sanatana: Why hasn't anyone come with you? Sri Krsna: No one else had any time as there are many household duties to be done, so I came alone. Sanatana: Ah, you are only a child yet you have to suffer so much. Sri Krsna: No, no my father, I am not feeling any difficulty. Sri Sanatana Gosvami quickly took the pot of milk from His hand and said, "My dear child, please be seated. I shall at once empty the pot." Sri Krsna: No, my father, I won't stay long. It is now almost evening, I must go to milk the cows. Tomorrow I shall come back for the pot. Saying this the boy disappeared. Staring into the emptiness, perplexed, Sri Sanatana suddenly realized that Sri Krsna Himself had delivered the milk to him. Floating in tears, Sanatana drank the milk. From that time onward he begged alms for his meal and the inhabitants of Vraja built a cottage for him to live in.
Sri Sanatana Gosvami used to circumambulate Govardhana Hill every day. However, as he grew older it became increasingly more difficult to cover this fourteen miles daily. Nevertheless, he did not want to stop his regulated practice. Realizing the difficulty of His devotee, Sri Krsna appeared in the guise of a gopa child and said, "Oh my father, you are aged now, it is not necessary for you to continue going around the hill of Govardhana everyday." Sri Sanatana protested, "But it is my regular worship." Sri Krsna replied, "Leave it now that you are so old." But Sanatana insisted, "Rule is rule, it is not wise to leave it." Sri Krsna then gave him a piece of stone embossed with His own footprint and said, "Father, this is a stone from Govardhana, go around this daily and you will get the same result." Sri Krsna gave him the stone and disappeared. Sri Sanatana was astonished and realized that the King of the Hill Himself had given him the stone. After that he circumambulated the stone daily.
Sanatana used to perform his bhajan in a place called Cakalesvara in Govardhana. However, there was an abundance of mosquitos there, which disturbed Sanatana. One day he decided, "I won't stay here any longer. It is not a suitable place to worship or write." Understanding the mind of Sanatana, Lord Siva appeared to him in a dream and said, "Sanatana, carry on with your service to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because from tomorrow you will no longer be disturbed by mosquitos." From that day onward that place became free from the disturbance of mosquitos and Sri Sanatana carried on with his bhajan without hindrance.
The following are the works of Sri Sanatana: (1) Sri Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, (2) Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa and its Digdarsini Tika, (3) Sri Krsnalilastava or Dasama Carita, (4) The Tipponi on Srimad Bhagavata, (5) Brhad Vaisnava-Tosani, (6) Eggeling mentions in the India Office Catalogue, Vol. VII, pp. 1422-1423 that Sanatana wrote a tika titled Tatparyadipika on Kalidasa's Meghadutam, (7) One manuscript titled "Gopalapuja" is found in the name of Sanatana in Madras Oriental Manuscripts LIbrary Catalogue Vol. IV, Part l, Sanskrit A.R. No. 3053, a-47. (8) He is also said to have written a booklet titled Laghu-Harinamamrta-vyakarana. The same book is found in the name of Rupa Gosvami in Dacca University Library. Since Hari-bhakti-vilasa is mentioned in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindu (1.2.72,201), which was written in 1463 Saka, it can be understood that Hari-bhakti-vilasa was written before 1463.
The following are references to Sanatana Gosvami found in the Caitanya Caritamrta (references shown in parenthesis indicate the CC. BBT ed. reference):
1.10.94 When Raghunatha dasa visits Vrndavana, Sanatana takes care of him like his own brother.
1.10.95 Sanatana listens to the details relating to Lord Caitanya narrated by Raghunatha dasa.
2.1.174 (2.1.184) Sanatana as Sakar Mallik, the minister of the King of Gauda.
2.1.196-197 (2.1.208-210) Sanatana's correspondence with Lord Caitanya prior to their meeting each other.
2.1.172 (2.1.175-182 Discussion with Rupa about Hussain Shah's attitude toward Lord Caitanya.
2.1.172-93 (2.1.182-205) Rupa and Sanatana go to meet Lord Caitanya in disguise; they first contact Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakura.
2.1.194-203 (2.1.207-217) Lord Caitanya showers His mercy upon the two brothers and encourages the devotees to also do so.
2.1.204-6 (2.1.218-220) The two brothers meet all the devotees.
2.1.207-210 (2.1.221-226) Rupa and Sanatana advise the Lord to leave Ramakeli and suggest the route which He should take to reach Vrndavana
2.1.212 (2.1.226) The two brothers leave Ramakeli.
2.19.2-4 (2.19.3-5) The two brothers devise a way to renounce worldly life; Brahmanas perform religious ceremonies and chant the holy name of Krsna so that the brothers may attain the feet of Lord Caitanya.
2.19.12-16 (2.19.13-17) Sanatana remains at home with panditas studying Bhagavatam on the pretext of illness.
2.19.17-26 (2.19.18-27) The King pays a sudden visit to Sanatana's house; requests him to continue his work; Sanatana refuses; the King imprisons Sanatana.
2.19.27-29 (2.19.28-30) Sanatana is requested to accompany the King in war with Orissa; Sanatana refuses.
2.19.31-34 (2.19-31-35) Through a letter Rupa advises Sanatana how to free himself from prison.
2.19.115-19 Sanatana's remarkable renunciation and sincerity.
2.20.3-32 (2.20.4-33) With the help of a prison-guard and a feudal lord, Sanatana escapes.
2.20.33-44 (2.20.34-45) Arrival in Varanasi
2.20-44-59 (2.20.47-64) Sanatana meets Lord Caitanya at the house of Candrasekhar and is blessed.
2.20.60-63 Sanatana narrates how he escaped from prison; Lord Caitanya informs Sanatana that He met Rupa and Anupama in Prayag.
2.20.63-65 Sanatana bathed and properly dressed with the help of Candrasekhar.
2.20.65-73 Sanatana refuses to accept the new garment offered by Candrasekhar; he accepts an old one from Tapana Misra.
2.20.74-77 Meeting with a Maharastrian brahmana; Sanatana's desire for madhukari.
2.20.77-89 Sanatana exchanges his blanket for a torn quilt.
2.20.92-2.23.60 Sanatana receives spiritual instructions from Lord Caitanya at Kasi for two months.
2.23-61-66 Lord Caitanya blesses Sanatana so that he may fully imbibe the instructions given him.
2.24.2-227 Sanatana listens as Lord Caitanya gives sixty-one different interpretations of the Atmarama verse.
2.24.228-235 Sanatana listens to discourses on Bhagavata given by Lord Caitanya.
2.23.53-55 Lord Caitanya commands him to go to Vrndavana and establish lost pilgrimage sites, preach devotional service, and write devotional books.
2.24.236-257 Sanatana receives the blessing that whenever he would take up the pen, Lord Krsna would ensure the flow of writing.
2.25.54 On the final day when Prakasananda is converted at the Bindumadhava temple, Sanatana participates in Nama-sankirtana along with Candrasekhar, Tapan Misra and Paramananda while Lord Caitanya dances in ecstasy.
2.25.135-136 Lord Caitanya directs Sanatana to visit Vrndavana and serve the Vaisnavas there.
2.25.162-165 From Prayag Sanatana reaches Mathura where he meets Subuddhi Raya and hears about Rupa and Anupama from him.
2.25.166-167 (2.25-214-215) Visit to forests, renunciation, collection of Mathura-mahatmya literature, locating lost holy sites.
3.4.24 Sanatana reaches Nilacala via Jharikhanda, half-starved and suffering from skin infection.
3.4.5-11 Sanatana decides to give up his life.
3.4.12.20 Lord Caitanya embraces Sanatana, ignoring the sores on his body.
3.4.21-22 Lord Caitanya introduces Sanatana to his close associates.
3.4.23-51 Istagosthi with Lord Caitanya, who conveys news of Rupa's arrival at Nilacala and the death of Anupama; Lord Caitanya explains Murari's sincere devotion.
3.4.49,52 Prasada received from Lord Caitanya.
3.4.53-66 Understanding his desire to commit suicide, Lord Caitanya prevents Sanatana from doing so and instructs him on spiritual practices.
3.4.68-87 Haridasa Thakura explains to Sanatana how wrong it was to plan to commit suicide.
3.4.88-99 Sanatana and Haridasa discuss about Lord Caitanya.
3.4.110-129 Lord Caitanya tests Sanatana at Yamesvara Tota, and is delighted when Sanatana is successful.
3.4.130-139 Jagadananda advises Sanatana to return to Vrndavana.
3.4.140-155 Lord Caitanya is furious with Jagadananda and praises Sanatana.
3.4.156-159 Sanatana praises Jagadananda's good fortune to be criticized by the Lord, while blaming himself for being praised by the Lord.
3.4.160-192 Lord Caitanya explains the reason from praising him and cleanses Sanatana by embracing him.
3.4.100-107 Sanatana participates in the Ratha-yatra; Lord Caitanya introduces him to the Gaudiya and Nilacala devotees.
3.4.197 Sanatana discusses the attributes of Lord Caitanya with Haridasa Thakura; participation in the Holi festival. Lord Caitanya sends Sanatana to Vrndavana.
3.4.199-204 Sanatana takes the same route which Lord Caitanya took to Vrndavana, which is described to him by Balabhadra Bhattacarya.
3.13.43-60 Sanatana meets Jagadananda Pandita in Vrndavana and helps resolve all his problems.
3.13.65-67 Sanatana sends some gifts for Lord Caitanya through Jagadananda.
3.13.64 According to the desire of Lord Caitanya, conveyed through Jagadananda, Sanatana renovates a Vaisnava monastery located at Dvadasaditya-tila and stays in a hut in front of it.
3.4.208-210 Carrying out the instruction of the Lord, Sanatana recovers lost holy sites of Vrndavana, preaches, and writes books about devotional service.
Sanatana was born in 1410 Saka (1544 calendar year: 1488 A.D.). He lived 27 years in his house and 43 years in Vraja: his duration of life was 70 years. He died in 1480 Saka (1615 calendar year, 1558 A.D.), on the day of the full moon in the month of Asadha (June-July).
(See also Narescandra Jana's Vrndavanera Chaya Gosvami PP. 11-82)
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