Just a few minutes’ walk away from Govindaji’s temple stands an awe-inspiring temple that reflects a glorious past, founded by Madhu Pandit Goswami. The presiding deity of this temple is none other than Gopinatha, who was originally installed by Vajranabha, the grandson of Lord Krishna, about 5,000 years ago. According to the accounts, Vajranabha had three deities carved based on the descriptions of Krishna given by Uttara, Parikshit’s mother. The remarkable aspect of this Deity is its striking similarity to the charming torso of Lord Krishna, extending from the navel to His neck. It is believed that if one is fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the three Deities – Sri Madana-mohana, Sri Gopinatha, and Sri Govinda Deva – within a single day, before sunset, they receive the divine blessings equivalent to having the sacred vision of Lord Krishna Himself. Such a rare opportunity is considered to be a great spiritual boon in the eyes of devotees.
After thousands of years, Gopinatha’s deity was rediscovered at Vamsi Vat in Vrindavan by Paramananda Bhattacharya, a disciple of Gadadhar Pandit. The deity’s rediscovery was a significant event that added to the temple’s already rich history. Sri Madhu Pandit later took over the seva of the deity, and interestingly, his samadhi can be found at the back of the temple premises.
Srila Krishna dasa Kaviraja writes :
sriman rasa-rasarambhi vamshivata-tata-sthitau
karman venu-svanair gopir gopi-nathau sriye ’stu nau
(Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 1.5)
–
Let the merciful blessings of Lord Gopinath, who enthralls the gopis with the sweet melodies of his flute and commences the enchanting rasa dance on the banks of the Yamuna at Vamsi Vata, be upon us.
Gopinath ji’s divine presence and soul-stirring music have the power to transport one to a state of pure ecstasy, and we pray that we may be blessed with such spiritual experiences through his grace.
Madan-Mohan, Govindadev, and Gopinath are three distinct forms of Krishna, the Supreme Lord, that represent important philosophical principles in the practice of devotional service. Madan Mohan embodies the concept of sambandha tattva, which pertains to establishing and nurturing our relationship with the Supreme Lord, who is the ultimate object of our love and devotion.
For beginners on the spiritual path, it is essential to worship Madan-Mohan in order to awaken our dormant love for God and overcome our attachment to material pleasures. Through this process of devotion, we gradually rediscover our innate connection with the divine and develop a deeper understanding of our purpose in life.
As we progress in our spiritual practice and develop a stronger attachment to serving the Lord, we begin to worship Govinda Dev, who represents the principle of abhidheya tattva. This involves dedicating ourselves fully to the service of the Lord and striving to please Him in all aspects of our life. By offering our thoughts, words, and actions as a loving offering to Govindadev, we gradually purify our consciousness and become fully absorbed in the Lord’s divine will.
Finally, when we attain the pinnacle of devotion and achieve perfection in our spiritual practice, we are able to appreciate the supreme bliss of Gopinath, who embodies the principle of prayojana tattva. Gopinath is the beloved deity of the gopis, the cowherd damsels of Vrindavan, who are renowned for their intense love and devotion for Lord Krishna. By worshiping Gopinath, we enter into the realm of pure love and experience the highest levels of spiritual ecstasy and bliss.
History of Radha Gopinath Temple
As you make your way towards Radha-Gopinath’s present altar, you will notice a small temple room on the right side, accessible by a step down through a doorway. This room is the original temple where the beloved Deities of Radha-Gopinath resided before the Mughal invasion, when they were shifted to Jaipur for protection. Presently, the deity being venerated in this room is known as ‘Muralidhar Mahaprabhu’, a manifestation of Lord Chaitanya, who is seen playing the flute. The installation of this deity occurred after the Mughal invasion, and he serves as an essential reminder of the divine identity of Lord Chaitanya.
Muralidhar Mahaprabhu’s form is resplendent in a golden hue similar to Radharani’s, but he holds the flute, signifying that he is non-different to Krishna. This is done to aid the laymen, who may not be aware of Mahaprabhu’s original identity. In essence, Mahaprabhu embodies both Radha and Krishna in one divine form. This small temple is a reminder of the temple’s rich history and is an important site for devotees and tourists alike, who wish to immerse themselves in the unique and vibrant culture of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Presently, the pratibhu or non-different replacement deities of Radha-Gopinath have found a new abode, adjacent to the old temple that was built in the year 1819 AD. As per the explicit instructions of Sri Jahnava Mata, the presiding deity Gopinath occupies the central position, flanked by Ananga-manjari on his left, and Radharani on his right. Lalita and Visakha stand on both sides of the divine trio, adding to the splendor of the temple.
During the worship of Radha Gopinath, a huge drum is played, adding to the spiritual ambiance of the temple. In addition, a beautiful rasa-lila dance painting on the temple wall is another breathtaking feature of this temple. The Samadhi of Madhu Pandit Goswami is also located within the temple premises, on the eastern side of the temple.
The deity of Ananga Manjari at Gopinath temple
The Gopinath temple stands out from other temples because it has the unique distinction of featuring the Deity of Ananga Manjari on the altar. Ananga Manjari, who is the younger sister of Radharani, stands on the left-hand side of Lord Gopinath while Radharani stands on the right. This is different from all other temples where Radharani is usually depicted standing on the left-hand side of Krishna.
Jahnava Devi, the wife of Lord Nityananda, once visited the Radha Gopinath temple in Vrindavan and felt that the deity of Radharani could have looked more beautiful if it were slightly taller. However, she did not express her thoughts to anyone. That night, Sri Radha Gopinath appeared in her dream and expressed their desire to have a new deity of Radharani installed beside them. The next morning, Jahnava Devi instructed the sculptor Nayana to design a new deity of Radharani.
The new deity was then sent to Vrindavan and immediately installed beside Sri Gopinath. When the devotees saw the new deity, they felt that it looked just like Jahnava Devi. It turned out that the sculptor, being a disciple of Jahnava Devi, had modeled the deity on Jahnava Devi’s own beautiful features. After consulting with senior Vaishnavas, it was determined that the deity was actually Ananga Manjari, who appeared as Jahnava Devi in Chaitanya-lila. Since the Deity of Ananga Manjari had already been installed on the left side of Lord Gopinath, it was felt that it must have been pre-arranged by Lord Gopinath Himself. Therefore, Ananga Manjari should not be moved and should remain on the left side of Lord Gopinath. The smaller Deity of Radharani was then placed on the right side of Lord Gopinath, where she remains to this day. The devotees believed that, out of love and compassion for her younger sister, Radharani elevated Ananga Manjari to her own position on the left side of Krishna.
How to Reach
Sri Radha Gopinath temple stands in close proximity to the temple of Sri Radha Ramana, and can be easily reached by hiring a cycle rickshaw or riding a two-wheeler. It is recommended to avoid traveling by four-wheelers, as the narrow roads leading to the temple can be challenging to navigate. The temple is located on the picturesque banks of the holy Yamuna river, in the vicinity of the serene Kesi Ghat.