True knowledge means recognizing material suffering and seeking Krishna through saintly association and scripture.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Lecture on Teachings of Lord Caitanya — March 17, 1971, Bombay 710317LE-BOMBAY [35:27 Minutes] LectureTLC_710317LE-BOMBAY Prabhupāda: There are many sat-saṅga society, but in Europe and America, Western countries, this is the only, and they have very kindly joined us. So to serve them is our first business. So, we are talking of teachings of Lord Caitanya to Sanātana Gosvāmī. Sanātana Gosvāmī, he was one of the very responsible minister in the [indistinct] government of Bengal. And as minister, he was a learned scholar both in Sanskrit and Arabic.
So he resigned his post as minister and wanted to join Lord Caitanya in His saṅkīrtana movement. He had some difficulties to get out of the responsible position. The Nawab, Hussain Shah, was very much counting upon his assistance. Generally, the Muhammadan kings, they were dependent on Hindu ministers. I have heard that in your this Bombay city, Aga Khan[?], his establishment for management were all Hindu officers.
I do not know whether it is a fact. Is it a fact? Guest: It's a fact. Prabhupāda: Yes. They know that the Hindus can manage very intelligently. They're not extravagant. So Sanātana Gosvāmī was favored by Lord Caitanya by instructing him for two months.
He created two, three lieutenants for preaching His cult. One of them was Rūpa Gosvāmī, one of them was Sanātana Gosvāmī, the chief of the Gosvāmīs. And He talked with also Rāmānanda Raya, another stalwart. He was also statesman; he was governor of Madras on behalf of the then king of Orissa, Mahārāja Pratāparudra.
He was very powerful king. The Muhammadans, the Pathans, they practically conquered all over India, but they could not enter Orissa. He was very strong king, and in those days Madras was under the Orissa government. So another responsible officer... [doors bang] [aside:] Stop this.
How it is happening? You can close these doors. So he was another big officer, governor, he also joined Caitanya Mahāprabhu. And these two brothers, Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī, they were ministers in the government of Hussain Shah, they also joined. And Raghunātha dasa Gosvāmī, he was also a big zamindar, landlord, so he also joined.
And a big scholar, he also from Madras side, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī. And Jīva Gosvāmī, he was also a very big scholar. He happened to be from Bengal. In this way six Gosvāmīs, they were immediate disciples of Lord Caitanya, and Lord Caitanya's instruction to them..., directly gave instruction to Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Raya. So one of the Gosvāmīs, Sanātana Gosvāmī, the Caitanya Mahāprabhu is instructing at Benares.