Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami was born in 1505 in Eastern
Bengal. His father, Sri Tapana Misra, was a great devotee of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Tapana Misra met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
first in Eastern Bengal, and then again in Varanasi. While in Varanasi,
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to dine at Sri Tapana Misra's home
and Raghunatha would often massage the Lord's feet. He became very
attached to the Lord.
As a boy Raghunatha was adept in Sanskrit grammar and rhetoric.
He became well versed in the scriptures. Upon coming of age his
father sent him to Puri, where he met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He
spent eight months in the service of the Lord. He would cook for
him on a regular basis. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu insructed Raghunatha
never to marry and to study the scriptures. He ordered him to return
to Varanasi and to care for his ageing parents. He further told
him that he would see Him again in Jagganatha Puri. Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu gave Raghunatha a tulasi garland from his neck.
When Raghunatha 's parents passed away, he returned to Jagganatha
Puri where he spent a further eight months in the service of the
Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then sent Raghunatha to Vrindavana,
to study the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other revealed scriptures
under the guidance of Sri Sanatana and Sri Rupa Goswami. After some
time Raghunatha's disciples built a temple for Sri Gaura Govinda
in Vrindavana.
Raghunatha was full of humility and meekness. He was permanently
engaged in remembrance of the Lord. He passed away in 1579.
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