Srila Sanatana Goswami was born in 1488 in. He was the older brother of Sri Rupa Goswami. They were educated in Sakurma, a village near the capital of Gauda ( Bengal). The brothers were forced to work as government ministers for Nawab Hussein Shah ( the ruler of Bengal) in Ramekeli. Sanatana was known as Sakara Mallik and appointed private secretary.

In 1514 Sanatana Goswami met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Ramekeli and was initiated by him.

He eventually managed to shake off his government duties and escape from eventual imprisonment by the Nawab, to make his way to Benares where he met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu enlightened Sanatana into the truths of bhakti and devotion and further instructed him to (1) write books on devotional service, (2) establish proper devotee etiquette, (3) install deities and proper deity worship and (4) to excavate the lost holy places of pilgrimage in Vrindavana.

Sanatana's literary works include Hari-bhakti-Vilasa,the Brihad-bhagavatamrita, Dasama-tippani, also known as the Brihad-Vaishanva-Tosani, and the Dasama-charita. His most important work is the Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa, which covers the code and conduct of Vaisnavas. The Brihad-bhagavtamrita expounds on the science of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's teachings. The Dasama-tipanni is a commentary on the tenth canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam and theDasama-charita covers Krishna's pastimes up to Mathura.

Sanatana Goswami established worship of the Madana Mohana deity. With the help of a wealthy merchant Krishna Dasa Kapoor, a lavish temple was built for Sri Madana Mohana. This temple still stands today, and is an important place of pilgrimage for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

Sanatana passed away at the age of 70 in 1558.

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