Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami was a prominent acharya of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and a close associate of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Born in a brahmana family in Srirangam as the son of Venkata Bhatta, he originally belonged to the Ramanuja sampradaya.

Family Background and Service to Lord Chaitanya

In 1512 AD, during His South India tour, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stayed for four months at the house of Venkata Bhatta during Chaturmasya. During this time, Gopala Bhatta Goswami personally served the Lord. His parents dedicated their lives to Lord Chaitanya and later allowed Gopala Bhatta Goswami to go to Vrindavan.

Initiation and Gaudiya Association

Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami was initiated by his uncle, the sannyasi Prabodhananda Sarasvati. When Lord Chaitanya learned that he had gone to Vrindavana and met Rupa and Sanatana Goswami, He was pleased and instructed them to care for him as their younger brother.

Installation of Sri Radha-ramana Deity

Following the instructions of Rupa and Sanatana Goswami, Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami installed one of the seven principal Deities of Vrindavan, Sri Radha-raman. The sevaits of the Radha-raman temple belong to the Gaudiya sampradaya.

Literary Contributions and Humility

Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami compiled Sat-kriya-sara-dipika, edited Hari-bhakti-vilasa, wrote a foreword to the Sat-sandarbha, and commented on Krishna-karnamrita. Though he blessed Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami to write Chaitanya-charitamrita, he humbly requested his name not be mentioned.

Eternal Identity

According to Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, verse 184, Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami’s eternal identity is Ananga Manjari. Srinivasa Acharya and Gopinatha Pujari were among his disciples.