By Shyamagopika devi dasi
Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha, the deities personally served and worshipped by Srila Govinda Ghosa in Agradwip, are one of the ancient deities in Gaura Mandala. Govinda Ghosa is an eternal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Bhagavata describes that the three brothers, Sri Vasudeva Ghosa, Sri Madhava Ghosa and Sri Govinda Ghosa were very expert singers. Sri Nityananda Prabhu Himself would dance as they sang. Darshan of Sri Gopinatha is rare as the Lord gives darshan for only few days in a year. The Lord visits the fair at Krishnanagar during this month and stays there to be worshipped by the king of Krishnanagar. On His way to Krishnagar, the Lord passes through Mayapur for a day and Mayapur devotees wait for this day.
Mayapur devotees along with Jananivas and Pankajanghri Prabhu performed puja, arati and offered bhoga to Gopinath. Gopinath deities gave darshan in a boat. They were dressed with flower crowns with simple but beautiful outfits. Jananivasa Prabhu narrated the pastime of how Gopinatha had loving exchange with his devotee Sri Govinda Ghosa. The Lord promised to perform pinda ceremony to Govinda Ghosa on his departure as his son has passed away untimely. He persuaded Govinda Ghosa to continue worshipping Him and cook bhoga for Him in exchange to this deal.
Caitanya Bhagavata gives the following description on this lila.
Sri Govinda Ghosa and the Pinda dan lila:
When Mahaprabhu set out for Sri Vrindavana from Nilacal with His devotees, Govinda Ghosa was also present. There is an incident described by one Acyutacarana Caudhuri. One day, Mahaprabhu, after accepting his noon meal, extended his hand, thus requesting some amlaki (dried fruit which aids in digestion). Govinda immediately ran out to bring some from some householders in the village near where they were staying.
The next day when Mahaprabhu similarly extended His hand after lunch, Govinda again placed in it some amlaki. Mahaprabhu looked at him and inquired as to how he was able to provide it so quickly whereas yesterday it had required some time to bring. Govinda replied that he had kept some for Mahaprabhu from yesterday. Mahaprabhu said that since he was saving things he should remain in that village and, becoming a householder, he should worship Sri Gopinathaji there.
As per the order of Mahaprabhu, Govinda began to worship Gopinathji, and after marrying he had a son who would also assist him in the worship of the Deity. But his wife and then later his son passed on to the next world.
Govinda became very sad. In a fit of anger he lay down on his bed. He didn’t cook anything that day, neither he ate anything, neither did he offer anything to Gopinathaji. In the night, Gopinatha came and began to massage Govinda’s legs. Then He asked him, “I don’t understand your intelligence. One of your sons dies, and you decide, “Whats the point in feeding the other one – let him die also.”
Govinda replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I had only one son.”
“Am I not also your son? You are feeding Me and taking care of Me as your son. Now when I am dependent on you, you decide to neglect Me all together.”
“Well, anyway, now there’s no one to perform my sraddha and the offering of pinda to my forefathers. Will You do that?”
“Yes, I can do it. Why not? So now will you give Me something to eat?”
Having heard Gopinatha’s reply, Govinda was very happy and got up to prepare an offering. To this day, the Deity dresses in a plain white cloth and with a kusa grass ring on His finger, He offers pinda on the disappearance day of Govinda Ghosa Thakura.