Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura’s puṣpāñjali at the lotus feet of Rūpa Gosvāmī is unparalleled. In separation from Rūpa Gosvāmī, he is unable to maintain his life. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, and the followers of their line feel intense pangs of separation from Rūpa Gosvāmī because, having offered their hearts to Rūpa Gosvāmī, they understand his glories. At present, we are not afflicted by feelings of separation from Rūpa Gosvāmī because we don’t understand his glories. If Rūpa Gosvāmī had not appeared in this world, then who would have opened the storehouse of vraja-prema? No one could have opened it. Why? Caitanya Mahāprabhu bestowed His mercy on Rūpa Gosvāmī at Prayāga and empowered him with all His potency.
August 09, 2003 Vṛndāvana