Appearance of Sri Damodar Ji
Srila Jiva Goswami is said to be Vilas Manjari, one of the intimate associates in the divine pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna in the spiritual world of Vrindavana. Many of those confidential associates descended along with Radha Krishna in their most munificent incarnation, as Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Srila Rupa Gosvami loved Jiva Gosvami so dearly. With his own hands, Rupa Gosvami carved a Deity and named that Deity: Radha Damodar. In the year 1542, Rupa Gosvami personally installed that Deity and worshiped Him. Then he entrusted the care of Sri Radha Damodar to Jiva Gosvami. Srila Jiva Gosvami worshiped Radha Damodar with such deep love and attachment. The Bhakti Ratnakar explains a few incidences of the nature of Jiva Gosvamis love. Lord Damodar was so pleased with Jiva Gosvami’s devotion that He would speak to Jiva Gosvami! He would say, “Please give Me bhoga, I am hungry.” We just understand the time of offering of the bhoga by the clock, knowing that Krishna is expecting it. But for Jiva Gosvami, because of his love, Damodar would actually call him when it was coming close to the time of offering. I guess there were not any clocks in those days. The devotees would understand quite precisely when offerings were to be made. But Damodar would say “I am hungry, Jiva. I am hungry; please feed Me bhoga.” And Jiva Gosvami would personally prepare the bhoga, and offer with his own hands with love and devotion. By Damodar’s mercy, Jiva Gosvami would see Damodar eating the bhoga with his own eyes.
One time, Jiva Gosvami heard a flute playing, and then Damodar called out and said, “Jiva! Come; I am playing the flute for you.” And Jiva Gosvami came to the altar and there he saw Damodar dancing! The Deity of Damodar was dancing – His three fold bending form playing upon His flute beautiful, sweet music for the pleasure of His devotee. Jiva Gosvami saw the beautiful form of Damodar, whose eyes were like lotus flowers. His head was decorated with a peacock feather, a garland of beautiful forest flowers was around His neck, and lovely ornaments decorated His body. He was dancing and singing, playing sweet, sweet melodies on His flute for His devotee. Jiva Gosvami fell unconscious in ecstasy, and when he came back to consciousness, he could only cry in ecstatic love. These were some of the pastimes that Sri Jiva Gosvami performed with Sri Damodar, who is worshiped here.
It is believed that once Emperor Akbar, when he came to Vrindavana dhama, had the darshan of Jiva Gosvami, and the darshan of Jiva Gosvami transformed his heart. He was given such a vision of appreciation of Vrindavana that under Jiva Gosvami’s instruction he, as well as many of his generals and ministers, became very active in developing Vrindavana as a very great holy place. They helped in the construction of Radha Govindaji Mandir, Radha Damodar Mandir, Jugalkishor Mandir and Radha Gopinath Mandir.
In Jaipur there are two sets of deities on the main altar. The smaller deity is Srila Jiva Gosvami’s original Radha Damodar deity from Vrindavana. To the left of the deities is a Govardhan-sila said to have been worshiped by Srila Sanatana Gosvami. Srila Rupa Gosvami inspired by a dream made deity of Sri Radha-Damodar and handed over to his dear disciple and nephew Jiva Gosvami for service and worship. On an altar, left of the main one, are deities of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha and Prahlada Maharaja. You have to look closely to see Prahlada Maharaja. There are beautiful paintings of Krishna’s pastimes in this temple.
Sri Damodar Ji Temple at Jaipur
Sri Damodar Ji
There are two sets of deities on the main altar. The smaller deity is Srila Jiva Gosvami’s original Radha Damodar deity from Vrindavana. To the left of the deities is a Govardhana-sila said to have been worshiped by Srila Sanatana Gosvami. The smaller deity is Srila Jiva Gosvami’s original Radha Damodar deity from Vrindavana. Srila Rupa Gosvami inspired by a dream made deity of Sri Radha-Damodar and handed over to his dear disciple and nephew Jiva Gosvami for service and worship.
On an altar, left of the main one, are deities of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha and Prahlada Maharaja. You have to look closely to see Prahlada Maharaja
Sri Sad-Bhuja Gauranga Mahaprabhu (Six-handed form of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)
Sri Sri Radha Damodara Temple in Vrindavana
Sri Sri Radha Vrindavancandra Ji of Srila Krsna Das Kaviraj Gosvami (the author of Sri Caitanya Caritamrta), Sri Sri Radha Madhava Ji of Srila Jayadeva Gosvami, Sri Sri Radha Damodar of Srila Jiva Gosvami, Sri Sri Radha Chailachikan Ji of Srila Bhurgarbha Gosvami and Giriraj Charan Sila given by Lord Sri Krishna Himself to Srila Sanatana Gosvami.
Srila Prabhupada’s room at Sri Sri Radha Damodara Temple in Vrindavana
