Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Anupama Mallika - The Mercy on the Rāmacandra-bhakta
The relationship between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Anupama Mallika is a beautiful example of the Lord's affection for His devotees, as illuminated by Śrīla Prabhupāda. Anupama, the younger brother of Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī, was a recipient of the Lord's special mercy. Although he served in the government and held the title "Mallika," Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that his heart was fully absorbed in devotion. His interactions with Lord Caitanya reveal the depth of his surrender and the Lord's appreciation for his steadfast worship of Lord Rāmacandra.
Identity and Transformation
Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies Anupama as the father of Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī and the beloved younger brother of Rūpa and Sanātana. His original name was Vallabha, but Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that after meeting Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he was given the name Anupama. Along with his brothers, he had been engaged in the service of the Muslim government, for which they received the title "Mallika." However, Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the Lord's mercy liberated them from this material entanglement.
- Sri Anupama was the father of Srila Jiva Gosvami and younger brother of Sri Sanatana Gosvami and Sri Rupa Gosvami. His former name was Vallabha, but after Lord Caitanya met him He gave him the name Anupama.
- Because of engaging in the service of the Muslim government, the three brothers (Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami and Vallabha) received the title Mullik. When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited the village of Ramakeli, He met Vallabha there.
- Rupa Gosvami's younger brother was a great devotee whose actual name was Sri Vallabha, but he was given the name Anupama Mallika.
- His (Anupama Mallika's) former name was Vallabha, but after Lord Caitanya met him He gave him the name Anupama.
Meeting at Prayāga
A pivotal moment occurred at Prayāga (Allahabad). Rūpa Gosvāmī and Anupama traveled there to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes their humility in vivid detail: upon seeing the Lord, they placed straw between their teeth—a traditional sign of deep submission—and fell to the ground like rods to offer their obeisances. This meeting is recounted by Śrīla Prabhupāda as a standard of Vaishnava behavior in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
- Sri Rupa Gosvami and Anupama Mallika went to Prayaga, and they were very pleased to hear the news that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was there.
- Seeing the Lord from a distance, the two brothers put two clumps of straw between their teeth and immediately fell down on the ground like rods, offering Him obeisances.
- Seeing the great crowd, the two brothers remained standing in a secluded place. They could see that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was ecstatic to see Lord Bindu Madhava.
- The meeting of Rupa Gosvami and Vallabha with Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Allahabad is described in the Madhya-lila, Chapter Nineteen.
Prayers and Divine Mercy
Overwhelmed with ecstatic emotion, the two brothers offered profound prayers to the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the significance of their prayer, where they recognized Lord Caitanya as the most munificent incarnation, Kṛṣṇa Himself, who appeared to distribute love of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Caitanya, out of His causeless mercy, embraced them and placed His lotus feet on their heads, declaring that Kṛṣṇa had delivered them from the "well of material enjoyment."
- O most munificent incarnation! You are Krsna Himself appearing as Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krsna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then said, "It is not possible to describe Krsna's mercy, for He has delivered you both from the well of material enjoyment."
- After reciting this verse, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced the two brothers (Rupa Gosvami and Sri Vallabha), and out of His causeless mercy He placed His feet on their heads.
- Balabhadra Bhattacarya invited the two brothers to take lunch also. The remnants of food from the plate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were offered to them.
Steadfast Devotion to Rāmacandra
A unique characteristic of Anupama, as noted by Śrīla Prabhupāda, was his exclusive devotion to Lord Rāmacandra. While Rūpa Gosvāmī and the Lord's other associates were devotees of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Anupama could not shift his affection. He accepted Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Rāmacandra Himself, but remained fixed in his specific rasa. Śrīla Prabhupāda later recounts how Rūpa Gosvāmī informed the Lord of Anupama's passing at Jagannātha Purī, marking the end of the life of a great soul.
- In the Bhakti-ratnakara there is the following statement - Vallabha was given the name Anupama by Sri Gaurasundara, but he was always absorbed in the devotional service of Lord Ramacandra.
- Vallabha was a great devotee of Sri Ramacandra; therefore he could not seriously consider the worship of Radha-Govinda according to the instructions of Sri Caitanya. Yet he directly accepted Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Ramacandra.
- At Jagannatha Puri, Sri Rupa Gosvami informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu of this incident - of Anupama's death.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I met your two brothers, Rupa and Anupama, at Prayaga. They have now gone to Vrndavana."
Conclusion
The interactions between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Anupama Mallika, as presented by Śrīla Prabhupāda, illustrate the universality of the Lord's mercy. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches us that whether one is a devotee of Kṛṣṇa or Rāmacandra, the Lord reciprocates with the sincerity of the devotee. Anupama's life stands as a testament to the power of humility and the transformative association of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Caitanya and Anupama Mallika. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.