Of Saints and Scholars.

Today is the feast-day of two important spiritual leaders of the Gaudiya-vaishnava tradition. Srila Jiva Goswami, the great philosopher, theologian and poet of the sixteenth century is celebrated today. Jiva Goswami was one of the famous Six Goswamis of Vrindavana, and following in the footsteps of his uncles Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana, he spent much of his life writing and explaining the deep philosophy of Gaudiya-vaishnavism. His many books reveal a brilliant mind and profound intellect, and his influence on the Gaudiya-vaishnava community at the time was enormous.

Jiva Goswami is still widely read in India today, and gradually his books are being translated from Sanskrit into English. ISKCON scholar Dr Ravi Gupta, is in the process of publishing his book on Jiva Goswami entitled "When Knowledge Meets Devotion", helping to make known Sri Jiva's legacy to the Western world.

Although a renowned scholar, Srila Jiva Goswami lived the simple life of a renunciant, without personal wealth or family.