Six Goswamis of Vrindavan

Vrindavan

Apart from producing a prolific amount of writings regarding Vaishnava philosophy and practices, the Six Goswamis also dedicated a significant amount of their time to uncovering many ancient and sacred areas of land in Vrindavan associated with Radha, Krishna and the Gopis. These sections of land are the sites wherein Radha and Krishna performed specific lilas during the previous yuga in accordance to the events recorded in the Bhagavata Purana. Although having little in the way of financial possessions themselves, the Goswamis inspired the building of a number of large and ornate temples on and around these sites (dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna), which play a role in Vrindavan society to this day.

Caitanya assigned the Six Goswamis the task of systematizing the tenets of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. Of the six, Rupa Goswami was the most influential in giving a theoretical foundation to Gaudiya Vaisnav practice.

Visvanathan (c. 1654-1754), a commentator and author of Gaudiya Vaisnavism, prescribed imitating the Goswamis in physical performance, while imitation of the gopis only through one's inner state.