He who reveals the Jewel of Devotion

 
The diksha-guru-parampara of Shri Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura is given as follows: Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Lokanatha Goswami, Narottama Thakura, Ganganarayan Chakravarti, Krishnacharan Chakravarti, Radharaman Chakravarti, Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura. Shri Krishna Charan Chakravarti and Radha Ramana Chakravarti both lived in Saiyadabad. Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura studied extensively under them when he was in Saiyadabad before going to Vrindavan, where he met Mukunda das Goswami, a disciple of Krishna das Kaviraja Goswami and studied the Goswami literatures.

The siksha-guru-parampara is considered more important than the diksha-guru-parampara, because it follows the descent of revealed truth through its most significant representatives, as opposed to following a strict hierarchy. The siksha-guru-paramapara from Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura is, according to Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, as follows: Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Svrupa Damodara, Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami (Along with Ragunatha das Goswami, Raghunath Bhatta Goswami, Gopal Bhatta Goswami), Shri Jiva Goswami, Krishna das Kaviraja Goswami, Narottama das Thakura (along with Shyamananda Prabhu and Shrinivasa Acharya), Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura.

Siksha and Diksha are one and the same but with different functions. In some circumstances the Diksha Guru, when disciples are living with him, will perform both functions. In other circumstances the Siksha Guru responsibilities will be carried out by other qualified living Vaisnavas.

Shrila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura took birth in the year 1586 Shaka era within the Nadia district of West Bengal in a place called Prasiddha Deva Gram. He appeared in the Radhiya line of brahamanas. He has two brothers: Shri Ramabhadra Chakravarti and Shri Raghunatha Chakravarti. Shrila Chakravarti Thakura went on to live in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, in Saiyadabad, where he received mantra initiation from Shri Krishna Charana Chakravarti. He lived for a long time in the house of his gurudeva, where he wrote many books.

After having come to Vrindavan Dhama, Sri Vishvanatha took up his residence in the bhajan kutir of Shri Krishna das Kaviraja Goswami on the banks of the Radha-kunda, where there lived a disciple of Krishna das Kaviraja whose name was Mukunda das. There, Shri Vishvanatha Chakravarti made a careful study of the Goswami’s literatures. In that holy place he later wrote many commentaries on the books of the Goswamis.

Shri Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura established the worship of the deity of Shri Gokulananda. Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakur was also sometimes known as Harivallabha das. Vishvanatha’s title, "Chakravarti" was awarded to him by the devotees. Generally this title designates one who maintains (varti) a circle (chakra) of influence. Hence Charavarti usually means "emperor," for the emperor’s maintains his power over a vast circle. A more devotional explanation of this title is found in the introduction to Vishvanatha’s Svapna-Vilasamrita. There is has been written vishvasya natharupausau, bhaktiratna pradarshanat, bhakta chakre vartitatva, chakravartamaya bhavat. "He who reveals the jewel of devotion to Vishvanatha, the Lord of the Universe, and thus expands the circle of bhakti is a "Cakravarti."

Shri Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura disappeared on the Vasant Panchami day in the month of Magh.

Submitted for the pleasure of all the sincere devotees of the Lord - by Arijit das.