Srinivasa Acarya’s pure devotion had no end. Srila Jiva Gosvami was very respectful to him. Who has the power to describe the affection Sri Jiva felt for Srinivasa? From Vraja he mercifully sent many letters to Srinivasa Acarya. One day Srinivasa Acarya said to his associates, "A letter will come from Srila Jiva Gosvami. Why would there be any delay?" At that moment an intelligent devotee named Sri Vasanta Raya, who was carrying a letter, entered Srinivasa Acarya’s assembly. With a few words he told the news from Vraja. Then he gave Srila Jiva Gosvami’s letter to Srinivasa Acarya. Very respectfully Srinivasa Acarya accepted the letter. Tears flowing from his eyes and onto his chest, he read the letter. 
Srila Jiva sends letters of affection
to Srinivasa Acarya"Glory to Sri Krishna, the master of Vrindavana!
Greetings at the feet of Sri Sri Srinivasa Acarya, whose feet bring all happiness to me. He who bears the name Jiva offers respectful obeisances and gives you the following information:
"I always wish you well. For many days we have not heard news of you. You bring us great happiness. At present I and the others are in good health. The only exception is Bhugarbha Gosvami, who surrendered himself, body and soul, before Lord Krishna, who is Vrndavana ‘s master. Among your own followers, please write to us about Sri Vrndavana dasa. Does he read yet, or not?
"Also, where is Sri Vyasa Sarma, and how is he doing? I ask the same of Sri Vasudeva Kaviraja.
"Also, the editing of Sri Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Sri Madhava-mahotsava, Sri Gopala-campu’s Second Part, and Sri Hari-namamrita-vyakarana is not yet complete. They will not be ready this year. If the Supreme Lord is favorable, I will finish them eventually. Everyone here offers respectful obeisances to all of you there. Please also give my blessings to the saintly king."
The Vrindavana dasa mentioned in this letter is Srinivasa Acarya’s eldest son. In Vraja there was talk of Srinivasa’s son. Srila Jiva Gosvami happily mentioned his name. Vyasa and Vasudeva are two disciples of Srinivasa Acarya. The saintly king’s name is Birahambira. After some days another letter came for Srinivasa Acarya. Srinivasa read it aloud in the assembly of devotees.
"Glory to Sri Krishna, the master of Vrindavana!
"Greetings to Srinivasa Acarya, who has all virtues, and who is my dear friend.
"The person named Jiva from Vrindavana offers his obeisances, his embrace, and his wish that all will be auspicious for you. These greetings are an offering of respect from a person who resides in Vrindavana. I was very eager to hear about you. When I did not hear about you or heard inauspicious reports, I became sorrowful at heart. Now that I have heard from you, I feel comforted.
"This letter is in reply to your most recent letter. This we say: Even if the body and senses bring many sorrows and obstacles, the devotee should persevere. In this way a devotee will make an end to all sorrows.
"Sri Syama dasa Acarya is a devotee who knows the true goal of life. He wishes to be with you. He is learned and affectionate. His explanations of devotional service to the Lord give the correct conclusions. With help like the help he gives, the blasphemers will be crushed into pieces. Now I am editing and re-considering the books Vairnava-tosani, Durgama-sangamani, and Gopala-campu. Now I am engaged with these books. I am myself carefully editing and re-considering these books. This must be done. "Previously I sent you the Hari-namamrita-vyakarana. If that book and its commentary are studied then all misunderstandings (of Sanskrit grammar) will be corrected. The other books are in the final stage. The second part of the Gopala-campu is now finished. It needs only the final touches. When I become fortunate I will hear news of you. From afar I think of your welfare. I think of the welfare of Vrindavana dasa and the others. I also think of the welfare of the devotees headed by Sri Gopala dasa. This letter is addressed to Srinivasa Acarya."
The Syama dasa Acarya mentioned in this letter is the son of Vyasa Acarya. Vrindavana dasa is Srinivasa’s son. "The others" mentioned after him are his brothers and sisters. Sri Gopala dasa is the son of King Birahambira. Sri Jiva Gosvami reveals his name here. That devotee became famous everywhere by the name Sri Dadhihambira. Sri Jiva Gosvami thinks of the welfare of him and his associates.
When he received this letter from Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srinivasa Acarya sent a letter in reply. As they came and went between the two places, the Vaisnavas carried letters. I cannot describe the bliss these letters brought. At that time Srinivasa Acarya Thakura enjoyed pastimes at Yajigrama. His heart yearend to see Ramacandra dasa. Ramacandra, Narottama, and Sri Govinda, these three were always as if intoxicated by performing sankirtana at Sri Khetari-grama. One day, as the three sat together, a letter from Srila Jiva Gosvami arrived. Overcome with ecstatic spiritual love, and very respectfully placing the letter to his head, Govinda read the letter aloud.
"Glory to Sri Krishna, who is like a moon shining in Vrindavana!
"Greetings to Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, Sri Narottama dasa, and Sri Govinda dasa, who are praised by all the Vaisnavas, and who are a great treasure of happiness for persons like myself.
"I, who bear the name Jiva from Vrindavana, embrace you and humbly speak these words: I give all respect to you and I wish for your welfare. Out of great affection I always wish for your welfare. Out of affection for me please send me copies of your songs. Then I will consider myself very fortunate. What more need I say? You three are affectionate without limit. One should always be rapt in devotional meditation. This is described in Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, in the verse beginning with the words ‘seva sadhaka-rupena’ sadhana is performed with the external material body. Siddha devotional service is performed by meditating on performing devotional service as one desires with one’s original spiritual form. That is the meaning of this verse from Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu. Siddha devotional service performed according to desire (raga) is of many kinds according to time, place, and pastime. How many words could be employed to describe it? Sadhaka devotional service is of three kinds and it follows the descriptions found in the Agamas and other scriptures. The great acaryas teach sadhaka devotional service. For us sadhaka devotional service is the be-all and end-all of our lives. What more need be said? This letter was written on the caturdasi day of the month of Vaisakha."
After hearing Srila Jiva Gosvami’s merciful letter, everyone joyfully sang Srila Jiva Gosvami’s glories. Bidding everyone farewell, Sri Govinda Kaviraja departed from Khetari and went to Budhari-grama. Sitting down in a secluded place, with a joyful heart Govinda collected together his jewel-like songs. At that time another letter came from Vraja. After first touching the letter to his head, Govinda dasa read it.
"Glory to Sri Krishna, who is like a moon shining in Vrindavana!
"Greetings to the great devotee Sri Govinda Kaviraja, who is the abode of sublime spiritual love. Jiva Gosvami always thinks of your welfare. Our friendship shines with great splendor. There I yearn always to hear that all is auspicious for you.
"Previously you sent me some songs you had written describing Lord Krishna. Tasting these songs sweet like nectar, I became very pleased. However, I am still not satisfied. I yearn to get your most recent songs. Please be merciful and send them.
"I received a copy Syama dasa made of Srinivasa Acarya’s commentary on Brihad-Bhagavatamrita. This new commentary removes all doubts. What more need be said? This letter to you, who are merciful, glorious, and auspicious, was written on the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Caitra.
"Please give my blessings to Narottama and (Ramacandra) Kaviraja. Many obeisances to Sri Krishna dasa."
In the last paragraph of this letter the word Kaviraja refers to Ramacandra Kaviraja. Narottama and Ramacandra were often mentioned together in this way. The words "Sri Krishna dasa" in this letter refer to Krishna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami. Reading this letter, Sri Govinda dasa was overcome by feelings of ecstatic spiritual love. He sent his collection Gitamrita (the Nectar of Songs) to Srila Jiva Gosvami.
