Preface

The Krsna consciousness movement is conducted under
the supervision of Srila Ripa Gosvami. The Gaudiya
Vaisnavas, or Bengali Vaisnavas, are mostly followers of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, of whom the six Gosvamis of
Vrndavana are direct disciples. Therefore Srila Narottama
dasa Thakura has sung:

ripa-raghunatha-pade ha-ibe akuti
kabe hama bujhaba se yugala-piriti
“When I am eager to understand the literature given by the
Gosvamis, then I shall be able to understand the transcen-
dental loving affairs of Radha and Krsna.” Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu appeared in order to bestow upon human
society the benediction of the science of Krsna. The most ex-
alted of all the activities of Lord Krsna are His pastimes of
conjugal love with the gopis. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ap-
peared in the mood of Srimati Radharani, the best of the
gopis. Therefore, to understand the mission of Lord Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu and follow in His footsteps, one must
very seriously follow in the footsteps of the six Gosvamis—
vu
