Counteracting Blasphemy by Srila Jiva Goswami

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Following the departure of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, [1486-1534 a.c] the two foremost disciples of Sriman Mahaprabhu, Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatana Goswami, became the foremost authorities of the Gaudiya Sampradaya. The two celebrated brothers had once been challenged by a proud scholar to debate. Srila Prabhupada relates the incident as follows:

 

 

"A materialist, who was very proud of his reputation as a Sanskrit scholar approached Sri Rupa Goswami and Sanatana, not wanting to waste their time, gave him a written statement, that he had defeated them in a debate on the revealed scriptures. Taking this paper, the scholar approached Jiva Goswami for a similar certificate of defeat, but Jiva Goswami did not agree to give him one. On the contrary, he argued with him regarding the revealed scriptures and defeated him. Certainly it was right for Jiva Goswami to stop such a dishonest scholar from advertising that he had defeated Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatana Goswami, but due to their illiteracy the sahajiya class refer to this incident to accuse Jiva Goswami of deviating from the principle of humility. They do not know, however, that humility and meekness are appropriate when one's own honor is insulted. But when Lord Vishnu or the acaryas are blasphemed, one should not be humble and meek but must act. One should follow the example given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu... trnad api sunicena. One should tolerate insults against oneself, but when there is blasphemy committed against superiors such as other Vaishnavas, one should neither be humble nor meek; one must take proper steps to counteract such blasphemy. This is the duty of servant of guru and Vaishnavas. Anyone who understands the principle of eternal servitude to the guru and Vaishnavas will appreciate the action of Jiva Gosvami in connection with the so-called scholar's victory over his gurus, Srila Rupa and Srila Sanatana Goswamis."