Lokanatha Gosvami was a direct associate and pure devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. From early childhood he had no interest in family life.
One day, while still an adolescent, Lokanatha left his home and parents to take shelter of Lord Caitanya. When Lord Caitanya saw Lokanatha, the Lord embraced him with great affection. The Lord then ordered him to go to Vrndavana to uncover the lost sites of Lord Krsna's pastimes.
Lokanatha, along with his dear friend Bhugarbha Gosvami, went to Vrndavana to carry out the order of Lord Caitanya. Lokanatha Gosvami never returned to family life.
Once, while staying in one of the forests of Vrndavana, Lokanatha desired to worship a Deity. Understanding the mind of His exalted devotee, Lord Krsna appeared and gave Lokanatha a Deity of Himself. Lord Krsna named the Deity Radhavinoda, and Lokanatha Gosvami carried Him at all times in a bag hung from his neck. The Deity is still worshiped in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Lokanatha Gosvami had no desire for name and fame. When Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was going to write the Caitanya-caritamrta, a major biography on Lord Caitanya, he approached Lokanatha Gosvami for blessings. Lokanatha gave them, but he wouldn't allow his name to be mentioned in the book.
Lokanatha Gosvami initiated only one disciple the great devotee-poet Narottama Dasa Thakura, who conquered Lokanatha with his humility and attitude of service.
Research by Syamasundari Dasi
Girls Vaisnava Academy, Alachua, Florida