Gita-govinda of Jayadeva (comparative study)
by Manisha Misra | 2012 | 56,963 words
This essay contains an English study of the Gita-Govinda by Jayadeva and the 鈥淜ishore Chandrananda Champu鈥� by Kabisurya Baladev. (1) The Gitagovinda is a Sanskrit Kavya poem of 12th century composed by Jayadeva, who was a devotee of Lord Krishna/Jagannatha and a patron of Odisha culture. The Gitagovinda had widespread influence on Indian art and li...
4. Origin of the creations
There was a prosperous tradition of Sanskrit poetry during the period of Jayadeva. Though the Vaisnava cult was not very much in vogue but the poet delved deep into the divine love of Radha and Krsna. The background of both the works are discussed in chapter one and three. From that it is clear that Jayadeva was a follower of the Vaisnava school of Nimbarka 10. Following the contemporary prevalence of Vaisnavism the poet-saint Jayadeva sings the glory of Govinda, his favourite god. The influence of Vaisnavism in Odisha during the 12th century is discussed in chapter one one 11. Jayadeva might have composed his devotional poem under the deep impact of that surrounding. 7. Bhamaha's Kavyalamkara, 1.2, p.1 8. Kane, P.V. The Sahityadarpana, p.2 9. kirttiyasya sa: jivati and also kirttiraksarasambandha sthayi bhavati bhutale | 10. Panda, Bhagavan, Ed. Sri Gitagovindamahakavyam, Introduction, pp. 15-31 11. Supra, Ch.1, pp.15-17 152
The Odishan citizenship of Jayadeva has now been established by many inventions. Mayadhara Manasimha says that the Gitagovinda is a part of the ceremonial worship, a privilege which might not been conceded if the poet had not been a citizen of the Odia Gajapati's empire12. Still the beginning of 18 th century Odisha was rich with the glowing tradition of Vaisnava literature. Jayadeva had followed the prevailing tradition of Sanskrit and the reason of his composition might have been generated to express his devotional offerings at the lotus feet of accepted deities. But Baladeva faithfully followed the flow of Vaisnava literature and expressed his scholastic thought by producing a bi-lingual poem. The king Balunkesa was a devotee of Visnu. In that time Odisha was flooded by Vaisnavism. To express his poetic thinking, to please the king and to sing the fame of Radha and Krsna, Kavisurya properly utilized the time and opportunity. 13 Both of the poems are considered as Vaisnavite works and both are considered as products the poetic talent. It is believed that Lord Jagannatha had assisted Jayadeva in his composition." 14