In Praise of Krishna: Translation of Gitagovinda of Jayadeva (An Old and Rare Book)

Introduction India has a long tradition of romantic love poetry. Jayadeva's dramatic lyrical poem Gitagovinda is a unique work in Indian literature and a source of religious inspiration. The poem is a devotional song in praise of Krishna. Jayadeva is one of the most popular Sanskrit poets and Gitagovinda one of the most musical poems in the whole of Sanskrit tradition. It has inspired a many splendoured lyrical tradition of singing in classical ragas and various regional modes, dancing and exquisite miniatures of the Deccani, Rajasthani and Pahari schools.

Gitagovinda originated in eastern India in the twelfth century and it remains most popular there. It spread throughout the subcontinent in the centuries following its composition. In the thirteenth century it was quoted in a temple inscription in Gujarat in Western India. The songs from Gitagovinda are an important part of the devotional music and literature of Orissa, Bengal and South India. The songs were introduced into Kerala in the sixteenth century and are still sung in the temples there. Since the fifteenth century, the poem itself has been incorporated into the regular ritual of the Jagannath temple at Puri. The poetry of Jayadeva deeply influenced the bhakti tradition or the path of devotion, in India. The romantic love story of Radha and Krishna. became the source of inspiration for the spiritual quest of the devotee.

Gitagovinda has deeply influenced Indian music, dance, theatre and painting. It is sung in temples, fairs and festivals in different parts of India. There are regional variations of the raga structure for singing songs from Gitagovinda. The classical dance forms like Odissi are also widely based on the Gitagovinda. The maharis used to dance to the songs of Gitagovinda in Puri temple. Later, young boys known as gotipuas danced in the temple courtyards. Odissi evolved out of these two forms of dance.

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