THE STORY OF JAYADEVA

                                         

India is the land of sages, saints,  philosophers and  Bhaktas. Time and again they have taken birth in the country and by their devotion and selflessness guided the lives of ordinary folk. Of the three paths that lead to realization of God namely Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga and Jnana yoga it is Bhakti yoga which is the easiest and the best. Lord Krishna reiterates the value of Bhakthi yoga to Arjuna in the Bhagavadgita. It is through Bhakti and singing the glory of God and namasmarana that many a bhakta has attained  realization and salvation. One such great devotee of Lord Krishna was jayadeva, the Bengali poet whose classical work “GITA GOVINDA” remains as the greatest of the ‘sringara kavyas. Jayadeva sings the glory and the sensuous relationship of Radha and her paramour Madhava or Lord Krishna. Jayadeva’s  life was full of miracles and indicate how God comes to the rescue of his devotees in times of need!

       Who is Radha? Many interpretations are given regarding her. One such story is that on an occasion Sachi  Devi, spouse of Lord Indra visited Vaikunta and was  amazed at the  bewitching beauty of Lord Vishnu! She made amorous advances to Him. Knowing her intention the Lord told her that He would take avatar as Krishna in Dwapara yuga. He directed her to be born as the sister to Nanda in Gokulam  and  be called Radha. Her desire shall be fulfilled then!

          Jayadeva  was  the son of the pious and devoted couple Bhojadeva and Ramadevi who lived in a village Tindubilva near the Jagannath Shrine.  Ramadevi had sincerely prayed for a devoted and spiritually oriented son and jayadeva was the blessed son! It is said that Lord Vishnu directed the sage Vedavyasa to be born as the son of the couple and propagate bhakthi in the world! Jayadeva was a very smart child devoted to Lord Jagannath  and  composed and sang melodious songs on the Lord. His greatest contribution is the composition of “ ashtapadis” (eight footed songs) describing the erotic feelings of Radha and Madhav in his work “ GITA GOVINDA.” It describes the ‘ Nayaki—Nayaka’ bhava throughout. The pangs  of separation—viraha tapa- of Radha and the description of Krishna by her friends.

            GITA GOVINDA has twenty four ashtapadis and seventy two slokas in wonderful Sanskrit unparalled in their nature. Satyaki, king of Odisha, a poet himself, envied Jayadeva for his popularity and that of Gita govinda. He wanted to test the popularity of their work. He ordered both the compositions to be kept at the feet of Lord Jagannath.  He declared that the composition that remains at the feet of the lord in the next morning would be declared the winner!  Next morning, King Satyaki’s composition was found outside the sanctum of the Lord! Gita Govinda remained at the feet of the Lord! The king accepted the greatness of Jayadeva and took him as his guru.

               On one occasion, Jayadeva’s disciple presented money  and  Gold  in spite of his wishes to the contrary! The palanquin bearers, who knew this, hatched a plan. In the midst of the forest, as they went, they dumped him in the valley after cutting off his limbs and fled with that money and jewels! By chance, the king of the country saw Jayadeva, and saved him and took him as his guru. Meanwhile the bearers who dumped Jayadeva in the forest came to the king disguised as sadhus! They had spent away all the money and were in dire straits! They were detected and brought to Jadeva. The thieves were shocked to see Jayadeva whom they had dumped in the forest. But the great Jayadeva recommended them to the king who honored and sent them away with money and presents! The thieves told the guards who saw them off that they saved Jayadeva from a death sentence and left him alive after cutting off his limbs! The moment they uttered this terrible lie, earth cleaved asunder swallowed up the two thieves! Learning this from the guards, Jayadeva came to the scene, and prayed to the lord to show compassion to the wrong doers. To the utter astonishment of all, Lord Jagannath appeared and saved the two disguised thieves. He granted Jayadeva fresh limbs and blessed him.

                Padmavathi, wife of jayadeva was much devoted to her husband and popular with all. The queen was jealous of her and wanted to test her devotion. She spread arumour that jayadeva was killed in the forest by some one. The moment Padmavethi heard the news she fell down and died on the spot! The queen was shocked at this unexpected turn of events. Hearing this news, Jayadeva came to the spot and sang in praise of the lord with utmost devotion. In a few minutes Padmavathi came back to life as if from sleep!!The king and queen and all others who witnessed the scene were amazed at the devotion of Jayadeva and his power to bring God to his presence. It is pure devotion that makes the impossible possible!!!