Gita Govinda -Jayadeva 27

Gita Govinda -Shri Jayadeva Gosvami

Act One : sämoda dämodaraù

The Delighted Captive of Love

Verse 3

Commentary

The poet is not afraid or reluctant to admit his eligibility to write this epic poem. Dull-witted persons have no faith that this is a genuine account of the divine play of Bhagavän. Therefore the qualifications required to study this epic poem have been defined in this verse. “Dear devotees! If your heart is moved by constantly remembering Shri Kṛṣṇa and you are curious to know about his delightful escapades such as räsa-lélä, kuïja-viläsa, his congress in the forest bowers, his ingenuity in pastimes and the sweetness of his cunning behaviour, then by all means hear these honeyed words of Shri Jayadeva, the bard of çåìgära-rasa.” Some devotees derive transcendental bliss from remembering Shri Hari in a general way, whereas others experience spiritual happiness from a specific perusal of his romantic affairs such as the räsa-lélä. Now what kind of poem is this? In response the poet says, “This poem is predominated by çåìgära-rasa and it is exceptionally sweet. Its meaning is readily comprehensible. Every verse is immensely endearing, being imbued with känti, Rädhä-Kṛṣṇa’s attri bute of beauty enhanced by love. As a lover is dear to her beloved, this charming composition is extremely dear to the pure devotees. Love naturally takes expression in song, so Shri Géta-govinda has naturally assumed the format of a musical. It should be sung in a melodious voice.”