Contents
Gita Govinda -Shri Jayadeva Gosvami
INTRODUCTION
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If your heart yearns to delight in remembrance of Shri Hari; if you are hankering to contemplate upon him with intense affection; if you are over whelmed with curiosity to know about his skill in amorous pastimes; then by all means read this book. You will find my lovely poetry to be extremely relishable. Although it is so emotive and mellifluous, if you are not pos sessed of the aforementioned qualifications then you must not read it. This literature is not for you. Although Shri Jayadeva clearly addresses the issue of eligibility, the unqualified sector of society fails to understand him and goes on reading this poem with enthusiasm for its charming linguistic embellishments. However, impelled by their inability to grasp its real significance, they finally resort to insulting the crest jewel of poets, Shri Jayadeva, as if his composition were something crude. And so they must, for they do not recognize the divinity of Shri Hari. They are not even inclined to approach the precincts of sweet contemplation upon him. They remain confined to their experience of misidentifying themselves with the physical body and considering sensual gratification to be the utmost limit of happiness. What can such slaves to lust ever understand about the affairs of transcendental love described by Shri Jayadeva Gosvämé? The revered Shrila Kṛṣṇadäsa Kaviräja has stated in Shri C Caitanya-caritämåta (Ädi-lélä 4.164–66): |
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