Gita Govinda is one of the famous Indian love poem collections written in Sanskrit. The author of Geet Govind was Kavi Jayadeva. He was a poet from Odisha and was involved with the temple of puri. The poems follow the love of Lord Krishna and Radha. Gita govindam meaning depicts the ups and downs of love, described as wonderful and lovely. Attraction is the first step, followed by isolation and reunion. The poem has 12 chapters and 24 short songs called Prabhanthas. Temples, festivals, and kirtans have all adopted songs from the Gita Govinda (communal worship through song).
Jayadeva-Indian Poet
He flourished in the 12th century as a renowned Indian. The author of Geet Govind depicts Gita govindam meaning as the divine love of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. He was the son of a Brahmin, Bhojadeva. He was born in the village of Kenduli Sasan, Odisha, near the city of Puri, and was married to Padmavati. Jayadeva was strongly affiliated with Puri’s Jagannatha (Krishna) shrine, where his Gita Govinda was recited regularly. For generations, Jayadeva has been honoured during an annual event in his birthplace, during which his poem is recited.
Translation of Gita Govinda
The poem of Gita Govinda has been translated into many Indian languages which are modern, and many European languages as well. Friedrick Rukert, a German poet, began a lyrical translation in 1829, which he revised in 1837 with the help of C. Lassen’s corrected Latin and Sanskrit translations. Another manuscript in the Devanagari script depicting Krishna and Radha’s love can be found in Paris in the Guimet Museum. This rectangular work is paper printed with seven lines on each page in Nagari script and a foliation in the margin of the left side on the back. There seem to be 36 folios in total. The current binding, completed in 1991 at the museum, is a remarkably accurate original copy.
Indian art forms are influenced by Geeta Govinda and it can be easily seen. Also, it occurred when there was no centralised authority ruling over much of the country. In truth, India experienced numerous invasions and political conflicts from the eleventh through fifteenth centuries. Despite this, the text travelled widely and penetrated deeply into each region’s cultural fabric, altering life, art, and religion in its wake.
Sir William Jones wrote the first Gita Govinda translation in English language in 1792, and Cenduli in ancient Odisha is alluded to as the widely-believed birthplace of Kavi Jayadeva. The Gita Govinda has been translated into numerous languages worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the best examples of Sanskrit poetry.
Music of Gita Govinda
The author of Geet Govind specifies the exact rhythm and more to sing all songs, making it one of the earliest musical works. Based on some major vintage copies of it along with some of its commentaries like Arthagobinda of Bajuri Dasa of the 17th century, and Dharanidhara’s Tika, Rasikapriya of Rana Kumbha, and Tika of Jagannatha Mishra of 16th century, and Sarvanga Sundari Tika of Narayana Dasa (14th century), these indications have been compiled below according to the ashtapadi number. Except for one or two, most of the ragas and talas mentioned by Jayadeva are still used in the Odissi music tradition.
Commentary on Gita Govinda
Gita Govinda is lyrical poetry composed of twelve chapters divided into twenty-four Prabandhas. The author of Geet Govind was Jayadeva, who lived in the 12th century. The author attempted to merge religious ardour with sexuality in this work. It is associated with medieval Vaishnavism and recounts Radha and Krishna’s love for sports and parting pangs. According to the author, he has demonstrated his command of music and dancing, his dedication to Vishnu, his comprehension of the science of erotica, and so on in this poem.
Conclusion
The Gita Govinda can be read on many different levels simultaneously as a text, which was done on purpose. The language of love, betrayal, and reconciliation is simple to understand, but theological and metaphysical dimensions are always there.
The author of Geet Govind wrote it in the Sanskrit language, but later it was translated into other languages by different authors. The Indian art forms are influenced by Geeta Govinda.
Finally, the deity and devotee are depicted as mutually dependent and loving, with neither complete without the other. Radha’s quest for undivided love is initially rebuffed, but her perseverance and conviction pay off.