Jayadeva Goswami

The Husband of Rukmini, Krishna, said to Uddhav, "In the Kali Yuga, I wish you to worship me by singing my praise." Therefore, the poet Jayadev composed a poetic work called Gita Govinda. The theme of this poem is derived from the Padma Purana, depicting the divine love of the Lord of the Universe with Radha, and his voluntary plays in Gokul as his Krishna avatar.

The actions of Shri Hari are already enchanting, and Jayadev has beautifully sung them in the form of a poem. It is like setting a diamond in a golden bracelet. He composed a book called Gita Govinda, which was copied by everyone and cherished. People joyfully committed it to memory and sang it in every household. Just as the fragrance of flowers spreads everywhere, this book, the Gita Govinda, became renowned throughout the world.

In Jagannath, there was a King named Satvik who also composed a book similar to Jayadev's. He had copies made and distributed them to people, ordering it to be read by all. When the pandits heard this news, they became very angry. These wise individuals assembled in Jagannath and said to the King, "You have composed a book that pleases only yourself. You have even dared to place it on an equal level with Jayadev's work, which is utter nonsense. Truly wise individuals never praise their own works with their own words. Yet, you are urging everyone to commit your book to memory. When you proclaim, 'Take this knowledge, this divine service, this mantra from a specific guru, this knowledge of Brahma, this garland, and this magnificent diamond,' its value diminishes. Praising your own cleverness and the beauty of your own poetry with your own words is as foolish as praising the musk, sandalwood from Mount Mails, saffron, or the scent gland of a wild cat. If you attempt to fix the value of a daughter or a pearl, a book or a luxurious cloth, black ambergris or the breeze on Mount Malaya, you are truly diminishing their true worth."

The Brahmans continued, "O King, you have composed this book in vain. Your heart is filled with pride, and this is displeasing to God." The king replied, "Bring both books here at once, and we will place them before the idol of Jagannath for the night. Jayadev sang praises of God's goodness, and I did the same. The book that is not accepted by God will be cast out of the temple."

Both books were immediately brought and placed before the idol. The doors were locked, and the priests exited the temple. Early the next morning, all the Brahmans gathered together, and when it was time for the wick waving, the priests also entered the temple. They saw that Jayadeva's superior book was placed near the idol by the Supreme Being. The king's book was treated with contempt and thrown outside the temple. Hands were clapped, and shouts of victory filled the air. The assembled Brahmans rejoiced, and the king was left hanging his head in shame.

The pandits said to the king, "Milk and water have now been separated. How can a book on Vedanta philosophy and an immoral book be considered equal? How can a royal swan and a crow, a learned pandit and an outcast Mang, or tinplate and pure gold be of equal value? How can the babhul tree and the sandalwood tree, the sandalwood from Mount Maila and the fruit hingan, a good man and a bad man be considered equal? How can a saint and a reviler, a deceiver and a pious man, the god Indra and a pauper be evenly matched? Your poem and Jayadev's Gita-Govinda could not be brought to any equality, and yours was therefore thrown out by Jagannath."

When the king heard their words, he was deeply ashamed. He approached the image of Jagannath, joining his hands palm to palm, and said to God, "O Jagannath, I now understand the meaning of the names you bear. Your name is the Purifier of the Sinful, but I realize this is not true if you discard one and favor another. You are alike to every being, pervading everything, O God. Both the devotee and non-devotee live by Your power. The sun shines on every vessel. Just as water is to a cow and a tiger, you, O Lord of the Yadavas, are alike to every being. Just as all space is the same to a locust and an eagle, you, O Lord of the universe, are alike to every living being. A child is the same to its mother, whether ignorant or wise. Therefore, O Purifier of the Fallen, you are alike to all. The moon is the same to both king and despised pauper. Likewise, O Husband of Rukmini, you are alike to everyone. O Jagannath, you inspired Jayadev to utter his poem in the world. So, O Infinite One, tell me, who is the mover of my heart? Understanding this, O Jagannath, you threw my book outside. Therefore, I shall now commit suicide."

Thus spoke the king. God, having heard his heartfelt words, was pleased and took twenty-four verses from the king's book. The Life of the World then transcribed them into Jayadeva's book. By doing so, the King found solace.