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Srila Jayadev Goswami

by prashant | Feb 6, 2025 | Vaishnav Acharya

Srila Jayadev Goswami appeared in Kendubilva gram in West Bengal’s Birbhum district in the 11th or 12th century. At that time King Laxman Sen’s kingdom was in Navadwip. The village Kendubilva is situated near the Ajay River. He received his deities of Shri Shri Radha Madhav from the river. Srila Jaydev Goswami used to worship it. These deities of Shri Shri Radha Madhav are now present in Kanak Vrindavan near Jaipur. Srila Jayadev Goswami’s father’s name was Bhoj Dev and His mother’s name was Vama Devi.

How did Srila Jayadev Goswami’s marriage take place?

There used to be a Brahmin in Jagannath Puri and that Brahmin was not having any child, so for a long time, many years, he was praying to Lord Jagannath for a child. Lord Jagannath blessed him a lot and then They had a daughter named was Padmavati, and as the daughter grew up, after some time when she became eligible for marriage, then the Brahmin brought his daughter to Lord Jagannath and the Brahmin said that Jagannathji, I have dedicated this daughter to your feet, I want to get her married. So Jagannath ji again came to him in his dream and told him to go to Navadwip, My devotee Jayadev Goswami is there and he always chants the names of Hari, he is a very detached Vaishnav.

And you get them married to him. Then that Brahmin came to Sri Jayadev Goswami with his daughter and Sri Jayadev Goswami understood why he had come. Jayadev Goswami clearly refused saying that he had no interest in marriage.Hearing this, the Brahmin became very sad. Then the Brahmin said, okay if I cannot marry her to you then I will not take my daughter back with me. So the Brahmin left his daughter there and after that his daughter said, Oh Vaishnav Thakur, if you do not accept me, then I will give up my life right here. You are my Lord, my master. I have accepted you from my heart. I cannot accept any other man.

So Jayadev Goswami got very worried. And Sri Jayadev Goswami was forced to marry Padmavati. This is how Sri Jayadev Goswami married Padmavati.

Sri Jayadeva Goswami started writing a book in Champahati at that time, whose name is Gita Govinda. He has written Dashavatara stotram in mangalacharan, in the beginning. We sing one of those hymns every day when we praise Lord Narasimha in the morning.

tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛńgaḿ
dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛńgam
keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare

Govardhan Acharya was a minister in the kingdom of King Laxman Sen. When Govardhan Acharya read this Dashavatara stotra, he was very impressed. He said that I should show this Dashavatara stotra to the king. The king will be very happy after reading it. So Govardhan Acharya took this stotram to him and showed it to him. The king was very happy. He was impressed and asked who had written this.

I want to meet that Vaishnav. Then Govardhan Acharya said that this is Jayadev Goswami who has written this Dashavatara stotra. He does not meet any one, any king, any person with special status. Then the king said, okay, I will go in disguise but I will definitely meet him. He came once in disguise and was very impressed after seeing Sri Jayadeva Goswami. He prostrated himself before him like a humble Vaishnav and bowed his head before him. Jayadev Goswami welcomed him with great respect and honoured him.

From his words it became clear that this is King Lakshman Sen. The King invited him and said that you come and become the poet of our kingdom, become the court poet.Then Jayadeva Goswami said that it is okay if you are forcing me to become your court poet, if I become a poet then I will not stay here in Navadwip. I will go from here to Jagannath Puri, but I cannot come to you. The king thought that he is a very detached Vaishnav. Then he said that there is a very beautiful place in Champahati, there are Champak trees all around, you will like it a lot. You will be able to do your bhajan very well there. So in this way, the king is praying again and again.Then Jayadeva Goswami accepts this proposal and starts living in ChampaHati in Navadwip.

He had started writing Gita Govinda further. So when he was writing Geeta Govinda, he reached the tenth canto. There he was remembering the leela
that Radha Rani is waiting for Krishna, Krishna has delayed. She became very angry and started expressing her pride and Radharani refused to meet him or talk to him. So when Radharani expresses her pride, it becomes very difficult for Krishna to break that pride. Although Krishna is the supreme Lord.

But even though he has to bow before Shrimati Radharani and what did Krishna do to break the maan, he took Radha’s feet and wore it on his head, such a leela was energized. Sri Jayadeva Goswami stopped after writing the first line In which he wrote smara garala khandanam. He wrote only this much, after that he stopped, his hands started shaking and he could not write further.

Sri Jayadeva Goswami said, what am I writing, That is all the powers are manifested in the Almighty Lord Shri Krishna and Radharani is his antaranga shakti, she is his eternal servant. How is it possible that the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna will wear the feet of Radha Rani on his head? Is this possible? He put down the pen and went to take a bath.Then the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna himself arrived at his house assuming the guise of Sri Jayadeva Goswami and went inside the room and completed that line smara garala khandanam mama sirasi mandanam dehi pada pallavam udaram

Padmavati got the opportunity to serve Prasad to Lord Krishna who was in the guise of Sri Jayadev Goswami. He took the prasad and left. After sometime original Sri Jayadev Goswami came back after taking a bath. He
saw Padmavati accepting the prasad. What are you doing? Today I am seeing such a scene Padmavati that you are taking the prasad before me, what is the reason? Is your health fine?

Padmavati said that you have come back so soon, you had just gone. I am not able to understand what is happening. So Jayadev Goswami went inside and he saw Gita govinda. He could see the complete line in it. Jayadev Goswami understood it directly, Madhav, Krishna himself had come here and he has completed this line, this is a miracle. He called Padmavati, see what a miracle has happened, do you know Madhav himself came and completed the line? He certified that what I have written is correct and you are very fortunate. You fed Prasad with your own hands to Madhav.

I did not get this good fortune. So in this way Jayadev Goswami wrote the book Gita Govinda, which is very popular, even today in Jagannath Puri. Jagganathji likes Gita Govind very much and there are many incidents related to it.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also appreciates the Gita Govinda written by Sri Jayadeva Goswami.
Day and night, the Lord would speak as though He were Radha meeting Uddhava. He would also relish the poems of Chandi Das, Jayadeva Goswami and Vidyapati.

(Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.13.41-2)

Sri Jayadeva Gosvami also composed a book named Chandraloka. His disappearance is on Pausha Sankranti.

We pray at the lotus feet of Sri Jayadeva Goswami that we may develop strong faith in the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna and become intensely engaged in the pure devotional service of the Lord.

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”

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Bhismastami

by prashant | Feb 4, 2025 | Festivals

The Life and Legacy of Bhishma: A Tale of Sacrifice and Devotion

Bhishma, one of the most revered characters in the Mahabharata, was born as Devavrata to King Shantanu of the lunar dynasty and the celestial river goddess, Ganga. Devavrata was the human embodiment of Dyo, one of the Ashtavasus, who was cursed to be born as a mortal due to a transgression. The story of his birth is intertwined with divine interventions and past-life connections.

King Shantanu, in his previous life as King Mahabhisheka, was cursed by Brahma to be reborn as a mortal for casting an inappropriate glance at Ganga in Brahma’s celestial assembly. Ganga, too, was cursed but was granted the boon to return to the heavens after giving birth to the Ashtavasus, who would incarnate as her sons.

When Ganga incarnated on Earth, she roamed the forests near the Ganga river, waiting for the destined moment. Around the same time, King Pratipa, Shantanu’s father, was performing austerities near the Ganga. Ganga appeared before him and sat on his right thigh. When she expressed her desire to marry him, Pratipa explained that the right thigh is reserved for a daughter-in-law, thus predicting her future union with his son, Shantanu.

Years later, Shantanu encountered Ganga by the river and was captivated by her divine beauty. She agreed to marry him on the condition that he would never question or oppose her actions. Shantanu agreed, and their union brought the Ashtavasus into the world. However, true to the curse, Ganga drowned each of the first seven children in the river immediately after birth, ensuring their release from the mortal realm. When the eighth child was born, Shantanu could no longer contain himself and stopped her. This act broke their agreement, and Ganga left him, taking the child, Devavrata, with her.

Ganga raised Devavrata in the forest, ensuring he received the best education under the guidance of the sage Vasishtha. The boy grew up mastering various arts, scriptures, and warfare. At the age of thirty-two, Ganga returned Devavrata to Shantanu, fulfilling her promise.

The Name of Bhishma

Devavrata was soon anointed as the crown prince of Hastinapur. However, a new challenge arose when Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, the daughter of a fisherman. Satyavati’s father laid down a condition for their marriage: only her sons would inherit the throne. Shantanu, bound by his duty and love for his firstborn, found himself in a dilemma and withdrew into grief.

Devavrata, learning of his father’s plight, decided to intervene. He visited Satyavati’s father and promised him that Satyavati’s sons would inherit the throne. When the fisherman raised concerns about potential conflicts with Devavrata’s future children, Devavrata made an extraordinary vow of lifelong celibacy to eliminate any possibility of contention.

This solemn pledge, known as the “Bhishma Pratigya,” astounded everyone, including the gods, who showered flowers upon him. It was this unwavering commitment that earned him the name “Bhishma,” meaning one who undertakes a terrible vow.

Shantanu, deeply moved by his son’s sacrifice, bestowed upon him a unique boon: Bhishma would have the power to choose the time of his death, making him invincible until he willingly relinquished his life.

The Legacy of Bhishma

Bhishma’s life was defined by his devotion to duty, loyalty, and selflessness. His celibacy and sacrifice for the greater good exemplify the highest ideals of dharma. As a key figure in the Mahabharata, Bhishma played an integral role in the Kuru dynasty’s saga, guiding successive generations with wisdom and foresight.

His life teaches us the importance of self-sacrifice, adherence to principles, and the courage to make difficult decisions for the greater good. Bhishma remains an eternal symbol of dedication and righteousness, inspiring countless generations to walk the path of dharma.

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