JAIDEV (JAYADEVA)

JAIDEV (JAYADEVA)

JAIDEV (JAYADEVA), saint and poet, two of whose hymns are incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib, is chiefly known to the literary world as the author of the Gita Govinda, a lyrical poem in which the love of Radha (soul or devotee) for Govinda (the Supreme Being) is described symbolically and mystically. Jaidcv was born at Kindu Bilva which, according to some, is now Kcnduli, in BTrbhum district of West Bengal, on the river Ajay and, according to others, KcnduliSasan, on Prachi river, near Jagannath Purl in Orissa. At the end of Ins poem, he has given his father`s name as Bhojadcva and mother`s as Radhadcvi, deciphered also as Ramadevi, or Vamadcvl.

He is said to have flourished in the reign of Raja Karnarnav (AD 1142-56) and Raja Purusholtam Dev (AD 1170-80), both of Orissa. Several legends about him are recorded in the Bhaktamdl of Chandradatta. In his youth, he led the life of an ascetic and a wandering preacher. The course changed for him as, while in Puri once, a Brahman forced the hand of his daughter on him. It turned out to be a happy marriage. His wife sang with him the devotional songs which were of his own composition. He spent some years at Katham Kandl, now called Jaidcvpur in his memory, where he composed his immortal lyric, the Gita Govinda.

From a devotee of Lord Krsna, he became a devotee of the Supreme Lord. He roamed about the country preaching the gospel of love of God and of man. Raja Lakshman Sen (AD 1175-1200), of Bengal, became his disciple. Jaidev lived long and died in the village where he was born, in happy retirement. There is a samddhi of the saint in the village and an annual fair is held on the first of Magh. Besides the Gita Govinda, two other compositions, the Rasand Rdghava, a drama, and the Chandralok, an essay on tlie grace of style, are also ascribed to him. Jaidev`s hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib, one in Raga Gujari and the other in Raga Maru, are in adoration of Hari, the Supreme Being.

“Duality,” he says, “ended for me as I remembered God who is the fountainhcad of all virtue. Cherish the Divine Name in your heart. By repeating His praise you will break the circuit of birth and death, and you will dread death no more. Your heart and your word and deed should be imbued with the love of One Hari alone.” Bhai Gurdas in his Varan, X. 10, pays tribute to Jaidev`s loving devotion whereby he attained the state when no distinction remains between “the devotee and the infinite.”

References :

1. Gurdit Sirigli, Giant, Itifuis Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Bhagat Ram Bhag). Chandigarh, 1990
2. Sahib Singh, Bhagnt Barn Sank. Anuitsar, 1959-60
3. Taran Singh, ed., Guru Granth Ratnnvati. Patiala, n.d.
4. Pralap Singh, Giani, Bhagut Darshnn. Amritsar, 2001 Bk
5. Keyl, G., tr., SriJayadenn`s Gitngovinda. Bombay, 1947
6. Macauliffe, M.A., The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909

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