Jayadeva

Jayadeva is one of the most reputed poets who hailed from the village of Kenduli in Orissa. The poet is reputed for his creation of the Gita Govinda, a collection of poems singing the praise of Lord Vishnu. The poet, Jayadeva lived and flourished in the state of Orissa during the latter half of the 12th century during the reign of the Ganga Rulers in Orissa.

Born to a Brahmin family, Jayadeva grew up to be an accomplished student. However, he soon quit his family life to adopt the life of an ascetic. He was dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. The poet was later introduced to the dancer of the temple whom he married. Both Jayadeva and his wife were dedicated devotees of Lord Vishnu.

The Gita Govinda composed by Jayadeva spoke of the love of Lord Krishna. The account of love is reported in a conversational tone. The poem is subdivided into 386 verses which are grouped into 12 cantos. A part of the poem was sung in the temple of Lord Jagannatha in Puri. It is believed that the poems were blessed by the Lord himself who appeared before the poet.

The poems of Jayadeva gained popularity in the whole country. Evidence of this lies in the inscriptions found in a temple in Gujarat which speaks of the poet. Inscriptions in the temple of Lord Jagannatha is also the evidence of the poet's popularity. The songs of the Gita Govinda were sung by the Vaishnavites.