Gitagovinda Kavyam

The provided text is a scholarly edition of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda, featuring a commentary by King Mananka and edited by Dr. V. M. Kulkarni. The publication is part of the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Series, focusing on Indological studies.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the content, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jayadeva's Gitagovinda with King Mananka's Commentary Author(s): Jayadeva, King Manaka (commentator), V. M. Kulkarni (editor) Publisher: L. D. Indology, Ahmedabad Series: Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Series No. 7

Overall Purpose: This publication aims to present a critical edition of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda, a seminal work in Sanskrit literature, along with its hitherto unpublished commentary by King Mananka. It seeks to provide scholars and readers with a valuable resource for understanding this important text and its historical reception.

Key Sections and Content:

1. Introduction to Gitagovinda:

   • Popularity: The introduction highlights the immense popularity of Gitagovinda, evidenced by over forty commentaries, numerous imitations, citations in anthologies, and translations into various Indian and European languages. It notes the annual festival held in Jayadeva's honor.
   • Jayadeva's Life, Date, and Works: While historical details are scarce, the introduction discusses legends surrounding Jayadeva, portraying him as a saint and miracle-worker. It mentions his likely parentage (Bhojadeva and Ramadevi), his home in Kendubilva (identified with Kenduli in Bengal), and his probable marriage to Padmavati. His association with King Lakshmanasena (1175-1200 AD) and citations in later works (like Sadukti-Karnamrta, 1206 AD) help establish his date. His knowledge of music is inferred from the Ragas and Talas mentioned in the poem.
   • Theme of Gitagovinda: The poem's theme is identified as the love between Govinda (Krishna) and Radha. It details Radha's jealousy-induced separation, the couple's longing, the friend's mediation, their hopes and disappointments, and eventual reconciliation.
   • Jayadeva's Source: The exact source for the Radha-Krishna legend is unknown, with parallelisms noted in the Brahmavaivarta Purana and Srimad Bhagavatam, though direct indebtedness is unproven.
   • Summary of Contents: A detailed canto-by-canto summary outlines the narrative progression of Radha and Krishna's love story, including hymns to Vishnu's incarnations, the description of spring, Radha's pangs of separation, Krishna's remorseful search, and their eventual union.
   • Form of Gitagovinda: The poem is described as highly original, with scholars designating it as a pastoral drama, lyric drama, or lyric-dramatic poem. Its unique form blends narration, description, speech, and songs, defying conventional classification.
   • Origin of Gitagovinda: The unique form, with musical padavalis (songs) and rhyming measures, has led to theories of an Apabhramsa original, though this is refuted by scholars like Keith and Dey, who suggest Apabhramsa influence on the use of rhyme rather than a translation.
   • Mystical Significance: Orthodox pandits often interpret the poem mystically, seeing Radha as the soul and Krishna as God, with the eroticism representing bhakti (devotion). However, modern scholars tend to view it as a straightforward love poem.
   • Style of Gitagovinda: Jayadeva's poetic style receives high praise for its melody, composition, alliteration, emotional expression, elegance, softness, and musicality. It's considered highly lyrical and devotional, effectively blending passion with intricate language. While acknowledged as a masterpiece, some criticisms are mentioned regarding certain poetic flaws and the description of divine amours.
   • Gitagovinda as Lyrical and Devotional Poem: The poem is unparalleled in Sanskrit literature for its lyrical and devotional blend. Jayadeva's devotion to Krishna is evident in hymns and prayers, yet it is "over-saturated with eroticism," brilliantly depicting various phases of love.

2. Critical Apparatus:

   • Mananka's Commentary: The publication marks the first time Mananka's commentary (Tippanika) is being published. It is noted as being for beginners, providing a gist and literal meaning without deep critical appreciation.
   • Manuscripts Used: The commentary's text is based on three manuscripts from the L. D. Institute of Indology and the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, with "P" (L. D. Institute) chosen as the primary basis. Variants are provided in footnotes.
   • Mananka's Date and Identity: Little is known definitively about Mananka, who refers to himself as a king (Mahibhuj). He is cited by Royamukuta (1431 AD). His works include commentaries on Malatimadhava and Yamaka poems. His date is generally placed between the 12th and 14th centuries AD. His use of Kātantra grammar suggests a possible origin in Western India or Bengal.
   • Nature of a Tippanika: The term Tippanika (or Tippani) is explained as a kind of exposition, often meaning a first commentary (Prathama-Vyākhyā), distinct from ṭīkā (which can be a sub-commentary).
   • Mananka as a Commentator: Mananka's aim was modest: to provide an accessible gloss for beginners. He generally explains word-by-word according to anvaya, cites Kātantra grammatical rules, and occasionally provides derivations or synonyms. He does not delve deeply into rhetorical figures, meters, or deeper philosophical meanings.
   • Acknowledgements: The editor expresses gratitude to various scholars and institutions, including Pt. Dalsukh Malvania, for their support.

3. The Text:

   • The main body of the book contains the Gita Govinda text with King Mananka's commentary (Satippanaka). The initial pages show the Sanskrit text with the commentary verse by verse, starting with the first canto, "Samoda-Damodarah."

4. Appendices (Parishishta):

   • Appendix 1: An alphabetical index of Gita Govinda verses, referencing their page numbers.
   • Appendix 2: A list of grammatical sutras and vṛttis from the Kātantra grammar cited in the commentary.
   • Appendix 3: A compilation of Raga, Tala, and Nayika characteristics mentioned in the commentary, with attempted corrections and scholarly notes.
   • Appendix 4: A glossary explaining the etymologies of specific words used in the commentary.
   • Appendix 5: An alphabetical list of authors and works cited by Mananka in his commentary.
   • Appendix 6: A list of quotations from other Sanskrit texts found within the commentary.
   • Errata (Shuddhipatra): A list of corrections for errors found in the printed text.

Significance of this Publication:

• First Publication of Mananka's Commentary: This edition makes accessible a significant but previously unpublished commentary, offering a new perspective on the interpretation of Gita Govinda.
• Scholarly Approach: The critical editing, referencing of manuscripts, and detailed introduction demonstrate a rigorous academic approach to presenting the text.
• Contribution to Indology: As part of the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Series, it contributes to the broader study of Indian culture and literature.
• Linguistic and Literary Analysis: The editor's work provides insights into Jayadeva's poetic artistry, the poem's structure, and the exegetical tradition surrounding it through Mananka's commentary and the appendices.

In essence, this is a vital scholarly edition of a celebrated Sanskrit poem, enriched by a rare commentary, offering deep insights into its literary, cultural, and historical dimensions.