Why Is Gita Govinda Sung Daily in Jagannath Temple? The Legacy of Jayadeva Goswami

What kind of love makes Lord Krishna forget his greatness and bow in devotion? Enter the soulful world of Jayadeva Goswami and Gita Govinda.

In the sacred history of Sanatan Dharma, some saints do not teach through speeches or debates. They teach through love, surrender, and lived devotion. Sri Jayadeva Goswami was one such rare saint. He was a great Sanskrit poet, a pure Vaishnava devotee, and above all, a servant of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. His life and his divine book Gita Govinda show us that God is not pleased by fear or pride, but by pure love of the heart.

Jayadeva Goswami’s poetry did not just describe God; it touched God Himself.

Who Was Jayadeva Goswami

Jayadeva Goswami lived during the 11th–12th century, nearly three hundred years before the appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He belonged to eastern India, a region deeply influenced by Vaishnava devotion and the worship of Lord Jagannatha of Puri. Jayadeva Goswami made his appearance at Kendu-Bilvagram in the Birbhum district. His father’s name was Bhojadeva, and his mother was Bama Devi. From a young age, Jayadeva showed extraordinary intelligence and a deep attraction toward spiritual life.

Due to his extensive knowledge and profound understanding of the scriptures, Sri Jayadeva Goswami became the chief pandita in the court of King Sri Lakshmana Sena of Bengal. He lived a life filled with honor, comfort, and royal respect. Yet, despite his high position and material facilities, Jayadeva’s heart remained untouched by pride or ambition. His only desire was to serve Lord Krishna with pure and selfless devotion. Even while surrounded by royal luxury, his mind stayed firmly fixed on the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, showing that true devotion does not depend on external conditions, but on inner surrender.

Jayadeva Goswami and His Wife Padmavati

Jayadeva Goswami’s wife, Padmavati, was not only his life partner but also his spiritual companion. She was a skilled dancer and a devoted Vaishnavi. Together, they worshipped Radha and Krishna with deep love and discipline.

Their home was not a place of luxury. It was a place of bhakti. Music, poetry, dance, and prayer were all offered to Krishna as seva. Padmavati supported Jayadeva’s spiritual life fully and served guests and saints with humility.

Later, Jayadeva and Padmavati gave up royal life and chose to live in a simple grass hut at Champahatti near Navadwipa. This decision showed that true happiness comes from devotion, not wealth.

Jayadeva Goswami’s Deep Devotion to Lord Krishna

Jayadeva Goswami did not worship Krishna as a distant God. He worshipped Him as the Supreme Beloved, full of beauty, mercy, and affection. His devotion was soft, emotional, and full of surrender.

He believed that Krishna is controlled only by prema (pure love). This love is free from ego, desire, and selfishness. Jayadeva’s heart melted while remembering the loving pastimes of Radha and Krishna, and those emotions flowed naturally into his poetry.

What Is Gita Govinda

The Gita Govinda is the most famous and sacred work of Jayadeva Goswami. It is a Sanskrit poetic book that describes the divine love between Shrimati Radharani and Lord Krishna.

The book has:

• 12 chapters

• 24 sections called Prabandhas

• Special verses called Ashtapadis, which are sung and danced even today

But Gita Govinda is not an ordinary love story. It describes spiritual love, where there is no lust, no body consciousness, and no selfish desire. It shows how Radha’s love is so pure that even Krishna bows before it.

That is why the Gita Govinda is sung daily in the Jagannatha Temple in Puri, a rare honor given only to the most sacred texts.

The Divine Moment When Krishna Wrote Gita Govinda

While writing Gita Govinda, Jayadeva came to a verse where Krishna bows down to touch Radharani’s lotus feet. This thought made him stop.

He became afraid and thought,

 “Krishna is the Supreme Lord. How can I write something where He bows down?”

Feeling confused and humble, Jayadeva went to bathe in the River Ganga, leaving the book unfinished. During his absence, Lord Krishna Himself appeared, disguised as Jayadeva. He entered the hut, completed the verse, and wrote:

“dehi pada pallavam udaram”

“O beloved Radha, kindly place Your soft lotus feet upon My head.”

Krishna then accepted Maha-Prasadam from Padmavati and disappeared.

When Jayadeva returned and saw the completed verse, he understood everything. He cried with joy and said that Krishna Himself had written the line. This shows that Krishna is happy to become small in front of pure love.

The Gita Govinda teaches a deep truth of Sanatan Dharma: God is conquered by love, not power.

Radharani represents pure devotion, and Krishna represents the Supreme Truth. When devotion is pure, even the Supreme Lord becomes a servant of that love. This is why great saints have always respected Gita Govinda but also warned readers to approach it with purity and humility.

Warnings Given by Great Vaishnava Saints

Saints like Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada clearly warned that Gita Govinda should not be read casually.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura said:

“Ordinary readers cannot understand the conjugal mellows of the Supreme Lord.”

Srila Prabhupada said:

“If hearing Radha-Krishna pastimes increases lust, one is not fit to hear them.”

This means Gita Govinda is medicine for the soul, not enjoyment for the senses.

Influence of Jayadeva Goswami on Indian Culture

Jayadeva Goswami’s influence is still alive today:

• His Ashtapadis are the heart of Odissi dance

• His poetry is sung in temples and festivals

• His work deeply influenced Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who often sang Gita Govinda in divine ecstasy

Jayadeva Goswami’s Disappearance Day

Sri Jayadeva Goswami’s disappearance day will be observed on 8th January 2026, on the holy occasion of Pausha Sankranti. In the Vaishnava tradition, a saint’s disappearance day is not considered death. It is understood as the moment when a pure devotee completes his service in this world and returns to Lord Krishna’s eternal pastimes.

This sacred day holds special importance at Kendubilva Gram, the birthplace of Jayadeva Goswami. Every year, a grand spiritual gathering known as the Jayadeva Mela is organized here. Devotees, saints, scholars, and artists come together to remember Jayadeva Goswami’s life, sing verses from Gita Govinda, and glorify his unmatched devotion to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. The atmosphere becomes filled with kirtan, poetry, and deep remembrance of divine love.

Conclusion: The Eternal Glory of Jayadeva Goswami

Jayadeva Goswami’s life carries a timeless message for all seekers of truth. He teaches us that God is not won by sharp intelligence, scholarship, or outer show of religion. The Supreme Lord is moved only by a soft heart, deep humility, and complete surrender.

Through Gita Govinda, Jayadeva Goswami revealed the highest truth of Sanatan Dharma—that pure love rules over God Himself. In this divine book, Krishna bows before the love of Shrimati Radharani, showing the world that bhakti is above power, status, and even divinity itself.

The Gita Govinda is not merely a literary masterpiece. It is a living scripture of divine love, sung daily in the temple of Lord Jagannatha, cherished by saints, and protected by strict spiritual discipline. It stands as proof that when devotion is pure, God Himself becomes the servant of His devotee’s love.

Jayadeva Goswami’s life is a shining lamp on the path of bhakti. His words still melt hearts, his devotion still humbles the proud, and his Gita Govinda continues to guide sincere souls toward pure, selfless love of Krishna.

May we remember him not only on his disappearance day, but in every step of our spiritual journey, as the saint who showed the world that love is the highest form of worship, and surrender is the greatest victory.