Margazhi Blogotsavam: Day 4: Guru Veda Vyasa's incarnation: Sant Jayadeva

Bhojadeva and Bhama Devi were a pious couple living in the village of Tundubilva (also called Kendubilva as per some sources) near Puri in Odisha. Their son Jayadeva had a great liking for reading the Bhagavat Puran and he developed a deep devotion to Krishna from a very young age.

Once, feeling restless, Jayadeva went away to the forest. He walked alone, lost in ecstasy, as he sang of the glories of his Radha-Krishna. 

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

A few weeks later, still chanting “Bhaja Radhe Govindam,” Jayadeva returned to his village, only to learn that his parents had passed away. One Niranjan Babu, to whom Bhojadeva had owed some money, came and asked Jayadeva to repay the loan, lying about the amount. 

Suddenly, Niranjan Babu’s daughter came running there, saying their house was on fire! Jayadeva rushed with them, and still chanting Krishna’s name, he entered the burning house. What a miracle! The fire died down, and nothing inside was burned!

Once, Jayadeva set out to worship Lord Jagannatha at Puri. Walking in the heat, he swooned but soon woke up to find his head cradled on the lap of a young cowherd, who fed him some cool curds. Both of them proceeded to the Puri temple, and forgetting the cowherd, Jayadeva rushed inside to see his Lord.

Lo and behold! The form of Lord Jagannatha transformed into that of the cowherd who had nursed Jayadeva!

Image courtesy: Amar Chitra Katha

In Puri, a man offered Jayadeva his daughter Padmavati in marriage, saying he had been directed to do so by Lord Jagannatha Himself. Jayadeva married her and returned to his village to set up home. He composed a Sanskrit poem telling of Radha’s immortal love of Krishna. This poem, the Gita Govinda, spread far and wide and was on all people’s lips.

King Satvik had also composed poems about Krishna called Gita Govinda and he was angry that it was being ignored. He passed an order that only his composition should be recited, but all people resisted it. Finally, it was decided to let Lord Jagannatha Himself choose.

Both versions of Gita Govinda were placed at the Lord’s feet and the temple doors were locked. The next morning, Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda was still there, while the King’s had been flung outside the temple doors! 

Once Jayadeva’s rich devotee pressed on him a gift of gold coins. Bowing to the man’s wishes, Jayadeva took it and began walking back home. Two dacoits, masquerading as travelers joined him; at night, they cut off Jayadeva’s hands, threw him into a dry well, and ran away with the gold. Unperturbed, Jayadeva continued to sing the Lord’s name.

King Lakshmana Sena who was passing that way rescued Jayadeva, who refused to blame anyone for the mishap, simply saying, “It was God’s will and it happened that way!”

The King’s physician healed Jayadeva’s wounds. Jayadeva began giving discourses every day and encouraged the King to take good care of his people, especially the saints. Hearing of the king’s generosity, the same 2 dacoits came there in the guise of sadhus. On seeing Jayadeva, they were shocked and turned away, but Jayadeva called them back, and requested the King to honor them with gold, and have guards escort them back to their village.

The guards asked the disguised dacoits about how Jayadeva knew them. The dacoits lied, saying Jayadeva was a thief in another kingdom, sentenced to death, but they had helped him escape and only cut off his arms to show the king. They further claimed the gold coins were a bribe given by Jayadeva to keep their mouths shut.

No sooner did they utter these words, than the earth trembled violently, and opened up, devouring the 2 dacoits. The guards rushed to King Lakshmana Sena and narrated the events. The very next moment, Jayadeva’s hands were restored!

A few days later, to test Padmavati’s devotion to Jayadeva, the queen sent word to her saying Jayadeva is dead. Hearing this, Padmavati collapsed and died. Aghast, the queen fell at Jayadeva’s feet, begging forgiveness. Jayadeva recited the Gita Govinda, and Padmavati came back to life.

Can we try to develop devotion like Jayadeva?

Like him, can we learn to accept even unpleasant situations as the will of Krishna?

Can we give up our craving for more and more wealth and worldly possessions?

Can we give up the desire for revenge against those who wrong us?
References

http://www.repository.govardhanacademy.com/sites/default/files/Jayadeva%20-%20ACK%20comic.pdf

https://www.rarebooksocietyofindia.org/book_archive/196174216674_10154093983546675.pdf