Sanskrit verse anthology
M. NARASIMHACHARY
PADYAVALI — Anthology Compiled by Rupa Gosvamin: (Text in Devanagiri) English Translation and Notes by Gaurav Raina; Shri Gadadhara Gaurahari Press, Shri Haridas Niwas, Old Kali Deha, Vrindavan-281121. Rs. 350.
Sanskrit literature has a very rich corpus of verse anthologies on a variety of topics. Padyaveni of Venidatta, Sarngadhara Paddhati of Sarngadhara, Subhashitavali of Vallabhadeva and Suktimuktavali of Jalhana, are a few examples. The Mahasubhashita Sangraha of Sternbach (in several volumes) is the last word in this anthology literature.
This Padyavali belongs to this genre of literature. It was compiled by Rupa Gosvamin, a direct disciple of Krishna Chaitanya. The uniqueness of this compilation is that it comprises verses solely related to Lord Krishna. Rupa Gosvamin collected these verses numbering 388 composed by different authors, and arranged them in a logical sequence. Some of the verses are his own.
This anthology has been so structured that it begins with general principles of devotion interspersed by narratives and pastimes of Krishna, culminating in the higher form of the love Radha and the Gopis had for the Lord. The implied significance is that it is a tribute to Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by his close associate; Mahaprabhu was considered as another incarnation of Krishna by his devotees. A verse of the Bhagavata Purana (XI.5.32) is explained by them as unmistakable reference to this great devotee of Krishna.
Features
The present edition provides a dependable English translation and notes for these verses. Gaurav Raina has done a commendable job in providing topical headings also. The introduction, though brief, throws light on the life of Rupa Gosvamin.
A critical scholar would expect an alphabetical index of the verses, which is not provided. Further, the edition would be more useful if the source of the verses is identified, wherever possible. Several well-known verses are not traced to their original.
Critique
Further there are a few errors which are left uncorrected. For instance, the verse on page 13 is the opening verse of the Hanumannataka. Verses of Krishna Chaitanya (from his Sikshastaka) are referred to as those of Bhagavan. In verse “Naamnaam” the word “bahudhaa” is a mistake. It should be “bahutaa”. Verse “He Gopalaka” is from Srikrishna Karnamrita of Lila Suka (alias Bilvamangala).
Verse “Atandrita” is from Srirangaraja Stava of Parasara Bhatta. The reading “Atandrita” is a mistake for Atantrita. Verse “Jnaanavalambakaah” is of Vedanta Desika. Verses “Sandhyaavandana” , “Ramo nama” and “Angulyaakah” are from the Srikrishna Karnamrita of Lila Suka. “Drshtyaa Kesava” and “Tad geham” are quoted by Anandavardhana in his Dhvanyaloka. “Yah kaumaraharah” is quoted by Mammata in his Kavyaprakasa and Viswanatha in his Sahityadarpana.
Towards the end of the anthology Rupa Gosvamin declared that he did not quote any verse from Jayadeva and Bilvamangala (Lila Suka). Then what about the verses which can be traced to Krishna Karnamrita? Such questions can be answered by saying that the text with which we are familiar was perhaps different from the one which was known to Rupa Gosvamin.
On the whole, the present anthology will be found useful by students of Sanskrit literature in general and by devotees of Krishna in particular.
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