Sri Gita Govindam is one of the greatest love songs of Lord Krishna and Radha. This extremely heart rendering poem was written by the greatest devotee of Sri Krishna – Saint Poet Jayadev in the 12th Century. Gita Govindam is divine and sensual as well as the spiritual love between Krishan & Radha.
In this Poem the Nayak- Sri Krishna and the Nayika- Radha experience a series of emotions such as separation, anguish, pain, joy, longing and finally reunion. In the Gita Govindam through Krishna, we see the establishment of the fundamental truth of love and that is “Surrender.” Radha as we see in the Gita Govindam is the Aatma trying to merge with the Paramaatma and takes the audience on a journey of unity with the cosmic energy of Sri Krishna.
It is interesting to note that the entire Gita Govindam is perhaps composed for dance by Sri Jayadeva as he has introduced Raaga and Taala into the verses making it one of the sweetest Gitikavya in Sanskrit Literature. Poet Jayadeva has brought that the Nayika Bheda in the form of Radha showcasing her different moods and emotions that can be seen throughout the entire Gita Govindam for example
. Vasakasajja Nayika- Pasyathi Dishi Dishi (the one who is dressed waiting for her lover and decorates the place of meeting)
. Virahotkanthita Naykia- Nindati Chandana (the one who is distressed by the separation of her lover)
. Svadhinabhartruka Nayika- Kuri Yadu Nandan (One who is loved by her husband and controls him)
.Kalanhantarita Nayika- Priye Charushile (Separated from her lover due to quarrel or jealousy or her own arrogance)
. Khandita Nayika- Yahi Madhava Yahi Keshava (one who is enraged with her lover due to spending the night with another, she is depicted as offended and accuses him for infidelity)
.Vipraladbha Nayika- Yami He Kamiha (One who is abandoned by her lover, she throws away her ornaments since he doesn’t keep his promise of meeting her)
. Proshitabhartruka Nayika – Radikha Krishna (the one whose husband goes away and does not return on the appointed day and she is inconsolable.
. Abhisarika Nayika- Sakhi He Keshi Madhana Mudharam- (the one who leaves her home secretly to meet her lover).
The introduction of the Ashta Nayaikas by Sri Jayadev in the Gita Govindam showcases a myriad of Radha’s emotions and till date Sri Gita Govindam is a favorite theme for classical dancers and musicians.