3rdFebruary 2013 was a memorable day for all students in Sampradaya Bhajana Vidyalayam. It was this auspicious day that Brahmasri Suryanarayana Bhagavathar, affectionately known as Suri mama, set the prelude to Geeta Govindam or Ashtapathy.
Instead of starting straight away with the first Ashtapathy, mama gave a profoundly researched lecture on the genesis of this maha kaavyam, therefore enlightening the students on the theoretical aspect of the work.
Following this, Suri mama taught the students the Dhyana shlokas in Geeta Govindam, and the first Ashtapathy, along with an outline on the connotation.
Indeed, the students are really fortunate to get their Astapathy classes started by a veteran exponent like Suri mama, who is very particular about rendering Bhajan with Shruti, Bhakti, correct pronunciation and Bhava.
The rest of the classes will be taken by Tripunithura PS Ramachandra Bhagavathar.
A brief synopsys of the lecture demo by Suri mama is given below -
On Jayadeva
The great poet Sri Jayadeva was born to Sri Bhojadeva and Radha Devi in Kindhubilvam, which is now known as Kandhati in West Bengal. Jayadeva’s spouse Padmavathy was a devout wife, a dancer and an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. Her presence and contribution during the creation of the kaavyam is suggested in some instances in the Geeta Govindam.
The biographic details of Jayadeva is also revealed in the song `Padmavathy Ramanam’commonly rendered in Purvikalyani ragam. History indicates that he was born in the second half of the 12th century, and was one of the five poets (known as Pancha Ratna Kavis) in the court of King Lakshmana Sena.
Importance of Geeta Govindam
Though sanctified as Geeta Govindam (meaning song on Govindam), it is commonly known as Ashtapathy for the reason that the songs have 8 stanzas each (though bearing a few exceptions). Ashtapadi 1 has 11 stanzas and Ashtapadi 10 has 5 stanzas making out the average as 8 again.
Just like the success of a book can be deciphered by the publishing history details, the number of similar ashtapathis that have emerged in the recent times on Shiva, Rama etc can help one understand the popularity of Geeta Govindam. Moreover this seems to be the most ardently commented Kavya. It is understood that in Sanskrit alone, there are about 85 Vyakhyanas to Geetha govindam.
Though originating from the Orissa region, the Ashtapathy has been included in diverse forms in other forms or music and dance, like the Sopana Sangeetham in Kerala and kathak adaptations. Even in Siva temples of Kerala, Geetha Govindam is rendered during the puja time. It also occupies a supreme position in Sampradhaya Bhajana, the very reason why such a session was included in the academy!
The plot
On a surfacial level, Ashtapathy may be interpreted as a romantic tale of love, separation, and union between Radha and Krishna. The sakhi of Radha also plays an important role in uniting the duo. Comprising of 24 songs in 12 cantos, Geeta Govindam is mostly a conversation between the sakhi, Krishna, Radha, or monologues.
The work is extremely rich in its literature value, with beautiful rhymes, similes and metaphors in chaste Sanskrit. For the mundane ears, the stanzas may also sound rich in erotic content. But Suri mama explained that one will be able to relish Geeta Govindam in the full spirit only if we realize that the love epic is nothing but the union of the Jeevatma into the Paramatma (Krishna), aided by the Sakhi (Guru), and thus, is the only permanent Shringara bhava that can ever exist. Sur mama draws out simili between Ashtapadi and a sweet coated medicine. You sometimes make children take sour medicine by enticing them with sugar or jiggery. The erotic sringara bhavam has only the role of the outer sweet coating. We will be benefited only if we enjoy the hard core inner meaning.
