Gīta-govinda TEST

You Will Learn To

Understand the spiritual nature of Gīta-govinda and why its themes of divine love transcend material interpretations
Recognize the qualifications (adhikāra) needed to study Gīta-govinda, as outlined by Jayadeva and emphasized in the introduction
Learn the central teachings on prema, the distinction between divine love and worldly desire, and how they appear in the text, supported by hearing the sung verses
Explore the roles of Rādhā, Kṛṣṇa, and the sakhīs through song to gain insight into why their relationships form the highest expression of spiritual devotion
Identify the poetic, musical, and aesthetic structures Jayadeva uses to convey rasika teachings and devotional moods, experiencing rāga and rhythm directly through the recordings
Understand the progression of separation and union (viraha–milana) as foundational movements in divine love
Learn how Gīta-govinda encapsulates the essence of spiritual scripture, particularly the teachings on bliss and the soul’s longing for the Divine, as expressed in the text and echoed in the melodic settings
Learn the precautions taught by ācāryas regarding rasa-literature
Discover how the role of the intimate companion functions as the gateway to understanding and entering the inner līlā described in the text
Gain insight into how devotional practice ripens into the capacity to perceive subtle emotions revealed through the poetry and melody
Develop sensitivity to bhāva, learning how to approach the text with humility, purity, and contemplative readiness while absorbing the devotional atmosphere carried by each song

Description

This course offers a profound immersion into Gīta-govinda, the classical Sanskrit masterpiece that reveals the intimate spiritual love between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Rather than treating the text as poetry alone, this course presents Gīta-govinda as a contemplative scripture meant to refine devotion, awaken subtle perception, and cultivate the eligibility (adhikāra) required to enter the devotional moods described by Jayadeva. Students are guided into the devotional atmosphere (bhāva) through a sequence of lessons that integrate high-quality, classical recordings and videos of each song, followed by thoughtful prompts that nurture humility, tenderness of heart, and contemplative readiness.

Meter, rhythm, and sound of each song is presented through video and audio recordings in this course, in which renowned Odissi vocalist Sangita Gosain and accompanying musicians perform each of the 24 songs of the Gīta-govinda. Students not only hear the compositions in their traditional melodic expressions but also learn their meanings, contexts, and devotional significance. This musical component allows learners to experience the text as it was intended: sung, felt, and absorbed through the union of poetry, melody, and emotion.

The text begins by establishing the foundational principles for approaching rasa-literature. Students discover how sincerity, quietness of mind, and purity of intention prepare the inner instrument for receiving the subtle emotional teachings encoded in Jayadeva’s verse. Through contextual study of Rādhā, Kṛṣṇa, and the guiding role of the sakhīs, learners gain insight into the spiritual dynamics of divine love.

Throughout the course, the central devotional themes of separation and union reveal how longing refines devotion and prepares the heart for divine presence. Unlike ordinary sorrow, the spiritual ache of viraha deepens aspiration and softens the heart toward grace.

The course combines an appreciation of the poetic, musical, and aesthetic components of Gīta-govinda, enabling students to engage with the text both intellectually and experientially. By the end, learners develop a refined understanding of Gīta-govinda as a living guide to devotional awakening that blossoms through study, listening, visual immersion, and heartfelt contemplation.