Jagannada Dasa, an able exponent of Vaishnavism

November 14, 2004

Hare Krishna,

While pursuing religious exercises, some people may develop a feeling that they are indispensable and even presume that they alone have been privileged to carry them out. With the passage of time, such activities, intended to invoke the grace of the Almighty, may become a routine affair, whether they form part of worship at home or in institutions. These persons, though devoted, may hence forget that like them, there may be many other interested persons awaiting their turn to express their devotional bent of mind to please Krishna. Often, such men will be recalled and allowed to take a breather.

In the matter of acquiring scriptural knowledge, many scholars resort to endless study of texts, giving secondary position to religious duties. Caught between mere ``study'' and compulsory ``duties'' they may even resort to a path of their own. This state of spiritual stagnation may be encountered by even evolved souls and is likely to get appreciation from others but will not yield to the maximum expected gain and reward. A scholar of the 18th century experienced similar dilemma but Lord Krishna intervened and showed him the traditional path and made him a distinguished exponent of the Dwaita philosophy and a religious leader. He was made to realise that at no point of time,

a servant of Krishna should decide what Krishna Himself should do.

To enable this messenger, Sri Jagannada Dasa , to take to the task of propagation, Krishna gave him two trials - an acute stomach ache and a premature termination of his life, both of which he was able to overcome through the guidance of his Acharya, Sri Gopala Dasa, who ``donated'' 40 years of his life to him, which enabled him to pursue his spiritual journey with accentuated vigour. As a ``dasa'' (servant of Krishna ), he went about spreading the divine glory through songs and hymns packed with the qualities of Krishna and philosophy and the succour Krishna gives when devotees cling to Him.

As the one belonging to the ``Dasas'' (divine bards), Jagannada had no expectation except to win the grace of Krishna and be at His service till the call comes. His work ``Harikathamruthasara'' is held as an encyclopaedia on devotion. As an ardent devotee of the Narasimha avatara of Krishna , he shed his mortal coil, leaning on a pillar in 1809. He had composed a number of songs and ``suladis'' and written a

``Prabhanda'' of 600 stanzas. ``I will abandon My abode and be amidst devotees who adore Me through songs and hymns'' which are Krishna's words, were totally applicable in his case.

Please Chant :Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare HareHare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare HareAnd Be Happy.

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