Odia Books

Jagannath Narayana Deva was born in the first half of the 18th century in the royal family of Paralakhemundi, a small state in the district of Ganjam. His full name was Gajapati Jagannath Narayana Deva. He was the king of Paralakhemundi and reigned for forty years. The family chronicle of Paralakhemundi dynasty in palm leaf manuscript, preserved in the palace, supplies many authentic informations about Narayana Deva. He was a great warrior, a benevolent ruler, a learned scholar, a master musician and a talented poet.

He became a true Vaishnava devotee in later life. He fought many battles and defeated many kings such as those of Vijaynagaram and Kujanja. In spite of all these wars and conflicts, he found time to contribute to the Odia and Sanskrit literatures. In 1767, on his return from a pilgrimage to Vrindavan, he composed Vrindavana vihara (amorous sports in Vrindavan) in Odia. It was his master piece. Before this, he had written in Sanskrit three books, viz., Sangita narayana, Sang ita kaumudi and Alankara chandrika.

Sangita Narayana
Sangita Kaumudi
Alankara Chandrika
Vrindavana Vihara