Odia Books

Born: 1729
Died: 1813

was an eminent Vaishnava poet. Born in a Karan family, his original name was Bairagicharan Pattanayak. He became famous as Bhaktacharan after initiation to
Vaishnava cult in the lineage of Rupa Gosvami. He was well versed in Sanskrit devotional literature and philosophy, travelled to all the sacred places of India on foot, established many ‘maths’ in Odisha. His Mathura Mangala (Bliss of Mathura) and Manah Siksha (lesson to the mind) are read and appreciated as his best Kavyas.

Mathura Mangala narrates the departure of Krishna to Mathura, the wailing of the gopis (cowherd maidens) in his separation, Uddhaba’s arrival as messanger and consolation to gopis by explaining Vedantic philosophy (jnana), in response the gopi’s discarding jnana and placing Bhakti (loving devotion) above all other paths of liberation. Actually the poet-devotee establishes the superiority of devotion to jnana. In Manah Siksha the poet lays down all principles and day to day practices to be followed by an aspirant of Raganuga Sadhana (practice of erotic love to Krishna).
Other popular compositions are Gopa Mangal (Bliss of Gopa), Manabodha Chautisa and Kalakalevara Chautisa. These are so popular that till now, they are read in every house in a Odisha village.

• Mathura Mangala