Overview
‘Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa Dāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī Prabhu’ was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.2 issue 10 in 1885. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura gives a brief biography of Kavirāja Gosvāmī and praises him for mercifully composing the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
(translated by Swami B.V. Giri)
Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa Dāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī Prabhu took birth in a vaidya family. His birthplace is within Bardhmān district in the village of Jhāmaṭpura. That is why Jhāmaṭpura is famous as the place of Śrī Kṛṣna Dāsa Kavirāja. Kavirāja Gosvāmī knew all the śāstra. This is beautifully illustrated in Śrī Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Śrī Govinda-līlāmṛta and his Sāraṅga Raṅgadā commentary to Śrī Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta. Some say that the birthplace of Kavirāja was in the village of Kāṅcaḍāpāḍā in Kumārahaṭṭa, i.e. Hālisahara. Their statement cannot be believed at all, because the language of the Caritāmṛta shows that Kavirāja was a native of Rāḍha-deśa. Whatever the case, it is unnecessary to go into detail in this regard.
Kavirāja Gosvāmī was a prominent scholar and great devotee within the Caitanya sampradāya. There is no need for us to provide evidence for this statement. Kavirāja’s books are wonderful proof of that. By the mercy of Kavirāja, one can see how such infinite glories are so captivating. How beautiful is the Śrī Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta that he has composed! Through this, he has shown mercy to those persons who are bereft of any knowledge of śāstra. Otherwise, men who are without any understanding of philosophy or śāstra would not be able to understand the eternal Vaiṣṇava doctrine of Śrī Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and it cannot be said what their destination would be.
Blessed Kavirāja! Both the paṇḍitas and the fools belonging to the Vaiṣnava sampradāya are indebted to you. How many of your qualities am I able to sing with one mouth? The Vaiṣṇava world is always singing your praises. Kavirāja! Upon remembering your perfect words, which atheist would not take shelter of your feet? In the Caritāmṛta, you have said, yebā nāhi jane keha śunite śunite seha (“Whoever does not understand this should continue to hear it again and again) – on the strength of this perfect statement, it is seen that many fools in the Vaiṣṇava sampradāya are becoming supremely qualified to understand the Caritāmṛta. Innumerable prostrations at your feet!
(‘Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa Dāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī Prabhu’ was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.2. Issue 10 in 1885, and translated into English by Swami B.V. Giri)
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