Previous Year Question
Who had composed the “Gita Govinda”?
Dhoyi
Govardhanacharya
Jayadeva
Lakshmana Sol
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Jayadeva.
The Gita Govinda was composed by the 12th-century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva. It is a celebrated lyrical work of Sanskrit literature and is regarded as an important work of medieval Vaishnava devotional literature.
The principal theme of the poem is the love of Radha and Krishna. It describes their union, separation, Radha's resentment and their eventual reunion. Through this, it also expresses the spiritual relationship between the individual soul and the divine along with worldly love.
The Gita Govinda is divided into 12 cantos and contains 24 prabandhas. Many of its songs consist of eight verses and are known as Ashtapadis. The work has had a very close association with music and dance.
Jayadeva was associated with the period of the Sena ruler Lakshmana Sena of Bengal. According to IGNCA, he was among the prominent poets associated with the court of Lakshmana Sena. The Gita Govinda subsequently exercised a major influence on devotional traditions, music, dance and painting in different parts of India.