Padyavali Anthology of Devotional Poetry

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This Padyavali (Anthology of Poetry) was written by devotees expert in the mellows of devotional service. This book contains many beautiful verses, which have been collected for the pleasure of the devotees. It illuminates the darkness of ignorance, and it is an ocean of transcendental bliss.-Sri Rupa Gosvami

The purpose of this book is nicely described in the very first verse: This Padyavali (Anthology of Poetry) was written by devotees expert in the mellows of devotional service. This book contains many beautiful verses, which have been collected for the pleasure of the devotees. It illuminates the darkness of ignorance, and it is an ocean of transcendental bliss. Of course, there are many anthologies of verses written by great devotees, but one notable point is explained in the conclusion of the work: Jayadeva Gosvami, Bilvamangala Thakura, and other famous authors have written many books. Without referring to their verses, the work of other, less-famous authors, has been assembled in this book.

This verses in this anthology have been arranged according to subject so that the various moods of devotional service are illustrated, one after another. Many of these verses were quoted by Krsndasa Kaviraja in his Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Just as one may collect the best of flowers to make a bouquet for one's beloved, this book contains a bouquet of verses that are most fragrant with the mellows of devotional service.

Srila Rupa Gosvami is supremely worshipable for all of us, as explained by Srila Prabhupada:

"We Gaudiya Vaisnavas are known as rupanuga."

"Actually going to Vrndavana involves taking shelter of the six Gosvamis by reading the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Vidagdha-madhava, Lalita-madhava and the other books that they have given. In this way one can understand the transcendental loving affairs between Radha and Krsna.

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said:
"I met Rupt Gosvami at Prayaga, and became very attracted to him because of his exalted qualities." Thereafter, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu praised Rupa Gosvami's use of metaphors and other literary ornaments, and said that without such poetic attributes there is no possibility of preaching transcendental mellows. The Lord then requested all His personal associates of preaching transcendental mellows. The Lord then requested all His personal associated to bless Rupa Gosvami so that he would be able to continuously describe the pastimes of Vrindavana, which are full of emotional love of Godhead.

In a purport of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada wrote: In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (180) Sri Rupa Gosvami is described to be the gopi named Sri Rupa manjari. In the Bhakti-ratnakara there is a list of the books Sri Rupa Gosvami compiled. Of all his books, the following sixteen are very popular among Vaisnavas: (1) Hamsaduta, (2) Uddhava-sandesa, (3) Krsna-janma-tithi-vidhi, (4 and 5) Radha-krsna-ganoddesa-dipika, Brhat (major) and Laghu (minor), (6) Stavamala, (7) Vidagdha-madhava, (8) Lalita-madhava, (9) Dana-keli-kaumudi, (10)Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (this is the most celebrated book by Sri Rupa Gosvami), (11) Ujjvala-nilamani, (12) Akhyata-candrika, (13) Mathura-mahima, (14) Padyavali, (15) Nataka-candrika and (16) Laghu-bhagavatamrta.

The purpose of this book is nicely described in the very first verse: This Padyavali (Anthology of Poetry) was written by devotees expert in the mellows of devotional service. This book contains many beautiful verses, which have been collected for the pleasure of the devotees. It illuminates the darkness of ignorance, and it is an ocean of transcendental bliss. Of course, there are many anthologies of verses written by great devotees, but one notable point is explained in the conclusion of the work: Jayadeva Gosvami, Bilvamangala Thakura, and other famous authors have written many books. Without referring to their verses, the work of other, less-famous authors, has been assembled in this book.

In fact, many of these verses collected by Sri Rupa Gosvami are of unknown origin, and the reason for this is pointed out by Mahanidhi Swami: "It is practically a law among Vaisnava writers like Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Krsnadasa Kaviraja, and Vrndavana dasa Thakura to always keep themselves in the background. They never mention anything about their family lineage or personal history. The authors of the best written and most relishable verses collected in Sri Rupa Gosvami's Padyavali remain unknown."

The verses in this anthology have been arranged according to subject so that the various moods of devotional service are illustrated, one after another. Many of these verses were quoted by Krsndasa Kaviraja in his Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Just as one may collect the best of flowers to make a bouquet for one's beloved, this book contains a bouquet of verses that are most fragrant with the mellows of devotional service and they are presented by Kusakratha Prabhu in English for our pleasure and advancement in Krsna consciousness.