Jayadeva
The Bhaviṣya Purāṇa presents Jayadeva as Bhagavān Sūrya himself. Bhagavān Sūrya promised the devas (the shining ones) that he would be born in Vaṅgadeśa (Bengal) as Jayadeva, the poet laureate (kavi-śiromaṇi), to guide the people of Kali Yuga along the path of bhakti (loving devotion).
He was born in a brāhmaṇa house in Bilva-grāma and was a man of great devotion from his earliest years. Through the direct word of Bhagavān Jagannātha, the faithful wife (pativratā) Padmāvatī was given to him in marriage. Jayadeva lived in the forest in meditation and writing. The Purāṇa counts him among the great manifestations of Kali Yuga born from the grace of Bhagavān Sūrya.
Bhagavān Sūrya’s promise
Indra and the devas performed Sūrya-upāsanā (worship of Bhagavān Sūrya). Bhagavān Sūrya was pleased and appeared before them. He said: “O devas! I will be born in Bilva-grāma in Vaṅgadeśa (Bengal) as Jayadeva the niruktakāra (maker of the Nirukta). I will be famous as the poet laureate (kavi-śiromaṇi) Jayadeva. I will guide the people of Kali Yuga along the path of bhakti.”
With this vow, Bhagavān Sūrya came down into the world.
Birth and early life
As he had promised, Bhagavān Sūrya was born in Vaṅgadeśa as the son of a brāhmaṇa named Kanduki. From the age of five the child served his parents with śraddhā (faith), bhakti and love in every act of care. But when he was only five years old, his mother died on the way to Nīlācala (Jagannātha Purī), and he never saw her again. The loss deepened his inner life. He became more absorbed in meditation and more devoted to Bhagavān Jagannātha.
Marriage to Padmāvatī at Bhagavān Jagannātha’s command
At this time a brāhmaṇa named Satyavrata wished to give his daughter in marriage to Bhagavān Jagannātha himself. This is the highest kanyā-dāna (the gift of a daughter in marriage). Bhagavān Jagannātha appeared to Satyavrata and commanded him: “O Satyavrata! Jayadeva is my own mūrti (form). Give your daughter Padmāvatī to him. That is the greatest kanyā-dāna you can make.”
Satyavrata obeyed, and the faithful Padmāvatī was given in marriage to Jayadeva. She received this as a divine command and was completely devoted to her husband. She stayed with him in the forest and served him in every way. She never asked to go back to a comfortable life.
Composition and meditation
In the forest Jayadeva spent long periods in dhyāna and samādhi (deep meditation and absorption). When he came out of these states he composed the Vedāṅga Nirukta, a great work on the language of the Vedas. The Purāṇa says that in Kali Yuga the Nāga-vaṃśīya śūdras had been trying to take over Vedic roles, and that Jayadeva’s Vedic learning stood as a defence against this.
King Dharmapāla’s vision
One day King Dharmapāla came to hunt in the forest. He found Jayadeva and Padmāvatī living there in great simplicity and grace. He was deeply moved and said: “Please tell me what has brought you to this condition.” Jayadeva gave one answer: “Mahārāja, I am living according to my karma.”
Dharmapāla did not turn back. He took them as his guests and housed them in his palace with full honour. There the king himself was granted a darśana (sacred sight) of Bhagavān Viṣṇu eating. Jayadeva had shown him Bhagavān Viṣṇu by the power of his own devotion. The king then became a devoted pupil of Jayadeva and gave him every help for his teaching and writing.
His place in Kali Yuga
In the account of the Pratisarga Parva, Jayadeva is the bhakti-kavi (poet of devotion) of Kali Yuga above all others. His life was shaped by the direct will of Bhagavān Jagannātha, and his compositions arose from states of samādhi. The Purāṇa places him beside Dhanvantari, who came down for healing, and the other great ācāryas, who came down to teach philosophy. They are the essential gifts of Bhagavān Sūrya to Kali Yuga.
Sources
- Bhaviṣya Mahā Purāṇa, Pratisarga Parva, Khaṇḍa 4, Chapter 9