About the Author AMAL SARKAR: was born in Calcutta on January 5, 1939. His father Late Tarapado Sarkar, a freedom-fighter, died very early. Mother Late Nirupama Sarkar, a pious and spirited lady, descended from the great devotee of Goddess Kali, Rani Rasmoni. The author feels proud of some ideal teachers and friends of Rajpur-Harinavi in South 24 Parganas where his father shifted in 1940 from Calcutta after his release from prison. He had his early education at Rajpur Vidyanidhi Middle English School. He did his M.A. in English from the University of Calcutta. He served Harinavi D.V.A.S. H. School from 1963 to 1972 (April). At present he is an asstt. teacher of English in Ramakrishna Mission Boys' Home H. School, Rahara, 24 Parganas (North). He aspires to work hard for national integration and international understanding through his service to Indian/Bengali literature.

Foreword At first it seemed a little presumptuous that I, being a student of science and not knowing much about the development of Bengali literature, should write foreword to a book of English translation of the finest specimens of devotional and lyrical poetry in the early Bengali literature. However, I was attracted by the subject and, at the request of the translator. Sri Amal Sarkar, a teacher of R. K. Mission Boys'Home, Rahara, I dipped into the proof copy of translation to learn something about this sublime poetry. Sri Sarkar has taken upon himself a very difficult literary task to translate into English Jayadeva's Geetagovinda, selected pieces of Baishnava Padavali and Krishnadas Kaviraj's Chaitanyacharitamrita. These are gems of early lyric and devotional poetry which have profoundly influenced not only Bengali but also other Indo-Aryan lyric poetry. The songs of Geetagovinda are written in Sanskrit, but their rhyme, rhythm and diction are those of Laukika poetry. Jayadeva imparted the tenderness and melody of the popular musical lyric into the compactness of Sanskrit poetry. His poem established the theme of love between Radha and Krishna as one of the main subjects of Indo-Aryan lyric poetry for several centuries.

Introduction If there be anything as charming, holy, vibrant and poetic as a flower in Sanskrit, it must be Sri Joydeva's Geetagovindam. Composed before the advent of Sri Chaitanya in the late 15th century, it became by itself, to many a constant fount of joy rare and divine over the centuries. From Sri Chaitanya down to others like Tagore had often delved deep into it to quench their endless thirst for love, beauty, music and divinity. The diction, simple, lucid, and musical was a perfect medium of the tender message it carried; and the message itself was nothing but 'universal love' in the form of selfless devotion to Sri Krishna, God who came down in the shape of a man simply sporting in different spheres of life. He is at times a lover matchless in vigour, yearning and passion when on other occasions He is found chastising the evil spirits malevolent in their desires and deeds with an iron-hand and determination. It's here that His appeal has been universalised. He stands for everything beautiful, loving and tender though He is ruthless to tyrants. So Krishna was as divine as He was human, And people all the world over can easily claim Him as their own, imagine Him in any form they like and love and worship Him with as much devotion as a devout Hindu or a Vaishnava.

Acknowledgement It is sheer grace of the Divine Being that has finally enabled me to complete the toughest of jobs that I ever targetted in the way of my service to Bengali literature. I owe my inspiration to none else than Sri Kartick Chandra Mukherjee, one of my seniormost colleagues, who always extended his ungrudging help to me to tide over the difficulties getting in my way. Sri Sudhindranath Mitra, my friend and colleague, rendered me most valuable service by supplying all reference books badly needed in this case. I am obliged to my friends for their whole hearted support to me in the darkest period on my way to the goal. And, last but not the least, is the kind & sincere co-operation I got from my beloved wife and daughters, without which it would never be possible for me to throw the gauntlet against all types of challenge that tried to unnerve me right from the conception of the idea down to its taking a conerete shape. I 'm afraid, I would fail in my duty if I forget to record my indebtedness to Sri A. Goswami, and Niren Roy, for their whole-hearted sympathy for me in this effort.