Question

Who is the author of Gita Govinda?
a. Kautilya
b. Kabir
c. Jayadeva
d. Ramdeva

Answer 1

Hint: Gita Govinda is a lyrical poem. It describes the relationship between Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Lord Krishna is described as a male cowherd while Radha is described as a female one.

Complete Step by Step Answer: the Gita Govinda is divided into twelve chapters. Each chapter is further divided into twenty-four divisions in which there are couplets of eight lines each.
The poem describes a religious drama of the worshiper’s yearning for God. This is explained through acts of human courtship and love. It also elaborates eight moods of the Heroine i.e. Radha which is known as Ashta Nayika. This has been an inspiration for many compositions and Indian classical dance choreographies.
The poem was written by Jayadeva who was a twelfth century poet. It was written in Sanskrit. Jayadeva was a Hindu mendicant who has high regards for his poetic genius in eastern India.
Now, let’s look at the options given.
Option a- Kautilya was an Indian teacher, philosopher, economist and a royal advisor too. He is also known as Chanakya. He has written the great Arthashastra which describes statecraft, political and military strategies. So, it is an incorrect answer.
Option b- Kabir was an ancient Indian mystic poet of the fifteenth century. His works have inspired the Bhakti Movement of Hinduism. Gita Govinda had been written in the twelfth century and hence this is a wrong answer.
Option c- Jayadeva was a Sanskrit poet who was attached to the Bengali court of King Lakshmana Sena. The poem which he had written, Gita Govinda was an important influence in Hinduism's Bhakti Movement. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Option d- Ramdeva is a Indian yoga guru who is famous for his work in Ayurveda. He has founded Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. along with his colleague Balkrishna. This is a wrong answer.
Therefore, option ‘c’ is correct.

Note: The verses of Gita Govinda were popular with the 14th-15th century Bengali saint named Chaitnaya. They are sung even today at various bhajans and kirtans gatherings throughout India. The poem has also inspired many beautiful miniature paintings at the Rajasthani and Pahari schools during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.