Cherussery Krishnagatha: A Masterpiece of Malayalam Literature and Culture
Cherussery Krishnagatha: A Classic Malayalam Poem on the Life of Krishna
Cherussery Krishnagatha is a Malayalam poem written by Cherussery Namboothiri, a 15th-century poet and scholar. It is considered as one of the earliest and finest examples of Malayalam literature and culture. It narrates the life and deeds of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, in a simple and elegant style.
cherussery krishnagatha in malayalam pdf 47
Cherussery Krishnagatha is available online as a PDF file with 47 pages. You can download and read it for free from the Internet Archive. In this article, we will explore the background, structure, themes, and significance of Cherussery Krishnagatha in Malayalam PDF 47.
The Background of Cherussery Krishnagatha
Cherussery Namboothiri was born in a Brahmin family in Kerala in the 15th century. He was well-versed in Sanskrit and Malayalam languages and literature. He was also a devotee of Lord Krishna and a follower of the Bhakti movement, which emphasized personal devotion and love for God.
Cherussery Namboothiri wrote Krishnagatha as a tribute to Lord Krishna and his divine love for Radha, his consort. He also wrote it as a challenge to the prevailing literary norms and conventions of his time, which favored Sanskrit over Malayalam and elitist over popular forms of expression.
Cherussery Namboothiri composed Krishnagatha in a simple and colloquial form of Malayalam, using words and phrases that were familiar to the common people. He also used various poetic devices, such as alliteration, rhyme, imagery, metaphor, simile, and personification, to enhance the beauty and appeal of his poem.
Cherussery Namboothiri presented Krishnagatha to Udaya Varma, the king of Kolathunadu (a region in northern Kerala), who was impressed by his poetic talent and rewarded him generously. He also gave him the title of "Cherussery", which means "the one who belongs to Cheru", a village near Kannur.
The Structure of Cherussery Krishnagatha
Cherussery Krishnagatha consists of 47 chapters or cantos, each containing 10 to 20 verses or stanzas. The verses are written in a meter called "Keka", which has four lines with eight syllables each. The rhyme scheme is AABB.
The poem begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success, followed by a salutation to Lord Krishna and his various names and attributes. The poem then narrates the life story of Krishna from his birth to his death, covering his childhood exploits, his romance with Radha and other gopis (cowherd girls), his role in the Kurukshetra war, and his final departure from earth.
The poem also includes many episodes and anecdotes from the Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata, and the Harivamsa. Some of these are:
The killing of Kamsa, the tyrant king who tried to kill Krishna several times.
The lifting of Govardhana hill by Krishna to protect his village from Indra's wrath.
The stealing of butter and clothes by Krishna from the gopis.
The rasa lila or the dance of love between Krishna and Radha on the banks of Yamuna river.
The message of Bhagavad Gita or the song of God delivered by Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield.
The death of Krishna by an arrow shot by a hunter who mistook him for a deer.
The Themes of Cherussery Krishnagatha
Cherussery Krishnagatha explores various themes related to the life and philosophy of Krishna, such as love, devotion, duty, justice, and liberation. Some of these themes are:
Love: Cherussery Krishnagatha depicts the divine love between Krishna and Radha as the highest form of love, which transcends all worldly attachments and limitations. It also portrays the love of Krishna for his devotees, who are ready to sacrifice everything for him.
Devotion: Cherussery Krishnagatha emphasizes the importance of devotion or bhakti as the easiest and most effective way to attain God. It shows how Krishna responds to the sincere devotion of his devotees, such as Draupadi, Sudama, and Arjuna, and grants them his grace and protection.
Duty: Cherussery Krishnagatha illustrates the concept of duty or dharma as the moral and ethical code of conduct for human beings. It shows how Krishna teaches Arjuna to perform his duty as a warrior without attachment or fear, and how he himself upholds his duty as a king and a friend.
Justice: Cherussery Krishnagatha reflects the concept of justice or karma as the law of cause and effect that governs the destiny of all beings. It shows how Krishna punishes the evil and rewards the good, and how he establishes justice and righteousness on earth.
Liberation: Cherussery Krishnagatha reveals the concept of liberation or moksha as the ultimate goal of human life. It shows how Krishna guides his devotees to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and how he himself merges with the supreme Brahman at the end of his earthly life.
The Significance of Cherussery Krishnagatha
Cherussery Krishnagatha is a significant work of Malayalam literature and culture for several reasons. Some of them are:
It is one of the earliest and finest examples of Malayalam poetry, which showcases the richness and beauty of the language.
It is one of the first works that popularized the theme of Krishna in Malayalam literature, which influenced many later poets and writers.
It is one of the first works that challenged the dominance of Sanskrit and elitism in Malayalam literature, and promoted a simple and accessible form of expression for the common people.
It is one of the first works that expressed the spirit and values of the Bhakti movement in Malayalam literature, which inspired many devotees and seekers.
It is one of the first works that contributed to the development and enrichment of Malayalam culture and heritage, which reflects the diversity and harmony of Kerala.
Conclusion
Cherussery Krishnagatha is a Malayalam poem written by Cherussery Namboothiri in the 15th century. It narrates the life and deeds of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, in a simple and elegant style. It explores various themes related to the life and philosophy of Krishna, such as love, devotion, duty, justice, and liberation. It is also a significant work of Malayalam literature and culture, which showcases the richness and beauty of the language, popularizes the theme of Krishna, challenges the dominance of Sanskrit and elitism, expresses the spirit and values of the Bhakti movement, and contributes to the development and enrichment of Malayalam culture and heritage.
Cherussery Krishnagatha is available online as a PDF file with 47 pages. You can download and read it for free from the Internet Archive. We hope you enjoyed this article and learned more about Cherussery Krishnagatha in Malayalam PDF 47. b99f773239
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