Multiple Gitas
Songs of Krishna
There are numerous Gitas in Odia. Poets and saints from the 15th till the 19th century composed some 40–50 Gitas on varied topics. We’ll be covering some important Gitas of this huge literature.
The first is a direct translation of the Sanskrit Bhagvad Gita by Matta ‘Mad’ Balarama Dasa. Not much to talk about.
Another is the Gupta Gita, which elaborates on ‘concealed’ mystic ideas. It is written by the same poet, Balarama Dasa. An interesting part of Balarama’s Gupta Gita is where he maps various parts of the human body to various shrines in Odisha.
Yet another Gita written by Balarama is the Bedanta Sara Gupta Gita, which is more of a personal account of the poet. When Balarama, being a Shudra, dares to write religious works, the Pundits challenge him to prove his knowledge. In an impossible bet, Balarama is hailed as the true seer when a previously dumb fool speaks out philosophy when Balarama waves his hand over him.
Jagannatha Dasa’s Darubrahma Gita speaks of Puri and its sanctity.
Jasobanta Dasa of the Panchasakha wrote the Premabhakti Brahma Gita, which is a treatise on loving a personal god.
As I said, there are about 40–50 Gitas in Odia, perhaps even more. Many people, many points of view.
To each his own song of God.
