Devotional Songs of Narsi Mehta

Considered to be the foremost poet-saint of Gujarat, Narsi Mehta's (A.D. 1414-1480) songs (padas) are full of devotion for Lord Krsna. They describe in a most vivid and passionate manner the early life of Krsna, his love-play with the gopis of Gokula and the basic philosophy of early bhakti cult. Narsi Mehta's style is both simple and move, and consequently the impact of his songs can still be felt in the villages of Saurashtra (Gujarat) where they have become part of the folk tradition.

Besides being a poet, devotee and saint, Narsi Mehta's was also a social reformer. Though born as an orthodox Nagar Brahmin, he was one of the strongest critics of the caste system and its evils. His naturally sensitive and loving nature revolted against the treatment of untouchables by his castemen. Narsi knew no caste distinctions; he looked upon all human beings as the children of Hari (Harijana).

A hundred songs, representative of Narsi Mehta's philosophy, social message and the portrayal of love-play between Radha and Krsna (Radha-Krsna lila) are for the first time translated into simple and direct English verse.

About the Author:

Swami Mahadevananda (Roger Timms) was born in England. He gradutated as a fully trained actor from the Central School of Speech and Drama, London. After several years as an actor on the British stage, he came to India to study Indian traditional dance and drama. This led to his interest in Indian philosophy and religion and he later took sannyasa from Rishikesh. Recently he has been running a drama school for children, called KINARA (Kiriyara Nataka Ranga) in Mysore.

Sivapriyananda, who has written the introduction, was born into a royal family of a princely state in Gujarat. He studied Sanskrit and Pali at the Poona University and for the Kavyatirtha of the Bengal Sanskrit Association, Calcutta. He also did his post-graduate studies in archaeology at the London University. At present, he divides his time between writing and farming.

Excerpts from Reviews:

A wonderfully readable book, it leaves a vivid impression of undying love, sublime and cosmic, expressed with the naivete of true goodness.

Here is a rich fare of 100 select devotional songs of the great poet saint Narsi Mehta … The scholarly Introduction of Madhavanandaji gives us an account of the saint's life and his works, and the traditional religious background of the songs … The Publisher is to be complimented on the very fine way the book has been produced.

There is a splendid introduction to the book by Sivapriyananda who gives an excellent and elaborate biographical sketch of Narsi Mehta's life, personal and public, and devotional life … Translations is simply superb, free-flowing and words are highly musical and pleasing.

The explanatory notes are very helpful in explaining the esoteric significance of many of the passages. A book that purifies.

The translation is both faithful and readable. A bibliography and index add to the usefulness of this well-brought out volume.

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