This manuscript page contains a devotional invocation to Radha and Krishna, praising Madhava who shatters the pride of Kamadeva. The text references the Gita Govinda, a famous Sanskrit poem by Jayadeva, and mentions an explanation or commentary on the Ashtapadi verses. It includes honorifics to the king of poets and describes the work as dealing with the divine lilas of Radha and Krishna, the enemy of Madhu.

Gītāmāhātmya

This multilingual manuscript presents a remarkable confluence of Sanskrit and Bengali textual traditions, encompassing devotional poetry, epic narrative, and dharmic discourse. The opening verses invoke Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and reference Jayadeva's *Gītagovinda*, while subsequent passages contain Bengali renderings of Bhagavad-gītā chapters (notably Arjuna's viṣāda-yoga) and śānti-karma rituals from smṛti literature. The text's hybrid nature—combining Sanskrit ślokas with Bengali translations and commentary—reflects the vibrant vernacularization of Sanskrit learning in early modern Bengal, particularly within Vaiṣṇava scholarly circles. The presence of extensive lacunae and uncertain readings suggests this is a damaged or hastily copied manuscript requiring careful textual reconstruction.

Bengali-script opening of the Gītā's first chapter.

GitaJuly 25, 2026

A Bengali Gītā: Scripture in the Vernacular

A Bengali-script manuscript of the Bhagavad Gītā mixed with Nala-Damayantī, hymns, and arithmetic—scripture for the household, not the sanctuary.

From: Gītāmāhātmya Read moreeast