Gems of Gita Bhusana: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

It is a long-standing tradition in Sanskrit literature that an author opens his work with a mangalacarana, a verse or verses written for the purpose of invoking auspiciousness at the beginning of such an undertaking. While these verses most often consists of glorification of the author's ista­deva and/or guru, Krinadasa Kaviraja writes in his Caitanya-caritimwta (adi 1.22) that one of the functions of a mangalacarana is vastu-nirdesa, specify­ing the contents. Thus, in a tradition that dates back at least as far as Sridhara's commentary on Bhagavata-purana, authors of commentaries would often open each chapter, and sometimes close each chapter as well, with an original verse, outlining the subject matter of the chapter. The Gaudiya-vaishnaava acharya, Baladeva Vidyabhusana (ca eighteenth Century'), though known primarily as a Wdantic philosopher, was also a talented poet, and followed this trend, at least in his commentaries on Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta-sutras In preparing to give an overview seminar on the Gatti based on Baladeva's commentary, 1 translated the verses with which he opens and closes each chapter. Those verses are presented here, alongside a preliminary analysis of some of the salient features of his commentary.