Vidyāpati: Bangīya padābali; songs of the love of Rādhā and Krishna

"Vidyāpati: Bangīya Padābali; Songs of the Love of Rādhā and Krishna" is a collection of devotional poetry written in the early 15th century. This work is attributed to Vidyāpati Thākur, who is celebrated as one of the most renowned Vaishnava poets in Hindustān, known for his lyrical expressions of love and spirituality encapsulated in the courtship of Rādhā and Krishna. The collection serves as a vital link in the tradition of Bengali literature, blending folk and cultivated artistry to explore the divine relationship between the lover and the beloved. The opening portion of the collection introduces Vidyāpati as a pivotal figure within the Vaishnava poetic tradition, emphasizing his use of Maithili to express profound themes of love and spirituality. The initial lines hint at the exploration of beauty and desire, presenting a conversation between Krishna and Rādhā that unfolds with rich metaphors and vivid imagery. As Krishna expresses his admiration for Rādhā's beauty, the tone sets a passionate and playful atmosphere filled with longing and affection. The poet also reflects on the tension between spiritual devotion and earthly attraction, suggesting a deep interconnection that permeates the verses, while foreshadowing the intricate emotional landscape that will be elaborated throughout the poems. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Vidyapati, also known by the sobriquet Maithil Kavi Kokil, was a Maithili and Sanskrit polymath-poet-saint, playwright, composer, biographer, philosopher, law-theorist, writer, courtier and royal priest. He was a devotee of Shiva, but also wrote love songs and devotional Vaishnava songs. He had knowledge of, and composed works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha and Maithili.