Surdas Jayanti 2023: He was a member of the Bhakti Movement, which he enriched with his melodies and writings. He was an accomplished poet and musician. Surdas’ birthday is observed as Surdas Jayanti on Vaishakha Panchami, according to the Vaishnav calendar.
Surdas was the one who elevated the primitive Braj Bhasha dialect to a permanent position among the literary tongues. Born in 1479 to a poor Brahmin family in Haryana near Delhi, he spent his entire existence in Braj Bhoomi. (Mathura- Vrindavan)
Date & Time
Surdas Jayanti is observed on April 25 in 2023 to commemorate the birthday of this blind poet/singer and devotee of Krishna. The Panchami tithi begins on 24 April 2023 at 8:25 a.m. and ends on 25 April 2023 at 9:40 a.m.
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History
Sur refers to Swar or music. Surdas means “one who is enslaved by melodies or swaras.” He was a devoted devotee who experienced the Vatsalya bhava of Krishna devotion. This meant that he viewed Krishna as a small cherubic infant and showered his love on this form as a mother would a child. This devotional practice is known as Vatsalya bhava, which is one of the nine bhakti bhavas in the spiritual world. He primarily composed in Brah Bhasha, the native tongue of Brindavan.
The sheer neglect and ill-treatment by his family because he was born blind and therefore a liability induced in him the desire to abandon his home and parents, and he set out in quest of Lord Krishna one day.
His songs described various phases of Krishna’s life, including his Leelas and early exploits. People in the worlds of art and music hold Surdas in high regard and honour his birthday with great pomp because his contributions to Hindu devotional music and poetry were unparalleled.
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Surdas Jayanti 2023: Significance
He is best known for his work Sur Sagar, in which he depicts Radha and Krishna as divine lovers and the yearning of the Gopis. He was greatly influenced by Vallabhacharya, whose footsteps he closely followed, and his poetry was influenced by Vallabha Acharya’s teachings. Jayanti was the leader of the eight poets in their teacher Vallabhacharya’s ashram.
Hence, the ashtachhapa kavis of the Vallabha Sampradaya received its name. The Vallabha Sampradaya believes in a personal God and the need to earn the Lord’s favour through the endeavour. He uses the Gopis as an example of this form of Bhakti, in which they viewed Krishna as their entire world. Actually, this is known as Madhurya bhakti bhav. Gopis devoted their entire existence to Krishna and left their homes to watch him play the flute. The utmost level of devotion is Madhurya bhakti bhav.
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Surdas Jayanti 2023: Celebration
Surdas Jayanti is primarily celebrated in northern India, particularly in Vrindavan and Braj. On this day, his devotees venerate Krishna and observe an all-day fast. The musicians perform his bhajans and kirtans and recite his manuscripts. Surdas Jayanti is observed with grandeur and circumstance in Vrindavan and Braj. This day features concerts, poetry competitions, and musical evenings. On this day each year, Braj and Vrindavan are filled with joy and colour. This day has the tradition of nourishing Brahmins.