Paṇḍita-rāja Jagannātha

Excellent examples by Paṇḍita-rāja Jagannātha are shown in the Commentary. P.V. Kāṇe, a well-known authority in the field of Sanskrit poetics, says Jagannātha is one of the top three poetical theorists: “In the galaxy of Sanskrit rhetoricians Viśvanātha is a star of the second magnitude only. Beside the brilliance of Ānandavardhana, Mammaṭa and Jagannātha his light appears dim.”^[1]

Nowadays, scholars of Sanskrit poetics swear by Jagannātha. He was a Vaiṣṇava and an exalted genius of poetry. His explanations are sharp. Jagannātha’s Rasa-gaṅgādhara stands out also because he composed all his examples: In this respect, his treatise surpasses Kāvya-prakāśa and Sāhitya-darpaṇa. Jagannātha’s poetry is mature and thoughtful. He was married. In addition, Jagannātha expresses his love for the Ganges and for Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Paṇḍita-rāja Jagannātha was born in the province of Andhra Pradesh (South India). His active career occurred between 1620 and 1660. For the most part, he lived under the patronage of the renowned Mughal emperor Shāh Jahān, who ruled Delhi and ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal, in Agra (Uttar Pradesh, India). Jagannātha tells us that he passed the prime of his life “in the hand of the king of Delhi.”^[2] Paṇḍita-rāja Jagannātha’s poetry is as amazing as the Taj Mahal.