Bhagat Jaidev, saint and poet, two of whose hymns are incorporated in Guru Granth Săhib, is chiefly known to the literary world as the author of the Gita Govinda, a lyrical poem in which the love of Rădhă (soul or devotee) for Govinda (the Supreme Being) is described symbolically and mystically. Jaidev was born at Kindu Bilvă, which, according to some, is now Kenduli, in Birbhüm district of West Bengal, on the river Ajay and, according to others, Kendüli-Sasan, on Prachi river, near Jagannath Puri in Orissă. At the end of his poem, he has given his father’s name as Bhojadeva and mother’s as Rădhădevi, deciphered also as Ramădevi, or Vămadevi. He is said to have flourished in the reign of Raja Karnarnav (CE 1142-56) and Răjă Purshottam Dev (CE 1170-80), both of Orissă. Several legends about him are recorded in the Bhaktamal of Chandradatta. In his youth, he led the life of an ascetic and a wandering preacher. The course changed for him when while in Puri once, a Brăhmin forced the hand of his daughter on him. It turned out to be a happy marriage. His wife sang with him the devotional songs, which were of his own composition. He spent some years at Katham Kancli, now called Jaidevpur in his memory, where he composed his immortal lyric, the Gita Govinda. From devotee of Krishna he became a devotee of the Supreme Lord. He roamed about the country preaching the gospel of love of God and of man. Răjă Lachman Sen (CE 1175-1200), of Bengal, became his disciple. Jaidev lived long and died in the village where he was born, in happy retirement. There is a memorial to the saint in the village and an annual fair is held on the first of Magh.

Besides the Gita Govinda, two other compositions, the Rasană Raghava, a drama, and the Chanthalok, an essay on the grace of style, are also ascribed to him.

Jaidev’s hymns in the Guru Granth Săhib, one in Raga Gujari and the other in Răga Märü, are in adoration of Hari, the Supreme Being. “Duality,” he says, “ended for me as I remembered God who is the fountainhead of all virtue. Cherish the Divine Name in your heart. By repeating His praise you will break the circuit of birth and death, and you will dread death no more. Your heart and your word and deed should be imbued with the love of One Hari alone.” Bhăi Gurdas in his Vŕrań, X. 10, pays tribute to Jaidev’s loving devotion whereby he attained the state when no distinction remains between “the devotee and the infinite.”