Kumbhandas

Kumbhandas was a famous poet and holy man in Medieval India (15th–16th century). He was an important leader of the Bhakti movement. This movement taught that loving God deeply is the best way to reach spiritual goals. It was more important than just having knowledge or punishing the body.

He was the first student of the Vaishnava philosophy called Pushtimarg (the "Path of Grace"). The guru Vallabhacharya started this path. Kumbhandas is the oldest member of the Ashtachhap. This was a group of eight famous poets known for their devotion. He was the first appointed Kirtaniya (religious singer) at the Shrinathji Temple on Govardhan Hill. He spent his life writing songs (padas) and serving the deity Shrinathji. He was known for not caring about money or worldly things.

 Life and initiation 
History books do not agree on exactly when Kumbhandas lived. Some sources, like the Oxford Reference, say he lived from about 1472 to 1586. Other religious sources say he was born in 1499.

Kumbhandas was born into a Kshatriya family. His village was Jamunavato (or Jamunavati) near Govardhan Hill. He worked as a farmer. He was very poor, but he was happy with his life. He farmed land near a place called Parasoli Chandra Sarovar.

His spiritual life changed when the guru Vallabhacharya visited the area. The deity Shrinathji spoke to Vallabhacharya in Jharkhand. Shrinathji is a form of Krishna, also known as Devdaman. The deity told Vallabhacharya to go to Govardhan Hill and start a service of worship there. Vallabhacharya went to the hill and revealed the form of Shrinathji. Kumbhandas and his wife heard about this great teacher. They went to see him (darshan). They loved his holy personality and asked to be his students. Vallabhacharya gave them a special initiation called Brahmasambandha. He taught Kumbhandas a sacred prayer called the Ashtakshar Mantra.

 Poet of the Ashtachhap and pioneer of Haveli Sangeet 
Kumbhandas was very important in the Pushtimarg group of poets called the Ashtachhap ("Eight Seals"). Vallabhacharya made him the first chief singer at the Shrinathji Temple.

Because of him, a special style of music started. This style is called Haveli Sangeet. The main idea of Haveli Sangeet is that the temple is God's "palace" or "mansion" (haveli). Devotees worship Shrinathji as if he is a living prince of the Braj region.

 Compositions in Braj Bhasha 
Kumbhandas wrote all his songs in the Braj Bhasha language. This was the main language used for writing about Krishna in medieval North India.

He wrote songs for different times of the day. He used specific moods (bhavas) and musical styles (ragas). For example, he wrote songs for:
 Gocharan (when cows go out to eat grass)
 Rajbhog (the afternoon meal offering)
 Shayan (when the deity goes to sleep)

People sing these songs every day at Nathdwara and other Pushtimarg temples. His songs mostly show two types of love. One is Vatsalya Rasa (loving God like a parent loves a child). The other is Madhurya Rasa (loving God like a partner).

 References 

Category:Indian Hindu saints
Category:Indian religious leaders