The Visnu-stuti and Krsna-karnamrta
By Sushil Kumar De
Summary
In this short miscellany, the author examines two Sanskrit devotional hymns: the Visnu-stuti and the Krsna-karnamrta. The article situates these works within the bhakti movement and describes their poetic features. The Visnu-stuti is presented as a hymn glorifying the omnipresence, compassion and sustaining power of Vishnu, using rich imagery and metaphors drawn from the Vedas and Puranas. The Krsna-karnamrta, attributed to Bilvamangala, is an ecstatic celebration of Krishna’s beauty and love, composed in lyrical Sanskrit that blends sensuality with spirituality. The author highlights the influence of these hymns on later poets and their popularity among devotees. Manuscript traditions and previous commentaries are briefly discussed. Together, the hymns exemplify how Sanskrit literature embraced personal devotion while maintaining high aesthetic standards.
Conclusion
The article concludes that the Visnu-stuti and Krsna-karnamrta illustrate the fusion of artistry and devotion characteristic of Sanskrit bhakti poetry. Their enduring appeal lies in their ability to evoke intimate relationships with the divine while employing sophisticated literary forms.