Chapter Eleven
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“When Lakñmaëa Sena was the king of Nadia, Jayadeva was one of his subjects in Navadvépa. He built a hut on the bank of Balläl‑dérgika and peacefully lived there with his wife, Padmä. He wrote the Daça‑avatära poem there, which came into the King’s hand. The king read the poem with great relish and inquired who had written it. Govardhana Äcärya told the king the great poet Jayadeva had written it. The king asked where he lived, and Govardhana told him Jayadeva stays in Navadvépa. “Hearing this, the king secretly searched and arrived in the night at Jayadeva’s house. The king entered the cottage dressed as a Vaiñëava and, after offering respects to the poet, seated himself. Jayadeva, however, knew he was the king dressed as a penniless Vaiñëava. The king soon introduced himself and begged the poet to come to his palace. Jayadeva, being very detached from materialism, could not agree to go to the house of a materialist. “He answered the king, ‘ I will give up your kingdom and go elsewhere. Association with materialists is not auspicious. I will cross the Ganges and go to Néläcala, Jagannätha Puré.’ “The king said, ‘ Listen to me, Prabhu, you should never leave Navadvépa. Your words should remain true, but my wish should also be fulfilled. O Prabhu, kindly do what you must in such a way that I may also be favored. Across the Ganges is the enchanting Campahaööa. Stay there for a few years. I will not go there as I please, but I may see your lotus feet only when you desire.’ “Hearing the king’s words, the great poet agreed and immediately replied, ‘ Though you are endowed with so much wealth and such a kingdom, you are a devotee of Kåñëa and not bound to the material world. I called you a materialist to test you, but you have tolerated it. Thus I know that you are a devotee of Kåñëa. Though accepting material things, you remain unattached. I will remain some time in Campahaööa and you can come secretly, giving up your opulent position.’ “The king very happily had his ministers build Jayadeva a cottage in Campahaööa. Jayadeva stayed there for some time and worshiped Kåñëa according to the process of räga‑marga . Padmävaté would bring heaps of campaka flowers, which Jayadeva would offer to Kåñëa.
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