Devotion to the Holy Name in the Works of Purandaradasa

Abstract

This paper explores the theological and aesthetic significance of name devotion (nāma-japa) in the compositions of Purandaradāsa (15th–16th century), a seminal figure in the Haridāsa movement and a key proponent of Madhvācārya’s Dvaita Vaiṣṇavism in South India. Jackson situates Purandaradāsa within the broader bhakti milieu, emphasizing that for the Haridāsas, bhakti is an unceasing current of divine love that culminates in the experiential realization of the soul’s innate joy. This devotional path is portrayed as a process of self-transcendence, wherein concentrated absorption in the divine facilitates both ego-effacement and heightened spiritual awareness.

A central focus of the paper is Purandaradāsa’s poetic and musical innovation. Through vivid metaphors and analogies—such as the "bhang-smoking Bairāgi," the "diamond necklace" of avatars, the "sugar-candy" sweetness of the Name, and the "Rāma-nāma rice pudding"—Purandaradāsa conveys the charm and transformative potency of the Holy Name. He also critiques its neglect and misuse, underscoring the Name’s intrinsic purity and the redemptive benefits of sincere recitation, including liberation from slander, sin, and karmic bondage.

Jackson further examines the physiological and psychological resonance of nāma-japa within musical bhakti. He argues that the rhythmic repetition of divine names aligns with the body’s inner pulses and calms mental fluctuations, enabling the Name to emerge as a reified sacred presence—more real and enduring than ephemeral worldly phenomena. In doing so, Purandaradāsa's accessible and melodious compositions facilitate a direct encounter with the sacred, offering listeners a pathway to transcend the limited self and attune with a greater cosmic harmony.