Chaturbhujdas

(late 16th c.) One of the ashtachap, a
group of eight northern Indian bhakti
(devotional) poets. The compositions of
these eight poets were used for liturgical
purposes by the Pushti Marg, a religious
community whose members are devotees (bhakta) of Krishna. In the Pushti
Marg’s sectarian literature, all eight are
named as members of the community
and as associates of either its founder,
Vallabhacharya, or his successor,
Vitthalnath. Chaturbhujdas is claimed
as an associate of Vitthalnath—an idea
supported by references in his poetry—
and is also said to be the son of
Kumbhadas, one of the earlier ashtachap poets. In his poetry Chaturbhujdas presents himself as a companion
to Krishna and his consort, Radha, giving latter-day devotees a picture of their
daily routine.