Kumbhadas

(early 16th c.) One of the ashtachap, a
group of eight northern Indian bhakti
(devotional) poets. The compositions of
these 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 poets are named as
members of the community and as associates of either the community’s founder,
Vallabhacharya, or his successor, Vitthalnath. Kumbhadas is traditionally associated with Vallabhacharya. Little is known
about Kumbhadas, although it is believed
that he was born in 1469. His poetry
describes the five modes of devotion
described by Rupa Goswami, particularly
the mode known as madhurya (“honeyed”). Madhurya describes the relationship between deity and devotee, using the
language of lover and beloved, in which
each has passionate love for the other.