An “Alphabet Poem” for Caitanya: The Akṣaramayī kalikā in Raghunandana Gosvāmin’s

Abstract

This article analyzes the Akṣaramayī kalikā (an "alphabet poem") within Raghunandana Gosvāmin's Gaurāṅgavirudāvalī, a Sanskrit praise-poem dedicated to Caitanya. The author introduces Raghunandana and situates his work within the virudāvalī genre, particularly in relation to Rūpa Gosvāmin's Govindavirudāvalī, demonstrating Raghunandana's close adherence to its structure. The paper provides the Sanskrit text and translation of the Akṣaramayī kalikā, arguing that its complex, ornate style serves not a pedagogical or mystical purpose, but rather functions as a form of citra-kāvya—an elaborate offering to the deity that aims to evoke adbhuta (wonder) and celebrate Caitanya's divinity through linguistic virtuosity.