श्री-गोपाल-चम्पू/ Shri Gopal Champu 

  Gopal Champu 

Shri Gopal Champu is a famous Sanskrit literary work composed by Goswami Vitthalnath ji (also known as Vitthalesh ji), the son of Shri Vallabhacharya ji, the founder of Pushtimarg (The Path of Grace).

This scripture is written in Champu style, which is a beautiful combination of prose (gadya) and poetry (padya).

What is Champu Style?

Champu is a unique literary style in Sanskrit where prose and verse are blended together to describe events or stories with grace, beauty, and devotion.

Subject Matter of Shri Gopal Champu

The entire text of Shri Gopal Champu narrates the divine life stories (leelas) of Lord Krishna, beginning from His divine birth to His early childhood pastimes in Gokul and Vrindavan, His slaying of demons, playing with Gopis, lifting of Govardhan mountain, killing of Kansa, and eventually His journey to Mathura.

Major Themes Covered:

• Birth of Lord Krishna

• Krishna’s childhood pastimes in Gokul

• Killing of Putana demon

• Killing of Shaktasura demon

• Killing of Trinavarta demon

• Yashoda’s divine vision of Krishna’s cosmic form

• Lifting of Govardhan Hill

• Subduing the serpent Kaliya

• Rasleela with the Gopis

• Killing of Kansa

• Departure to Mathura

Special Features of Shri Gopal Champu

• Full of Madhurya Bhava (Sweet Devotion)

• Rich in Sanskrit literary ornaments like metaphors and similes

• Excellent portrayal of Krishna’s divine qualities and leelas

• Mixture of prose and poetry makes it very musical and expressive

• Represents the devotional sentiments of Pushtimarg tradition

Importance of Shri Gopal Champu

• A key text for followers of Pushtimarg

• It presents Krishna not just as God but as the beloved child of devotees

• It is both literary art and devotional scripture

• Brings alive the pastimes of Krishna in a charming, playful, and loving manner