Kanakadasa Jayanti
08 Nov, 2025
Saturday
Kanakadasa Jayanti on 08-11-2025
About Kanakadasa Jayanti 2025
When is Kanaka Dasa Jayanti(कनक दास जयंती)?
Kanaka Dasa Jayanti usually comes on the 18th day of Karthika month or in November every year. Karnataka government officials celebrate his birthday every year. Kanaka Dasa was a great scholar. He was a versatile personality.
Kanaka Dasa was Famous for?
He was known as the creator of Carnatic music, great poet, social reformer, and great musician. He is known for his Kirtanas and Ugabhoga, and for his compositions in Kannada language for Carnatic music. Like other Haridasas, he used simple Kannada and native verse forms for his compositions.
Kanaka Dasa was born in Karnataka in 1509. He was also known as Dasashreshtha Kanakadasa, was a Haridasa saint and philosopher of Dvaita Vedanta from present-day Karnataka, India.
He was a follower of Madhvacharya's Dvaita philosophy and a disciple of Vyasatirtha.
Where Kanaka Dasa was Born?
Kanaka Dasa was born in a Kannada Kuruba family in Bada village near Bankapura, Karnataka and was a warrior in the Bankapura fort. He was taught by Srinivasacharya.
In his childhood he became adept in logic, well versed in grammar and adept in making good judgments in Mimamsa. Based on one of his compositions it is interpreted that he was injured in battle and started chanting the name of Lord Krishna.
A beggar appeared before Kanaka Dasa and Kanaka asked who he was. The beggar replied that he had been called by Kanaka.
Kanaka Dasa mistook the beggar to be Lord Krishna Himself.
How Kanaka Dasa got the vision of Krishna?
Lord Krishna offered Kanaka Dasa three wishes.
Lord Krishna first asked if Kanaka wanted treasures means money and wealth.
But Kanaka Dasa refused, and asked for these following wishes such as,
- His all injuries should be cured,
- Lord Krishna should appear, when Kanaka Dasa called him any time, and
- Wish to see Lord Krishna with original form.
The Lord granted these wishes. Kanaka Dasa was fascinated to see Lord Krishna in his original form. After seeing Lord Krishna, he was totally gone from out Maya. After this incident, Kanakadasa gave up his profession as a soldier and dedicated himself to composing music, writing literature and explaining the philosophy about Sri Hari Vishnu to people. His early spiritual works include poems such as "Narasimha Stotra", "Ramadhyana Mantra" and "Mohantarangini".
Kanakadasa's life epitomizes the power of devotion and equality. He was a unique spiritual being. Through his works and teachings, he continues to inspire millions to challenge social norms and embrace inclusiveness. Kanakadasa Jayanti commemorates his lasting contributions to literature, music and spirituality.
