Jayanta Das Reads His Poem Lord Boar at The Bhakti Center – NYC.

Jayanta Das is a poet whose work weaves together sensory detail and spiritual insight, offering readers a window into the devotional experience through verse. His latest book, Miracle of Mustard and Other Poems, explores the nuances of bhakti, blending personal reflection with the rich poetic tradition of the Vaishnava Acharyas. Through his poetry, Jayanta seeks to bridge the gap between spiritual practice and artistic expression, making Krishna’s consciousness more accessible and relatable in the cityscape of greater New York. In his interview with ISKCON News, Jayanta discussed the role of poetry in his spiritual life, the influence of Vaishnava literature, and his hopes for the future of devotional artistic expression.

Atma Tattva Das (ATD): Many Vaishnavas, both historical and contemporary, use poetry as a form of sadhana or spiritual practice. Do you see your poetry in this light? How does writing poetry contribute to your own devotional life?

Jayanta Das (JD): I’m not sure how to answer that, except that it’s just something that I do—it’s natural for me. I like to express what I’m experiencing, and I’d like to think that it’s shared by others. Nothing gives me more pleasure than when someone tells me, “I read that poem,” and “I’ve had feelings like that.” That kind of connection is very meaningful to me.

Jayanta’s journey into Krishna consciousness is deeply intertwined with his love for literature. He first encountered the philosophy while in college, when he explored various literary traditions. His interest in poetry and writing naturally aligned with his growing attraction to Vaishnavism. “I was drawn to literature that explored the self, that questioned the self—its ordinary values and what kind of experience might be available to those who go down the path of devotion,” he shared.

It was during a trip to California in the summer after his sophomore year that Jayanta first met devotees. Living a meager existence with friends, he was invited to a Krishna love feast at the Los Angeles temple. “As soon as I walked in, I was just instantly attracted to the place,” he recalled. He vividly remembered seeing an image of Lord Narasimhadeva and speaking with a kind devotee who welcomed them. Though he and his friends soon traveled to San Francisco, Krishna consciousness remained on his mind.

In a remarkable twist of fate, the group unknowingly parked their car behind the San Francisco temple one night. When they awoke, they saw a man working on a truck nearby. “He stood up, and we saw that he was a devotee—it turned out to be Jayananda Das,” Jayanta recounted. Jayananda, renowned for his dedication to Ratha Yatra cart construction, welcomed them inside. “We stayed there for quite a few days, and three of us became devotees. The fourth one briefly became a devotee. I didn’t fully commit until many years later, but we were all deeply impacted.”

Jayanta’s journey into devotional poetry was not an intentional sadhana but rather an organic development of his inner voice. Though he does not set aside a structured time for writing, his poems emerge spontaneously, inspired by daily experiences and realizations. Reflecting on the poetic foundation of the Vaishnava tradition, he highlights the lyrical beauty of Sanskrit scriptures, emphasizing that even Srila Prabhupada appreciated the poetic nature of the texts he translated. He sees poetry as an extension of his spiritual practice, not through ritual discipline, but through the heartfelt articulation of devotional experience. 

Jayanta Das on pilgrimage at the foot of Govardhan Hill in Sri Vrindavan Dham.

ATD: What specific experiences or moments inspired the poems in Miracle of Mustard and Other Poems?

JD: Most of them come from simple, everyday moments that carry some deeper meaning. I find that Krishna reveals Himself in the most unexpected places—through a scent, a sound, or a fleeting interaction. Those are the moments I try to capture.

The inspiration behind Miracle of Mustard and Other Poems is drawn from the subtle and often overlooked aspects of devotional life. Jayanta finds poetry in the sensory impressions of daily sadhana—how the fragrance of mustard oil lingers in the temple, how beads feel after being soaked in oil, and how the rhythmic sounds of kirtan create an internal pulse. He believes that devotion is not only found in grand rituals but also in these small, deeply personal moments that connect a devotee to Krishna. 

ATD: Speaking of Sanskrit poetry and the works of the Vaishnava acharyas, I recall a brief conversation with Mother Urmila. She mentioned that she has translated some of this poetry while preserving the meter and poetic devices in English. That would be incredibly interesting to hear.

JD: Yes, that’s a fantastic idea, and it can definitely be done—but it’s not easy at all!

Maintaining poetic integrity across languages is a formidable task. Jayanta acknowledges the difficulty of preserving the intricate meters and structure of Sanskrit verses while making them accessible to contemporary readers. This, he notes, is one reason why many devotees may not fully appreciate the poetic depth of traditional texts. He hopes that more efforts will be made to preserve and adapt these devotional poems, ensuring that their beauty is not lost in translation. 

ATD: Your poetry is deeply visual and often evokes physical sensation—be it the fragrance of incense, the warmth of mustard oil, or the fluidity of movement. How do you use sensory experiences as a gateway to express spiritual realizations?

JD: To be honest, I didn’t realize I was doing that—but thank you for noticing! I suppose poetry should function that way. It’s an exploration of experience rather than just ideas, opinions, or philosophy.

Through vivid imagery, Jayanta’s poetry invites readers to experience Krishna consciousness in a tangible way. He believes that capturing sensory details—the texture of mustard oil, the scent of beads, the rhythm of kirtan—transforms a poem from mere words into a living, breathing experience. This approach helps bridge the gap between philosophy and daily spiritual practice, making the abstract more accessible. For Jayanta, poetry is a way of translating the intangible aspects of bhakti into something palpable and relatable.

ATD: I could close my eyes and smell it just now! Have you ever massaged it in?

JD: Have you?

ATD: I haven’t, but I have dipped my beads in mustard oil before. I left them in for a couple of days, then dried them in the sun. They came out so smooth. Every time I opened my bead bag, that scent would fill the air.

Moments of shared experience like this reinforce the universality of sensory memory in devotional life. Jayanta’s work resonates because it taps into these common, deeply felt moments, creating an unspoken bond between poet and reader.

ATD: Your new book, Miracle of Mustard and Other Poems, arrives at a time when many devotees are rediscovering the importance of artistic expression in Krishna consciousness. What do you hope readers take away from this collection? How do you see poetry as a vehicle for modern devotional expression?

JD: We’ve talked about this a bit already, but my hope is that readers recognize that, although we sometimes feel like islands—isolated, different from others—we actually share so much. We share experiences, struggles, moments of faith, and even revelations. My poems aim to highlight that commonality. I want people to read them and think, Yes, I know what he’s talking about. I’ve felt that too.

For Jayanta, poetry serves as a means of connection. Rather than being an esoteric or inaccessible art form, he envisions it as a mirror for shared emotions and realizations. While poetry may not be universally recognized as a formal sadhana, he hopes his work encourages devotees to find beauty and expression in their own spiritual journeys.

ATD: In what ways do you envision the future of devotional artistic expression evolving within the Vaishnava community?

JD: I think we are at a moment where there is a real hunger for artistic expression in devotional life. More devotees are exploring music, poetry, storytelling, and visual arts, and that’s a wonderful thing. The challenge will be in creating platforms where this expression can flourish.

Jayanta sees a promising future for devotional artistic expression, provided that it is nurtured and given space to grow. He believes that as more devotees engage in creative pursuits, the community will need to develop avenues for sharing and supporting artistic contributions. Whether through online platforms, publications, or live performances, he hopes to see a renaissance of devotional art that enriches and deepens the collective spiritual experience.

Jayanta’s poetry illuminates the sensory and emotional depth of Krishna consciousness, reaffirming that artistic expression is not just a complement to devotion—it is devotion. Miracle of Mustard and Other Poems is available online and in select temple bookstores. Devotees can read most of his recent work on Instagram, visit his वेबसाइट, or ईमेल him.