Since it is considered a Kavya, a work of poetry, it is divided into sargas or chapters, like other kavyas such as the Raghuvamsha. Yet others sing these as taught by their gurus. Many writers have specified the raga and tala in which these verses are set. Several slokas are added to the songs in the beginning and in the end. Since it is composed in eight padas (in keeping with rhythms of dance), it is also called the Ashtapadi. Since it is a song (gita) about Govinda, it is called the Gitagovinda. Jayadeva, on the same basis, composed 24 Ashtapadis. On a similar scale, Sri Thyagaraja Swamigal composed 24,000 keerthanas. Based on the ratio of a thousand verses for each of the 24 letters, Valmiki composed the Ramayana in 24,000 verses. The Gayathri Mantra, the Mantra Raja, the mother of all Vedas, has 24 syllables. The events that happen in Goloka, as well as those that happen on earth are narrated in Jayadeva’s work. This is the story sung by Jayadeva in the 24 verses of the Ashtapadi. They were to live on earth for a while and then return to Goloka. The Lord assures her that he would be born as the son of Vasudeva, would grow up in Nanda’s household and would marry her. Radha would be born as the daughter of Vrishabanu. Sudhama is to be born as Shankachuda, would be killed by Shiva and would return to Goloka. At this point, the Lord Himself comes out and effects a reconciliation between them. Radha curses him to become an asura and he, in turn, curses her that she would be separated from Bhagavan Krishna. However, Sudhama, who is still angry with Radha, bars her entry into the place.
On receiving this message, Radha sets out to meet Krishna. Krishna replies to the message saying that he has no strength even to walk, because of the intense suffering caused by Radha’s separation and asks Radha to come to him. Radha, who could not bear to be separated from Krishna, sends her apologies to Krishna through a friend. Krishna, then, goes back to his love sport with Viraja. The great devotee Sudhama is offended by Radha’s behaviour. I shall not be attracted to any other woman henceforth,” she does not relent. Even when Krishna entreats her saying, “Do not be angry, O Radha! I plead with you. Radha returns to her abode disappointed only to be met by Krishna, who pretends to be in search of her calling out her name, “Radhe…Radhe.” When Radha turns her face away in anger, Krishna tries to pacify her. When Radha, on hearing about this, comes there in anger, Krishna turns Viraja into a river and hides himself. Sri Krishna is with his wife Viraja in Goloka. The Ashtapadi was composed with these two texts as its source. The Garga Samhita, which serves as an exposition to the Purana, also deals with this story in great detail, using an engaging manner to bring out the story’s philosophical significance. In the tenth purana, the Brahmavaivarta Purana, Vyasa narrates the story of Sri Radhakrishna. He gave the world deep, precious philosophical thoughts, through the eighteen puranas. It is such a devotee who is a parama-ekanti (the highest among the enlightened), a jeevan mukta (the liberated).
However, the deep esoteric significance of these lilas is enjoyed only by the most enlightened of devotees. It is this concept that appeared embodied in the form of Radhakrishna and performed several lilas in order to lead the hearts of devotees into maturity.
Parashakti, the Supreme Energy, is of the form of air which is favourable to convey sound or music. The Supreme Being, the Paramatma, is of the form of music. The art of dance is a mingling of music with the ambient air. Of these, music and dance have very intense, personal significance. Each of these offerings helps us to invoke the Lord’s karuna or compassion on us. Both music and dance are among the sixty-four kinds of offerings made to god at the time of pooja or worship. It was composed by Jayadeva at the Jagannatha Kshetra of Puri, while his wife, Padmavati, danced to its music. It is replete with elements conducive to bhakti rasa-music and dance. The Ashtapadi is a work by Jayadeva, a great devotee of Krishna. Volume: 21 Roudra year- Chitra, Vaikasi April, May- 1980 Part 21, From Work To Worklessness (7 chapters).Part 20, Varna Dharma For Universal Well-Being (16 chapters).Part 17, Brahmacaryasrama (15 chapters).Part 16, The Forty Samskaras (10 chapters).Part 12, Mimamasa - Karmamarga (12 chapters).