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Context: Researchers in Gujarat have discovered a new species of spider and named it Narsinhmehtai, in honour of Narsinh Mehta, a 15th century poet who was a devotee of Lord Krishna.

About Narsinh Mehta:

• He is believed to have been born in Talaja in present-day Bhavnagar district in 1410 and died in Junagadh in 1480s.
• His family members were officers in kingdoms of those days, they were called Mehta (one who keeps books of accounts) which later on became the family name.
• He was an exponent of Vaishnava poetry. His bhajan Vaishnav Jan To was Mahatma Gandhi's favorite and has become synonymous with him
• He penned more than 750 poems, called padd in Gujarat. They mainly deal with devotion to Lord Krishna, gyan (wisdom) vairagya (detachment from worldly affairs).
• Mehta is regarded as adikavi (the first poet) and bhakta kavi (devout poet) in Gujarati literature.
• His bhajans are integral part of Gujarat’s cultural life even six centuries after they were written.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-narsinh-mehta-controversy-naming-spider-species-7789607/

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