Srimanta Sankardev (1449-1568) was a prominent figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, India. He was a polymath and social-religious reformer who made significant contributions in various fields. His accomplishments include:
- Building on past cultural relics and devising new forms of music (Borgeet), theatrical performance (Ankia Naat, Bhaona), dance (Sattriya), and literary language (Brajavali).
- Leaving an extensive literary oeuvre of trans-created scriptures, poetry, and theological works in Sanskrit, Assamese, and Brajavali.
- Initiating the Bhagavatic religious movement, known as Ekasarana Dharma or the Neo-Vaishnavite movement, which influenced the Koch and Ahom kingdoms.
- Establishing monastic centers called Sattras, which continue to be important socio-religious institutions in Assam and North Bengal.
- Inspiring the Bhakti movement in Assam and leaving a lasting impact on the religious practices and traditions of the region.
After Srimanta Sankardev's death, his life and teachings were incorporated into prayer services and became the subject of biographical literature. These biographies can be classified into early and late groups, with the late ones often ascribing supernatural feats and miraculous events to Sankardev. While the earlier biographies are considered more accurate, there are contradictions among them, and certain claims, such as his meeting with Chaitanya, are now regarded as doubtful.
Srimanta Sankardev, originally named Sankaravara, was born into the Baro-Bhuyan family in Alipukhuri near Bordowa in present-day Nagaon district of Assam, India, around 1449. His family belonged to the Kayastha Hindu caste, and they were followers of the Shakta tradition. Sankardev lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his grandmother.
At the age of 12, Sankardev began attending Mahendra Kandali's school, where he showed early poetic genius by writing his first verses called karatala-kamala. He studied grammar, Indian scriptures, and practiced yoga during his teenage years. He also developed physical abilities and was known for his swimming skills, being able to swim across the Brahmaputra River.
After completing his studies at Mahendra Kandali's school, Sankardev took on the responsibilities of the Shiromani Bhuyan, a position of leadership among the Baro-Bhuyans. He moved his household from Alipukhuri to Bordowa and got married to Suryavati. However, his wife passed away shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Manu.
In his early twenties, Sankardev embarked on a twelve-year pilgrimage, leaving his household in the care of his son-in-law Hari and the Bhuyan Shiromaniship to his grand uncles. Accompanied by several individuals, including his friend Ramaram and teacher Mahendra Kandali, he visited various sacred sites such as Puri, Mathura, Dwaraka, and Ayodhya, among others. During this pilgrimage, he deepened his spiritual inclination and engaged in reading and explaining scriptures, including the Brahma Purana at Jagannath-kshetra in Puri.
Sankardev composed his first Borgeet, a form of devotional song, during his pilgrimage at Badrikashram in 1488. He returned home to Alipukhuri after twelve years, finding that his family had moved back from Bordowa in his absence. Throughout his pilgrimage, Sankardev became an integral part of the pan-Indian Bhakti movement, contributing to its growth and development.
After returning from his pilgrimage, Sankardev took on the responsibility of a hundred families (gomastha) at the insistence of his elders but soon handed over the responsibility to his son-in-law, Hari. He married Kalindi at the age of 54, as per his grandmother's insistence. Sankardev moved back to Bordowa and constructed a temple (devagriha) in 1498, possibly a thatched house, where he could meet people, discuss religious matters, hold prayers, and preach. During this time, he wrote Bhakti pradipa and Rukmini harana.
A significant event in Sankardev's life was receiving a copy of the Bhagavata Purana from Jagadisa Mishra of Mithila, along with Sridhara Swami's monistic commentary "Bhavartha-dipika." Mishra recited and explained the entire Bhagavata in Sankardev's presence, which had a profound impact on him. This event played a crucial role in the development of Ekasarana, Sankardev's religious movement.
Inspired by his exposure to the Bhagavata Purana, Sankardev created a dance-drama called Cihna yatra, where he painted the Sapta vaikuntha (seven heavens), guided the making of musical instruments, and played them himself. He also composed the Kirtana ghosha and produced Maha-nata.
During his time in Alipukhuri, Sankardev initiated several individuals into his new religious movement, including Jayanta-dalai's wife, a leper named Hariram (later Tulasiram), Ramaram, and his tol teacher Mahendra Kandali. He spent 13 years deeply reflecting on Vaishnavism and the form that would best suit the spiritual and ethical needs of the people.
In 1509, Sankardev moved back to Bordowa and built a thaan, which some claim had the major features of a sattra, while others argue that these features did not exist during Sankardev's time. The thaan was abandoned but later reestablished by Sankardev's granddaughter-in-law, Kanaklata, in the 17th century.
In 1527, Sankardev and his associates moved to Gangmau in the Ahom kingdom, where they stayed for five years. It was during this time that Sankardev wrote the drama Patniprasad and lived alone at a place called Gajalasuti. The unsettled situation led them to move to Dhuwahat, near Ahatguri in present-day Majuli, where they were settled by the Ahoms. At Dhuwahat, Sankardev met his spiritual successor, Madhavdev, and initiated many others into Ekasarana.
The growing popularity of Ekasarana and the conversion of people alarmed the priestly Brahmins, who reacted with hostility. Sankardev tried to diffuse their anger by meeting with them and asking them to install a wooden idol of Jagannath called Madan-Mohan at his religious seat. However, the Brahmins remained hostile and complained to the Ahom king. Sankardev was summoned to the court for a debate but was able to convince the king that he was not a threat. However, the hostility from the Brahmins continued.
The relationship between the Bhuyans and the Ahom kingdom deteriorated over time, and Sankardev and his followers faced difficulties. Sankardev's son-in-law, Hari, was executed, and Madhavdev was interned for about a year. Taking advantage of the Koch advance against the Ahoms, Sankardev and his followers escaped from the Ahom kingdom and sought refuge in Narayanpur, further east.
his last – after four months of his last stay at Bheladonga– aged 120
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After moving from Kapalabari due to alkaline water, Sankardev and his group settled in Sunpora in the Koch kingdom in 1541. At Sunpora, Sankardev initiated Bhavananda, a rich trader known as Thakur Ata, who became a provider to Sankardev and his devotees. Later, Sankardev settled at Patbausi near Barpeta in the Koch kingdom, where he constructed a Kirtanghar (house of prayer) and initiated several individuals from different backgrounds into his religion.
During his time at Patbausi, Sankardev completed the rendering of the Bhagavata Purana and wrote other independent works. He composed the Kirtan Ghosha, translated portions of the Ramayana, and wrote several plays. However, a fire at Kamala Gayan's house resulted in the loss of many of Sankardev's Bargeets. Sankardev stopped composing Bargeets after that incident.
In 1550, Sankardev embarked on a second pilgrimage with a group of disciples but returned to Patbausi within six months in 1551. The Koch king received complaints about Sankardev's influence and ordered his arrest, but Chilarai, the general of the Koch army and Sankardev's relative, convinced the king to give Sankardev a hearing. Sankardev sang hymns and engaged in a debate with the court pundits, refuting all allegations against him. The king declared him free and allowed him to propagate his teachings.
Sankardev received support and patronage from Chilarai, shuttling between Koch Behar (the capital) and Patbausi. He completed many of his literary and dramatic works with Chilarai's assistance. Sankardev also had a tapestry panel known as the Vrindavani vastra woven, which depicted the childhood days of Lord Krishna.
During his stay in Koch Behar, Sankardev received the wish of Maharaja Naranarayana to be initiated but declined to convert a king. Sankardev eventually settled in Bheladonga in Koch Behar, where he passed away in 1568 at the age of 120, after leading an eventful life dedicated to enlightening humanity.