Sankardev facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sankardev
Imaginary portrait of Srimanta Sankardev by Bishnu Prasad Rabha
Birth Date	1449, Bordowa, old name is Alipukhuri, Tembuani Nagaon district, Assam, India)
Died on	7 September 1568 Bheladonga (Today Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India)
Philosophy	Ekasarana
Titles/honors	Venerated as Mahapurusha

Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568) was a very important person from Assam, India. He lived in the 15th and 16th centuries. He was a saint, a scholar, a poet, a writer of plays, a dancer, an actor, a musician, and an artist. He also worked to change society and religion.

Sankardev played a huge role in the Bhakti movement in Assam. He created new forms of music called Borgeet, plays called Ankia Naat and Bhaona, and a dance style called Sattriya. He also developed a special language for his writings, called Brajavali.

He wrote many books, poems, and religious works in Sanskrit, Assamese, and Brajavali. He also translated parts of important scriptures. The religious movement he started is called Ekasarana Dharma. It is also known as the Neo-Vaishnavite movement. This movement influenced two big kingdoms, Koch and Ahom. The groups of followers he started grew into special monasteries called Sattras. These places are still very important for religion and society in Assam today.

Sankardev's artistic and literary works are still alive and practiced in Assam. Many people follow the religion he taught. The monasteries he and his followers built continue to keep his legacy strong.

Sankardev's Life Story

After Sankardev passed away, his student Madhavdev started telling stories about his life during prayer services. Other followers continued this tradition. Over time, many books were written about Sankardev's life. These books are called biographies.

Some of the earliest biographies were written by people like Daityari Thakur and Bhusan Dwija. Later biographies, like Katha-guru-carits, added more miraculous events to his story. While the older biographies are thought to be more accurate, they can still have some mistakes. For example, one early book said Sankardev met with Chaitanya, but we now know this is not true.

Early Life in Bordowa

Sankardev was born around 1449 in a place called Bordowa. This area is in what is now the Nagaon district of Assam. His birth name was Sankaravara. His family were important landlords known as the Baro-Bhuyans. They belonged to the Kayastha Hindu group.

Sankardev's parents were Kusumvar Bhuyan and Satyasandhya Devi. They followed a different religious path called Sakta. Sadly, Sankardev lost his mother soon after he was born or after his father died. His father passed away from smallpox when Sankardev was about 7 years old. His grandmother, Khersuti, then raised him.

When he was 12, Sankardev started school at Mahendra Kandali's tol (school). He was a very bright student. He quickly wrote his first poem, karatala-kamala. This poem was so clever because he wrote it before he even learned all the vowels! He stayed at school through his teenage years. He studied grammar and important Indian scriptures. He also practiced yoga for a while. Legends say he was very strong and could even swim across the mighty Brahmaputra river when it was flooded. It is believed he wrote his first major work, Harishchandra upakhyan, while at school. His teacher, Mahendra Kandali, changed his name to 'Sankardev'.

Becoming a Leader

Sankardev quickly became an expert in religious texts. Around 1465, in his late teens, he left school to take on his family duties. He became the chief leader, or Shiromani Bhuyan, of his people. His followers called him Dekagiri.

His home in Alipukhuri became too crowded, so he moved his family to Bordowa. He married his first wife, Suryavati, when he was in his early 20s. They had a daughter named Manu. But about nine months after Manu was born, his wife passed away.

First Big Journey

His wife's death might have made him even more interested in spiritual things. After his daughter Manu married a man named Hari, Sankardev decided to go on a long pilgrimage. He left his home and his leadership duties to his family.

In 1481, when he was 32, he started his journey. Seventeen other people went with him, including his friend Ramaram and his old teacher Mahendra Kandali. He traveled to many important religious places across India. These included Puri, Mathura, Dwaraka, Vrindavan, Gaya, Rameswaram, and Ayodhya. He spent many years at Jagannath-kshetra in Puri. There, he read and explained the Brahma Purana to priests and common people.

In 1488, at Badrikashram, he wrote his first borgeet (devotional song). It was called mana meri ram charanahi lagu and was written in Brajavali language. After 12 years, he returned home to Alipukhuri. During this journey, he became part of the larger Bhakti movement across India and helped it grow.

Building a Temple

When Sankardev returned around 1493, he did not want to take back his leadership role. However, his elders insisted he take care of a hundred families. He soon gave this responsibility to his son-in-law, Hari. At his grandmother's urging, he married Kalindi when he was 54.

Finally, he moved back to Bordowa and built a temple, or devagriha, around 1498. This was probably a simple thatched house built where his father's house used to be. Here, he could meet people, discuss religious matters, hold prayers, and teach. He wrote Bhakti pradipa and Rukmini harana.

Soon after, he received a copy of the Bhagavata Purana from Jagadisa Mishra. This was a very important event for his religion, Ekasarana. Sankardev listened carefully as Mishra explained the entire Bhagavata. He realized it was a unique scripture that showed Krishna as the only God. It taught that chanting God's name (naam) was the true path. He also started writing his famous Kirtana ghosha.

Cihna-yatra Performance

Xutradhar in Assamese Bhaona

After studying the Bhagavata Purana, Sankardev created a special dance-drama called Cihna yatra. For this play, he painted pictures of the Sapta vaikuntha (seven heavens). He also helped make musical instruments and played them himself. Some say he produced a similar play called Maha-nata.

This was a key moment when Sankardev decided to teach his new religion. Some of the first people to join were a leper named Hariram, his friend Ramaram, and his old teacher Mahendra Kandali. For 13 years in Alipukhuri, he thought deeply about Vaishnavism. He shaped it to fit the spiritual and ethical needs of the people. Ananta Kandali, a great Sanskrit scholar, became his student during this time.

In 1509, Sankardev moved back to Bordowa and built a thaan (religious center). Some say this than had all the features of a sattra, but others disagree. This than was later abandoned. More than a hundred years later, in the mid-17th century, Sankardev's granddaughter-in-law, Kanaklata, rebuilt it.

Moving to the Ahom Kingdom

Life in Gangmau

Around 1509, a king named Biswa Singha began to take control of the western Brahmaputra valley. The Bhuyans, Sankardev's people, also had a fight with their neighbors, the Kacharis. Sankardev told his people to move.

So, Sankardev and his followers crossed the Brahmaputra river around 1516–17. They first settled in Singari and then Routa. When Biswa Singha's army came closer, Sankardev moved to Gangmau in the Ahom kingdom in 1527. They stayed in Gangmau for five years. Sankardev's oldest son, Ramananda, was born there. While in Gangmau, Sankardev wrote the play Patniprasad.

Settling in Dhuwahat

While Sankardev was in Gangmau, the Koch king Biswa Singha attacked the Ahoms. The Bhuyans fought for the Ahoms, and the Koch king was defeated. Because Gangmau was not safe, Sankardev moved to Dhuwahat. This place was near Ahatguri in present-day Majuli, but it was washed away by the Brahmaputra river in 1913.

The Ahoms gave land to the Bhuyans here. Hari, Sankardev's son-in-law, became an officer. His cousin, Jagatananda, received a special title. In Dhuwahat, Sankardev met Madhavdev, who would become his most important spiritual successor. Madhavdev was a follower of Shakti, a different goddess. He had a religious argument with his brother-in-law, Ramadas, who had recently joined Vaishnavism. Ramadas took Madhavdev to Sankardev. After a long discussion, Sankardev convinced Madhavdev about the power of Ekasarana. Madhavdev was very talented in poetry and singing. His joining was a huge moment for the Ekasarana movement. In Dhuwahat, Sankardev became more popular and brought many more people into his religion.

The growing popularity of Ekasarana worried the traditional Brahmin priests. They became angry. Sankardev tried to calm them down. He met with them and even asked them to install a wooden idol of Jagannath in his religious center. However, the Brahmins complained to the Ahom king, Suhungmung. The king called Sankardev to his court for a debate. Sankardev was able to show the king that his religion was not a threat to society. The charges against him were dropped, but the Brahmins' hostility continued.

Leaving Dhuwahat

At first, the Bhuyans had a good position in the Ahom kingdom. But things slowly got worse. After King Viswasingha died, and Nara Narayan became the Koch king, the relationship between the Koch and Bhuyans improved a bit.

However, around the 1540s, during the rule of King Suklenmung, a royal officer came to catch elephants. Hari, Sankardev's son-in-law, did not show up, and an elephant escaped through a barrier managed by the Bhuyans. The officer was very angry. He arrested Hari and Madhavdev. Hari was executed in Garhgaon, and Madhavdev was kept in prison for about a year. To escape the danger, Sankardev and his followers left the Ahom kingdom. They moved towards the Koch army's front line, settling in Narayanpur.

Life in the Koch Kingdom

Sunpora and Patbausi

Sankardev and his followers reached Kapalabari in the Koch kingdom in late 1540. But the water there was not good. Many people, including Madhavdev's mother, died. So, after a short stay, Sankardev moved to Sunpora in 1541. In Sunpora, Sankardev initiated Bhavananda, a rich trader. This trader, Narayana Das, later settled near Barpeta and became known as Thakur Ata. He became a great supporter of Sankardev and his followers.

After moving around, Sankardev finally settled at Patbausi, near Barpeta. He built a Kirtanghar (house of prayer) there. He welcomed many different people into his religion, including Brahmins, a Garo man, a Bhutia man, a Jaintia man, an ascetic, and a Koch man. Damodardev, a Brahmin, also became his disciple. Sankardev asked Damodardev to teach other Brahmin students. A Sattra (monastery) was built for Damodardev in Patbausi. Later, Damodardev started a different branch of Sankardev's religion called the Brahma Sanghati sect.

While in Patbausi, Sankardev finished translating the Bhagavata Purana. He also wrote other works. He continued writing the Kirtan Ghosha. He translated the first part of the Ramayana (Adi Kanda). He asked Madhavdev to translate the last part (Uttara Kanda), which the 14th-century poet Madhav Kandali had not finished. He wrote four plays: Rukmini harana, Parijata harana, Keligopala, and Kalidamana. Another play, Kansa Vadha, is now lost.

Sankardev had composed about 240 Borgeets (devotional songs). He lent them to Kamala Gayan. Sadly, Gayan's house burned down, and most of the Borgeets were lost. After this, Sankardev stopped composing new Borgeets. Only 34 of his original 240 songs remain today.

Second Pilgrimage

In 1550, Sankardev went on another pilgrimage. A large group of 117 disciples, including Madhavdev and Thakur Ata, went with him. Thakur Ata had to return early. Madhavdev took charge of all the arrangements. Sankardev's wife, Kalindi, asked Madhavdev to convince Sankardev to return from Puri and not go to Vrindavana. Sankardev and his group returned to Patbausi within six months, in 1551.

At the Koch Capital

King Nara Narayan of the Koch kingdom heard complaints that Sankardev was spreading a new religion and confusing people. The king ordered Sankardev's arrest, so Sankardev went into hiding. However, Chilarai, the king's general and half-brother, was married to Sankardev's cousin's daughter. Chilarai convinced the king to give Sankardev a chance to explain himself.

When Sankardev went to meet King Nara Narayan, he sang a Sanskrit hymn to Lord Krishna as he walked up to the court. When he sat down, he sang a borgeet that cleverly used the king's name. During the debate with the court scholars, Sankardev was able to answer all the accusations against him. The king declared him innocent and even gave him a special seat near the throne. Sankardev began to visit Nara Narayan's court regularly. He was given the freedom to teach his religion.

Chilarai was very important in keeping Sankardev safe and supporting his work. Many of Sankardev's writings and plays were completed with Chilarai's help. Sankardev showed his thanks in his play 'Ram Vijaya'.

Sankardev often traveled between the Koch capital and Patbausi. Chilarai often hosted him. At Chilarai's request, Sankardev agreed to have scenes from Krishna's childhood in Vrindavan woven onto a cloth. He asked weavers from Tantikuchi, near Barpeta, to create a very long tapestry. Sankardev provided the designs and chose the thread colors. He also supervised the weaving. It took about a year to finish. This cloth, called the Vrindavani vastra, showed scenes from Vrindavan. It was given to Chilarai and King Nara Narayan. A part of this cloth is now kept in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Chandsai, a Muslim tailor who worked for the Koch king, became a student of Sankardev in Kochbehar. When Sankardev returned to Patbausi, Chandsai went with him. Sankardev visited the capital for more than 20 years. For the first time, he had strong support from a king.

The End of His Journey

Sankardev made arrangements with Madhavdev and Thakur Ata, giving them instructions. He then left Patbausi for the last time. He made his home in Bheladonga, in Kochbehar. During his stay there, King Nara Narayan wanted to be initiated into Sankardev's religion. Sankardev did not want to convert a king and refused.

According to one biographer, Sankardev developed a painful boil on his body. This led to his passing away. So, in 1568, after a very full life dedicated to helping people, the Mahapurusha (great soul) died. He was 120 years old.

Ekasarana Dharma

Sankardev taught devotion (bhakti) to Krishna. This devotion mainly involved singing (kirtan) and listening to (sravan) stories about Krishna's actions. In Ekasarana, followers see themselves as servants of God. Unlike some other Vaishnava groups, Radha is not worshipped alongside Krishna.

People who follow Sankardev's religion are called Mahapurushia, Sarania, or Sankari.

Srimanta Sankardev started a system of initiation (Sarana) into his religion. He brought about a social change by fighting against the caste system. He welcomed people from all castes and religions, even Muslims. After initiation, followers are expected to worship only one God, Krishna. They offer devotion to him and give up old Vedic rituals.

Sankardev himself married twice and had children. He lived as a householder. However, his main student, Madhavdev, did not marry. Some of Sankardev's followers today live a celibate life (kevaliya bhakat) in the Vaishnavite monasteries, called sattras.

Sankardev's famous debate with Madhavdev was a very important event. Madhavdev was a strong follower of Shakti before he met Sankardev. Madhavdev's conversion to Ekasarana is seen as a turning point in the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam. Madhavdev was also very talented and became Sankardev's celebrated student.

Sankardev's Writings and Art

Sankardev created a huge amount of work. While some writers before him, like Madhav Kandali, wrote in the common language, Sankardev truly opened the door for others. He inspired people like Madhavdev to continue his work.

Sankardev's writing style is clear and his verses are musical. He filled everything he wrote with bhakti (devotion). His most famous work is his Kirtana-ghosha. This book is so popular that many homes in Assam still have a copy. It contains verses that praise Krishna, meant for group singing. It's a wonderful devotional poem, written in a lively and simple way. It has "stories and songs for fun [for children]," and it "delights young people with true poetic beauty." Older people find religious lessons and wisdom in it.

For most of his works, he used the Assamese language of his time. This made it easy for common people to read and understand. But for his songs and plays, he used Brajavali for a special dramatic effect.

Other important works include his translations of eight books of the Bhagavata Purana. He also wrote Harishchandra-upakhyana (his first work), Bhakti-pradip, and Gunamala. He wrote many plays like Rukmini haran and Ram-vijaya. During his long life of 120 years, there was a great flourishing of devotional literature.

Poetic Works (Kavya)

• Kirtana-ghosha
• Harischandra-upakhyana
• Rukmini-harana
• Parijat-haran
• Kaliya-daman
• Ram-vijay

Religious Teachings

• Bhakati-pradipa
• Anadi-patana
• Nimi-navasiddha-samvada
• Bhakti Ratnakara (in Sanskrit)
• Gunamala

Translations

• Bhagavata (parts of Books I, II, III, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII)
• Ramayana (Uttarakanda, completing Madhav Kandali's work)

Sankardev's translation of the Bhagavata was more than just a word-for-word translation. He changed it to fit the local culture and people. He made sure it served the purpose of bhakti. He left out or added parts as needed. For example, he removed parts that spoke badly of lower castes and praised them in other places.

Plays (Ankia Nat)

• Cihna Yatra (lost)
• Patni-prasada
• Parijata-harana
• Kali-damana
• Rukmini-harana
• Keli-gopala
• Srirama-vijaya

Vrindavani vastra (fragment), circa 1570, at LACMA

Sankardev was the creator of the Ankiya naat, which is a type of one-act play. His Cihna Yatra is thought to be one of the first open-air plays ever performed. Cihna yatra was probably a dance-drama, and its script is not available today. Sankardev introduced new ideas like having a Sutradhara (narrator) on stage and using masks. These ideas were later used by famous playwrights like Bertolt Brecht.

These cultural traditions are still a very important part of the heritage of the Assamese people.

Songs

• Borgeet (He composed 240, but only 34 exist today)
• Bhatima
  • Deva bhatima – songs praising God
  • Naat bhatima – songs used in plays
  • Raja bhatima – songs praising King Nara Narayan

Sankardev was a musician. All his creations were focused on the Vaishnava religion. One group of his songs is called 'Holy Songs', known as 'Borgeet' in Assam today.

The Borgeets (meaning: great songs) are devotional songs. They are set to music and sung in different raga styles. These styles are a bit different from the Hindustani or Carnatic styles. The songs themselves are written in the 'Brajavali' language.

Dance

Sattriya dance was first thought of and developed by Sankardev. It was kept alive for centuries by the sattras (monasteries). Now, it is one of the official classical dance forms of India. Some devoted followers call this dance form Sankari dance.

Visual Art

• Sapta vaikuntha – part of the Cihna yatra play, but it does not exist today.
• Vrindavani vastra – parts of this work are kept in London.

The famous Vrindavani Vastra was a very large tapestry, about 120 by 60 cubits. It showed the lilas (divine plays) of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. It had rich woven and embroidered designs on silk. A piece of this cloth, believed to be part of the original, is in a collection in Paris.

King Naranarayana asked Sankardev to create the vastra. Twelve master weavers in Barpeta worked under Sankardev's guidance for six months. It was finished around late 1554. This textile art showed the life and deeds of Lord Krishna, who is worshipped in Ekasarana Nama Dharma. The cloth was kept in the royal court of Kochbehar after Sankardev gave it to the king. But it disappeared at some point. It is believed that parts of this cloth made their way to Tibet and then to its current location in a museum.

See also

• Sattra
• Borgeet
• Madhavdev
• Dihanaam
• Ankia Naat
• Vrindavani vastra