Teachings of SANKARADEVA Assam

  • This article tells you about the teachings of Srimanta Sankaradeva and Raas Mahotsav ie celebrated in Majuli every year.

Do you know the name of India’s first island district and amongst the largest inhabited river islands worldwide? 

 

Majuli was formed due to the course changed by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, mainly the Lohit. On the north bank is the river Subansiri and on the south bank, the Brahmaputra. It had an area of 1250 sq kms originally. Due to erosion etc. area sq. kms has fallen to about 650 today.

 

To reach Majuli travel to Jorhat i.e. connected to Guwahati by train and direct flights from Kolkata. Drive to Nimatighat and take a ferry to Majuli. The one hour ride is enjoyable, the newly introduced RO RO ferry making it safer.

 

Since Srimanta Sankaradeva and Assam are synonymous the article is about his teachings. Part two of article has ideas to promote tourism to Majuli.

 

What is special about Majuli?

 

It is the cradle of the Assamese civilization for more than 550 years. It is here that Assam’s great saint, poet, social reformer ‘Srimanta Sankaradeva’ and his famous disciple Madhabdeva lived in the 16th century. Ever since they established Satras (monasteries), Majuli has become the centre of Vaishavite Culture of Assam.  Here Vaishavism intermingles with tribal ethos.

 

Due to Srimanta Sankaradeva, Madhabdeva and the sukarmas of Satra bhakats (monks), Majuli is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. The island’s cultural traditions, rivulets, streams, vegetation, biodiversity, Satras, masks and hand pot making skills, friendly people and Raas Mahotsav make it worthy of a visit.

 

Who was Srimanta Sankaradeva?

 

Sankaradeva was born in 1449 and died in 1569 A.D. A multifaceted personality, he was an artist, painter, lyricist, social reformer, dancer, sculptor, playwright, composer, philosopher, Sanskrit scholar and a yogi.  

 

Entrance to 17th century Dakhinpat Satra-Monastery

 

What were Sankaradeva’s beliefs?

 

Sankaradeva ushered in the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in this part of the country making Bhagawata the principal medium to serve the people. He used songs, dance, music and bhaona (drama) as a medium through which the common man was made to understand the essence of bhakti ras (devotion). He thereby established the ‘Ek Saran Naam Dharma’.

 

The primary basis of Sankaradeva’s philosophy is worshipping a single deity - Absolute Brahma. In order to help in realization of Brahma in Vedanta he made Krishna (in Bhagawata) as the single deity. In order to help understand the aspects of Krishna, he chose Kishna naam (Chanting of Krishna) as its basis. He said that Krishna naam can fulfil the aim of true human beings through Kirtana (chanting). Ref 3 (90)

 

Following Srimanta Sankaradeva’s footsteps and keeping the four components together – Guru, Dev, Naam, Bhakat the Satra with Naamghar (prayer hall), Manikut (place to keep the asana), Hati (dwelling place for inmates and Bharalghar (treasure house) evolved with time. The aim of dwellers in satra is to lead people towards Bhagawata. Ref 3 (32)

 

Sri Krishna in room of Sattradhikar of Garhmur Satra

 

What is a Satra? 

 

Satra is a religious monastery, storehouse of art and culture where resides Guru (Sattradhikar (spiritual head), Dev, Naam (chanting of Krishna’s name) and Bhagat (devotee).

 

According to a leading Sattradhikar, Dr Shri Pitamber Deva Goswami, the main objective of a Satra is “to motivate the minds of the people to realize the existence of the Supreme Power through spiritual performance, execution of Sharana-prayer, Nam-Prashanga-religious festivals and the recitation of rhymes and scripture of Shri Krishna”. Ref 2 (10)

 

There is a regular practice of fourteen “Prashangas” prayers. These prayers are performed thrice a day. Satra affairs are now being looked after by a Managing Committee which in early times was being looked after by the Satra Sabha.

 

By bringing out the idea of realizing every human being as an image of Lord Vishnu, Sankaradeva spread the message of respect to all breaking all social barriers.

 

Inside a village Naamghar, Majuli. 

 

What is a Naamghar?

 

Naamghar is the centre to practice spiritual, moral and artistic knowledge. It consists of a hall where devotees gather, listening and enchanting of the name of the Bhagawata (Absolute Soul) and playing musical instruments. Devotees forget their individual identity to assume the identity of congregational existence. Ref 3 (39)

 

Manikut. Top is Guru Sthan where Bhagawata Purana is kept. Pic at Shankaradeva Kalashetra. 

 

End of hall is a Manikut (wooden structure). Brahma is placed in the Asana in the Manikut. On its top is Guru Sthan where the Bhagawata Purana is kept. In some Satras idols of Krishna are kept in the Guru Sthan.

 

Sankaradeva introduced the concept of Gayan-Bayan i.e. combination of Geet (song), Badya (instrument) and Nritya (dance). He started the use of bamboo and cane, instead of stone and iron in building Naamghar, since it was available locally.

 

Gurudwara near Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.  

Is Naamghar like a Gurudwara?

 

The concept of Naamghar, placing of holy book Bhagawata on an asana, taking naam (chanting) and lack of idol reminded me of a Gurudwara.

 

Around 1515 and when Sankaradeva lived Guru Nanak visited Tibet via Tawang. Was he influenced by Sankaradeva’s teachings? The late Khushwant Singh said that Sikhism is distilled Vedanta whilst what Sankaradeva aimed for is realization of Brahma in Vedanta.

 

Chandigarh based Author and Kriyacharya Jyoti Subramaniam says, “Just like no man is an island, no existing philosophy can say it was not influenced by the times it originated in. Two similarities strike in the first instance. Chanting Naam Naam Japo (Repeat the Divine Name) being one of the three major directives to Sikhs and belief in the one absolute Akal Purakh Absolute Brahman.”

 

As stated earlier Sankaradeva sought the idea of realizing every human being as an image of Lord Vishnu. According to a SGPC booklet on Golden Temple, its actual name is Hari Mandir. 4 The name ‘Hari’ is one of the names of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama.

 

Raas Mahotsav 2018

 

What is Raas Mahotvas?

 

The festival is unique to Majuli. Raas Lila is the story of the life of Lord Krishna presented in the performing art form and as mentioned in the ‘Bhagawata Purana’. 

 

“It is classified mainly into nine Bhakti Raas. It starts with the birth of Krishna, his upbringing at the house of king Nanda, his tending the cows at Gokula along with his fellow cowherds, his childhood activities, his killing of demons like Bakasur, Oghasur etc. and his maternal uncle Kamsa and finally his amorous play with the Gopis. Performance of Raas Lila involves various classes of musical instruments, music and dance, and artefacts, masks and painting.” 1

 

It is held on 22-24th November every year. About sixty-five performances are held simultaneously in Sattras and villages.

 

Performances start about 8.30 pm and go on till wee hours of the morning. Every Satra presents the same story creatively. Acting, dialogue delivery and sound effects are awesome. This author does not understand Assamese but if one knows the gist of the story can relate easily. Saw many tourists, from India and abroad, enjoying as well.

 

The first Raas Leela was performed at Dakshinpat Sattra in 1840 AD and has continued since then. In 1950 Pitambardeva Goswami ex Sattradhikar and social reformer permitted girls of the Sattra to take roles in the Raas Lila and dance. Today it is a norm in most monasteries although in the Udasin monasteries men play the role of women.

 

To truly understand Sankaradeva’s teachings one must visit Majuli. Because of Srimanta Sankaradeva’ and disciple Madhabdeva presence Majuli is very peaceful and tranquil. 

 

Majuli awaits you!

 

The author has taken utmost care whilst writing the above and got it reviewed by an Assamese scholar too. In case you find any errors please write in.

 

Author is founder www.esamskriti.com and a travel photojournalist

 

References

1 Raas Mahotsav 2018 by Directorate of Tourism Assam.

2 Majuli – The Paradise of Sattriya Culture by Keshab Kakati

3 The Blazing Talent Srimanta Sankaradeva by Dr Pitamber Dev Goswami

4 The Golden Temple published by Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar.  

 

Also read

1 Spiritual Teachings of Srimanta Sankaradeva

2 Culture – A Tribute to Sankaradeva

3 Literature – A Tribute to Sanakaradeva

4 Srimanta Sankaradev Museum in Guwahati

5 To buy book on Srimanta Sankaradeva by Bimal Phukan

6 Pics Temples of Guwahati different design and forms of worship

7 Pics Temples of Sivasagar different design and forms of worship 

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