255. Bhakti Movement in Assam and Sankar deva (1449-1568 A.D.)

In Assam it was Sankar deva, who introduced the concept of Bhakti in the Brahmaputa valley as in Cooch- Bihar. Shankardeva's Neo- Vaishnavite movement was the first organized attempt in Assam at breaking down the age old bondage to the restrictions of caste, superstitions, ignorance, poverty and uncleanliness through the medium of Bhakti. Known as the land of Kirta- Mlecchas, the society of North East consisted of various tribers who were all regardede as outcastes.In the neighbouring foot hills areas inhabited the tribes such as Nagas, Khasis, Garos, Bhutiyas, Miris and others who were at a primitive stage of development but who had frequent contact with the plains.  It was Srimantha Sankaradeva who spread the Vaishnava bhakthi and its ideology in the northeastern part of India (Kamarupa). He was born in AD 1449 at Alipukri which is around 15km fromNawgong.His fathers name was Kusumavara, the chief of the Sirmomani Bara Bhuyana. His mother was Satyasandha and she died three days after the birth of Sankar deva. He was brought up by his grandmother Buri Gosain Khersuti. From his childhood Sankara was very different from other children. He never cared about food or sleep and spent all his time in sports and swimming. In school Sankara impressed every one with his extraordinary intellect and imaginative power to quickly grasp things. He soon mastered Sanskrit grammer, lexicography, Vedas, Smritis, the two epics, Puranas and the Kavyas. When Sankar was twenty two years of age he took to Yogic practices and soon mastered this art. He learnt other yogic practices like pranayam, dhyan, asana, dharana and Samadhi. On account of these practices the strength and beauty of his body and mind increased considerably.  After this Sankara went on various pilgrimages to different parts of the country. Here in came in contact with Vaisnavism as practiced in different regions. At these holy places he had discussions regarding Vaisnavism with different learned men. All this must have prompted sankardeva to introduce Neo Vaisnavism in Assam.