Srimanta Sankardeva and Neo-Vaishnava Movement in Assam: A Study from Historical Perspective

Abstract

As we know that Sankardeva launched the neo-Vaishnavism in Assam during the medieval age. Sankardeva preached a doctrine of universal brotherhood and humanism for improving the condition of Assamese society. Sankardeva created a harmonious living condition for diverse ethnic communities in the Brahmaputra valley. For propagating the neo-Vaishnava principle, Sankardeva believed in the qualified monism. Sankardeva advocated the Dasya attitude of Bhakti. His religion was called Mahapurushia Dharma or Eka-Sarana-Nama-Dharma. Many indigenous people came to join in his neo-Vaishnavism. It was because of Sankardeva's philosophy of equality and universal brotherhood which revealed in his neo-Vaishnavism. Sankardeva also proceed to organizing the Vaishnava society with three cultural institutions like Bhauna, Satra and Namghar. Thus, Sankardava brought about a great change in the Assamese society.