Social Consciousness of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva

Himangshu Ranjan Bhuyan

(hrbhuyancolumnist@gmail.com)

Every action, creation, and thought of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva was driven by the core objective of uniting people from all strata of society and awakening in them a sense of morality, equality, and spiritual awareness. His social consciousness was not confined merely to religious reforms but reflected a holistic vision for the comprehensive uplift of society. This vision encompassed a harmonious integration of religion, culture, education, literature, and social relationships, which provided the Assamese society with a new identity. During Sankardeva’s time, Assamese society was fragmented and mired in complexities due to the influence of various religious ideologies. Issues such as caste discrimination, the shadow of superstition, moral degradation in the name of religion, and societal divisions had plunged people’s lives into unrest. In such a context, Sankardeva’s emergence was like a radiant dawn, dispelling the darkness of society and illuminating the path of unity, equality, and morality. His primary aim was to ignite spiritual awareness in people’s minds while establishing the foundation for social equality, enabling individuals from all classes to recognise their dignity and responsibilities and lead a cohesive life. His philosophy emphasized universal human values, which shaped the Assamese nation on a foundation of richness and morality. To comprehend the depth of Sankardeva’s social consciousness, one must analyse the various facets of his work, where his religious reforms, educational initiatives, cultural creations, and efforts toward social unity reveal pathways to address society’s profound challenges. His ideas encouraged society to adopt a universal perspective, fostering unity over division. It can be said with certainty that his thoughts and actions were not merely a reaction to the circumstances of his time but laid a long-term foundation for shaping future societies, giving the Assamese nation a new dimension. At the heart of his social consciousness was a holistic vision that touched every aspect of society, enriching it morally, spiritually, and culturally. This consciousness made people aware of their responsibilities, inspiring them to live in unity, thereby making society stronger and more prosperous.

One of the most significant aspects of Sankardeva’s life was the propagation of Ekasarana Namadharma, which provided Assamese society with a simple and egalitarian religious path. During his time, society was divided by various religious doctrines, with complex rituals, animal sacrifices, and superstitions creating rifts among people. In this context, Sankardeva simplified religious life through Ekasarana Namadharma, making it accessible to the common people. The core principle of this philosophy was devotion to a single God and attaining spiritual liberation through chanting His name. This religious path had no place for caste distinctions, hierarchies, or untouchability, as Sankardeva believed that God resides in every human being. This belief united people from different classes, paving the way for a cohesive society. His religious propagation connected even the common people with spiritual life, enabling those from lower strata to realise their dignity and spiritual significance. His religious reforms sent a powerful message against superstition and violence, fostering moral awareness in people’s minds. The profundity of Ekasarana Namadharma reveals that it was not merely a simplification of religious beliefs but a means for the comprehensive betterment of society. Through this philosophy, Sankardeva eliminated societal divisions, leading people toward unity, making society stronger and more prosperous. An analysis of his religious consciousness clearly shows that it was a pathway to address deep-rooted societal issues, guiding people not only in religious matters but also in social and moral spheres, offering them a new way of life. This consciousness fostered mutual respect and empathy among people, shaping society with a universal perspective. The depth of his religious reforms united people from various classes, laying the foundation for a cohesive society. Through this social consciousness, Sankardeva inspired people to reflect on the purpose of their lives, making them more responsible toward their society. The universality and depth of his religious philosophy gave Assamese society a new direction, which remains an enduring testament to his glory and legacy.

Sankardeva’s deep faith in education and its dissemination was a key objective in paving the way for societal progress. During his time, access to education in Assamese society was extremely limited, and opportunities for the common people were almost nonexistent. This lack led to the proliferation of ignorance and superstitious practices. Sankardeva regarded education as the cornerstone of societal advancement and emphasized making it accessible to all. Though he himself acquired profound knowledge of various scriptures, he shared this knowledge not through complex language but through simple and accessible Assamese. His writings imparted teachings on religious principles, moral values, societal norms, and the purpose of life, sparking an interest in knowledge among the common people. Through the establishment of Namghars and Xatras, he created an institutional foundation for education, where knowledge about religion, as well as various aspects of life, was imparted. These institutions were not merely religious centres but served as hubs for education, culture, and social unity. Through these establishments, even people from the lower strata gained access to education, enabling them to find paths for improving their lives. The depth of Sankardeva’s educational initiatives reveals that they were not solely for the dissemination of knowledge but were a means for the holistic upliftment of society. This consciousness liberated people from the darkness of ignorance, guiding them toward a moral and spiritual life. An analysis of his educational vision shows that it awakened a universal interest in knowledge among various classes, making society more aware and prosperous. These educational efforts made people more responsible toward their society, inspiring them to contribute to its betterment. Through the dissemination of education, Sankardeva eliminated societal divisions, establishing a foundation for unity that strengthened society. The depth of his educational consciousness enabled Assamese society to discover a new path of knowledge, an integral part of his social consciousness.

During Sankardeva’s time, Assamese society was not devoid of cultural heritage, but its expression and dissemination were limited, resulting in a lack of cultural unity among different classes. Through his creativity, Sankardeva gave Assamese culture a cohesive form, integrating religious messages with music, dance, drama, and art. His creations sparked both religious consciousness and an appreciation for cultural beauty among the common people, uniting various societal classes. Through his music and dramas, he enriched Assamese cultural heritage, reflecting the lifestyle, natural beauty, and various aspects of human life. These cultural creations enriched society not only religiously but also artistically and culturally, instilling pride in people for their culture. The depth of his cultural reforms reveals that they were not merely artistic expressions but a means to foster societal unity and prosperity. This consciousness united people from different classes, fostering mutual respect and cooperation. An analysis of his cultural contributions shows that they gave Assamese society a new cultural dimension, enriching its heritage. This cultural consciousness made people aware of their identity, inspiring them to live in unity. His cultural creations established a foundation for cultural unity among various classes, strengthening society. The depth of his cultural reforms enabled Assamese society to gain a new cultural identity, an inseparable part of his social consciousness.

Sankardeva’s commitment to social reform led him to take a strong stand against societal evils. During his time, caste discrimination, untouchability, and violence in the name of religion had divided society. He firmly opposed these practices, establishing the foundation for equality. His religious philosophy emphasized the equal dignity of all people, sending a powerful message against caste distinctions. In the Namghars and Xatras he established, there was equal space for all classes, with no room for discrimination. This egalitarian vision united people from various classes, paving the way for a cohesive society. His reformative initiatives eliminated superstitions and violence, guiding people toward a moral life. The depth of his social reforms shows that they were not merely solutions to contemporary issues but a foundation for long-term societal transformation. This vision made people aware of their rights and dignity, enabling comprehensive societal progress. An analysis of his reformative consciousness reveals that it addressed deep-rooted societal issues, establishing a moral and egalitarian foundation. This consciousness inspired people to live in unity, aware of their responsibilities. The impact of his reformative efforts enabled Assamese society to find a new direction where people could live with equal dignity. This depth of social consciousness led the Assamese nation toward a cohesive and prosperous society, an enduring testament to his contributions.

Sankardeva’s writings provided teachings on religious principles and societal moral values, making people aware of their life’s purpose. The language of his works was simple and accessible, enabling even common people to grasp their essence. This literature dispelled ignorance, guiding people toward a moral life. His writings beautifully depicted societal lifestyles, the beauty of nature, and moral values, fostering deep interest in morality and spirituality. The depth of his literature reveals that it was not merely religious texts but a tool for society’s comprehensive betterment. His literary contributions created a new consciousness among all strata of society, enabling people to make their lives more meaningful. The depth of his literature allowed Assamese society to find a path to a moral and spiritual life.

Furthermore, through the establishment of Namghars and Xatras, Sankardeva united society, providing a cohesive foundation. During his time, the lack of organizational unity weakened society, with divisions among various castes and communities. Through Namghars and Xatras, he eliminated these divisions, uniting people from all classes. Namghars served as religious and social centres where people gathered for devotional chanting, prayers, and social discussions, fostering unity. Xatras were religious and educational institutions where people received religious, cultural, and moral education. These institutions brought people under a cohesive structure, establishing a foundation for unity. The depth of his organizational vision shows that it was not merely the creation of religious centres but a means for society’s comprehensive uplift. Namghars made people responsible toward their society, inspiring them to live in unity. Additionally, through his pilgrimages, Sankardeva gathered diverse religious, social, and cultural knowledge, enriching his religious philosophy and aiding in addressing societal issues. By disseminating this knowledge, he broadened people’s perspectives, enabling them to break free from narrow mindsets and connect with a universal identity. The depth of his pilgrimages reveals that they were not merely personal knowledge-gathering but a means for society’s holistic betterment. This consciousness made people aware of their societal identity, inspiring them to live with a broader perspective. An analysis of his pilgrimages shows a beautiful integration of various societal aspects, giving the Assamese nation a new identity. The application of this knowledge enabled Assamese society to adopt a universal perspective, an integral part of his social consciousness.

Another significant aspect of Sankardeva’s social consciousness was his emphasis on ethical living, which built society on a moral foundation. His religious philosophy placed special importance on ethics and integrity, helping people connect with God. His teachings fostered honesty, empathy, and altruism, making society more ethical. The depth of his ethical vision reveals that it was not merely about personal principles but a means for society’s comprehensive betterment. This consciousness made people aware of their responsibilities, guiding them toward an ethical life. An analysis of his ethical teachings shows a beautiful integration of societal aspects, shaping the Assamese nation on a moral foundation. This ethical consciousness enabled Assamese society to find a new path to life, an inseparable part of his social consciousness.

Another crucial aspect of Sankardeva’s social consciousness was his emphasis on communal unity, which united society and shaped it into a cohesive nation. During his time, divisions among various castes and communities weakened societal unity. Through his religious and cultural efforts, Sankardeva eliminated these divisions, uniting people. His institutions provided equal space for all classes, fostering unity. The depth of his vision for communal unity shows that it was not merely about religious unity but a foundation for society’s comprehensive unity. This consciousness inspired people to live with mutual respect. An analysis of his unity-focused vision reveals that it united people from various classes, fostering cooperation and strengthening society. This unity consciousness enabled Assamese society to gain a cohesive national identity, an integral part of his social consciousness.

Another significant aspect of Sankardeva’s social consciousness was his contribution to the Assamese language and literature, which gave society a new identity. During his time, the literary form of the Assamese language was limited, and his writings elevated its status. His works reflected the beauty and depth of the Assamese language, fostering pride among people. The depth of his literary contributions shows that they were not merely for linguistic advancement but a foundation for shaping society’s cultural and moral identity. This consciousness made people aware of their language and culture, giving them a new identity. An analysis of his literature reveals a beautiful reflection of societal aspects, providing the Assamese nation with a new cultural identity. This literary contribution enabled Assamese society to gain a new linguistic and cultural identity, an inseparable part of his social consciousness.

Sankardeva’s holistic social consciousness paved the way for society’s comprehensive uplift, giving the Assamese nation a new identity. Through his religious, educational, cultural, and literary contributions, he built society on a moral, spiritual, and cultural foundation. This social consciousness made people aware of their responsibilities, inspiring them to live in unity, resulting in a cohesive and prosperous Assamese society. The depth and breadth of his consciousness enabled the Assamese nation to find a new path to life, an enduring testament to his contributions.

(Sources: Several books, multiple essays, and various articles available on the internet were consulted.)