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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 11 March, 2021

  • 5 Min Read

Sattras in Assam

Sattras in Assam

Political parties often go to different Sattras to seek the blessings of Sankardeva.

About Sattras:

  • Sattras are monastic institutions in Assam.
  • They were created as part of the 16th century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement. Movements started by the Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva(1449-1596).

Why were they established?

  • They were established to spread Sankardeva’s unique “worship through art” approach.
  • They are doing it presently with music (borgeet), dance (sattriya), and theatre (bhauna).

Features:

  • Each Satra has a Naam Ghar (worship hall) as its nucleus and is headed by an influential “Satradhikar”.
  • Monks known as bhaktas are inducted into Sattras at a young age.
  • They may or may not be celibate depending on the kind of Sattra they are inducted into.

Sankardeva’s philosophy:

  • Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568) was a 15th–16th century Assamese saint, scholar, poet, and social-religious reformer.
  • He propagated a form of Bhakti philosophy called Eka Sarana Naam Dharma.
  • The philosophy had an influence on two medieval kingdoms—Koch and the Ahom kingdoms.
  • Components: The four important components of the philosophy were deva (god), Naam (prayers), bhaktas (devotees), and guru (teacher).
  • Society: The philosophy espoused a society based on equality and fraternity, free from caste differences, orthodox Brahmanical rituals, and sacrifices.
  • Teachings: The teachings of the philosophy rejected idol worship and focused on devotion (bhakti) to Krishna.
  • Devotion would be in the form of congregational listening and singing his name and deeds (Kirtan) and (sravan).

Source: IE


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