Bhattadeva (1558–1638), (full name, Baikunthanatha Bhagavata Bhattacharya) is acknowledged as the father of
Assamese prose. Though ''Bhaktiratnakar-katha'', the Assamese translation of
Sankardev
Srimanta Sankardev (, ; 1449–1568) was a 15th–16th century Assamese polymath; a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, dancer, actor, musician, artist social-religious reformer and a figure of importance in the cultural and religious history of ...
's Sanskrit composition ''Bhaktiratnakar'' by Gopala Charana Dwija preceded the works of Bhattadeva, Bhattadeva's prose had an influence in the development of a high and dignified style. Bhattadeva's and Gopala Charana Dvija's 16th century works are considered to be the earliest examples of prose in Indian languages. Bhattadeva's erudition in Sanskrit grammar and literature, and his command over the Bhagavata earned him the title of ''Bhagavata Bhattacharya''.
Biography
Bhattadeva was born to Chandra Bharati and Tara Devi in a
Brahmin
Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...
family of
Bichankuchi, Bajali (
Kamrup). After finishing his education he became a disciple of
Damodara Deva
Damodardev (1488–1598) was sixteenth century Ekasarana preceptor from Nalaca, Nagaon. Damodardev was a follower of Sankardeva's Ekasarana dharma order. He started his own order after the death of Sankardeva that came to be called the Brah ...
and succeeded him as the head of Patbausi satra at
Barpeta
Barpeta is a town in Barpeta district of the state of Assam in India and is district headquarters. The city is located north west of Guwahati and is one of the major cities in Western Assam. It is also called Satra ''Nagari'' (Temple town) of ...
. He established the Byaskuchi satra some time later where he died. He is best known for ''Katha Bhagavat'' and ''Katha Gita'', though some minor works like Saranamalika and Prasangamala are also ascribed to him.
Work
Bhattadeva began translating the Sanskrit
Bhagavata
The Bhagavata (; , IAST: ''Bhāgavata'' ) tradition, also called Bhagavatism (), is an ancient religious sect that traced its origin to the region of Mathura. After its syncretism with the Brahmanical tradition of Vishnu, Bhagavatism becam ...
into Assamese prose at the bidding of Damodaradeva, who wanted it to be accessible to the common man. He rendered ''Katha Bhagavata'' in a discursive style that is dignified and balanced. He maintains the same sense of dialogue in the ''Katha Gita''. Though he uses short sentences, popular vocabulary and the expressive cadence of the colloquial, he uses Sanskrit vocables heavily and his language is an elevated one. After completing the Bhagavata and the
Gita
The Bhagavad Gita (; ), often referred to as the Gita (), is a Hindu scripture, dated to the second or first century BCE, which forms part of the epic poem Mahabharata. The Gita is a synthesis of various strands of Indian religious thought, ...
, he rendered the Bhaktiratnavali into elegant prose. He also compiled a book of devotional verses in Sanskrit gleaned from the
Upanishad
The Upanishads (; , , ) are late Vedic and post-Vedic Sanskrit texts that "document the transition from the archaic ritualism of the Veda into new religious ideas and institutions" and the emergence of the central religious concepts of Hind ...
s,
s and Samhitas illustrating all the elements of Bhakti. The work, Bhakti-Viveka reveals extensive knowledge and erudition of Bhattadeva, from the vedic to the puranic literature. Bhattadeva's contributions are not confined to prose literature, he wrote poetry also.
Bhattadev University
Bhattadev University is a public state university located at Pathsala, Bajali district, Assam. The university is established by ''Bhattadev University Act, 2017'' which was passed by the Governor of Assam on 7 September 2017. It was created b ...
of Assam is named after him.
See also
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Hema Saraswati
Hema Saraswati (fl. late 14th century) was amongst the earliest known Assamese writers, most known for his poem, ''Prahlada Charita'', the earliest known poetic work in Assamese language. He was court poet under the patronage of Kamtapur's King ...
*
Haribara Vipra
Harivara Vipra is amongst the earliest known Assamese writers. He was patronaged by Kamatapur's king Durlava Narayan (14th Century). His compositions, ''Babrubahanar Yudha'', ''Lava-Kushar Yudha'', ''Tamradwajar Yudha'' of ''(Asvamedha Parva)'' ...
References
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhattadeva
Kamrupi poets
1558 births
1638 deaths
16th-century Indian poets
17th-century Indian poets
People of the Ahom kingdom