Srimanta Sankardev and the Philosophy of Ek Sarana Dharma
Author : Dr. Hemanta Borah
Abstract :
Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568 CE) stands as the most transformative figure in the religious, cultural, and literary history of Assam. Through the formulation of Ek-harana Dharma, or “religion of single devotion”, he restructured Assamese society by rejecting ritualism, caste hierarchies, and sectarian conflict in favor of direct devotion to one Supreme God, Krishna. This article examines the philosophical foundations of Ek-harana Dharma, its socio-cultural objectives, and its enduring impact on Assamese identity. Using textual analysis of Sankardev’s own work Kirtan Ghosha, borgeet, Ankiya Naat and secondary scholarly interpretations, the study argues that Ek-harana Dharma was not merely a religious doctrine but a comprehensive reform movement that democratized spiritual access and created new forms of art, performance, and community organization. The findings suggest that Sankardev’s philosophy anticipated modern ideas of egalitarianism and vernacular empowerment, making it relevant beyond its 16th-century context.
Keywords :
Srimanta Sankardev, Ek-harana Dharma, Neo-Vaishnavism, Assam, Bhakti Movement, Satra, Namghar, Krishna Bhakti.
