Chilarai: an exponent of neo-Vaishnavite movement
Babul Tamuli
Sukladhvaja, also known as Sangram Singha was born on full-moon day of the
month of Magh (January-February) in 1510 AD to Padmavati. His father Bishwa
Singha founded the Koch dynasty in the western part of Assam. Sukladhvaja with
his elder brother Malladhvaja went to Kashi and studied different religious
books, scriptures, grammer, astrology, logic, philosophy and politics under the
guidance of Guru Brahmananda Visharad. After the sudden death of their father,
Malladhvaja became king of the Koch kingdom in 1533 AD with a new name called
Naranarayan and Sukladhvaja became commander-in-chief of the Koch army.
Becoming the chief of the Koch army, Sukladhvaja organised it as one of the
mightiest forces in eastern India. His big contingent of troops consisted of
20,0000 infantries, 4,000 horses, 7,000 elephants and 1,000 war boats. He also
raised a 6,000 men strong naval force and wrote his name in history books as
the first chief of naval staff in India. He defeated the mighty Ahoms and
extended his territories upto Sadiya in the east. With his might and bravery he
occupied Bengal and planned to invade the Mughal dynasty. There are many
stories, legends and proverbs regarding heroism, bravery and skill of
Sukladhvaja in the battlefield. He adopted blitzkrieg tactics by promptly
sweeping down on the rival forces creating chaos and confusion among them.
Therefore, he was nick named as Chilarai, the kite king. As he resisted the
enemies like an unconquerable stone (chil), many scholars therefore believe
that he became famous as Chilarai.
Chilarai was not only a warrior, mighty general or a military leader. It will
be not justified if we describe him only as a great commander-in-chief of the
Kochs. He was also a scholar, social reformer and an exponent of
neo-Vaishnavite movement initiated by the great saint Mahapurush Sankardeva.
Due to persecution by the Ahom kings, Sankardeva fled from Ahom territories and
took shelter in the Koch territories. Under the patronage of the Koch King
Naranarayan and his learned brother Chilarai, Sankardeva laid the foundation of
Vaishnavite culture and tradition in Assam.
Chilarai married a niece of Sankardeva named Bhubaneswari Devi and established
a cordial relation with him. Bhubaneswari was a daughter of Sankardevas
younger brother called Ramrai. A beautiful lady, singer and dancer Bhubaneswari
became popular as Kamalapriya at the Koch palace in Coochbehar. Hearing a
Bargit composed by Sankardeva in the melodious voice of Kamalapriya, Chilarai
brought him to Coochbehar from Patbaushi near Barpeta. Inspired by his magnetic
personality, religious ideals and philosophy, Chilarai took saran
(initiation) to Sankardeva and became his ardent follower.Chilarai extended all
kinds of help to Sankardeva in spreading neo-Vaishnavite movement in lower
Assam. As a result, Vaishnava cult and tradition flourished in the Koch kingdom
with active support of Chilarai.
But a section of people reported to the Koch King Naranarayan against
Sankardeva. They told the king that Sankardeva went against the religious
tradition of the State by barring the people from worshipping various gods and
goddesses. King Naranarayan then ordered his men to arrest Sankardeva. He even
ordered to kill him and made a drum with his skin and beat it with his bone.
Hearing such a harsh punishment his niece Kamalapriya appealed to Chilarai to
save Sankardeva. Chilarai immediately brought Sanakrdeva to his palace and
secretly kept him at his custody. Later he produced him before the king when he
assured him that he will not kill the saint. Praising the king, Sankardeva sung
a panegyric at his court and explained his religious principle. Understanding
the basic principle of eka-saran-nam-dharma preached and propagated by
Sankardeva, the king instead of punishing him gave him a royal reception.
Appreciating his scholarly aptitude, King Naranarayan settled him in
his kingdom with due respect and honour.
In a secured and congenial atmosphere provided by Naranarayan and his brother
Chilarai, Sankardeva concentrated himself in propagating neo-Vaishnavite
movement in Assam. He wrote a number of books, dramas and songs at Coochbehar
and enriched Assamese Vaishnavite literature. Collecting the summary and
substances from the Bhagavata, he wrote Gunmala. It is regarded as an elephant
encapsuled in a bamboo pipe. Taking a glorious chapter from the Ramayana, he
wrote his last drama called Ram Vijoy and displayed it at Coochbehar. In the
drama he described Chilarai as a great appreciative person.
Following the request of King Naranarayan and Chilarai, Sankardeva drew a
picturesque alluring scene of Brindavan, the abode of Lord Krishna on a piece
of textile cloth. Popularly known as Brindavani Bastra, there he artistically
designed different acts of Lord Krishna with the help of local weavers at
Tatikushi near Barpeta. It took about a year to complete the 180 ft long and 90
ft wide wonderful piece of textile work. Regarded as a rare treasure of Assam,
the cloth is now carefully preserved at the British Museum in London.
Apart from Sankardeva, a galaxy of saints and scholars freely studied art,
culture and literature at Coochbehar making it a centre of Vaishnavite learning
and teaching. For the housewives, Madhabdeva wrote Janma Rahashya following the
request of Kamalapriya. Chilarai requested Ram Saraswati to translate the
verses from the Mahabharata. He also encouraged Purusottam Bhattacharya to
write Ratnamala Byakaran and asked Sridhar to write Jyotish Sastra Following
his request, Bakul Kayastha wrote Lilavati, a landmark on mathematics. A
scholar par excellence, Chilarai himself wrote an analytical annotation of poet
Joydevas Geet Govinda as Sarabatisar and left an indelible imprint in Sanskrit
literature.
(Published on the occasion of Chilarai Divas)
Assam Tribune Editorial 21.02.08
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