Madhavdev Tithi: Namghars And Sattras In Assam Reverberate With Naam Ghoxa

GUWAHATI: The Namghars and Sattras across Assam reverberated with naams and ghosas as it celebrated the Tirubhav Tithi of its great saint Sri Sri Madhavdev today. 

Madhavdev along with his teacher Mahapurush Sankardev are regarded as the foundational beings of the Assamese society. Madhavdev is credited for his compositions like Naam Ghoxa and Bhakti Ratnavali, which transcend time and shows the right way to not only Assamese society but humankind at large. 

Madhavdev was initially a Sakta worshipper as Shaktism was prevalent in Assam at that time which has its origin in the region after the advent of the Danava dynasty. 

The story of Madhavdev's transformation from being a Shakti worshipper to Vaishnavism is interesting. Madhavdev was out to sacrifice a goat for the cure of his ailing mother when he heard about Sankardev who was revered in the region for being learned. Madhavdev wanted a debate with Sankardev and accordingly visited Sankardev. It is to be noted here that Madhavdev was more learned than Sankardev and even Sankardev admitted it by naming Madhavdev "Borar Poh" which means the learned one. 

Madhavdev and Sankardev locked horns in the debate for more than four and a half hours and then Madhavdev accepted defeat to Sankardev and asked to be his disciple which Sankardev agreed with a smile. 

Madhavdev's virtues of aiming for the supreme truth and avoiding entanglement in fleeting pleasures are upheld statewide as philosophical teachings of great importance.

After the conversion, Madhavdev broke his betrothal and resolved never to marry again in life. 

Madhavdev is also the author of many Borgeets and wrote 191 of them in his lifetime. He also wrote nine Jhumuras (one-act plays). His first literary work is Janma Rahasya, based on the creation and destruction of the world. Among his other outstanding contributions are Naam Maalikaa and the Assamese rendering of the 'Adi Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana. His Guru Bhattima a long poem in praise of his Guru, Srimanta Sankardev is also very popular among the Assamese masses. 

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