The Bhakti Movement in Odisha - A Spiritual Revolution by Jankhana

Can you imagine how incredible it must have been to witness spiritual enlightenment taking shape? With people coming together and embracing the path of love and devotion- the movement created a pathway to bridge divinity with humanity.

"Jagannath is the soul's deepest aspiration, the heart's purest love, and the mind's ultimate refuge." This timeless preaching from the Bhakti Movement in Odisha narrates the essence and magnificence of the spiritual transformation that took place centuries ago. Rooted in deities’ pure, pristine love, it was a time of immense change and spiritual awakening. This, indeed, marked a turning point in the history of Odisha.

Tracing the Roots

 "In every heart, devotion's flame ignites, guiding souls to divine, transcendent heights."

Delving into the transformative movement takes us on a journey of spiritual legacy that was inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But who was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? A spiritual luminary who was respected as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Born in 1486 in Navadvipa, Bengal (present West Bengal), he was a revered saint, philosopher, and social reformer who brought a revolution in Odisha during the 15th century. His teachings resonated with people and his ecstatic kirtans catalyzed spiritual inclination among people he encountered. His only philosophy of life was the ‘path of devotion, love, and surrender to the presiding deity of Odisha, Lord Jagannath. It was during this period when the seeds of the Bhakti Movement in Odisha were sown.

Furthermore, the ancient texts and manuscripts with profound devotional teachings, secretly hidden underground to protect from invaders contributed to the popularity of the movement. Later, what drew inspiration was the influence of Vaishnavism. Wondering, what is Vaishnavism? Inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, it was a bhakti tradition that focused on love, devotion, and worship of Lord Krishna as the supreme power. The Jagannath Temple in Puri embracing the unique ritual Rath Yatra, characterized by the procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on elaborately decorated chariots, became a focal point for devotees seeking spiritual solace. The emergence of many popular saints and poets creating literature masterpieces in the local language, Odia, enriched the movement. Indeed, making Odisha a hub of spiritual enlightenment and literary brilliance.

Meet the Sages and Poets

"Chant the holy names of the Lord, and in that sound find the nectar of divine love, for through devotion, the soul finds its true purpose and eternal bliss."

It’s time to meet the charismatic sages and poets who played an integral role in the movement while shaping and enriching the vibrant heritage and landscape. Some of the key figures include:

Balaram Das: "With every breath, let the name of Lord Krishna resound, and witness the divine grace that uplifts the soul and dispels all sorrows” is a heart-warming and divine composition by Balaram Das, a respected sage and poet of the Bhakti tradition in Odisha. He was one of the five soulful poets who played magic with his compositions in Odia literature, the Panchasakha. Writing across wide genres like mythology, philosophy, yoga, and music, some of his notable compositions include Jagamohana Ramayana (Dandi Ramayana), Lakhmi Purana, Bedanta Sara Gupta Gita, Gupta Gita, and Amarakosa Gita.

Bhima Bhoi: “Witnessing the plethora of plights on earth how one could bear with; let the world get redeemed at my cost” - the poignant words of Bhima Bhoi, inscribed on the UN Halls in various Indian languages. He was a prominent saint, poet, composer, singer, and social reformer of the 19th century who played a significant role in the Bhakti movement. Writing against social injustice and caste discrimination, he traversed his journey on a mission “jagata uddhara”, meaning “liberation of the entire world”.

Achyutananda Das: “A bird can only fly with both wings. It can have perfect vision with both eyes. In the absence of one, it becomes one-eyed, and in the absence of both, it is blind. Thus, like two eyes Nirguna (formless) and Saguna (form) are chained together”. This beautifully resonates with the belief and philosophy of Achyutananda’s life. Popularly known as Gopala Guru, he was a renowned saint and philosopher of the 16th century who left an indelible mark with his spiritual teaching during the movement. He was also one of the famous five of Panchasakha, who led a revolution in spirituality.

Sarala Das: "At every moment, keep the divine name embedded in your heart, forever attracted to the Lord's grace" - a simple and soothing verse guiding on the path to self-realization from Sarla Das. He was a 15th century poet and scholar who translated Mahabharata in Odia. Two other Odia books that reflect his amazing compositions, beliefs, and spirituality are Vilanka Ramayana and Chandi Purana.

Preservation of the Rich Cultural Heritage

"Through verses sung and scriptures inscribed, our cultural heritage thrives, preserving the tapestry of devotion that keeps our souls alive."

The Bhakti movement has played an integral role in the preservation of the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of Odisha. Integrated with bhakti themes of love, devotion, and spirituality, the movement safeguarded and transmitted all its rituals, practices, arts, and literature from one generation to another with more depth and dimension. Some of the key examples of this cultural identity are as follows:

·       The annual chariot festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Rath Yatra.

·       A festival where deities are smeared with sandalwood paste, Chandan Yatra.

·       Odissi dance with intricate footwork, and devotion-infused storytelling.

·       A traditional dance drama narrating the divine love between Radha and Krishna, Rasa Lila.

·       A spring festival celebrated with music, dance, and colors, Dola Purnima.

·       Devotional music with compositions from popular saints like Jayadeva at social and religious gatherings.

Bridging Divinity and Human Experience

"In every heart, the divine melody plays, bridging the realm of divinity with human experience, and in the harmony of devotion, souls find solace and eternal grace."

The realm of divinity and human experience tend to connect deeply and seamlessly through Odia literature, profoundly impacted by the bhakti movement. The verses, narratives, and expressions have revolutionized the literary landscape in many significant ways, contributing to its richness and diversity. Let’s explore its significance and experience the transformation:

·      Spiritual Themes: Odia literature was infused with spiritual themes focused on love, devotion, worship, and surrender. Being inspired by the mystic lives of saints and poets of the bhakti movement, the poems include narratives that trigger the quest for union with the divine.

·      Devotional Lyrics: Devotional lyrics in the form of bhajans and padas are often celebrated as a powerful medium to communicate with the inner self and the divine. It breathed new life into the verses, capturing the essence of divine ecstasy through heartfelt expressions like love, devotion, and divinity.

·      Influence on Prose: The flow, coherence, ideas, narratives, and expressions all are counted upon to define blissful spiritual journeys. Inspiring the composition of religious texts, biographies, and philosophical treaties, these writings have shaped the intellectual discourse of Odia literature.

·      Language and Style: Bhakti movement directly influenced the language and style with deeper enrichments and metaphorical expressions. The language became more vibrant, refined, and beautiful with the richness of devotional expressions, and resonating spiritual experiences. 

A Spiritual Legacy for the Modern Times

"In the rhythmic melodies of the past, we find the timeless whispers of devotion, guiding us to bridge the gap between divinity and our inner selves in the modern world."

Finding solace and spiritual fulfillment is certainly a universal path to liberation. The timeless tradition of the Bhakti Movement in Odisha resonates the same even today. It transcends all religious, cultural, social, and linguistic boundaries while creating an easy-going pathway for anyone and everyone to embrace the power of divine love and connect with the eternal. But what comes to question is how does the bhakti movement encourage to achieve spiritual fulfillment?

Devotional practices like kirtans, chanting, and meditation do it! The rhythmic melodies and the aura these create with their repetitive nature go deep within to make the listeners feel in harmony with their inner selves. The moment of listening creates vibrations that hold the ability to create an atmosphere of reverence and devotion, thereby encouraging to pause, reflect, and redirect, invoking a sense of divine ecstasy. 

Navigating the complexities of the modern world and finding the meaning and purpose of human existence is very important. Each human is here to fit a missing puzzle of the jigsaw, the stupendous, divine soul created long ago with the formation of the world. To delve into timeless wisdom for having the right human connection, seeking joy while selflessly serving humanity, experiencing the transformative power of love, and cultivating a growth mindset to achieve success, it is important to experience the union of body, mind, and soul. This has been an important learning offered by the movement along with some timeless teachings and philosophical insights, including:

·       Emphasizes genuine, pure, and unconditional love for the divine.

·       Transcends caste, creed, and culture distinctions to promote the oneness of all beings.

·       Advocates surrendering negative emotions and materialistic desires to the divine will.

·       Encourages to cultivate personal relationships with the divine through spiritual practices.

·       Ensures that anyone and everyone can access the path to liberation.

·       Manifests acts of compassion and service with an emphasis on inner transformation.

Now take a moment to reconnect with the past, bring the same vibrations of mantras, chants, and bhajans to the present, and live the experience. How does it feel? Trust, creates a difference, going beyond material pursuits while guiding on the path of self-realization. Moreover, the movement has propagated transformative ideals, reevaluated social structures, challenged hierarchies, shaped collective consciousness, and fostered inclusivity. And that’s the spiritual legacy left behind, continuing to shape Odisha's social and cultural landscape.  

The Bottom Line

 The rich heritage of Odisha shines through time and space,

In sacred verses and melodies that transcend color and race,

A tapestry of love and devotion, woven in all its embrace,

The Bhakti movement in Odisha leaves an eternal trace.

 The legacy of the Bhakti movement makes us witness the beauty of devotion and its ability to inspire generations across centuries. It serves as a beacon of light guiding us towards a brighter, more compassionate, and spiritually enriched existence. So, pause, reflect, and reconnect!

FAQs

Ques 1: Who was known as Gauranga or Gaurahari in the bhakti movement of Odisha?

Ans 1: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a prominent figure of the bhakti movement in Odisha and was popularly known as Gauranga or Gaurahari.

Ques 2: What does Rasalila signify during the Bhakti Movement in Odisha?

Ans 2: Rasalila as a mystic practice emerged during the movement. It is a practice where devotees would engage in artistic expressions through dance and love stories to express their love and devotion for the divine.

Ques 3: What is Panchasakha tradition?

Ans 3: The Panchasakha tradition refers to the collective tradition of five friends who made significant contributions to the bhakti movement in Odisha through their devotional compositions, philosophical insights, and spiritual teachings. The five poets are Jagannatha Das, Balaram Das, Achyutananda Das, Ananta Das, and Yasovanta Das.

Ques 4: Who preached bhakti in Odisha before the arrival of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?

Ans 4: The five esteemed poets and saints forming the Pancha Sakha - Jagannatha Das, Balaram Das, Achyutananda Das, Ananta Das, and Yasovanta Das, preached bhakti by performing mass sankritana across Odisha before the arrival of Chaitanya.

Ques 5: What is the bhakti movement in Odisha commonly known as?

Ans 5: Bhakti movement in Odisha is commonly known as “Mahima Dharma” or “Mahima Cult”.

References:

Wikipedia 

Bhakti Tradition of Odisha | Bhakti In Indian Mythology, A talk by Devdutt Pattanaik with Prateek Pattnaik at Mystic Kalinga Festival By Devdutt Pattanaik
Bhima Bhoi: An Indian Poet Whose Poem is Inscribed on the Walls Of UNO Halls, The Indian Free Press

About the Writer:

Jankhana is a writer with a deep passion for the written word. She weaves captivating tales that leave readers spellbound. When not conjuring magic with her words, she loves day dreaming, introspecting, and having lighthearted and meaningful conversations with her son.