Stepping into the age of twenty one Sankardev moved from his
youth to manlihood to get experience in
family life by tying knot with Suryawati who is the most beautiful and
talented daughter of Horibor Giri. Suryawati family was from Kayastha Bhuyan class and her father was
extremely happy at the marriage proposal.
Horibor felt privileged to hand over his daughter’s hand to the most
efficient and eligible lad in his community.
Though Sankardev was inclined in spiritualism but maintained the code of
conduct of worldly life without exempting from it. During this phase of grihastha (family life) life he lead a
happy married life. One year after his marriage his wife Suryawati gave birth
to a girl whose name they had kept as Manu but later changed it to
Hraipriya. Later when Sankardev’s
daughter Haripriya became of marriageable age her father placed her hand to a
man from Kayastha class whose name was Hari. After her marriage Suryawati
deceased and this was a phase when Sankardev experienced life attachment
turmoil.
In the earlier stage of his life he abandoned from parental
love and now at manhood his love made an early exit, making his life painful to
lead. For him the life seemed to be heavier to bear and unable to get himself back
to its clutch of attachment. It was at this peak of situation he decided to set
for pilgrimage by leaving aside the illusive world after setting the ashes of his
wife and parent in the holy waters of river Ganga. He turned to his brother
Bongayagiri to take over the household activities. He proceeded to set his foot
in this journey to pilgrims all over India and grouped with few of his favorite
men like Mahendra Kandali, Parma Nanda Harbajoy, Ramram and Ramraiokay. There
were seventeen other known people of his village who joined this group of
Sankardev for pilgrim tour.
In this journey to pilgrimage with a small troop he first
paid visit to the holy river Ganga where he took a holy dip and set the ashes
of his beloved deceased ones into its sacred water. After performing religious
act Sankardev set his feet to Gaya to perform the last rituals of his deceased
ones with his final obeisance. In the initial part of his journey Sankardev
spent nine days nearby Ganga then three nights in Gaya before returning to the
river bank. From there he proceeded towards Jagannath along with his companions
and after twenty one days later he reached the divine pilgrim of lord
‘Krishna’.
Later he came down to Puri of Orissa after the brief span in
Jagnnath to acquire in-depth knowledge about Brahma Puran. During this phase of
venture he stored his divine experience about Srikhetra of Puri in detailed
written format. Sankardev in his zest to acquire knowledge in spiritual field had
undergone vigorous reading of various scriptures to perfect his knowledge who later
was able to make his presence as the great learned pandit (scholar) during philosophical
sessions held with many other brilliant competitors. Hereby he attained fame with
respect and devotion from the higher priest as well as panda(guide) of Puri.
From there he proceeded to Vrindavan the holy abode of
Krishna/Vasudeva’s early pastime during his childhood who was stated as the
eight incarnation of the lord Vishnu. During the spiritual venture in Vrindavan, Sankardev was found to be involved
in couple of debates that was arranged between him and the profound scholars
with in-depth knowledge in numerous religious scriptures. Though Sankardev‘s
brilliance was unsurpassable among the rest but he enjoyed the exposure that he
got from the new outer challenges apart from his people of his land. It was
proved that there was no stance of anyone to challenge to win a debate against
him. It could be stated as that there was rarely anyone to contradict his
logical standpoints. In this process Sankardev not only earned fame but also established
himself as a renowned scholar of all time. He made his journey from Vrindavan
to Mathura and from there he left for Dwarka.
To Dwarka he was assisted by only two of his companions who
were Habajoy and Praman Nanda. Engrossed in the acquirement of knowledge
Sankardev fascinated many to challenge him in a debate to experience his might.
In this trip to pilgrimage Sankardev visited places like Varnashi, Prayag,
Sitakund, Borahkund and other before proceeding to Norh Bahini Ganga to make
way to Ayodha. At last he again returned to the charismatic land of Krishna’s
childhood reminiscences Vrindavan.
At the time when Sankardev was at Vrindavan then his topmost
disciple was born at Upper Assam near Lataku Pukhuri (a pond surrounded by
Lataku berry tree which still has its existence). The great divine soul
Madhavdev was born to Harhingha Ujir Bora’s family. At this period of pilgrimage
Sankardev spent few times at Vrindavan before proceeding to Badrika Ashram. At
this pious place of Badrika Ashram Sankardev was influenced to compose a
beautiful song titled ‘Man Meri Ram Saran He Lagu.’ During this period of pilgrimage
Sankardev was completely out of the illusion world and was much emerged in the
Bhagavad Dharma that was filled with God’s divinity. Sankardev did not spare
any parts of India that had spiritual connection. It took him twelve years to
discover new regions with spiritual connection by barefooted only. He had
perfected himself not only in the knowledge of religious scripture but also in
laws, art and other versatile aspects. After the span of twelve years time in
Bharat Vraman (Indian tour)
Sankardev returned back to his native place Bardowa and
established the religious laws as depicted by the lord from time immemorial in
a new dimension that was far apart from the religious act of Hindu culture. It
could be stated as reform in earlier religious act followed in Assam that could
be stated as the advanced system to perceive God in the righteous way that
nobody could challenge to defy its worth till date but have to leave with a bow
headed to Sankardev’s great work implemented for society’s benefit. Sankardev
had established his preaching based only on Bhagavad Gita without giving any prior
to other religious act and devoted his time in the endeavor to build strong
society of diverse background to help bring harmony in the lives of people. This
system could be stated as the beginning of the Nam Dharma which was conducted
in a sacred place known as ‘Namghar’.
