Exploring the Humanistic Philosophy of Srimanta Sankardeva in the Material Culture of the Neo-Vaisnavite Traditions of Assam

Abstract

Initiated by Saint Srimanta Sankardeva (1449 CE-1568 CE) to improve the terrible socio- religious and cultural state of Assam at the time, the Neo-Vaisnavite movement was humanistic and creative. Sankardeva wanted to transform Assamese society by transforming its people into value searchers who achieve values via artistic and creative endeavors. His actions were motivated by his belief in “Eka Sarana Nama Dharma”, which is the refuge in a single ultimate reality or God. He carried out this belief through a variety of mediums, including tales, art, institutions, and symbols. These establishments and artifacts have grown to be vital components of the Neo-Vaisnavite tradition's material and spiritual culture of Assam. Even though the laities currently utilize these items on a daily basis, a brief investigation would show that they originated from Saint Sankardeva's creative humanism. The present paper explores to find the material cultural identity of this tradition as the source of Srimanta Sankardeva's creative humanism.