Madhabdev Tithi is dedicated to one of the most popular Vaishnava Saints in Assam, who is known as Mahapurush. Saint-poet and author Madhavdeva composed Nam ghoxa and Bhakti Ratnavali – two of the important spiritual works in Assam.
Madhabdev was born in May/June 1489 at Letekipukhuri in Lakhimpur District of Assam to Govindagiri Bhuyan and Manorama. He was the disciple of Sankardev. Madhabdev’s meeting with Sankaradev is termed a mystic event and a turning point in the spiritual and religious history of Assam. Mahapurush Madhabdev is credited with propagating and improving on the basic ideas and Vaishnavite principles propounded by Sankardev. Madhabdev was also well-versed in the Tantras, Tarka-shastra, Purana, and other literature associated with Saktism. It was after four and a half hours of long debate when Sankardev uttered a sloka from the Bhagavata Purana:
yathā taror māla-niṣecanena tṛpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopaśākhāḥ ।
prāṇopahārāc ca yathendriyāṇāṃ tathaiva sarvārhaṇam acyutejyā ॥
Madhabdev was convinced and he accepted Sankardev as his guru. At the age of thirty-two, he joined his scholarship, literary, and musical genius to the cause of Ekasarana dharma. Sankardev accepted him as his prana bandhava and anointed him later as his successor. Madhabdev religiously carried forward his guru’s legacy, establishing several satras that have served as the foundation of moderate thoughts and beliefs for centuries in Northeast India. With the blessing of his guru, Madhabdev triggered a cultural renaissance. Satras, namghars, kirtan, borgeet, and numerous other spiritual literature were produced by him.
We offer our solemn tributes to Mahapurush Sri Sri Madhabdev on his Tirubhab Tithi. Let us take inspiration from his life & ideals to elevate ourselves to greater heights.
