Annihilation Of Tartuffe : The ‘Pasanda Mardan’ Of Sankardeva

                               Annihilation Of Tartuffe : The ‘Pasanda Mardan’ Of Sankardeva

The stumbling block to faith can be overcome only by the mercy of saintly beings; the loving devotion is the greatest grail in the Vaishnava philosophy. As it’s observed that in different eras, in many places, the transcendental lovers were afflicted by many, generally by the ruling class & by those blindly attached to black Rituals. But the great saints, overcoming all the hindrances, not only uplift the meek & weak but also left inspiration for people of all ages. So, It’s the late fifteen Century; As a part of the Bhakti revolution, Srimanta Sankardeva started the Vaishnava movement in North-Eastern India. His faith & movement have opened the door of spirituality for all classes of people in Assam. This Polymath Guru preached Krishna Bhakti & Bhagavata to even the so-called untouchables, it results in the wrath of the priestly class; so, at that time only, Sankardeva wrote ‘Pasaanda Mardan’. At the end section of this poetry, He wrote-

Samasta Sastrat kariya Sar

Pasanda mardan naam ihar

Ehise mardibo pasanda mati

Janiba Kali t Naam e se gati .

Meaning : This Kirtana is the summary of Scriptures & it will be known as Pasanda Mardan. It will slain the hypocrite (intellect of masses) .Only Name of Hari is the gati in this dark era.

In  this poem, Sankara summarized the Importance of Hari naam,right of every being in spirituality & the greatness  of devotees  using quotations from Bhagavata,Vishnu Dharmottar,Padma puran, Naradiya Puran & Suta Samhita.This poem is also a critical response to those ,who insult  Devotion & Naam sankritan.

                                                          

             Krishna katha t jitu rasika

Brahaman janma tar lage kika

(there is no need of Brahmin birth for him ,who is dedicated to Name & Deeds of SriKrishna )

       

  Chandalu Hari Naam lobe matro

 Karibe usita yagyar patra

(if  the lower chandal,the pyre lighter, chant the Hari naam, then he can be eligible as the brahmans for the Vedic Yajnas)

               Vishnur Guna Naam Alankrita

                Antajyo jiba kari ase geet

                Taak ninda karai jitu kumati

               Punyaku nasi jaibe aadhugati

 (  who insults even the chandals,who are dedicated to the Name & glory of Lord Vishnu ,surely falls down)

                Murkha huiya buloi mai pandita

               Nasta kai furoi aanoru chitta

( though fools ,they claim themselves as Scholar & destroy the innocent mind of others)

Heno Hari name nahi bishwas

Kemote eraibo mrityu r trass

( Without having faith in the greatest Hari name,how can they be get rid of their fear of death)

Sankardeva also answer to all the Mayavadis,whose path of knowledge rejects the idea of the Worshipable God –

   Nalage Leen mukutiko tatha

Naahi Haripad pankaja jatha

( i don’t want the liberation as described by the Yogis,where Lotus Feet of sri Krishna is not present)

 Nalage deva dvija rishi hoibe

Nalage sambrita sastra janibe

(No need to be a Demi god,Brahmana,Sage etc; No need to know all the Vedas &  Vedanta. Lord Krishna is pleased only by devotion.)

Murkhor kotha sobe pori hori

Sadaye dakiya ghusiyu Hari

( Don’t pay attention to these intelletual ignorants’ judgement ; every moment just chant Hari hari)

The devotion of Gopis are often judged by impersionlists & Scholars ; Hence Sankardeva glorified the Gopis – ‘ Udhave bandila Gopir Dhuli

                Abe murdha jane ninde ki buli

( One of the greatest devotee Udhhava offer his respects to the dust of Gopis’ Lotus feet,then on what ground can these fools criticise the path of Gopis.)
Furthers It is written-

Sarira sabaka mai buli chitte

Mamat kare putra bhaijya bitte

Tirth buli kore jalat shuddi

Pratimat kore devata buddhi

( They consider their bodies ,no more than a dead body, as the self ; attached to weath & family. They consider the water as pilgrimage & offer respects to the statues, but they can’t see the vaishnavas ,the devotees)

 Sravana Kirtana jar abhyas

Nasaranta Hari tahar paas

( Who is dedicated to Listening & Glorification of Sri Krishna, Lord never forsakes him)

  

Vishnu bhakatak dekhiya hase 

Apuniyu nasta anaku naase

( But the atheists laugh at the devotees ; they are bogus &  turns others also into non- devotees.)

Pancham mahapapi  jitujan

Taru payachitt Hari Kirtan 

( Even for the Sinners too, the Hari naam is the only repentance)

Sankardeva advises all the devotees to have firm faith on the name of Sri Krishna –

   

  Gyanatu karmatu kariya nara

    Hari Kirtanant kara aadar

(give importances to the Kirtana than the so called religious work&  knowledge)

Tathapi jadi citta neda thari

Padma puranat saiu bisari

Brihat sahasra nam naam t ase 

Napale amak nindiba paase

( If you Do not want to listen to my words, then check the Holy Padma puran yourself ; there are thousand Sacred names of Sri Krishna written , If you don’t find  holy names & Kirtan of Sri Hari ; then comeback and insult me !)

Neriba kirtnana dustar bule

Prabitra kara Hari Hari bule

(Don’t forsake the Hari Kirtana on hearing the insults, by Chanting Hari Hari purify yourself & them too)
Sri Sankardeva composed this poem in rhythmic language not only as a response to non-devotees, but this poem is a treasure for the Devotees who can find the scriptural basis of their faith –

  

Madhava Vamana Govinda Buli

Keisani mukuta hoibo samuli

By chanting Madhava,Vamana & Govinda, when will i be free from the darkness of nescience & Wrangle on false material enjoyment.

An Imaginary Portrait of Sri Sankardeva by BishnuPrasad Rabha