In some of our
earlier posts we mentioned that after completion of pilgrimage, Guru Harideva
studied Vedas and Vedic Philosophy at Kashi. Then he made research orientd studies
on Bhagavata at Jagannatha temple of Puri . After that he established one new
type of religious institution for propagation of his spiritual ideas among the
common people. He named those institutions as “Satra”. His first Satra was
established in 1453 CE at Bahari, in Barpeta District of Assam. Explaining the
meaning of the word “Satra” Guru Harideva told that there is only one ultimate
truth or “Sat” behind all names and forms manifested in the creation. The
institution through which people get knowledge of that Ultimate Truth or “Sat”
and learn the practical ways of realization
of the Ultimate Truth is “Satra”. The presiding deity of the Satras established
by him is Lord Krishna who is considered to be the full expression of the “Sat”
or the Ultimate Truth. The Satras are to impart
necessary education to establish Lord
Krishna as the Ishta Devata in the heart of all classes of people. Gods and
Goddesses other than Lord Krishna are considered to be the different names and
forms of Lord Krishna, the Ishta Devata of the people attached with Satra
culrure. Hence showing of any kind of disregard to any God and Goddess never
arises in the mind of people attached with the Satra culture established by
Guru Harideva. The practical experience gained by Guru Harideva during his pilgrimage gave him
the idea to develop this type of thought. We already told that before
proceeding on pilgrimage ,Guru Harideva chose his own Ishta Devata taking help
from his Guru at Aswaklanta temple. After that , the first pilgrim place he
visited was Hajo, in Kamrup District of
Assam . There are two famous ancient temples at Hajo. One is dedicated to lord
Vishnu and the other to Lord Shiva. In the Vshnu temple the deity of Lord
Vishnu is worshiped in the name and form of Hayagriva Madhava since ancient
times. In the Shiva temple the deity of Lord
Shiva is worshiped in the name and form of Kedareswara since time immemorial.
He visited both the temples and considered the deities of Shiva and Vishnu as
different names and forms of his own Ishta Devata and worshiped both of the
deities with equal adoration. In the same manner he used to see and worship his
own Ishta Devata in each deities available at each temple during his
pilgrimage. The same principle he applied in the way of religious practice suggested
by him for spiritual benefit of common people
and also for maintenance of
social and communal harmony. These things we will discuss at proper place.(to
be continued)
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