Odia Books

Bhima Bhoi was born in 1855,He was a blind and talented odia saint-poet of the Khond tribe (Adibasi) who enriched odia literature by his devotional lyrics. He was adopted by a poor couple of the Khond tribe at Radhakhola. He left them when he was still a child and had to toil hard and suffer a lot to earn a living. He was initiated into Mahimadharma or Alekhadharma (a Hindu reform movement) by Mahima Goswami, the founder and exponent of the new movement. After his initiation he married a Brahmin girl and built his Ashrama at Khalipala in 1877 and lived there with his companions and scribes and surrounded by his disciples.

This renowned saint was highly esteemed and revered for his devotional lyrics, practice of penance and sincere prayer for the spiritual emancipation of his fellow beings. Lack of formal education was in no way an obstacle to the development of his natural poetic gift as he had a wonderful memory and sharp intelligence to assimilate the immortal teachings of Shrimadbhagavata, the works of Panchasakha (five associates) and other scriptures and puranas (mythology).

Tenets of the new movement of his guru (preceptor) have been reflected in almost all his works amongst which Stuti Chintamani, a fine collection of devotional lyrics, is a classic in odia literature. It is a departure from the conventional mode, where the readers experience the sincere emotion of a socially tortured revolutionary surcharged with deep and unshaken optimism for the reformation of the debased society. His unlimited compassion for the sorrow-stricken human society has been reflected in a couplet, viz. “Let my life rot in hell for the emancipation of the world.”

The language, expression and the images of his composition were meant for the common man, intelligible and touching, and the style was spontaneous and lucid. His Chautisas (lyrics containing 34 stanzas using each of the 34 consonants in the beginning of each stanza) and Bhajanas, (singing the glory of God and dialogue between ‘mana’ and ‘chaitanya’ – mind and consciousness) are surcharged with wistful prayer and yearning for the spiritual uplift of human beings. Other works like Brahmanirupana Gita, Shrutinishedha Gita etc. are doctrinal in nature where the teacher and the preacher subdue the poet.

The tenets of the new movement which discourage casteism and idol worship for the realisation of the Brahma (The Supreme Soul who is void, formless and without attribute: nirakara and nirguna) have been expounded with lucidity and with due respect to the tradition of the Panchasakhadharma (religious doctrines of the Five Associates during the reign of King Prataprudra Deva).FURTHER WORKS: Nirveda Sadhana, (Practice of Nirveda), Adi Anta Gita (Poem of the Beginning and the End), Bhajanamali (Garland of Songs in Praise of God), Chautisa Madhu Chakra (Bee-hive of 34 stanzalyrics).BIBLIOGRAPHY: Birakishora Das, Bhima Bhoi Granthabali, Introduction (Cuttack, 1971).

Chautisas
Brahmanirupana Gita
Shrutinishedha Gita
Nirveda Sadhana
Adi Anta Gita
Bhajanamali
Chautisa Madhu Chakra