January - 2015 Review

Odia Literature and

Dr. Narayan Panda

In the galaxy of conspicuous poets of India, Sarala Very few people were analyzing Sanskrit and Odia Das shines resplendently. He is well known as language. General people had no facility of the antediluvian poet in . During the studying Sanskrit. In the prevailing situation, Sarala infancy of and literature, he wrote Das made the relentless bid to write the the invaluable The ‘Mahabharat’ ‘Bilanka in eighteen parvas and proved ’ and ‘Chandi Purana’ which laid down beyond doubt that Odia language is expressive the solid foundation of Odia literature. His of miscellaneous emotions and moods in literature. contributions to literature were reckoned as The initiative taken by Sarala Das gave impetus sources of inspiration for the succeeding writers and inspiration for creation of Odia literature to in Odia. Hence Sarala Das has appropriately been others. Hence it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to called the gems of literateur in Odia which call Sarala Das the father of Odia literature. It is substantiate the poets which has been fulfilling the willy-hilly indicative of the fact that had Sarala people’s quest for literary juice and devotional Das not lifted his pen, the flourishing Odia literature reverberations. Rightly has Sarala Das been would have been impoverishingly delayed. christened the Byasa and Muni of Odisha. Although information about the poet’s It has been ascertained the Mahabharat biography is very little available, his writings give (Odia) was written in the beginning part of the vent to the poet’s extraordinary poetic genius. The fifteenth Century during the reign of Kapilendra Mahabharat written by him is a great epic and Dev, the conqueror. Only a semblance of his great mythology. Despite stresses and strains autobiography is scanned from the poet’s down the ages, The Mahabharat is reckoned as confession not exhaustively in the Mahabharat. very much adored and admired by the populace. The poet was born in a farmer family in the modern The Mahabharat is indicative of the poet’s Jhankada village in Cuttack District. He was unprecedented flight of imagination, excellent art named Siddheswar Parida. It was his devotion of creating characters, symmetry equanimity, to the goddess Sarala that the Goddess blessed ingenuity of character sketch. It is easily guessed him so that he could compose the voluminous to attain and materialize his aim, the poet was all literary work. his life devoted to achievement of his intention. No literature of exalted value could be The poet could usher in the spontaneous flow of written in Odia language before fifteenth century. Indian culture in Odia speaking region through

83 Odisha Review January - 2015 the Mahabharat. The concept of the Mahabharat foremost in projecting , Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, expressed in a regional language in the age when Konark, Chilka in a unique way. Sanskrit was the medium of writing literature gives Odisha is the place of assimilation of vent to poet’s ingenuity in streamlining in the heterogeneous religions. Down the ages Odisha thoughts through a nascent language like Odia and has earned the distinction of religious liberality and it amounts to the poet’s indomitable endeavor of propagation of religions but no religious movement the creation of literature. took place here. Here we find the curious Sugandhika, Chandrabatee, Neelandree, combination of essentials of all religions. Sovabatee, assassination of giant Kundalee, giant cult signifies the great connotation of liberality and Jayasingh, the fight between Arjuna and harmony of religions. Sarala Das wrote the Nagarjuna, the sketch of Bellabalee, the anecdote Mahabharat and Chandipurana keeping a perfect of Kadambsur, Babanabhuta, Belalasena is balance between the Aryan cult, Post Aryan Cult, unique. culture, trends of civilization. Although he has Sarala Das has given vent to his confessed time and again the benedictions and uncommon scholarly bend of mind and creativity blessings of Maa Sarala for which he could write by portraying his mythological characters in the Puranas, he hasn’t forgotten to tender his distinct and separate manifestations. His obeisance to Jagannath, Bishnu, , Krishna, characters are more or less prone to humanistic Surya, Ganapati in his books. faux pas and imperfections. Like common people, Inspite of Utkaliya idiosyncrasy, Sarala they are imbued with jealousy, greed, spite, Das was the par excellent propagator of all subterfuge. The common reader is exceedingly inclusive Indian culture. His treatises propound bewildered with their achievements, the message of Aryan and post Aryan Cultural imperfections, moral turpitude. Although the assimilation. It is presumed that he undertook characters in Sanskrit Mahabharat are endowed writing Chandipurana in order to substantiate the with divine connotations, Sarala Das has exalted significance of the women. In the portrayed them more and more adorned with confessions of his characters, we find the trends humanistic characterstics. The illustrative example of All-India culture. Abiding by the path pioneered in this connection are Hunda, intolerant Bhima, by the religion, one can avoid weal and woe in conspiring Sakuni, arrogant Duryodhan. It won’t life, the poet has amusingly made Managobinda be an exaggeration to say Sarala Das was quite or Duryodhan confess in Bana Parva - efficient in creating unique and lively characters as seen in case of other great poets. “O! hearken, Managovinda Treading the right path The background of Sarala’s creation Misfortune keeps it self contains benevolent patriotism. Through the epic At arm’s length” Mahabharat, he has permeated the significance of Utkal quite ingeniously. The geography, history, In the pretext of tendering advice, Sarala traditions, folk lore, Matrimony, worship and Das has described kingly prerogative, ruling the rituals etc. of Odisha have been given a lively kingdom, rudimentaries of economy. The prime portrayal in the Mahabharat. Among books aim of the poet was to enlighten the people with written in Odia, The Mahabharat was the first and Indian customs and traditions, tenets of Smurtee

84 January - 2015 Odisha Review and Sastra. It is the duty of the king to rule over “Shoo showering calumny and the subjects evenhandedly. It would be beneficial Contumely on others for all the concerned if the king rules over the O ! Dhrutarastra. people through the tenets of justice and providing The world is so transitory them happiness and peace. The body is illusory Relinquish avarice, attachment It is the prime lookout of the king to Anger, arrogance, aspersion respect the Gods, Brahmins, the enlightened and With this, achieve mental calm virtuous and not to be niggardly towards the And pave the way for attainment of tranquility” poets. Wielding power, the king must not be swayed by the doctrine of paramountcy and he Man has to reap the consequences of his mustn’t take away others property nor should he doings. Noble work helps increase longevity and exploit the farmers. Sarala Das has described in wealth. Evil work makes man short-lived and Santi Parva: suffer the hazards of his work- “Rule in this way “All the people and creatures, So rare is unhappy, Must do good work. The happiness of the ruled Treading the path of Dharma Increases wealth and longevity Makes the king to attain bliss. Transgressing the ways of Dharma If the king sticks to justice, One reaps the evil of losing While administering his subjects. Longevity and material gains” Water God Indra unhesitatingly Gives rain to the kingdom Unlike the Sanskrit Mahabharat, Sarala The tending of the king in right earnest Das stresses on abstinence, not on enjoyment. Brings the creation ecstasy. Sarala Das has aptly depicted through heterogeneous characters that avarice, infatuation, Make it a point to recognize the virtuous abhorrence, jealousy, subterfuge, terrorizing, O king ! victimizing people are to end in sorrow and tears. Don’t be parsimonious to the poets” The poet has excellently portrayed the Sarala Das has left a cornucopia of hallucination lying latent illusion in the context of counsels as regards making the general life Duryodhan swimming across the river of blood restrained, transparent and humane. As excessive on his dead son. In the transitory and fluctuating inclination for something is portent with sorrow, world, the consequence of a life of debasement, in much the same way, wrath, greed, passionate, immorality is disastrously pathetic. attachment, wine, wealth are the harbingers of “At the age of fifty troubles and tribulations for man. It is advisable Man gets gradually weak to suppress such evil tendencies and take resort At the age of sixty to the ways of Dharma. So it must be kept Forgetfulness adorns the mind uppermost in mind to respect the Gods, Brahmins, At the age of seventy Superiors, to be hospitable, to have piety on Vexatious mental troubles come, others, to help others and to be truthful. Through Glory to God he never utters. Gandhari the poet has harangued to Dhrutarastra : At the age of eighty man

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Is swamped by forgetfulness Acharya. Dr. Brundabana Chandra: Odia Sahityara He can’t recognise his house. Sankshipta Parichaya: 2nd Edition: 1972, Publisher: Grantha Mandira: Binodbihari: Cuttack-2. At the age of ninety, he can’t Beams. John: Essays on Odisha History and Literature: Distinguish self and others Reprint 2004: Prafulla: Odisha : Jagasinghpur. He grows childish; Baranjee. R.D: : Volume.I, 1st Edition: So that none comes to his side 1930. He can’t recognize his son Behera. Dandapani: Odisha Etihasa: 2nd Edition: 2003, When paying him respect Publisher: Prateechi Prakashan: Berhampur, Odisha. Ask him “Who are you? And “what brings you here ? Bal. Dr. Gangadhar: Sarala Sahitya O Anyanya Nibandha: 1st Edition 2008, Publisher: Cuttack Trading O! Yudhistir, Company, Balubazar, Cuttack. Through the hard practice of Mishra. Pandit Krupasindhu: Utkal Etihas: 1st meditation one lives for a hundred and Edition:1979, Publisher: Books and Books: Binodbihari, twenty years Cuttack-2. for the sins, he suffers Mishra. Binayak: Odia Sahityara Etihas: 1st Edition: pain and anguish 1965, Publisher: Rastra Bhasa Pustak Bhandar: Cuttack. st The torture of Jama is nothing Compared to it” Mansingh. Dr. Mayadhar: Odia Sahityara Etihas: 1 Edition: 1976, Publisher: Ganthamandir: Binodbihari, Sarala Das has put up his extraordinary Cuttack-2. perspicacity through the writing of the Odia Mohanty. Dr. Bansidhar: Odia Sahityara Etihas: Vol-II Mahabharat and the Chandipuran. He hitched the 1st Edition, Publisher: Friends Publisher: Bonodbihari, prospects of the evanescent Odia language to the Cuttack. skies through his exploits in the realm of literature. His language, application of appropriate facts and situations, style of description is exceptional and incompatable. References: Acharya. Pyarimohan: Odishara Etihasa: 2nd Edition: Dr. Narayan Panda, P.G Dept. of Odia, F.M.University, 1925. Publisher: Sahitya Press: Cuttack. Balasore.

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