Satra (Ekasarana Dharma): Difference between revisions

[[File:Sankardev Satra Patbausi, Barpeta.jpg|thumb|Sankardev Satra of Patbausi, [[Barpeta]]]]

'''Satra'''s are institutional centers associated with the [[Ekasarana Dharma|Ekasarana]] tradition of [[Vaishnavism]], largely found in the Indian state of [[Assam]] and neighboring regions.<ref>{{harv|Dubey|1978|pages=189–193}}</ref>{{Sfn|Sarma|1966}} Numbering in the hundreds, these centers are generally independent of each other and under the control of individual ''adhikaras'' (or ''satradhikars''), though they can be grouped into four different ''Sanghatis'' (orders).

These centers, in the minimum, maintain a prayer house (''[[Namghar]]'', or ''[[Namghar|Kirtan-ghar]]''), initiate lay people into the Ekasarana tradition and include them as disciples of the Satra from whom taxes and other religious duties are extracted. Although the culture of setting up religious institutions like Satras started in [[Sadiya]],{{cn|date=September 2021}} the Neo-Vaishnavite satra culture started in the 16th century. They grew rapidly in the 17th century and patronage extended to them by first the [[Koch dynasty|Koch kingdom]] and later the [[Ahom kingdom]] was crucial in the spread the Ekasarana religion.<ref>{{harv|Sarma|1966|pp=23–24}}</ref>  Many of the larger Satras house hundreds of celibate and non-celibate ''bhakats'' (monks), hold vast lands and are repositories of religious and cultural relics and artifacts.  The Satras extend control over their lay disciples via village Namghars. Satras in which the principal preceptors lived, or which preserve some of their relics are also called ''thaan''s.<ref>{{harv|Sarma|1966|p=101}}</ref>

Another satra was established by a king named Samudrapal at a place known as Yogihati in the same period (1232 AD) as evident from a stone inscription found in [[Ambari]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/67151/11/11_chapter%203.pdf |title=''The inscription has recorded that Samudrapala who was like the Sun God had this sattra establishment within his jurisdiction, in which rituals were performed and was attached to the royal residence, the inmates o f the sattra being the yogis or siddhas, residing at a particular spot called YogihatT. The inscription is dated Saka 1154 (A.D. 1232) and was composed by one Mudha.'' |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611211517/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/67151/11/11_chapter%203.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The neo-Vaishnavite satras were established by Assamese Vaishnavite monasteries for religious practices at the initiative of the [[Ahom Dynasty|Ahom]] Kings of Assam in the middle of the 17th century<ref group=web>{{cite web |url=http://www.auniati.org/ |title=Sri Sri Auniati Satra: |publisher=Auniati.org |access-date=2013-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602081450/http://auniati.org/ |archive-date=2 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to propagate neo Vaishnavism.<ref group=web>{{cite web |url=http://www.vedanti.com/News/satra.htm |title=SATRA |publisher=Vedanti.com |access-date=2013-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032437/http://www.vedanti.com/News/satra.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref group=web>{{cite web |url=http://onlinesivasagar.com/page_tourism_places_satras.htm |title=Satras |publisher=OnlineSivasagar.com |access-date=2013-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229211230/http://onlinesivasagar.com/page_tourism_places_satras.htm |archive-date=29 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sankaradeva]] is said to have established his first Satra at Bardowa, his birthplace, and then in different places of Assam.<ref group=web>{{cite web |url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/op_ed/story.php?sec=33&subsec=0&id=145907&dtP=2013-01-13&ppr=1 |title=The Sentinel |publisher=Sentinelassam.com |access-date=2013-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924100946/http://www.sentinelassam.com/op_ed/story.php?sec=33&subsec=0&id=145907&dtP=2013-01-13&ppr=1 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref group=web>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/assam/satras-III/page1.htm |title=Temples & Legends Of Assam.Satras-III -(page1) |publisher=Hindubooks.org |access-date=2013-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227062729/http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/assam/satras-III/page1.htm |archive-date=27 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{harv|Chakravarty|1989|p=4}}</ref>

Through initially the satras were started as a part of the egalitarian movement of Eksarana Dharma, they later turned into a place of orthodoxy. From the early 20th century, the authority and orthodoxy of the Satras have been challenged by reform movements, most notably under the [[Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha|Sankar Sangha]]. The Satras coordinate some of their activities via the Asam Satra Mahasabha, an umbrella organization of all the Satras. According to the Mahasabha's count on its website there is altogether a total of 862 Satras including  the satras present in both the states of Assam and West Bengal.<ref group=web>{{cite news |title=Satra Mahasabha renews demand for separate directorate |author=Correspondent |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=oct1209/State9 |newspaper=The Assam Tribune |date=12 October 2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507142510/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=oct1209%2FState9 |archive-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The name ''satra'' originates in the [[Bhagavata Purana]] in Sanskrit (''sattra''), and is used in the sense of an assembly of devotees.<ref>{{harvp|Neog|1980|p=310}}</ref> During Sankardev's lifetime, the devotees assembled in the open, under trees.  Though temporary prayer houses were built, the tradition of devotees living in the premises did not happen during Sankardev's lifetime.  The first mention of the ''hati'' is found in the context of the Patbausi Satra of Damodardev.  Madhavdev built the Barpeta Satra, and laid down the system of daily prayer service and initiated the system of religious [[tithe]]s.  Vamsigopaldev was instrumental in establishing Satras in eastern Assam.  

The last quarter of the 16th century saw the satras divide into four different sects (also called ''samhati'')—''Brahmasamhati'', ''Purusasamhati'', ''Nikasamhati'', ''Kalasamhati''. These four sects were firmly established by the early 17th century.  

[[Damodardev|Damodaradeva]] (a brahmin disciple of Sankardev) formed the ''Brahmasamhati'', which represented the brahmanical practices and ritualism. It brought back the rigid view of caste distinction but still adhered to the teachings of namadharma of Sankardev.<ref>{{harvtxt|Shin|2017|p=248}}: "This sect admitted brahmanical rites together with general devotional practices and took a rigid view of caste distinction"</ref>The followers of this sect called themselves ''Damodariyas'' (meaning: followers of Damodaradeva) and the ''satradhikar'' was chosen from a Brahmin family.<ref>{{harvp|Shin|2017|p=248}}</ref>It had close relationship with the [[Koch dynasty|Koches]] and the Koch king [[Nara Narayan]] was initiated into the Vaishnava order by Damodaradeva.<ref>{{harvtxt|Shin|2017|p=248}}: "They had a close relation with the royal family of the Koches. The Koch king Naranaraya was initiated into the Vaishnava order by Damodaradeva."</ref> Auniati satra, [[Dakhinpat Satra]], Garamur satra and Kurawabahi satra became the most influential of the Brahmasamhati and received royal  patronage from the [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom kings]].<ref>{{harvp|Shin|2017|p=248}}</ref>

 

 

 

 

The [[Ahom kingdom]] initially resisted the ingress of religious preceptors it finally endorsed the Satras, enabling them to establish themselves on sound economics, make themselves attractive to the lay people, and spread the Ekasarana religion. The 17th century saw the rapid growth of the Eksarana Dharma in upper Assam<ref>{{harvtxt|Shin|2017|p=243}}: "(T)he 17th century onwards, when the movement expanded to the upper Brahmaputra Valley, the area under the rule of the Ahom kings"</ref> and [[Majuli]] became a focal point of Satra tradition and authority. The number of Satras grew during this period, 125 satras build in the 17th century and 85 satras build in the 18th century, while suffering two major setbacks — [[Moamoria rebellion]] and [[Burmese invasion of Assam]].<ref>{{harvp|Shin|2017|p=243}}</ref>

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