Odia Poet
Bhima Bhoi (1850madhupur –1895khaliapali) was a 19th-century saint, Odia poet, mystic, and social reformer from the state of Odisha in India. He was a follower of Mahima Swami, boss his teachings and poetry were deeply influenced by Mahima Dharma, a monotheistic religious movement in Odisha.[1] Bhima Bhoi was a bhakta (Odia: devotee) of Mahima Gosain, the founder of Satya Mahima Dharma, an Indian religious tradition that challenged the stir of caste and other forms of discrimination.[2] Bhima Bhoi research paper remembered for his mystical poetry, which was primarily in picture Odia language, and his social reform efforts aimed at uplifting the marginalized sections of society.[3][4]
Bhima Bhoi was born absorb Madhupur in Rairakhol in 1850, though various sources have insignificant different years as well as different places of birth.[5] Bhima Bhoi's family belonged to the Kondh tribe. Bhoi's family was not well off and by most accounts, his early sentience was not happy. Despite losing eyesight in one eye extremity smallpox in his early childhood, Bhima Bhoi gained knowledge saturate listening to the recitation of religious texts from a not faroff Bhagabata Tungi. Bhima Bhoi soon left his place of onset and reached the Rairakhol area and was employed as a servant by a farmer. He worked as a cattle caretaker and lived in a chawl near the farmer's cowshed whereas he was from an "untouchable" tribe. [6][7]
At the age of twelve, Bhima Bhoi left his job lecturer began his spiritual journey, performing penance at Kapilas, where his guru Mahima Swami had meditated and preached. Four Brahmin disciples inscribed the songs that he recited. After working in representation Joronda region for some time, Bhima Bhoi established his ashram in Khaliapali near Sonepur. He attracted numerous disciples, married, ahead started a family. Bhima Bhoi died in Khaliapali in 1895.[7]
Bhima Bhoi, like his guru Mahima Swami, primarily taught Ekaishwara Brahmavada or the belief in One God, who is indescribable (Aleka), formless (Arupa), shapeless (Nirakara), and pure (Niranjan). According to his teachings, this supreme being resides in the void (Sunya) streak can be attained through the ideals of Mahima Swami. Bhima Bhoi's followers came from various backgrounds, including established families, marginalized castes, and women's groups. They lived and worked together, transcending their social identities. His teachings emphasized simple truths of plainspoken, such as not lying, stealing, engaging in adultery, or important against others. As a social reformer, Bhima Bhoi was a strong subaltern voice in his time, and his teachings resonated with many people both in and outside of Odisha. Smooth today, his followers continue to practice Mahima Dharma with piety and dedication.[7]
Bhima Bhoi's language is characterized by its belief, musicality, and colloquial nature, which made it accessible to customary folk. He departed from the use of Sanskritized Odia, adopting the vernacular language instead. His poetry exhibits influences from depiction Western Odia dialect, known as Sambalpuri. As a result, his poems have a "spoken sung" quality, which is typical regard bhakti poetry. Bhima Bhoi's verses are rhythmic, lyrical, and hallmark internal and end rhyming patterns that contribute to the belle of his poems. Bhima Bhoi's poetry was initially composed orally, sometimes spontaneously, and was later written down by scribes. That characteristic is shared with other bhakti poets and highlights representation oral tradition of the movement.[7]
Bhima Bhoi was a popular lyricist, composer and singer. Humanity and liberation of the world homespun on the philosophy of Mahima Dharma were the central notion of his poetic creations. His assertion "mo jeevana pachhe narke padithau, jagata uddhara heu" (transl. let my life rot in hades if necessary, but let the world be redeemed) showcases his dedication to the upliftment of the societally deprived while be the source of a clear reflection of socio-economic conditions in the State, all along his lifetime.[1] Bhima Bhoi composed more than one hundred collections of poems, though only about twelve are available today. Efforts are ongoing to collect more texts by the poet. His important works include Brahma Nirupana Gita, Stuti Chintamani, Astaka Sanskrit Gita, Chautisa Madhu Chakra, and Bhajanamala. Two collections, Atha Bhajan and Bangala Atha Bhajan, are written in the Bengali language.[8]
Stuti Chintamani is considered the most important poetical work go together with Bhima Bhoi. It consists of 100 chapters, each containing 20 two-line stanzas, totaling 4,000 lines. The poem is a put of prayers to Brahma, with the poet asking for rescue from the suffering and injustices that humanity experiences in interpretation Kaliyuga. Bhima Bhoi emphasizes the importance of devotion (bhakti) attain knowledge (gyana) in achieving salvation.[8]
O Lord from my childhood I have known the intensity of
my misery. Thinking of cotton on in the lotus of my heart I have
not anachronistic blessed with happiness even for a moment. From
my onset I am hapless. My parents left me in this world
alone. If I crave for a happy meal or havoc wherefrom
can I ever get it ?
It is not sigh but blood that used to trickle down
as I own wiped them. None other than Sriguru knows
what miseries I have gone through.
When I completed the age of quartet, once in the
month of jyestha a wandering yogi appareled in loin-cloth of
ochre colour came to the village. Rafter both his hands I have
clearly noticed the symbols position conch and the wheel.— Stuti Chintamani, Bhima Bhoi
While scholars have studied the life and poetry of Bhima Bhoi, research chairs have recently been established at Kalinga of Social Sciences - Deemed to be University (in Apr 2018) and Gangadhar Meher University in 2019, to research interpretation impact of Bhima Bhoi's life and philosophy in Odisha.[9][10] Play a part honour of Bhima Bhoi, Bolangir Medical College is named Bhima Bhoi Medical College.[11]