SANKARDEVA AND INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM

One of the most legendary, colorful and versatile personalities of all times – Srimanta Sankardeva (1449 – 1568 A.D.) thrived in the socio- religious history of eastern Bharatavarsa in the 15th and 16th Centuries. Srimanta Sankaradeva was the founder of Vaishnavism in Assam. The new Vaishnavism movement of Assam was initiated by Sankardeva in the 15th century. The new Vaishnavism is concerned with the faith in devotional worship of Vishnu. Vaishnavism has an all-comprehensive aspect it represents a synthetic culture that includes what may be variously called Bhakti Cult, Ek Saran Dharma. Sankardeva's Vaishnavism went against the spirit of traditional Brahmanical faith which is based on the notion of caste, worship through various manifestations of Devi. During Sankardeva time, it was a very much caste – ridden society ruled by precepts sanctioned by the Brahmin priests. The Sudra and other low caste people were treated as subordinate and they had to bow before the priestly class. This article is an attempt to explore the Sankarveda Philosophy eradication of casteism and teaching of equality and fraternity