Ekasarana dharma
Also called: Neo-Vaishnavism of Assam · Topic: Bhakti and Sufi Traditions · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Ekasarana dharma means "the religion of shelter in One". It is the Vaishnava faith of Assam that Shankaradeva founded in the late 15th century, and it is also called Bhagavati dharma. It is based on the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. It teaches absolute surrender to Vishnu, worshipped as Krishna, and to no other god. The main form of worship is naam kirtan, the group singing of God's names, not sacrifices or image worship. Worship was open to people of all castes, so the faith drew in many common people.
Example
Shankaradeva's followers met in sat sanga, or congregations, inside satras (monasteries) and naam ghars (prayer halls). These institutions still flourish in Assam. His Kirtana-ghosha is the main book of the faith.
Don't confuse with
- Gaudiya Vaishnavism: This is Chaitanya's Bengal school, which centres on worship of Radha and Krishna together. Ekasarana worships Krishna alone, without Radha.