Which of the following statements about Srimanta Shankardeva is/are correct ?
1.In the late fifteenth century Shankardeva emerged as one of the leading proponents of Vaishnavism in Assam
2.He was the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism
3.His teachings are known as Bhagavati Dharma
4.He encouraged the establishment of satra and naam ghar
Select the answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is 1, 3 and 4 only.

Key Points

• Srimanta Shankardeva was a major proponent of Vaishnavism in Assam during the late fifteenth century.
• He founded a unique form of Vaishnavism known as "Ekasarana Dharma," which emphasizes devotion to one supreme deity, Vishnu.
• His teachings are referred to as "Bhagavati Dharma," focusing on devotion through hymns, dance, and drama.
• Shankardeva encouraged the establishment of "satra" (monasteries) and "naam ghar" (prayer halls), which became centers for religious and cultural activities in Assam.
• He was not the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism; that tradition was established by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Bengal.

Additional Information

• Satra: These are monasteries or institutions established by Shankardeva and his disciples to propagate Ekasarana Dharma and promote cultural activities.
• Naam Ghar: Prayer halls used for congregational worship, singing hymns (naam), and performing devotional activities.
• Ekasarana Dharma: A monotheistic form of Vaishnavism that teaches devotion to Vishnu alone without rituals or idol worship.
• Ankiya Naat: Shankardeva introduced a form of drama known as Ankiya Naat, which combined storytelling, music, and dance to disseminate religious teachings.
• Bhakti Movement: Shankardeva's contributions are part of the larger Bhakti movement, which emphasized devotion and rejected caste-based discrimination in spiritual practice.