| The Ahom monarch,
therefore, directed to capture these men. Sankaradeva and a few others, however, escaped.
But Madhavadeva and Hari, Sankaradeva's son-in-law, were both made captives. Madhavadeva,
was later on let off as he was a Sanyasi, but Hari was beheaded. For this unfortunate
incident Sankaradeva left the Ahom kingdom for Kamarupa, then under the Hindu king of
Cooch Behar. He journeyed to Barpeta (1546 A.D.), a place in the present district of
Kamarupa, and at Patbausi, near Barpeta, Sankaradeva established a Satra with Namghar and dwelling huts for his followers. For the rest of his life, he remained at the place in comparative peace. Here
he used to hold regular religious discourses, recitations of the sacred texts, congrega-
tional prayers and dramatic performances. lt should also be noted that, the major portion
of his religious writings, namely the songs,dramas and Kavyas were composed here.
Sankaradeva here converted three Brahmana disciples, Damodaradeva, Harideva and Ananta
Kandali. Damodaradeva (1488-1598) and Harideva (1493-1568), both with equal zeal, spread
the teachings of Sankara and converted the Brahmana to this new faith. On Sankaradeva's
death they set up special sects after their own names. |
