Bhattadeva

Bhattadeva Biography

Baikunthanatha Bhagavata Bhattacharya, popularly known as Bhattadeva is the father of Assamese prose. He played an influential role in the development of Assamese prose since his life time and his works are regarded as earliest examples of prose in Indian languages. His Gopala Charana Dvija is its best instance. He lived during 16^th century (1558-1638). He is also known by the title, Kavi Ratna Bhagavata Bhattacharya for his command over Bhagavata. He translated Sanskrit Bhagavata into Assamese prose and named it Katha Bhagavata. His works include the translations of the Gita and Bhagavat as Katha Gita and Katha Bhagavat respectively, Sharanmalita, Katha Ratnavali, Guru Vansavali, etc.

Vaikunthanatha Bhattadeva was the second son of Kavi Saraswati and grandson of Candra Bharati. He resided in the village Bhara of Barnagar. Little is known about the childhood and early days of Bhattadeva. He was a disciple of Damodaradeva and succeeded as the head of Patbausi satra at Barpeta. He held the position till his death. His prose work for the translation of Bhagavata was not an easy task, as no prose works were available then to use as reference. He also kept a summary of each and every chapter of Bhagavata.

Bhattadeva was the last great Vaisnavite writer who owns a unique place in the history of literature. Though Assamese prose began a century ahead of him, he is credited as the Father of Assamese prose, as he used prose for essays and his posterity. He also compiled a book of devotional verses in Sanskrit, poems taken from Hindu works.  He has also written a few poetry works. Bhattadeva is also known to have rendered Bhakti-Ratnavali and Satvata Tantra into Assamese prose. Bhakti-Viveka is considered as his last work.

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Updated: September 05, 2014