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| Incredible
Orissa : KHALIAPALI THE ABODE OF ST. BHIMA BHOI |
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By
Shri. Ramesh Ch. Dash |
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| Khaliapali
a little known village of Subarnapur District in Orissa
became a holy place with the advent of Saint Bhima Bhoi
in 1877. The Village is 11 k.m. from Khambeswaripali,
25 km from Sonepur and 45 km from Balangir. Bhima Bhoi
was the chief exponent of Mahima Cult, which spread
from Orissa to bordering states. In this village he
spent last 20 years of his life, established an Ashram,
Composed devotional songs, propagated principles of
his belief and brought remarkable changes to prevailing
social and political order.
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Like Kabir, he denounced idolatry, casteism, ritual
and political set up. Bhima Bhoi aimed at forming an
egalitarian social structure. He spelt out the theory
of one God (Alekh Niranjan) undescribable truth. One
religion (Mahima Cult) and one global society. So he
preached “let everybody be lyrics, Let my soul
be condemned to hell but the universe be redeemed”.
His lyrics which were readily accept by common people
have no parallel in oriya literature. Contemporary Swami
Vivekananda traveled foreign countries and startled
people by his rhetorical words but Bhima Bhoi settles
at a place and gave solace to famined people by his
heart touching songs. Like Ramakrishna to Vivekananda
and Bhima Bhoi rose to prominence due to the gratitude
of their mentors.
WHAT IS MAHIMA CULT :
Mahima
signifies glory or excellence of God. The followers
axalt the splendors of the Almighty. He is all pervading
full pervading full within and without. It is fruitless
to assign a shape to God, who embodies all souls.
He is omnipresent, one and indivisible. The world
is his manifestation.
LIFE
OF BHIMA BHOI:
We
do not know certainly about his parentage. Many believe
that Bhima Bhoi (1845-1895) was bling and illiterate.
As lost his parents at an early age he had to start
life as a cowboy. Being a tribal Bhima Bhoi was not
allowed to sit inside Bhagabata tungi (Place for recitation
from the holy scriptures). But he used to attend the
evening congregations regularly and commited to memory
every syllable that was uttered. He chanted them while
tending cattle in the field. Thus Bhima Bhoi had a
spiritual bent of mind and became interested in the
doctrines of Alekha Dharma at the age of 12. he regarded
Mahima Gosain as an incarnation of Lord Budha. Mahima
Gosain ordained him and graced him with spectral powers
to purify the evil-laden society.
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It
is said that Bhima Bhoi, came to western Orissa
being envied and opposed by other followers soon
after the death of Mahima Gosain. So Bhima Bhoi
settled at Khallipali in 1877 when the village
headman provided land for an Ashram. Next he opened
his repository of Bhajans (devotional songs).
He could dictate four lyrics of same quality at
a time to four scribes who immediately noted on
plam leaves by the help of iron stylo. |
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The agonies of 1866 famine made him a humanist. He narrated
his traumatic experiences vividly. He wrote. “nothing
to eat, nothing to ware, nothing one can have at ease.
Who indeed can bear to see such misery among the world’s
creatures. Let me stay in hell for ever if the world
hereby be saved.” His poetry springs from an urge
to seek both personal salvation and redemption of man
in society from a cruel destiny. He has expressed difficult
upanisadicideas in simple lyrical and unadorned language.
His most important work ‘Stutichintamani’
is published alongwith mny small works. But another
work named. ‘Mahima Vinod’ is not yet published.
It is a long lyric of short lyrics. This will enlighten
more if published.
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Bhima Bhoi dedicated his life completely before the
supreme soul (Father). He could not withstand the agony,
misery, hardship of common. People and prayed to God
for their redemption. Thus his mission was to liberate
the down trodden from the bondage of superstition, prejudice
and immorality. He was helped in his undertaking by
one pious lady named Arnapurna Devi. Two sibling named
Vasudeva Panda and Hari Panda (scribes).
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Bhima Bhoi desired to leave one ideal son and daughter
in this world. Thus the women named Rohini Devi and
Sumedha Devi gave birth to Lavanyabati and Kapileswar
respectively. Lavanyabati was a beautiful girl with
poetic knack and Kapileswar had miraculous power. But
all his associates passed away soon after his demise.
Their mortal bodies are buried inside the Ashram.
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