চর্যাপদের ধর্মতাত্ত্বিক ভিত্তি: একটি পাঠ-পর্যালোচনা [The Theological Basis of Charyapada: A Critical Review]
Hasan A.
1*
1
Hasan A.
* Corresponding Author:
Hasan A.
Abstract
The Charyapada stands as the primordial and quintessential testament to Bengali
literature and culture. In 1907, Pandit Haraprasad Shastri’s discovery of this
manuscript from the Royal Court Library of Nepal unveiled the most ancient form of the
Bengali language to the global scholarly community. The primary objective of the
current essay, titled ‘The Theoretical Basis of the Charyapada: A Textual Review,’ is to
analyze the profound mysteries and the underlying conceptual framework of Buddhist
Sahajiya philosophy embedded within these verses. The Charyapada is not merely a
collection of devotional hymns; rather, it serves as a poetic record of a distinct spiritual
praxis (Sadhana) prevalent in ancient Bengal. These songs represent the ultimate
synthesis of the Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Sahajayana traditions within the
evolutionary trajectory of Buddhism. This essay explores, in detail, the essence of the
‘Sahaja’ doctrine, the union of Prajna (Wisdom) and Upaya (Means), and the attainment
of Mahasukha (Great Bliss) through the convergence of Sunyata (Voidness) and Karuna
(Compassion). The linguistic medium of the Charyapada is ‘Sandhya Bhasha’ (Twilight
Language)—a cryptic, metaphorical register used by the Siddhacharyas to conceal their
esoteric spiritual methods from the uninitiated under the guise of allegory. This review is
constructed based on a rigorous reading of Dr. Mahbubul Haque’s Charyagiti Path,
alongside the scholarly insights of luminaries such as Haraprasad Shastri, Suniti Kumar
Chatterjee, and Shashibhushan Dasgupta. The essay further demonstrates how the
composers employed mundane metaphors—such as rowing a boat, brewing liquor, or
carding cotton—to demystify the transcendental concept of Nirvana. Ultimately, the
Charyapada warrants an interpretation that transcends mere linguistic analysis,
necessitating an engagement with its profound theoretical depth.
Keywords
Introduction
JPUST
Journal of Pundra University of Science and Technology