Parshuram Devacharya

Shri Parshuram Devacharya Ji
Born	1393 or 1543 Salemabad Rajasthan
Died	1540 or 1623
Notable work	Poems such as Das Awtdr, Raghunath, Srikrsna, and Prahlad and Lila poems such as Amar Bodh, Nam Nidhi, Sac Nisedh, Nij Rip, Nirwadn and Hari Lild
Website	Establishment of Nimbarka Sampradaya seat in Salemabad

Parshuram Devacharya was the head of the Nimbark Sampradaya, a significant Vaishnavite tradition in India. He is best known for establishing the main seat of this sampradaya at Salemabad, also known as Parshurampuri, in Rajasthan. His contributions to Rajasthani literature and his role in shaping the spiritual practices of the Nimbark tradition have left a lasting legacy.

Early life

Parshuram Devacharya was born a Gaur Brahmin from the village of Thikariya, located 15 miles from Khandela in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. His exact lifespan remains a subject of scholarly debate, with estimates ranging from 1393–1540 to 1543–1623. However, the most widely accepted period for his life is from approximately 1520 to 1600, placing him firmly in the 16th century.

Srinimbark seat (Salemabad)

As the head of the Nimbark Sampraday, Parshuram Devacharya played a crucial role in consolidating and spreading the teachings of this tradition. He established the principal seat of the sampradaya at Salemabad, which became a center of learning and spiritual practice. This site, often referred to as Parshurampuri in his honor, remains a significant pilgrimage destination for followers of the Nimbark tradition.

Literary Contributions

Parshuram Devacharya composed in a straightforward style, using the Rajasthani language with occasional elements of Braj. His literary output includes:

• Sakhis (Dohas): He composed 2,225 Sakhis, or didactic couplets, that address a wide range of themes. These couplets cover topics such as love, separation, and devotion, reflecting the spiritual and philosophical concerns of his time.
• Charit Poems: Parshuram Devacharya wrote 15 Charit poems that narrate the lives of significant figures in Hindu mythology, such as "Das Avtar" (The Ten Avatars), "Raghunath" (Lord Rama), "Srikrishna," and "Prahlad." These works emphasize the heroic and redemptive qualities of these figures, aligning with the broader tradition of Rajasthani heroic poetry.
• Lila Poems: His 13 Lila poems, including "Amar Bodh" (Immortal Wisdom) and "Hari Lila" (The Divine Play of Hari), are devotional compositions meant to be sung in various musical modes. These poems are a form of Akhyan Kavya, focusing on the divine play of deities.
• Padas: Parshuram Devacharya also composed approximately 600 Padas, or lyrical poems, that explore various aspects of bhakti (devotion). These works reflect the full spectrum of Navadha Bhakti and include mystical and philosophical themes.

Philosophical contributions

One of his famous padas, "Jab lag apnoyman nahin sojhai, tab lag bhagati mukati kahe khojai," suggests that external acts of devotion are meaningless without inner transformation. This verse underscores the importance of aligning one's mind with divine principles for true spiritual progress.

Influence and legacy

The tradition established by Parshuram Devacharya was carried forward by his disciples, most notably Tatwavetta (Tikamdas), who is believed to have been his direct disciple. Tatwavetta founded the Gopal Dwara at Jaitaran in Pali and composed works that further developed the themes introduced by Parshuram Devacharya.

See also

• Nimbark Sampradaya
• Bhakti Movement
• Rajasthani Literature