H-M synthesis in Orissa: Bhakta Kavi Salbeg

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:47 am

Bhakta Kavi Salbeg was a devotional poet of Odisha during the 17th century. Although he was a Muslim, he was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath of Puri and has composed many songs praising the Lord.

According to a legend, once during Rath Yatra, Salbeg was delayed in joining the procession as he fell ill while returning from a pilgrimage. He prayed to the Lord to slow down the chariot so that he could join the holy procession. It is said that the chariot of Lord Jagannath came to halt and did not move until Salbeg reached Puri and joined the procession.

Now, the halting of the chariot has became a part of the custom. Every year, during Rath Yatra, the chariot of the Lords are temporarily stopped in front of the tomb of Salbeg at Puri.

http://www.odisha360.com/infopedia/odia-personalities/bhakta-kavi-salbeg/

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:49 am

Among the many lores associated with the principal deity of this region is the one about Sal Beg. History and myth have got interwoven in this tale of the Muslim disciple of Lord Jagannath. But it is worth telling for putting the interpretation of the Hindu way of life in proper perspective.

Sal Beg was a general in Aurangzeb’s army — the Moghul Emperor remembered for destroying temples and forced mass conversion of Hindus to the Muslim faith. The general was grievously wounded in a battle and lost his way and was forced to halt. A Brahmin widow helped heal his pus-oozing wound by continuously reciting Lord Jagannath’s name for nine days and nine nights. They married but each kept to their own faith.

Sal Beg who belonged to Aligarh wanted to visit the deity for darshan. As it was not possible for a well-known Muslim general to enter the temple he decided to fulfil his wish when the Lord came out. He set off from Aligarh but could not have reached Puri by the appointed time. He nevertheless continued to ride and legend lets know that Lord Jagannath’s chariot did not move for 8 days that year till this particular devotee could reach his destination. Sal Beg managed to reach the spot where the chariot was stuck.The moment he touched the rope and bowed his head in prayer — a Muslim praying to a Hindu deity! — the devotees had no problem in making the chariot move.

According to one account Sal Beg settled down in Puri and composed verses in praise of Lord Jagannath. Even today the Lord stops at the point where the Muslim devotee had come all the way from a distant land for his darshan. The singing of the verses composed by Sal Beg are part of the ceremonies associated with the Jagannath Yatra.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99feb21/sunday/head1.htm

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:51 am

Note to self: UP, TN, Kerala and Orissa have been covered.

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:17 pm

in my opinion, Bhakta Kavi Salbeg's writings need to be translated from Oriya into english and other other indian languages.

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H-M synthesis in Orissa: Bhakta Kavi Salbeg

H-M synthesis in Orissa: Bhakta Kavi Salbeg

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Re: H-M synthesis in Orissa: Bhakta Kavi Salbeg

Re: H-M synthesis in Orissa: Bhakta Kavi Salbeg

Re: H-M synthesis in Orissa: Bhakta Kavi Salbeg