Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja As Purusha Saraswati
- ParibhaAsha Editorial Team
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
In ancient Kalinga, the region of Ghumusara was known as a revered Tantra Kshetra—a sacred land shaped by mystical traditions and esoteric practices. Under the Bhanja dynasty, it flourished under the spiritual guidance of their Kula Devi, known as Byaghra Devi. In local belief, she is often linked with Bak-Devi, a fierce yet wise form of Goddess Saraswati, embodying both raw tantric power and refined knowledge. This rich cultural setting forms the backdrop to the life of the legendary poet Upendra Bhanja, whose journey blends divine intervention with literary brilliance.
Legend speaks of a pivotal moment in his youth that changed the course of his life. While traveling through his kingdom, Upendra Bhanja encountered a tantric practitioner performing Shaba Sadhana—an intense yet precarious ritual that invokes primal Shakti by meditating atop a corpse to obtain divine boons. The practitioner succeeded in summoning the deity but could not withstand the force, collapsing before completing the ritual.
Seizing the moment, Upendra Bhanja stepped in and completed the ritual. When the Goddess appeared, he did not seek power or kingship of Kalinga. Instead, he asked for Bak-Shakti—the gift of speech, rhythm, and eloquence. Blessed by the Goddess, Upendra Bhanja transformed into “Purusha Saraswati,” embodying divine wisdom and mastery over language.
The cover artwork reflects this divine identity. Upendra Bhanja is shown in Lalitasana, seated with grace on a traditional Ganjami wooden throne, grounding the image in local craft traditions. Departing from typical royal imagery, he holds a veena in one hand and a lekhani in the other—symbols of music and writing. This visual echoes the iconography of Goddess Saraswati, affirming him as both her vessel and a master of the literary arts.
- Rudra Narayan Dash
