This document provides an introduction to the Karunakar Bhagabat Pothi Gadi and an analysis of its contents.
About Late Karunakar Nayak (1870 – Unknown)
- Birth & Origin: Born in Pokharipur village, Post Lunga, District Bhadrak, Odisha – 756124.
- Profession & Inclination: He was a teacher by profession, but deeply spiritual from an early age.
- Early Pursuits & Palm-Leaf Writing:
- Began reading holy scriptures in childhood and developed a habit of summarising them for common understanding.
- Practised palm-leaf inscription with a metal stylus from a very young age.
- Established a collection of manuscripts at his hamlet at the age of 21 (in 1891).
- Spiritual Guidance: Inspired by Santh Ramdas of Puri, who resided at a nearby Ashram at Kamargaon (approximately 5 km from Pokharipur).
- He often travelled with his Guru to Puri, Ayodhya, and other sacred places across India.
- Family Life: Married, and father to Late Sadhucharan Nayak.
- Later Years & Sannyas: At the age of 51 (in 1921), he renounced his ancestral home to embrace a spiritual life and never returned.
🌳 About Karunakar Bhagabat Pothi Gadi (1891 – Present)
- Foundation: Established by Late Karunakar Nayak in 1891.
- Medium: Manuscripts inscribed on dried palm leaves in Odia script.
- Nature of Texts:
- The writings were not direct copies, but analytical summaries and reinterpretations of sacred scriptures.
- Major sources include Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, Shreemad Bhagavatam, and several Jyotisha (astrological) texts.
- Scale of Work:
- It is believed that nearly 50,000 manuscripts were composed during his lifetime.
- Due to lack of preservation expertise, only about 10,000 manuscripts survive across three generations today.
- Religious & Cultural Practice:
- A family priest is appointed for daily verses and rituals.
- Annual celebrations include Bhagabat Janma, Laxmi Brata, Sabitri Brata, Krishna Janmashtami, Radha Ashtami, Hindu New Year, and other traditional festivals as per Hindu Calendar.
🙏 Present Request
The descendants and members of Sanatan Educational and Charitable Trust (Regd. No. OR/2024/0455604) are seeking the support of other heritage organisations for:
- Preservation & Digitisation: To conserve the fragile palm-leaf manuscripts and to create an accessible archive for scholars and the public.
- Recognition: To acknowledge this collection as a valuable cultural and spiritual heritage of India.
They believe this collection deserves national preservation and global visibility.