THE GREAT , KABI SURJYA BALDEV RATHA
SANJAY BHATT
Today is the birth anniversary of the great devotee of Goddess Saraswati, Kabisujya Baladev Rath (born 1789, Badakhemundi Garh, Ganjam – passed away 1845, Athgarh).
Kabisujya’s father, Ujjwala Rath, originally hailed from Manipur Shasan in the Puri district but later settled in Badakhemundi Gada. It was there that Baladev was born on the sacred occasion of Saraswati Puja. During his childhood, he received an education in Sanskrit from his father. However, at the tender age of ten, he lost his mother. Following this tragedy, he was nurtured and educated by his grandfather, Tripurari Hota, who was a renowned tantric practitioner and an ardent devotee of Goddess ( Mother)Chandi. Under his grandfather’s guidance, Baladev mastered Sanskrit and Prakrit while also studying various literary works.
By the age of fifteen, Baladev was married. After the demise of his father, he found himself struggling to sustain his family. However, he was appointed as a royal officer by Raja Ramachandra Chhotaray of Jalantara. During his time there, he composed his first poetic work, Chandrakala. Later, he was invited to Athgarh by Raja Balunkeshwar Harichandan, where he composed Kishore Chandrananda Champu.
Recognising his literary brilliance, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri invited him to the royal court, where he was honoured with the title Kabisujya Rayguru Mahapatra by Gajapati Mukunda Deva. Through his unparalleled literary creations, Kabisujya illuminated the essence of divine poetry, leaving behind a timeless legacy of artistic excellence.
