A History of Assam c13.92

c13.92

Hindu proclivities. His Hindu proclivities increased as he grew older, and he at last decided formally to embrace that religion and become an orthodox Hindu. This involved the ceremony known as "taking the *Sharan*": the neophyte prostrates himself before the *Guru*, who teaches him a secret text, or *mantra*, and takes him under his spiritual protection. Rudra Singh could not bear the thought of humbling himself in this way before a mere subject, however saintly. He therefore sent to Bengal and summoned Krishnarām Bhattāchārjya, a famous Mahant of the Sākta sect who lived at Mālipotā, near Sāntipur in the Nadia district. The Mahant was at first unwilling to come, but consented on being promised the care of the temple of Kāmākhyā, on the Nilāchal hill, just below Gauhāti. When he arrived the king changed his mind and refused to become his disciple, and the priest departed again in high dudgeon. At this moment a severe earthquake occurred which shattered several temples; and Rudra Singh, interpreting the phenomenon as an indication that the Mahant was a real favourite of the Gods, hastened to recall him. He still hesitated to take the decisive step, but satisfied the Mahant by ordering his sons and the Brāhmans of his entourage to accept him as their *Guru*. It is said by some that, when he died, his body was cremated on the Mani Karnesvar hill, instead of being buried in a vault at Charāideo according to the custom previously in vogue, and that the Rudresvar temple, which was subsequently erected by Pramata Singh in honour of his memory, stands on the spot where his body was burnt. In the *Buranjis* of the Ahoms themselves, however, it is distinctly stated that his remains were buried like those of his forefathers.