Raibatak Epic Poetry by Nabinchandra Sen Bengali PDF
Name of book – Raibatak,
Author – Nabinchandra Sen,
Book Genre – Bengali Literature, Historical books,
Book Pages – 386,
Book format – PDF,
PDF Size – 9 MB,
Nabinchandra Sen’s Contribution and Excellence in Bengali Epic Poetry
Though the tradition of composing epics in Bengali literature has ancient roots, Nabinchandra Sen stands out as one of the foremost contributors to the genre in the modern era. While Bengali poetic traditions have evolved through the Charyapada, Mangalkavya, and various other poetic streams, Nabinchandra Sen enriched modern Bengali literature with epics that blend philosophical insight and personal contemplation. Inspired by the Mahabharata, he composed three major epics—Rajyalakshmi, Kurukshetra, and Prabhas. His final epic, Raibataka, epitomizes his poetic finesse, philosophical depth, and socio-historical analysis.
Sen’s artistry in poetry, his historical awareness, and his religious sensibility elevated him to a unique position among epic poets. He did not merely follow mythological narratives but used them as vehicles to portray contemporary society, politics, and human values. His epics are marked by intricate character analysis, moral dilemmas, societal challenges, and profound spiritual reflection. He maintained a classical tone in his language and was skilled in his use of meter and rhythm.
The Central Theme of Raibatak and Its Social Significance
Raibatak, Nabinchandra Sen’s last epic, was published in 1900 and introduced a new dimension to Bengali epic poetry. The poem is centered around Lord Krishna’s Dwarka period, particularly after the Rajasuya Yajna of Yudhishthira. Here, Krishna is not merely a mythological figure—he is portrayed as a political strategist, philosophical statesman, and a symbol of human leadership.
The epic delves into Krishna’s inner conflicts and moral struggles as he attempts to balance his divine role with his responsibilities toward society and dharma. On Mount Raibatak, Krishna introspects, questioning his role in the cosmic drama—“Who am I? Why the bloodshed behind this divine play?” Through this internal struggle, the poet highlight’s themes of self-awareness, social responsibility, and ethical crisis.
Where Nabinchandra Sen was born?
Rather than using mythological figures simply for narrative purposes, Sen uses them to convey values such as moral integrity, religious tolerance, duty, and political ideals. Krishna’s self-examination and eventual realization of his divinity reflect the poet’s profound spiritual insight.
From a social standpoint, Raibatak holds immense value. It raises critical questions about governance, justice, pride, and forgiveness—all interpreted from a deeply humanistic perspective. The epic speaks not just of Krishna’s personal struggle but of the collective psychological conflict of humanity. It invites modern readers to engage in introspection.
How Successful is Raibatak as a Literary Epic?
The success of an epic is judged by its subject matter, structure, character development, language, philosophical depth, and emotional appeal. By all these standards, Raivataka stands out as a profound and effective literary work.
First, in terms of structure, Raibataka is a well-constructed poem. The subject unfolds coherently, the characters are vivid and nuanced, and the narrative maintains dramatic tension along with poetic elegance. The emotional moments are rendered through vibrant rhythm, refined metaphor, and philosophical insight.
Second, Sen excels in character portrayal. Krishna’s conflicted mind, his ethical battles, and his journey from Narayan to man are portrayed with great depth and poetic grace. The mythological god becomes a timeless hero—a symbol of existential reflection.
Third, the language of Raivataka is both lyrical and solemn. Sen expresses profound thoughts in few words. For example, in one famous verse:
“You are Brahma, the Creator, You are Vishnu—You are decay,
Yet you ask, ‘Who am I?’—I do not know, O Truth Eternal!”
“তুমি ব্রহ্মা, তুমি সৃষ্টি, তুমি বিষ্ণু—তুমি ক্ষয়,
অথচ জিজ্ঞাসা করো—’আমি কে?’—জানি না, সত্যময়!”
Lines like these stir a sense of inner vision, creation, and the truth of dissolution. Sen here is not just a poet but a philosopher illuminating the human condition.
Fourth, Raibataka was highly relevant to its contemporary context. In the colonized India of the 19th century, questions surrounding governance, religion, nationalism, and identity were intensifying. In that setting, Raivataka served as a symbolic narrative—Krishna’s inner struggle echoed India’s own search for identity and moral clarity.
Conclusion
Raibatak is not merely a mythological epic; it is a psychological and philosophical poetic journey. Nabinchandra Sen, through this work, reached rare heights in Bengali epic literature. With its rich structure, moral dilemmas of the hero, societal and political insights, and exceptional language and rhythm, Raibataka has become a timeless literary creation.
Sen transcended his time, offering a universal human message:
- “Whether hero or god, in the end, he too is human—with questions and doubts just like ours.”
And that is the true success of Raibataka.
👉 Readers can download and read the complete Raibatak Bengali Epic poetry from the link provided below on this webpage.