The story of Prahlada Charita, as the name suggests, is limited to the differing mental attitudes between the demon-king Hiranyakasipu and his Vishnuite son Prahlada. Although it is often claimed that this poem shows certain Vishnuite inclinations on the part of its author and that it helps to put down the Vamanaya cult, there is no concrete proof so as to conclude that Hema Saraswati was an ardent Vishnuite. In fact, hudging from Hara-Gauri Samvada, a poem on which Hema Saraswati's claim to poetic recognition lies more firmly, it can be said that the poet's spiritual affiliations cannot be clearly defined. On the other hand, this poem shows the poet's predilections for Sakta-Saiva worship. Hema Saraswati employed a type of rhymed couplet for his literary composition. He also made an extensive use of the Dulari metre which attained a high level of excellence in the hands of Sankaradeva and Madhavdeva of the subsequent period. There are certain ancient, primitive expressions in the Prahlada Charita that speak of the influence of Prakrit prevailing during the time. Hema Saraswati was thus undoubtedly a most important figure in the history of Assamese literature. That he is a master of vivid narrative, howsoever stilted his style might be, cannot be doubted. |