Bhima Bhoi (1850–1895) was a 19th-century saint, poet, mystic, and social reformer from the state of Odisha in India. He was a follower of Mahima Swami, and his teachings and poetry were deeply influenced by Mahima Dharma, a monotheistic religious movement in Odisha.^[1] Bhima Bhoi was a bhakta (Odia: devotee) of Mahima Gosain, the founder of Satya Mahima Dharma, an Indian religious tradition that challenged the authority of caste and other forms of discrimination.^[2] Bhima Bhoi is remembered for his mystical poetry, which was primarily in the Odia language, and his social reform efforts aimed at uplifting the marginalized sections of society.^[3][4]

Bhima Bhoi was born in Madhupur in Rairakhol in 1850, though various sources have cited different years as well as different places of birth.^[5] Bhima Bhoi's family belonged to the Kondh tribe. Bhoi's family was not well off and by most accounts, his early life was not happy. Despite losing eyesight in one eye to smallpox in his early childhood, Bhima Bhoi gained knowledge by listening to the recitation of religious texts from a nearby Bhagabata Tungi. Bhima Bhoi soon left his place of birth and reached the Rairakhol area and was employed as a servant by a farmer. He worked as a cattle caretaker and lived in a chawl near the farmer's cowshed as he was from an "untouchable" tribe. ^[6][7]

At the age of twelve, Bhima Bhoi left his job and began his spiritual journey, performing penance at Kapilas, where his guru Mahima Swami had meditated and preached. Four Brahmin disciples inscribed the songs that he recited. After working in the Joronda region for some time, Bhima Bhoi established his ashram in Khaliapali near Sonepur. He attracted numerous disciples, married, and started a family. Bhima Bhoi died in Khaliapali in 1895.^[7]

Bhima Bhoi, like his guru Mahima Swami, primarily taught Ekaishwara Brahmavada or the belief in One God, who is indescribable (Aleka), formless (Arupa), shapeless (Nirakara), and pure (Niranjan). According to his teachings, this supreme being resides in the void (Sunya) and can be attained through the ideals of Mahima Swami. Bhima Bhoi's followers came from various backgrounds, including established families, marginalized castes, and women's groups. They lived and worked together, transcending their social identities. His teachings emphasized simple truths of life, such as not lying, stealing, engaging in adultery, or discriminating against others. As a social reformer, Bhima Bhoi was a strong subaltern voice in his time, and his teachings resonated with many people both in and outside of Odisha. Even today, his followers continue to practice Mahima Dharma with devotion and dedication.^[7]

Bhima Bhoi's language is characterized by its mysticism, musicality, and colloquial nature, which made it accessible to common folk. He departed from the use of Sanskritized Odia, adopting the vernacular language instead. His poetry exhibits influences from the Western Odisha dialect, known as Sambalpuri. As a result, his poems have a "spoken sung" quality, which is typical of bhakti poetry. Bhima Bhoi's verses are rhythmic, lyrical, and feature internal and end rhyming patterns that contribute to the beauty of his poems. Bhima Bhoi's poetry was initially composed orally, sometimes spontaneously, and was later written down by scribes. This characteristic is shared with other bhakti poets and highlights the oral tradition of the movement.^[7]

Bhima Bhoi was a popular poet, composer and singer. Humanity and liberation of the world based on the philosophy of Mahima Dharma were the central theme of his poetic creations. His assertion "mo jeevana pachhe narke padithau, jagata uddhara heu" (transl. let my life rot in hell if necessary, but let the world be redeemed) showcases his dedication to the upliftment of the societally deprived while being a clear reflection of socio-economic conditions in the State, during his lifetime.^[1] Bhima Bhoi composed more than one hundred collections of poems, though only about twelve are available today. Efforts are ongoing to collect more texts by the poet. His important works include Brahma Nirupana Gita, Stuti Chintamani, Astaka Bihari Gita, Chautisa Madhu Chakra, and Bhajanamala. Two collections, Atha Bhajan and Bangala Atha Bhajan, are written in the Bengali language.^[8]

While scholars have studied the life and poetry of Bhima Bhoi, research chairs have recently been established at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences - Deemed to be University (in April 2018) and Gangadhar Meher University in 2019, to research the impact of Bhima Bhoi's life and philosophy in Odisha.^[9][10] In honour of Bhima Bhoi, Bolangir Medical College is named Bhima Bhoi Medical College.^[11]

• Bannerjee, Ishita and Johannes Beltz 2008 (eds.), Popular Religion and Ascetic Practices : New studies on Mahima Dharma, New Delhi: Manohar Publishers.
• Bäumer, Bettina and Johannes Beltz 2010 (eds.), Verses from the Void: Mystic poetry of an Oriya saint, New Delhi: Manohar Publishers.
• Beltz, Johannes. 2003. Bhima Bhoi: The making of a modern saint.
• A. Copley (ed.) Hindu Nationalism and Religious Reform Movements, New Delhi: OUP, pp. 230–253.
• Mahapatra, Sitakant. 1983. Bhima Bhoi. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi (Makers of Indian Literature).