As a young man, Salabeg entered military service. During one campaign, he suffered serious injuries. According to tradition, his mother urged him to pray to Lord Jagannath for recovery. He did so with complete faith. His recovery marked a turning point in his life. He became a devotee of Lord Jagannath, and eventually one of Odisha’s best-known devotional poets. His hymns were composed in Odia, making them accessible to ordinary people. More than 100 devotional songs are traditionally attributed to him. His works express humility, longing and complete surrender to the deity. His best-known composition, Ahe Nila Saila, continues to be sung across Odisha.
