മാനസേശ്വരി



Manasa Devi

(From myths of the hindus and buddhists)
by sister nivedita and ananda coomarswamy


This legend Manasa Devi, the Goddes of snakes, who must be as old as the Mykenean stratum in Asiatic culture reflects the conflict between the religion of Shiva and that of feminine local deities in Bengal. Afterwards Manasa of Padma was recognized as a form of Shakti (does is not say in the Mahabharata that is feminine is a [art of Uma?), and her worship accepted by the Shaivas. She is a phase of the mother-drivinity who for so many worshippers is nearer and dearer than the far-off and impersonal Shiva, though even he in these popular legends, is treated as one of the Olympians with quite a human character.

“In the month of Sharvana (July-August,’’ writes Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen, “The villages of Lower present a unique scene. This is the time when Manasa Devi is worshiped. Hundreds of men recite the songs of Behula. The vigorous boat-races attending the festivity and enthusiasm that characterizes the recitation of these songs cannot but strike an observer with an idea of their vast influence over narrow boats, the rowers singing in loud chorus as they pull them with all their might. The boats move with the speed of an arrow, even flying past the river steamers. These festivities of Manasa Puja sometimes occupy a whole month... how widespread is the popularity of these songs in Bengal may be imagined from the fact that the birth place of Chand Sadagar is claimed by no less than nine districts”-and by the fact that the Manasa Mangal, or story of Manasa, has been gold in as many as sixty versions by poets whose names are known, dating from the twelfth century onwards to the present day.

“It must be remembered’’ adds Dinesh Babu, “that in a country where women commonly courted death on their husband’s funeral pyre this story of Behula may be regarded as the poet’s natural tribute at the feet of their ideal."

Note:
With extreme pleasure, I take opportunity to express my feelings of gratitude of Sri Ananda Coomaraswamy and Sister Nivedita for supplying me the theme for this present version of the charming Manasa Mangal. Adapting the main string from their matchless production, viz. “Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists.’’ I have tried my best to wreathe on it the choicest flowers of my own imagination. This fresh garland, though made by an unskillful hand, I hope, will not displease Muse, as it is dedicated at her feet as a humble offering of one of her most ardent devotes.

C.K.P