Manasa
The main character of the medieval folk tale Manasa Mangal Kabya ‘Manasa’ is one of Bengal’s most popular snake goddesses. Snake worship is known in ancient Mesopotamia, Egyptian, Greek, Phoenician, and Scandinavian civilizations. Sumerian art from 3500-3000 BCE represents the symbol of two coiled snakes. The snake and the eagle are said to have been symbols of the pharaohs of Egypt. Seals of the Harappan civilization are said to have featured snake-men.
It is also known that the Hindu community worships Goddess Manasa during the Bengali month of Ashadha-Shraban. Generally, snake movement increases during the monsoon season. So the devotees seek the shelter of Goddess Manasa to be saved from snakes.
There are two types of stories about the origin of Manasa in Purana and Mangalkabya. According to the Puranas, when Kashyap Muni was meditating on the snake-killing mantra at the behest of Brahma, the possessor of the mantra arrived. The goddess who came from his (Kashyap Muni) mind was called Manasa. Later she was married to Jaratkaru Muni. On the other hand, the story of Mangalkavya revolves around Manasa and Chand Saudagar.
Manasa is also shown as Shiva’s daughter in Mangalkabya. In Bengal, this Shiva is a very poor deity. Who lived in a hut. With which the trident-bearing mythological Shiva is known to have many differences. In Bengal, Shiva was popularly known as ‘Prabhu’ and ‘Gosai’ and was symbolized by the plough. Another name for Manasa is ‘Siddha Yogini’ in some Manasa Mangal Kabya.
Different types of Manasa sculptures made of stone, bronze, and terracotta may be found in different parts of Bangladesh or East India. Most of the sculptures of manasa are four handed or two handed. Usually in these Manasa sculptures, Swami Jaratkaru is seen on one side and brother and Nagaraj Vasuki on the other side, sometimes with child Astika in lap. The head is crowned with seven snake hoods. The four-armed Manasa holds palm leaves in his upper two hands and Phalāñcali hasta in his lower right hand and child in his left hand. Exceptions are also seen in some sculptures.
Almost all the stone and metal sculptures of Manasa found in Bangladesh date back to the 13-14th century CE. After this, there was a change in the method of making Manasa sculpture. Then, instead of stone and metal, terracotta manasa sculptures gradually started to be used. [Md Shahin Alam]
সহায়িকা: Manasa, banglapedia.org
Image: Manasa, Period: 11th century CE, Pala period statue from Bengal.
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