Manasa Devi & Behula: When Love and Faith Never Fail
In revenge, Manasa Devi destroyed everything Chand had. So Chand willing to worship Manasa Devi. How did humanity's resolve against the God's cruelty, Chand and Behula as strong and determined individuals face Manasa Devi?
Many centuries ago, there lived a wealthy merchant named Chand Saudagar, who resided somewhere along the Bhagirathi River. This region was under the protection of the Naga-Devata, Manasa Devi. Chand Saudagar was extremely proud of his wealth.
Manasa Devi and Chand Saudagar (Source: Private Collection)
Manasa Devi was a powerful deity known for her quick temper and fierce demeanor. Despite her formidable nature, she had a distinct fondness for the finer things in life. She delighted in luxurious jewelry, elaborate meals, elegant clothing, and beautiful ornaments. Among her many devotees, only Chand Saudagar could provide her these things. For years, she sent frequent signs to him, urging him to fulfill her desires. However, Chand remained stubborn. Eventually, Manasa Devi’s patience ran out.
One day, she appeared before him in person, her demeanour filled with desperation and near pleading. Despite Manasa Devi emotional display, Chand Saudagar remained steadfast and stubborn, refusing to relent to her requests. As her frustration boiled over into anger, she erupted in a furious threat, saying, "I will kill all your seven sons!" Chand Saudagar scoffed at her threat, brushing it off with indifference. Seething with anger, Manasa Devi gave him a menacing look that conveyed her deep fury. With a final, dark glance, she disappeared.
The very next day, Manasa Devi commanded her children—snakes—to bite each of Chand Saudagar’s sons, one by one. Over the course of six weeks, Chand Saudagar’s six children were bitten to death. Only his youngest son, Lakhindar, remained. Even this tragedy did not soften the heart of the wealthy miser. Manasa Devi played her final card. One evening, Chand Saudagar received a forewarning from the Devi: “Your son, Lakhindar, will die from a snakebite on his wedding night.” After the deaths of his six sons, Chand Saudagar finally realized the situation.
Instead of complying to Manasa Devi’s request, he resolved to protect his remaining son at all costs. He took it upon himself and other people to build a specially fortified iron room, firmly believing that its construction made it completely snake-proof. This room was designed to be the safe haven where Lakhindar would spend his wedding night, shielded from any possible danger.
Lakhindar and Behula Wedding Day (Source: Private Collection)
Three months later, Lakhindar married a young woman named Behula, renowned for her beauty. On their wedding night, Lakhindar and Behula went to sleep in the iron room that was built by Chand Saudagar. Behula, was aware of the Devi’s curse, determined to stay awake to protect her husband. Despite her awareness, nothing could stop Manasa Devi’s rage. Lakhindar was bitten by a snake and died before dawn. Upon discovering her husband's lifeless body, Behula was overwhelmed with grief.
Grieving deeply, Behula decided to bring her husband back to life. The depth of her sorrow was matched only by her unwavering love and commitment. She prayed with great devotion in a banana grove and prepared a raft made of plantain stems. She labored tirelessly, guided by her unwavering faith, as she readied the raft for the journey, she believed might lead to Lakhindar’s revival. She placed her husband’s ashes on the raft and floated down the river until she reached Manasa Devi near the mouth of the Hooghly. After a long way she successfully overcoming the long and difficult journey.
Manasa Devi, a mother herself, melted when she saw Behula’s devotion and faith to her husband and her faith in her goodness. With tears in her eyes, she agreed and promised to bring Lakhindar back to life only if that wretched Chand Saudagar worshipped her. Behula assured her and returned home, fell at her father-in-law's feet, and, with tears in her eyes, begged him to worship Manasa Devi, the queen-goddess of the snakes. Her plea was filled with desperation and hope, as she believed that honoring Manasa Devi might bring about a change in their dire circumstances and secure the protection of her husband’s soul and Chand’s other sons.
By then, Chand Saudagar had come to understand the cost of his stubborness. Though humbled, some of his former arrogance remained. He agreed to worship Manasa Devi according to her wishes. However, he will do it with his left hand rather than the right, which was considered disrespectful. Manasa Devi was once again enraged but saw no alternative. And so, she agreed to the compromise, she chose to accept the left-hand worship rather than forgo it altogether.
Manasa Devi and Chand Saudagar's Family (Source: Private Collection)
Satisfied with Chand Saudagar’s offerings, she restored the lives of all his seven sons. This act of kindness and forgiveness led to a newfound sense of peace and harmony between Manasa Devi and Chand Saudagar.
