Chand Sadagar
Chand Sadagar, (Bengali: চাঁদ সদাগর) (the surname is also spelt সওদাগর), was a Bengali rich and powerful river and sea merchant of Champak Nagar.[1] Narayan Dev gave an account in his Manasamangal about the merchant ship of the trader Chand Saudagar proceeding to the sea from ancient Bengal passing through Saptagram and Tribeni, the tri-junction of the Ganges, Saraswati and Jamuna River.[2]
Chand Sadagar (চাঁদ সওদাগর) | |
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| Born | Chandradhar 200–300 AD Champak Nagar, Kasba |
| Occupation | Ancient merchant, Gandhabanik |
| Known for | Medieval bengali folklore character |
Mythology
According to the famous medieval Bengali literature Manasamangal Kāvya, Chand Sadagar was an ardent devotee of Shiva but Manasa had set her mind on making him a devotee. She tried all the tricks to force Chand Sadagar to change his mind but he was equally determined and protected himself with the mantras or mystic words he had received from Shiva. However, when Manasa appeared to him as a beautiful woman, he let her know his secret. Thereafter, he lost his supernatural powers that came with the mystic words. He then took the help of Sankara, whose capabilities were more than even his when he had full powers, but Manasa killed him and made Chand Sadagar helpless again.[3][4]
When Chand Sadagar still refused to be intimidated into worshipping Manasa, she started sending serpents that killed all his six sons. His trading interests collapsed as he did not have the heart to look after them properly. Even in the midst of such adversity, his determination revived and he set out on a sea voyage to rebuild his business. After a successful business tour he set sail for home, his ship laden with treasure. Manasa launched a storm, and although Chand Sadagar initially survived with support from Chandi, she was later asked to withdraw by Shiva on a request from Manasa. Once that happened Chand Sadagar's ship was wrecked, but Manasa swept him ashore at a place where an old friend Chadraketu lived.[3]
Chandraketu tried his best to bring him round to the goddess Manasa but Chand Sadagar steadfastly refused. He became a beggar and lost everything but still worshipped only Shiva and Durga, refusing to bow to Manasa, who felt that she could never win over Chand Sadagar on her own and took the help of two friends in heaven – two Apsaras. They agreed to be born on earth, one as Chand Sadagar's son and the other as the daughter of Saha, a business associate of Chand Sadagar.[3]
Lakshmindara and Behula
Having returned to Champak Nagar, Chand Sadagar managed to rebuild his life. A son was born to him. They named the boy Lakshmindara (Bengali: লখিন্দর). At around the same time Saha's wife gave birth to a daughter, whom they named Behula. Both the children grew up together and were a perfect made-for-each-other, but when their horoscopes were tallied, it was predicted that Lakshmindara would die of snake-bite on the wedding night. However, as both the children were already devotees of Manasa and were so well matched that the marriage went ahead. In spite of all the precautions, Manasa had her way, one of the snakes, sent by her, killed Lakshmindara.
To get back her husband's life from the Gods in the heavens, Behula sailed with her dead husband in a raft towards Heaven. She faced many dangers during her incredibly long and difficult journey. After she pleaded with the goddess, Manasa said, "You deserve to have him back, but this can only be done if you promise to convert your father-in-law to my worship". Chand Sadagar reluctantly agrees.
Chand Sadagar worshipped Manasa on the eleventh day of the waning moon every month. He could not forgive the goddess for all the suffering he had to go through. He offered her flowers with the left hand and turned his face away from her image. Manasa did not hold anything against him for that. From then on Chand Sadagar and his family lived in peace and prosperity. Chand Sadagar's status and prestige ensured that the worship of Manasa became generally accepted and respectable.
Champak Nagar
Many believe that Champak Nagar was located in Bengal. There is a place called Gokul Medh, 3 km south of Mahasthangarh and 9 km north of Bogra town, 1 km from the Bogra-Rangpur road. This place is locally known as Behula's Basarghar or Lakhinder's Medh. During excavations here in 1934-36, 162 rectangular abattoirs were found in a lined courtyard. It was built in the sixth or seventh century AD. According to local folklore, this place is associated with Behula and Lakhinder. The remains of a temple have been found 800 meters west of the north-west corner of the ruins at Chengispur village in Mahasthangarh. It is called Khullana mound. The Karatoya River, which flows through the region, is now narrow but is known to have been huge in the past. There is a region in Dhubri district of Assam, much north of Bogra. The area is believed to be reminiscent of Mansa's companion leader. Sundarban Tiger Reserve, is associated as the place where Neti, foster mother of Manasha, lived and worked as a washerwoman. A temple at Howrah, a Kolkata neighborhood, is believed to have been built by Chand Sadagar.
Between the citadel and the eastern embankment at Gaur, a ruined structure, is claimed to be the house of Chand Sadagar.[5]
In popular culture
In 1927, Manmatha Roy wrote the mythological play Chand Saudagar, portraying the title character.[6]
In 1934, Prafulla Roy directed a film Chand Saudagar in which Dhiraj Bhattacharya played the role of Lakshmindara, Ahindra Choudhury that of Chand Sadagar, Devbala of Manasa, Sefalika Devi of Behula, Jahar Ganguli of Kalu Sardar, Indubala of a singer, Niharbala of Neta Dhobani, Padmabati of Sanaka and Usharani of Amala. It was written by Manmatha Roy. Film editing was by Akhil Neogi.[7]
In 2010, STAR Jalsha create a serial "Behula".
References
- Mukhopadhyay, Jiban (2019-08-30). Rising From the Ashes of Bengal's Partition: Untold Story of a ‘Phoenix’ Aspiring to Live a New Life. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-64587-167-5.
- Miller, Frederic P.; Vandome, Agnes F.; John, McBrewster (2010-11-01). Chand Sadagar. VDM Publishing. ISBN 978-613-2-81452-4.
- Radice, William (2001). Myths and Legends of India. Viking Penguin Books Ltd. pp. 130–138. ISBN 978-0-670-04937-0.
- Vahali, Diamond Oberoi (2020-04-24). Ritwik Ghatak and the Cinema of Praxis: Culture, Aesthetics and Vision. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-15-1197-4.
- Ray, Aniruddha (2012). "Gaur, City". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- Ahsan, Nazmul. "Roy, Manmatha". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
- "Chand Saudagar". citwf.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2007-12-12.