Kamalamangal Kavya Tradition and Lakshmi Pnachali of Yadav Das/ কমলামঙ্গল কাব্য পরম্পরা ও যাদব দাশের ‘লক্ষ্মী পাঁচালী’

Abstract

The epic poem which was sheltered pastoral life and spiritualism during the medieval period of thirteen century to eighteen century of Bengali literature is called Mangalkavya. Within the long five hundred years of literary stream, the essence of Bengali culture was displayed. We know that the Mangalkavyas are originated from ancient the tale and tories. This belief is the main source of the discovery of the Aryatoro deities of Mangalkavya. Local and ancient deities were praised in some prevalent tales tories in Bengali household. Among this tales Kamalamangal is one of them, in appraisal tale of goddess Lakshmi. The rituals prevalent in women society reflects the acts of Mangalkavya. The rituals are essential in religious ceremony. The rituals were celebrated in ancient and conservative tradition, which is evident in Mangalkavya. Habitually, the Mangalkavya is derived from this Rituals. The rituals are enriched in Mangalkavya. That is why it reveals the ancient nature of the rituals. And the written form of rituals is called Pnachali. In medieval period the epic poem was called Pnachali. But eventually this tales took a distinguished form. The appraisal tale of goddess Lakshmi is depicted in Lakshmi pnachali. The Kamalamangal is originated from the appraisal epic poem of goddess Lakshmi. We will discuss further about Lakshmi’s character of Kamalamangal of Yadav Das’ ‘Lakshmi Pnachali’. Kamala or Lakshmi is one of the most important Deity of Hindu Pantheon. She is widely famous in both Hindu and Buddhist culture. We know deity Lakshmi as the wife of God Vishnu, the daughter of Parvati and Shiva or the daughter of Sea-God. Her bahana (charioteer) is Owl. Lakshmi is the goddess of spiritual wealth, fertility, prosperity and beauty. The significance of the goddess is also known from the Kojagori Lakshmi puja and from ancient tales. Kamalamangal has taken part in ancient tales and stories. Our poet Yadav Das’ “Lakshir Pnachali” also describes the name of the deity, appraisal of goddess and the method of Lakshmi’s worship. Beside this the poem also describes that by listening the devotional tale of the goddess we can gain wealth, prosperity and fame. Poet Yadav Das highlighted the morals of women through goddess Lakshmi. Yadav Das also portrayed the anger form of Lakshmi like goddess Manasa and Chandi and the various trickeries of the goddess is illustrated in the epic poem by the poet.