The Manasa or Naga-Panchami Ceermony
The Divine Brothers
Lahana was the seventh wife of the youngest son whose father
was a farmer. She did not have any living relatives like her sister-wives. One day when she and her sister-wives left
their home to bathe, they spoke of the things that they wanted out of
life. The wised for possessions and to
live in the homes of their biological fathers.
Lahana was unable to wish for such things because she possessed
nothing.
Her sisters convinced her to think of something, anything
that would make her happy. She wished
for a good meal that consisted of two fish and time off from work. Upon walking home, the two fish that she
thought out appeared in front of her.
Her sister told her to gather the fist in her skirt and cook them for
herself after she cooked dinner. Later
that evening when she was done cooking for her family, she opened the basket
where she left the fish. The fish
transformed into two snakes. The snakes
were Ahiraj and Maniraj, sons of Padma Rani.
Lahana took care of the snakes and fed them. Because of her kindness, they granted her a
life full of riches, possessions, and most of all a family.
The Savitri Ceremony
Snatched from Death
Savitri was the daughter of King Asvapati of Ujjayinee. She was born to the queen after her father
prayed to the gods a committed a great Putreshti sacrifice. Her father wanted her to be happy and gave
her the blessing of picking her own husband.
She chose a man by the name of Satyaban, who was a son of a hermit.
Satyaban is not a hermit, but the son of King Dyumastena. If
Savitri were to marry Satyaban, he would die within a year of the
marriage. It was declared that she would
marry him after much deliberation between her, her father, and Narada.
Savitri moves to the forest after her wedding, and lives
with her new family. W hen Satyaban
falls to his death, Savitri encounters Lord Yama. She pleads to Yama to bring him back to life
but Yama assures her that he cannot. He
grants Savitri three boons. With each
wish that she makes, Yama is granting life to Satyaban. When Yama realizes that he has been tricked,
gives up his charm to Savitri. Savitri
takes Satyaban home, where they live their happy ever after.
The Itu Ceremony
Buy It’s Favor
A Brahman who was known for gluttony asked his wife to make
cakes. Two had been given to his
daughters Rama and Isani. The Brahman
banished the girls by taking them to the forest. When they awoke, they encountered women who
were praying to Itu.
The women showed them how to pray. Rama and Isani wished for their father to
become wealthy and be given a son.
Later, they went back home and found that their father was wealthy and
alive.
The girls were married off and Isani stopped praying to Itu,
but Rama continued. Isani suffered greatly.
Bibliography: The Sacred Tales of India by Dwijendra Nath Neogi (1918)
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