Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/272

 236 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [| Chap, Bengali songs. We require to write in some detail how Gaivism was gradually pushed into a corner by the advancing Sakta cult. Other The inertness of Civa in old Bengali poems is deities ae : : পচ very well-marked. Chandi in that literature is an favours extremely active deity; so is Mavasa Devi, and all upon their কি worship- those other divinities in whose honour poems were Poe composed in old Bengali. These Gods and Goddess- es would not have borne to see a tear in the eyes of their worshippers; whenever they fall into danger they are sure to obtain succour. A Chandi, a Manasa Devi, even a Citala or a Satyanarayana is always devising plans as to how a devotee may be rescued from danger, how scoffers may be put down or how the earthly prosperity of believers may be increased. But Civa the Great God is inert and immovable. / In the poem of Chandi, Dhanapati ১০০৪৪ 1s exposed to all imaginable dangers; he is thrown into a gloomy dungeon, where a_ stone, heavy enough to crush the strongest man is placed on his person. At the moment when his sufferings are the greatest, Chandi appears to him and calls upon him to have faith in ‘her, promising him great rewards. Dhanapati replies—" Even though in this dungeon my life goes out, I will not worship any other deity than Civa.”* Sadagara put through the most harrowing trials be- In Manasar Bhasana we find Chand cause he will not worship Manasa Devi. Yet he re- mains firm in his devotion to Civa. (( T will not de- file the hand with which I worship Giva by offering worship to Manasa Devi, that goddess who is blind “'যুদ্রি বন্দীশালে মোর বাহিবায় প্রাণী । মহেশ ঠাকুর বিনে অন্য নাহি জীনি |”? 1401 120