The religious epic poetry glorifying the virtues of god `Dharma' is called the Dharma Mangal epic. This god Dharma is a local god and his worship was limited to the Rarh Bengal (the region lying to the west of the river Bhagirathi in Bengal). The distinctive flavour of the life of Rarh Bengal is recognisable in this epic poetry.
Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
That is why, the Dharma mangal epic is called the `racial epic of Rarh Bengal'. This god Dharma is formless. He is pure, clean and unstained (Niranjan). This god Dharma blesses a sterile woman with a child and cures a leper. If god Dharma is formless, how is he worshipped? Dharma is represented by a stone, oval shaped or in the shape of a tortoise. 
Terracotta - Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
His eyes are made by driving brass nails and then is covered with a piece of cloth dyed red. The sacred altar of this god is made under the quiet tree bottom or in a hut. The man in charge of worshipping this god is not a Brahmin though they have adopted a surname `Pandit'.
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All the experts of this religious lore have agreed that this god Dharma is not Dharmaraj or the god of death. Some say that god Dharma is a modification in the popular imagination of Buddhadev or god Bishnu or Shiva. Again some say that he is a symbol of Sungod. There are two stories in the Dharma Mangal epic to preach the virtues of god Dharma - one is about Harishchandra and the other about Lausen. The story about how Harishchandra was blessed with a son is very old. Still the story of Lausen is very popular. Though Lausen was blessed by god Dharma, he is a hero, calm and poised. The qualities of Ramchandra are faintly diserenible in the portryal of his character. But the chief source of the strength of his character is unstinted devotion, more than valour. The way in which he cut off his limbs one by one and sat down in deep meditation reminds us of the peculiar, awe-inspiring activities of king Shibi. Maternal Uncle Mahamad is as terrible as Kangsha and Karpur Sen is modelled on Kush. The |
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burning patriotism of Lakhai and incomparable courage of queen Kanarha are overwhelming. The fight fought by womenfolk thrills the reader. The dominant tone of Dharma Mangal is heroic, there is no doubt.
All the men and women in this religious epic are as valiant as the Rajputs. There is no conclusive proof of any historical basis of this story.
Radha Krishna Temple - Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik |
Radha Krishna Temple - Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik |
Terracotta of army boat outside Lokeshwara Temple - Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
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