Bangla Myths

(Legends, Lores and Sagas)

Mythology: Shahabuddin

Kamala Ranir Sagar Dighi

Dharma Raja, the king of Susang Durgapur, is married to a beautiful maiden named Kamala with fanfare and opulent celebration. The king has a passion for the game of dice and so he plays it with kamala on the wedding night. Dharma Raja loses the game and secretly vows to avenge his defeat whenever possible. In due course Kamala becomes pregnant. One evening, as she is sleeping in a pavilion in the royal garden, fairies from the underworld spy on her and report of her beauty to their king Kalo Raja (the king of darkness). He is enamored by Kamala’s beauty and schemes to posses her. In due time Kamala gves birth to a son named Raghunath.

Kalo Raja arranges a dream for Dharma Raja telling him that if he plays a game of dice with Kamala he would win since she hasn’t recovered fully from post-natal convalescence yet. Dharma Raja seizes upon his chance to avenge his defeat. So he made Kamala to play against her will on the wager that he will dig an enormously large tank as promised for the people of Susang Durgapur. However, after nine days of hard labor by thousands of people, there is still no sign of water. Kalo Raja arranges another dream for Dharma Raja. In the dream Dharma Raja learns that the king of the underworld will only release water if Kamala herself descends into the depth of the tank and pours a pitcher of water at the centre. Kamala is again forced to agree. But this time she has strong premonition of ill fate and she sends a bird carrying her message to her seven brothers living in Muktagachha. Immediately they set off for Susang Durgapur, but arrive too late to find their sister drowning in the rising water of the tank. Finally evil desire of Kalo Raja (King of Darkness) wins against the innocent beauty-Kamala Rani.

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