History of Bengali Language and Literature c10.95

c10.95

The story of Vidyāsundara finds a prominent place in the works which are called Annadā Maṅgala or Kālikā Maṅgala. Annadā, Kāli and Chandi are all names of the same goddess though their forms are different. These poems therefore are written in honour of a deity. The religious element however, is introduced by way of apology. It was not the custom of the old Bengali poets who rose with the revival of Hinduism to write on a subject which had no touch with religion; and the religious garb of the story is thus accounted for. Grossest matter however is introduced into these works, though bearing a holy name. Those who have seen the sculptural figures in bās relief on the walls of the Puri and Kanāraka temples will not be astonished to find a religious work associated with these scenes of vulgar sensualism which are to be found in Vidyāsundara—a poem forming part of the religious work Annadā Maṅgala.