swasthani : When Did Swasthani Storytelling Begin? Who Wrote Swasthani?
swasthani Brata Katha
Swasthani : There is no consensus on when the storytelling began. According to culturologist Veena Poudyal, It was recorded by the 14th century. Now there are different versions of it. But those versions have the same things with some differences.
Who wrote swasthani?
Who wrote swasthaani? It is not possible to say yes in this regard. ‘It is not possible to say officially about the author of it,’ says Poudyal, ‘the story is told in the Srutiparampara by the scribes.
Swasthani books can also be found in Newari script. And the Newars of Kathmandu Valley also observe strict fast of it. There is a need to find out the Newari influence in the current story. It is not a new thing for Newars to fast in it as Newari culture has embraced many cultures under the influence of Hinduism,” says critic Ram Lohani.
Excerpt from Skanda Purana
Where to find the origin of Swasthani? It is said that Swasthani is mentioned in Kedarkhand of Skanda Purana. But Lohani says that references to the Swasthani story are rarely mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Surprisingly, there is no detailed mention of the its Goddess in it itself
The creation context described in the first twenty chapters of Swasthani, Dakshayagya destruction, Tripuradahan and Tarakasur massacre are found in many Puranas. The last ten chapters dealing with the afterlife are not found in the Puranas. It has been given a local color by taking a part of Skanda Purana. It is its place .
Of course, in the current version of it, Swasthani Mahatmya of 153 verses is also found in Sanskrit before Nepali scriptures. As a chapter of the Padma Purana, it is mentioned that Lord Shiva, the great saint of it, told Mother Parvati. In the beginning, the greatness of it is mentioned and in the last section, the story of Shiva Sharma, Goma, Nawaraj and Chandravati is told in Sanskrit. But when it is translated into Nepali and made into a story, some things have turned upside down.
Although it is not clear about the origin and practice of it, Poudyal argues that its importance is profound. “Since the Puranas and scriptures are recited by the Pandit while sitting in Vyasana, there is a formality and a kind of distance between them, but in Swasthani, in the evenings, the family members recite aloud in their own language, which seems to promote family harmony.”
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