Samavratee

Posted by Harsh Nevatia Jan 27, 2008

Samavratee translates as “a wife who has the same mission as her husband”, and is the epithet given to Vishnupriya, the wife of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the ballet. Vishnupriya always knew that her husband was an extraordinary person. His learning and wisdom were beyond compare. He had introduced compelling changes in society like abolishing animal sacrifice and permitting of all castes to worship God. She desired to share the simple pleasures of life with Gouranga. Gouranga was the birth name of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. When she saw other couples playing Holi together she too desired moments of intimacy with her husband.

But she also began to realize that Gouranga was destined for great things. Particularly after the demise of his father, Gouranga’s affinity for the worship of Krishna increased and he desired to devote the rest of his life to unhindered union with his God. Vishnupriya saw that Gouranga was torn between his desires and his duty as a husband and decided to take the call. She adopted Gouranga’s mission as her mission and earned the title of Samavratee. Completed crushing her own aspirations she released Gouranga from all responsibilities towards her and thus gave the world Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Her sacrifice may seem out of place in a world where attainment of one’s desires at all costs is the norm. It may seem ridiculous in a world where even in the sporting arena sportsmanship has given way to gamesmanship. But it is precisely for this reason we need to be reminded of men and women who were able to see the larger picture and were able to put the good of all before their personal pleasures. In this respect Vishnupriya as Samavratee stands tall.

The ballet was performed in the classical Manipuri style by Bimbavati Devi and her troupe.