[1] The narrative of Manasamangal commences with the merchant Chandradhar, or Chand Sadagar, who initially conflicts with Manasa but eventually becomes a devout worshipper.
The tale essentially portrays human resilience against divine cruelty, showcasing Chandradhar and Behula as robust, determined individuals during an era when common people were often suppressed and humiliated.
The original poet of this medieval Bengali literature genre may have been Kana Haridatta (c. 13th century), but his works are no longer extant.
Subsequent poets, including Purushottam, Narayan Deb (c. 15th century), Bijay Gupta, and Bipradas Pipilai, created their own versions of Manasamangal.
Bijay Gupta's Manasamangal (or Padmapuran) (1484–85) is renowned for its rich literary quality and is perhaps the most popular version.