The story of Saranga is so fascinating that as a
writer I’m intrigued by so many versions of it. Below are two more versions:-
Fifth Version
* The swan pair reappeares, this
time rewarded by Lord Shiva and Parvati for unselfish love.
In the burning heat of summer a pair of swans comes to a small hollow which
holds only a little water. Neither will drink before the other. Both beg each
other to drink. As time goes by they become desperate with thirst. But they love each other so much that neither wants to drink before the other. This way they wait and eventually die. When Lord
Shiva awakes, Parvati tells him the whole story and insists, “Maharaj, give both birds the boon of life so that their love can be
restored.”
* Lord Shiva reasons with her a great deal, but Parvati remains stubborn. Finally the matter is decided on one condition. Lord Shiva says, “I
will give these swans this boon, that in every birth they will be born in
one caste and one city, and their loving relationship will always continue.
Even if by fate they are not born in one city and one caste, even then the story of their love will always remain fruitful.”
Sixth Version
* This
is the most popular version. In this several significant events happen before Saranga’s
marriage. There is the episode of the necklace. It occurs when the lovers meet
by chance at a pool where they had gone to bathe. There a kite seizes Saranga’s
necklace and leaves it in a tree. When she sees this, she starts to cry. Seeing
her tears Sadavrij quickly climbs the tree, brings down the necklace, and puts
it around her neck. Thereafter they go back home. After sometime Sadavrij’s
father sends him and his friend away so that Saranga can be married to another man. But Sadavrij and
his friend join the wedding procession. When the procession reaches the
bride’s door, fireworks began to be released. In this confusion Sadavrij reined
his horse in at the merchant’s door, and behind him the minister’s son did
likewise. Having seen thousands of men standing around in groups, the merchant was deceived. He gives Tika to Prince Sadavrij. The
bride’s father thus applies the ceremonial dot to Sadavrij’s forehead instead
of the bridegroom’s. Thus Saranga is united with Sadavrij.
