Indian Antiquary Vol 14

SR No.: 032506
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 418
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 245

THE SONG OF ALHA'S MARRIAGE.
AUGUST, 1885.]
jujhám. (485) One by one an army assembled; an army of fifty-two and ninety thous ands. Fifty male elephants with small tusks, and three thousand single tuskers. Nine hundred of his own cannons he took, and three thousand he borrowed and yoked. He borrowed twelve-barrelled" cannons, and loaded them with balls. He borrowed eight-barrelled cannons and loaded them with knives. (490) Then the kings all swore, Shame upon our lives; let us go and cut them off, and clear the field.' Indar'man's army started, and came to Śiva's temple. There he fired a cannon as a salute, and caused war-music to be played. The news of this was taken to Rûdal. Cried he, 'Brother Alhâ, hear my words! (495) Make ready the army, and let us haste to Siva's temple.' So the army went forth to Siva's temple. Then said King Indar'man, Lord Rûdal, hear my words! Depart from hence and you will be saved from your fate. But called out Bagh Rûdal, 'My blessing be upon King Indar'man! (500) Perform Son'vati's nuptial ceremonies. Why do you prolong the conflict ?'
Then the fight began, and fiercely were the swords plied. Foot-soldier fell on footsoldier, and horseman upon horseman. The earth did not attack the foot soldiers, nor did horses their riders." (Rûdal) split into two parts" the heads of all the elephant-drivers. (505) The fight lasted for six months, but still king Indar'man did not retreat. Then Bagh Rûdal went to Son'vati, and folding his hands said, 'Sister-in-law, may blessing be upon you. He cannot be killed by anyone. Only you can cut him down, and when you will cut your brother down, then your marriage will take place.' (510) So much heard Son'vati and she was delighted in her heart. She took her magic"" scimitar in her hand, and disguising herself as a man, hastened out followed by Rûdal. When Indar'man and Son'vati saw each other, the
95
us
is the English 'fire.'
6 This is quite unintelligible, the singer himself does not know its meaning.
दुखराव, 'divide into two.'
The latter half of the line is unintelligible. It is as the singer gave the words, but he was unable to tell the meaning. 99 lit. immortal. 100 Sic in original. The singer explains that her affection was aroused on seeing her brother's blood, and she ran away in shame.
0g
a plunging."
219
former cried out, Blessed be God! (515) My enemy, my sister, has at length come.' He drew his scimitar and attacked her, but she received the blow on her shield, and then she struck Indar'man, and cleft his head in two. The blood of Indar'man flowed from his body, and Son'vati fled away to save her life.100 (520) Then called out Bagh Rûdal, 'O Brother, follow my advice.' And his whole battalion went to the Ganges' bank and there bathed, 101 and then started for and arrived at Nainâgarh. There Rudal addressed Sam Dêvâ,10 My Lord, my blessing be upon you! (525) Perform now Son'vati's nuptial ceremonies, why should you prolong the conflict ?' So much heard Sam Dêvà and he was filled with delight, and cried he, 'Do you now perform the nuptial ceremonies. Why should you prolong the conflict.' Rûdal heard this much and was filled with delight. Now hear about Sam Dôvâ.
He got felled a fresh mahud tree, (530) and six green bamboos.103 With scimitars he thatched it, and he sent for nine hundred learned men and made them sit within it. Golden pitchers placed he under the canopy. The stools he has placed therein were made of the backs,103 (535) and the plough share out of their thighs, and the (four-wick) lamps out of their skulls. All in the midst of the canopy.
Rûdal's battalion came and entered beneath the canopy, and there they found seated the old man Madan Singh, Son'vati's grandfather. (540) He roared under the canopy, so that its ten doors shook, 107 Said the old man Madan Singh, 'You caitiff Rûdal, hear my words! How great is the audacity of Bagh Rûdal that he would marry my daughter?' So battle ensued under the canopy: a severe fight it was. Nine mans of snuff10s were scattered in the air, as they fought with logs of wood.100 Bricks rained in showers under the canopy, and Rûdal began to grieve in his heart. Half his battalion was cut to pieces and in the
10 The father of Indar'man and Son'vati. 103 For the posts of the marriage canopy.
10. These pitchers are gaily painted and are surmounted by four-wick lamps (g) and form a necessary part of the wedding apparatus.
10s Of the heroes whom he had slain in battle.
108 This is also a part of the wedding apparatus.
101 v. intr. 'shake.'
108 Buk'wd is a kind of snuff scattered in the air during the marriage ceremony.
10
is wood split for fuel.