Indian Antiquary Vol 15

SR No.: 032507
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 446
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 118

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[APRIL, 1886.
attendants and the other horses wbich the leave the place, and to go and seek the flowers, in king had sent for an escort, and then returned search of which he commenced his wanderings. to Gallala Shah's house.
The king, seeing that he was getting weaker On arrival GullAla Shah introduced Pañj and thinner, consented, and gave him money Phûl to his other wife. The two princesses for his journey. seemed glad to see one another, and for some Accordingly Gullkla Shih started, and on the time lived together most happily, until one second day reached the mountain in fairy-land day the first wife asked Panj Phûl to give her where he had first met Pañj Phal. He climbed the pearl necklace. Pañj Phůl said that she higher and higher, till he arrived at a certain could not do so; for it was the protector of path, along which he saw two men coming her life. She could never take it off from her towards him. They happened to be two servants neck. The first wife again and again arged of the chief Wazir of fairy-land. The Warir her request, and promised as beautiful and as had no son to carry on his name, and so bis costly a pearl necklace in exchange; or if wife had asked him to send men into the disPañj Phal did not care to give it, or exchange trict with instructions to bring back with them it, she might lend it to her for a while. But such a youth as she could conveniently adopt Pañj Phûl was determined, and refused; as her son. These men had been wandering nothing could persuade her to part with the everywhere, far and wide, and had not as yet pearl necklace for a moment. By reason of met with a likely person. They were now this the first wife got very angry, and went starving and in great despair, but they dared and told Gullala Shah of their quarrel, and not to return to the Wazir empty-handed. begged him to get the necklace, and he pro- When they saw Gullâlâ Shah their first mised to try and do so. When Gullalå Shảh thought was to eat him, but afterwards, seeing asked Panj Phûl for the necklace, she refused that he was clever and handsome, they decided as before, saying that it contained the secret to take him to the Wazir. So GullAli Shah was of her life, and was a charm to her against all seized and taken to the chief Wazir's house in dangers, sickness and trials; deprived of it she the fairy city. The two servants pretended might become sick and miserable, or be taken that he was the son of a fairy, who was a sister away from them and die.' However, Gallala of the Wazir's wife, though she did not know Shah would not be denied, and so Pañj Phal it. The chief Wazir, bis wife, and everybody for very love of him handed it to him, and he who saw Gullala Shah, were pleased with him, gave it to his other wife.
and therefore henceforth he abode in that Soon after this Pañj Phal suddenly dis- house and was everywhere recognised as the appeared. On discovering this Gullala Shih heir and his first wife, together with allthe household, I. Every day the Waxir attended the king's mourned and wept.“What have we done P" Darbár, and in the evening, when he reached cried they all. "For a trifle we have lost our home, tired and weary from the day's business, lovely Pañj Phůl. How obedient she was to he used to call his adopted son to him and pass her husband! How unselfish in the house! the time in conversation. Hours and hours How kind and loving to every one! Alas, alas! were thus occupied. Gullâla Shah used to why did we do this thing? We have caused the ask him the news of the Darbar and the death of our darling!"
chief Wasir used to tell him everything. One As for Gallâlâ Shâh he knew not what to do evening, in the course of one of these long for grief, and wept day and night. At last, talks, the chief Wazir told him that there had thoroughly worn out and ill, he determined to been great excitement in the Darbár that day,
Howover difficult this may be to understand in the West, it is very common characteristic of Eastern life. I know many families, in which several wives live amioably together. Human nature though, as general rule, proven too strong for custom, and some petty cause. jealousy or covetousness, disturbs the perceof the household and now and again brings it to ruin. Concerning multiplication of wives, compare the sayings on p. 70 of my Dictionary of Kashmirt Proverbs, &c.
* cf. "Story of Chandan RAJA" in Old Deccan Days, the authoreas of which remarks" There are innumer. ablo popular superstitions regarding the powers which can be conveyed in charmed necklace : and it is common belief that good and bad fortune, and life itself can be made to depend on its being removed from the wearer's neck." See remarks on the Life-Index in Wide-awahe Stories, pp. 404,105.-ED.]