Indian Antiquary Vol 31

SR No.: 032523
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 556
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 463

449
NOVEMBER, 1902.]
FOLKLORE IN THE CENTRAL PROVINCES.
The king spoke by way of reply: "I saw the two young men myself. They are beautiful. Patting them aside, you say that the dark boy is to be your husband."
"Don't say that, father. He is my husband."
The king sent his minister to call the young man.
"I won't go to the king unless the two young men who preceded me come also," replied the prince, and the minister sent for the young men.
"What business has the king with us ?" said they. "It is the other young man you want; take him."
"No, no; the king wants all three of you," said the minister.
Then they came to the king, and he asked the two princes what their country was, and they replied that they were the sons of the king of their country, and then the king put the same question to the third youth, who replied, "I have no country, I am a young ascetic visiting the countries of the world." But all the same the princess was given to him in marriage. The marriage was celebrated with great pomp.
For three days the three brothers stayed in that country. On the last day the one who had been married said to his wife, "I'hear, my love, that the Wire Hill is in these parts, which is the way to it? Do you know ?"
"I do not know, my Lord," replied she, "but in the country before you there is a city, where there is a princess. If you ask her she will tell you," and, lowering her head, added, "My Lord, I see you are going to the Wire Hill. Who knows that you will come back? Suppose you meet your fate, which God forbid, what will be the sign or omen?"
"When your mangalasusram1 becomes black, you will know that I am dead, and come to the Hill," so spoke the prince, and, bidding his wife adieu, set out with his brothers and arrived at a new country.
Now in that country there was a princess, who, obtaining her father's permission, issued a proclamation that she would marry him who buys all the necessaries of life for one pie.
"Who can get all his provisions for a pie? Let it go! let it go," said the two princes and moved on their course, while the third went to the palace, and, receiving a pie from the steward, went to Bâzâr, gave the money, i. e., the pie, to a Kômati (grocer), and asked him to tie up in a bundle a specimen of every kind of food in his shop. The Kômati did so, and the young man, taking it, together with some ghi on a leaf and a faggot of wood, went to the steward, and, handing it all over to him, followed his brothers.
In the meantime the princess went to the king and said, "Father dear, the young man who is going away has bought all his provisions for a pie. My marriage with him must be celebrated."
Her father replied: "Yes, the two young men have preceded the third. The two first appear to be princes, and are beautiful; you must marry one of them."
"Father dear, said the daughter, don't say that, please. I will marry that one who acted up to my wishes as set forth in the proclamation."
The king now sent his minister to call the young man. "I will come on condition that those who are in advance of me also come," replied the prince.
The minister called them too. "What concern have you with us ?" said they. "If you want the young man, you may take him.".
"This won't do," said the minister, and made all the princes come to the palace.
1 A circular piece of gold (tal) tied round the bride's neck by the bridegroom in completion of the marriage.