Indian Antiquary Vol 51

SR No.: 032543
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 374
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 367

DECEMBER, 19221
AIR AND RANJHA
57
EPILOGUE. 11 Fools and sinners offer counsel in the world. The counsel of the wise is held of no account. No one speaks the truth. Lying has become the custom of the world. With gangs of ruffians men commit iniquity. Tyrants have sharp swords in their hands. There is no Governor, Ruler or Emperor.
The country and the people have all been reduced to ruin. There is great disturbance throughout the country. Everybody carries a sword in his hand. The curtain of all modesty has been lifted. People commit deeds of shame in the open bazaar. Thieves have become headmen and harlots have become mistress of the household. Bands of devils have multiplieł exceedingly all over the land. The nobles have fallen in their estate. Men of menial rank flourish. The peasantry are waxen fat.
The Jats have become rulers in the country. Everybody has become lord of his own oastle. When love came to me I felt a desire to write this story in verse. I wrote it in the year 1180 Hijri in the southern country. Lamman Des is the present Montgomery district of the Panjab.1 It was the vear 1820 of the Birkramaiit era. [These two dates do not exactly correspond, but the poem was written in A.D. 1766.)
When I produced the tale among learned men it became known to the world. Waris. those who have recited the Holy Kalma hava attained salvation. Kharral Hans is a wellknown place. Here I composed this story. Poets, you should determine the worth of my poem. I have let my horse loose in the arená. Other poets have wasted their efforts in writing on petty themes [ lil., ground in an handmill). I have composed a grand roem [ lit, ground my grain in a bullock-driven mill).
O wise man, you should note that there is a secret under the guise of my words. I have written this Hîr with care and meditation. Young people read it with pleasure. I have planted a flower to give a sweet savour. Thank God my purpose is achieved. I have worked at it anxiously day and night. I have no capital of good works. Of what can I be proud ? I have no hope without Thy grace. I am only a poor sinner. Without the favour of the Prophet I am helpless. I am ashamed of my unworthiness. The sinner trembles at the thought of the last trump even as the faithful are afraid for the faith and as pilgrims long for the sight of the Kaaba, even as the General thinks about the state of his army and as servants are afraid of their pay being cut for neglect of duty.
Of all the wretched Panjab I am most concerned for Kasur. I am concerned for mv faith and conscience even 29 Moses was frightened on Holy Sinai. Ghazis will get paradise and martyrs claim their houris. The world is outwardly fair but inwardly it is bad even as the sound of a drum is beautiful from afar. O God' grant me faith and dignity and honour. Our hope is only on God the Bountiful. Waris Shah, I have no capital of good works. God grant me Thy presence.
Waris Shah lives at Jandiala and is the pupil of the Saint of Kasur. Having finished the story I presented it to my master for his acceptance. (He elevates whom he will and throws down whom he will. God alone is great. All excellences and dignity are in God alone. I am helpless.)
.11 (This interesting but somewhat rambling Epilogue is translated at full length without any attempt at excision or condensation. The rest of the poem has been considerably condensed but nothing important has been omitted-C. F. US BORNE.)