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AUGUST, 1885.]
THE SONG OF ALHA'S MARRIAGE.
215
to where her mistress was sitting in Siva's temple. Said she to the nurse, O Nurse, my blessing be upon you! With whom had you an assignation that you stayed so long away ?' Then screamed out the nurse, "My blessing be upon Son'vati! Your husband's younger brother, Bagh Rûdal, has come to the garden. (275) Your nurse's life has not been saved from him. O Son'vati, protect me! When she heard the name of Rudela, Son'vati was delighted. "The very boon which I asked for in the temple of Siva has come to me. So much is the narrative about Son'vati, now hear about Râdal.
Bagh Rûdal mounted his horse Benuliya, and Débâ his horse Hansâ, (280) and the former made his horse to fly and arrived at Siva's temple. He tied his horse at the gate, and entered. The eyes of Son'vati fell upon him, and she ran away to the inner window. She caused a golden bed to be spread, and a golden stool to be laid, (285) and on seven carpets she made Bagh Rudal sit. Reverently said Son'vati, My blessing be upon Lord Rûdal! Where is that girl born for whom you are ready to fight? Bagh Radal replied, My blessing be upon my sister-in-law Son'vati. Twelve years have passed and my brother is still a bachelor. (290) I shall pull down the fort of Nainagash and marry him to Son'vati.' So much heard Princess Son'vati, and she was filled with delight. My husband's younger brother is a hungry warrior. Let me give him food to eat. She sent for cows' milk and made khoa mixed with lumps of sugar.
Eat, eat, Lord Rüdal, the only hope of my life is in you.' (295) But Rodal answered roughly and said, 'O sister-in-law, pay heed to my request! I have taken an oath in Moh'bê fort that I will neither eat nor drink (till I have accomplished my purpose). To me water is as unlawful as if it were wine, and food as if it were beef.' Then called out Son'vatî, 'O Mungiyâ, my blessing be upon
you. Play the sports of the Holi with my brother-in-law. (300) So they mix abir" in Siva's temple. Some of them chuck him under the chin," and others pat his cheeks." They empty pitchers full of mud upon his body. His silken" loin-cloth, and his brown wrapper are wet through. His sheet studded with small pearls is besmeared with mud. (305) Then said Rûdal, O Lord Dobâ, hear my words. I am not the slave of women, that I should forget myself amongst these females. I am the slave of weapons, happen what Sita and Ram may ordain.' He sent for a roll of betel which he filled with leaden (bullets). Then uttering a charm he struck the nurse with it, and the spangle on her forehead was thereby smashed to pieces. (310) The nurse ran away to save her life.
The court of Indar'man, full of great lords, was assembled in the palace, and at that time the nurse arrived in his presence. She rolled on the ground under the bed and cried,
O king Indar'man, hear my request. King Bagh Rädal has come and surrounded the litter of Son'vati. (315) He wishes to marry by force. Is there any strength in your thighs ? Then go and rescue her.' In his heart king Indar'ınan was sorrowful, and in his heart he grieved. "Time on time have I warned Son'. rati, but she would not heed my words.
He set a roll of betel on the carpet. Nine hundred thousand rolls were put. (320) If any king would fight with Rådal, let him chew one of these rolls.' The jaws of the warriors trembled, the very thirty-two teeth in their months shook. They replied, 'Let him whose life is a burden to him go and be killed by Rûdal.' But Lah'ra Singh took up a roll and put it into his month. Then he caused the war-drums to be beaten, and the drum-sticks to sound jujhám jujhám.' (325) One by one the army collected till there were fifty-two and ninety thousands. The old men and those who had children were not counted in it, when
A lit. you have tightened your loin-cloth.
• Milk boiled down till it is thick. * The red powder thrown about at the Hol festival. It is also mixed with water and squirted from syringes.
TFT is a chuck under the chin. Sometimes the meaning is extended to a dig in the ribs.
" means to rub between the finger and thumb. H t is explained silken, but the meaning in doubtful.
» Voere here means $11.'
खवे in metrigratia for खावे or, more properly, खाये, lit. 'she eats (the act of) rolling.'
This is the regular ceremony for calling for volunteers for any hazardons enterprise. It is frequently referred to in this class of songs. Of. Chand, Revitata, 16. (Also Legends of the Panjab, passim.-ED.]
ht. under his jaw.
