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102
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(APRIL, 1895.
Canto V. When Srirang Mêhetâ heard of the arrival) he came forth in baste: and both the réveis
met with affection. 150 Also the son-in-law and his brother came out to meet him, and all the household came out
to see him, But they all langhed at the equipage of the Mêhêt and greeted him but coldly. They gave him a house to put up in, where fleas and mosquitoes bad made their dwelling: A quaint old place with an uneven floor, the tiles of the roof being conspicuous by their
absence, The thatch all rotten, and the beams all broken, and the walls bent double. 155 Such a house the Mêhêtà had to live in amongst numberless fleas and bugs. After the rêvai had left his guest in this place and departed, the Nagars laughed and
said ironically): " Here is Kunvavaha's Vaišnava father, let us look on his face and be purged of our sins.' And 80 (also) with laughter and merriment the fair ones from each house went forth to see
the Mehdta. They would make a false show of respect towards the Méhét; they would bow their beads
and say: "It is well that you are come." 160 And would then whisper amongst themselves : - "To have seen the Mêhêta is to have
seen Hart himself. Look what beautiful companions he has brought with him; surely the great god is
gracions to him." “Kunvaryaha's days of grief are over now," they would say, and turn their faces (in scorn). “Look at the bullocks of the Mebêtaji, and what a noise the gnats make (about them)! Here is a bag hanging behind the cart and pairs of cymbals are slung together.
And here is a bundle of tular and some sacred fuel : what more is wanted ? 165 He will place these in a basket and stand blowing into his conch-shell:
While the Voragis will chant the praises of Harl, which will finish the ceremonial." Thus the Nagar women ridiculed the Mêbêtâ. On Kusvarbål being informed that her father had arrived with the gifts,
She ran forward to meet him, when her sister-in-law laughed disparagingly and said :170 "Is this called a father's love for his daughter? Why is he come to subject her to ridicule ? He brings disgrace on the names of seven generations of (his) ancestors (by his
conduct). I wonder why he wants those Vérigla in bis train! And are you (Kuvvarbát) going by yourself to meet him? Better to be fatherless than
have such a father!" Hearing these barsh words Kuóvarbil turned back and replied:
- What an amount of arrogance is this, sister-in-law, to speak behind one's back! 175 Of course, that daughter is very lucky who has a rich father:
But will another's father be of use to me, even if he be a millionaire ? If my own poor father comes to greet me with one piece of cloth (only), it is worth all the
gold of Mêrd to me. You may speak wbatever your heart desires, bat I pray that this father may be spared to me."
Saying these words of reproach to her sister-in-law, the daughter went to her father. 180 Seeing his daughter from a distance, the Mêbêtâ called upon Hari in his heart..
The eyes of both were filled with tears, as both met with due respect. Then the father placed his hand on her head and bidding her sit by him asked her .
question or two. “Kanvarbai, tell me how you have been faring; do your husband's) relatives regard you
with affection?
