Indian Antiquary Vol 24

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 54

50
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[PIRUARY, 1895.
hundred disciples, in a course of pilgrimage to various sbrines and holy places; came to Bågara. When she heard of his arrival, the Rant Bachhal presented herself before him, and begged him to take up his residence in her city, where she promised to attend upon him. The Gard replied that he was a saint and could not make a long stay there. The Rånt when she heard this fell at his feet and wept, and Kant Pawa, who was the senior of his disciples, begged him to stay there and practise yoga.
Gorakhnath agreed and halted with his disciples in a garden near the city. The Râni Bachhal placed her treasury at his disposal and every day presented him with a golden dish filled with the choicest food. When a year had passed in this way and the Rani ceased her daily visit, Guru Gorakhnath made preparations for his departure. Kini Pawa went to the Rânt and told her that Gorakhnath would start very early next morning, and he advised her to be in attendance. Her sister Achhal overheard this conversation, and in the night she went to the Rent Bachhal and asked her to lend her gome choice clothes and jewellery, as she wished to receive some guests. The Rani Bachhal answered: -"My clothes and jewels are pure because I wear them when I do worship. You can have any other clothes and jewels but these." Achhal refused to accept any other clothes and jewels, and promised to return them before her sister would want them for worship. So Bacbhal lent them and the gold dish to her. Next morning Achhal, wearing the clothes of Bachhal and covering her face, appeared before Gurú Gorakhnath who, when he saw her, said:
“My daughter! Why dost thou cover thy face P"
She answered: - "Since the saints have come here I daily prepare food for them with my own hands. My eyes have in this work become affected by the smoke and I am compelled to wear a veil."
Gorakhnath took the dish from her hands and ate the contents. Then he took out from his bag two grains of barley and handing them over to Achhal said :
" Wash them and then eat them at once."
She did as he directed and returned home. She returned the dish and the dresses to Rini Bâchhal.
Meanwhile Guru Gorakhnath blew his horn and marched with the body of his disciples. Bat the disciple, Kini Pawâ, knew that the Rani Bachhal had been deceived by her sister; so he began to cry and roll on the ground, pretending that he was attacked by a violent colic. As Kanf Pawê was very dear to Gorakhnath, the saint stopped and began to smear his body with consecrated ashes as a remedy. In the meantime Bant Bachhal arrived and, after saluting Gorakhnath, began to pray to him. She then laid the dish before him. Gorakhnath cried :
"Tarn out the impostor and beat her soundly. She has just received from me two graing of barley and she has come again."
The disciples began to beat the Râni Bachhal; but Kant Pawî said:
• You have devoured the whole of her treasure and are now beating her. What justice is this?"
Gorakhnath, then enquired from the chief disciple what the truth of the matter was, and he told him the whole case. Gorakhnath asked what he was to do. Kan Pawl answered: -
"O Maharaj! On this matter being known, the saints will be held in contempt. Yon mast bless the Rani Bachhal also."
Thon Gorakhnath spread a sheet and lay down apon it. On this he ascended to the throne of Bhagwan, and when he saluted Bbag win the god asked:
“O saint, what has caused you to come here P" Gorakhnath replied :-"Give a son to Ranf Baobhal of Bagara." • Por intenon al meh charme in barremmo meo my Introduction to Popular Religion and Pollor, p. 16. • Videy.ch. p110.
• With the part of the legend compare the story of Jacob mad on