Indian Antiquary Vol 24

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

Page 83

MARCH, 1895.)
NARSINH MEHETANUN MAMERUN.
What is the good of inviting & relative, whose coming can serve no purpose ? 85 The name of Hari is dear to the Mêhêtå and all the town will assemble to see him, Only because you love to meet the old man, we shall have to incur ridicule from the
community. Rather than that your father-in-law should be dishonoured, we shall do without the
vévdi'36 visit." Kunvarbâi's eyes were filled with tears at this and she said again to her mother-in-law :
"Mistress, do not put me off by such words; the poorest relative is a relative after all. 90 It he only comes here to go back (without bringing any gifts) I shall be glad of the
opportunity of meeting my father." These words moved the mother-in-law to pity and she went and spoke to her husband :“Her bimant37 is expected in a few days, and Kuivarbál is obstinate about meeting her
father). So you had better write a letter of good tidings and let the father and daughter meet.3.
Let us write a letter of good tidings to our révai and say come here at any cost.'" 95 Srirang Môhêta was supremely kind-hearted, and he forth with wrote ont a letter :
“ In the name of Svasti to Sri Junagadh, which is the sanctuary of the Hari Vaišnavas, Thou ornament of the Någar community, thou prince of Sadhus, high and generous, Thou chief of worshippers, Master of the Vaišnavas, may Kêsavao be ever gracions
anto thee! Deserving all opithets, abode of mercy, Mêbêta, 4. Sripato Narsahin by name, 100 Here we all are in health and happiness. Pray be kind enough to write us a letter.
We have some good news to communicate (to you), fortune has favoured as beyond measure Kuivar-vahu has her símant near; such is the graciousness of Bhagavant to ns. Sanday, the 7th sudhi Magh, is the auspicious day we have chosen,
Pray, do not fail to come on that day, and bring your relatives and friends with you. 105 Have no fears in your heart, your visit will be worth millions to us. When a loved relative comes to our door we should spend all the gold of Mount Mérů in
his honour. We shall be sincerely grieved if you do not come, Méhêtaji." This letter was given in the (Rishi) Rusi's hand and the priest Khokhald went forth.
(But) Kudvarbat called him (back), sate him in a secluded place and fell at his feet. 110 " Remain there as a guest for a couple of days and tell Mêbêtaji,” she said, “tell him in
& convincing way to bring some good things for the occasion, And to come here, only if he has the means (to pay all dues). Tell him that if he does something to keep op our prestige, the reproach of my husband's
relatives will be lifted from me. But if this occasion is allowed to pass off quietly (without the necessary distribution of
gifts) the reproach will stick to me all my life. My husband's sister will Aling words like arrows at me, and his brother will stand in the
place of an enemy.
* The fathers of the bride and the bridegroom are known as each other's ududi, & relationship for which no term occurs in the English language.
The seventh month in pregnancy. It is considered religious duty to gratify the wishes of a pregnant woman.
This is the formala with which all Gujarati letters are commenced :-Sarasvati, whose other name is Sarada, he Goddess of Knowledge, is first invoked; then comes the name of the place from which the letter is written; thea the name and epithets of the addresapo; after that, the news that the addresser and his family are doing well, the wish that he should bear from the addressee; and lastly the purport of the letter. Letters bearing such a good tidings" as those in the text are sprinkled with (nol) and are called T . (kakstart).
* An epithet of Krishna, monning of the heir," as he was born from a hair of Vishau. « A Brahman is generally addressed by this title.
43 Devoted worshipper ; ascetic. The termination vaks to a woman's name signifies daughter-in-law. Búf significa daughter. 44 Mount Merd is asually fabled to be a mountain of gold.