Indian Antiquary Vol 51

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 345

FEBRUARY, 1922]
HIR AND RANJHA
Any one who opposes me gues sonless from this world."
And he strode off with swinging steps as one intoxicated, even as camel-men swing riding on a camel's back. He made straight for the Kheras a bode even as a stream in flood Sweeps down the bed of the river or as a lion springs on its victim. A partridge sang on the right as he started and he took this as a good omen.
He was filled with love even as rain pours down in the darkness of a pitch black night. As Ranjha entered the neighbourhood of Rangpur he met a shepherd grazing his sheep, and the shepherd looked at the Jogi as a lover looks into the eyes of his beloved, and said: "Tell me without disguise what country have you come from?"
The Jogi replied: "I come from the river Ganges. I am a bird of passage from the other side of the river. We Jogis stay in one place for twelve years and then wander for twelve years and we bring success to those who meet us."
The shepherd replied: "Real Fakirs do not tell lies. You claim to be a Fakir and you are telling a lie. You cannot deceive a shepherd. They are the inost cunning of all mankind. You are the Sials shepherd, and your name is Ranjha. You used to graze the buffalocs of Chuchak. You and Hir used to spend your time in the forest. You are the famous lover of Hir. The Sials were always taunted about you and Hir. All the world know your story. You should flee from the Kheras or they will kill you."
And the Jogi replied to the shepherd : "Surely you will be punished for telling such lies. I and mine have been Fakirs from seven generations. I have nothing to do with the world. I deal with beads of penitence and beggar bowls and live by asking alms. If you wish well for yourself do not call me a servant, for I am without doubt a holy man. I fear the very name of women. Who is Ranjha and who is Hir? If you call me a servant I will tear you in pieces." The Jogi shook with anger. The water of wrath gleamed in his angry eves. And the shepherd afraid of the wrath of the Jogi fell at his feet and folded his hands in supplication, saying: "Pir [ie., Holy man), forgive my sin. The grazer of buffaloes that I knew closely resembled you and such mistakes are pardonable. I will tell you all the story."
And he told the Jogi the story of Rânjha and Hir, spread his blanket before him and treat. ed him kindly. Meanwhile a wolf fell on the sheep, and the shepherd in his distress called to the Jogi to attaek the wolf, for he had counted his flock and found the wolf had slain seven lambs and one sheep. The Jogi did as the shepherd besought him and confronted the wolf in battle. The Jogi called upon the Five Pirs who supported him in the encounter. He smote the wolf with his beggar's bowl and the wolf fell to the ground like a log. Then the
Jogi pierced him with his Fakir's tongs and brought the body to the shepherd who was amazed at the sight. So the shepherd was convinced that the Jogi was a perfect saint and endowed with miraculous power and he fell at his feet in supplication.
And Ranjha said: “ Brother, let us sit down and talk together. We must take care hat our secret does not leak out."
The shepherd replied: "You have disgraced the name of Love. Having won her love you should have run away with her. Either you sbould have never fallen in love with her, or having once loved her, you should have killed her rather than let another have her. When the Kheras took her away in marriage you should have shaved your beard in the assembly. You should have died rather than be disgraced as you have been disgraced."
Ranjha replied: "Your speech breaks my heart but we Jogis have patience even when we are trampled on."
The shepherd replied: "You fool. Take the girl away if you can. Saida is no friend of ours. You have got your ears bored and you have grazed buffaloes for twelve years and Ne you still afraid of what the world will say! When you go to Rangpur to beg through the