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FEBRUARY, 1922]
37
for Love? Did not Joseph suffer imprisonment for twelve years for the love of Zuleika? Was not Kama ground to powder for Love's sake? Surely this Jogi is a very thief of beauty and that is why he has had his ears bored. Some say he has come from Jhang Sial. Others say he has come from Hazara. Some say he is in love with somebody and that is why he has had his head shaved. Some say he is not a Jogi at all but has got his ears bored for the sake of Hir."
HIR AND RANJHA
And Hir replied: "I entreat you not to touch on this subject. It appears to me that this is a true message from God, and that it is Rânjha. My love for him has already ruined my life. Why has he come to destroy me again? He has lost his beloved and has also got his ears bored. What benefit has he received from Love? He became a shepherd and then cast dust and ashes on his body and relinquished all hope of name or fame."
And Hir wept secretly and tears poured like rain from her eyes. And she said to the girls: "Bring him somehow to me that we may find out where he comes from and who he is, who is his Guru and who bored his ears."
The girls drawing water at the well made merry with the Jogi, saying: "This is what becomes of the man who runs after girls. It is only those who have lost their hearts that bore their ears". And they tantalised him by displaying their charms. They burnt his heart sorely by saying: "Hir is very happy with the Kheras. " They sidled up to him and touched him with their hands. They said: "You have shown us your gracious presence. Now come and let your sun shine in the courtyard of Hir. Be kind to us and walk down with us to the house of Ajju and look at Pretty Sehti. Come into her courtyard and look at Hir." And they laughingly said: "Sir, Fakir, we stand before you with folded hands. Please accede to our request and lay us poor women under a debt of gratitude."
To which Rânjha replied haughtily: "My family have been Fakirs for seven generations and we do not know the ways of the world. I eat kand and mul [narcotic preparations of opium] in desolate places and enjoy the hermit life of the jungle. I know all about wolves, deer, lions and tigers. You are all mines of beauty, but what concern has a Jogi with beauty? I know all about medicines and healing herbs. The haunts of people and populous cities I avoid. I only know the ways of hermits, recluses, pilgrimages, Gurus, Jogis, and Bairagis. Other people pound and sift bhang and sherbet. I sift men at a glance. I can banish fairies, jinns, women and Satan himself. By my spells and incantations, I can compel men to submit to me."
And the girls encircled round the handsome Jogi and asked him ceaseless questions about himself.
Ranjha replied: "Do not ask vain questions. A snake, a lion and a Fakir have no country. We are dervishes and have no kith and kin. What care we for bed or board, for the headman of a village or his women folk? You are all fairy queens and wise and witty women. I am a God-intoxicated Fakir who have left the world and the things of the world behind me. I pray you leave me alone. Why pick up a quarrel with a poor Fakir? I am helpless in your presence. Why, did not you women put Harut and Marut in the well. You defeated even Plato and Esop. You would tease the very angels themselves. Go and look for some youth of your own age and leave the poor Fakir alone. Why do you seek to ensnare me in the entanglement of your beauty? Women verily are faithless. I will never take their advice."
So the girls went and told Hir: "Hir, we have entreated the Jogi but he will not listen to us. We have praised the Kheras but he takes no notice. Hir, why do you lie weary and sad on your bed all day and no one speaks to you for fear of your displeasure,"
