Indian Antiquary Vol 51

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

Page 352

42
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JULY, 1922
And Hir replied: "It is not true, Jogi; parted friends cannot be reunited. I have searched far and wide but have found no one who can accomplish that. Tell me when will the true God bring back the lover I have lost. If anybody can remove the pain in my heart he may make shoes of my flesh. Oh Poet Waris Shah ! if I hear that my lover is returning, I will offer sweet cakes and light my lamps with rich butter for oil.”
And the Jogi replied: "I know all the secrets of the universe. On the resurrection day everything will be revealed. On that day the sky and clouds will cleave asunder. When Israfil blows his trumpet all the habitations of men will fall down. The supports of heaven will be rent asunder. The snake and the bull. (who according to tradition support the earth) will be filled with fear on that day. The mountains will fly into small pieces. All that will remain will be the seven last things: the chair and the throne of God, the tablet oi destiny, and the pen, paradise, the soul, and hell. Everything will vanish in an instant. Only lovers and fakirs will remain constant." Then turning to Hîr he said : " If you will sit near me I will open the Holy book and by casting magic lots, I will tell your horoscope.
You were a little girl and your hair was hanging down your back. He was a boy with the early down of manhood on his lips. He played on a flute. Your eyes clashed in love and two hearts were captivated by each other. He was sold at the very shop of love and he grazed Bomebody's buffaloes in hopes of his reward, but you married and his hopes were drowned in the deep waters of despair. The five Pirs had married you to him and this second marriage was not lawful. Love has ruined him and now he is roaming about disconsolate in forests and desolate places. He went to Tilla and got his ears bored and became a Jogi. He has to-day entered your village. He is not far from you. All this I have found in the book of the signs of the stars."
And Hir stood up and said: “The Jogi h28 read the signs of the stars correctly. He is a true pandit and jotshi. Tell me Jogi, where is my lover who stole my heart away and brought ruin on himself ?"
The Jogi replied: "Why are you searching outside ? Your lover is in your own house. Put off your veil my beautiful bride and look if you cannot see your lost lover."
And Hîr said: "Jogi it oannot be true. He cannot be in the house." Then she decided to draw aside her veil. She glanced at the Jogi and behold it was her lost lover. And she said to him softly: "Our secret must be hidden from the eyes of Sehti."
The Jogi replied: "Bride of the Kheras, do not teach wisdom to the wise. Be not proud of your beauty but be kind to old friends."
CHAPTER 24. (Sehti quarrels with the Jogi and turns him out of the house.) When Sehti saw that the hearts of Hir and the Jogi had become one and that Air had fallen under his spell, she began a busing the Jogi to her. "Sigter, all Jogis are liars. This snubnosed squat dirty-faced wicked Jogi cannot be trusted."
The Jogi replied: "You should catch hold of the feet of the Fakir in humility and with supplication instead of quartelling with him. You are a lucky woman to be so fond of camels and suchlike. Ah ! by the grace of God, my Pir tells me everything."
Sehti flared up in wrath : " You are a lewd slippery-tongued person. What do you mean with your pointed remarks about camels. Are you charging 'me with theft. Your shoulders seem itching for a beating. Fat fellows like you should be sent to look after ploughs and buffaloes."