Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 525

APRIL, 1923)
HIR AND RANJHA
77
poetry remains in everlasting remembrance." "For no one," adds the poet in a burst of delight. ful candour," has writtten so beautiful a Hîr'." Thus ends the famous story of Ranjha and Hir as told by the most famous of the poets of the Punjab. He ends with an epilogue which is doubly interesting, as it gives us some autobiographical detail about the poem and the author, and it throws some sidelights on the conditions of the country when the Moghul Empire was crumbling to pieces and the era of the Jat Sikhs was about to begin.
I quote the Epilogue at full length, although disconnected and rambling in parts, and although the text which I have followed probably contains mistakes and interpolations, yet it is interesting enough to quote as a specimen of Waris Shah's style.
EPILOGUE.15 (1) Fools and sinners give counsel to the world, the words of the wise are set at nought : No man tells the truth or cares for justice ; telling what is untrue has become the practice in the world.
(2) Men sit together and conspire to commit evil; in the hand of tyrants there is a sharp sword: There is no Governor, Ruler or Emperor; the country and all the people in it have been made desolate.
(3) Great confusion has fallen on the country; there is a sword in every man's hand : The pardah (curtain) of shame and modesty has been lifted, and all the world goes naked in the open bazar. Thieves have become leaders of men; harlots have become mistresses of the household; the company of devils has multiplied exceedingly.
(4) The state of the nobles is pitiable; men of menial birth Nourish and the peasantry are in great prosperity: The Jats have become masters of our country ; everywhere there is a new Government.
(5) When Love became known to me, a desire came upon me to compose this story : It was written in the country of the west (Lamman Des) in the year 1180 Hijri or 1820 of the Era of Raja Bikramajit. 16 (2.D. 1766).
(6) When men of learning deigned to approve of my book it became known and noised abroad among all and sundry in the land : Waris, those who recite thé Holy Kalam will attain salvation and their boat will be taken ashore.
(7) The land of Kharral Hans is famous among all lands; it was there where I wrote my poem after much pain and perseverance : Let poets themselves test this work of poetry, I have loosed the steed of my genius in the arena of fame.
(8) Other poets have sung petty themes, I have carried out an immense work : Let the wise ponder my poem with care, my verse enclothes a hidden meaning.
(9) I sat apart in solitude and wrote this story of Hîr, at the request of my friends, after great meditation : May young men of the Country read it with pleasure; I have planted tho Rower of poetry for the sake of its sweet savour.
(10) I have at last achieved my object, thanks be to God, and all day long I was lost in fear and astonishment : Waris Shah, My good actions will not avail to save me ; of what can I this poor one--be proud.
(11) Oh God, without Thy meroy I have no hope of salvation. If Justice is done and I get merely my deserts, my face will be as black as a monkey: Without the morey of Thy friend the Prophet I am nothing-I mere dust and ashes.
18 In the translation of this Epilogue a fullstop has been put in at the end of each line in the original, in the middle of the line only colons or semi-colons have been shown. This will enable readers to "ppreciate the length of Waris Shah's lines.
16 I may remark these two dates do not correspond; Hijri 1180 is probably the correct date.