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MARRIAGE SONGS IN NORTHERN INDIA
Râma is I think the son of Dasrath, and Lakshman of some one else. Bharata and Shatruhana are brethren of Sri Raghunath [Rama]." To-day Awadhpur [Ayodhyâ] is full of merriment over the paring of Rama's nails. Let us go to see the beauty of his palace.
JULY, 1926]
7.
Congratulations to the barber's wife for being allowed to touch the nails of Rama. She rolls her eyes to attract the attention of Sri Raghunath.
The feet that Rama's foot washer 60 is going to wash,
Are the feet that saints and prophets go to worship.
A very beautiful garland lies on Rama's breast.
His sidelong glance is anxiously awaited by saints and prophets 1 While his nails are being pared, Rama's smile is indescribable. His body is as soft and fair as the padam-rág mani.
8.
[With meháwar] she dyed the soft feet that had no defect.
She dyed the feet after them with water.
Then the relatives and friends rewarded her according to custom and their means.
Saith Tulasi Das: great is the delight to behold Raghunath.
Kings gave elephants and queens gave garlands.
Thousands of winnowing-fans filled with gems were given [to the barber's wife]. The barber took them away in cart-loads.
The clansmen gave so much that he was satisfied.
9.
Beggars and servants were greatly rewarded and their troubles fled.
Everyone was made happy and slept without anxiety.
All the ladies sang and chaffed and joked63.
Rama, the babe, was a little shy with his mother 4, While all the ladies were laughing and joking together,
And the barber's wife threw perfumes over them with delight.
The bridegroom's [Rama's] mother, seeing them, was delighted.
She gave away millions of gifts in charity, like a cloud showering gifts upon the poor.
10.
Sing the songs of Nahachhu for Râm, the babe, and be happy.
Who sings them attains his heart's desire and real pleasure.
Dasrath, the king, sat on his royal seat with joy.
Saith Tulasi Dâs: much pleased to see his son king of the Raghu clan.
Who sings this Nahachhu song himself or hears it sung,
To him will the prophets and saints bring riches, wealth, prosperity and salvation.
(To be continued.)
60 That is the barber's wife.
61 That is to say, they anxiously await a glance of favour.
62. A particularly beautiful gem.
68 This is customary on such occasions.
133
Children often appear shy before their mothers, when they find themselves suddenly turned into boys. They will throw themselves into their mothers' arms after such ceremonies as this, and their mothers will say: "You are no longer a child, as you have been through such and such ceremonies. You must now go and live among the men and leave the women."
