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168
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(AUGUBT, 1926
I have deserted my home; deserted my country : deserted myvillage precinots. Shall I return, dear, for kaj prayojan ceremony ? Shall I return after six months ? I am a wandering bird, my dear, destined to fly to another's home. First my father's sister waves the lamps (round my head), and then it will be my
father-in-law's sister. When my mother weeps, my palanquin is wetted (with her tears) and my father's home
is heavy (Even) my enemies weeping catching at my veil : but my brother's wife rejoices (to see me go).
6. The Bridegroom comes. Recorded by Tulshi Ram, a teacher in Lalpur, District Aligarh.
Text. Bhino barnå awai. Bharat Shatrughnà sang hain jake : galian dhùm machawai. Gâwat guni; muni jan nachat ; Indra nishan bajawain. Janam suphal jo kinho cháho, ya men manhi lagawai. Jo tero man y&men Åwai, Yam ke jal chhur&wai. Ram-sakhi ko pyåro barnå rahase, rahesi gun gawai.
Translation. The young bridegroom comes. Bharata and Satrughna are with him : there is noise in the streets. The skilled are singing: the saints are dancing : Indra plays on the drums. If you would make life profitable, attach your heart to him. If you attach your heart to him, you will be freed from the share of Yama.86 Ram-sakhi86 loves the bridegroom with delight, and sings a song of delight.
7. An Aratt song. Recorded by Ramgharib Chaube.
Explanation by Ramgharib Chaube. This is a song sung when lamps are waved round the head of the bridegroom or bride. It has many points of interest in it. For instance it, with other marriage ceremonies, has reference to the matriarchate and descent through women, as it is the bridegroom's (or bride's) sister or father's sister that must wave the lamps in preference to any other relative. In this song, too, it is sea-water that is most propitious and more lucky than" sacred earth " or "cow-dung," and this is an important point to observe. So also is the way in which the use of betel is mentioned.
Text. Eri gobarů, gobari matiyajo milai; bidhi mulai samundar ko nir. Mere au Paņạit,
karu Arto. Eri Pandit, Pandit phir ghar jâhu ; meri au phùphû karu arto. Eri phuphu, punchhaingi, punchhai athaiyan båt beti ka har lago arto. Eri, lágai hain ; lågai hain pân pachås ; rupaiá lagai hain desh sau.
Translation. O the cowdung, the cowdung and the earth is found : it would be luck to find the sea
water. Pandit, wave the lamps. O Pandit, Pandit, go home again : my father's sister will wave the lampe. O my father's sister will ask many questions of the articles for the daughter's lamp.
waving. O they are ready : fifty (birds) of betel are ready; and rupees are ready, a hundred and a half.
(To be continued.) 86 The god of death.
96 The author.
