Indian Antiquary Vol 55

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

Page 27

JANUARY, 1926 ]
THE SEQUEL TO HIR AND RANJHA
Then I bethought me that in a jungle where there are female buffaloes, there I shall meet with kindness. I followed their tracks and arrived at a place where milk had been set to curdle. And all around were thick shady wild trees of which I did not know the names, and had never seen before, all growing in that place. In the midst of them was a tall tamarisk tree, the wood of which was old and hollow like a drum. Into this tree I got in fear, as I had heard people say that in that place there were demons who used to seize and eat men. So hiding myself I sat there in terror.
Then as the time came for the sun to set I heard the sound of a pipe and saw a man wearing a black waist cloth and playing on a pipe. He came out of the jungle, and behind him came the buffaloes. When I saw this, I said to myself: "God knows who this is or what the miracle is."
Coming to the place the man sat down and the buffaloes all sat down around him. After a little while came a woman, wearing fine light-coloured 3 raiment, and a line painted on her forehead. And on her head was some bread fresh baked, and she sat-down beside him. They embraced, and she took some bread and gave it to him. When he began to eat the bread the woman said to him: "Mián Ranjha, a traveller from your country has come to stay with us. Let him eat first and eat yourself afterwards." "Where is he?" said he.
Said mother Hir: “Shout and he will come." Mika Ranjha called out : "Come, traveller, come. Don't hide."
Then I guessed, as in my country in Chach [Takht] Hazara they talk of Hîr and Ranjha and sing songs of their love, that perhaps these persons were they. So glad at heart I went towards them. They asked me for my news and I told it them. They were pleased and gave me bread and milk, which I ate and drank, and they made me rest awhile.
Afterwards they said : " Will you remain here l or must you go on elsewhere?".
I replied: "I left my home to make a pilgrimage to the House of the Ka'aba : but now as I don't know the road and have no money left, how can I go anywhere?”
They laughed and said: "We too, have to make a pilgrimage to the House of the Ka'aba. If you wish it, we will take you with us and show you the way."
I agreed and was rejoiced and asked them : "How far is the House of the Ka'aba from here?”
They said: "It is a journey of 300 kos from here." Then I said: "If it is so far from here, how shall I get there?" To this they replied: "Don't be anxious, Sir." And by God's will I remained silent.
When the month of the pilgrimage arrived, I said to them : "you told me that the House of the Ka'aba is distant 300 koe, when shall we start ?" ...Said they : "Why are you anxious! We, too, have to go."
When the actual day of the pilgrimage had come, they said: “Will you come back with us or will you remain there?"
I said: "I will come back with you."
Then they said: "When all your orders for the pilgrimage have been carried out, meet us on a certain hill, and we will bring you back here with us."
And again they said: "Hold our hands and shut your eyes." I held their hands and closed my eyes. After a little while they said: "Open your eyes."
When I had opened my eyes, I saw thousands of men standing, telling their beads and reciting God's name."
3 Sanaa, lit., groen.