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43
Obeisance to Moon of Love
[ Namo Premacandrimaya ]
an operette on a jaina legend in Bengali
I by GANESH LALWANI
translated in English free verse
by K. B. JINDAL
Scene 1
(Enter two wayfarers followed by a third a little distant behind)
3rd Wayfarer : Where goest thou, my comrade ? Ist Wayfarer : By the bank of the river.
Having lit the sacred fire, There be an ascetic In deep contemplation. Verily to meet him
Proceed we thither. 2nd Wayfarer : Have piled heavy load of wood. Ist Wayfarer : Have dug the spacious fire-place. 2nd Wayfarer : And in the fire will burn camphor and incense. Ist Wayfarer : To be reduced to a heap of ashes. 2nd Wayfarer : There are chunks of butter. Ist Wayfarer : Say nothing of the multitude. 3rd Wayfarer : Who be that ascetic ? 1st Wayfarer : Kamatha be his name. 2nd Wayfarer : A great saint,
Master of many charms. 1st Wayfarer : If you wish to join2nd Wayfarer : You are welcome. 1st Wayfarer : Time is short. 2nd Wayfarer : And the sun is high. 1st Wayfarer : Post haste we go. 3rd Wayfarer : And I follow.
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