Sambodhi 2013 Vol 36

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 89

Vol. XXXVI, 2013
The Oral Traditions of Epics in Gujarat
81
the titles suggests the name of Pankhadi, is not clear. The ritual connection of the epic suggests that there should be no break in its performance because being an active part of the ritual it might be performed continuously without more time break.
The text is in prose and verse, recited and sung with tambur. Story
The story has relation to medieval Rājasthāni history. It is said that Jaychand Rāthor became traitor and instigated Muslim ruler. People hated Jaychand Rāthor and family and boycotted. Jaychand Rāthor repented and committed suicide. His sons Saherji and Shiyaji left Kanoj and established and ruled Pāli of Mārvār. Dhanji was a grandson of Shiyāji. The epic story starts with Shiyāji. Rāthor rulers were having trouble and war with Khinchi. The main dispute of the family enmity started with a small cause. In absence of Rāthor, Khinchi entered into the forest owned by Rāthor and hunted a pig. That resulted in dispute and ultimately enmity between Rāthor and Khinchi. Pābuji, the son of Dhāndhalji was a real brave, honest and peace loving ruler who to end the family enmity, married his sister Temā to Jendro Khinchi. But Jendra Khinchi was cunning, spiteful mean and wicked, who showed his affection and loyalty to Pabuji and at the same time instigated his wife Temā
king that her brother was miser and was giving less as dowry. The instigation worked, Khinchi became successful in his politics and Temā cut down the relations with her brother. Khinchi aroused the quarrel with Rāthod, and tried to defeat them; but Pābuji and Chāngo Bhil taught him a lesson, caught him, but freed him as he was brother-in-law. Ultimately as per Rājasthani verson, Khinchi attacked and stole the cow-herd when Pābuji was engaged in his own marriage, hearing the news Pābuji left his own marriage ceremony, fought with Khinchi, rescued the cows and lost his life. As per Bhili verson Cunnin Khinchi invited Rāthors for friendly amicable settlement, offered wine and killed Pabuji, Chāngo and his kin. This dis-loyal cruelty opened the eye of Temā, who brought up the son of Pabuji, Jalra Kunvar, helped him and ultimately Jalra Kunvar killed Khinchi, his family enemy.
The story is well built with many interesting characters and incidents, mythological and marvelous story-motifs. It is specifically mentioned and stressed, how family enmity results ultimately in a doom of a ruler. It has also be mentioned here that revenge and enmity of Bhil, never dies. The termite (white ant) eats and destroys everything it cannot eat revengeful enmity of Bhil. i.e. their enmity is everlasting.