Preferred Citation: Gold, Ann Grodzins.

A Carnival of Parting: The Tales of King Bharthari and King Gopi Chand as Sung and Told by Madhu Natisar Nath of Ghatiyali, a!asthan" Berkeley: University of California Press, c1992 1992. http: ark.cdli!.or" ark: 1#$#$ ft#"%$$%&#

A Carnival of Parting
The Tales of King Bharthari and King Gopi Chand as Sung and Told by Madhu Natisar Nath of Ghatiyali, Rajasthan Translated with an Introduction and Afterword by ANN GRODZIN GO!D
"NI#$R IT% O& CA!I&ORNIA PR$

Berkeley os !ngeles "#ford

' ())* The Regents of the "niversity of California

'or Ada(, )onah, *li, and +aniel

Preferred Citation: Gold, Ann Grodzins. A Carnival of Parting: The Tales of King Bharthari and King Gopi Chand as Sung and Told by Madhu Natisar Nath of Ghatiyali, a!asthan" Berkeley: University of California Press, c1992 1992. http: ark.cdli!.or" ark: 1#$#$ ft#"%$$%&#

'or Ada(, )onah, *li, and +aniel

PR$&AC$
,adh- .atisar .ath, /hose /ords in translation for( the s-!stance of this !ook, is a 0a1asthani far(er, no/ in his (idseventies, /ith no for(al schoolin". 2e is also a sin"er, a (-sician, and a storyteller. ,adh- /ears in his ears the distinctive thick rin"s associated /ith the sect of reno-ncers called, a(on" other thin"s, 3split4ear3 yo"is. A (arried lando/ner, ,adh- is not a reno-ncer, nor is he a yo"i in the sense of practicin" esoteric self4disciplines. Born into the caste of .aths 5also called )o"is6 7ho-seholders /hose collective identity is linked to reno-ncer ancestors7,adh- /as pers-aded in his early teens to have his ears rit-ally split !y a /ealthy landlord /ho /anted to sponsor the cere(ony. At the center of this !ook are ,adh- .ath8s oral perfor(ances, /hich 9 have rendered into /ritten *n"lish, of t/o linked tales a!o-t the le"endary kin"s Gopi Chand and Bharthari. Both these characters, /hile in their pri(e, leave thrones and fa(ilies to !e initiated as yo"is. Gopi Chand and

Bharthari are -s-ally reckoned a(on" the 3.ine .aths3 /hose !io"raphies are (a1or feat-res in pop-lar traditions of .orth 9ndian yo"is. At so(e -ndeter(ina!le point in the develop(ent of this lore, the t/o reno-ncer4kin"s !eca(e linked as sister8s son to (other8s !rother. :he -ncle Bharthari8s tale precedes the nephe/ Gopi Chand8s in strict chronolo"y. 9n perfor(ance and, 9 !elieve, in si"nificance, Gopi Chand8s story takes precedence. ,adh- ackno/led"es that it is (ore pop-lar /ith his patrons. ;hen the t/o are spoken of as a pair, /hich they often are, it is as Gopi Chand4Bharthari, not vice versa. 'or (e, also, Gopi Chand8s tale ca(e first in several /ays. < =ii < +escri!ed !y >ir 0ichard :e(ple as a 3/eariso(e a""lo(erate of inter(ina!le platit-des3 5:e(ple ?1@@AB 19C2, 2:16, and !y G. A. Grierson as an epic containin" 3here and there a tiny pearl of interest, hidden a(idst the r-!!ish3 5Grierson 1@&@, 1AC6, the tale of Gopi Chand /as i((ediately en"rossin" and /holly deli"htf-l to (e /hen 9 first enco-ntered it in :e(ple8s #egends of the Pun!ab . :his enco-nter took place lon" !efore 9 (et ,adh- .ath or kne/ of his caste8s oral traditions. :e(ple8s version had char(ed (e in Chica"o /hen 9 read it for a co-rseD to (eet it a"ain as a livin" perfor(ance tradition in a 0a1asthan villa"e /as for (e a (o(ento-s !-t p-rely serendipito-s event. 9 have devoted the !etter parts of several precio-s fello/ship years to craftin" the translations, researchin" the ori"ins, and thinkin" and /ritin" a!o-t the (eanin"s of the 0a1asthani versions of Gopi Chand and the co(panion tale of his -ncle Bharthari. ,oreover, 9 have la!ored th-s not for the record, as did :e(ple, nor for the tiny pearl, as did Grierson, !-t !eca-se 9 love the /hole cycle and a( convinced that (any other people /ill also find it "rippin", (ovin", and f-nny. ;hat e=plains the diver"ence !et/een (y aesthetic sensi!ilities and those of the early British folkloristsE 2istorical circ-(stances, no do-!t, acco-nt for (-ch. :e(ple and Grierson /ere representatives of a colonial po/er as certain of its enli"htened "ood taste as it /as of its ri"ht to ta= and r-le. 9 ca(e of a"e in the United >tates of the late si=ties, part of a "eneration that ro-tinely e(!raced and elevated the /isdo( of other c-lt-res in its F-est for peace of (ind, "ood health, and vital co((-nity. ,y "eneration lived in canvas tepees sprayed /ith che(ical /aterproofin" accordin" to instr-ctions in a ho/4to4do4it !ook. ;e so-"ht /isdo( relevant to o-r o/n lives in te=ts as c-lt-rally diverse as the Songs of Milarepa 5poe(s of a :i!etan B-ddhist saint6 and G. 9. G-rd1ieff8s All and $verything 5a t/entieth4cent-ry Ar(enian (ystic8s eccentric history of the cos(os6. ;e (assa"ed o-r !a!ies accordin" to a photo"raphic (an-al reco((endin" this ti(e4honored >o-th Asian techniF-e as the key to satisfyin" parent4child relationships. 9 have selected these e=a(ples fro( (y personal history, !-t they are fairly representative. ;hile fe/ s-ch vent-res /ere f-lly s-ccessf-l, c-(-latively they !roadened o-r collective horizons. 9f (y friends and 9 had never heard the e=pression 3anthropolo"y as c-lt-ral critiF-e37indeed 9 s-ppose it had not !een coined7/e /ere < =iii < nevertheless i((ersed d-rin" early yo-th in a direct if -nschooled version of s-ch a refle=ive enterprise. :hat it /as (ore or less this sa(e "eneration /ho, in the acade(y, conceived theoretical and practical potentials for s-ch criticis( is pro!a!ly no historical accident !-t a (eanin"f-l con1-nct-re. General c-lt-ral (alaise and h-n"er for forei"n kno/led"e provide only the loosest fra(e /ithin /hich 9 (i"ht offer so(e e=planation for (y instant and lon"4ter( attraction to the Gopi Chand4

Bharthari cycle. 9 ackno/led"e, retrospectively, that the partic-lar char(s Gopi Chand8s tale held for (e derive fro( a confl-ence of personal and intellect-al interests that (ay !e co((on 5!-t -s-ally "o -nreported6 in the for(-lation of (any acade(ic pro1ects. ;hen 9 first read Gopi Chand 9 had !-t recently ret-rned, after a lon" spell of no(adic F-estin", to acade(ia. :he tale held for (e an instantly appealin" (essa"e, /hich in the starkest ter(s is this: a!andonin" !eloved /o(en for the sake of reli"ion isn8t easy. Gne of the reasons 9 liked this (essa"e (-st !e !eca-se 9 had7!efore takin" -p the acade(ic st-dy of 9ndian lan"-a"e and c-lt-re7parted very painf-lly fro( a h-s!and /ho, as 9 perceived it, cared (ore for his spirit-al aspirations than he did for (e and o-r child. 2is aspirations co-ld not have !een (ore different fro( a yo"i8sD ret-rnin" to his childhood roots, he had 1oined a tradition7the Hatter +ay >aints7that cele!rated eternal fa(ily -nity. 'eelin" irrevoca!ly alienated, 9 fled !ack to (y o/n roots, /hich happened to !e the University of Chica"o. 9 /as certainly dra/n to the st-dy of anthropolo"y and of 9ndian reli"ion in part !eca-se !oth offered l-=-riant vistas of fl-id c-lt-ral and cos(ic relativities 9 had fo-nd so "allin"ly a!sent fro( (y h-s!and8s !eliefs. 9 s-ppose 9 also n-rsed the s-spicion, or hope, that val-in" God and salvation (ore than one8s stron"est attach(ents /as not a (orally certain vent-re. :he Gopi Chand le"end confir(ed this int-ition to (y satisfaction. Altho-"h :e(ple8s version is si"nificantly less laden /ith e=pressions of (isery than the one 9 /as later to record, it nonetheless depicts the process of Gopi Chand8s ren-nciation as diffic-lt. :hese diffic-lties all derive fro( the "en-ine clai(s on Gopi Chand of /ife, da-"hter, and sister. Altho-"h .ath !ards7to the e=tent of (y kno/led"e7have al/ays !een (ales, 9 sensed hints of a /o(en8s perspective in Gopi Chand8s story. ,any years later 9, alon" /ith a n-(!er of others, !e"an to for(-late so(e ideas a!o-t < =iv < /o(en8s perspectives availa!le thro-"h folk traditions 5Gold 1991, 0ahe1a and Gold, forthco(in"D ;adley 19&@6. 9n 19&@, /hen 9 read #egends of the Pun!ab , 9 had no !ack"ro-nd in /o(en8s st-dies and no fe(inist stance. :he field/ork that took (e to 9ndia 5in 19&9I@16 and landed (e in the villa"e of Ghatiyali /here 9 (et ,adh- .ath had nothin" to do /ith /o(en8s perspectives or /ith oral traditions, .aths, or Gopi Chand. 9 had no e=pectation of findin" a livin" perfor(ance tradition of Gopi Chand8s tale, and had never even heard of Bharthari as a folk hero7altho-"h 9 had read translations of the ele"ant poe(s attri!-ted to Bhartrihari, the >anskrit poet /ith /ho( he is traditionally identified. ;hat interested (e /as ren-nciation as a val-e in ho-seholders8 lives, and 9 planned to st-dy this not thro-"h translatin" folklore te=ts !-t rather thro-"h participant o!servation in the practice of pil"ri(a"e 5Gold 19@@6. :he introd-ction to this !ook provides several sets of !ack"ro-nds to ,adh- .ath8s tales. 9n chapter 1, 9 descri!e ho/ 9 ca(e to kno/ the !ard in the settin" of his natal villa"e, Ghatiyali, /here 9 lived for al(ost t/o years. 9 then sketch ,adh-8s life history, or as (-ch of it as he chose to div-l"e to (e, and descri!e his -s-al (odes of perfor(ance as /ell as the partic-lar events that 9 recorded. 9 "o on to reco-nt and reflect on the translation process in its (-ltiple phases and to consider at a (ore "eneral level the pro!le(s of 3translatin"3 an oral perfor(ance across c-lt-ral !o-ndaries. 2ere 9 clarify /hich co(pro(ises 9 have chosen and /hy. :he t/o chapters that follo/ provide a different set of !ack"ro-nds, locatin" the stories of Jin" Gopi Chand and Jin" Bharthari, and their 0a1asthani variants, /ithin the (ovin" c-rrents and deep layers of 2ind- traditions. 9n chapter 2, 9 disc-ss the .aths or )o"is !oth as sect and as caste. 9n chapter #,1 treat the oral traditions they create and inha!it.

:here follo/ (y translations of ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ances of Bharthari and Gopi Chand. ,adhhi(self divides each tale into discrete se"(ents7three for Bharthari and fo-r for Gopi Chand. 9 "ive a !rief introd-ction for each of these parts, offerin" so(e "eneral orientations and so(e cross4 referencin" of the(es !et/een the t/o epics. 9 annotate the te=ts the(selves on t/o pre(ises. Pri(arily, /henever 9 sense that a non40a1asthani a-dience needs additional < =v < infor(ation to -nderstand a reference 5!e it (ytholo"ical, a"ric-lt-ral, "eo"raphical, or other6 9 provide that infor(ation. >econdarily, /henever (y translator8s choices see( (ore than ordinarily risky or !old, and so(eti(es /hen 9 translate key concepts, 9 s-pply an ori"inal ter( or phrase, /ith or /itho-t disc-ssion. 9 atte(pt to offer a fl-id and -nenc-(!ered *n"lish perfor(ance and therefore retain very fe/ 9ndian ter(s. :he fe/ that re(ain are e=plained on first appearance. Beca-se 9 perceived the lan"-a"e and (-sic to !e i(portant aspects of ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ances !-t a( (yself neither lin"-ist nor (-sician, 9 t-rned to specialists in treatin" these (atters. Gne of the very fe/ A(erican e=perts in 0a1asthani, +avid ,a"ier of Col-(!ia University, consented to act as lin"-istic cons-ltant on (y .ational *ndo/(ent for the 2-(anities translation pro1ect. Appendi= 1 of this vol-(e contains his concise !-t co(prehensive note on ,adh- .ath8s lan"-a"e and its relation !oth to 2indi and to other 0a1asthani dialects. +avid 0oche of the California 9nstit-te of 9nte"ral >t-dies, an ethno(-sicolo"ist /ho has /orked e=tensively in 0a1asthan, helped (e to -nderstand ,adh- .ath8s (-sic in its historical conte=tD his co((ents infor( (y !rief disc-ssion of the (-sic in chapter 1. 9 have fo-nd a "reat /ealth of (eanin" in these stories. >o(e of (y atte(pts to pro!e and hi"hli"ht Gopi Chand alone are p-!lished else/here 5Gold 19@9, 19916. 2ere 9 offer as an after/ord 5follo/in" /ith diffidence the precedent set !y A. J. 0a(an-1an in his several vol-(es of translation6 (y i(pressions of the t/o tales8 (ost poi"nant the(es. :hese i(pressions are !ased not only on takin" the te=ts to"ether as (-t-ally infor(in" !-t on the years 9 have lived in and tho-"ht a!o-t the c-lt-re that "enerated the(. 9 still have the conviction, a s-stainin" one thro-"ho-t the often tedio-s /ork involved in this pro1ect, that these tales stand on their o/n as h-(an stories. 9 enco-ra"e readers /ho do not care for acade(ic trappin"s to en1oy the( as stories, the /ay ,adh- offers the(. Altho-"h it is not co((on practice, 9 reprod-ce here, /ith 1-st a fe/ cos(etic chan"es, a para"raph fro( the si=ty4ei"ht4pa"e proposal 9 s-!(itted in 19@@ to the .ational *ndo/(ent for the 2-(anities, /hose "enero-s s-pport sa/ (e thro-"h to the concl-sion of this /ork. < =vi < >everal ti(es in varied conte=ts7fac-lty se(inars, -nder"rad-ate classroo(s, dinner parties79 have taken advanta"e of the !ard ,adh- .ath8s "ifts to (e, and retold the stories of Gopi Chand or Bharthari. As (y narrative !e"ins to flo/, 9 lose (y dispositional shyness and capt-re (y a-dienceD dra/n into the story, they /ant to kno/ /hat happens ne=t. +-rin" the year that 9 /as typin" o-t a ro-"h translation of Gopi Chand8s tale, 9 retold it every fe/ evenin"s to (y five4year4old sonD he /o-ld !e" to hear the ne=t episode even !efore it /as ready. ;hen 9 conte(plate these te=ts and /onder, first /hy 98( personally so fond of the(D and second /hy anyone /hose life /ork is not rooted in 9ndolo"ical folklore sho-ld care a!o-t the(, the i((ediate ans/er that co(es to (ind is that they are "reat stories, often f-nny stories, and a!ove all involvin"

stories. ;hatever F-ality or F-alities they possess that endo/ the( /ith the capacity to (ove a"in" professors and little children (-st !e the reason they are i(portant to the h-(anities. 9 a( very thankf-l that the .*2, an independent federal a"ency, /as pers-aded !y (y ar"-(ents for a -niversal interest in these stories7ar"-(ents 9 stand !y after another t/o years8 en"a"e(ent /ith the te=ts. Hookin" !ack over these and earlier years, 9 have a /ei"ht of "ratit-de to e=press to/ard instit-tions, collea"-es, friends, and fa(ily. A ,ellon fello/ship fro( the >ociety for the 2-(anities at Cornell University first allo/ed (e to think and /rite on the Gopi Chand transcripts. A short4ter( >enior 'ello/ship fro( the A(erican 9nstit-te of 9ndian >t-dies !ro-"ht (e !ack to ,adh- .ath to tape his perfor(ance of Bharthari. Gn that trip Jo(al Jothari of 0-payan >ansthan, /here 9 /as affiliated, /as once a"ain a terrific so-rce of advice and kno/led"e. As /ill !e clear to anyone /ho reads this !ook, it /o-ld never have co(e into e=istence /itho-t the lon"4ter(, patient, dedicated, and intelli"ent assistance of Bho1- 0a( G-1ar /ho has (ade (y /ork his o/n in a /ay that 9 do not kno/ ho/ to ackno/led"e /ith s-fficient ardor. As scri!e for !oth epics in their entirety, .ath- .ath (-st once (ore !e thanked and praised. :his !ook is ,adh- .ath8s !efore it is (ine. 2is na(e is on the cover, and his kno/led"e and art !ear their o/n testi(ony. 2ere 9 thank hi( only for his cordiality and "enero-s cooperation. 9 have !een /ritin" and talkin" a!o-t these tales for a n-(!er of years, !oth p-!licly and privately. ,any friends, kin, collea"-es, and < =vii < (entors have read, listened, and contri!-ted their ideas, infor(ation, and co-nsel. Kersions of the after/ord /ere presented d-rin" the sprin" se(ester of 199$ at Cornell University8s >o-th Asia >e(inar, at the University of ,ichi"an8s >o-th and >o-theast Asian Center, and as part of a University of ;isconsin lect-re series on ethno"raphy and narrative. 9 thank all /ho helpf-lly co((ented, pro!ed, and appla-ded in those settin"s. +aniel Gold /as al/ays the first to read a ne/ly finished piece and has saved (e e(!arrass(ent (ore than once !y pointin" o-t sna"s in (y synta=, lo"ic, and spellin". All told, he has s-pported this pro1ect, ho/ever d-!io-s its (erits see(ed to hi(, /ith "reat patience and affection. 0-th Grodzins once a"ain p-t in her share of la!or, contri!-tin" val-a!le consistency and l-cidity to the lan"-a"e. Kery partic-lar thanks "o to >andra Jin" ,-lholland, 'rances Pritchett, and +avid ;hite for close, critical, and kindly readin"s of the first three chapters in draft. 'rannie /ent on to read the entire (an-script, in install(ents, and 9 have acted on the (a1ority of her ac-tely 2indi4sensitive s-""estions, /hile st-!!ornly resistin" a fe/ of the(. At Berkeley, Hynne ;ithey has enco-ra"ed and s-pported this endeavor since its inceptionD Pa(ela ,ac'arland 2ol/ay oversa/ the !ook8s prod-ction /ith care, cheer, and ener"y. Copy editor *dith Gladstone !rilliantly tracked, and helped to eli(inate, inconsistencies !oth "ross and s-!tleD 9 thank her /holeheartedly for her painstakin" attentiveness7 and especially for tellin" (e she en1oyed the stories. Gthers /hose co((ents and criticis(s have s-stained, inspired, and prodded (e at vario-s sta"es incl-de 0o=anne G-pta, Philip H-t"endorf, Jirin .arayan, Gloria 0ahe1a, A. J. 0a(an-1an, ,ilton >in"er, and especially ,ar"aret :ra/ick7the one person in 9thaca /ith /ho( 9 can talk a!o-t everythin" that interests (e. >-san ;adley has !een a "enero-s (entor and "entle critic over the past si= yearsD in co-ntless /ays she has helped this pro1ect -nfold, and its a-thor s-rvive. .one of the a!ove4(entioned instit-tions or persons, !-t 9 alone, !ear responsi!ility for re(ainin" errors and

infelicities. :he Gopi Chand and Bharthari epics s-stain fro( start to finish a tension !et/een the (oral responsi!ilities and passionate attach(ents that (ake fa(ily life so val-a!le to h-(an !ein"s, and the opposin" fascination of solitary F-ests for kno/led"e, po/er, and < =viii < divinity. ;hile 9 re(ain in/ardly s-scepti!le to those co-nterall-re(ents, (y o/n actions have for (any years !een r-led lar"ely !y a ho-seholder8s co((it(ents. :hat is not to say that (y fa(ily has not often had to s-ffer (y a!sence and a!sent(indedness d-rin" this !ook8s prod-ction. 9 dedicate it to the( /hose love, de(ands, co(forts, and char(s /eave the net of %aya aro-nd (e: Ada( ,orton 0ose, )onah ,alkiel Gold, *li Ja!ir Gold, +aniel Gold. 'or ,adh- .ath, it is al/ays the i(percepti!le to /hich all ackno/led"(ent !elon"s. ,adh- often dedicates a se"(ent of his sin"in" to "ods and "-r-s. ;ith hi(, then, speak: Kictory to Bharthari Ba!aL Kictory to Jin" Gopi ChandL Kictory to Hord >hankar79ndescri!a!leL 9ndestr-cti!leL < =i= <

NOT$ ON TRAN CRIPTION AND TRAN !IT$RATION

,adh- .ath8s perfor(ance of the tales of Bharthari and Gopi Chand /as transcri!ed !y his nephe/, .ath- .ath. .ath- had /orked for the folklorist )oseph ,iller !efore he /orked for (e. ;hen not e(ployed !y forei"n scholars he has (ade his livin" thro-"h a"ric-lt-re, clerical 1o!s, tractor4drivin", and te(ple service. ,iller trained .ath-, alon" /ith several other yo-n" villa"e (en, to follo/ partic-lar "-idelines in his transcription /ork. :hese incl-ded: /rite every so-nd each ti(e 1-st as yohear itD don8t standardize diver"ent pron-nciationsD don8t 2indi4ize local dialect. .ath- /as (etic-lo-s in his adherence to these, !y and lar"e e=cellent, standards. ;e th-s escaped the syndro(e, la(ented !y other folklore4collectors in 9ndia7/here literate scri!es revise as they transcri!e, ref-sin" to reprod-ce irre"-larities or lan"-a"e they consider -nfit to !e /ritten do/n. 2o/ever, there are certainly occasional dra/!acks to this (ethod. >o(eti(es the sa(e /ord, or especially na(e, is /ritten in several different /ays. Bharthari8s father is a "ood e=a(ple7he appears as Gandarap Syan, Gandaraph Sen , and Gandaraph Syan . 9 take the o!vio-s decision to standardize this and other instances of phonetic fl-idity. 9 -se a standard syste( to transliterate fro( .ath-8s +evana"ari to *n"lish. :he F-estion of /hen to -se diacritics is a ve=in" one, for /hich there is no accepted standard. :he conventions adopted here are as follo/s: 9 italicize and "ive diacritics for all 2indi and 0a1asthani /ords that are not proper no-ns /henever 9 -se the(, /ith the e=ception of those that have co(e into *n"lish7(ost < == < nota!ly 3yo"i.3 Proper no-ns appear in plain ro(an type /itho-t diacritics. 9n appendi= 2 9 add an alpha!etical list, s-!divided !y cate"ory, of i(portant na(es /ith diacritics. >o(e of the na(es and ter(s that appear in these pa"es !elon" to a /ider 9ndian tradition and have a n-(!er of variant spellin"s. 'or the (ost part, 9 consistently e(ploy na(e spellin"s that are in accord

/ith ,adh- .ath8s speech, !-t in chapters 2 and # /here 9 treat !roader traditions, footnotes offer so(e of the !etter4kno/n variants as they arise. 9 (ake a fe/ concessions in cases /hen ,adh-8s variant is different fro( everyone else8sD for e=a(ple 9 -se Bharthari /here ,adh- act-ally says Bhartari. 9n or"anizin" the translated te=t, 9 keep the !ard ,adh- .ath8s o/n divisions and s-!divisions. 2e thinks of, and perfor(s, each epic in (a1or, na(ed parts. 9n the perfor(ance conte=t, each part falls into se"(ents7!roken !y ,adh-8s p-ttin" do/n his sarangi , evokin" the "ods and "-r-s, co-"hin", and la-nchin" his prose e=planation. :he present te=t is n-(!ered accordin" to the title of the epic, the n-(!er of the part, the n-(!er of the se"(ent, and /hether it is sin"in" or e=planation. :h-s GC 1.%.e (eans the e=planation of the fifth se"(ent of the first part of Gopi ChandD Bh 2.1.s (eans the s-n" verses of the first se"(ent of the second part of Bharthari. 9n the interests of fl-idity and space 9 o(it (ost of the inter1ections fro( the desi"nated respondant 5hun&ar 6, or other a-dience (e(!ers, that characterize the perfor(ance of an e=planation. :hese consist al(ost al/ays of a (onosylla!ic 3Mes3 or 3AhL3 or repetitions of a /ord the !ard has 1-st -sed. 9f, ho/ever, an a-dience co((ent does anythin" other than echo or affir( the content of the perfor(ance, it is incl-ded, set apart !y slashes. A fe/ descriptive notes are provided in !rackets7for e=a(ple: ?#aughter B. Also !racketed are occasional ver!al e=chan"es that are relevant, !-t not inte"ral, to the perfor(ance. 9 /ill !e happy to (ake tapes or transcri!ed te=t availa!le at the cost of d-plication to any interested parties. 9n the case of Bharthari8s tale, copies of the tapes are archived at the A(erican 9nstit-te of 9ndian >t-dies8 Centre for *thno(-sicolo"y in .e/ +elhi. <1<

INTROD"CTION+ T,$ TA!$ IN T,$IR CONT$-T

<#<

Cha.ter One /adhu Nath and ,is Perfor0ance

&irst $ncounters
:ry as 9 (i"ht, 9 cannot re(e(!er the first ti(e 9 (et ,adh- .ath, the senior a-thor of this vol-(e. :hat 9 ca(e to record his perfor(ance of Gopi Chand /as initiated neither !y (e nor !y hi( !-t !y his relatives .ath- and U"(a .ath1i7so(e of (y closest associates d-rin" (y residence in the 0a1asthani villa"e of Ghatiyali. ,adh-, altho-"h !orn in Ghatiyali, settled (any years a"o in another near!y villa"e, >adara. :herefore, altho-"h he cele!rated life cycle rit-als a(on" his kinfolk in Ghatiyali, and periodically perfor(ed there, he spent (ost of his ti(e in >adara. :his acco-nts for (y !ein" -na/are of hi( as a special person after over a year8s residence in Ghatiyali and a deep involve(ent /ith several ho-seholds of his relatives there.

Beca-se of (anifold links !et/een pil"ri(a"e and death, 9 had !een syste(atically recordin" 3hy(ns3 5bha!ans 6 s-n" on the eve of f-neral feasts !y the .ath caste and non4.ath participants in the sect /hich they led. 9 had "ro/n increasin"ly interested in the .aths8 pec-liar approach to death and the li!eration of the so-l 5Gold 19@@, 99I12#6. ;hen ,adh- /as directly introd-ced to (e as a sin"er, in )an-ary 19@1, 9 /as re(inded that (y bha!an recordin"s of April 19@$ /ere (ade at hy(n sessions, first for his son and then for his /ife. 9 had act-ally attended !oth their f-neral feasts. :his latter si"nificant connection /as phrased as, 3Mo- ate his son8s and his /ife8s nu&ti' 7nu&ti !ein" the little s-"ary fried !alls that are one of the (ost characteristic foods of cere(onial villa"e feasts 5called nu&ta 6. +-rin" these partic-lar feasts 9 (-st have seen ,adh-, as 9 have seen so (any <A< other hosts at dozens of si(ilar events, harried and an=io-s to keep all his "-ests satisfied, /ith no ti(e for cas-al conversations. ,adh- al/ays /ore his pale red4oran"e t-r!an tied lo/, al(ost hidin" and also s-pportin" the heavy yo"is8 earrin"s that (i"ht other/ise have ca-"ht (y attention. ,y (e(ora!le and for(al introd-ction to ,adh- .ath took place over half a year later /hen, after si= /eeks in +elhi and Banaras, /here 9 had !een rec-peratin" fro( hepatitis, 9 ret-rned to Ghatiyali acco(panied !y +aniel Gold 5then friend and collea"-e !-t not yet h-s!and6. +aniel, as a historian of reli"ions researchin" the sant tradition in .orth 9ndia, had !eco(e interested in Ghatiyali8s .aths /hen 9 sho/ed hi( the transcri!ed te=ts of their hy(ns7(any of /hich had the si"nat-re 5(hhap 6 of the poet4saint Ja!ir, and so(e of /hich e(ployed the coded i(a"ery co((on to >ant poetry 5Gold 19@&D 2ess and >in"h 19@#6. +aniel e=pressed his desire to talk /ith persons learned in .ath traditions, and (y research assistant .ath- .ath introd-ced to hi( several (e(!ers of his fa(ily and sect. :he last person he !ro-"ht to -s /as ,adh-, and that evenin"7+aniel8s last in the villa"e7,adh- perfor(ed, and 9 d-ly recorded, Gopi Chand8s !an%patri or !irth story. 9 /as i((ediately intri"-ed and deli"hted: here /as a livin" !ard sin"in" a story that /as o!vio-sly a!o-t the sa(e character as :e(ple8s P-n1a!i version, yet evidently startlin"ly different in certain pro(inent details. 9 recalled fro( :e(ple nothin" a!o-t Gopi Chand8s !ein" /on as a !oon !y his (other8s ascetic pro/ess or !orro/ed fro( the yo"i )alindar. Met these /ere the do(inant ele(ents that fra(ed the plot of ,adh-8s 3Birth >tory.3?1B Until that first evenin" /ith ,adh- .ath 9 had lar"ely confined (y recordin"s of folklore to (-ch !riefer perfor(ances: /o(en8s /orship tales and son"s, and (en8s hy(ns. Met no/ 9 felt co(pelled to o!tain the /hole story of Gopi Chand, despite its lack of direct relevance to (y pil"ri(a"e research, and the percepti!le tickin" a/ay of (y finite ti(e in 9ndia. ,y recordin" sessions /ere not contin-o-sD ,adh- (ade a trip to >adara to look after his fields /hen he had finished the 3Birth >tory3 5in one ni"ht6 and the 3)o-rney to Ben"al3 5in t/o6. Pers-aded to ret-rn so that 9 co-ld have the co(plete tale of Gopi Chand, he ne=t "ave (e 3Gopi Chand Be"s fro( N-een ?1B 9n chapter # 9 disc-ss ho/ Gopi Chand varies fro( re"ion to re"ion. <%< Pata( +e,3 /hich !elon"s chronolo"ically !et/een the se"(ents on !irth and Ben"al, and 39nstr-ction 'ro( Gorakh .ath37the concl-sion. >even years later 9 ret-rned to 0a1asthan /ith the e=press p-rpose of recordin" fro( ,adh- the tale of Gopi Chand8s (aternal -ncle, Bharthari of U11ain. +espite the "ap in ti(e, the circ-(stances of the recordin" sessions in 19@@ /ere not very different fro( those of 19@1, e=cept that the lo-dest cryin" !a!y on the second set of tapes !elon"ed not to (y host8s

ho-sehold or nei"h!ors !-t to (e. 9n )an-ary 19@1 /hen 9 ca(e to kno/ ,adh- .ath he did not strike (e as a (an -ndone !y loss and (o-rnin", altho-"h in 19@$ he had !-ried first one of his t/o sons and then his /ife. :he son had s-ffered a lon" and de!ilitatin" illness thro-"h /hich he /as intensively and devotedly n-rsed !y his (other. >he had, 9 /as told, kept herself alive only to serve her child and had not lon" o-tlived hi(. Acco(panyin" this do-!le personal loss, ,adh- had inc-rred the "reat econo(ic stress of sponsorin" t/o f-neral feasts. 9 sa/ others driven to or !eyond the !rink of nervo-s collapse !y 1-st s-ch acc-(-lated press-res. Met ,adh- .ath /as cal(, confident of his po/er /ith /ords, al/ays entertainin", and so(eti(es very h-(oro-s. 0etrospectively, 9 /onder if he did not derive so(e of his solidity, follo/in" this very diffic-lt period of his life, fro( the teachin"s of the stories that he told so /ell a"ain and a"ain7stories /ith the !itters/eet (essa"e that h-(an life is 3a carnival of partin".3 Another factor in his eF-ili!ri-( co-ld have !een the .ath c-lt8s pro(ise of release fro( the pain of endless ro-nds of death and !irth, and th-s certainty of his /ife8s and son8s li!eration. 9t is also tr-e, ho/ever, that 9 approached ,adh- .ath as a so-rce of art and kno/led"e rather than as a (an /ho had recently s-ffered (-ch "rief. ;e never spoke of his fa(ilyD indeed, /e hardly e=chan"ed any personal co-rtesies of the kind that constit-te (-ch of nor(al villa"e social interco-rse. ,adhteased (e so(eti(es7(akin" 1okes at (y e=pense d-rin" the spoken parts of his perfor(ance7!-t o-tside the perfor(ance itself /e did not talk very (-ch in 19@1. 9n short, altho-"h he /as a /onderf-lly e=pansive storyteller, ,adh- see(ed to (e a reserved and veiled person. 9 did not atte(pt to o!tain even a sketchy life history fro( ,adh- .ath -ntil (y 19@@ visit. ,y e=perience then confir(ed in part the int-ition that o-r lack of personal relationship co-ld !e attri!-ted to <C< hi( as (-ch as to (e. ,y atte(pt at a life history intervie/ rapidly de"enerated, or evolved, into an ill-(inatin" session of 3kno/led"e talk,3 rich in (yth !-t ski(py on !io"raphy. ;hat follo/ here are the !are o-tlines of ,adh-8s career as 9 "leaned the( fro( that leis-rely and ra(!lin" conversation, s-pple(ented !y a fe/ inF-iries (ade !y (ail thro-"h (y research assistant Bho1-. ,adh-, a (e(!er of the .atisar linea"e of .aths, /as !orn in Ghatiyali, !-t in his childhood he /as sent to live /ith an elder !rother already residin" in near!y >adara. 2is !rother /as pu!ari or 3/orship priest3 in >adara8s >hiva te(ple.?2B :he tha&ur or local r-ler of >adara7and this /o-ld have !een in the thirties /hen tha&urs still r-led7ca(e into possession of a pair of yo"is8 earrin"s and took a notion to p-t the( on so(e!ody. ,adh-, and other .aths /ho /ere listenin" to o-r conversation, conc-rred on the consistent if see(in"ly s-perficial interpretation that the >adara tha&ur /as endo/ed /ith "reat sau& 5a ter( translata!le as 3passionate interest36 in s-ch /orks. Perhaps (ore salient, they also s-""ested that end-rin" 3fr-its3 5phal 6 accr-e to the one /ho perfor(s s-ch a (eritorio-s act. And they offered as evidence the infor(ation that, even today, /hen independent 9ndia8s concerted atte(pts at land refor( have "reatly red-ced the circ-(stances of 0a1asthan8s for(er "entry, there is 3nothin" lackin"3 in the >adara tha&ur) s ho-sehold. ;hether /e see ,adh- as !eneficiary or victi( of the tha&ur) s sau&, the rationale for his !eco(in" the recipient of these yo"is8 earrin"s appears to have !een (ore econo(ic and social than spirit-al. :he landlord deeded so(e fertile far(land to ,adh-8s fa(ily in e=chan"e for cooperation on the fa(ily8s part. As for ,adh- hi(self, he /as yo-n" and clearly his head /as t-rned !y the attention he received in the cere(ony, and the po(p /ith /hich it /as cond-cted. 'ifty years later he descri!ed to (e /ith

pleas-re the feasts, the processions, and the 3*n"lish !and3 that /ere for hi( the (ost i(pressive and (e(ora!le aspects of this f-nction. 2e stated that, altho-"h t/o 3.ath baba!is'?#B /ere called to !e rit-al officiants, he had no personal ?2B :hro-"h (-ch of r-ral 0a1asthan it is .aths, not Brah(ans, /ho serve as priests of >hiva te(ples. :he .ath c-lt and their lore are stron"ly, !-t not -niversally, identified /ith >haivis(D see chapter 2. ?#B Hike %ahara! or 3"reat kin",3 baba!i, literally 3respected father,3 is a co((on epithet and ter( of address for .ath and other reno-ncers. 9t has connotations of inti(acy that other ter(s for 3father3 lack and (ay also !e -sed affectionately for children. <&< "-r-. 'or ,adh-, his o/n ear4c-ttin" see(s to have !een co(pletely divorced fro( the kind of spirit-al initiation /ith /hich it is consistently associated, not only in the tales he hi(self delivers !-t in other p-!lished acco-nts. .evertheless, this e=perience and its visi!le physical after(ath7the rin"s the(selves7s-rely set ,adh- apart fro( the other yo-n" (en of his villa"e /orld. Altho-"h ,adh- did not state this in so (any /ords, /hat he did (ake clear /as that after the rit-al he fo-nd hi(self restless and -nsatisfied /ith the life of an ordinary far(er8s !oy. 2is !rother sent hi( o-t to "raze the "oats, !-t he felt this /as 3(indless /ork3 5bina buddhi &a &a% 6 and F-arreled /ith hi(. *vidently the econo(ic fr-its of ,adh-8s ear4splittin" /ere !ein" reaped not !y ,adh- !-t !y the senior (ale (e(!er of his ho-sehold. :he !rother declined to s-pport a non4"oatherdin" ,adh-D ,adh- declined to herd "oats. At this 1-nct-re, ,adh- decided to set off on his o/n. As he p-t it, 3:here /as no one to control (e so 9 had a sarangi ?the instr-(ent he plays to acco(pany his perfor(ancesB (ade !y 0a( Chandra Carpenter.3 ,adh- contin-ed, 39 r-!!ed it,37(eanin" he did not kno/ ho/ to play properly73and /ent to all the !i" feasts.3 ,adh- then listed a n-(!er of events 5/eddin"s, holiday entertain(ents, and so forth6 that he had attended in several villa"es /here .aths perfor(ed their tales, !oth for their o/n caste society and at the reF-est of other cele!ratin" "ro-ps. 9n the co-rse of these (eanderin"s ,adh- hooked -p /ith his (other8s !rother8s son, >-kha .ath, /ho /as already an acco(plished perfor(er. ,adh- !e"an !y infor(ally acco(panyin" and (akin" hi(self -sef-l to >-kha. *vent-ally they a"reed on an apprenticeship. ,adh- said, 398ll "o /ith yo-,3 and >-kha said, 3Co(e if yo- /ant to learn.3 ,adhthen so-"ht per(ission fro( his "rand(other in Ghatiyali, tellin" her7as he recalled it for (e739811 /ash his clothes, 98ll serve hi(, 98ll live /ith hi(.3 ,adh- appeared to re(e(!er the years of his discipleship fondly, and no do-!t selectively. 2e descri!ed eatin" t/o (eals a day of festive treats for /eeks at a stretch /hen he and his co-sin /ere co((issioned to perfor( for relatively /ealthy patrons. 9t /as partic-larly at s-ch special events7the only occasions /hen the stories are narrated fro( !e"innin" to end rather than in fra"(ents as is the -s-al c-sto(7that he (astered >-kha .ath8s repertoire. :his co(prised the three epics ,adh- hi(self perfor(s: Gopi Chand, Bharthari, and the <@< (arria"e of >hiva. ,adh- also kno/s co-ntless hy(ns and several shorter tales.?AB At a ti(e that ,adh- esti(ated to !e a!o-t five years after he acF-ired the yo"is8 earrin"s, he /as (arried, event-ally !eco(in" the father of t/o sons. After his !rother8s death, the >adara property

ca(e f-lly into ,adh-8s possession, as did the service at the >adara >hiva te(ple. 2e see(s then to have settled into a life divided !et/een a"ric-lt-ral and priestly tasks in >adara and e=ercise of his !ardic art in a "ro-p of nine s-rro-ndin" villa"es, incl-din" Ghatiyali.

/adhu Nath1s Perfor0ance

,e(!ers of the .ath caste in ,adh-8s area of 0a1asthan inherit and divide the ri"ht to 3(ake ro-nds3 5pheri lagan*a+ and to collect "rain donations, 1-st as they do any other ancestral property. ;hen a father8s ri"ht (-st !e parceled o-t a(on" several sons, they receive it as 3t-rns.3 :he 0a1asthani /ord for these t-rns is ausaro, !-t *n"lish 3n-(!er3 is also co((only -sed to refer to the(. Gf co-rse, so(e /ho inherit the ri"ht to perfor( have no talent to "o /ith it. 'or e=a(ple, ,adh- e=plained to -s, /hen his co-sin Gok-l .ath8s 3n-(!er3 co(es, Gok-l seeks ,adh-8s assistance and they (ake sin"in" ro-nds to"ether, for /hich ,adh- receives a part of Gok-l8s donations. Besides /hat a perfor(er collects /hile (akin" ro-nds, desi"nated .ath ho-sehold heads also receive a re"-lar !iann-al share of the harvest7called dharo 7in the villa"es /ith /hich they are affiliated. 9n 199$ this share, for Ghatiyali8s .atisar .aths, a(o-nted to t/o and one4half kilos of "rain at !oth the sprin" and fall harvests fro( every landed ho-sehold in ei"ht villa"es. 9n Ghatiyali itself, /here the .atisar .aths are landed residents, they do not collect dharo, altho-"h they receive donations on their perfor(ance ro-nds. ,adh- e=plained that dharo /as not allotted to .aths for sin"in", !-t rather for the 3/ork3 of re(ovin" loc-sts7a (a"ical po/er that the caste clai(s. .o/adays, he concl-ded, they sin" !eca-se there are no ?AB 9 recorded ,adh-8s perfor(ance of the 3;eddin" >on" of Hord >hiva3 in 19@@D the tapes are archived /ith the A(erican 9nstit-te of 9ndian >t-dies, Centre for *thno(-sicolo"y, in .e/ +elhi. <9< loc-sts, thanks to a "overn(ental e=ter(ination pro"ra( 5clearly a (i=ed !lessin" for .aths6. 9t see(s that perfor(in" Gopi Chand4Bharthari (ay have recently !een transfor(ed into an inherited ri"ht, in order to preserve the patron4client relationship fo-nded on loc-st re(oval.?%B By askin" the kind of i(a"inative 3/hat if3 F-estion that 9 al/ays felt /as too leadin" !-t fro( /hich /e often learned the (ost, (y assistant Bho1- elicited f-rther s-pport for this interpretation. ;hat, he asked ,adh-, /o-ld happen /ere he to practice his art in so(eone else8s territoryE ;o-ld there !e tro-!leE ,adh- responded /ith a fir( denial: 3;e !ogi s (ake ro-ndsD /e co-ld "o as far as Udaip-r. ;e are !ogi s so no one co-ld stop -s.3 :/ice a year, /hen it is his t-rn, ,adh- .ath (akes ro-nds in his nine villa"es. 9n any villa"e on any "iven ni"ht, rather than re(ainin" in a sin"le location, he (oves fro( ho-se to ho-se in the !etter4off nei"h!orhoods, or te(ple to te(ple a(on" the lo/er castes. At each site he sin"s and tells a short fra"(ent of one of his len"thy tales7choosin" /hat to sin" accordin" to the reF-est of his patrons or his o/n /hi(. ,adh- is hi"hly respected as a sin"er and storyteller of rich kno/led"e and skill /ho can (ove an a-dience to tears. 2is perfor(ance alternates re"-larly !et/een se"(ents of s-n" lines, acco(panied !y (-sic /hich he plays hi(self on the sarangi 7a si(ple strin"ed instr-(ent played /ith a !o/7 and a prose 3e=planation3 5arthav 6. 9n this e=planation he retells everythin" he has 1-st s-n", -sin" (ore colorf-l, prosaic, and often v-l"ar lan"-a"e than he does in the sin"in". :he spoken parts are perfor(ances or co((-nicative events as clearly (arked as the (-sical portions are. ;hereas ,adh-8s ordinary style of speakin" is nor(ally lo/4key and can see( al(ost (-ted, his arthav is

al/ays en-nciated distinctly and pro1ected vi"oro-sly. :he arthav, (oreover, often incorporates the sa(e stock phrases and poetic conceits that occ-r in the sin"in". +-rin" !oth (y 19@1 and 19@@ recordin" sessions, ,adh- /as ?%B Accordin" to Ghatiyalians, .aths /ere first invited to settle in the villa"es ro-nd A1(er !eca-se of their (a"ic spells. Gne of the episodes that definitively localizes ,adh-8s version of Gopi Chand contains a 3charter3 for the .ath po/er over loc-sts 5see chapter 2 and GC A6. < 1$ <

1. ,adh- .ath plays the sarangi and sin"s Bharthari8s tale. < 11 <

2. ,adh- .ath "ives an e=planation of Bharthari8s tale. < 12 <

#. ,adh- .ath and his son, >hiv1i, sin" Bharthari8s tale. -s-ally acco(panied !y his s-rvivin" son, >hiv1i, /ho san" alon" in a (-ch fainter voice that /as prone to fade a/ay /hen, pres-(a!ly, he did not re(e(!er the /ords. 2o/ever, there /ere so(e occasions7nota!ly (ore in 19@@7/hen >hiv1i carried the /ords and ,adh- faltered. >hiv1i played no instr-(ent and did not participate at all in the arthav . As 9 /orked on translatin" ,adh-8s /ords, 9 replayed the tapes of his ori"inal perfor(ance. 9nspired !y >-san ;adley8s e=e(plary de(onstrations and disc-ssions of the /ays an epic !ard in r-ral Uttar Pradesh self4conscio-sly e(ploys vario-s t-nes and styles 5;adley 19@9, 19916, 9 !e"an to try, in spite of (y (-sical illiteracy, to pay attention to ,adh-8s -se of 3t-ne.3?CB ,y initial i(pression of ,adh-8s (-sic had !een that it /as (onotono-sD /hat kept yo- a/ake /as the story. :his is partially !-t not /holly tr-e. Co(pared to the !ard ;adley descri!es, ,adh- .ath8s ran"e of (-sical variations see(s li(itedD yet he does deli!erately (od-late e(otional hi"hli"hts of his story /ith shifts in (elody and rhyth(. ?CB Gther st-dies that helped (e to appreciate the interpenetration of (-sical artistry and c-lt-ral (eanin"s are Basso 19@%D 'eld 19@2D >ee"er 19@&. < 1# < ,adh- -ses t/o patterned t-nes, /hich he calls rags , in Gopi Chand and t/o different ones in Bharthari, /here he also recycles !oth Gopi Chand rags . All fo-r (elodic patterns are fle=i!le in that

altho-"h each en"enders ver!al verse patterns, the (elodic patterns freF-ently and readily chan"e to acco((odate narrative needs. 9n /hat 9 call Gopi Chand rag 1, for e=a(ple, each verse nor(ally has three si(ilar lines and one lon"er concl-din" one. Hon" narrative seF-ences, ho/ever, (ay repeat the short lines (any (ore ti(es than three !efore concl-din". And for an e(otional or dra(atic cli(a= the lon" concl-din" line (ay repeat once or even t/ice. :he (ain rag identified /ith Bharthari !e"ins /ith a prolon"ed a!a!iiiiii 732onored Jin" ... 37that see(s to si"nal the plaintive voice of the kin"8s a!andoned /ife. Part 1 of Bharthari is perfor(ed in a style different fro( any of the others, its (elody less interestin" and less e(otional, that see(s to (e in keepin" /ith its orientation to e=ternal action. *thno(-sicolo"ist +avid 0oche 5personal co((-nication 19916 descri!es ,adh- .ath8s (-sical style as one infl-enced !y caste traditions !-t inf-sed !y ne/ infl-ences. 2e says that the (elodic phrases are 3pan4.orth 9ndian37not partic-larly 0a1asthani. ,adh- .ath8s (-sical style is, accordin" to 0oche, a 3conte(porary bha!an style3 reflectin" the infl-ence of re"ional reli"io-s dra(as and (ytholo"ical fil(s. 0oche finds ,adh-8s (-sic historically infl-enced !y the har(oni-(7an instr-(ent introd-ced to 9ndia !y Christian (issionaries fro( the ;est in the late nineteenth cent-ry and soon passionately adapted to 2ind- devotional sin"in". :his infl-ence is apparent to 0oche in ,adh-8s 3intonation and diatonicis(, /ith e(phasis on (a1or and (i=olydian (ode tetrachords.3 Altho-"h ,adh- -ses no har(oni-(7nor do other 0a1asthani .ath epic perfor(ers 9 have (et7 (any of ,adh-8s relatives and caste4fello/s in and aro-nd Ghatiyali participate in bha!an 4sin"in" "ro-ps re"-larly acco(panied !y har(oni-(s. :hat ,adh- e(ploys the ter( rag to refer to the (elodies he plays pro!a!ly represents a folk -sa"e rather than a si"nificant link to 9ndian classical traditions. Gnce ,adh- told Bho1- that he 3al/ays3 san" in asavari rag , a na(ed rag /ithin the classical syste(. Beca-se 9 /as hearin" fo-r distinctive (elodies, 9 hoped that ,adh- had a na(e for each of the(. 9 (ade clips fro( the tapes and sent this 3sa(pler3 !ack to the villa"e /ith Bho1-. Bho1- /rote, 39 took that < 1A < rag tape and listened to it /ith ,adh- .ath, >hiv1i .ath, U"(a .ath, and .ath- all to"ether, !-t no one co-ld tell a partic-lar na(e of the rags .3 0ather, the asse(!led .aths -sed la!els s-ch as 3the (elody of ro-nds3 5pheri &o rag 6 or 3Gopi Chand8s (elody3 5Gopi Chand &o rag 6. :his see(s to confir( 0oche8s s-""estion that ,adh-8s (-sic is not to !e la!eled a(on" any fi=ed traditional syste(s !-t rather is part of a creative synthesis contin-ally e(er"in" in .orth 9ndian folk (-sic. 9t is /idely ackno/led"ed that any folk perfor(ance sit-ation is a dyna(ic, interactive event,?&B and this state(ent certainly descri!es 0a1asthani perfor(ances in "eneral and ,adh- .ath8s in partic-lar. 9 shall e=a(ine the several /ays in /hich ,adh- and his a-dience s-stain this dyna(ic d-rin" individ-al perfor(ances. Before doin" so, ho/ever, 9 /ish to s-""est so(e !roader conte=t-al factors that contri!-te to these occasions !-t are (ore diff-se and diffic-lt to pinpoint. 0a1asthan8s re"ional c-lt-re incl-des a rich and diverse !ody of livin" oral perfor(ance traditions. :hese enliven a daily e=istence that (ay !e !oth (onotono-s and la!orio-s. Gn the one hand, an -r!an ;esterner like (yself, landed in a place like Ghatiyali, is over/hel(ed !y the a!-ndance of festivals, rit-als, all4ni"ht sin"in" sessions, storytellin", and other lesser and "reater artistic and co((-nicative eventsD d-rin" (y first (onths in the villa"e 9 often felt that 9 /as feastin" at a perpet-al !anF-et of live (-sic and theater, /ith no tickets reF-ired. Gn the other hand, in 19&9 @1 the villa"ers had no :Ks and fe/ radios or tape recorders, /hile the nearest cine(a /as a costly three4ho-r 1o-rney distant. Any perfor(ance event p-nct-ated the h-(dr-( "rind of la!or4intensive a"ric-lt-re.

.ath perfor(ance traditions (-st !e vie/ed /ithin this c-lt-ral fra(e: they e=ist as one "enre in a /ealth of related "enresD they also e=ist as val-ed entertain(ent in a society not yet (ade !lasO !y (-ltiple (edia. 0-ral 0a1asthani society, (oreover, venerates reli"io-s e=perts and accords reco"nition to (any fro( different ranks and /ith varyin" sectarian affiliations. Hike (ost of the re"ion8s pop-lar folk traditions, ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ances (eshed /ith his a-dience8s t/in passions for entertain(ent and enli"hten(ent. Altho-"h ,adh- hi(self protests that his stories are not sis&a , or ?&B Basco( 19&&D Ba-(an 19&&, 19@CD >eitel 19@$D :edlock 19@#. < 1% < 3instr-ction,3 a-dience (e(!ers clai( that they are. :he .ath tales are not -niF-e, nor are they the (ost hi"hly prized of perfor(ances availa!le to 0a1asthani villa"ers. Met they have a /elco(e and sec-re place in the ann-al ro-nd. ,adh- .ath at ti(es refers to the entire tale of Gopi Chand or Bharthari as a byavala , a ter( that one dictionary defines as a "od8s /eddin" son" 5Platts 19&A6. Before ret-rnin" to 0a1asthan in 19@& 9 spec-lated that !oth tales (i"ht !e so descri!ed !eca-se they /ere so(eho/ anti4/eddin" son"s. 2o/ever, as 9 /as to learn, a third lon" narrative in ,adh- .ath8s repertoire is 3:he ;eddin" >on" of Hord >hiva3 5Siv!i &a byavala 6D it see(s clear that he has na(ed the others accordin"ly. ,ost villa"ers do not -se the ter( byavala to refer to ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ances and often si(ply call the( varta . :his la!el reveals their kinship /ith other epic tales of 0a1asthani hero"ods /hose sin"in" and recitation (ay !e called varta , too.?#B Accordin" to the sensi!le, infor(ed, and fle=i!le definitions proffered in the recent i(portant vol-(e ,ral $pi(s in -ndia , the Bharthari4Gopi Chand tales fall !eyond do-!t in the epic "enre. *pics in "eneral are characterized as narrative, lon", heroic, and s-n" 5Black!-rn and 'l-ecki"er 19@9, 2IAD ;adley 19@9, &C6. 9n the >o-th Asian conte=t, Black!-rn and 'l-ecki"er s-""est, the F-ality 3heroic3 (ay !e -nderstood in three distinct /ays. An epic (ay e=hi!it (artial, sacrificial, or ro(antic herois(. Both the (artial and sacrificial types 3t-rn on the(es of reven"e, re"ainin" lost land, or restorin" lost ri"hts,3 and stress 3"ro-p solidarity37all of /hich /o-ld apply to other 0a1asthani epic4len"th tales. 0o(antic epics, !y contrast, 3cele!rate individ-al actions that threaten that solidarity3 519@9, AI%6. Clearly the tales of Bharthari and Gopi Chand !elon" in the 3ro(antic3 cate"ory if they !elon" any/here. Met o-r heroes are hardly traditional, -nda-nted lovers. 9t (i"ht see( that the tales cele!rate individ-al action that threatens "ro-p solidarity, !-t as 9 /ill disc-ss in (ore detail in the after/ord, yo"is "ain nothin" fro( a da(a"ed social order. 0ather, they (ane-ver for an intact social order that s-pports yo"is. ;hat then (akes these tales ro(anticE Unless /e consider the( as stories of the -nion !et/een "-r- and disciple, Bharthari and Gopi Chand are ro(ances of partin". :he the(e of love in separation is a pervasive ?@B >ee Pande 19C# for the scope of varta . < 1C < one in 9ndian literat-re. Hon"in" for an a!sent lover7/hether soldier, ascetic, or clerk in the city7has inspired (-ch poetry on (ortal love 5Jolff 199$D Ka-deville 19@CD ;adley 19@#6, as /ell as an entire "enre of devotional e=pression. B-t (ost literat-re inspired !y love in separation s-""ests at least a (ove(ent to/ard, or the possi!ility of, f-t-re re-nion. Bharthari and Gopi Chand, !y contrast, contin-o-sly and irrevoca!ly (ove farther and farther fro( their loved ones. ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ances of Bharthari and Gopi Chand can !e styled ro(antic epics cele!ratin" separation rather

than -nion, if /e keep clearly in (ind that the separation they esta!lish is eternal.?9B Gne factor distin"-ishin" these stories fro( (any others heard !y villa"ers is that, altho-"h s-n" and told in the local dialect, they are not indi"eno-s to 0a1asthan7a (atter 9 /ill deal /ith (ore e=tensively in chapter #, /here 9 atte(pt to trace their ori"ins. Gopi Chand and Bharthari have !een incorporated into 0a1asthani traditions, and 0a1asthani traditions have !een incorporated into the(. B-t these .ath tales are not self4definin" epics that contri!-te to the identity of a re"ional c-lt-re7the kind of tales that people call 3o-rs3 5Black!-rn et al., eds. 19@9D 'l-ecki"er 19@96. 9ndeed, for 0a1asthani far(ers, Gopi Chand and Bharthari are stories of the e=otic, in t/o senses. 'irst, they are a!o-t other landsD second, they are a!o-t /orld4reno-ncers. :hat Gopi Chand and Bharthari /ere -nderstood in so(e /ays as alien /as !ro-"ht ho(e to (e very stron"ly in 19@@ /hen 9 asked so(e villa"e (en if they /o-ld /ant to !e like Bharthari or Gopi Chand, and so(e villa"e /o(en if they /o-ld like their h-s!ands or sons to e(-late those fi"-res. An al(ost -niversal ans/er fro( !oth se=es /as 3.o, 9 /o-ldn8t have the co-ra"e.3 Altho-"h so(e reno-ncers enco-ntered and intervie/ed in te(ples spontaneo-sly referred to Gopi Chand or Bharthari as e=e(plary in their capacity for tyag , or 3relinF-ish(ent,3 no ordinary persons held the( -p as role (odels.?1$B :here is a real difference !et/een (y 3ind-ced3?11B perfor(ances ?9B :he only tale considered !y the editors and a-thors of ,ral $pi(s in -ndia that !elon"s to .ath lore is that of G-"a. Black!-rn cate"orizes it as a ro(antic epic /ith a s-prare"ional spread and places it a!o-t (id/ay on the rit-al4to4entertain(ent contin--( 519@9, 1&I2$6. :he sa(e description applies (ore or less to Bharthari and Gopi Chand. ?1$B >ee, ho/ever, Jothari 19@9 on the -ns-ita!ility of (any folk epic heroes and heroines as role (odels. ?11B >ee Goldstein 19C& for the 3ind-ced nat-ral conte=t3 in folklore field/ork. < 1& < of !oth tales and the perfor(ances that (ost villa"ers hear t/ice a year /hen ,adh- (akes his ro-nds. :hey hear fra"(ents, and often their favorite fra"(ents are repeated fro( year to year. People8s -nderstandin" (ay !e li(ited !y lack of fa(iliarity /ith the /hole story. ,ost of those /ho( Bho1- or 9 F-estioned /ere easily a!le to retell the (ost pop-lar episodes fro( !oth tales.?12B 'e/ villa"ers, ho/ever, had heard either tale fro( !e"innin" to end fro( ,adh-, altho-"h a n-(!er had seen theatrical perfor(ances at reli"io-s fairs. >everal (e(!ers of leather/orker castes 5regar and (ha%ar 6 clai(ed to kno/ very little a!o-t the storiesD one co(plained that /hen ,adh- ca(e to his nei"h!orhood he only spoke 3a fe/ lines3 and left a"ain. ,y o/n e=perience of i((ediate a-dience reactions to the perfor(ances of Gopi Chand and Bharthari is li(ited to the conte=t of the event /hich 9 sponsored, for 9 never o!served ,adh- 3(akin" ro-nds3 5altho-"h he /as recorded doin" so !y (y collea"-e )oseph ,iller6. 9n the settin" of (y perfor(ance the responses /ere F-ite li(ited. After three or fo-r ho-rs of listenin", -ntil /ell past (idni"ht, /e /o-ld -s-ally h-rry ho(e /hen ,adh- ended his sin"in". 9ndeed, he often closed a ni"ht8s session !y sayin" to (e, 3.o/ "o to !ed.3

/adhu Nath1s tories in yno.sis

9t has !een said of at least one 9ndian epic7and (ay !e tr-e of (ost7that no one ever hears it for the

first ti(e. ;estern readers, /ho have not participated fro( childhood in the c-lt-re that prod-ces these stories, (ay need a 3pony.3 :hro-"ho-t these introd-ctory chapters 9 often talk a!o-t events and characters in ,adh- .ath8s versions of Bharthari and Gopi Chand. :herefore, as points of reference for those citations, 9 offer skeletal plot s-((aries in advance, se"(ented and ordered accordin" to ,adh.ath8s perfor(ance as it is translated in this !ook 5see also fi"s. A and %6. Bharthari8s 3Birth >tory3 5part 16 descri!es ho/ his father /as c-rsed !y his o/n father to enter a donkey8s /o(!. :he donkey s-c4 ?12B *pisodes for Bharthari incl-ded Pin"ala8s sati and Bharthari8s enco-nter /ith Gorakh .ath at the f-neral pyre 5!oth in part 26, as /ell as Bharthari8s !e""in" and Pin"ala8s la(ent 5part #6. 'or Gopi Chand (ost co((only cited /ere his (other8s instr-ctions 5part 16, his !e""in" fro( Pata( +e 0ani 5part 26, his tro-!les /ith the lady (a"icians 5part #6, and his fare/ell to his sister 5part #6. < 1@ <

A. 'a(ily relationships in the tales of Jin" Gopi Chand and Jin" Bharthari. ceeds after len"thy efforts in (arryin" a princess and fo-ndin" a city, +hara .a"ar, /here his three offsprin"7Bharthari, Kikra(aditya, and ,anavati7are !orn. 9n part 2, Bharthari is kin" of +hara .a"ar and (arried to N-een Pin"ala. 2e rides o-t h-ntin" and kills a sta", /hose seven h-ndred fifty does, /ido/ed, c-rse Jin" Bharthari that his /o(en /ill /eep in the Color Palace as they do in the 1-n"le. :hey then h-rl the(selves on the dead !-ck8s antlers and th-s co((it sati .?1#B Bharthari /onders if his o/n /ife is eF-ally devoted. 2e sends her a handkerchief soaked in deer8s !lood /ith the (essa"e that he is dead. Pin"ala kno/s this is a test !-t decides to die any/ay. Bharthari has other advent-res in the forest !-t event-ally ret-rns ho(e to find Pin"ala a heap of ashes. 2e "oes (ad /ith re(orse, -ntil the yo"i "-r- Gorakh .ath arrives, de(onstrates the ill-sory nat-re of life and death, and finally restores Pin"ala to the kin". Part # finds Bharthari sleepless and -nsatisfied. Convinced that nothin" in the fl-ct-atin" /orld (atters, he a!andons his /ife and reno-nces his throne to seek initiation fro( Gorakh, /ho sends hi( !ack to the palace to !e" al(s fro( Pin"ala and call her 3,other.3 ?1#B Altho-"h the co((on i(a"e of a sati is of a /o(an /ho chooses to !e cre(ated alive on her h-s!and8s f-neral pyre, any style of death (ay !e called sati if thro-"h it a fe(ale follo/s a !eloved (ale. < 19 <

%. .ath "-r-4disciple linea"es in the tales of Jin" Gopi Chand and Jin" Bharthari. >he reproaches hi( !-t "ives the al(s. :his diffic-lt task acco(plished, Bharthari ret-rns to Gorakh .ath8s ca(pfire. Gopi Chand8s 3Birth >tory3 5part 16 opens /ith ,anavati 5Bharthari8s sister, (arried into 3Ga-r Ben"al36 instr-ctin" her only son, Gopi Chand: 3Be a yo"i.3 >he then reveals in a lon" flash!ack ho/

she o!tained the !oon of a son fro( Hord >hiva altho-"h no son /as /ritten in her fate. 9n order not to !reak his pro(ise, >hiva allo/s her to !orro/ one of the yo"i )alindar .ath8s disciples, and she chooses Gopi Chand. :he loan has a li(it: after t/elve years of r-lin" the kin"do(, Gopi Chand (-st !eco(e a yo"i or die. As a /anderin" ascetic, ho/ever, he /ill "ain i((ortality. Gopi Chand, possessin" eleven h-ndred /ives and si=teen h-ndred slave "irls, is not pleased /ith his (other8s !ar"ain. 9n part 2 Gopi Chand tries to "et rid of the "-r- !y p-ttin" hi( do/n a /ell. B-t it is Gopi Chand /ho dies, and only the po/er of yo"is saves hi(. 0estored to his palace, he follo/s his (other8s instr-ctions and has his ears c-t !y )alindar. :he "-r- then sends hi( to !e" al(s fro( N-een Pata( +e, his chief /ife, and to call her 3,other.3 Altho-"h Pata( +e finally fills his al(s !o/l, /hen her (other4in4la/ literally t/ists her ar(, )alindar has to resc-e Gopi Chand fro( the palace, /here he is s-rro-nded !y /eepin" /o(en. A"ainst his (other8s and "-r-8s advice, Gopi Chand heads for +haka in Ben"al to say "ood!ye to his sister, Cha(pa +e 0ani 5part #6. Gn the /ay he is harassed !y seven lady (a"icians /ho transfor( hi( into vario-s ani(als and a!-se hi(. )alindar sends a party of yo"is to resc-e hi( !-t it fails. :he "-r- hi(self then acco(panies < 2$ < a second "ro-p, /hich s-cceeds. Gopi Chand proceeds to his sister8sD she dies of "rief in his ar(s !-t is !ro-"ht !ack to life !y )alindar. Gopi Chand spends so(e happy ti(e /ith her and then leaves alone. 9n part A a disp-te arises !et/een,)alindar8s disciple Janni Pav1i and Gorakh .ath. Janni Pav1i tells Gorakh that his "-r-, ,achhindar .ath, is en1oyin" /o(en and latherin" sons in Ben"alD Gorakh tells Janni Pav1i that his "-r-,)alindar, is at the !otto( of a /ell. Gorakh "oes to Ben"al and resc-es ,achhindar, destroyin" his /ives and sons alon" the /ay. Gorakh then !rin"s seven species of loc-sts o-t of the /ell, tricks, )alindar into "ivin" i((ortality to Gopi Chand and Bharthari, and convinces hi( to e(er"e. All the "reat yo"is then feast one another. At Gorakh .ath8s 3/ish4feast3 Janni Pav1i8s disciples /ish for i(proper foods and are de"raded.

/adhu Nath1s Perfor0ances for /e

9t is /inter. ;e asse(!le in that part of the 0a1asthani villa"e ho-se called a pol 7a covered entrance/ay /ide eno-"h to for( a roo( that lies !et/een street and co-rtyard, often /ith raised platfor(s on either side for stora"e or sittin". :his area is a shady !reeze/ay in the s-((er and a shelter in the /inter. By the ti(e /e "ather there after the evenin" (eal it is already dark and sli"htly chilly. *veryone, (ale and fe(ale, has /rapped a sha/l or !lanket over his or her -s-al daily attire. 9n the center of the pol is a s(all fire of dry sticks that !-rns lo/, even its fr-"al /ar(th a l-=-ry in this /ood4i(poverished re"ion. 9n )an-ary 19@1 9 had already lived fifteen (onths in the villa"e, !-t recordin" ,adh- .ath /as (y first e=perience as perfor(ance patron. 9 received a F-ick ed-cation in ho/ to f-lfill this role /ith appropriate li!erality. 9 (-st s-pply the sin"er and his son /ith a 3!-ndle of !iris37!iris !ein" harsh, leaf4/rapped ci"arettes s(oked !y al(ost all (ales /ho have not taken a vo/ of a!stinence. 9 (-st treat perfor(ers and a-dience to tea each ni"ht, /hich involved p-rchasin" tea leaves, s-"ar, and (ilk in advance7the last ite( not al/ays easy to !-y in the evenin". 9n addition, a F-arter4 or half4kilo of gur , -nrefined !ro/n s-"ar, /as indispensa!le. :he sin"ers reF-ired gur to soothe their throats 5,adh- had an a/f-l co-"h, /hich did not deter hi( fro( relishin" the biris 6. A "enero-s patron sho-ld pass s(all l-(ps of gur ro-nd to all the listeners once or t/ice in the co-rse of an evenin".

< 21 < At the !e"innin" of o-r recordin" sessions (y co(prehension of the s-n" se"(ents of ,adh-8s perfor(ance /as very li(ited. 2o/ pleased 9 /as to !enefit fro( the c-sto( of arthav or e=planation, in /hich ,adh- repeated everythin" he had s-n" and ela!orated on (-ch of it. +-rin" the arthav , (e(!ers of the a-dience /ho have passively listened to the s-n" portions are (ore actively en"a"ed !y a vital perfor(er. A for(alized ele(ent of perfor(er4a-dience interaction in 0a1asthan is the part played !y the hun&ar . A hun&ar , /hich can only !e a/k/ardly "lossed as so(eone /ho (akes the so-nd hun 7a kind of affir(ative "r-nt7is a standard feat-re of any storytellin" event, fro( /o(en8s /orship stories to (en8s infor(al anecdotes. At first 9 tho-"ht the hun&ar 8s f-nction /as to offer a perf-nctory reass-rance to the perfor(er that at least one person /as really listenin". Given the distractin" s-rro-ndin"s of (any villa"e perfor(ances 7often incl-din" cla(oro-s childern and si(-ltaneo-s co(petin" activities7s-ch ass-rance (ay indeed !e needed. 2o/ever, after !ein" pressed (ore than once into f-lfillin" this role (yself 5/hich (y freF-ent (is-nderstandin"s at ti(es (ade (e !-(!le or fake F-ite a/k/ardly6, 9 !e"an to perceive that a "ood hun&ar can elicit a tale4teller8s enth-sias( /hereas a poor one can disco-ra"e a f-ll tellin". A hun&ar 8s responses can shape the perfor(ance content as /ell as its F-ality. :his too 9 learned fro( personal e=perience. Gn relistenin" to (y tapes it /as evident to (e that /hen 9 played hun&ar to ,adh-, if he /as in a "enero-s (ood, his arthav /as noticea!ly chan"ed: he -sed (ore standard 2indi 5vers-s 0a1asthani6 voca!-laryD he e=plained c-lt-ral pheno(ena he tho-"ht 9 (i"ht not -nderstandD he "lossed ter(s he s-spected 9 /as failin" to "rasp. 'or e=a(ple, to (y -ncertain "r-nt follo/in" the line 3Gopi Chand r-led the kin"do(,3 he added, 3Gopi Chand r-led, like 9ndira Gandhi r-les.3 :he opposite case, a sit-ation far (ore co(forta!le if so(eti(es less ed-cational for (e, /o-ld !e /hen so(eone /ho kne/ the story /ell acted as hun&ar . :hat person (i"ht even s-pply key lines if ,adh- see(ed to !e dallyin" !efore "ivin" the(. +-rin" cli(a=es other a-dience (e(!ers chi(ed in, addin" their !it to the hun&ar 8s o/n responses, /hich also !eca(e less perf-nctory. :h-s /hen Jin" Bharthari s-rveys the seven h-ndred fifty (a"ically created look4alike N-een Pin"alas7a vision !oth a/eso(e and sli"htly co(ical7a n-(!er of spontaneo-s co((entators 5a-di!le on the tape !-t only selectively incl-ded !y the scri!e6 added their e=cla(ations to the < 22 < hun&ar 8s: 3:hey looked 1-st alike, all seven h-ndred and fiftyL3 :heir faces /ere e=actly the sa(eL3 ,adh- deli!erately evoked a-dience participation !y identifyin" persons in the story /ith persons in the a-dience.?1AB Gne /ay he did this /as !y caste. 'or e=a(ple, /hen )alindar .ath8s disciples arrive in Ben"al they enco-nter a "ardener. >ince there /as a (an of the "ardener caste in the a-dience, ,adh- na(ed the "ardener in the story /ith his na(e. Besides na(in" story characters after a-dience (e(!ers, ,adh- so(eti(es na(ed a-dience (e(!ers after story characters. :h-s thro-"ho-t the Gopi Chand perfor(ances he "ently teased a yo-n"er relative !y callin" hi( 3Charpat .ath3 after one of the po/erf-l yo"i fi"-res. :his st-ck, so that /hen Bho1- or 9 (et that yo-n" (an o-tside the storytellin" conte=t, /e /o-ld call hi( Charpat. :he entire perfor(ance of Gopi Chand took five recordin" sessions, each fro( three and one4F-arter to fo-r and one4half ho-rs lon"D it filled the !etter part of eleven 9$4(in-te cassettes7or over si=teen ho-rs of tape. *ach ni"ht8s session /as !roken -p !y short intervals of bat(hit 5conversation6, d-rin"

/hich the recorder /as sh-t do/n, -s-ally follo/in" the arthav and precedin" a ne/ s-n" section, !-t so(eti(es co(in" !et/een sin"in" and arthav . +-rin" one of the !reaks stron" s/eet tea /o-ld !e passed ro-nd and ea"erly s/allo/ed, its caffeine and /ar(th !oth /elco(e. :he first part, the 3Birth >tory,3 /as recorded in its entirety on 2A )an-ary 19@1. 9t took t/o sessions, on the ni"hts of 2C and 2& )an-ary, to record the /hole 3)o-rney to Ben"al3 episode. :his /as follo/ed !y a t/elve4day hiat-s in o-r recordin" 5d-rin" /hich (-ch transcription and translation /ork /ent for/ard6. ,adh- then perfor(ed 3Gopi Chand Be"s fro( N-een Pata( +e3 on the ni"ht of 9 'e!r-ary and 39nstr-ction fro( Gorakh .ath3 on 1$ 'e!r-ary. ;hen 9 ret-rned to Ghatiyali at the end of 19@&, after an interl-de of al(ost ei"ht years, it /as in order to record ,adh- .ath8s version of the tale of Bharthari, and (y arrival /as no s-rprise. 9 had /ritten /ell in advance to .ath- and Bho1-. :here /ere several s-rprises in store for (e, ho/ever7one so serendipito-s that, lookin" !ack, it see(s like a (ost i(pro!a!le stroke of fate. :he very a"ed (other of ?1AB J. .arayan very deli"htf-lly descri!es the e=pert practice of this techniF-e !y a .orth 9ndian "-r5.arayan 19@96. < 2# < .ath- .ath, (y for(er research assistant, had died. 2is caste had decided to hold a (a1or f-neral feast to /hich .aths fro( villa"es all over the area /ere invited. Beca-se this feast coincided al(ost e=actly /ith the ti(e 9 had to spend in Ghatiyali, it /as certain that ,adh- /o-ld !e there, and not in >adara as 9 had feared. 9t also presented a re(arka!le opport-nity for +aniel Gold and (e to (eet (any kno/led"ea!le .aths. ,-ch of (y -nderstandin" of that caste8s identity, presented in chapter 2, is the res-lt of o-r conversations /ith .ath-8s "-ests. ;ord circ-lated a(on" those attendin" the f-neral feast that a forei"ner /as interested in their ver!al art, and their caste lore in "eneral. >everal "ro-ps of stran"ers knocked at (y door, a n-(!er of /ho( anno-nced their capa!ility and /illin"ness to perfor( Gopi Chand4Bharthari. *ven .ath-, /ho see(ed to !e annoyed /ith ,adh- for reasons that never !eca(e clear to (e, stron"ly s-""ested that 9 sho-ld record so(eone else8s version. B-t 9 held o-t for ,adh-, feelin" that the contin-ity of (y translation pro1ect reF-ired the sa(e !ard and that all these other potential sin"ers presented an al(ost fri"htenin" distraction. 9t /as o-t of the F-estion to record in .ath-8s ho-se, as /e had in 19@1, !eca-se the roo(s /ere virt-ally overflo/in" /ith "-ests and all seatin" and tea4(akin" reso-rces /ere serio-sly overta=ed. 9nstead, /e spread a carpet on the ne/ly plastered co-rtyard of the 0a1p-t ho-se that had !een (y ho(e in 19&9I@1 and /as (y ca(p this trip. ;e th-s had cloistered 0a1p-t /o(en in the a-dience, and 9 /as a!le to co(pensate for an old in1-ry done to (y for(er landlady. >he had !een an"ry /ith (e ei"ht years a"o for not invitin" and escortin" her to the Gopi Chand sessions. .o/ she /as a!le to savor Bharthari in the co(fort of her o/n ho(e. A"ain, it /as /inter and /e /rapped o-rselves in sha/ls, savored o-r tea !reaks, and s-cked on gur . ,adh-8s perfor(ance "ot off to a so(e/hat slo/ startD Bharthari8s !irth story has (ore repetition in it than any other se"(ent of either te=t. B-t soon ,adh- /ar(ed to his the(es. 2is rendition of the central part of Bharthari7containin" the !est4loved cli(a= /hen the kin" (adly circles Pin"ala8s pyre 7/as perfectly deli"htf-l and aro-sed (-ch a-dience appreciation. Besides (yself, +aniel, and o-r t/o inattentive sons, o-r "atherin" al/ays incl-ded (y research assistant Bho1-D (y landladyD her da-"hter4in4la/, "randchildren, and niecesD and a varia!le n-(!er

< 2A < of nei"h!ors and friends, /ho /andered in !y plan or chance. .ath-, i((ersed in the /ork of the f-neral feast, /as -na!le to attend. ,adh- co(pleted Bharthari8s tale in three recordin" sessions held on the ni"hts of 2@, 29, and #$ +ece(!er 19@&. :his represents appro=i(ately ei"ht ho-rs of recordin", fillin" five and one4half 9$4 (in-te tapes. Gn the /hole, the perfor(ance at(osphere for Bharthari /as very si(ilar to that for Gopi Chand ei"ht years !efore, /ith only a fe/ percepti!le differences. ,adh-8s co-"h see(ed a little /orseD >hiv1i8s sin"in" see(ed a little !etterD Bho1- /as the hun&ar (ost of the ti(e and played his part vi"oro-sly.

Translation in Practice and Theory

:o/ard the concl-sion of part 9 of ,adh- .ath8s Gopi Chand, ,anavati ,other has at last /on the !oon of a son. >he "oes to select fro( a(on" the yo"i )alindar .ath8s fo-rteen h-ndred visi!le disciples the one that pleases her the (ostD then )alindar /ill loan hi( to her !y havin" hi( re!orn as her child. B-t -ntil she spots !ea-tif-l Gopi Chand, the F-een is far fro( deli"hted /ith her prospects as she scans the (editatin" yo"is. 2er /ords7as ,adh- .ath narrated the( and 9 recorded the( in 19@17/ere as follo/s: 3;hat /ill 9 do /ith s-ch !earded fello/sE ;hat /ill 9 do /ith s-ch t/isted li(!s, or ones like this /ho don8t even -nderstand speech 5boli hi na ha%!ai 6E ;hat /ill 9 do /ith the(E3 ;hen ,adh- .ath th-s ela!orated the F-een (other8s e=pressions of distaste there /as la-"hter a(on" o-r s(all co(pany7la-"hter that /as d-tif-lly noted in parentheses !y .ath- .ath /hen he transcri!ed the recordin". ;hy /as there la-"hterE Beca-se, as ,adh- en-nciated 3those /ho don8t even -nderstand speech,3 he "est-red to/ard (e. :r-e to his characterization of (e as -nco(prehendin", altho-"h 9 la-"hed alon" /ith the rest, 9 did not catch this F-ick 1est at (y e=pense. 9 tho-"ht /e /ere la-"hin" at the i(a"es of yo"is as -nattractive, defective persons not likely to (ake it in the /orld. B-t Bho1-, (y research assistant, e=plained ,adh-8s 1i!e to (e, as kindly as possi!le, /hen /e read the transcri!ed te=t to"ether a /eek or so later and the scene /as still fresh in his (e(ory. Gver the /ords 3those /ho don8t even -nderstand speech3 9 penciled 3like Ain4Bai,3 (y villa"e na(e 5this third4person notation sy(pto(atic 9 s-ppose of self4alienation co((on in field/ork e=perience6, and soon for"ot a!o-t it. < 2% < >i= years later, as 9 e(!arked on a ,ellon postdoctoral fello/ship that centered on the Gopi Chand tale, 9 rediscovered ,adh-8s little 31oke3 and pa-sed to ponder this characterization of (e7a confident, /ell4f-nded translator and p-!lished ethno"rapher7as so(eone /ho didn8t even 3-nderstand speech.3 9t !ro-"ht to (y (ind a (o(ent descri!ed in the preface to (y !ook on pil"ri(a"e: (y first evenin" in the co(pany of Bho1- 0a( G-1ar, the yo-n" villa"e (an /ho /as later to !eco(e (y closest assistant, pil"ri(a"e !rother, and event-ally coa-thor. +-rin" this ni"ht he had e=cited and tired -s !oth !y steadily i(partin" to (e in l-cid "ra((atical 2indi the (ystical and (-ltiple (eanin"s of esoteric 0a1asthani hy(ns as they /ere !ein" perfor(ed d-rin" an intense all4ni"ht sin"in" party cele!ratin" the ne/ !eni"n identity of a restless "host. ;hen it !eca(e apparent to this yo-n" (an, aro-nd t/o or three in the (ornin", that 9 /as e=ha-sted and had ceased to a!sor! his e=planations, he chided (e !y F-otin" a 0a1asthani sayin". 3'or yo-,3 he said, 3all this is 8!ro/n s-"ar for a deaf4(-te8 5gunge &a gur 6.3 >teeped as 9 /as in the rich villa"e /orld, cons-(in" its s/eets !-t -na!le to hear its lan"-a"e clearly, /here /o-ld 9 find the ton"-e to

tell of itE 9n (y p-!lished preface 9 e=clai(, 3;hat a perfect (etaphor for the anthropolo"ical enterpriseL3 5Gold 19@@, =iv6. :his (etaphor, si(-ltaneo-sly evokin" ine=pressi!le deli"ht and h-(an disa!ility, see(s eF-ally applica!le to the efforts of translation7especially the translation of a (-ltidi(ensional, interactive co((-nicative event into a linear, so-ndless, printed story. 9n the re(ainin" pa"es of this chapter 9 e=a(ine the phases of (y translation efforts, ret-rnin" in the end to so(e other (etaphors7of hopelessness and possi!ility. :he first ro-nd of translation for Gopi Chand /as certainly the (ost en1oya!le. +-rin" 'e!r-ary and ,arch 19@1 e=cept for t/o short trips, each of a fe/ days8 d-ration, to /rap -p loose ends in (y pil"ri(a"e research, and the -s-al distractions of festivals, rit-als, and the interpersonal psychodra(as that 9 had finally co(e to accept as part of villa"e life, (y ti(e and attention /ere re(arka!ly centered on the recordin"s and rapidly e(er"in" /ritten te=t of Gopi Chand. 9 e(ployed !oth .ath- .ath and Bho1- G-1ar f-ll ti(e d-rin" this period. U"(a .ath1i, nonliterate !-t (ore kno/led"ea!le than .ath- in his caste8s teachin"s, /as also often on the scene. ;e /orked in t/o nei"h!orin" roo(s, each openin" on the sa(e co-rtyard !-t not ad1oinin" the other, as /as the architect-ral c-sto( in the villa"e. .ath- 5/ith or /itho-t U"(a .ath6 /o-ld sit in one roo(, listenin" < 2C < to tapes and transcri!in" ,adh-8s /ords /ith painstakin" acc-racy. 9n the other roo( Bho1- and 9 sat side !y side at a s(all desk doin" o-r 3translation /ork3 5anuvad &a &a% 67as /e e=plained it in (ost -nsatisfactory fashion to the (any skeptical F-estioners /ho /ondered ho/ /e passed o-r days. :his /ork involved readin" thro-"h the pa"es .ath- had transcri!ed and stoppin" every/here 9 had a pro!le( /ith the 0a1asthani. Bho1- /o-ld then endeavor to clarify (y conf-sions /ith e=planations and "losses in 2indi. 9 (ade notes in pencil directly on the transcription, in an ad ho( (i=t-re of *n"lish and 2indi. Gccasionally, /hen confronted !y so(ethin" e=tre(ely p-zzlin", /e /o-ld resort to the nine4vol-(e a!asthani Sabad Kos 5Halas 19CI2&@D hereafter SK 6 /ith its pondero-s definitions in >anskritized 2indi. 'ar (ore often 9 1-st /rote the (eanin"s of /ords as Bho1- dictated the( to (e. >o(eti(es he e(!ellished his ver!al descriptions /ith sketches, de(onstratin", for e=a(ple, the desi"n of a kind of earrin" or the shape of a partic-lar clay pot. 9n (idafternoon scri!e and translators all took a lon" tea !reak to"ether and often talked and 1oked in ter(s of the stories and the !ard8s lan"-a"e. 9f .ath-, /hose caste identity /as .ath or Mo"i, had to "o so(e/here, Bho1- /o-ld recite the !ard8s favorite co-plet: 3A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind.3 Gossipin" a!o-t the passion of an illicit lover /hen aro-sed !y his /o(an, .ath- (i"ht say, 39t /as 1-st as if a /ick /ere lit to one h-ndred (a-nds of "-npo/der37 parrotin" the !ard8s stock (etaphor for Gopi Chand8s e(otional crises. :h-s the te=t8s special lan"-a"e (er"ed as 9 learned it /ith everyday life. 9 had not the sli"htest sense of /hat 9 /o-ld do /ith the res-lts of all this effort. B-t 9 fo-nd the protracted ro-tinized translation /ork to !e very soothin". 9t filled (y days and kept (y (ind fro( d/ellin" on all the thin"s 9 /o-ld never !e a!le to finish, or even !e"in, as ti(e ran o-t. 9nevita!ly !-t nonetheless a!r-ptly, /hen /e /ere !-t a fe/ pa"es into part A, 9 at last had to leave Ghatiyali. 9 did not spend any ti(e /ith the te=t a"ain -ntil 19@&7si= years later. :he s-((ary of Gopi Chand8s story, /hich 9 incl-ded in (y dissertation 5Gold 19@A6 and ens-in" !ook 5Gold 19@@6 as /ell as in the article that 9 coa-thored /ith (y h-s!and 5Gold and Gold 19@A6, /as done fro( (e(ory. As 9 discovered to (y cha"rin /hen 9 did ret-rn to the te=t, it contains a fe/ errors, the res-lt of (y i(perfect co(pre4

< 2& < hension and (e(ory lapses, co(!ined /ith ,adh-8s occasional va"-eness. 'or e=a(ple, 9 stated in that s-((ary that )alindar .ath resc-es Gopi Chand fro( +eath8s ,essen"ersD act-ally it is Gorakh .ath /ho, after ta-ntin" )alindar /ith the ne/s that his "iven disciple is dead, frees Gopi Chand so dra(atically. :he second ro-nd of translation /ork, still only for Gopi Chand, !e"an in 19@& /hen, s-pported !y a ,ellon 'o-ndation 'ello/ship at Cornell University, 9 sat daily at a co(p-ter /ith .ath-8s transcription in (y lap and typed directly onto the screen a ro-"h and literal *n"lish version. 9 never lifted a dictionary d-rin" this sta"e !-t /orked entirely fro( (y o/n kno/led"e of the lan"-a"e and Bho1-8s "losses that 9 had 1otted do/n si= years earlier. By late s-((er 19@& 9 had a 2%$4pa"e do-!le4 spaced *n"lish typescript. :he last @$ pa"es /ere !y far the ro-"hest since they covered the final se"(ent that 9 had never read thro-"h /ith Bho1-. 9 think of this as the 3readin"4for4(eanin"3 phase of (y translation. At this point 9 felt 9 had a f-ll -nderstandin" of the story and /rote several interpretive essays 5Gold 19@9, 19916. Convinced, ho/ever, that nothin" 9 said a!o-t Gopi Chand8s story /o-ld !e f-lly valid -nless 9 kne/ Bharthari8s as /ell, 9 (ade plans to ret-rn to 0a1asthan over /inter !reak 19@&I@@. +-rin" that hectic si=4/eek trip 9 had nothin" co(para!le to the earlier daily ro-tine of ei"ht or nine ho-rs in /hich 9 -sed to sit peacef-lly readin" /ith Bho1-. 9 did (ana"e to "o over and solve (ost of the pro!le(s enco-ntered in part A of Gopi Chand. Altho-"h 9 set the transcription process in (otion for Bharthari, 9 left the villa"e /ith only t/elve pa"es on paper. .ath- co(pleted the rest after (y depart-reD Bho1(ade interlinear notes in red ink and for/arded it to (e. Hater still 5fro( )-ne thro-"h >epte(!er 19@96 s-pported !y an .*2 translation "rant, 9 entered yet another phase, d-rin" /hich 9 relistened to all the tapes. :he tapes (ade (e a/are of n-ances of (eanin" totally lost in transcription and helped (e to relive interactive di(ensions of the perfor(ance in /hich 9 had participated !-t /hich 9 had for"otten d-rin" (y s-!seF-ent fi=ation on the story. As ,adh-8s /onderf-lly "r-ff and e=pressive voice, or his (inor4key (elodic sarangi riffs filled (y ears, and 9 stared at fiat /ords on the "rey shr-nken screen, 9 despaired over the inadeF-acy of all translation. ;hile (y ethno"raphic self retreated, sty(ied, 9 !eca(e o!sessed < 2@ < /ith definitions. +-rin" these (onths 9 co(p-lsively read dictionaries, searchin" for every /ord 9 did not 3kno/37a cate"ory ar!itrarily co(prisin" every /ord for /hich 9 /as relyin" solely on Bho1-8s "losses7in a series of dictionaries 50a1asthani42indi, 2indi42indi, 2indi4*n"lish as reF-ired6. 9 (ade alpha!etical lists /ith cross4references. ;ords that 9 fo-nd in none of these references, or /hose dictionary definitions did not coincide /ith Bho1-8s, 9 listed, and every (onth letters filled /ith these F-eries fle/ !ack to 9ndia. Bho1- often cons-lted ,adh- hi(self or ,adh-8s son, >hiv1i, !efore respondin". :o/ard the end of this -npleasant and la!orio-s period, another translator and 9 /ere a!le to !rin" Bho1- to A(erica. 9 had the -ncanny e=perience of sittin" in (y 9thaca office, s-!zero te(perat-res o-tside, /ith a villa"e voice in (y ears. By then (y involve(ent in these stories and the tradition that "enerated the( e=tended !eyond firsthand ethno"raphic e=perienceD 9 had read n-(ero-s variants fro( other re"ions and ti(es and /as /orkin" o-t (y interpretations. .o lon"er did 9 passively take dictation fro( Bho1-D occasionally 9 fo-nd (yself ar"-in" /ith hi(.

;hen Gopi Chand8s /ife reproaches hi( for !eco(in" a yo"i, she says: 3Grain4"iver, 9 taste !itter to yo-, !-t yo- think that yo"i8s 1-st s/ell. 2e shoved a loincloth -p yo-r ass and p-t these earrin"s on yo-. 2e pierced yo-r ears and p-t these "reat !i" earrin"s in the(.3 9n the villa"e in 19@1 Bho1- told (e that the /ord the F-een -sed for 3earrin"3 (eant 3yo"is8 earrin"3 !eca-se of co-rse that8s /hat she /as referrin" to7the yo"is8 earrin"s her h-s!and /ore. B-t the /ord itself, %ura&a , refers to a s(all earrin" /orn !y ordinary (en. 9t is not one of the several special /ords for yo"is8 earrin"s, (ost often called darsai or 3divine visions.3 9 tho-"ht the F-een /as !ein" deli!erately disrespectf-l !y -sin" this /ord, as she s-rely /as a!o-t the loincloth -p the ass7e(ployin" a cr-de ter( for an-s. Bho1-, ho/ever, said she /as 1-st an i"norant /o(an /ho didn8t kno/ the ri"ht /ord for yo"is8 earrin". Hater in the scene Gopi Chand calls on his "-r- for help and threatens that if the "-r- doesn8t co(e he8ll "o !ack to takin" care of his kin"do( and "et rid of his 3earrin"s4and4st-ff37callin" the( %ura&yan vura&an 7th-s f-rther e=a""eratin" the F-een8s dispara"in" ter(inolo"y. :he echo4/ord for(ation readily i(plies 3earrin"s and all the rest of this yo"ic paraphernalia.3 :o (e it see(s to confir( < 29 < Gopi Chand8s interpretation of the F-een8s lan"-a"e, adopted /hen he is (o(entarily s/ept over to her perspective 5and 9 see hi( as constantly !ackslidin" th-s fro( a yo"ic to a ho-seholder8s vie/point6. :he !ard is F-ite -nlikely to have -sed the /ron" /ord !y accident as he hi(self /ears these 3divine visions3 and is e=tre(ely conscio-s of their special po/er. Bho1- /as still not convinced. 9 relate this disp-te !eca-se it reveals nicely ho/ (-ch of a translator8s pro!le( lod"es not so (-ch in /ords !-t in conte=ts. :o translate %ura&a as yo"is8 earrin"7even tho-"h that is /hat it refers to7 /o-ld !e si(ply /ron". B-t to translate it as 3earrin"3 also leaves so(ethin" o-t: the fact that it is the /ron" /ord for the type of earrin" referred to. Any sol-tion to s-ch (o(ents (-st transact a co(pro(ise !et/een fl-idity and se(antics. As is no do-!t too often the case, 9 resorted here to a footnote /here 9 "ave !oth sides of the ar"-(ent. *vent-ally 9 arrived at the (ost challen"in" and ve=in" task: to take the repetitive, a/k/ardly phrased, !-t reasona!ly acc-rate prod-ct of all this la!or and transfor( it into so(ethin" palata!le, pleas-ra!le, char(in". After all, ,adh-8s perfor(ance /as all those thin"s. 9 no lon"er feel F-ite deaf and d-(!, !-t /hat 9 have to offer is not e=actly !ro/n s-"ar. ,y first decision /as to -se the /ritten /ord and the printed pa"e traditionally. 9 respect and ad(ire the "ro-nd!reakin" efforts of +ennis :edlock 519@#6 and *liza!eth 'ine 519@A6 a(on" others, /ho have tried to develop innovative /ays of p-ttin" oral perfor(ances on paper. Met 9 (yself find it diffic-lt to en1oy their prod-ctions aesthetically. >-ch devices as -neven type sizes, slantin" lines, and coded sy(!ols do provide a far !etter record of oral perfor(ance than plain linear print. B-t as access to an aesthetic e=perience, for (e at least, they fail. ,y i((ediate reaction to -neven type and arcane sy(!ols is an al(ost a-to(atic !l-rrin" or ski((in" i(p-lse rather than transfor(ed a/areness. ;hether this is co((on or idiosyncratic 9 do not kno/. 9n any case, 9 have taken a different ro-te. >-rrenderin" (-sic and lar"ely s-rrenderin" a-dience interaction, in a sense 9 "ave -p on s-stainin" an oral (odeD readers /ill have to s-pply that fro( (y descriptions and their o/n i(a"inations. ;hat 9 tried to reprod-ce is the ro-"h char( and spontaneo-s flo/ of ,adh-8s speech, /itho-t falsely e(!ellishin" it. :he fo-rth ro-nd /as literally co-ntless ro-nds, for 9 co-ld not say ho/ (any ti(es 9 /ent over the *n"lish version, rearran"in", re/ordin", and c-ttin". < #$ <

*vent-ally 9 had to (ake s-!stantial c-ts, !y /hich so(ethin" is certainly lost, !-t (-ch is "ained for all !-t the (ost patient *n"lish readers. 9 c-t in three /ays, or at three levels. Gn the "rossest of these, 9 (ade the decision 7after translatin" the entire perfor(ance 7 to o(it the s-n" portions e=cept for those that open and close each of the seven parts of the t/o epics. A fe/ other (averick se"(ents of s-n" te=t slipped in !eca-se they advance the plot si"nificantly /ith no spoken e=planation coverin" the sa(e "ro-nd. .or(ally, ho/ever, the e=planation "ives all that /as s-n" and (ore. :he sin"in" does not present !ea-tif-l poetryD it lacks rhy(e and its (eter is stron"ly s-!ordinated to the sarangi rags . :he pleas-re in it, 9 have co(e to !elieve, !oth fro( disc-ssions /ith ,adh-8s a-dience and fro( (y o/n e=perience, is lar"ely (-sical. B-t the pleas-re of the arthav is intentionally ver!al7and is therefore a pleas-re (-ch (ore easily translata!le to the printed pa"e. :he second level of c-ttin" involved condensin" (ost of a partic-lar scene /hen it replicated al(ost e=actly another that /as f-lly translated. >-ch scenes are li(ited. :he !i""est red-ction fro( the ori"inal involved the enco-nter !et/een a !e""in" yo"i and a "ro-p of slave "irls that occ-rs once in Bharthari and three ti(es in Gopi Chand. Gf these fo-r instances, t/o /ere s-!stantially condensed as noted /ithin the te=t. Another hi"hly repetitive (o(ent is the contest !et/een yo"is and lady (a"iciansD 9 "ave Gopi Chand8s initial enco-nter f-lly !-t condensed /henever possi!le, and so noted, the s-!seF-ent enco-nters !et/een Charpat .ath, follo/ed !y 2ada .ath, and their Ben"ali ene(ies. :he third level of c-ttin" is the one that (akes (e as a folklorist (ost -neasy, !-t its e=ec-tion (ay contri!-te (ost to (akin" this te=t "enerally accessi!le. :his is the e=cision of inn-(era!le internal repetitions7repetitions that "ive the oral perfor(er ti(e to think, that "ive his a-dience ti(e to take it all in, !-t that on the printed pa"e !eco(e rapidly tedio-s. ,y ai( /as to retain eno-"h of these to leave the *n"lish /ith a colloF-ial, oral 3flavor,3 !-t to re(ove eno-"h to keep the story (ovin" at an accepta!le pace. Het (e "ive an e=a(ple, fro( the openin" scene of Gopi Chand. :he F-een has 1-st told her son to !e a yo"i, and he is F-estionin" her kno/led"e of yo"a. ,y translation in this !ook is as follo/s: < #1 < :hen Gopi Chand said, 3B-t (other, yo- live in p-rdah inside the palace, and yo"is live in the 1-n"le. :hey do tapas !y their ca(pfires in the 1-n"le. B-t yo- live in the palace. >o, ho/ did yo- co(e to kno/ any yo"isE3 ,adh- .ath8s ori"inal speech translated /ord for /ord "oes like this: :hen Gopi Chand said, 3Gh, ,anavati ,ata, yo- live in p-rdah inside the palace and a yo"i, yo"is, they live in the 1-n"le. :hey live in the 1-n"le perfor(in" tapas !y their ca(pfires, and yo- stay in the palace, so ho/ did yo- co(e to kno/ yo"isE 2o/ do yo- kno/ the(E Mo"is live in the 1-n"le, in the /oods. And yo- live inside the palace, so ho/ did yo- "et to kno/ the(, yo-E3 9 think this e=a(ple speaks for itself, and it is perfectly typical.

Pottery !essons
:he act of translation is often eno-"h (etaphorically (ali"ned, in i(a"es that incl-de the translator as e=ec-tioner, !i"a(ist, and traitor.?1%B 'ort-nately, (ore !eni"n i(a"es also e=ist. Perhaps the (ost pleasin" of these, especially to an anthropolo"ist steeped in notions of e(pathy, is that of the translator as friend, sharer, inti(ate7evoked !y Jelly, /ho cites 0oseco((on8s seventeenth4cent-ry essay.

Jelly /rites of a 3sharin" !et/een friends3 that is 3not (erely infor(ational: friends add to the infor(ation they share, a 1oy in the act of reco-ntin" it and a vicario-s sharin" of each other8s e=perience on ter(s special to the friendship3 5Jelly 19&9, C#6. 9f part of a positive vision of translation is inti(acy, another part is crafts(anship. Met it is 1-st s-ch praise/orthy traits as skill, techniF-e, and kno/led"e that contri!-te to the translator8s self4i(a"e pro!le(. 9f translation is skill then it is so(ethin" less than art, a secondary act. A(on" all the (etaphors proposed for translation, one of the (ost ele"ant and s-!tle is that of ;alter Ben1a(in, /hose essay 3:he :ask of the :ranslator3 !e"ins /ith the skilled !-t artless act of "l-in" to"ether pot shards !-t (oves rapidly !eyond this (-ndane fi"-re into l-(ino-s visions. ?1%B 'or translator as killer see .a!okov cited in Pvele!il 19@&, viD the !i"a(y i(a"e is one a(on" several in )ohnson 19@%, 1A#, /hose s-!tle e=e"esis 9 do not to-ch hereD traitor is of co-rse fro( the Hatin p-n4prover!. < #2 < 'ra"(ents of a vessel /hich are to !e "l-ed to"ether (-st (atch one another in the s(allest details, altho-"h they need not !e like one another. 9n the sa(e /ay, a translation, instead of rese(!lin" the (eanin" of the ori"inal, (-st lovin"ly and in detail incorporate the ori"inal8s (ode of si"nification, th-s (akin" !oth the ori"inal and the translation reco"niza!le as fra"(ents of a "reater lan"-a"e, 1-st as fra"(ents are part of a vessel. Hater in the sa(e para"raph Ben1a(in contin-es: 3A real translation is transparentD it does not cover the ori"inal, does not !lock its li"ht, !-t allo/s the p-re lan"-a"e, as tho-"h reinforced !y its o/n (edi-(, to shine -pon the ori"inal all the (ore f-lly3 519C9, &@I&96. >everal (etaphors are /orkin" on several levels here. Gn the one hand (atchin" the pieces of a !roken pot is like the reprod-ction of (eanin" in translationD and on the other the ori"inal and the translation are the(selves !oth fra"(ents, not /holes. A!andonin" the pots /ith their shapes, Ben1a(in "oes on to speak of coverin" and transl-cency. :he translation does not cover the ori"inal !-t allo/s li"ht to shine thro-"h7not fro( it, ho/ever, !-t -pon it. :here appears to !e, in that li"ht, a pre(ise of a reality !i""er than !oth translation and ori"inal. ;hen 9 read Ben1a(in it re(inded (e of a !roken pot in the 0a1asthani !ard ,adh- .ath8s o/n stories7a pot that can !e neither "l-ed to"ether nor replicated. :his pot appears in Jin" Bharthari8s tale in the central episode of part 2. 2ere the yo"i Gorakh .ath (o-rns for his !roken clay 1-", deli!erately (ockin" Jin" Bharthari8s (o-rnin" for his cre(ated F-een. :he kin" says the 1-" is easily replaced, and the yo"i retorts that the F-een is too. :hey a"ree that the yo"i /ill restore N-een Pin"ala to life if the kin" replaces the 1-". :he kin" co((andeers the la!or of scores of potters, !-t the yo"i -ses his 3divine play3 5lila 6 to spoil the potters8 /ork so they fail to "et the ori"inal 1-"8s color 1-st ri"ht. ;hen cartloads of 1-"s are delivered !y e=ha-sted potters, Gorakh .ath scorns the(, holdin" -p his shards of a sli"htly different color, and de(andin" once (ore a 1-" 1-st like the one that !roke: >o Jin" Bharthari "rasped his feet and prostrated hi(self. 3Grain4"iver, 98ve done the !est 9 co-ld, "ood or !ad, 98ve ordered /hat 9 co-ld. .o/, Grain4"iver, that8s eno-"h. Good or !ad, !lack or fair, (ake (e a Pin"ala. )-st as 98ve !ro-"ht these 1-"s, !lack or yello/, so !rin" her, !lack or yello/.3 < ## <

Gf co-rse, the yo"i is a!le to s-((on -p not one !-t seven h-ndred fifty identical F-eens and the sa(eness of their faces, clothes, and 1e/elry are ela!orated -pon to the a-dience8s considera!le /onder. Gn the s-rface the point see(s to !e that yo"is are (ore po/erf-l than kin"s or potters: /itho-t divine po/er, a kin" can8t even replicate the for( and color of a co((on clay 1-"D /ith it a yo"i can infinitely (-ltiply the for( and color of a h-(an !ein" /ho has !-rned to ash. Gorakh .ath8s pottery lesson, ho/ever, "oes !eyond s-ch tr-(petin" of yo"is8 (a"ic po/er. 'or even perfect reprod-ctions are ill-sions, if there is no "raspa!le reality in the ori"inal. :his lack of reality operates on several levels. ;e do not even kno/ /hether any of the seven h-ndred fifty Pin"alas is the real Pin"ala7since she !-rned -p and all these (ay 1-st !e Gorakh .ath8s sa&tis , enslaved fe(ale spirits in Pin"ala8s for(. B-t, even if one of the restored F-eens is the real one, she is still no !etter than a /hore 5as Gorakh .ath (akes clear6 !eca-se no h-(an love end-res forever. All of the(, perfect copies tho-"h they are, are 1-st as false as the cartloads of 1-"s that do not (atch the ori"inal 1-". :hey represent distractions fro( hi"her or cal(er realities for /hich the yo"i8s -n!le(ished and irreplacea!le 1-" of p-re cool /ater (ay itself !e a si"n. ;alter Ben1a(in8s pottery lesson indicates that translatin" fro( one lan"-a"e to another (i"ht !e like the act of (atchin" fra"(ents to re!-ild a shattered /hole, !-t that this /ork is neither perfect reprod-ction nor an ill-sory effort doo(ed to fail-re. Ulti(ately, Ben1a(in8s i(a"es p-sh o-r tho-"hts !eyond the translator and his /ork, to consider the relation !et/een lan"-a"es, s-""estin" that a shared h-(an capacity for co((-nication e=ists !eyond partic-lar ton"-es. ;hy do 9 th-s la!orio-sly 1-=tapose these very different -ses of !roken4pot i(a"es e(er"in" fro( different c-lt-ral disco-rses and created for different didactic ai(sE Gne solid if s(all reason is that it see(s to (e a-spicio-s that for !oth .ath yo"is and *-ropean literary criticis( a !roken pot and its reconstr-ction or replication (ay !eco(e (etaphors for the possi!le and the i(possi!le, indicators of co((-nication !et/een t/o /orlds 5/hether of 'rench and Ger(an poetry, or of yo"is and kin"s, or of 0a1asthani peasants and ;estern readers6. Gne ephe(eral !-t lar"er reason for this pottery lesson is that both Ben1a(in8s and Gorakh .ath8s (etaphors point !eyond cycles of disinte"ration and reconstr-ction to so(e (ore sta!le area of li"ht < #A < or tr-th. 'or those of -s /ho spend o-r days translatin" te=ts and c-lt-res, this is enco-ra"in". Mello/ or !lack, 9 have tried to (ake these tales stand -p. Hackin" yo"is8 (a"ic alon" /ith (-ch other kno/led"e and skill, 9 have la!ored even lon"er and harder than Bharthari8s potters. 9 can only hope that the i(perfect res-lts presented here are, as Ben1a(in advises, li(pid to the li"ht of the ori"inal. < #% <

Cha.ter Two Naths or 2ogis in North India

:he precedin" chapter introd-ced ,adh- .ath, the storyteller, as an individ-al and located hi( in the r-ral society of 0a1asthan /here he lives, sin"s, and e=plains his tales. 2ere 9 shall selectively e=plore so(e !roader conte=ts of ,adh-8s kno/led"e, /hile contin-in" to to-ch !ase /ithin the corp-s of his perfor(ed te=ts. :he tales of Gopi Chand and Bharthari as s-n" and told !y ,adh- .ath !elon" to a loosely !o-nded !-t na(ea!le tradition /hose roots reach !ack at least to the tenth or t/elfth cent-ry. 9

shall speak of this as the .ath tradition, !-t its adherents or practitioners are often pop-larly desi"nated .ogi , or in so(e areas .ugi 7vernac-lar derivatives of yogi . :hro-"ho-t this !ook 9 -se *n"lish 3yo"i3 rather than !ogi , -nless referrin" to a specific caste in a specific re"ion !y its na(e of record. And 9 -se the ter(s .ath and yo"i interchan"ea!ly, e=cept /hen foc-sin" on the si"nificance of their respective ety(olo"ies. .ath teachin"s and stories flo/ as one strea( /ithin pop-lar 2ind-is(, contri!-tin" to and dra/in" fro( several others. :he p-rpose of this chapter is to "ive readers of Gopi Chand8s and Bharthari8s tales a sense of these stories8 roots, and of the !ard8s roots, /ithin s-ch !roader c-lt-ral, historical, and reli"iohistorical patterns.?1B Gne /ay of -nderstandin" the pop-lar stories of the .aths, incl-din" ,adh-8s tales, is to consider the( as didactically (otivated representations of ren-nciation. 9n these representations !oth a hi"h ?1B :he pro"ression of this chapter very deli!erately leads to the tales that are o-r central foc-s. Gthers have /ritten a!o-t .aths the(selves as a focal topicD those seekin" a f-ller and (ore 3disinterested3 treat(ent are referred to the(: Bri""s 19&#D +vivedi 19@1, n.d.D ,ahapatra 19&2, &%I9CD Pandey 19@$. < #C < eval-ation of /orld4ren-nciation and an appreciation of the sacrifices entailed !y actin" on that eval-ation are trans(itted for the edification and entertain(ent of ho-seholders.?2B :he stories provide an interface !et/een t/o distin"-isha!le altho-"h intricately linked social and reli"io-s -niverses. 9n th-s for(-latin" as separa!le !-t inter/oven the lifestyles and /orldvie/s of ho-seholders and yo"i ascetics, 9 do not intend to address directly the !i" iss-es of 3(an4in4the4/orld3 vers-s 3/orld4 reno-ncer3 in pan49ndian tho-"ht. :hese iss-es have !een ele"antly if (isleadin"ly for(-lated !y Ho-is +-(ont and /orried over !y (any others incl-din" (yself.?#B Altho-"h the follo/in" disc-ssion (ay shed so(e li"ht on those ve=ed (atters, (y foc-s is on a s(aller4scale !-t still co(ple= contrast. :his is the contrast !et/een ho-seholder or grihasthi .aths /ho for( hereditary castes 5 !atis 6, and ren-nciatory or naga .aths7-sin" naga here in its -n(arked sense of celi!ate (e(!er of a .ath sect.?AB 9t see(s no accident that it is freF-ently grihasthi .aths /ho p-rvey7not only to their o/n co((-nities !-t to society at lar"e7the stories of Gopi Chand and Bharthari, in /hich the central fi"-res are, or !eco(e, naga .aths. 9 !e"in !y considerin" the ter( .ath as it is applied to reno-ncer (e(!ers of a sa%praday or reli"io-s sect.?%B 9n this conte=t the cate"ory ?2B 'or an interpretive approach to these iss-es, see the after/ord. >ee also Gold and Gold 19@A. ?#B 'or +-(ont8s for(-lation see +-(ont 19&$D for so(e reflections on, reactions to, and conflicts /ith +-(ont see, for e=a(ple, Bradford 19@%D B-r"hart 19@#a, 19@#!D +as 19&&D Gold 19@@, #IAD ,adan ed. 19@1. ?AB ,eanin" fo-r -nder the (asc-line no-n nagau in the SK is nath sa%praday &a vah vya&ti !o vivah nahin &arta hai 3a (e(!er of the .ath sect /ho does not (arry.3 +-rin" intervie/s in the /inter of 19@&I@@ 9 heard !oth 0a1asthani reno-ncer and ho-seholder intervie/ees re"-larly e(ploy naga in opposition to giihasthi . Used th-s, naga does not refer to the partic-lar sect of >haivite reno-ncers /ho "o naked 5the pri(ary ad1ectival (eanin" of naga 6 or to the 3fi"htin" nagas 37fa(o-s !attalions of these -nclothed ascetics, /hose participation in local (ilitary str-""les is recorded in 0a1asthan and else/here. ?%B >o(e scholars ar"-e that 3sect3 (ay not appropriately translate 2indi >anskrit sa%praday . Barz, follo/in" ;ach, sho/s ety(olo"ically that sa%praday refers positively to a 3vehicle for trans(ission

of doctrine3 /hereas 3sect3 has ne"ative i(plications of a splinter "ro-p. 2o/ever, sa%praday also s-""ests a 3ref-"e3 fro( the ordinary /orld, as sect (ayD Barz contin-es to -se it 5Barz 19&C, #9IA$6. ,ore recently, van der Keer prefers 3order3 or 3(onastic order3 to sect !eca-se the 3ch-rch4sect dichoto(y3 is so alien to 2ind-is( 5van der Keer 19@@, CCI&16. Hike Barz, 9 find it convenient to -se 3sect3 hereD like van der Keer, 9 /arn a"ainst a false 1-(p to Christian parallels. < #& < 3.ath3 is a r-!ric that (ay cover any n-(!er of loosely or"anized associations of >haivite reno-ncers, sharin" certain orientations and practices.?CB Be>ides referrin" to a sectarian identity, the ter( .ath evokes a partic-lar set of ideas concernin" the (er"ed physical and spirit-al perfection possi!le for h-(ans, and ho/ to achieve it. And, not the least i(portant in relation to o-r tales, .aths are stron"ly associated in pop-lar tho-"ht /ith certain visi!le e(!le(s, app-rtenances, and !ehaviors. 9 t-rn then to the pheno(enon of ho-seholder .aths: castes /hose "ro-p identity is rooted in ren-nciation. >-ch is ,adh- .ath8s !irth "ro-p 5 !ati 6, and it is not -niF-e. >i(ilar castes are present thro-"ho-t 9ndia and .epal.?&B :he distinction !et/een .ath as sect or path and .ath as caste is prono-nced and critical in indi"eno-s acco-nts. 2o/ever, as /ill soon !eco(e apparent, it is also i(precise, plastic, and s-!1ect to collapse at several levels.

Nath Renunciatory Traditions in tory and ,istory

Nath (ay !e si(ply defined as 3(aster3 and the .aths as 38,asters8 5of yo"ic po/ers63 5Ka-deville 19&A, @%6. Gther so-rces report vario-s co(ple= ety(olo"ies derivin" fro( possi!le sylla!ic deconstr-ctions of the /ord nath , prod-cin" (eanin"s s-ch as 3for( of !liss esta!lished in three /orlds3 or 3he /ho re(oves i"norance of Brah( and is a!sor!ed in tr-th4conscio-sness4!liss3 5Halas 19C2I&@6.?@B A yo"i is an adept, a practitioner of yo"a7derivin" fro( a >anskrit root (eanin" 3yoke,3 carryin" i(plications of self4discipline as /ell as -nion. Mo"a ?CB Classifications and descriptions of vario-s and vario-sly or"anized "ro-ps of .ath reno-ncers are availa!le else/here 5Bri""s 19&#D +vivedi 19@1D G(an 19$%, 1C@I@CD >inha and >aras/ati 19&@, 11#I 1AD :ripathi 19&@, &1I&A6D .ath traditions, rather than (onastic or"anization, are (y foc-s here. ?&B 'or t/o interestin" e=a(ples see Bradford 19@%, a disc-ssion of ho/ the >o-th 9ndian Hin"ayat caste (aintains its reno-ncer identity thro-"h historical and social chan"esD and Bo-illier 19&9, an ethno"raphic st-dy of a reno-ncer caste in .epal. Gn relatively recent field/ork /ith other .orth 9ndian )o"i perfor(ers see Cha(pion 19@9D 2enry 19@@D Hapoint 19&@. :hat a n-(!er of )o"i "ro-ps are no(inally ,-sli( is a pheno(enon /ell /orth investi"atin", !-t 9 lack data and space to do it 1-stice here. ?@B 'or other definitions and ety(olo"ies of .ath see also +vivedi 19@1, #D >in"h 19#&, 1D Upadhyay 19&C, 1IC. < #@ < is one of the si= darsanas or (a1or classical philosophical syste(s kno/n in 9ndian tho-"ht.?9B B-t in relation to .ath traditions it refers partic-larly to vario-s physical and (editative techniF-es for selfrealization. ?1$B ,ost scholars treat the ter(s .ath and yo"i as interchan"ea!le /hen dealin" /ith the sect and its teachin"s 5for e=a(ple Ka-deville 19&A, @%I@C6.?11B ,any, for the sake of clarity, settle -pon one or

the other to -se /hen speakin" of that tradition.?12B :he ter(s .ath and yo"i are far fro( e=ha-stin" the descriptive desi"nations applied to .aths. Bri""s disc-sses 3Gorakhnathi,3 3+arsani,3 3Janphata,3 and 3.atha37all cate"orizations /ith identical or overlappin" references that at ti(es desi"nate (e(!ers of the sect5s6 /ith /hich he is concerned 5Bri""s 19&#, 1 26. ;hereas the first in the series refers to the fo-ndin" "-r-, the second t/o hi"hli"ht the (ost visi!le and distinctive e(!le( of the "ro-p7their lar"e earrin"s 5darsani 6 /orn in split ears7the descriptive (eanin" of &anphata .?1#B :he ori"ins of .athis( dissolve in the (ists of a pres-(ed selective (er"in" of B-ddhist and 2indtantra, >haivite asceticis(, and yo"a philosophy and practice that took place so(e/here in the tenth or eleventh cent-ry 5Bri""s 19&#D Gh-rye 19CAD >cho(er 19@&6. A shado/y !-t i(posin" fi"-re loo(in" in those (ists is Gorakh .ath7/ho pro!a!ly lived !-t /hose !io"raphy is totally overlaid /ith (yth and (a"ic.?1AB Altho-"h so(e locate Gorakh8s !irthplace in north/estern 9ndia 5>en 19%A,&AD >in"h 19#&, 226 and his lore certainly flo-rished in P-n1a!, (er"in" /ith indi"eno-s tales (-ch as it has done in 0a1asthan, (ost c-lt-ral historians a"ree that the real Gorakh ca(e fro( the east. Bri""s, /ho (-stered (ost of the so-rces availa!le in his ti(e in ad(ira!ly syste(atic fashion, concl-des that 3Gorakhnath lived not later than A.+. 12$$, pro!a!ly early in the 11th ?9B >o-rces for yo"a as philosophy incl-de +as"-pta 192A, 19&AD ;oods 19&2D 0a1- 19@%, ##CI&C. ?1$B >ee *liade 19&#D Karenne 19&CD >inh 19&%. ?11B Mo"i, of co-rse, (ay and often does have (yriad associations -nconnected /ith .aths. ?12B Gh-rye -ses 31o"i3 5Gh-rye 19CA, 11AIA$6 and G(an 3yo"i3 5G(an 19$%, 1C@6D +as"-pta prefers .ath 5+as"-pta 19C9, 191I21$6. ?1#B 9 follo/ +vivedi 19@1 and >-ndardas 19C% in spellin" the sect na(eD others -se &aphata 5Bri""s 19&#6 or &anphata 5Gh-rye 19CA6. ?1AB 'or a f-ll ha"io"raphy of Gorakh .ath 5also GorakhnathD Goraksanath6 in si(ple 2indi see Ga-ta( 19@CD see also Bri""s 19&#, 1&9I2$&D +ikshit n.d.D Pandey 19@$D >en 19C$, A2I%A. < #9 < cent-ry, and that he ca(e ori"inally fro( *astern Ben"al3 5Bri""s 19&#, 2%$D see also +vivedi 19@1, 9CI9&6. >-k-(ar >en characterizes the .ath c-lt as 3an esoteric yo"a c-lt !ased on a-stere self4ne"ation and co(plete control over the vital, (ental and e(otional f-nctions3 5>en 19CG,A26. B-t as .ath teachin"s spread /ithin pop-lar 2ind-is(, !oth their content and (ode of trans(ission chan"ed. 'ro( secret instr-ctions i(parted !y "-r- adept to select disciple, .ath ideas passed into folklore. :here, these teachin"s are stron"ly associated /ith the 3perfection of the !ody3 5&aya siddhi 6 and the F-est for i((ortality 5*liade 19&#D ,ahesh/ari 19@$, 1$16.?1%B :here e=ist n-(ero-s and conflictin" stories of the ori"ins and "-r-4disciple linea"es of the early .ath "-r-s. Gne pop-lar version /ith /hich ,adh- .ath8s tales coincide is that Gorakh /as a disciple of ,achhindar .ath /ho o!tained his kno/led"e directly fro( >hiva 5kno/n as the Adi/Nath or ori"inal .ath6, altho-"h he did it !y trickery.?1CB :his association of the fo-ndin" .ath "-r- /ith a /ily cooptin" of divine po/er fits /ell /ith the "eneral character of (ost .ath "-r-s in pop-lar lore. 9n part A of ,adh- .ath8s Gopi Chand /e see Gorakh playin" all kinds of tricks on his o/n "-r-, ,achhindar hi(self. Altho-"h he acts th-s for the "-r-8s "ood, s-ch !ehavior nonetheless r-ns co-nter to ordinary 2ind- piety that prescri!es nothin" !-t dili"ent o!edience in the disciple role. ,ost strikin" of all in the Gopi Chand tale, Gopi Chand and Bharthari o!tain i((ortality only thro-"h Gorakh8s devio-s

trickin" of Gopi Chand8s an"ry "-r- )alindar.?1&B :here e=ist te=ts, incl-din" technical (an-als of esoteric yo"ic practice in >anskrit and the vernac-lars, /hose a-thorship is attri!-ted to Gorakh .ath hi(self, and to others closely associated /ith his teachin"s.?1@B :he connection !et/een Gorakh the folk trickster ?1%B >o(e e=po-nders of .athis( as philosophy e=plicitly !ar s-ch v-l"ar physical aspirations 5>in"h 19#&, 2@6. ?1CB 'or s-((ary versions of the story of ,achhindar .ath 5also ,acchendranath, ,inanathD ,atsyendranath6 see Bhattacharyya 19@2, 2@%D ,ahapatra 19&2, @2I@#D >en 19C$, A#IAA. ?1&B )alandhar. ?1@B 'or e=tensive catalo"s and disc-ssions of literary /orks attri!-ted to Gorakh .ath and his disciples see Bri""s 19&#, 2%1I%&D >in"h 19#&, #%I#9D Upadhyay 19&C, 1#AI&9. An *n"lish translation of one i(portant te=t is >inh 19&%. 'or the Gora&sa Sa%hita in >anskrit verse /ith a si(ple 2indi e=planation see Ga-ta( 19&A. < A$ < hero and Gorakh the a-thor of esoteric yo"a (an-als (ay see( sli( !-t has relevance for an -nderstandin" of the folk traditions. :he pop-lar rep-tation of .ath yo"is is of persons /ho have !enefited, (ysterio-sly !-t enor(o-sly, fro( their secret kno/led"e of 1-st s-ch techniF-es. 9f the epic te=ts presented in this vol-(e (ake little or no reference to specific techniF-es, they nevertheless ass-(e their res-lts: (a"ical po/ers and physical i((ortality. ,adh-8s te=ts posit so(e cr-de !-t handy stereotypes for /hat a yo"i is and does. :hese tales reveal t/o kinds of yo"is: the po/erf-l, /ell4kno/n fe/ and the po/erless, na(eless (any. :h-s, the yo"is8 /orld can see( as hierarchical as that of ho-seholders, /ith rank !ased not on !irth or /ealth !-t on ascetic pro/ess. Grdinary yo"is, if they are descri!ed at all, are often portrayed in (ost -nflatterin" /ays 5Gopi Chand parts 1 and #6. A polite /ay for a ho-seholder to "reet a yo"i is to tell hi( he doesn8t look like 1-st any old yo"i. ;hat all yo"is have in co((on is a lifestyle o-tside the do(estic and social real(s of (arria"e, /ork, and caste and a dedication to (editation or divine recitation. :h-s all yo"is sit !y a ca(pfire 5dhuni 67 -nderstood as an ascetic act in a tropical cli(ate7/ith lo/ered eyelids 5pala& lagaya 6 and repeat divine na(es 5sa%aran 6. ;hen ordered !y the "-r- to do so, they "o into villa"es, to/ns, or castles and !e" for al(s 5bhi&sa %angna 6. :he po/erf-l a(on" the(7)alindar, ,achhindar, Gorakh, Janni Pav1i,?19B Charpat, and 2ada, /hose na(es and characters 5e=cept for 2ada6 are part of /ider .ath traditions7possess the capacity to perfor( (iracles. :hey can !rin" the dead to life and t-rn rocks to precio-s (etals. ,adh-8s a-dience loves it /hen Charpat .ath /hacks a stone /ith his ton"s and it "litters as p-re "old, or /hen )alindar cas-ally restores flesh and !reath to a cr-(!lin" heap of !ones. An o!vio-s ca-se4and4effect relation e=ists !et/een the lifestyle and (irac-lo-s capacities of yo"is. :he pri(ary conditions for, if not the sole so-rces of, yo"is8 (irac-lo-s po/ers are their ascetic practices or ardor 5lapas 6, often si(ply constr-ed as -n!roken (editation !y the ca(pfire. :he a!ility to p-rs-e s-ch activity sin"le(indedly is in t-rn "ro-nded in detach(ent fro( the /orldly snares of /o(en and /ealth. 9f the h-ndreds of na(eless, faceless, sheeplike disciples have not attained s-ch po/ers, the tale s-""ests7if only o!liF-ely7that ?19B Janh-pa, Jrisnapad, or Janpha.

< A1 < it is !eca-se they have not f-lly overco(e the physical and (ental snares that !ind (ortals to an ill-sory /orld. 9n physical appearance the yo"is of ,adh- .ath8s tales look very (-ch like (e(!ers of the .ath sect descri!ed in earlier ethnolo"ical acco-nts 5Gh-rye 19CA, 1#AD 0isley 1@91D 0ose 191A6. :heir e(!le(s of identity incl-de a !e""in" !o/l 5&happar 6, a deer4horn instr-(ent 5singi nad 6, a 3sacred thread3 (ade of !lack /ool 5seli 6, iron ton"s 5(hi%ta 6, /ooden sandals 5pavari 6, a !ody s(eared /ith sacred ash 5bhabhut 6, and thick crystal earrin"s 5darsani0 %udra 6. :he earrin"s are especially i(portant. 'or .aths, f-ll initiation is (arked !y c-ttin" the disciple8s ears, and this c-t is said to allo/ a yo"i to !rin" his senses -nder control.?2$B Hess freF-ently referred to in the tales is the one e(!le( that the present4day .ath caste in 0a1asthan retains, altho-"h only in the token for( of their t-r!ans: the /earin" of ochre4colored cloth, called bhagva . 0eference to yo"is as /earers of bhagva occ-rs only in part A of Gopi Chand, /hen Gorakh .ath is prohi!ited fro( enterin" ,achhindar .ath8s kin"do( !eca-se the roads are closed to all those clothed in ochre. Unlike the deer4horn instr-(ent, /hich fi"-res in al(ost every (ention of a yo"i8s appearance, ochre ro!es are of co-rse /orn !y (any non4.ath reno-ncers, /hich (i"ht acco-nt for their relative ne"lect in the te=ts. .one of the yo"is in ,adh-8s tales, incl-din" the "-r-s, are partic-larly /ell spokenD indeed they c-rse (ore freely than any other characters in the epic. :hey never atte(pt to i(part /isdo( or enli"hten(ent thro-"h reasoned or i(passioned /ordsD rather their lan"-a"e is !l-nt, direct, and action4oriented. :hey "ive a!r-pt co((ands, and recalcitrance is (et /ith shockin" de(onstrations of (irac-lo-s po/er. Beyond (irac-lo-s po/er, yo"is also assert and e=ercise !r-te physical stren"th. ;hen )alindar8s s-periority in h-rlin" spells is challen"ed !y the lady (a"icians of Ben"al, he ro-ses his co/ardly disciples !y proclai(in", 3;ell, sister4f-ckers, if yo- can8t /in /ith (a"ic and spells, then -se yo-r ton"s, "ive those sl-ts yo-r ton"s, !eat the(.3 And indeed, (ore than once in the tales an an"ry ?2$B .ot all .ath reno-ncers /ear darsani . :he ter( aughar 7altho-"h it has a n-(!er of "eneral (eanin"s evokin" s-ch F-alities as 3lazy,3 and 3carefree37refers to a .ath yo"i /hose ears are not split. Bri""s -nderstands this as a 3first sta"e3 519&#, 2&6, !-t it can also refer to partic-lar sects /hose practices are less 3restrained3 and closer to :antric. < A2 < yo"i /ields his ton"s7/orshiped sy(!ol of ascetic practice !y the ca(pfire7as a cl-!. Beyond that, all the yo"is like to s(oke hashish and eat s/eets. And even the "reatest of the "-r-s are not a!ove F-arrellin" /ith, co(petin" /ith, and deceivin" one another. Clearly, ,adh- .ath8s tales of .ath yo"is do not teach their a-diences any practical or spirit-al disciplines. .or do they foc-s on relationships !et/een h-(an !ein"s and God. Altho-"h ,adh- .ath invaria!ly -tters a fervent 3>hivL GorakhL3 or 3Kictory to ,ahadevL3 at the close of each s-n" portion of his perfor(ance, th-s fra(in" it in devotion, references to divine "race and reli"io-s e(otions are scant /ithin the stories. Met like the fra(in" prayers, pres-ppositions of spirit-al discipline, h-(an4 divine relationships, devotional feelin"s, and "race for( the !ackdrop !efore /hich a-dience (e(!ers see and eval-ate the yo"is8 actions. :his eval-ation is clearly !ased on (oral standards different fro( those appropriate to ho-seholders7or perhaps (ore acc-rately, on a clearly defined !-t -nresolved tension !et/een ho-seholders8 dhar(a and reno-ncers8 paths.?21B

:eachin"s of yo"a philosophy and techniF-es, attri!-ted to Gorakh .ath and his follo/ers, are not of i((ediate relevance in -nderstandin" .ath folk epics. Gn the level of alle"ory, pop-lar .ath stories (ay indeed contain so(e (ystic (essa"es. 'or e=a(ple, the -n-s-al na(e of Bharthari8s F-een, Pin"ala, s-""ests an association /ith yo"ic physiolo"y /here the s-!tle channel called Pin"ala represents the ri"ht side, the s-n, and violent action.?22B >-ch an association, ho/ever, never s-rfaces in ,adh-8s e=planations or in any villa"ers8 reception of the tales, to the e=tent that 9 have investi"ated these.?2#B :he strea( of 2ind- tho-"ht (ost stron"ly and conscio-sly associated /ith .ath teachin"s in r-ral 0a1asthan is not esoteric yo"a !-t nirgun bha&ti or devotion to a God perceived as 3/itho-t F-alities.3 Nirgun bha&ti is i(portant to villa"e reli"ion, and one of the sects that pro(otes it is led !y .aths 5Gold 19@@6. :he diff-sion of .ath yo"is and their lore antedates !y several cent-ries the e(er"ence of nirgun bha&ti as preached and s-n" !y (edieval poet4saints called sants . ?21B 9 disc-ss this irresol-tion (ore f-lly in the after/ord. ?22B +avid ;hite 5personal co((-nication 199$6 s-""ests that Gopi Chand8s (any /o(en and his str-""les to co(e to ter(s /ith the( (ay have to do /ith the 3a/akenin", ta(in" and s-!li(ation of the fe(ale ener"y /ithin the yo"ic !ody.3 ?2#B ,e(!ers of .ath bha!an parties and their listeners /ill, !y contrast, readily disc-ss esoteric, (ystical, or s-!tle interpretations of the lan"-a"e of hy(ns. < A# < Beca-se of this chronolo"y, the relation !et/een .ath and >ant traditions is -s-ally seen in ter(s of .athis(8s infl-ence on the iconoclastic teachin"s of the fo-rteenth4 and fifteenth4cent-ry >ants. :he e=ternal trappin"s and post-res of .aths /ere deni"rated !y >ant poets, /ho fo-nd the( as false as any other e=terior for(s of reli"ion.?2AB ,ost scholars of (edieval 2indi literat-re ackno/led"e, ho/ever, that early >ant poets s-ch as Ja!ir /ere conversant /ith .ath teachin"s, and that .ath esoteric i(a"ery is i(portant in >ant poetry 5Barth/al 19&@D Gold 19@&D >cho(er 19@&D Ka-deville 19&A, @@I@96. Barth/al cites a respectf-l reference to Gopi Chand and Bharthari in Ja!ir8s verses 5Barth/al 19&@, 1A16. 9n the villa"e /here 9 recorded ,adh-8s tale, the sit-ation is c-rio-sly reversed. 0ather than an active >ant tradition retainin" traces of .ath infl-ence, in Ghatiyali the .aths as caste, as leaders of a local sect, and as (e(!ers of loosely or"anized hy(n4sin"in" "ro-ps, see( to have appropriated and !eco(e the p-rveyors of a so(e/hat altered >ant tradition. :heir 3bha!an parties3 have an e=tensive repertoire of hy(ns incl-din" (any /ith the si"nat-re of Ja!irD others are sta(ped !y Gorakh and ,achhindar. >o(eti(es, the sa(e bha!an /ill !ear on different occasions either a >ant or a .ath si"nat-re, pro!a!ly dependin" on the orientation of the lead sin"er. ,adh-, livin" as he did in another villa"e, /as not often a participant in the nirgun bha!an sessions in Ghatiyali. 2o/ever, several ti(es d-rin" his Gopi Chand perfor(ance he presented interl-des of nirgun bha!ans . Clearly he felt his repertoire of .ath tales and >ant co(positions to !e -nitary. B-t .ath and >ant traditions can see( profo-ndly different. >ants teach s-rrender to divine "raceD .aths, altho-"h they invoke >hiva as the ori"inal .ath and first "-r-, stress not devotional feelin" !-t a-stere practice and a transfor(ation of the physical !ein". :he F-est for !odily i((ortality /ith /hich pop-lar .athis( is stron"ly associated /o-ld appear to !e a very different enterprise fro( the spirit-al develop(ent fostered !y the >ants. Met in villa"e traditions .ath and ?2AB >ee for e=a(ple Ja!ir8s poe( translated !y 2ess and >in"h, that !e"ins 32o/ /ill yo- cross,

.ath, ho/ /ill yo- cross, so f-ll of crookednessE3 52ess and >in"h 19@#, &C6. Cent-ries earlier than Ja!ir, the >o-th 9ndian poet4saint Alla(a is said to have de(onstrated to Gorakh .ath the s-periority of his inner devotion to the yo"i8s 3solid dia(ond4!ody3 50a(an-1an 19&#, 1ACIA&D thanks to +avid ;hite for re(indin" (e of this e=a(ple6. < AA < >ant teachin"s !lend to"ether, are referred to loosely as nirgun bha&ti , and are ta-"ht !y .ath "-r-s. >everal si"nificant cos(olo"ical and practical ele(ents co((on to the t/o traditions help e=plain their close (er"in" in pop-lar tho-"ht. 'ore(ost a(on" these /o-ld !e the concept of divinity as for(less and indescri!a!le 5niran!an0 nira&ar0 ala&h 6, and the idea that only a "-r- can help h-(an !ein"s to realize their identity /ith that -nkno/a!le divinity. :he reliance on a "-r- is "reatly stressed in .ath nirgun hy(ns, /here the 3tr-e "-r- /ithin3 (ay !e invoked as in >ant poetry. 0eliance on and s-!(ission to an e=ternal "-r- infor( the plot str-ct-re of !oth of ,adh- .ath8s tales. :he sin"le ele(ent of practice stressed in the epic tales, that of sa%aran or divine recitation, is also an i(portant part of the (editative practice that >ant poets ta-"ht and follo/ed. ,adh- .ath and participants in his sect identify the(selves si(-ltaneo-sly as /orshipers of >hiva and follo/ers of nirgun bha&ti . :hey do not see these t/o pers-asions as inco(pati!le. And indeed, .aths8 /orship is icono"raphically and (ytholo"ically -nela!orated, in keepin" /ith nirgun ideas. >hiva does appear as a (inor character in !oth Bharthari8s and Gopi Chand8s epics, !-t he appears as a yo"i, or 1-st another "-r-, a step hi"her -p in the po/er hierarchy and chain of co((and fro( Gorakh or )alindar .ath, and lo/er than an -nna(ed bhagvan 7the Hord.?2%B Both .ath and >ant traditions disdain social nor(s and caste rankin", at least in relation to God.?2CB Gorakh, like (ost of the early >ant poets, is said to have co(e fro( a lo/ level of society.?2&B 2o/ever, teachin"s of h-(an eF-ality are nota!ly a!sent fro( villa"e .ath lore. Killa"e society in the 19@$s /as still caste4r-led in (any respects, and radical (essa"es, p-!licly proclai(ed, /o-ld pro!a!ly not have !een /elco(ed. Altho-"h Ben"ali traditions e=plicitly identify Gopi Chand8s "-ras a s/eeper, 0a1asthani versions "ive no indication ?2%B :he third lon" tale in ,adh-8s repertoire, 3:he ;eddin" >on" of Hord >hiva,3 is al(ost solely concerned /ith deities in (ythic ti(e. :his tale is not -s-ally incl-ded in "eneral .ath traditions, !-t (any versions fi"-re in >haivite (ytholo"y 5G8'laherty 19&#6. ;hen speakin" of or invokin" >hiva, ,adh- .ath often calls hi( Hord >hankarD less freF-ently he says ,ahadev or Bhola .ath. ?2CB 'or e=a(ples see Gokhale4:-rner 19@1D Pelliot 19@1. ?2&B >ee >in"h 19#&, 2#I2A. :he pervasive le"end that Gorakh /as !orn fro( a pile of co/ d-n" testifies, so(e s-""est, to h-(!le ori"ins. < A% < that )alindar is an -nto-cha!le. Met a secret c-lt 5of /hich 9 have no evidence !eyond (-ch "ossip fro( (any so-rces6 /ith /hich .aths /ere often associated /as said to feat-re as its central rite intercaste eatin" fro( a sin"le pot. :hat this si"nificant defiance of hierarchical codes sho-ld !e elevated to po/erf-l !-t hidden rit-al speaks !oth for its i(portance to .ath !elief and its -ntena!ility in the p-!lic do(ain of ordinary villa"e life. :he infl-ence of .ath sects on co((-nity life in 0a1asthan has varied "reatly over ti(e and space. B-t it does not see( ever to have !een a radical one, in the sense of -nder(inin" the socioecono(ic stat-s

F-o. 2o/ever, the history of the .ath sect in 0a1asthan is not divorced fro( political events. 9ndeed, in 0a1asthan as else/here in 9ndia, historical research -ncovers (ore and (ore political and econo(ic roles played !y s-pposedly other/orldly (onks and yo"is.2@ ,adh- .ath8s te=ts propose that kin"s (ay !e infl-enced !y yo"is, and s-ch has certainly !een the case at ti(es. >te((in" fro( their rep-ted po/ers as reli"io-s adepts, (iracle /orkers, and "-r-s !-t o!vio-sly s-pported also !y a skillf-l co((and of statecraft and diplo(acy, so(e (e(!ers of the .ath sect have acF-ired considera!le infl-ence over r-lin" fa(ilies and have !een directly involved in affairs of state. :he (ost notorio-s instance of .aths8 political activities in 0a1asthan -nfolded d-rin" the r-le of 0a1a ,an >in"h of )odhp-r. ,an >in"h, the ,ahara1a of ,ar/ar in /estern 0a1asthan fro( 1@$# to 1@A2, initially o!tained the )odhp-r throne /ith the po/erf-l aid of the yo"i Ayas +ev .ath. ;hether this aid /as effected !y prayer or !y poison is -nclear. ;hatever the case (ay !e, ,an >in"h8s "ratef-l resolve /as to 3r-le ,ar/ar strictly in accordance /ith the advice of the .aths3 5>har(a 19&2, 1%%6. +-rin" ,an >in"h8s rei"n, (e(!ers of the .ath sect acF-ired -nprecedented /ealth and po/er in his kin"do(, and their n-(!ers s/elled 519&2, 1&&6. :hat so(e at ti(es a!-sed their privile"ed position, ind-l"in" in l-=-ry and sens-ality, is history. :he story of ho/ the British atte(pted to di(inish .ath infl-ence in )odhp-r, even as the ,ahara1a8s o/n !ehavior ?2@B 2istorical st-dies disc-ss /orldly parts played !y (any reno-ncer sects, incl-din" .athsD these incl-de active participations in trade, politics, and diplo(acy as /ell as (ilitary vent-res 5Bayly 19@#, 1@#I@%D Ghosh 19#$D >arkar n.d.D >in"h 19#&, 2#I2A6. < AC < !eca(e (ore yo"i4like, is not the tale 9 have to tell here.?29B Met ,an >in"h8s case de(onstrates that the "ap !et/een story and history is not so "reat as it (ay appear to ;estern readers of ,adh- .ath8s tales. :he last fe/ lines of ,adh-8s perfor(ance of Gopi Chand incl-de so(e a-spicio-s predictions for the follo/ers of )alindar .ath 5as opposed to those of Janni Pav1i /ho have !een de"raded to no(adic snake4char(ers6. Gne of these predictions is: 3;hen ar(ies die then /e (ake the kin" a disciple and !rin" his ar(y !ack to life. ;e !rin" it !ack to life, and (ake the kin" a disciple.3 :he history of ,an >in"h8s )odhp-r de(onstrates that yo"is have indeed at ti(es s/ayed the !eliefs and actions of kin"s, and /hen the tale4teller !oasts of his sect8s potential te(poral infl-ence he is not 1-st spinnin" fantasies. B-t let -s !e/are of readin" either story or history one4sidedly. Another lesson fro( ,an >in"h8s rei"n is that yo"is are s-scepti!le to corr-ption, and this co-ld serve as a ca-tionary tale a!o-t the all-rin" /orld of ill-sion to /hich yo"is are not i((-ne 5the the(e occ-rs too in Gopi Chand part A6. ;ith the acc-(-lation of /ealth and property co(e /orries over inheritance7increasin" the te(ptation to a!andon celi!acy, !e"et a linea"e, and ret-rn, even if only partially, to a ho-seholder8s e=istence.?#$B 2orace 0ose co(plains in his disc-ssion of )o"i divisions and s-!divisions 5in an ethno"raphic s-rvey of P-n1a! and the north/estern provinces co(piled at the end of the nineteenth cent-ry6 that 3:ho-"h professin" )o"is are for!idden to (arry, (any of the( do so, and it is i(possi!le to disentan"le the 1o"is /ho a!andon celi!acy fro( those /ho do not profess it at all and for( a caste3 50ose 191A, A1$6. 0ose, as a s-rveyor /ho (-st prod-ce a neat alpha!etically or"anized "lossary of castes /ithin his appointed re"ion, is evidently peevish over these !l-rred cate"ories. B-t his fail-re to 3disentan"le3 yo"is /ho for( a caste fro( reno-ncers /ho have a!andoned celi!acy hi"hli"hts one of the perpet-ally shiftin" !o-ndaries !et/een ho-seholdin" and ren-nciation.

?29B At one point a British officer, H-dlo/, o!served that 3the ,ahara1a /o-ld have passed any/here for a 8reli"io-s (endicant83 5>in"h 19&#, @2I@#6. >ee +. Gold 1992 for a f-ll disc-ssion of this revealin" dra(a of c-lt-ral confrontations. ?#$B 'or processes of 3sedentarization3 a(on" a%anandi (onks of Ayodhya see van der Keer 19@@, 12CI#$. < A& <

Nath &atis
Naga .aths as reno-ncers are celi!ate ascetics /hose traditions (-st !e passed on thro-"h recr-it(ent and "-r-4disciple trans(ission. :heoretically, s-ch associations have nothin" to do /ith !ati , or !irth4 "iven caste stat-s, !-t only /ith separate h-(an !ein"s8 decisions to follo/ a partic-lar path to divinity. 9n considerin" the distinction !et/een ho-seholder and reno-ncer, ho/ever, it sho-ld also !e kept in (ind, as recent st-dies !y B-r"hart and van der Keer have a(ply de(onstrated, that there are (any kinds of reno-ncers, (any de"rees of asceticis(, and (any transitions, !oth "ross and s-!tle, !et/een those de"rees 5B-r"hart 19@#a, 19@#!D van der Keer 19@@6. 'or e=a(ple, it is not -n-s-al for a reno-ncer to keep a (istress and s-!seF-ently appoint his nat-ral child !y her to !e his chief disciple and s-ccessor.?#1B 2o/ did castes of (arried yo"is co(e to e=istE 3A!andon(ent of celi!acy3 is certainly one co((on e=planation.?#2B 0eno-ncer .aths, /ho (ay re"ard ho-seholder "ro-ps /ith a certain a(o-nt of disdain, tend to for(-late the transfor(ation e=plicitly as a process of de"radation. 2o-seholder .aths are fallen ascetics /hose ancestors co-ld not resist the !landish(ents of /o(en and do(estic life. As one reno-ncer /ith /ho( /e spoke e=pressed it, 32o-seholder life is like honey, it attracts flies.3 0isley provides several ori"in stories of )-"i castes in Ben"al, all of /hich reinforce the proposition that these "ro-ps /ere en"endered !y a fall fro( ascetic perfection. 9n these stories the fall is attri!-ted to sed-ction of the yo"is !y irresisti!le fe(ales. 9n one instance the caste is the prod-ct of the -nion of for(er ascetics /ith /ido/s of the (erchant casteD in another yoginis 5fe(ale yo"is6 te(pt siddhas 5perfected (ale yo"is6 and their interco-rse res-lts in the ancestors of the caste 50isley 1@91, #%%I%@6. Gorakh .ath is, accordin" to Ben"ali le"end, the only one of five ori"inal .aths to resist the attractiveness of /o(en and all that they ?#1B Jo(al Jothari reports "ro-ps of ho-seholder .aths in /estern 0a1asthan /ho call their children (helas or 3disciples3 7a nice t/ist on the kinship (etaphor that do(inates the non"enetic "-r-4 disciple relationship 5personal co((-nication 19@@6. ?#2B >ee, ho/ever, Ka-deville /ho ar"-es that 3(arried3)o"is are not necessarily fallen ascetics !eca-se .athis( itself is 3a kind of anti4Brah(anical, half4B-ddhistic creed3 5Ka-deville 19&A, @&6, !y /hich she i(plies, as did (any ho-seholder .aths, that asceticis( is no prereF-isite for the spirit-al achieve(ents to /hich .aths aspire. < A@ < represent and offer 5>en 19C$, A%6. As /e have already noted, in ,adh-8s tales, Gorakh8s o/n "-r-, ,achhindar .ath, !eco(es a not4so4-n/illin" 3victi(3 of Ben"ali F-eens7an episode appearin" in (ost .ath traditions and pop-larized in theater and ro(antic literat-re. 9t is only /ith "reat diffic-lty that Gorakh is a!le to pry ,achhindar a/ay fro( his ho-seholder8s life. Gf co-rse, (ytholo"ical

e=planations that shift the !la(e fro( (ale /eakness to fe(ale all-re offer a rationalization that (ay appeal to the (ale !ards /ho -s-ally perfor( and trans(it caste ori"in stories. :he ancient 2ind- pil"ri(a"e center of P-shkar, located in A1(er district, 0a1asthan, has tho-sands of te(ples, (any of /hich are associated /ith a partic-lar caste and provide "-estroo(s and priestly services for pil"ri(s of that caste. 2ere, the .ath sa%praday and the .ath !ati have separate acco((odations. 0eno-ncers do not patronize the ho-seholders8 te(ple, nor do ho-seholders nor(ally visit the reno-ncers8 location. 9n )an-ary 19@@, 1-st follo/in" o-r e=tensive conversations /ith .aths fro( (any villa"es /ho had asse(!led in Ghatiyali for the three4day f-neral feast in +ece(!er, +aniel Gold and 9 intervie/ed ho-seholders and reno-ncers, resident priests and /ayfarers at !oth these P-shkar te(ples. ;e also visited a retreat of naga .aths on the o-tskirts of P-shkar.?##B +espite the preli(inary nat-re of this ro-nd of field/ork, /e /ere a!le to note certain consistent patterns in responses to o-r inF-iries a!o-t the differences !et/een grihasthi and naga .aths. Naga .aths often vehe(ently e=pressed a conviction that there e=isted a /orld of difference !et/een the( and grihasthi .aths. Gne of the( for(-lated this distinction in a terse !-t ill-(inatin" fashion. 2e said that for hi( and his fello/ reno-ncers everythin" is interior and 3hidden3 or 3secret3 5gupt 6 /hereas ho-seholders need e=ternal props. 30eno-ncers don8t have to sin" hy(ns or hold kno/led"e talks,3 he asserted. 3:hey can 1-st !e %ast 5carefree, into=icated6: eat, drink, sleep.3 :his is consistent /ith the i(pression "iven in ,adh- .ath8s tales that !ein" an ordinary 5non4(iracle4/orkin"6 yo"i doesn8t call for any partic-lar aptit-de. 'olklore and classical satire on reno-ncers often 1-d"e their e=ter4 ?##B Gn this trip o-r ti(e /as li(ited. ;e considered these intervie/s preli(inaries to a f-t-re depth st-dy of 0a1asthani .aths !-t learned a lot fro( the (any persons /ho kindly a"reed to talk /ith -s. < A9 < nal trappin"s 5ashes, !eads, (-ttered prayers, and so forth6 to !e the hollo/ insi"nia of professional hypocrites. Accordin" to ascetics, ho/ever, ho-seholders are the ones /hose reli"io-s post-res !elie their /orldly concerns. Ascetics insisted that ho-seholders (-st perpet-ally, and !y and lar"e f-tilely, str-""le to control their !odies and (inds in order to dra/ their attention a/ay fro( the ever4pressin" and sed-ctive concerns of the /orld of fl-=. 0eno-ncers have none of these concerns and th-s rela=. 2o-seholder .aths e=pressed their o/n stron" convictions that livin" in the /orld offers no i(pedi(ent to spirit-al achieve(ent. Gne of the(, for e=a(ple, told (e that there is a!sol-tely no difference !et/een death rites for (arried (e(!ers of the .ath caste and naga .aths.?#AB 2e clai(ed that the -se of 3Gayatri (antras3 at these rites7po/erf-l spells kno/n to sect "-r-s7ens-res the hi"hest 2ind- ai( of li!eration 5%o&sa 6 and that one8s /orldly condition, /hether ho-seholder or reno-ncer, is of no acco-nt.?#%B :hat this speaker took death rites as the critical con1-nction of reno-ncers and ho-seholders is no accident. :heir death rites are the (ost distinctive feat-re of the .ath caste, settin" the( apart fro( other 2ind- villa"ers.?#CB .aths !-ry their dead near their ho(es, rather than cre(atin" the( o-tside the villa"e as is the c-sto( for other 2ind- castes. ,oreover, the place of !-rial, altho-"h -n(arked !y (ore than a pile of stones, is referred to as a sa%adhi 7a ter( -s-ally reserved for (on-(ents (e(orializin" the final restin" place of po/erf-l /orld4reno-ncers. ,adh-8s caste calls itself .ath, and all its (e(!ers take the s-rna(e .ath, /hile other villa"ers -se .ath as a ter( of reference for the(. 9n the tales of Gopi Chand and Bharthari, ho/ever, altho-"h .ath occ-rs as a s-rna(e for reno-ncers, it is -sed less often as a "eneral ter( of address or reference for

people. 0ather !ogi and the inter4 ?#AB >andra Jin" ,-lholland /ho has done e=tensive field/ork a(on" .ath ascetics in Uttar Pradesh co((ents that 3not all ascetic .aths ind-l"e3 in spells and rit-als 5personal co((-nication 199$6. ?#%B :he Gayatri (antras spoken of !y (e(!ers of the .ath caste and sect are a set of po/erf-l secret spells -sed partic-larly in death rit-als. :hey sho-ld not !e conf-sed /ith the >anskrit prayer recited each day !y orthodo= Brah(ans. Accordin" to the ho-seholder .aths /e intervie/ed in Ghatiyali, there are t/enty4fo-r Gayatri (antras and so(eone /ho kne/ the( all co-ld !rin" the dead to lifeD !-t no one today possesses that kno/led"e. ?#CB >ee Gold 19@@, 99I1$%, for (ore a!o-t .ath death cere(onies. < %$ <

C. G"ar .ath1i, a naga .ath and ,adh- .ath8s paternal co-sin, at the "rave site 5sa%adhi 6 of .ath-8s (other d-rin" her f-neral rites. < %1 < chan"ea!le !ogi are constantly e(ployed. ;hen 3.ath3 is -sed to address an ordinary yo"i it occ-rs si"nificantly in sit-ations of e=a""erated politeness7those in /hich the addresser co(pli(ents the yo"i as appearin" 3princely3 and 3esta!lished.3 Besides !ein" -sed as a s-rna(e, .ath so(eti(es occ-rs in the te=ts in reference to Hord >hiva, the 3tr-e .ath.3 Pre4independence cens-s data and vario-s ethno"raphic s-rveys -s-ally do not present .ath as a caste na(e. .ineteenth4cent-ry British so-rces report castes called )o"i 5or )-"i6 in Ben"al 50isley 1@916, 0a1p-tana 5Cens-s of 9ndia 19216, and the P-n1a! and .orth;est 'rontier Province 50ose 191A6. A 2indi cens-s fro( 0a1asthan, ho/ever, lists .aths as one of si= s-!"ro-ps -nder the !roader headin" of )o"is 5,ar/ar Cens-s n.d.6. Co((onplace thro-"ho-t 9ndian history is the (anip-lation of stat-s !y castes thro-"h na(e chan"es, a(on" other strate"ies. >everal of the nineteenth4cent-ry so-rces attri!-te lo/ rank and !ad rep-tation to )o"is 50isley 1@91D 0ose 191A6. 9n "eneral, their i(a"e appears to !e stron"ly associated /ith /anderin" (instrel4!e""ars, fallen ascetics, or lo/4stat-s /eavers. :he ter( .ath clearly carries fe/er of these pe1orative associations. 9t is -nderstanda!ly preferred !y the present4day .aths of 0a1asthan, (any of /ho( are prospero-s far(ers and serve as Brah(an4like priests in te(ples patronized !y clean castes. :he c-rrent preference for .ath as a caste na(e in 0a1asthan, then, represents a (ove to/ard "reater respecta!ility consonant /ith an i(proved econo(ic condition. 9f today8s 0a1asthani .aths are dissociatin" the(selves fro( the ne"ative i(a"es of !e""in" !ogis , they are in no /ay interested in -nlinkin" their identity fro( the po/erf-l yo"i "-r-s /ho( they accept as fo-ndin" ancestors. ,adh- and all of his caste fello/s /ith /ho( 9 spoke have a clear pride in this special identity, one e=plicitly e(er"in" fro( the sa(e roots as the .ath sect, altho-"h no/ distinct fro( it. ,oreover, the traditional part .aths play in villa"e society is !ased on their credentials as spell4/ieldin" (a"icians7credentials rooted in their descent fro( yo"is. Accordin" to people /ith /ho( /e talked 59 cannot doc-(ent this6, several h-ndred years a"o local tha&urs or landlord4r-lers invited fa(ilies of .aths to live in their villa"es and "ave the( land "rants in e=chan"e for their (a"ical services. .aths possess ver!al spells to avert pla"-es of loc-sts and

hailstones /henever they (i"ht threaten the villa"e crops. As this po/er /as e=plained to (e, it consisted not in < %2 < (akin" these pla"-es disappear !-t in sendin" the( do/n the road a /ay. :herefore, it is not s-rprisin" that any villa"e r-ler /ho co-ld afford the land "rant (i"ht !e interested in havin" a fa(ily or t/o of .aths settle /ithin his do(inion. :he te=t of Gopi Chand contains, as /e shall see, the 3(ythic charter3 for .aths8 po/er over loc-sts and their ri"ht to eat /ell as a res-lt of this po/er. Gorakh .ath co((ands seven species of loc-sts to o!ey yo"is of !oth se=es: 3Brothers, /hen yo"is tell yo- "o, then "o. And (aintain the honor of ro!e4 /earers. 2elp the( to earn their livin"s.... And keep their sto(achs f-ll of !read.3 By the 19@$s /hen 9 first (et the(, Ghatiyali8s .aths /ere la(entin" the loss of their stat-s as loc-st4re(overs o/in" to the "overn(ent8s s-ccessf-l -se of pesticides to eradicate this perpet-al a"ric-lt-ral hazard, Met, so(e .aths still clai( a po/er over hailstones and dro-"ht, and several .ath /o(en /ho( 9 kne/ possessed effective spells to re(ove the pain and ill effects of scorpion stin"s.?#&B ,oreover, in Ghatiyali .aths are hereditary priests at t/o of the three shrines (ost closely associated /ith the physical /ell4!ein" of the villa"e and its livestock 5Gold 19@@, AAI%@6. 9t is still in their interests to (aintain their special identity even tho-"h they no/ derive (ost of their inco(e fro( a"ric-lt-re. ,any are ed-catin" at least one of their sons for /hite4collar professions, and /hether the part of resident (a"icians /ill contin-e to appeal to the( re(ains to !e seen. 9t sho-ld !y no/ !e evident that, altho-"h the .ath !ati and the .ath sect have separate te(ples and their (e(!ers (ay e=press stron" opinions concernin" their nonidentification /ith one another, in other /ays they are closely associated, and at ti(es they (er"e. ,e(!ers of the .ath caste often !eco(e ho-seholder initiates into sects led !y .ath reno-ncers, and participate in sect rit-als, altho-"h these (ay !e perfor(ed -nder the direction of a reno-ncer4"-r-. >-ch participation can !e a po/erf-l force in the lives of ho-seholders. Gne /ay the .ath sect recr-its (e(!ers is thro-"h the offerin" of children !y devotees /ho have received favor, and ho-seholder .aths are perhaps (ore disposed than other castes to offer their children -p in this fashion to !eco(e .ath reno-ncers. 9n ,adh-8s case 5chapter 16 ?#&B :he efficacy of these spells is not si(ply in their /ords !-t (-st !e c-ltivated !y the person /ho /ields the( thro-"h an initial period of constant repetition acco(panied !y ascetic self4discipline. < %# < /e see another intersection: a yo-n" (e(!er of the .ath caste is "iven an initiation appropriate to a reno-ncer yet contin-es on a ho-seholder8s life co-rse. Altho-"h caste ori"in (yths and the co((ents of (any livin" reno-ncers e=plicitly posit h-(an frailty and (oral de!ase(ent at the root of ho-seholder .aths8 e=istence, the .ath !ati 8s lore that co(prises this !ook sy(pathizes intensely /ith those attracted to /orldly life.?#@B ,oreover, it perpet-ally vacillates in its eval-ation of that attractiveness, /hich derives fro( (-ch (ore than si(ple ani(al se=-ality. +o(estic love, and the ever po/erf-l 2ind- ideal of contin-ity in the (ale line, are val-es that the .ath caste8s lore treats /ith respect. Pin"ala8s la(ent, ackno/led"ed as one of the (ost po/erf-l scenes in Jin" Bharthari8s tale, has a (oral force not easily ref-ted. :he teachin"s of the .ath sect are !est kno/n not thro-"h reli"io-s te=ts !-t thro-"h their stories. And p-rveyors of those stories, all over 9ndia, are often (e(!ers of .ath or yo"i castes. ;hat (akes this

lore distinctive is that it is a!o-t reno-ncers !-t plays lar"ely to ho-seholders. :h-s the contin-ities esta!lished in the precedin" disc-ssion of sect and caste /ill contin-e to infor( o-r investi"ation of .ath oral traditions. ?#@B ;ho first told the stories of .ath yo"is to /ho( is a tantalizin" !-t -nans/era!le F-estion. A cross4referencin" of ho-seholders8 and reno-ncers8 val-es is, 9 !elieve, at the core of these traditions. < %A <

Cha.ter Three Naths in &ol3lore and the &ol3lore of the Naths

:he fi"-re of the ascetic or /orld4reno-ncer is a re(arka!ly pervasive and persistent one in 9ndian literat-re, spannin" re"ions, lan"-a"es, cent-ries, and "enres. ;anderin" holy (en 7 /hether "en-ine selfless saints, po(po-s and self4i(portant platit-de4spo-tin" preachers, or fra-d-lent self4servin" rascals 7 are stock fi"-res in classical >anskrit theater, si(ple vernac-lar tales, and oral epics. ,oreover, (odern 9ndian fiction sho/s a re(arka!le fascination /ith s-ch characters and often skillf-lly pro!es the psycholo"ical a(!i"-ities and individ-al F-irks that (ay -nderlie -nke(pt hair and ochre ro!es.?1B A(on" the lar"e n-(!ers of ascetics in narrative literat-re, .ath yo"is co(prise a (inor s-!cate"ory. At first "lance, .aths are e=e(plary of a certain fairly ho(o"eneo-s type: the (aster of sho/y 3s-pernat-ral3 po/ers. 9f these po/ers are accepted as "en-ine, then the yo"i is an a/eso(e and "odlike !ein" /ith control over the pheno(enal /orld. 9f they are sho/n as pretense, then the yo"i is p-re sha( and his other/orldly scorn for convention is readily constr-ed as a perfect or"y of self4 ind-l"ence.?2B ?1B :he (any fictions involvin" reno-ncers incl-de Gan"-li 19C&D ,arkandaya 19C$, 19C#D .arayan 19@$. 'or an ill-(inatin" disc-ssion of other fictional acco-nts see ,adan 19@&, &2I1$$. ?2B >ie"el 19@&, 191I9C, disc-sses and translates fra"(ents of hilario-s >anskrit satires on ascetics and their practicesD .arayan 19@9 provides perfor(ance conte=t and a-dience e=e"esis for stories of tr-e and false "-r-s. >ee also Bloo(field 192A. < %% < Assess(ents of the parts played !y yo"is in 9ndian folklore have !eco(e (ore sophisticated over ti(e. ;ritin" in 191A, 0ose cites a ,r. Benton /ho declares: 3:he )o"i is a favo-rite character in 2ind-sthani fiction. 2e there appears as a 1olly playf-l character of a si(ple disposition, /ho en1oys the f-llest li!erty and cond-cts hi(self in the (ost eccentric fashion -nder the cloak of reli"ion /itho-t !ein" called in F-estion3 50ose 191A, #@96 A!o-t ninety years later, P!avitel in his history of Ben"ali literat-re sees .ath stories as representin" 3the e=tre(e of non4realistic trends in Ben"ali literat-re.3 2e contin-es: :hey are fr-its of an al(ost -n!o-nded i(a"ination, /ithdra/in" fro( the hard facts of life. .o /onder that in the at(osphere of the 1&th and 1@th cent-ries /hich for (ost inha!itants of the co-ntry /ere a period of the -t(ost poverty, insec-rity and (isery, their attraction "re/, !eca-se it offered an escape fro( the facts of everyday life /hich /ere not at all !ri"ht and pleasant. 5P!avitel 19&C, 1916

>till (ore recently, Gill, /hose endeavor is interpretive and psycholo"ical, disc-sses the P-n1a!i le"end of P-ran Bha"at, in /hich Gorakh .ath plays a (a1or part. 2e finds there that 3the to-ch of the yo"i doesn8t heal !-t inflicts sharper c-ts to open /o-nds3 5Gill 19@C, 1#&6. :hat is, Gill sees the yo"i fi"-re in this /ell4kno/n P-n1a!i le"end as neither 1olly nor escapist !-t rather as e(!odyin" painf-l conflicts inherent in the h-(an condition as constr-ed /ithin a P-n1a!i /orldvie/. *ach of these differently co-ched, differently oriented, and differently (otivated appraisals of yo"is in stories speaks to ,adh- .ath8s 0a1asthani versions of Gopi Chand and Bharthari. 9f /e look for 3li!erty3 and 3eccentricity,3 /e do indeed find a cavalier i(perio-sness a!o-t the yo"i "-r-s. :hey thro/ their /ei"ht aro-nd /ith i(p-nity 5re(e(!er that guru (eans heavy6, and they are heedless of co((on 3(orality,3 /hether it !e honesty, co(passion, or fa(ilial loyalty. As for .ath tales !ein" prod-cts of, or o-tlets for, an efflorescent and even escapist i(a"ination, certainly a (eas-re of deli"ht for ,adh- .ath8s a-dience derives fro( p-re fantasy. An i(perio-s donkey sta(ps its foot and an entire city is s-rro-nded /ith do-!le /alls of copper and !rass. Given the 1o! of "razin" o=en, a yo"i in dis"-ise /aits -ntil his e(ployers leave, then -rinates. ;here the strea( falls l-sh "reen "rasses sprin" -pD he then lo-n"es a!o-t /hile the < %C < ani(als in his char"e "ro/ sleek and fat. :he a-dience revels in these (o(ents, and they do indeed contrast /ith ordinary life. B-t it is Gill8s insi"ht into the yo"i8s fi"-re as a painf-l one that see(s still (ore "er(ane to the 0a1asthani tales of Gopi Chand and Bharthari. Gopi Chand8s s-fferin"s do(inate his storyD N-een Pin"ala8s heart!reak is ackno/led"ed !y all to !e the cli(a= of Bharthari8s tale. :hese stories f-lly ackno/led"e that yo"is not only e=perience pain !-t inflict it. 9ndeed there is far "reater stress on the s-fferin"s of Pin"ala than of BharthariD and Gopi Chand8s personal trials are enor(o-sly (a"nified !y his e(pathy /ith those /ho (o-rn his depart-re.?#B :he po/erf-l .ath does not play e=actly the sa(e part in every story in /hich he appears. +ifferent yo"is have distinct personalities and histories and e=hi!it a(on" the(selves varyin" relationships of alliance and ani(osity. ,oreover, those /ho follo/ the( do so for different reasons in different stories. *ven /ithin ,adh- .ath8s o/n repertoire, repetitive as it is in so(e /ays, the personalities, (otivations, and sensi!ilities of vario-s yo"i fi"-res e(er"e as e=tre(ely varie"ated. Gopi Chand is p-shed into ren-nciation !y his (other and his fateD a vain"lorio-s and -nconte(plative kin", he !eco(es a despondent and po/erless yo"i, !-ffeted a!o-t !y the desi"ns of friends and ene(ies. Bharthari, !y contrast, is decisive !oth as kin" and yo"iD he stands fir( and is even st-!!orn /hereas Gopi Chand repeatedly, helplessly yields. Gopi Chand is readily (oved !y the pers-asions of all his loved onesD Bharthari acts on principle and reveals no e(pathic responses. .either reno-ncer4 kin" displays the kinds of a-thoritative yo"ic co(petence and co((andin" "-r- nat-re that "ive characters s-ch as Gorakh and )alindar .ath their partic-lar a-ras. Gorakh and )alindar are often /orshiped as "ods in te(ples, Gopi Chand and Bharthari only rarely. And even the perfected yo"is do not present a ho(o"eneo-s cate"ory or type: their personalities and predilections are evident. Gorakh, for e=a(ple, is a so(eti(es devio-s trickster !-t )alindar is forthri"ht and forcef-l. >tories that are part of the .aths8 o/n perfor(ance repertoires, ?#B 'rances Pritchett points o-t that the sorro/s of an a!andoned or ne"lected s-fferin" /o(an are pervasive in 9ndian literat-re 5personal co((-nication 199$6. :he .ath tales8 special t/ist is that neither /ar8s "lories nor a co-rtesan8s favors !-t rather a "-r-8s teachin"s and an ascetic life are the ca-se of (ales8 defections.

< %& < like those of Gopi Chand and Bharthari 5as /ell as Gorakh .ath hi(self and G-r- G-"a6,?AB foc-s sF-arely on .ath heroes. :here are (any other tales in (any re"ional traditions /here .aths have peripheral !-t critical roles as advisors or aides to heroes /ho are not the(selves reno-ncers, or /ho !eco(e reno-ncers only te(porarily and for instr-(ental reasons.?%B ;hen yo"is appear in folklore, /orldly ai(s and ren-nciative (odes of !ein" co(!ine and reco(!ine in diverse (otivational confi"-rations. ,ortal love and /orldly a(!ition, "en-ine self4sacrifice and spirit-al F-estin" are not opposed !-t 1-=taposed.?CB 'olklore often capitalizes on a yo"i8s potential to !e se=-ally desira!le and (artially victorio-s. >-ch ele(ents are (-ted, !-t not i(percepti!le, in ,adh-8s Gopi Chand4Bharthari cycle. ,adh-8s tales "ive precedence to e(otions rather than se=-ality, to fa(ilial responsi!ilities rather than royal or (ilitary d-ties. 9n co((on /ith (ost pop-lar traditions, these tales too reveal the a(!i"-ities that s-rro-nd any atte(pt !y h-(an characters to free the(selves fro( /orldly entan"le(ents.

4harthari and Go.i Chand

9 t-rn no/ to a closer e=a(ination of the partic-lar ori"ins of Bharthari and Gopi Chand. 'or ,adh.ath, !oth tales are part of a -nified, inte"rated repertoire. :he t/o are linked not only in the si(ilar patterns of their stories7!oth are kin"s /ho t-rn yo"i7!-t "enealo"ically, as sister8s son to (other8s !rother 5see fi"-re 16. 9ndeed the !an%patri of Bharthari reports the !irth not only of Bharthari !-t also ?AB G-r- G-"a8s life story is little kno/n in ,adh- .ath8s area of 0a1asthan !-t is fo-nd else/here in that state as /ell as in Uttar Pradesh and P-n1a! 5Jothari 19@9D Hapoint 19&@D :e(ple 1@@A, 1: 121I 2$9, #:2C1I#$$6. ?%B 'or e=a(ple, in the 0a1asthani Pa!-1i epic one character, 2ar(al, t-rns yo"i in order to co(plete a dan"ero-s 1o-rney and another, 0-pnath, is raised as a reno-ncer !-t -ses his po/er to s-pport a !attle for fa(ily ven"eance 5>(ith 19@C, 1991D Black!-rn et al., eds. 19@9, 2A$IA#6. 9n the P-n1a!i 2ir4 0an1ha tale 5>hah 19&CD >/ynnerton 19$#, #IC&D :e(ple 1@@A, 2:%$&I@$6 and in the !allad of ,al-shahi and 0a1-la fro( 2i(alayan J-(a-n 5,eissner 19@%6, fr-strated lovers !eco(e yo"is in reaction to the hopelessness of their ro(antic F-ests !-t also in order to f-rther these F-ests. ?CB Kan B-itenen8s classic essay on the Kidyadhara hero in >anskrit stories 519%96 (ade this pointD see Hynch 199$ for so(e refor(-lations. >ee also Jolff 19@& for a very interestin" and co(prehensive disc-ssion of te(porary ren-nciation as an i(portant aspect of the 0a1p-t /arrior8s identity. < %@ < of ,anavati, Gopi Chand8s (otherD and the end of Gopi Chand8s tale finds hi( splittin" the fr-it of i((ortality /ith his -ncle. :his link !et/een the t/o reno-ncer4kin"s is posited not only in ,adh.ath8s stories !-t thro-"ho-t (ost of pop-lar .ath lore. :he t/o are fa(iliarly referred to as a -nit: %a%a/bhanne! or 3(other8s !rother4sister8s son.3 'or ,adh- and his a-dience, the stories of Bharthari and Gopi Chand, perfor(ed in a fa(iliar dialect, !elon" to local lore. ,y ori"inal approach to interpretin" these tales /as a parochial one: 9 /anted to -nderstand their (eanin"s for Ghatiyalians. B-t even that li(ited endeavor necessitated !roadenin" (y horizons. 'or e=a(ple, Gopi Chand8s tale is lar"ely concerned /ith one or (ore lands called Ben"al. :r-e, the /o(en of ,adh- .ath8s Ben"al dress in the red and yello/ /raps characteristic of 0a1asthani

/o(en 5rather than less "arish Ben"ali saris6 and knead and roll o-t /heat !read 5rather than !oilin" rice6. .onetheless, Gopi Chand8s 1o-rney to Ben"al is very (-ch a 1o-rney into fa!led and re(ote territory. Bharthari8s entire story is also located else/here7in ,alva, a fairy4tale kin"do( to 0a1asthanis. 9n this respect the stories of Bharthari and Gopi Chand differ strikin"ly fro( epic tales of re"ional hero4"ods that take place in a fa(iliar landscape. 9t /as possi!le for (e in 19@$ to spend several /eeks 1o-rneyin" thro-"h a storied co-ntryside /here the "od +ev .arayan8s life history /as "eophysically e(!odied. A sli"htly indented rock /as reverently identified as the hoofprint of +ev .arayan8s (a"ic (are, HilaD a si(ple stone /ell /as kno/n as the divine /arrior8s !athin" place and th-s a so-rce of healin" (-d and /aterD a ro/ of slanted stones !o/ed as +ev1i passed !yD a (odest hilltop pool (arked his (irac-lo-s !irthsite.?&B >-ch i((inence is not availa!le for Bharthari and Gopi Chand. *vents precedin" their ren-nciation are not indi"eno-s and th-s not enshrined. 9 have, ho/ever, visited a n-(!er of sylvan shrines dedicated to >hiva in A1(er and Bhil/ara districts, near ,adh- .ath8s ho(e, feat-rin" caves /here Bharthari and Gopi Chand are said to have (editated to"ether, or spots /here their tapas is (e(orialized !y divine footprints or !y a dhuni or ca(pfire shrine /ith yo"is8 ton"s.?@B ?&B 'or +ev .arayan as /orshiped in Ghatiyali and environs see Gold 19@@, 1%AI@CD for a s-((ary of his epic tale see Black!-rn et al., eds. 19@9. ?@B >-ch shrines to yo"i "-r-s are of co-rse fo-nd in (any other parts of 9ndia as /ell. < %9 <

&. Bharthari Ba!a8s divine footprints 5pagalya 6 at a shrine near a /ell 5its en"ine4driven p-(p is visi!le6 in a field !elon"in" to a naga .ath co((-nity in :hanvala, .a"a-r district, 0a1asthan. .ath stories and the characters /ho inha!it the( have lives of their o/n that reach !eyond /hat is availa!le in a sin"le tellin" or a sin"le !ard8s kno/led"e. ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ances for (e are (o(ents in a lon" history. :he on"oin" process of trans(ission and diff-sion thro-"h ti(e and space !rin"s a!o-t co-ntless per(-tations. 2ere, 9 shall very !riefly consider so(e of these per(-tations in order to ill-(inate the -niF-e perfor(ances that are (y s-!1ect. ,y intention is !y no (eans to present an e=ha-stive inventory of e=tant versions !-t rather to hi"hli"ht interestin" trends in the co(ple= history of an oral tradition.?9B 9 hope there!y to convey the /ays that ?9B :he research for this chapter led (e across (ore than one re"ional and lin"-istic !o-ndary. 9n the case of Bharthari, it also led fro( vernac-lar oral tales !ack to >anskrit te=ts. 'or >anskrit, P-n1a!i, and Ben"ali 9 depended on translations, or *n"lish s-((ariesD the co(parisons 9 offer here are necessarily circ-(scri!ed !y these lin"-istic constraints. 9 fo-nd references to versions of Gopi Chand8s tale in Griya, in ,arathi, and in >o-th 9ndian lan"-a"es 5Cho/dh-ry 19C&, 1@CI@&D >en 19%A, &#I&AD >en 19&A, C@67none of /hich 9 disc-ss here. < C$ < one perfor(er8s version of an oral tale e(er"es fro( (-ltiple strea(s of tradition and yet has a coherence and /ei"ht of its o/n.

Beca-se of their evident ori"ins in different places, pro!a!ly on different sides of .orth 9ndia, 9 shall treat the t/o tales of Bharthari and Gopi Chand discretely. :he iss-e of /hen, /here, and ho/ they ca(e to intersect and partially f-se7so(e/here in the (iddle of .orth 9ndia7is a (ystery -pon /hich little li"ht can !e shedD that -nion appears to date !ack at least several cent-ries. Altho-"h in ter(s of the !ard8s repertoire, Gopi Chand is the favored perfor(ance, chronolo"ically and concept-ally Bharthari precedes it. 'or /hen Gopi Chand, advised !y his (other to reno-nce the /orld, de(ands to kno/ /hat kin" had ever !een fool eno-"h to !eco(e a yo"i, his (other is a!le to cite her !rother, Bharthari, as a role (odel. :herefore, altho-"h -ntil no/ 9 have "iven precedence to Gopi Chand for several reasons 5it /as first in (y heart and (y st-dies, and first in the favor of ,adh.ath8s a-dience6, here 9 shall !e"in /ith Bharthari.

4harthari
:radition identifies Jin" Bharthari as the for(er r-ler of the real city of U11ain, located in /hat is today ,adhya Pradesh. U11ain and its s-rro-ndin"s7an area that 0a1asthani villa"ers even today call !y its traditional na(e of ,alva7is a freF-ent point of reference in local lore. +hara .a"ar, another na(e for U11ain, is often the kin"do( inha!ited !y any kin" /ho appears in 0a1asthani /o(en8s /orship stories. Bharthari8s !irth story, as told !y ,adh-, incl-des the fo-ndin" of +hara .a"ar, !y the "race of .ath "-r-s and the acts of a ha-"hty donkey /ho is Bharthari8s pro"enitor, Gandaraph >yan,?1$B c-rsed !y his father to enter a donkey /o(!. Bharthari, the le"endary kin" of U11ain /ho t-rns .ath yo"i, is "enerally considered to !e identical /ith the >anskrit poet Bhartrihari, reno/ned for three sets of eloF-ent verse on /orldly life, erotic passion, and ren-nciation.?11B :he le"ends s-rro-ndin" the poet Bhartrihari ?1$B As .ath- transcri!ed ,adh-8s pron-nciation, this prince8s na(e is so(eti(es Gandarap and so(eti(es Gandaraph , so(eti(es Syan and so(eti(es Sen . 9 re"-larize this. ?11B ;hereas !ooks a!o-t the >anskrit poet often refer to the le"endary kin", the le"ends of Bharthari rarely refer to the >anskrit poet7an e=ception !ein" +-""al8s retellin" 5+-""al 19&96. ,iller, /ho "ives -s so(e !ea-tif-l translations of Bhartrihari8s poe(s, notes, 39n spite of the le"end, the content of the verses s-""ests that the a-thor ... /as not a kin", !-t a co-rtier4poet in the service of a kin"3 5,iller 19C&, =vii6. Bhartrihari the poet (ay !e the sa(e as Bhartrihari the >anskrit "ra((arian, a-thor of a fa(o-s treatise, the 1a&yapadiya . Co/ard 19&C and 9yer 19C9, 1$I1%, !oth favor this identificationD ,iller 19C& is (ore skeptical. < C1 < identify hi(, as ,adh- identifies his Bharthari, as the elder !rother of the 2ind- (onarch, Kikra(adityaD Bharthari8s decision to reno-nce the /orld !rin"s Kikra(aditya to the throne. :he na(e of Kikra( is associated /ith a fi=ed point, %@I%& B.C. , fro( /hich one (a1or syste( of 2ind- datin", the Kikra(a era, !e"ins. 2o/ever, Jin" Kikra(aditya8s stat-s as a historical persona"e is also open to do-!t.?12B :he tale of Bhartrihari8s ren-nciation takes -p !-t a fe/ pa"es in the cycle of >anskrit stories s-rro-ndin" Kikra(aditya. :hese have !een translated and retold in *n"lish and are often s-((arized in introd-ctions to collections of the >anskrit poet8s /ork.?1#B :he plot involves a circ-lar chain of deception that /ill inevita!ly recall to ;estern readers the 'rench farce and opera plot evoked !y the title #a onde . A Brah(an, as a re/ard for his intense a-sterities, receives the fr-it of i((ortality fro( GodD he

presents this prize to Jin" Bhartrihari, /ho "ives it to his adored /ife, Pin"ala.?1AB >he, ho/ever, passes it on to her para(o-r, and he to a prostit-te /ho offers it once (ore to the kin". 2avin" e=tracted the tr-th fro( each link in this chain, and st-nned not only !y his F-een8s perfidy !-t !y the "enerally fickle /ays of the /orld, Bhartrihari decides then and there to p-rs-e a (ore sta!le reality, t-rnin" the r-le of his kin"do( over to Kikra(aditya.?1%B ,adh- .ath8s version of Bharthari8s story does not incl-de any ?12B 'or the historicity of Jin" Kikra(aditya see *d"erton 192CD >ircar 19C9. ?1#B >ee *d"erton 192C for translations fro( the >anskritD see also Bhoothalin"a( 19@2 /ho adapted a :a(il version of the >anskrit for yo-n" readers in *n"lish. 'or an ela!orate, e(!ellished retellin" in 2indi see Kaidya 19@A, &I2A. Kersions of the story are also referred to in ,iller 19C&D Jale 19&1D ;ortha( 1@@C. ?1AB As a /o(an8s na(e, Pingala is rare. :he SK lists a variant, Pingala as a na(e of the "oddess Haksh(i as /ell as the na(e of Bhartrihari8s /ife. 9ts pri(ary (eanin", ho/ever, is one of three (ain, s-!tle channels in the h-(an !ody descri!ed !y yo"ic physiolo"y. ?1%B >o(e ela!orations on the story have Bhartrihari first e=ilin" Kikra(aditya after the de!a-ched F-een acc-ses hi( of assa-ltin" her honor in order to cover -p her real indiscretion. :hen Bhartrihari (-st recall Kikra(aditya and e=onerate hi( !efore follo/in" the "-r- Gorakh .ath to a reno-ncer8s life 5+-""al 19&96. < C2 < reference to tins circle of illicit connections. Pin"ala here is an i(pecca!ly tr-e /ife. 0ather than /o(an8s infidelity, the pre(ise of ,adh- .ath8s tale is that even the (ost faithf-l /o(an is part of the ill-sory nat-re of the -niverse and th-s not /orth lovin". )ackson in a note on the lore s-rro-ndin" Bharthari8s Cave7a fa(o-s shrine in U11ain7and 0ose in his ethno"raphic s-rvey of the .ortheast !oth relate stories si(ilar to ,adh- .ath8s in /hich Pin"ala is tr-e 5)ackson 19$2D 0ose 191A6. Gray translates a fifteenth4cent-ry >anskrit play, the Bhartrharinirveda of 2arihara, that also has a plot very si(ilar to the 0a1asthani folk tellin" 5Gray 19$A6. 2o/ever, to (y kno/led"e all the pop-lar p-!lished dra(as and folk ro(ances 5&issas 6 ?1CB a!o-t Jin" Bharthari and N-een Pin"ala center on the fr-it of i((ortality and Pin"ala8s deceit 5!-t she -s-ally refor(s in the end6. Altho-"h 9 have called attention to a dra(atic dichoto(y !et/een types of Pin"alas in .ath traditions, let (e note that these strikin" differences (ask an -nderlyin" sy((etry. 9n the end, it is /o(en7tr-e or false, !eloved or despised7/ho( yo"is a!andon. ,adh- .ath8s version act-ally see(s at one (o(ent in the arthav to consider Pin"ala8s fanatic fidelity as yet another dan"ero-s fe(inine /ile. Gorakh .ath i(plies that !y !eco(in" sati Pin"ala /as tryin" to kill her h-s!and. And yet if /e shift perspectives once a"ain, /e (ay vie/ !oth types of Pin"alas as the i(pet-s for Bharthari8s enli"hten(ent, and th-s as val-ed positive forces in these tales of ren-nciation.?1&B Bharthari and Gopi Chand8s relationship7!oth as (aternal -ncle ?1CB 'or pop-lar folk ro(ances !ased on the Kikra( cycle, incl-din" !rief references to Bharthari and the fr-it of i((ortality, and an insi"htf-l disc-ssion of 3/o(en8s /iles3 in this "enre, see Pritchett 19@%, %CI&@. ?1&B ;ith a script that e=plains Bharthari8s infat-ation and Pin"ala8s perfidy thro-"h predestination, one version of the tale act-ally (akes s-ch a collapse nicely lo"ical. +ehlavi8s 2indi play Bharthari Pingala fra(es the fr-it4of4i((ortality circle /ith a "li(pse into Bharthari8s previo-s !irth as one of

Gorakh .ath8s disciples, Bharat .ath. ;hile on an errand for his "-r-, Bharat .ath is distracted !y a !ea-tif-l fairy and sports /ith her in the /oods. :he fairy is p-nished for (is!ehavin" /ith a yo"i !y 9ndra, the kin" of the "ods, /ho forces her to take a h-(an !irth. Bharat .ath is "iven the sa(e sentence !y his "-r-. 9ndra tells the fairy that she /ill deceive her h-s!and and ca-se hi( to reno-nce the /orld, conseF-ently s-fferin" the heavy sorro/ of /ido/hood in her yo-th 5+ehlavi n.d., #26. :o (iti"ate Bharat .ath8s (isery, Gorakh pro(ises his errant disciple that the sa(e !ea-tif-l fe(ale /ho ca-sed his do/nfall /ill !rin" a!o-t his re-nion /ith the "-r- 52C6. 9n this fra(e Pin"ala8s infidelity represents not lack of character !-t a cos(ic plan. Bho1- reports hearin" a very si(ilar version fro( a Brah(an schoolteacher /ho sa/ it perfor(ed in Al/arD that tale tidily (ade Pin"ala8s lover an incarnation of G-r- Gorakh .ath. < C# < and nephe/, and as t/o .aths /ith i((ortal !odies7is (entioned in several versions other than ,adh- .ath8s 5+ehlavi n.d.D +ikshit n.d., 2CA6. 9n 0a1asthani folklore not contained /ithin the epic tales the(selves, Bharthari and Gopi Chand are paired as i((ortal co(panions still /anderin" the earth. :h-s they appear as the a-thors of hy(ns 5bha!ans 6 to the for(less lord 5Gold 19@@, 1G96 and are recalled in prover!s: 3As lon" as sky and earth shall !e Hive Gopi Chand and Bharthari3 5.ab ta& a&ash dharati, tab ta& Gopi Chand Bharthari 6. ,ost of the lon"er versions of Bharthari8s tale (ake so(e reference to his "ainin" an 3i((ortal !ody3 5a%ar &aya 6, !-t none is partic-larly ill-(inatin" a!o-t the nat-re of this i((ortality. ,adh- .ath never refers to i((ortality in tellin" the tale of Bharthari, !-t /hen Gopi Chand receives the !lessin" 5or c-rse6 of i((ortality fro( )alindar .ath, in part A of his separate tale, Bharthari is /ith hi( and shares in the fr-it. +istinctive to ,adh-8s tellin" is a "eneral concern for (-ndane detail: (any descriptions of actions and relationships, /ell -nderstood or easily i(a"ined in villa"e tho-"ht, that do not advance the story line !-t rather sit-ate it in fa(iliar e=perience. :hese incl-de a "atherin" of villa"e elders in ti(e of crisisD the technolo"y of pottersD the ne"otiations of patrons and clientsD the (-t-ality and interdependence of s-!1ects and r-lers. >-ch fa(iliar scenes or sit-ations (ay, (oreover, !e s-ddenly spiced /ith (a"ical occ-rrences or divine intervention: donkeys talk to villa"e elders, a "-r-8s play spoils the caref-lly crafted potsD (essen"ers co(e fro( heaven to strai"hten o-t the kin" and save his s-!1ects. 9t /o-ld see( that ,adh- and his teachers, in adaptin" a traditional tale for villa"e patrons, ela!orate !oth the fa(iliar and the (a"ical to strike a captivatin" !lend. And yet, as /e /ill see, altho-"h Gopi Chand8s story certainly shares so(e stylistic and the(atic F-alities /ith Bharthari8s, it follo/s a different recipe.

Go.i Chand
9n ,adh-8s version as /ell as all others e=cept those ori"inatin" in Ben"al, Gopi Chand is descri!ed as the kin" of3Ga-r3 Ben"al. Ga-r /as an ancient Ben"ali kin"do( that fell to ,-sli( invaders in the thirteenth cent-ry 5>arkar 19A@, @6. Altho-"h there is no evidence pointin" to an association of a historical Gopi Chand /ith the kin"do( of Ga-r, atte(pts have !een (ade to link Gopi Chand /ith vario-s < CA < Ben"ali (onarchs of the Pala or Chandra dynasties 5Grierson 1@&@D ,a1-(dar 19A$6D ho/ever, too (any conflictin" details precl-de any certain confir(ation of these indentifications 5Cho/dh-ry 19C&,

1@CI@&D >en 19%A6. Kersions of Gopi Chand do not divide neatly into t/o types, as versions of Bharthari do accordin" to Pin"ala8s "ood or !ad character. 2o/ever, a n-(!er of (otifs in Ben"ali versions consistently contrast /ith those recorded or /ritten do/n in /estern 9ndia. ?1@B 'or e=a(ple, Gopi Chand8s sister is a si"nificant fi"-re in ,adh- .ath8s tale as /ell as in other tales fro( /estern 9ndia !-t is never (entioned in Ben"ali versions. As the stories are told in P-n1a!, 0a1asthan, and Uttar Pradesh, Gopi Chand (-st "o east to Ben"al to (eet his sister. >he is th-s (arried into a Ben"al that is alien to the Ben"al that Gopi Chand r-les, a do-!lin" of distance and forei"nness. 9 (i"ht spec-late that the 1o-rney to a sister /ho inevita!ly dies of "rief, to !e revived !y )alindar8s (a"ic, accr-es to the non4Ben"ali versions in order to lend a sense of co(pletion or clos-re to the kin"8s ren-nciation. 9n t/o Ben"ali versions, Gopi Chand parts /ith diffic-lty fro( his /ives !-t event-ally "oes !ack to the(D in the /estern 9ndian traditions he leaves the /orld and /o(en for "ood, after partin" fro( his sister. Attach(ent to the sister is, as ,adh-8s ,anavati ,ata fir(ly instr-cts her son at one point, a far (ore serio-s (atter than any !ond to /ives. Hike the visit to the sister, the (otif of Gopi Chand !-ryin" his "-r- in a deep /ell and coverin" hi( -p /ith horse (an-re occ-rs in all !-t the Ben"ali versions. ,oreover, this episode is al(ost al/ays linked, as it is in ,adh-8s tale, /ith the s-!plot of Gorakh .ath8s 1o-rney to Ben"al to resc-e his "-r,achhindar fro( (a"icianF-eens. :hat is, the t/o "-r-s are i"no(inio-sly trapped in t/o different /ays, and their respective disciples co(pete as to /ho /ill resc-e his first. ?19B ?1@B 9 dra/ on Grierson 1@&@ and >ircar n.d. for translations fro( Ben"aliD :e(ple 1@@A translates a P-n1a!i oral dra(aD +ikshit n.d. and Mo"ishvar n.d. respectively provide 2indi prose and dra(a versions. ?19B 9n all versions !-t ,adh- .ath8s that incl-de the "-r-4in4the4/ell (otif, the deliverance of !oth "-r-s 5,achhindar fro( Ben"al and )alindar fro( the /ell6 occ-rs before, not after, Gopi Chand8s initiation. :h-s, )alindar8s (a"ical po/er to !e -p and a!o-t and active in Gopi Chand8s tale, despite !ein" do/n a /ell and !-ried -nder horse d-n" 5/hich /e (-st accept in order to follo/ ,adh-8s plot line6, is -nnecessary in these (ore 3lo"ically3 str-ct-red versions. Perhaps so(e/here en ro-te to 0a1asthan the plot seF-ence /as rearran"ed. < C% < 9 initially tho-"ht that the len"thy episode concernin" those tro-!leso(e fe(ales, the seven lo/4caste lady (a"icians of Ben"al, /as -niF-e to the 0a1asthani Gopi Chand. As so(e of these characters appear in other 0a1asthani folk traditions, this s-r(ise see(ed pla-si!le.?2$B 2o/ever, altho-"h no other versions "ive anythin" near the /ei"ht and the detail that the 0a1asthani does to Gopi Chand8s fe(ale adversaries or place the( as o!stacles !et/een the kin" and his sister, Ben"ali and 2indi te=ts do have Gopi Chand8s pro"ress o!str-cted !y one or (ore lo/!orn, lo/4livin", (a"ic4/ieldin" fe(ales. 9 have ar"-ed else/here that the 0a1asthani version, /hich allo/s !oth kin" and a-dience to develop so (-ch sy(pathy for Gopi Chand8s kins/o(en, especially needs the lady (a"icians to (ake partin" fro( virt-o-s fe(ales less cr-el. :he Ben"ali (a"icians are /o(en the 0a1asthani villa"e a-dience loves to hate 5Gold 19916. Gne ele(ent that all si= versions nota!ly have in co((on is the dyna(ic insti"atin" role played !y Gopi Chand8s (other. 9n all versions Gopi Chand8s (other is a reli"io-s adept7altho-"h her role (ay ran"e fro( i((ortal, /onder4/orkin" (a"ician to dedicated devotee. 9n all versions it is she /ho (akes the fatef-l decision that her son sho-ld !eco(e a yo"i7an idea that /o-ld o!vio-sly never have occ-rred to Gopi Chand of his o/n accord.?21B :h-s, Gopi Chand is propelled to/ard ren-nciation,

1-st as is Bharthari, !y a /o(an. 9n the Ben"ali versions of the tale7/hich /e (ay accept as pro!a!ly closer to an 3ori"inal3 version insofar as they are prod-ced in the hero8s native re"ion7,anavati is a po/erf-l yogini /ho has learned the secret of i((ortality. :his is in accord /ith Ben"al8s rep-tation in the rest of 9ndia as a place of po/erf-l fe(ales.?22B .ever4 ?2$B >ee Bhanavat 19C@ for an episode concernin" Gan"ali :elin, one of the lady (a"icians /ho tor(ents Gopi Chand, in 0a1asthani lore on Jala7Gora Bhair- or 3Black Bhair- and 'air Bhair-.3 ?21B An e=ception 9 enco-ntered as this vol-(e "oes to press is a ne/ report on field/ork a(on" .aths in Bho1p-r 5eastern Uttar Pradesh6D C. Cha(pion descri!es a version of Gopi Chand, 3co(pletely different fro( the Ben"ali3 in /hich his (other, 3confrontin" her son8s decision to !eco(e a reno-ncer tries only to interfere !y invokin" all the ar"-(ents in her possession3 5Cha(pion 19@9, CCD (y translation6. ?22B 'or a disc-ssion of le"ends a!o-t an *astern kin"do( of /o(en see ,cHeod 19C@, 11$I12. *ven travel literat-re of this cent-ry (ay capitalize on s-ch le"ends and their possi!le anthropolo"ical realization. 9n one s-ch acco-nt Bertrand refers to Ben"alis8 fear of 3sorceresses havin" the po/er to chan"e (en into ani(als3 5Bertrand 19%@, 1&#6D see also +vivedi n.d., %#I%A. 9n a co(prehensive s-rvey of /o(en in Ben"ali literat-re, 0o/lands 19#$ disc-sses Gopi Chand8s (other and /ives. < CC < theless, even in Ben"al it is not so easy for a /o(an to !e a "-r-. >ircar8s -np-!lished translation fro( the Ben"ali contains a vivid rendition of this pli"ht of the divinely po/erf-l yet do(estically po/erless /o(an. >he descri!es to her son ho/ her h-s!and, Gopi Chand8s father, preferred death to havin" his /ife as a "-r-: 3Mo- are !-t the /ife of (y ho-se, !-t 9 a( the (aster of that ho-se. 9f 9 accept /isdo( fro( a ho-se/ife 2o/ can 9 call her "-r- and take the d-st off her feetE3 5>ircar n.d., 1#6. ?2#B Chief a(on" the distinctive aspects of ,adh- .ath8s acco-nt are a critical plot feat-re and an attendant e(otional ti(!re. ,adh-8s is the only te=t that e=plains Gopi Chand8s !irth as a loan to his (other 5altho-"h others do ascri!e it to his (other8s devotions or asceticis(s6.?2AB Altho-"h all the versions have Gopi Chand initially resist the idea of reno-ncin" the /orld, ,adh-8s is the only one in /hich Gopi Chand perpet-ally la(ents and sorro/s, callin" on his "-r- like a child at every diffic-lt (o(ent. :hese t/o factors are in constant interplay in ,adh-8s te=t. By portrayin" Gopi Chand as doo(ed to yo"ahood !-t attached to the /orld, !y havin" his feelin"s oppose his destiny, ,adh-8s tale creates a space for resistance and "enerates the h-(an dra(a 5or (elodra(a6 that (ade (e /ish to translate this tale as a co-nterpoint to prevailin" i(a"es of resol-te reno-ncers. 9n other versions it is /o(en /ho display (ost of the e(otionD Gopi Chand passes thro-"h their pleas and reproaches /ith a certain di"nified detach(ent 5(-ch as ,adh-8s Bharthari hears o-t and denies Pin"ala6. B-t ,adh- .ath ela!orates on the kin"8s inner t-r(oil, not only !y ret-rnin" a"ain and a"ain to the rainstor( of tears in his eyes, !-t also !y providin" trains of conscio-sness 5veg 6 or reveries /hen Gopi Chand e=presses his re"ret, despair, and si(ple sha(e. Hike his tellin" of Bharthari8s story, ,adh-8s Gopi Chand tale incorporates so(e fa(iliar details of daily r-ral life: the /ays that !arren /o(en seek divine re(ediesD the /asher/o(an8s ro-nds to ?2#B >ee G8'laherty 19@A, 1CG, 2@$I@1, for a case fro( >anskrit (ytholo"y rather than .ath folklore in /hich a /ise /ife (-st resort to e=tre(e s-!terf-"e in order to act as her h-s!and8s "-r-.

?2AB +avid ;hite 5personal co((-nication 199$6 pointed o-t to (e that the idea of a h-(an life as a loan is a very ancient one in 2ind- tho-"ht. >ee ,ala(o-d for a co(prehensive disc-ssion of 3a theory of de!t as constit-tive of h-(an nat-re3 in >anskrit te=ts 5,ala(o-d 19@9, 11%I#C6. < C& <

@. Gopi Chand8s F-een faints as her h-s!and in yo"i8s "ar! !e"s for al(sD faded cover ill-stration for Balakra( Mo"ishvar8s p-!lished 2indi play of Gopi Chand . < C@ < collect la-ndryD the co(paniona!le fillin" of /ater pots !y "ro-ps of /o(en. B-t, /hile these (-ndane details can see( to do(inate his Bharthari perfor(ance, "eneratin" (ore interest than do the chief characters and their pro!le(s, in Gopi Chand8s story the settin" is al/ays s-!ordinated to character and interpersonal dyna(ics.?2%B 9n ,adh-8s version of Bharthari, (a"ical (o(ents are e(!edded in a realistic tapestry of r-ral life7a life inha!ited !y lar"ely t/odi(ensional characters. 9n his Gopi Chand, events in the /orld float on the s-rface of deeply rever!eratin" internal spaces and hi"hly char"ed interpersonal channels. :hese inner /orlds, (oreover, are not !o-nded. :hat the sa(e !ard can present t/o tales of reno-ncerkin"s so differently s-""ests that the tales the(selves, despite !ein" part of the co((on lore of the .ine .aths, have retained distinctive feat-res of their disparate ori"ins.

"ncou.ling
:aken to"ether ,adh- .ath8s tales of Bharthari and Gopi Chand offer a s-rprisin" variety of i(pressions of and infor(ation a!o-t yo"is, even as they -se stock i(a"es and repeat certain events. A strikin" e=a(ple co(es fro( the al(ost identically fra(ed scenes in the t/o tales /hen the kin" arrives as a yo"i o-tside his /ife8s palace. Both Gopi Chand and Bharthari have tro-!le co((-nicatin" /ith their for(er slave "irls !efore crossin" eno-"h portals to (eet their for(er F-eens. 9ndeed, this is so o!vio-sly the sa(e episode that ,adh- sin"s it for Bharthari in the Gopi Chand t-ne. B-t the act-al enco-nter !et/een h-s!and and /ife is a different story. Gopi Chand8s resol-tion dissolvesD he is tor(ented, /averin", tearf-l, and plaintive. Bharthari stands fir(. .or are the F-eens to !e (er"ed. Pin"ala is a (ore for(ida!le lady than is Pata( +e 0ani, and her la(ent has its o/n F-ality. ;hen she la-nches it, as if to accent-ate this difference, ,adh- .ath s/itches fro( a Gopi Chand t-ne to the characteristic a!a!i (elody of Bharthari. ?2%B 9n a recent insi"htf-l and provocative paper Brenda Beck o!serves in 9ndian folk epics a "eneral stress on 3the /orld of e(otion and inner (ental states,3 and s-""ests that the a-dience appreciates these e(otions not thro-"h direct e=pression !-t thro-"h 3-nderstandin" the str-ct-re of sit-ations in /hich characters find the(selves3 5Beck 19@9, 1%%6. >-ch /o-ld !e tr-e of BharthariD Gopi Chand presents e(otions in -ns-ally forthri"ht fashion. < C9 < :he identities and histories of Bharthari and Gopi Chand appear to rese(!le each other (ore /hen

contrasted /ith the reno-ncerkin" of a related pop-lar tradition. 9n the precedin" chapter 9 disc-ssed so(e (-t-al infl-ences of .ath and >ant traditions in pop-lar 2ind-is(. A(on" the 3"arlands3 of devotees /hose life histories for( an i(portant part of >ant devotional literat-re is 0a1a Pipa 5,cGre"or 19@A, A2D >har(a 19@#, 1@AI@%6. As co-nter!alance to all the variations /e have 1-st o!served in the tales of Bharthari and Gopi Chand, it is instr-ctive to consider Pipa8s career. Hike Gopi Chand, Pipa has several /ives. ;hen he decides to !eco(e a reno-ncer they first try to stop hi( and then !e" to acco(pany hi(. ;here Pipa8s story f-lly diver"es !oth fro( Bharthari8s and Gopi Chand8s is that one of his /ives, >ita, is so devoted and virt-o-s that she s-!(its to the do-!le reF-ire(ent to co(e /itho-t !elon"in"s and naked, and does "o /ith hi(. :o"ether, )ack 2a/ley s-""ests, in a tho-"ht4provokin" analysis, they point to a possi!le chan"e in the social order derivin" fro( bha&ti or devotion. As 2a/ley p-ts it: 3;hat is /anted instead is a ne/ -nderstandin" of /hat one already is, and a "en-inely ne/ society in /hich the roles of ho-se4holder and ren-nciation are not polarized. ... Pipa and >ita for( the n-cle-s of that society.3 :hey re(ain (arried !-t devote their lives to others7a kind of 3(-t-al self4ren-nciation3 52a/ley 19@&, CA6. ;hatever the variety and reli"io-s dedication of their fe(ale characters, .ath tales do not allo/ /o(en to acco(pany (en in ren-nciation. 9ndeed, the (en (-st !e rid of the( at all costs. ;henever a /o(an does !e" to "o alon" 5as do Bharthari8s /ife, Pin"ala, and Gopi Chand8s sister, Cha(pa +e6, she is ad(onished in (any /ays that /o(en have no place in the /anderin" life of a yo"i. Met /o(en in these tales often can and do "o separately, "ainin" po/er as independent !ein"s rather than as co(panions to (ales. 9t is not, therefore, that ,adh-8s tales deny spirit-al pro"ress to /o(enD F-ite the opposite. B-t they do indeed deny spirit-al pro"ress to co-ples. 'ollo/in" 2a/ley8s point, it /o-ld see( that to accept a co-ple8s capacity for spirit-al selflessness (i"ht !e to !reak thro-"h to a redefined social order s-ch as bha&ti proposes. :his /o-ld !e a /orld /here h-(an relationships other than the privile"ed "-r-disciple !ond /ere not so thoro-"hly deval-ed as they are in .ath < &$ < teachin"s. .ath stories do not (ake that leap. 9n the(, proper yo"is are consistently /itho-t interest in society !eyond their en1oy(ent of its cookin". And yet7as /e shall at last find o-t, for the story is a!o-t to !e"in7,adh- .ath8s tales tell -s far (ore a!o-t the pro!le(s and pleas-res of that social -niverse than they do a!o-t the /orld of detached perfected i((ortals. < &1 <

T,$ TA!$ O& 5ING 4,ART,ARI

< &# <

Part I 4harthari1s 4irth tory

Introduction
Bharthari8s !irth story?1B is a !ea-ty4and4the4!east fairy tale of ho/ a r-de and !old donkey /ins a princess4!ride. 9t is also a sa"a /ith political and social insi"ht, depictin" the play and conseF-ences of vario-s po/er strate"ies in fa(ilies and kin"do(s. :his chronolo"ically first se"(ent of the Bharthari and Gopi Chand epics has a different flavor fro( the other parts of !oth tales. As if to (ark its distinctiveness, ,adh- perfor(s the entire !irth story e=cept its sin"le openin" stanza in a t-ne that never reappears else/here. *ach of the other three (a1or (elodies he e(ploys in at least t/o, and often several, parts of his perfor(ance. Bharthari8s !irth story is lar"ely concerned /ith e=ternal actions. 9t lacks the hi"h e(otional pitch and deep psycholo"ical reflections that prevail thro-"h (ost of Gopi Chand8s tale and e(er"e sporadically in the other t/o parts of Bharthari8s. .o yo"i characters appear here, /hereas all other parts of !oth epic te=ts either feat-re or star ascetic "-r-s. .onetheless, Bharthari8s !irth story orients its a-dience to a cos(olo"y /here yo"is hold the keys of po/er: the donkey Jh-kanyo8s?2B (a"ic, -pon /hich the action hin"es, derives fro( the all4po/erf-l na(e of G-r- Gorakh .ath. :he openin" scene of Bharthari 1 is (ysterio-s. ;hy does ?1B !an%patri0 -s-ally a horoscope, here !an%patri clearly has a !roader sense: ho/ so(eone "ot !orn, the circ-(stances or story of a !irth. >ee Black!-rn 19@@, 19@9 for disc-ssions of !irth stories in and !eyond >o-th 9ndian oral epic tradition. ?2B :his is Gandaraph >yan8s na(e in his donkey !irth, also prono-nced Khu&anya and, /hen -sed affectionately or inti(ately, Khu&anyu . < &A < Gandaraph >yan8s father o!1ect to the prince /atchin" his plays !ein" perfor(edE :his violent enco-nter !et/een a defiant re!ellio-s son and a strict repressive father p-shes even a non!eliever in 're-dian readin"s to/ard psychoanalytic e=planations. >-rely, s-ch intense /rath on the father8s part /o-ld not !e evoked (erely !y his son8s /itnessin" a p-!lic theatrical perfor(ance. >-rely, he (-st have /itnessed and, as he forthri"htly avo/s, fo-nd 3/ondro-s,3 /hat 're-d calls a 3pri(al scene.3 Gne variant of the tale 5see chapter #6 s-pports an interpretation of Gandaraph >yan8s offense as intr-din" on his parents8 se=-al do(ain. 9t presents the Gandaraph fi"-re as a Gandharva in heaven /ho e(!races one of Jin" 9ndra8s dancin" "irls and is p-nished /ith a donkey !irth for "ivin" /ay so sha(ef-lly to -ncontrolled se=-al -r"es.?#B ;hen 9 asked (y research assistant, and thro-"h hi( the !ard and his son, /hether the 3play3 co-ld in fact !e an all-sion to se=-al activity on the part of Gandaraph8s father, 9 fo-nd the( dedicated to a face4 val-e interpretation. Bho1- e=plained to (e that filial diso!edience is the central iss-e here. 9t doesn8t (atter /hat /as for!iddenD the point is that a son (-st o!ey his parent. ;hether Gandaraph >yan8s cri(e /as diso!edience or voye-ris(, his p-nish(ent is to "o into a 3donkey8s va"ina3 7 that is, to !e !orn fro( a donkey. ;hy a donkey, /e (ay as /ell ask no/, for that h-(!le !east of !-rden appears /ith s-rprisin" freF-ency in ,adh- .ath8s tales7often as the transfor(ation of a h-(an !ein", either (ale or fe(ale. Bharthari8s father is a donkeyD Gopi Chand is t-rned into a donkey 5GC #6D Charpat .ath8s fo-rteen h-ndred disciples are t-rned into donkeys 5GC

#6D 2ada .ath t-rns all the /o(en 5and later, (en6 of Ben"al into donkeys 5GC #6D Gorakh .ath "razes a potter8s donkey and later forces one of ,achhindar .ath8s F-eens to re(ain a donkey forever 5GC A6. :he donkey is, on the one hand, a pathetic, over!-rdened, (istreated creat-re. :his is s-ccinctly s-((ed -p !y Gorakh .ath8s instr-ctions /hen he hands over his "-r-8s for(er captor and /ife, in the for( of a donkey, to the potters /ho /ill keep her: 3Hoad her heavily and feed her little.3 >-ch is the donkey8s destiny. 9ts plaintive ?#B Both that variant and the present te=t portray a (-rdero-s ener"y directed fro( an elder to a yo-n"er (ale. >ee A. J. 0a(an-1an8s s-""estions on the c-lt-ral conto-rs of an 39ndian Gedip-s3 co(ple= 50a(an-1an 19@#6. < &% < !ray7rendered (any ti(es !y ,adh- .ath as tibhu tibhu 50a1asthani for 3hee4ha/367is ever co(ical. )-st as in ;estern ani(al stereotypes, a donkey in 9ndia is st-!!orn and st-pid and -"ly. 9ts se=-ality, if not so !latant as a "oat8s, is nonetheless po/erf-l. :o call so(eone 3donkey3 or 3donkey8s pro"eny3 is a co((on (inor ins-lt in the villa"e, (-ch like o-r 3st-pid ass.3 B-t Gandaraph >yan, e(!odied in the donkey Jh-kanyo, is not /holly a fi"-re of f-n. 2e /ants a /ife, and event-ally he "ets one. People are fri"htened /hen he threatens to t-rn the city -pside do/n /ith his hoofs and spare no livin" creat-re. :he a(!ivalence /ith /hich villa"ers approach yo"is8 po/er (ay !e part of /hat (otivates the donkey4transfor(ation (otif in "eneral, and Gandaraph >yan Jh-kanyo8s character in partic-lar. :here is a /ay in /hich it is appropriate as /ell as ridic-lo-s to see yo"is 5and lady (a"icians6 as asses. :he donkey8s -nintelli"i!le !rayin"7in Gandaraph >yan8s case a prel-de to his de(ands, threats, and (anifestations of po/er7(ay resonate /ith pop-lar do-!le opinions a!o-t yo"is8 (a"ic spells. :hese are reflected in the ter( %antra/tantra , /hich (ay (ean, accordin" to conte=t, either 3(-(!o 1-(!o3 or 3po/erf-l ver!al spells.3 :he handso(e, desira!le, and fertile prince e(er"in" fro( the skin of a donkey co-ld also relate to the e=traordinary se=-ality that yo"ic adepts (ay hide !eneath their ochre ro!es. :hat the donkey8s ally sho-ld !e a potter is predicta!le in the c-lt-ral conte=t of r-ral 0a1asthan. +onkeys as !easts of !-rden are traditionally associated /ith potters, /ho fi"-re al(ost as freF-ently as donkeys in ,adh- .ath8s tales 5Bh 1, Bh 2, and GC A6. Potters, like donkeys, are lo/!orn. Met they possess and (anifest creative po/er in /ays that de(and respect, and they play i(portant parts in co((-nity and do(estic rit-al life. 2o/ hi"hly the villa"ers val-e their potter8s services is i(pressively dra(atized in Bharthari8s !irth story. Bharthari 9 (ay not carry -s to the heart of the h-(an dile((as concernin" love and ren-nciation a!o-t /hich the corp-s of ,adh- .ath8s tales revolves. Met, despite all the e=traordinary and (a"ical occ-rrences in the narrative, the !irth story takes -s so(e /ay into the heart of traditional villa"e society. A "ood e=a(ple /o-ld !e the fri"htened potter8s atte(pt to leave the city and his nei"h!ors8 (o!ilization to prevent his -nto/ard depart-re. 2ere /e see vividly the inte"ration and interdependence of (e(!ers of a co((-nity, the po/er of individ-al resistance, and event-ally the kin"8s o/n depen4 < &C < dence on his people. Princess Pan +e8s father is no a!sol-te (onarch !-t rather a (an /ho takes advice fro( his servants and ne"otiates /ith his s-!1ects. 9ndeed, the -lti(ate a-thority in these tales often appears to lie /ith royal servants 5darogas 6 rather than /ith the (onarch. Presented not only as doin"

the kin"8s /ork !-t as havin" his ear, the royal servant caste e=ercises si"nificant infl-ence -pon affairs of state. Another confi"-ration of interdependency in this openin" se"(ent, /hich /ill !e echoed thro-"ho-t !oth tales, is that of kin" and co-ntryside. ;hen the donkey !-ilds a /all /ith no openin", the !ard8s portrayal of an"ry villa"ers /ho need to relieve the(selves !-t can8t "et o-t to the fields to do so in sanitary privacy, is hilario-s. 'or all its slapstick F-ality, ho/ever, it states a si(ple tr-th that villa"ers live day in and day o-t: /itho-t the co-ntryside life is i(possi!le. Both to deposit /astes and to o!tain no-rish(ent for their livestock7and of co-rse, thro-"h far(in", for the(selves7villa"ers (aintain constant interco-rse /ith the lands s-rro-ndin" the(. Bharthari8s !irth story contains, as another to-ch of realis(, a synopsis of so(e key (o(ents in the prolon"ed 0a1asthani (arria"e rit-al. >-ch caps-le /eddin"s appear freF-ently in local lore, incl-din" /o(en8s stories and so(e of the other re"ional epics. :he events of the /eddin" seF-ence7the feasts, the preparation of the !ride8s and "roo(8s !odies /ith t-r(eric anoint(ent and henna desi"ns, the strikin" of the (arria"e e(!le( !y the "roo(, the role played !y Brah(ans, and the i(portance of the "ifts and 3send4off3 fro( the !ride8s father7are stran"e to ;estern readers and reF-ire an overload of ethno"raphic footnotes. B-t it is /ell to re(e(!er that for ,adh-8s re"-lar a-dience these are cherished details of the -tterly fa(iliar, laden /ith positive and pleasant associations.?AB :he personality of Princess Pan +e is not hi"hly developed, co(pared /ith that of other si"nificant /o(en in ,adh-8s t/o tales. .evertheless, Pan +e8s part, especially the a(!ivalent F-ality of her ?AB 9 recall to-rin" the )aip-r ,-se-( in 19@$ /ith a "ro-p of villa"ers, (any of /ho( had never !een in s-ch a place. Go""lin" at the e=otic /as satisfyin" in its /ay, !-t their favorite display /as of a 0a1asthani /eddin". :hey cl-stered !efore the "lass case /ith its lifesize panora(a, pointin" to i(portant rit-al paraphernalia and fa(iliar ite(s of clothin" and 1e/elry. )-st as those reco"niza!le ele(ents had val-e in a very stran"e environ(ent, so in ,adh- .ath8s tales s-ch /holly fa(iliar (o(ents (ay !rin" a story of yo"is8 (a"ic close to ho(e. < && < relationship /ith her h-s!and, prefi"-res in so(e /ays other fe(ale roles in these traditions. At first Pan +e appears to !e a perfect /ife, acceptin" her parents8 decision a!o-t her (arria"e, protectin" her pati dev or h-s!and4"od fro( a!-se, displayin" appropriate (odesty to/ard her potter father4in4la/. :he ne"lect of Pan +e !y her parents, follo/in" her (arria"e, /o-ld !e considered a very "rievo-s !reech of villa"e society8s ideolo"y that care and "ifts are o/ed to da-"hters. 9n the ne/ city of +hara .a"ar, ho/ever, as her children are !orn, sl-rs are levied a"ainst Pan +e8s character. And even tho-"h these sl-rs are -n1-st, for she is no ad-lteress, the snickerin" !y ,adh- and his a-dience here 5its the(e, 2o/ can a donkey sire a princeE6 sho/s (ore relish of the "ossip8s nasty i(plications than appreciation of the (ali"ned /o(an8s virt-e. :he p-!lic !ack!itin" is attri!-ted to /o(en, !-t it is Pan +e8s (other /ho re(ains loyal to her da-"hter 53:ho-"h sinner she !e >he !elon"s to (eL36 /hen the father t-rns his !ack on her. Al(ost i((ediately, ho/ever, /ith yet another F-ick and s-!tle s/itch in a fe(ale character8s (oral nat-re, the devoted (other !eco(es the a"ent of her donkey son4in4la/8s -nti(ely de(ise. :his event recalls inn-(era!le fairy tales the /orld over7incl-din" (any /ith !ea-ty4and4the4!east (otifs7 /here !ad advice fro( one8s natal fe(ale kin spoils, or al(ost spoils, a happy if stran"e (arital -nion. 9n the partic-lar conte=t of the approach to do(esticity in .ath tales, this cross4c-lt-ral pittin" of natal vers-s (arital loyalties is reconfi"-red as an e=plicit de(onstration of ho/ love4in4the4/orld !ackfires. Pan +e8s (other /ants only to sec-re her da-"hter8s happinessD Pan +e desires only to

possess co(pletely the h-(an for( of the h-s!and she loves. Met these valid desires con1oin to /ido/ Bharthari8s (other. :hat Pan +e8s devotion to her donkey4h-s!and t-rns o-t so !adly for !oth of the( is the first (o(ent of (any to co(e in ,adh- .ath8s tales /here the plot is ske/ed !y a deval-ation of fa(ilial love. 0elationships in the /orld are -nsta!le and -ntr-st/orthyD even "ood /o(en8s actions are potentially destr-ctive. Met !eneath, or a!ove, s-ch (anifestations of h-(an insta!ility is the sense of a cos(ic pro"ra(. All of this /as preordained. After Pan +e cr-(!les the donkey8s charred skin to d-st !et/een her pal(s, she finds that her hands are 3printed /ith the s-n and the (oon37perhaps foreshado/in" the !irth of her "randson Gopi < &@ < Chand /ith his attri!-tes of celestial radiance. Gopi Chand too 9> destined to die, (ore than once, in the (idst of adorin" /o(en. B-t he /ill reach i((ortality, alon" /ith his -ncle Bharthari, !y the "race of a yo"i "-r- as cantankero-s, dan"ero-s, and /ell endo/ed /ith (a"ical po/er as the vanished donkey4prince.

Te6t
2onored Jin"?%B ... ;ealth and yo-th are "-ests, heroic h-s!and, 9n no ti(e at all they8re "one,?CB yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar,?&B Mo-8re (y /edded lord, !-t Mo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te.?@B 9n +ip .a"ar lived Jin" 0an1itk?9B Gh yes?1$B ... ;ho had a son, a prince. ?%B a!a!i"""0 this address, al/ays s-n" prolon"ed as a!a!iiiiii ... (arks the !e"innin" of each verse s-n" in the a!a!i rag . 'or part 1 it is the sin"le openin" verseD in part 2 it contin-es thro-"ho-t several s-n" se"(entsD in part # it is a fra(e, co(in" at the !e"innin" and end. 9t is th-s the sole rag to appear in all three parts of Bharthari. ?CB :he (eanin" of these lines, as of the /ords they contain, is open to (ore than one interpretation. Bho1- cons-lted ,adh- and >hiv1i .ath, /ho conc-r that N-een Pin"ala is 3e=plainin"3 to Bharthari that he o-"ht to en1oy the "ood thin"s of life d-rin" their !rief d-ration. :his e=e"esis interprets %aya as 3/ealth3 rather than 3ill-sion3 and "ives it a positive val-ation. :he opposite, yo"ic, thr-st to these /ords /o-ld !e: don8t p-t yo-r faith in transient, ill-sory pleas-res. ?&B Panvar 5/hich ,adh- .ath prono-nces so(eti(es Punvar , or Punvar , and the SK lists as a variant of Para%ar 6 is a linea"e 5&ul 6 of the >-n !ranch of 0a1p-ts. 2ere and thro-"ho-t the te=t it is -sed as Bharthari8s s-rna(e. Alon" /ith Avanti or Avantip-ri, +hara .a"ar is identified /ith the (odern city of U11ain that /ill !e fo-nded !y Bharthari8s father the donkey in this !irth story. ?@B :hese t/o lines are part of Pin"ala8s la(ent, foreshado/in" the action in part #. A /ife /itho-t her h-s!and is totally destit-te. ?9B 0an1it is Bharthari8s father8s father, accordin" to ,adh-D +ip .a"ar, literally 3Ha(p City,3 is his place. 9 fo-nd no references to hi( or his city8 !y these na(es in other versions. ?1$B Characterizin" the rag of Bharthari part 1 only is the refrain han!iiii , literally 3yes sir...,3 in a

prolon"ed drone that rec-rs after every several lines of narrative son". :o avoid the (ilitary rin" of 3yes sir3 !-t retain /hatever positive (eanin" accr-es to this repeated affir(ative, 9 si(ply -se 3Gh yes....3 < &9 < :he kin" had plays perfor(ed 9n the Chapala Garden?11B B-t the father /o-ldn8t let his son /atch. Gh yes... :he son, too, had plays perfor(ed, and the kin" didn8t /atch. Gh yes... .o/ one ti(e it chanced that the yo-n" prince hid in the Chapala Garden in a !a(!oo cl-(p. Gh yes... 2e sat and /atched the play, and the kin" his father said, 3:oday the play is spoiledL3 Gh yes ... 30-n and look, servant ladsL3 B-t they co-ldn8t find the yo-n" prince any/here. Gh yes ... :hen one servant ran to the !a(!oo cl-(p /here the yo-n" prince sat. Gh yes... 2e seized the prince and took hi( to the kin". Gh yes ... :hen the kin" said, 3Gandaraph >yan, ;hy /ere yo- /atchin" (y playE3 Gh yes... 3'ather, 9 liked yo-r play, 9 tho-"ht it /as /ondro-s, :hat8s /hy 9 /atched itL3 Gh yes... ?11B Chapala can (ean a pipal tree and is also a na(e of the "oddess. 9t see(s to !e a "eneric na(e for a "arden near a city. :he 3Chapala Garden3 is /here Pin"ala !-rns in Bharthari 2 and appears in Gopi Chand8s Ga-r Ben"al as the place /here )alindar and other yo"is ca(p, not far fro( the palace. < @$ < :he kin" c-rsed hi(: 3Gandaraph >yan,

yo- spoiled (y play. Gh yes ... 3Mo- (-st "o ri"ht no/ in a donkey8s va"ina.3?12B Gh yes ... :he father c-rsed the son. Gh yes ... As soon as he c-rsed hi(, Gandaraph >yan fell over and died. Gh yes ... Ahead is Gan"a City. 9n that city lived a Potter?1#B and that Potter had a she4ass. 9n that she4ass8s !elly the yo-n" prince fell. Gh yes ... Gne (onth passed for the she4ass, Gh yes ... :hen the second and third (onths passed, :he fifth (onth passed for the she4ass. Gh yes ... .o/ nine (onths passed for the she4ass?1AB and her Prince Jh-kanyo /as !orn. Gh yes ... 3:i!h- ti!h-,3?1%B the prince !rayed. Gh yes ... >hivL GorakhL?1CB 5Bh 1.1.s6 ?12B :hat is, take !irth as a donkey. ?1#B ;ithin ,adh- .ath8s tales 9 capitalize caste na(es s-ch as PotterD they occ-r !oth as social types and as s-rna(es. ?1AB >-ch reco-ntin" of the passa"e of (onths d-rin" h-(an "estation is co((on in tales and son"s. 9t repeats !elo/ for all three pre"nancies of Bharthari8s (other. ?1%B :his so-nd is al/ays a !it co(ical partic-larly linked /ith 3prince3 as it is here, or 3yo"i3 or 3kin"3 as it /ill !e in Gopi Chand. ?1CB ,adh- often closes a s-n" portion /ith a chanted invocation to deities or "-r-s. < @1 < 9n +ip .a"ar lived Jin" 0an1it, and he had a son, Gandaraph >yan. :he yo-n" prince /as a !oy often or t/elve years. :hat kin"8s ha!it /as to have plays perfor(ed in the "arden. :he father didn8t let his son /atch his plays. And the yo-n" prince had plays perfor(ed that he didn8t let the kin" see. >o (atters /ent alon" in this /ay. B-t once the r-ler /as havin" a play perfor(ed in the Chapala Garden7a play that he /o-ldn8t let his son see. And it chanced that the yo-n" prince tho-"ht to hi(self, 3;hat kind of plays does (y father have perfor(edE Het (e 1-st sneak in and see today.3 9n the "arden, a little distance a/ay fro( /here the play /as proceedin", the yo-n" prince fo-nd a !a(!oo cl-(p, and he slipped into it and sat do/n.

>o over there the kin" /as seated on his chair, and over here the yo-n" prince /as /atchin", and the play /as "oin" on. B-t the kin" "ot s-spicio-s. 3Uh ohL ;hat o!stacle is interferin" /ith (y playE :he play is no "ood today. :he play is spoiled.3 3Grain4"iver,?1&B the play is 1-st fine,3 the players said. 39t8s fine, it8s "reat.3 3.o, today the play is spoiledL3 :he kin" said to his 0oyal >ervants,?1@B 3G 0oyal >ervants, r-n into the "arden and see if the yo-n" prince is /atchin" the play.3 :he 0oyal >ervants ran off. 'ive or ten of the( /ent lookin". 2e had slipped into a cl-(p of !a(!oo and /as /atchin". ;hoE :he yo-n" prince. As soon as they fo-nd hi(, they "ra!!ed hi( !y the ar( and took hi( to 2is ,a1esty. 2is ,a1esty said, 3;hy /ere yo- /atchin" (y playE3 3'ather, 9 liked it, 9 liked it. 9 said to (yself, 8;hat are (y father8s plays likeE 2o/ does he have the( perfor(edE8 9 fo-nd it very !ea-tif-l. >o that8s /hy 9 sneaked in and /atched.3 3All ri"ht, sister4f-ckerL?19B Mo- "o into a donkey8s va"inaL3 >o the father c-rsed his son7his son, /hose na(e /as Prince ?1&B annata0 a ter( of address -sed for any (aster, kin", "od, s-perior person, or po/er. ?1@B daroga0 9 translate this caste na(e al/ays as 30oyal >ervant.3 9n the s-n" section a!ove, the kin" -sed a ter( for servant 5(ha&ar 6 that is not caste4linked. ?19B bahin/(hod0 this is ,adh- .ath8s favorite ins-lt. 9t does not have F-ite the shock po/er in 2indi or 0a1asthani, /here it is co((on, that it does in *n"lish. < @2 < Gandaraph >yan. 2e c-rsed that !oy, and as soon as he -ttered the c-rse, his son dropped dead on the spot. As soon as the father c-rsed, 3Go to a donkey8s va"ina, "oL3 the son !reathed his last. 9n another city there /as a Potter na(ed Pachyo Potter. 2e had a she4ass, and Prince Gandaraph >yan fell into that donkey8s !elly. 2e fell into her !elly, and one (onth passed, t/o (onths passed, three (onths passed7the fifth, si=th, seventh, ei"hth7and in the ninth (onth the she4ass had a child. :he she4ass had a child and he cried, 3:i!h- ti!h-L3 and s-ckled the !reast. .o/ one (onth passed and t/o (onths passed and three (onths passed and si= (onths passed, and he "re/ into a fine healthy colt. 2e /as a healthy colt, and then he !e"an to speak /ith Pachyo Potter. :he donkey8s son !e"an to !ray at (idni"ht. 5Bh 1.1.e6 At (idni"ht he !rayed, 3:i!h-, ti!h-L Histen Pachyo Potter, "o ... yo- have a kin": (arry (e to his da-"hter. >he has "ro/n into a !loo(in" (aid, and her !raids are t-rnin" /hite.?2$B >o "o and tell yo-r kin" to (arry (e to his da-"hter. And if he (arries her to a donkey, then 9 /ill s-rro-nd his city /ith do-!le ra(parts of copper and !rass. And 9 /ill !-ild hi( a "old and silver palace, and 9 /ill e=cavate (ines of seven (etals. 3B-t, if he /on8t (arry Pan +e?21B to (e, 98ll knock his co-ntry and his city -pside do/n /ith (y hoofs.3

:his is the vo/ the donkey (ade to Pachyo. ;hen he heard this, Pachyo said, 3>-reL 9 /ill (arry this "irl to a donkeyL3 2e took his /heel4t-rnin" stick and !e"an to raise /elts on hi(. Gn /ho(E :he donkey. 2e said to the donkey, 3>o(e nei"h!ors (i"ht !e listenin", and if they "o to the kin" and tell hi( that the Potter8s donkey is sayin", 8,arry (e to the Princess Pan +e,8 then he /ill send (e flyin" fro( a cannon8s (o-th, or else he /ill !-ry (e and have (e tra(pled !y horses. ,y sonL?22B Mo- are sayin" very i(proper thin"sL ;hat if the kin" finds o-tE3 ?2$B 9n other /ords, it is hi"h ti(e she "ets (arried. ?21B :his is the princess, Bharthari8s (otherD her na(e does not occ-r in other tales of Bharthari8s parenta"e. 9n 0a1asthani folklore, !-t not in ordinary life, the s-ffi= 3+e3 is very co((on after /o(en8s na(es. ?22B %aro beto0 a 3s(all ins-lt.3 < @# < >o he took his stick and !eat hi(, and the donkey /as F-iet. B-t the ne=t day ca(e, and the ne=t (idni"ht. And the donkey did the sa(e thin". 2e kept doin" this for si= (onths, callin" 3:i!h- ti!h-3 every (idni"ht. ;hoE Jh-kanyo, the Potter8s donkey.?2#B >o the Potter re"-larly raised his stick, 3:ake that, yo-r (other8s ...,?2AB yo- Jh-kanyo, s-re 9 /ill "et yo- (arriedL3 And he !eat hi( !adly every day. ,atters contin-ed this /ay, and the Potter "re/ distra-"ht !eca-se the donkey called hi( every ni"ht. >o he decided to leave the villa"e.?2%B 3;hat to doE Het8s leave this city. Het8s "o so(e/here else and settle there, ten or t/enty (iles?2CB a/ay, and let8s take the donkey /ith -s. :here /on8t !e any kin" in that villa"e, so the donkey /on8t call o-t.3 :he ne=t day the Potter and the Potteress loaded -p the donkey and the !-ffalo and filled a cart /ith all their !eddin" and 1-nk. :hen they left the villa"e. 3Het8s "o, or else the donkey /ill !e the death of -s.3 5Bh 1.2.e6?2&B Pachyo Potter reached the o-tskirts of the city.?2@B B-t /hen he "ot to the !order, ten or t/enty persons had "athered there. 3Gh no, /e have only one Potter and he is leavin" the villa"e. And he doesn8t say /hat the tro-!le is. ;hy has he leftE?29B >-ppose so(eone dies to(orro/ ... /here /ill /e "et o-r ne/ clay -tensilsE ;e /ill need /ater pots and other vessels.?#$B ?2#B 2ere 9 delete a repetition of the entire (idni"ht scene. ?2AB A serio-s ins-lt if co(pleted: 3yo-r (other8s va"ina.3 ?2%B 2ere and thro-"ho-t !oth tales ,adh- .ath interchan"es the ter(s 3villa"e3 5ganv 6 and 3city3 52. sahar , /hich he prono-nces sair 6D his stories take place in cities !-t his orientations, like those of his listeners, are to villa"es. ?2CB A (eas-re(ent of distance -sed thro-"ho-t !oth tales, &os 52. &os 6 eF-als t/o (iles. 9 do-!le the n-(!ers ,adh- -ses to translate in (iles. ?2&B Altho-"h o(ittin" each part8s s-n" se"(ents !et/een the first and final one7e=cept those that

si"nificantly advance the narrative79 n-(!er every ne/ se"(ent of e=planation so the reader re(ains a/are of /here ,adh- .ath (akes his !reaks. ?2@B phalsa0 the a"ric-lt-ral land !elon"in" to a partic-lar pop-lated area, !-t /itho-t d/ellin"sD it lies !et/een the act-al city or villa"e and the !order of its residents8 landholdin"s. ?29B :he nei"h!ors !elieve that Pachyo leaves to protest (istreat(ent or -nderpay(ent, a fa(iliar yet e=tre(e reco-rse for (e(!ers of artisan or servant castes /ho are -nhappy /ith /orkin" conditions. ?#$B After a death in a ho-sehold, all clay -tensils are !roken and replaced !eca-se they are poll-ted. < @A < 3.o/ /e have a Potter, !-t if he "oes there /on8t !e one. Het8s !rin" hi( !ack. 2e /on8t tell -s /hat the tro-!le is, and this is a very fine city of o-rs. 9s it !eca-se of "rainE B-t everyone "ives hi( "rain, every (onth.?#1B And the kin" is very "ood, the kin" doesn8t ca-se any tro-!le, so then /hy has he F-it the villa"e and "oneE3 >o ten, t/enty, forty, fifty villa"ers "athered at the !o-ndary and they !locked the Potter8s path. 3Brother Potter, /e /on8t let yo- "oL :ell -s yo-r tro-!le, /hether it8s fro( the city or fro( the kin". ;hat8s the (atterE 9f so(eone hasn8t "iven "rain, then /e /ill "ive it. And if it8s tro-!le /ith the kin", then he has a co-rt and /e /ill "o and have that tro-!le re(oved. B-t, Potter, /e /on8t let yo- "o, !rother.3 3Grain4"ivers, 9 have no tro-!le /ith the city. 9 have only one ans/er.3 3Gh (y sonL ;hatever ans/er yo- "ive -s, /e8ll accept it.3 3Mes, Grain4"ivers, 98ll "ive it to yo-.3 3>o /hat8s the (atterE Het8s "o !ack.3 398ll "ive yo- a really po/erf-l ans/er.3 :he Potter sa/ that he had an opport-nity to reveal his tro-!le. >o he 1oined his hands?#2B to all the villa"e elders?##B and all the people of the villa"e, and said, 3Grain4"ivers, 9 a( 1oinin" (y hands to yo-. :ake (e !ack if yo- like. B-t 9 can8t speak a!o-t (y tro-!le. )-st sleep o-tside (y place toni"ht. All of yo-, elders and villa"ers, sleep o-tside (y place, and yo- yo-rselves prono-nce 1-d"(ent. Moyo-rselves listen, and yo- /ill learn a!o-t (y tro-!le7it is so !ad that 9 can8t speak of it.3 2o/ co-ld the Potter tell that7a!o-t (arryin" the kin"8s da-"hterE 3'ine, /e8ll sleep o-tside yo-r place, one day or five days.3 :hey took hi( !ack. :he villa"ers didn8t let hi( "o. :hey !ro-"ht his carts and !eddin", and the donkey, and they -npacked everythin" and p-t a/ay all his 1-nk. *venin" ca(e and everyone !ro-"ht their !edrolls over there. 3Brother let8s "o to the Potter8s ho-se7/e8ll sleep ?#1B :he social conte=t for the dis(ay over Pachyo Potter8s depart-re is the traditional patron4client or !a!%ani syste( /here artisans s-ch as Potters serve the a"ric-lt-ral castes in e=chan"e for fi=ed shares in the "rain harvest. ?#2B :o press one8s pal(s to"ether is a "est-re of respect and entreaty 5as /ell as ordinary "reetin"6. ?##B pan(h0 accordin" to conte=t this (ay !e translated as villa"e co-ncil or as the elders /ho constit-te s-ch a !ody.

< @% < in that Potter8s co-rtyard.3 :here they sat. And they said, 3GJ, !rother Pra1apat,?#AB tell -s yo-r tro-!le.3 3Grain4"ivers, /ait -ntil (idni"ht, and then listenL3 .o/ (idni"ht ca(e and all the people of the city /ere there, and no/ the donkey speaks. 5Bh 1.#.e6 At (idni"ht that donkey, Jh-kanyo, !e"an to !ray. 3:i!h- ti!h-, ti!h-, ti!h-,3 he !rayed. 3Histen Pachyo Potter.3 3Brother Jh-kanyo, 98( a/ake. :ell (e yo-r ne/s.3 Pachyo Potter t-rned to all /ho /ere sittin" there, 3Histen, this is the very tro-!le that (ade (e "o ... !-t 9 co-ldn8t speak of it (yself, so no/ listen, people of the villa"eL3 3Histen, Pachyo Potter, "o and tell yo-r kin" that his da-"hter Pan +e8s !raids /ill !e /hite, and he sho-ld (arry her to (e, the donkey. Brother, if he (arries his Pan +e to (e, then 9 /ill !-ild a palace of silver and "old for that kin", and 9 /ill e=cavate (ines of seven (etals and 9 /ill s-rro-nd the city /ith do-!le ra(parts of copper and !rass, nine yards?#%B tall. 3B-t, if he doesn8t (arry the Princess Pan +e to (e, listen Pachyo Potter, three days fro( today 9 /ill -se (y hoofs on this city and knock it -pside do/n. 9 /on8t spare a sin"le ani(al, nor /ill 9 spare a sin"le h-(an !ein". 98ll really knock this city -pside do/n.3 After (akin" this vo/, that /as itD the donkey /as silent. :hen the Potter said, 3G Killa"e *lders, this is (y tro-!le, this is /hy 9 a( leavin". Grain4"ivers, this is /hy 9 shall "o, this is /hy this city is i(possi!le for (e. >o, Killa"e *lders, think a!o-t this.3 3B-t /hat8s there to think a!o-tE :hree days fro( no/ he /ill knock the city do/n, and he /on8t spare a sin"le (an or /o(an, not a sin"le ani(al, nothin". >o /hy die over hereE Het8s leave /ith Pachyo, let8s leave, to(orro/ even. ;e8ll "o to"ether and leave the /hole villa"e deserted.3 >o(e filled carts /ith their "rains and !eddin", and so(e loaded -p !-ffalo. 3Het8s follo/ that Potter. .o one /ill !e left here !-t the Jin", all alone.3 ?#AB Pra1apati is the na(e of a Kedic creator4"od. As Potters, too, shape thin"s o-t of for(less s-!stance, they (ay !e politely addressed as 3creator.3 ?#%B ga!0 a -nit of (eas-re eF-al to three feet. < @C < Beca-se /ho is "oin" to tell the kin": ,arry yo-r da-"hter to the Potter8s donkeyE 39f /e tell hi( that, he8ll send -s flyin" fro( a cannon8s (o-th.3 >o, the ne=t (ornin" at the !reak of day, the /hole villa"e set forth /ith their donkeys and !-ffalo and carts loaded -p /ith "rains and !-ndles. :he /hole villa"e /as e(ptied. And no/ they /ent and co(plained to the kin". ;hoE :he 0oyal >ervants /ho stayed !ehind. 5Bh 1.A.e6 :he only people left /ere in the fort, /here the kin" and a fe/ 0oyal >ervants re(ained. ;here /o-ld they "oE

:he others had filled carts /ith their !edrolls and "rains and all. :hey took their livestock7their o=en and all7and they /ent for/ard -ntil they reached the !order. ,ean/hile, a co-ple of 0oyal >ervants addressed the kin": 3A co(plaint, a co(plaintL Great Jin".3 3G 0oyal >ervants, /hat co(plaint have yo- !ro-"htE3 3Grain4"iver, over /ho( are yo- r-lin" hereE Gnly o/ls are left here in the villa"e, only o/ls hootin". ?#CB :he /hole city is e(pty. .ot even a child re(ains.3 3;hyE3 3;ho kno/s /hy they left. B-t, 98( tellin" yo-, sir, there are no h-(an !ein"s left here.3 3>o they left. ;ell /hat /as tro-!lin" the(E3 3;ho kno/sE :hey told of no tro-!le. :hey left and /ent to the !order. >o yo-8d !etter send yo-r a"ents, !rother, and if they can8t "o, then yo- yo-rself "o. 'ind o-t /hat the tro-!le is. :ake every care.3 >o the kin" asked for his horse and (o-nted it and "alloped ahead -ntil he reached the !order. :here the kin" t-rned aro-nd and !locked their path. 2e !locked their path and said, 3;hy !rothers, /ho "ave yo- tro-!leE ;here are yo- "oin"E3 3Grain4"iver, /e have F-it this city, and /e ask yo-r for"iveness.3 3;hy are yo- askin" for"ivenessE ;hat is yo-r tro-!leE Are (y land ta=es too !i"E A( 9 takin" too (-ch royal foodE Are (y "-ards or (y (essen"er?#&B afflictin" yo-E3 ?#CB A hootin" o/l is an ina-spicio-s o(en. ?#&B Syana ba%i0 this pair of ter(s rec-rs thro-"ho-t Bh 1. 9t refers to t/o positions held !y servants of the kin": "-ard 5vario-sly syana0 sahana0 sana0 hana 6 and crier or (essen"er 5ba%i0 bha%bi 6. :he latter is a caste na(e for a "ro-p of /eavers, /ho have traditionally held the role of to/n crier or kin"8s (essen"er. :he i(plication of the kin"8s F-estion is: Are (y (en a!-sin" their privile"ed place !y "ivin" the pop-lace a hard ti(e, e=tractin" !ri!es and so forthE < @& < 3Grain4"iver, yo-8re a very "ood kin". ;e8re tro-!led neither !y ta=es nor !y yo-r "-ards and (essen"er.3 3>o /hy are yo- "oin" thenE ;hy are yo- F-ittin" this cityE3 :he kin" "ot off his horse and stood in the /ay of their !-ffalo and carts. 39 /on8t let yo- "o, yo- can8t F-it the city, /hat is the (eanin" of thisE :ell (e the (eanin" of this (eanin"less act.3 :hen all the villa"ers, five elders,?#@B "athered. 2ere is o-r chance, they tho-"ht. :hey said to the Potter, 32ere is a chance for yo- to tell hi(, like yotold -s.3 :he elders of the city sat in co-ncil, and then they said, 3Grain"iver, are yo- takin" -s !ackE3 3Mes, 9 shall take yo- !ack, 9 /on8t let yo- "o. Mo- (ay "o only if yo- tell yo-r tro-!le.3 3Grain4"iver, o-r tro-!le is -nspeaka!le, and that8s /hy the city is i(possi!le for -s. B-t if yo- /ant to take -s !ack, then pitch yo-r tent at Pachyo Potter8s ho-se today. :here sit and listen to o-r tro-!le.

Gther/ise, yo-8re /astin" yo-r efforts in tryin" to !rin" -s !ack.3 32ey yo- sister4sha(ed?#9B people of the city, yo- /ant (e to stay one ni"ht at Pachyo Potter8sE3 3Mes, please stay for one ni"ht, and then yo- /ill hear o-r tro-!le.3 3;hy only one ni"htE 98d stay for five. 9s Pachyo Potter8s ho-se s-ch a !ad placeE Het8s "o, G city peopleL3 >o they t-rned aro-nd. 39 /ill listen at Pachyo Potter8s ho-se. ;e /ill pitch t/elve tents there. Mopeople of the city, co(e there too.3 3All ri"ht, /e /ill each "o to o-r o/n ho-ses first, and then /e8ll sit /ith yo- over there. Het8s "o.3 >o the r-ler !ro-"ht the( !ack. 2e /as the kin", and so he (ade the( t-rn aro-nd and !rin" !ack ?#@B 9t takes five elders 5altho-"h (any (ore (ay co(e6 to constit-te a co-ncil (eetin". ?#9B ban&a %argavo0 an ins-lt Bho1- translates as 2indi bahan &e dvara %are hue or 3!eaten on acco-nt of one8s sister3D so(eone /hose !ad rep-tation is attri!-ta!le to his sister8s !ad character. < @@ < their livestock7/o(en and h-s!ands and !oys and "irls, all ret-rned, and he left the( at their o/n ho-ses, at their doors. :he people said, 3Het8s not !other to -npack !eca-se to(orro/ /e8ll have to leave a"ain. ;ill the kin" (arry his princess to a donkeyE ;hy sho-ld /e /aste o-r efforts -npackin"E3 .o/ the kin", /ith his co-rtiers, ca(e to Pachyo Potter8s place and set o-t his (attress and pillo/. 3.o/ let (e hear yo-r tro-!leL ;hat is the people8s tro-!leE3 All the villa"ers ca(e to Pachyo Potter8s ho-se. :hey /anted to listen and see /hat the kin" /o-ld say. All the villa"ers ca(e, fro( every ho-se. :he co-rtyard filled -p, and the kin" too /as there, sittin" and talkin", and (idni"ht ca(e. :he donkey !e"an to !ray. And the people said, 32ey Grain4"iver, Mo-r ,a1esty, listenL *veryone !e F-ietL3 5Bh 1.%.e6 And the donkey !rayed at (idni"ht: 3:i!h- ti!h- ti!h-. Histen Pachyo Potter, are yo- asleep or a/akeE3 3Brother, 98( a/akeL +onkey, tell yo-r ne/sL3 3Go to yo-r kin" and tell hi( that his da-"hter is f-ll "ro/n, and he sho-ld (arry her to (e, to the donkey. :he Princess Pan +e sho-ld (arry (e, and 9 /ill (ake the kin" a "old and silver palace. And 9 /ill e=cavate (ines of "old and silver inside the palace. And 9 /ill s-rro-nd the city /ith do-!le ra(parts of copper and !rass, nine yards tall. 2e sho-ld (arry the Princess Pan +e to (e. 39f he doesn8t, then three days fro( today 9 /ill -se (y hoofs to knock the city -pside do/n. And 9 /on8t spare a sin"le h-(an !ein". .ot a (an /ill 9 spare7no livestock, no ani(als, none at all. Mo-r castles and yo-r co-rt and yo-r ho-ses, 9 /ill scatter like little pe!!les. 9 /on8t leave a trace of a h-(an !ein".3 2e said this and /as silent. ;hoE :he donkey. .o/ the /hole pop-lation said to the kin", 3Grain4 "iver, this is the pro!le(. :his is o-r tro-!le, Jin"4'ather, this is /hy /e /ere leavin". Jeep yo-r princess and /e /ill leave. Mo- (ay stay !y yo-rself, Grain4"iver.3

.o/ the kin" /as silent, thinkin": ,y sonL 9s this so(e kind of a "host or is it a donkeyE 9t see(s to (e to !e a "host. ,y sonL 39 /ill t-rn the city -pside do/n, the /hole place, and 9 /ill (arry the princess, and 9 /ill !-ild a "old and silver palace. And 9 /ill e=cavate (ines. And 9 /ill s-rro-nd the city /ith do-!le ra(parts, nine yards tall, of copper and of !rass.3 .o/ ho/ /ill he (ake the(E < @9 < 3People of the city, say so(ethin".3 32ey, Grain4"iver, if yo- have any hope then tell -s. 9f not, /e /on8t -nload o-r carts. :o(orro/, alon" /ith Pachyo Potter, /e "o, and yo- stay and die. Mo- stay alone, /ith yo-r princess and yo-r F-eens. Jeep yo-r 0oyal >ervants /ith yo-, and die. Het hi( t-rn yo- -pside do/n, day after to(orro/. ;ho /ants to stay here and dieE3 .o/ the kin" tho-"ht, >on of a ...?A$B 9f 9 (arry the princess to this donkey, the /orld /ill say it8s !ad. :hey /ill say that the kin" (arried his da-"hter Pan +e to a donkey. B-t if 9 don8t (arry her, then he /ill kill -s. .o/ /hat to doE :hen the kin" said, 3G people of the city, /hat do yo- /antE3 3Grain4"iver, yo- tell -s7o-r only hope is to fill o-r carts and leave to(orro/ alon" /ith Pachyo Potter. 9f yo- (arry her, then /e8ll stay7if yo- (arry yo-r da-"hter to the donkey. Gther/ise, to(orro/ (ornin" /e8ll "o.3 :he kin" sa/ ho/ it /as. 3>on of a ... All the people /ill "o. :hen there /ill !e a co-ple of 0oyal >ervants and (y F-een and princess, and /e alone /ill re(ain. +ay after to(orro/ is the third day, and he /ill t-rn -s -pside do/n /ith his hoofs. :hen there /ill !e nothin" left for -s !-t to die. 9 sho-ld save the city.3 3Grain4"iver, /e /on8t stay here and die. ;hy sho-ld /eE ;e /ill "o to another co-ntry, there are (any7/hy do /e need yo-r fields and /ells and land and charityE 9t8s not /orth dyin" for.3 :he kin" tho-"ht, 9f 9 (arry the princess to hi(, he /ill !-ild "old and silver palaces and e=cavate (ines of "old and silver. :hen /hat else do 9 needE 98ll have /ealth and riches in a!-ndance. And 98ll have do-!le /alls for the city. ;hat else do 9 needE 98ll (arry the princess to hi(. :hen the kin" said, 3People of the city, this is (y decision.3 3Mes, Grain4"iver.3 39f, /ithin three ni"hts fro( today, he !-ilds (e a "old and silver palace, and if he e=cavates (ines of seven (etals, and if he (akes do-!le /alls of copper and !rass, then on the fo-rth day 9 /ill (arry hi( to the princess. B-t first he (-st do all this. ?A$B %ara beta &i , literally 3(y son8s ....3 :he fe(inine possessive &i i(plies 3(y son8s da-"hter,3 (akin" this a variant on 3father of a da-"hter.3 Altho-"h the -nfinished *n"lish e=pletive 3>on of a ...3 is not a perfectly literal renderin", 9 !elieve it achieves a si(ilar level of irritated or s-rprised !-t not enra"ed speech. < 9$ < 3And if he doesn8t, then 9 /ill !-ry this Potter and his /ife and children and let horses tra(ple the(, or else 9 /ill send the( flyin" fro( a cannon8s (o-th.3 .o/ all the people of the city a"reed: 3Grain4"iver, (arry her if in three days and three ni"hts there8s a

"old and silver castle and (ines of seven (etals and do-!le /alls.3 3And if not, 9 /ill !-ry this Potter and Potteress and their !oys and "irls in the "ro-nd and have horses tra(ple the(, or 9 /ill send the( flyin" fro( a cannon8s (o-th. 3>o no/ a 1-d"(ent /as reached. :hen the kin" and his 0oyal >ervants picked -p the cots and F-ilts they had spread, and the villa"ers, too, /ent to their ho-ses. :he /o(en asked their h-s!ands, 3;hat happenedE3 3:he Potter and Potteress are dead.3 3;hyE3 3Beca-se on the third day he /ill !-ry the( and have horses tra(ple the(. 9t has t-rned o-t stran"ely. :he poor Potter and PotteressL 2e /ill kill the( for s-re.3 .o/ Pachyo Potter took his little stick in his hand, the one he -sed to t-rn his /heel, and he !e"an to !eat the donkey: 3'or (any days yo-8ve !een callin" (e, Jh-kanyo: 8,arry (e to the princess or else 9 /ill t-rn the city -pside do/n.8 Mo- /ill !e the death of (e. ;hat can !e done in three daysE Mo- had !etter !-ild a "old and silver palace, and e=cavate "old and silver (ines and !-ild do-!le ra(parts todayL :hen 98ll have faithD if not, then yo- /ill have !een the death of (e.3 5Bh 1.C.e6 Pachyo Potter took his /heel4t-rnin" stick and /hap /hap /hap, he !eat hi(. 3Mo-r (other8s ...L Jh-kanyo, si= (onths have "one !y /hile yo-8ve !een callin" (e, !-t no/ /e have reached the concl-sion. >-re, yo-8ll "et (arried ... the kin" says 8B-ild it in three days,8 and on the fo-rth day 98ll die. ;ho has that kind of patienceE 9f yo- don8t !-ild it, then 98( dead. :he kin" is "one and the people are "one and /hat can happen in three daysE >o, 9 shall !eat yo- till yo-r flesh flies, or else yo- (ake "ood today.3 :hen the donkey spoke, 3Histen Potter, it /on8t "et !-ilt !y !eatin".3 3Meah, so /ill it !e !-ilt in three daysE ;ho can do itE3 < 91 < 3+on8t !eat (e, !-t do /hat 9 tell yo- to do: load (e /ith one saddle!a" of yello/ dirt?A1B and one saddle!a" of ashes. And take (e o-tside the villa"e and poke a little hole, this !i", in each !a", and (ake (e r-n all aro-nd the city. :hen 9 shall (ake the do-!le ra(parts.3 At once, Pachyo Potter filled -p one saddle!a" /ith yello/ dirt and he filled -p the other one /ith ashes, and he took the donkey o-tside the villa"e. 2e took hi( o-tside the villa"e, and ... as if he /ere startin" fro( that ta(arind tree?A2B ... he (ade t/o lines, and circled all aro-nd the settle(ent -ntil the lines (et. :he Potter re(ained inside the lines. :he donkey !rayed, 3:i!h- ti!h-,3 and recited the na(e of the >overei"n G-r- Gorakh .ath1i.?A#B And /ith a 3:i!h- ti!h-,3 he sta(ped his hoof. :hen do-!le ra(parts of copper and !rass spran" -p, nine yards tall7even a !-" co-ldn8t "et o-t of /alls like those, /ith no /indo/s. 2e left no openin". :hen Pachyo Potter said, 3'ather of a da-"hterL?AAB +onkey, /e need a /indo/ or a door.3 :he donkey said, 39 /on8t (ake those !efore the (arria"e. 'irst 98ll (arry the Princess Pan +e, then 9 /ill (ake a door. +on8t a"ree to do it.3

:hen the Potter had so(e faith. 3>on of a ...L 0eally he is so(e kind of deity.3 >o he took hi( to the fort. 2e took hi( to the fort, and 3:i!h- ti!h- ti!h-,3 the donkey !rayed three ti(es, and sta(ped his hoof and took the na(e of the >overei"n G-r-. :hen -p rose a sparklin" "old and silver palace, and (ines of seven (etals /ere e=cavated. :he palace /as so !i" and so tall, and there /as a lot of "old and silver in the (ines, eno-"h /ealth to really thro/ aro-ndL ?A1B pili0 a partic-lar kind of dirt often -sed, (i=ed /ith co/ d-n" paste, to plaster co-rtyards for cleanliness, a-spicio-sness, and !ea-ty. ?A2B ,adh- .ath points to a lar"e tree that "ro/s !ehind the co(po-nd /here /e are seated, helpin" his a-dience to envision an enco(pass(ent of o-r villa"e. ?A#B :o avoid conf-sion, 9 translate ra!a as 3kin"3 and %ahara! 7-sed to descri!e and address Gorakh .ath and other yo"i "-r-s thro-"ho-t7as 3soverei"n.3 All the donkey8s (a"ic is acco(plished in the na(e of Gorakh .ath !-t ,adh- .ath never e=plained the connection !et/een this "-r- and Gandaraph >yan. ?AAB A (ild c-rse /ith o!vio-s se=ist i(plications. < 92 < 'inally the Potter had so(e faith. 3;o/L :he donkey, (y sonL 2e8s a (iracle /orkerL 2e called (e and said, 8,arry (e to Pan +eL8 And no/ 9 see that he8s a (iracle /orker.3 3.o/, Potter, "o and /rap yo-rself in a t/elve4foot !lanket and sleep /itho-t careD don8t /ake -pL ;hen so(eone has to "o to the latrine they /ill !eat their head on the /all. As for the livestock, ho/ /ill they take the( to "razeE ;here /ill the people "o to shitE ;hen it8s dark they can sF-at near the /all, !-t /here /ill they "o once it8s li"htE3 >o Pachyo Potter "ave the donkey so(e fodder and /rapped hi(self in a t/elve4foot !lanket and lay do/n. :hat /as it, he slept, snorin" peacef-lly. :hen the people started to "o o-t to /ash their hands and faces.?A%B :hose that /ent in the dark sF-atted, !-t no/ it /as dayli"ht and /here co-ld the others "oE 3Gh noL ;hat has happenedE3 :here /as no /indo/ any/here, no /indo/ and no door. >o ho/ co-ld they "o o-tE And they needed to take the livestock to "raze, !-t /here co-ld they take the(E >heep, "oats, co/s, !-ffalo, o=en, all stayed inside. 2o/ co-ld people "et to their fields /hen there /ere ra(parts, nine yards hi"hE .o/ the /hole villa"e "athered. 3Gh, /hat has happenedE3 :hey sa/ no /indo/, no door. 3>o let8s "o.3 :he /hole city "athered and /ent inside the fort. :hey said, 3Grain4"iver, /here is the /indo/ or doorE :here isn8t one any/here, tell -s if there is. ;e have to shit, to /ash o-r hands and faces, !-t there is no place to do it. And o-r sheep and "oats are !leatin", and o-r cattle are (ooin", and o-r o=en are ri"ht hereD ho/ can /e take the( to the fields and forestsE3 3>ay !rothers, /hat has happenedE3 3;e8ll tell yo- /hat happened: do-!le /alls nine yards hi"hL And a sparklin" palace, of "old and silverL >o, Grain4"iver, yo-8re the kin", yo-8ve "ot a "old and silver palace and yo-8re feelin" happy. B-t as for -s, /e8re in tro-!le. 2o/ can /e "et o-t, ho/ can /e "o to the fields and 1-n"leE3 3>o "o and call Pachyo Potter, !rother. 2e8s (y in4la/?ACB no/. Go /ake hi( -p and !rin" hi(.3

?A%B :he (ost co((on e-phe(is( in the villa"e for "oin" to defecate. ?ACB biyai0 any person /ith /ho( one is connected thro-"h (arria"e. < 9# < >o the (essen"er and the 0oyal >ervants /ent to Pachyo Potter8s. 3Het8s "o, the kin" is callin".3 3Brothers, 98( still sleepin". 98( sleepin" ri"ht no/ !eca-se all ni"ht 9 /as a/ake. 0i"ht no/ 9 /on8t "o.3 3Co(e on, "et -p, elder !rother, o-r ani(als are !leatin", and yo-8re sleepin"L3 3Brothers, 9 can8t co(e no/, "o !ack.3 >o they /ent !ack and the kin" asked, 3;hat did he sayE3 32e said, 80i"ht no/ 98( sleepin".83 3Brin" hi(, !rothers, !rin" hi(L3 >o they /ent !ack a"ain. :hen he said to Jh-kanyo, the donkey: 3:hey keep callin" (e, one after another they keep co(in", so /hat sho-ld 9 sayE3 30ef-se: ;eddin" ro-nds?A&B !efore 9 pierce a sin"le doorL3 3B-t /hat if they say, 8'irst the /indo/ and the door, and then /e8ll "et yo- (arried8E3 3Het the "irl !e (ine, then a /indo/8s fineL :ell the( this: 89 /on8t open any door any/here, -ntil yoa"ree to the (arria"e.8 9f yo- like, say that the donkey ref-ses and says he (-st !e (arried first.3 >o Pachyo Potter h-rried to the fort, and the kin" said to hi(: 32ey Pach-1i?A@B Potter. 'ather of a da-"hterL /hy didn8t yo- leave a /indo/E ;hy didn8t yo- leave a doorE3 3Grain4"iver, /hat co-ld 9 doE :hat donkey didn8t leave one. :hat /as itL 2e (ade ra(parts nine yards tall that neither (an nor ani(al can cli(!, and there is no hole !i" eno-"h for an ant to "et o-t. B-t /hy sho-ld yo- !e -nsatisfiedE Mo- have a sparklin" palace of "old and silver. And yo- have (ines of seven (etals.3 3Mes, that8s tr-e, !-t yo- (-st (ake a hole.3 3'irst the (arria"e, sir. 2e ref-ses and says: ;eddin" ro-nds !efore, 9 pierce a sin"le doorL :hat8s all there is to it, sirL ;itho-t the (arria"e, he ref-ses to open it, Jin". 2e says, 8'irst 9 (-st take (y (arria"e ro-ndsD other/ise 9 /on8t open it.8 3 ?A&B phera0 the c-l(inatin" and !indin" (o(ent of the (arria"e rit-al: the t-rns ro-nd the sacred fire taken !y !ride and "roo(, knotted to"ether and led !y the priest. ?A@B :he kin" no/ -ses this for( of address, echoed later !y the princess and her servantsD it co(!ines inti(acy and perhaps a patronizin" or in"ratiatin" respect.

< 9A < 3B-t /hat a!o-t the villa"ersE 'ather of a da-"hterL :hey have to stay in here for the /hole dayE3 3Mes, let the( stay here. And let all the pren-ptial rites and feasts?A9B take place today. 2alf the villa"e can sit on the !ride8s side, and half the villa"e can "o /ith the "roo(8s party, the donkey8s party. )-st c-t /et !a(!oo?%$B and don8t !other a!o-t it. Prepare the lady /ith t-r(eric and henna.3?%1B 5Bh 1.&.e6 .o/ over here the princess /as adorned /ith henna and r-!!ed /ith t-r(eric. And over there they held henna and t-r(eric cere(onies for the donkey. >o -s-ally the ro-nds are held on a different day fro( the feasts, !-t he "ot (arried all in one day. 2alf the villa"e ca(e to the Potter8s place and prepared to 1oin the donkey8s /eddin" party. And half the villa"e stayed over there, on the !ride8s side.?%2B :hen they orna(ented the donkey and (ade hi( a "roo( and !ro-"ht hi( -p to the fort and he really did a nice 1o! of strikin" the (arria"e e(!le(.?%#B And they had the Kedas and >hastras?%AB recited. :hey set -p a fire altar and called Brah(ans and7the kin" "ot the donkey (arried /ith "reat cele!ration. After all, he /as a kin". >o he "ave a lot of "ifts?%%B to Pan +e, in fine fashion: he "ave land "ifts, ?A9B :/o kinds of feasts are referred to here, the %anda and the %el . :he for(er is "iven !y the "roo(8s father to non4castefello/s t/o days !efore the depart-re of the "roo(8s party for the !ride8s villa"e, and to castefello/s one day !efore depart-re. :he latter is a feast "iven !y the !ride8s father to his o/n castefello/s. ?%$B ala tila bans &atar0 a local e=pression -sed for doin" so(ethin" in a h-rry, /itho-t ela!orate preparations, and !y i(plication not in proper fashion. ?%1B pithi %andi0 pithi refers to any anoint(ent that softens and !ea-tifies the !ody, !-t in the conte=t of /eddin" festivities it (eans r-!!in" the !ride8s !ody /ith t-r(eric paste to (ake her 3fair3 7 -s-ally done several days !efore the /eddin". :he application of henna 5%andi 6 to her hands and feet, often in ela!orate desi"ns, is a separate event that -s-ally takes a /hole evenin". Both have co-nterparts in the "roo(8s villa"e. ;eddin" arran"e(ents in r-ral 0a1asthan are affairs of (any days and (any sta"es. :his para"raph8s p-rport is that the /eddin" of Pan +e and Jh-kanyo /ill !e done in a (ost i(proper h-rry. ?%2B %anda tala , literally, 3!eneath the %anda ,3 here refers to part of a te(porary str-ct-re erected for the /eddin" cere(ony. ?%#B toran0 a /ooden e(!le( placed a!ove the door to the !ride8s ho-se that the "roo( strikes /ith his s/ord !efore enterin" to participate in the rit-als. ?%AB >anskrit te=ts of prayers and la/s. ?%%B dan0 a ter( specifically applied to "ifts (ade for reli"io-s reasons, so(eti(es connotin" the transfer of ina-spicio-sness fro( donor to receiver. < 9% < he "ave "ifts of /ealth, he "ave co/ "ifts. 2e /as attentive to dhar(a, so he "ave her slave "irls too. 2e "ave a chariot and o=en and 0oyal >ervants. And no/, the /eddin" ro-nds /ere over, and he /as ready to "ive the( a send4off. :hen the kin" said

to Pachyo Potter, 3Brother, Pach-1i Potter, no/ yo- have !eco(e (y in4la/. And no/ yo- have to leave this villa"e. Go to(orro/, !rother, 98( "ivin" yo- a send4off: leave the villa"e and settle in /hatever villa"e pleases yo-.3 0i"ht after the (arria"e Pachyo Potter took the donkey, /ho !rayed 3:i!h- ti!h-3 in all fo-r directions and fo-r door/ays opened. And he said to the people, 3>tay /ell. :hat8s it, (y donkey is (arried.3 And so, drivin" the chariot /ith the donkey tied !ehind, Pachyo Potter left that villa"e. .o/ he is "oin" to/ard the 1-n"le, and all the people said, 3G !rother Pachyo Potter, keep /ell !rotherL .o/ /e can8t stop yo-. .o/ that the kin" (arried his princess to yo-, no one can stop yo-.3 :hey /ent t/enty4fo-r pl-s t/enty4fo-r, forty4ei"ht (iles into the desolate /ilderness. B-t then the donkey !alked. ;hat8s "oin" onE :he 0oyal >ervant is drivin" the chariot, and Princess Pan +e is seated inside !ehind a c-rtain, and the donkey is tied to the !ack of the chariot, and they are "oin" t/enty4fo-r pl-s t/enty4fo-r, forty4ei"ht (iles into the /ilderness. 5Bh. 1.@.e6 :hey had co(e to a desolate place, and little re(ained of the day. :he donkey /as tied to the princess8s chariot. And the driver /as drivin", !-t the donkey stood stock stillD he stopped short and /o-ldn8t (ove. :he o=en didn8t stop, they kept p-llin", and so the donkey slid alon". :he princess sa/ this, and said, 3:ell Pach-1i Potter?%CB the donkey isn8t "oin".3 :hen the 0oyal >ervant said, 3Pach-1i Potter, that donkey isn8t "oin", and he8s !e"-n to slide.3 >o the Potter "ot his /heel4t-rnin" stick and "ave hi( a fe/ !lo/s. B-t even so he 1-st sat do/n. 2e sat do/n and then they !e"an to dra" hi(, and then the princess, N-een Pan +e, said, 3:ell (y father4 in4la/ Pachyo Potter: Het8s stay ri"ht here. Het8s pitch o-r tents ri"ht ?%CB >he addresses the Potter indirectly, via the 0oyal >ervantD villa"e etiF-ette prescri!es that a ne/ !ride shall never speak to her father4in4la/. < 9C < here and do o-r cookin", and o-r 0oyal >ervants /ill keep /atch. Het8s spend the ni"ht here. +on8t !eat (y h-s!and4"od.?%&B 2e doesn8t /ant to "o on, so let8s stay ri"ht here.3 >o they pitched their tents ri"ht there and did the cookin" and fetched /ater. 'or forty4ei"ht (iles in each direction /ilderness /as all aro-nd the(. B-t they cooked and /ashed and ate and drank and /ent to sleep. At (idni"ht the donkey !rayed, 3Histen Pachyo Potter, are yo- asleep or a/akeE3 398( a/ake.3 3;hy, Pachyo Potter, /here are yo- takin" (eE ;here are yo- takin" (e !y !eatin" (eE3 3:here are so(e villa"es ahead, so /e can "et o-t of the 1-n"le.3 3B-t here in the 1-n"le /e can have ho-ses. ;ho /ill "ive yo- ho-sin" in the villa"esE Histen to /hat 9 say, load (y saddle!a"s on (e and fill one /ith !lack clay and fill one /ith yello/ clay and /e8ll !-ild o-r o/n city ri"ht here in the 1-n"le. ;e8ll r-le ri"ht here. >o (ake (e r-n aro-nd fo-r, ei"ht, or ten (iles7/e8ll (ake the ra(parts.3 >o he loaded the donkey and filled one saddle!a" /ith yello/ (-d and one /ith !lack (-d and poked s(all holes in the(. :hen he /ent over here ... here is Jhe1ari and .apa Jhera and over here, ,ori and

then as far as >a/ar,?%@B and so ri"ht there he settled the city of +hara .a"ar. And /hen the t/o lines (et, the donkey took the "-r-8s na(e and sta(ped his hoof and do-!le ra(parts of copper and !rass rose -p, nine yards hi"h. :hen he said to the Potter, 3.o/ dra/ the (arket sF-are.3 >o Pachyo Potter (ade the donkey r-n aro-nd, and he dre/ a (a"ic circle,?%9B and he (ade the streets. 9n the (iddle he p-t a (ark for palaces. :hen the donkey took the G-r- >overei"n8s na(e and !rayed 3:i!h- ti!h-3 and sta(ped his hoof. Up rose a "olden and silver palace, alon" /ith several !-n"alo/s and "old and silver (ines. 9n the (iddle of the city he sta(ped his hoof and took the ?%&B pati dev0 the conventional respectf-l ter( for h-s!and. ?%@B ,adh- .ath is (appin" o-t a circ-lar area !y na(in" local villa"es. ?%9B &ar ghalano0 &ar often refers to a circle inscri!ed on the "ro-nd !y e=orcists to contain spirits or protect those /ithin fro( spirits o-tside. < 9& < G-r- >overei"n8s na(e and copper (ansions rose -p. :here /ere streets "oin" this /ay and that /ay, /ith copper (ansions all of a kind. :he donkey said to the Potter, 3G Pachyo Potter, let8s "o into the 1-n"le.3 And he opened -p a !i" door/ay in the /all, and he took the G-r- >overei"n8s na(e and sta(ped his hoof. :hro-"ho-t the 1-n"le, /ells and step4/ells?C$B /ith stair/ays e(er"ed fro( the "ro-nd. :hen the donkey said to Pachyo Potter, 3Mo- !e (y chief (inister,3 and he sent the F-een into the palace. 39 a( Gandaraph >yan, that8s (y na(e. Jin" Gandaraph >yan is r-lin".3?C1B As soon as the day !roke, he sent his 0oyal >ervants to all the villa"es in different directions: 3Brin" tenant far(ers. :ell the( there are ready4(ade (ansions, (ansions of copper and !rass, for the( to live in, and there are /ells and step4/ells for their care. Het the( clear the land. 'or five years 9 /ill for"ive the ta=es, and 98ll s-pport this land and take care of these (ansions.3 >o a copper city /as !-ilt: +hara .a"ar. 9n +hara .a"ar there are (ansions of copper and !rass. >o all the people8s (inds /ere spoiled?C2B and they a!andoned their "rass h-ts. 3Het8s live hereL :here are fine, !ea-tif-l copper and !rass (ansions and /e can keep the(, and there are fine /ells and step4/ells and no ta=es for five years, no ta=es at allL 9n this kin"do( yo- can earn and eat and en1oy life.3 ;ell sir, /ithin t/elve (onths that city filled -p, people cro/ded to"ether like a foldin" "ate. :he /hole city /as pop-lated, and there /ere n-(ero-s (arkets, and tenant far(ers ca(e and !e"an to far(. 9ts na(e /as +hara .a"ar. And Princess Pan +e lived in the Color Palace, and the donkey /as tied -p near!y and fed on !etel leaves. Jin" Gandaraph >yan8s orders /ere la/, and Pachyo Potter /as the chief (inister. ?C$B &ua are the ro-nd deep /ells (ost ;esterners can pict-reD bavari , /hich 9 translate as 3step4 /ells,3 are /ells /ith stairs "oin" do/n into the(. :hese pleasant places for /ashin" and drinkin" are vital to the syste( of irri"ation !y !-llock and !-cket still -sed in (-ch of 0a1asthan. ?C1B :his first reference to the ori"inal na(e of Bharthari8s father since his so-l /as transported into the donkey co(es, si"nificantly, after he has esta!lished his kin"do(.

?C2B By "reed. < 9@ < .o/ let8s see, (idni"ht ca(e and let8s see /hat thin"s co(e to pass. 5Bh 9.9.e6 :he donkey /as tied -p on the terrace?C#B /ith !etel leaves for fodder, and the F-een /as inside the "old and silver castle, sleepin" on a cot. ,idni"ht ca(e and the donkey !rayed, 3:i!h- ti!h- ti!h-,3 and he said to the F-een, 3Co(e, N-een Pan +e.3 3Brother, is the donkey callin"E3 39t8s the donkey, /ho else co-ld it !eE3 >o the F-een ca(e and asked, 3Grain4"iverE3 3Gra! the tips of (y ears and p-ll.3 >o the F-een "ra!!ed the tips of his ears and p-lled. As soon as she p-lled ... a (an ca(e o-t, as splendid as the f-ll (oon. Gh (yL the F-een tho-"ht, he is like one of the s-n8s rays, and the F-een sh-t her eyes ti"ht. Gh (yL .o/ 98ll have so(e "ood fort-ne. ?CAB 9 a( a h-(an !ein" and (y father (arried (e to a donkey, !-t no/ 98ll have a !etter fate.?C%B :he F-een sh-t her eyes ti"ht. :hen they /ent inside, and she fi=ed hi( a (eal, and they talked. 3Grain4"iver, ho/ did yo- co(e to !e in a donkey8s skinE Are yo- a deity of so(e kind or otherE 2o/ did yo- "et into a she4ass8s va"inaE3 3N-een, 9 /as c-rsed !y (y father, he "ave (e a c-rse. ,y father said, 8Gandaraph >yan, sister4f-cker, "o into a donkeyL Mo- sa/ (y play and so yo- /ill "o into a she4ass8s va"ina.8 9t8s !eca-se of (y father8s c-rse that 9 a( in a donkey8s skin. +on8t tell any!ody that 9 can !eco(e h-(an. 9 /on8t see the s-n8s rays. 9 (-st "o !ack into the skin /hen the (ornin" star rises and the rooster cro/s. 9 (-st !e in the donkey8s skin !efore 9 see the s-n8s rays or 98ll !reathe (y last. 3+on8t !e asha(ed, no (atter /hat the /orld says of yo-. Mo- have eno-"h, 9 a( a kin", there is no tro-!le. Mo- have /ealth and "oods and no losses. Mo- have a "old and silver castle, and "old and ?C#B (obara0 an open4air 3roo(3 on the roof that the SK notes is -sed !y ne/ly/eds for sleepin" F-arters. ?CAB bhag &hulgyo apno0 literally, 3(y f-t-re destiny has opened -p.3 ?C%B tagdir0 another /ord for fate, of Urd- ori"in, yet co((on in 2ind- speech. 2ere it see(s interchan"ea!le /ith bhag , fro( >anskrit. < 99 < silver (ines, and (any tenant far(ers have settled here. >o /hat8s yo-r lossE :here is none.3 3Grain4"iver, 9 /as (arried so yo- are (y h-s!and4"od.3 >o that8s ho/ they lived and kept on livin". 5Bh 1.1$.e6

>o she p-lled the tips of his ears, and Prince >yan ca(e o-t, !ri"ht as a f-ll (oon, and they played a lot of parcheesi?CCB and feasted in the ni"ht. :hen the F-een "ot pre"nant. Gne (onth passed, the second (onth passed, the third and fo-rth and fifth and si=th, the seventh and ei"hth, and in the ninth (onth Jin" Bharthari /as !orn, a yo-n" princeL :he Brah(ans ca(e and caref-lly fo-nd a na(e,?C&B and they read the Kedas, and (any (eritorio-s "ifts?C@B /ere (ade: horse "ifts and "rain "ifts and dia(ond and r-!y "ifts. And in all the ho-ses of the kin"do( there /as 1oy and cele!ration. 3Gh (yL A prince /as !orn in the castleL A prince /as !ornL3 B-t the /o(en, they said ?2ere Madhu is (hu(&ling and the audien(e is (hu(&ling and %a&ing re%ar&s B: 3B-t ho/ can a donkey sire a princeE ;hat has happenedE ;hat i(propriety has happened, that a donkey fathers a prince. 9t8s /eirdL ;e have a donkey8s prince.3 :he /o(en said these thin"s: 3A donkey8s princeL Gh (yL ;hat has !eco(e of o-r F-een8s "ood characterE3 5Bh 1.11.e6 Gne and a F-arter years later the F-een /as pre"nant a"ain. Gne (onth passed, t/o (onths passed, three, fo-r, five, si=, seven, ei"ht (onths passed, and in the ninth (onth the hero Kikra(aditya?C9B /as !orn. 2e /as !orn and they "ave lavishly: horse "ifts, elephant "ifts, "old and silver "ifts. :hen they called the Brah(ans to find a na(e. :hey fo-nd the na(e Kikra(aditya and said, 3N-een, no/ yo-8ll have a "ood f-t-re destiny. A very fine prince is !orn, -nder ?CCB 3Playin" parcheesi3 appears in (any 0a1asthani stories and son"s as a e-phe(is( for se=-al interco-rse. ?C&B By c-sto( all villa"ers, not 1-st royal fa(ilies, cons-lt a Brah(an astrolo"er to deter(ine if not /hat na(e, then /ith /hat letter the na(e of a ne/ child sho-ld !e"in, accordin" to his or her horoscope. ?C@B dan/pun . ?C9B bir 1a&ara%adit0 for this le"endary kin" and his part in Bharthari8s le"end see chapter #. < 1$$ < a very "ood si"n,?&$B and his na(e /ill !e kno/n in the /orld: 2ero Kikra(aditya. 9t is a f-t-re of riches. Mo-r f-t-re destiny is "ood.3 B-t people p-t their (o-ths close to"ether: 3>o, a donkey fathered a princeL3 ?Sni(&ers fro% the audien(e B ;ho can stop people fro( talkin"E ;ell, sir, one and one4F-arter years later a princess /as !orn. 5Bh 1.12.e6 A princess /as !orn, a (aiden, and they na(ed her ,anavati.?&1B After a fe/ (onths, N-een Pan +e /rote a letter and sent a (an. >he tho-"ht, .o/ (y o/n (other and father o-"ht to feel 1oyf-l. 98ve had three children, !oys and a "irl, !-t others take care of (e. :hey (arried (e to a donkey and sent (e a/ay. And since then no (other co(es, no father co(es, no one co(es to take care. >o she tho-"ht, 9 /ill send a (an. >he /rote a letter and sent it. :he letter reached the kin", and the kin" read it. 39 had three children, !oys and a "irl, and 98d like to see yo- and the F-een. Please co(eL *ven tho-"h yo- haven8t taken care of (e, yo- are still (y (other and father. Mo- (arried (e to a donkey and didn8t take care of (e.3 :hen the kin" /as very an"ry. 3;ho needs a da-"hter like thatE Mes, 9 (arried her to a donkey, so

/here did these princes co(e fro(E ?Madhu sni(&ers B :hree childrenL :/o princes and one princess ... 9 /on8t travel in that sl-t8s direction.3 B-t her (other said: :ho-"h sinner she !e >he !elon"s to (eL :he fla(es of love are "reater in a (other. 3'ine, Grain4"iver, yo- don8t have to "o, !-t 9 /ill "o. 2arness the chariot and 98ll "o and take care of the princess. 98ll "et there and see /hat it8s like and co(e !ack.3 >o the F-een harnessed the chariot, and Pan +e8s (other /ent to visit her. 5Bh 1.1#.e6 .o/ the F-een harnessed her chariot.?&2B ?&$B na&hataran0 2indi na&satra . ?&1B :h-s ,anavati ,ata, Gopi Chand8s (other and Bharthari8s sister, is !orn. >he plays no f-rther part in Bharthari8s tale. ?&2B :his !e"ins the final s-n" se"(ent of Bh 1. < 1$1 < Gh yes ... :hey h-n" -p a c-rtain And the F-een sat !ehind. Gh yes ... ;hen she reached Copper City?&#B >he ascended to the palace. Gh yes ... ,other (et da-"hter, ,other (et da-"hter. Gh yes ... .o/ the da-"hter Pan +e spoke: 3Mo- didn8t co(e see (e for so (any yearsL3 Gh yes ... 3+a-"hter, yo-r father is an"ry at yo-L Gh yes ... 3A donkey fathered a princeE ;here did yo- "et this princeE3 3,other, listen to (y ne/s )-st /ait till the day8s end. Gh yes ... 3:hen 9 /ill sho/ yo- the kin" At the day8s end.3 Gh yes ... :he F-een /ent in the ni"ht, p-lled the tips of his ears. Gh yes ...

and the kin" ca(e o-t Hike a f-ll (oon. Gh yes ... :he kin" entered the castle And prostrated to his /ife8s (other. Gh yes ... .o/ this F-een sa/ and /ondered 32o/ did he co(e fro( a donkey8s skinE3 Gh yes ... 5Bh 1.1A.s6 ?&#B Ta%bavati0 yet another na(e for U11ain, -sed only here, derivin" no do-!t fro( the copper (ansions already descri!ed. < 1$2 < >he drove in her chariot to Copper City. >he drove into Copper City and "ot do/n fro( her chariot and ascended into the palace, and (other and da-"hter (et each other. And they conversed. 3,other, 98ve had three children !-t yo- never ca(e to visit (e. Mo- (arried (e to a donkey and didn8t take care of (e.3 3+a-"hter, /hat co-ld /e doE 9t /as yo-r /ritten destiny.?&AB ;e had to (arry yo- to a donkey. B-t yo- /rote a letter and sent a (an and yo-r father "ot an"ry: 8A donkey8s sonE 2o/ does it happenE8 'ro( /ho( did yo- "et this !oyE3 3,other, yo- /on8t !elieve the tr-th. B-t 1-st spend a fe/ days here, and then yo-8ll seeL Het the end of the day co(e, and in the ni"ht 9 /ill sho/ yo- yo-r son4in4la/.3 >o in the ni"ht the F-een p-lled on the tips of the donkey8s ears, and he ca(e o-t, shinin" like the f-ll (oon, a !ri"ht li"ht shone in the castle. And then he /ent and prostrated hi(self, respectf-lly "reetin" his (other4in4la/: 3,other4in4la/, yo- have co(e to visit -s after so (any daysE3 :he F-een sF-eezed her eyes sh-t: 3Gh (yL ;hat kind of event has taken placeE3 :hen she asked hi(, 3Bride"roo(4prince, /hat are yo- doin" in a donkey8s skinE3?&%B 3,other, (y father c-rsed (e. Beca-se of this c-rse 9 a( in a donkey8s skin, 9 had to take a donkey !irth. Gther/ise 9 a( Jin" Gandaraph >yan, Gandaraph >yan is (y na(e. ,y father c-rsed (e.3 :h-s the F-een4(other4in4la/ spent five or ten days, and she sa/ ho/ her da-"hter p-lled the ears ni"htly. And they spent the ni"hts very pleasantly, eatin" and playin" a lot, and havin" f-n. B-t that /as itL ;hen the (ornin" star rose and the rooster cro/ed, then he ret-rned to his donkey skin. .o/ she sa/ ho/ they lived. ;hoE :he (other4in4la/. And she said to Pan +e, 3>on,?&CB this is /hat yo- sho-ld do: divert his (ind ?&AB le&h . ?&%B 'ro( this point the e=planation "oes !eyond the final s-n" se"(ent, as often happens at the end of a (a1or part. 9 a( -ns-re /hether this happens !eca-se ,adh- is in a h-rry to finish and skips the sin"in", or !eca-se no s-n" portion (atches the events narrated. ?&CB ,others often call their da-"hters 3son3 /hen they /ant to e=press closeness and care.

< 1$# < and take the donkey skin and !-rn it -p. :hro/ it on kindlin" and !-rn -p the donkey skin. Hi"ht a /ick to it. :hen r-! that skin into po/der !et/een yo-r hands and scatter it to the /ind fro( the castle roof. +o that, and then he /ill stay a (an, he /on8t "o !ack in the donkey skin. 2e /ill stay a (an.3 :his /as the trick she ta-"ht her. >he /ill (ake her a /ido/. :he (other spent five or ten days /ith her da-"hter, and then she /ent !ack to her o/n place. :hey "ave her a send4off. B-t (ean/hile she had told this cleverness to her da-"hter, to Pan +e. >o /hen her (other had "one, Pan +e did this: she o!tained a !-ndle of fire/ood. :hen she p-lled on his ears and /hen he /as a kin" they played a lot of parcheesi and feasted and lay do/n. After/ards the kin" /ent to sleep. >he said ?to her servantsB, 3Brin" a !-ndle of kindlin".3 3;hy, Princess, /hat are yo- "oin" to doE3 3Gh don8t call o-t. +on8t tell.3 Mes, !rin" it F-ietly. 3Brin" it F-ietly.3 ;hile the kin" /as sleepin" she asked for a !-ndle of kindlin", and she p-t it on top. ;hatE :he donkey skin. And then she lit it and !-rned it -p, sir. >o the donkey skin !-rned -p and t-rned to ash. ;hen it had t-rned to ash, the F-een r-!!ed the ashes !et/een the pal(s of her hands and p-t the( on a platter and /ent to the roof of the palace and scattered the(, and her hands /ere printed /ith the s-n and the (oon. >he scattered the(. :hen the kin" a/oke and the rooster cro/ed, and he said, 3N-een, N-een, oh !rin" (y skinL3 3G "irls, /here did yo- p-t itE G "irls, slave "irls /here did yo- p-t itE3?&&B B-t she /as callin" 3Brin" the skin3 (eanin"lessly. 9f there /ere a skin they co-ld !rin" itD !-t /here /ill they !rin" it fro(E 3Gh, the "irls p-t it so(e/here, Grain4"iver, /ho kno/s /here they p-t itE ;here did yo- p-t it, "irlsE3 3;e kno/ nothin" a!o-t it.3 :hen day !e"an to !reak. 3Gh, yo- sl-t, /hat8s "oin" onE :ell (e /hat really happened.3 3;ell, Grain4"iver, (y (other ca(e, and she told (e this trick: ?&&B Pan +e pretends she kno/s nothin". < 1$A < 8Hi"ht a /ick to it, and !-rn it on kindlin".8 >o 9 !-rned it and r-!!ed it and this (oon and s-n /ere printed on (e and 9 scattered it fro( the roof.3 3Gh yo- sl-t, /hat have yo- doneE Mo- (ade yo-rself a /ido/. Mo- destroyed the skin /ith yo-r o/n hands, and no/ 9 have no hope of livin". ;hen 9 see the li"ht of day (y life is over.3 39t isE3

3Mes. Mo- (ade yo-rself a /ido/ /ith yo-r o/n hands. 9t see(s yo- called yo-r (other4/ido/?&@B here 1-st to kill (e.3 :here /as no c-re. As soon as he sa/ the s-n8s rays, Gandaraph >yan8s life /as over. 3Gh, the kin" died, the kin" died, o-r kin" died, Jin" Gandaraph >yan diedL3 :hey sat Jin" Bharthari on the throne, and he perfor(ed the cre(ation rites. 5Bh 1.1A.e6 ?&@B %anrand0 an ins-lt < 1$% <

Part 7 4harthari1s Detach0ent

Introduction
,adh- .ath la!els this central part of the epic 3Bharthari8s vairagya ,3 /hich 9 translate 3detach(ent.3 :he kin" does not act-ally leave the /orld -ntil part #. Part 2 is in essence an acco-nt of the events that propel hi( to/ard that destiny and create in hi( a reno-ncer8s orientation to/ard /orldly life. :he /ord vairagya can refer to s-ch an orientation, as /ell as to act-al steps to/ard ren-nciation.?1B Part 2 (akes no reference !ack to the !irth story and does not atte(pt to fill in the !lanks !et/een Bharthari8s infancy and his condition here as U11ain City8s r-ler, (arried to Pin"ala. 2o/ever, several strands of i(a"e and (eanin" link the events of the !irth story /ith this central part of the epic. Bharthari 2 opens /ith N-een Pin"ala8s ta-ntin" her h-s!and !eca-se he never "oes h-ntin". :o this s-n" reproach the arthav adds that he never plays parcheesi /ith her in the palace7parcheesi !ein", as /e already kno/, a re"-lar e-phe(is( for se=-al interco-rse. 9n sendin" her h-s!and o-t to the forest /here kin"s sho-ld sport at h-ntin", Pin"ala also sends hi( into the do(ain of yo"is and precipitates a series of events that /ill !e /holly disastro-s to her /edded happiness. :h-s, as /as the case /ith Pan +e, her desire that her h-s!and !e (ore of a kin" and a lover has the opposite effect. ,-ch of Bharthari 2 is concerned /ith the a(!i"-ities of (arital ?1B :he ter( vairagya is not part of ,adh- .ath8s -s-al voca!-lary. 9ts -se here (ay recall the title of one of the >anskrit poet Bhartrihari8s fa(o-s sets of verses, 1airagya . < 1$C < love and the possi!ilities for (-t-al violence that l-rk /ithin it. 9n that sense the tale takes off directly fro( the end of the !irth story. Pan +e -n/ittin"ly destroyed her h-s!and8s life !y (eans of fire /hen she incinerated the donkey skin and scattered its ashes to the /inds. After Pin"ala dies, herself destroyed !y Bharthari8s tho-"htlessness and !y her o/n fanatic dedication to p-shin" h-s!and4 devotion to its li(its, Gorakh .ath scatters her ashes to the /ind. Ashes are the other side of (ortal passion, and they appear in (any conte=ts in these tales. Ashes represent death !-t also the potential for a ne/ and different life. Pan +e the h-s!and4killer finds that the donkey skin8s ashes have left the a-spicio-s (arks of the s-n and the (oon on her pal(s. G-t

of Bharthari8s (adness -pon findin" Pin"ala nothin" !-t a pinch of ash co(es a ne/ conscio-sness that /ill !rin" hi( i((ortality. Hater, in Gopi Chand A, the "-r-8s death c-rse73AshesL37/hen it fails t/ice, is follo/ed !y the prono-nce(ent 39((ortalL3 3:hird ti(e proves all,3 anno-nces the "a(ester Gorakh .ath, and th-s do Bharthari and Gopi Chand "ain i((ortal !odies. *very yo"i r-!s his skin /ith ashes, hidin" the !ea-ty that aro-ses (ortal passion /hile sho/in" his affiliation /ith, and indifference to, fire and death. ,-ch of Bharthari 2 is a narrative (editation on the act of sati 7another red-ction of flesh to ash that res-lts in divinity. 9n "eneral, (e(!ers of the r-ral a-dience for this tale respect the tradition of sati as a (anifestation of the "oddess. :his does not (ean that they do not share ;esterners8 horror at the tho-"ht of a fa(iliar fe(ale -ndertakin" s-ch a step. .evertheless, 9 -r"e that readers te(porarily s-spend 1-d"(ent of sati as oppression of /o(en, in order to appreciate the reasons that yo"is deval-e sati even /hile they reco"nize it as an e=tre(e, and dan"ero-s, (anifestation of divine fe(ale po/er. ;hereas other 2ind- te=ts (ay perceive sati as the -lti(ate e=pression of /ifely perfection and /o(an8s dhar(a 5Heslie 19@@6, this yo"ic tradition thro/s it into F-estion in several /ays. Sati is a!ove all en1oined -pon no!le/o(en 52arlan 19926. B-t in Bharthari part 2, forest ani(als and a lo/4 caste or tri!al (eat4eatin" h-ntress precede N-een Pin"ala in !eco(in" sati . .one of these satis , not even Pin"ala8s, is F-ite ri"ht. :he narrative not only F-estions /hether any (ales are /orth dyin" for !-t (ore o!liF-ely hints that the (otivations of the /o(en /ho choose s-ch deaths (ay have (ore < 1$& < to do /ith po/er than love. 9n the after/ord these iss-es are (ore f-lly and spec-latively e=plored. Bharthari 2 contains the epic8s !est loved and (ost freF-ently perfor(ed scene: /hen Gorakh .ath 3takes a/ay the kin"8s st-!!ornness3 !y (ockin" his (o-rnin" and then de(onstratin" the s-perior po/er of yo"is and the ill-sory nat-re of life and love. :his is the ori"in of Bharthari8s detached attit-de. Gorakh .ath creates7literally 3(akes stand -p37seven h-ndred fifty N-een Pin"alas. 2e then de(ands that Bharthari p-t his hand on his o/n. ,adh-8s renderin" of this scene p-zzled (e, especially the end, /hen the last re(ainin" Pin"ala atte(pts to 1erk Jin" Bharthari -p to the sky and Gorakh .ath c-rses her. ,y conf-sion ca(e fro( the ass-(ption that one of these Pin"alas act-ally /as the 3real3 one. 2o/ever, lon" cons-ltations /ith Bho1- and Bho1-8s f-rther F-estionin" of ,adh- .ath (ade it clear that in creatin" the seven h-ndred fifty look4alike Pin"alas, Gorakh .ath had not restored a dead F-een to life. 0ather, he had co((anded his fe(ale po/ers or sa&tis , to appear in Pin"ala8s for(.?2B ;hen he tells the kin" to p-t his hand on the real one, then, he is settin" hi( an i(possi!le taskD none is real. B-t the yo"ic (essa"e "oes !eyond this, for the 3real3 Pin"ala /as no (ore real than the (a"ic replications of her for(. Bodies are not real. .a(e and for( are not real. 9n part #, Pin"ala plays the role of a!andoned /ife to the hilt and aro-ses sy(pathyD /e for"et that she is not the ori"inal devoted /ife. 2ere, ho/ever, as one of the fairy4Pin"alas she is 1-st another sl-t. Bharthari8s character, as it is !-ilt -p in this part of the epic, is st-!!orn and insensitive7perhaps providin" one (ore direct link to his !irth tale. 2e is, after all, the son of a donkey. 2e also appears in certain /ays as inco(petent. ;hen he does "o h-ntin", it is not /ith "reat s-ccess. :he only kill he (akes /alks ri"ht in front of hi( and advises hi( on ho/ to shoot. :he constant refrain of the s-n" verses, 3Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari3 5Sa%a!ho Bharthari 6, (ay !e a co((ent on the kin"8s hard4 headedness and need for repeated instr-ction. 9n this he is F-ite different fro( Gopi Chand, /ho /avers perpet-ally ?2B Accordin" to Bho1-, yo"is really can !rin" the dead to life !-t not after their cre(ation. 'or

e=a(ple, )alindar restores ,anavati fro( a pile of !ones, and Cha(pa +e fro( a ne/ corpse. Gorakh .ath revives ,achhindar8s sons fro( piles of !one and skin. )alindar .ath is a!le to reverse the effects of his o/n 3t-rn4to4ash3 tin /ith his eli=ir4of4life tin, !-t that (ay !e a special case. < 1$@ < and chan"es co-rse at the sli"htest p-sh fro( another person. ;here Gopi Chand8s /eepin" aro-ses "reat e(pathy, Bharthari8s is (ade o-t to !e la-"ha!le. 2ere as in part 1, ,adh- .ath8s ela!oration of /orkaday details is deli!erate and effective. Gne "ood e=a(ple is the description of the potters /ho, on Bharthari8s order, try to replicate Gorakh .ath8s !roken 1-". Hike the /eddin" in Bharthari 1, the /ork of the potters7di""in" clay, kneadin" it, t-rnin" it on the /heel, !akin" it in the kiln7offers listeners do/n4to4earth and /ell4kno/n activities. Co(in" as it does shortly after a rather lon" deto-r thro-"h the co-rts of heaven, the pottin" interl-de p-ts thin"s in perspective. Mo"is have their detached attit-des and their (iraclesD the ho-seholder8s /orld has do(estic net/orks and the (-ndane !-t fondly recalled details of everyday life. ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ance deftly inter/eaves and contrasts these alternatives.

Te6t
2onored Jin"# ... ,y h-s!and, yo- never "o h-ntin" lions, and yo- never ride pre"nant (ares, Jin" Bharthari,?AB Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, Mo-8re (y /edded lord, !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te.?%B 2onored Jin" ... ;ith seventy4ei"ht h-ndred servants and seventy4t/o co-rtiers, the kin" ?#B ,ost of part 2 is s-n" in the a!a!i rag partic-larly associated /ith the tale of BharthariD in se"(ent & ,adh- .ath s/itches to GC rag 1 and then to GC rag 2 for the concl-din" se"(ent. ?AB Altho-"h this verse /as never e=plained d-rin" the recorded perfor(ance, ,adh- .ath later told -s that a Brah(an read in Bharthari8s horoscope that he /o-ld !e a reno-ncer. :he Brah(an advised Bharthari8s (other that in order to avoid this fate her son (-st never "o h-ntin"D !-t if he h-nts he (-st never "o northD and if he "oes north he (-st never ride a pre"nant (are. Hater /e /ill find the pre"nant (are ta!oo en-(erated !y Bharthari hi(self as one of his personal r-les. ?%B :his entire verse is addressed !y Pin"ala to Bharthari. :he first t/o lines initiate the i((ediate action, and the last three are the (-ch4repeated refrain of Pin"ala8s la(ent, here evokin" the disastro-s conseF-ences of Bharthari8s h-nt. < 1$9 < ;ent h-ntin" lions for sport, Jin" Bharthari /ent h-ntin" lions, Jin" Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, U11ain City8s r-ler killed nothin".

2onored Jin" ... 2e didn8t find a lion, Jin" Bharthari, (y Jin" Bharthari, 2e raised a !oar -pon the hill, Jin" Bharthari. 2e raised a !oar -pon the hill, Jin" Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, +hara .a"ar8s r-ler: +on8t kill (e.?CB 2onored Jin" ... Chasin" the !oar, he /hipped his horse, the kin" /ent after the !oar. Jin" Bharthari /hipped his horse and chased the !oar. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, U11ain City8s r-ler, yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored Jin"... 2is seventy4ei"ht h-ndred servants and seventy4t/o co-rtiers, his ar(y /as left !ehind, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, his ar(y /as left !ehind, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Gnly one servant stayed /ith hi(, Jin" Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, Mo-8re (y /edded lord, no/ don8t kill (e.?&B >peak Kictory to Bharthari Ba!aL 5Bh 2.1.s6 >o this is /hat happened. :he F-een, Pin"ala ... N-een Pin"ala na""ed hi(. 32ey, Jin" Bharthari. Moare the kin", !-t yo- never co(e into the palaces to play parcheesi. And yo- never en1oy h-ntin" lions. Mo-r kin"ship and yo-r life are /orthless.3 ?CB :he !oar speaks to the kin", "ivin" the first indication that Bharthari /ill have a diffic-lt ti(e h-ntin", !eca-se all the ani(als have a h-(an conscio-sness. ?&B 2ere ,adh- (er"es the speeches of Pin"ala and the !oar, /hether o-t of for"etf-lness or !eca-se !oth s-ffer at the kin"8s hands, 9 cannot say. < 11$ < :he F-een8s !ar! pierced hi(. >o on the very ne=t day he said, 3GJ, N-een, 98ll "o this (ornin".3 9n order to sport at h-ntin" Jin" Bharthari took seventy4ei"ht h-ndred servants and seventy4t/o co-rtiers alon" /ith hi(. 2e took the ar(y and s-ch, and he /ent to sport at h-ntin". :he r-ler /ent h-ntin". 2e /ent lion h-ntin", !-t he (et no lion. 2e (et no lion. Gnly a !oar /as raised. Gne !oar /as raised, so the kin" !eat his horse, and Jin" Bharthari chased after the !oar. 2e chased after the !oar, 398ve "ot yo-, 98ve "ot yo-, 98ve "ot yo-L3 :he !oar /as "oin" alon" like that and he ca(e to a terrain of strea(s and ditches.?@B :here, a(on" the strea(s and ditches, (y sonL he lost hi(L :hat !oar never ca(e /ithin ran"e of the kin"8s spear. >o he had lost the !oar, and 1-st one servant !oy re(ained /ith hi(. :hey /ere on horse!ack. :hat servant /as his special favorite. :he ar(y "ot left !ehind. And there /as only that !oy /ith Jin" Bharthari, and no/ they had lost their prey. .o/ ho/ co-ld they en1oy h-ntin"E :hen he said, 3>ervant.3

3;hat, Grain4"iverE3 3;here8s the ar(yE3 3:he ar(y "ot left !ehind.3 3;hereE3 3.ear JekariD they8ve co(e to Ghatiyali.?9B And, Grain4"iver, no/ /e8re o-t of !-siness /ith h-ntin". :here /as a !oar, !-t it "ot lost. And /e haven8t fo-nd a lion to h-nt.3 3;ell the ar(y8s !een left !ehind. B-t ho/ can 9 "o !ack e(pty4handedE :he F-een /ill speak harshly to (e.3 3Certainly let8s "o on, let8s keep h-ntin".3 3;e /ill h-nt.3 3GJ, Grain4"iver. ;e8re still in the 1-n"le. >o let8s /ander aro-nd the 1-n"le.3 >o he /hipped his horse -ntil he ca(e -pon seventy h-ndred fe(ale deer. 9n their (idst /as a sin"le sta". A(on" seventy h-ndred there /as 1-st one, ,oti >ta". ?@B &halla &ho(hara0 a partic-lar land for(ation /ith (any little riv-lets or "-llies /here /ater flo/s in the rainy season and plants "ro/ d-rin" the rest of the year. Ani(als (ay "raze and also hide in these ditches. ?9B :his 1oke also localizes the tale. Jekari is a near!y to/n /here Ghatiyalians often take their !-siness. < 111 < :he servant8s "aze fell on hi(. 3Grain4"iver, there is a (ale. Het8s kill the (ale.3 5Bh 2.1.e6 :here /ere seventy h-ndred does, !-t only one sta". .o/ the does said to that sta", 3G 2-s!and4"od, r-n a/ayL Mo- can leap seven hed"es in one 1-(pL 0-n a/ay, !eca-se Jin" Bharthari has co(e. And he is h-ntin" and he /ill kill yo-, !-t he /on8t kill even one of -s does. 0-n a/ay fro( the kin", ,oti >ta", hide yo-rselfL Heap over seven hed"es, cala(ity4!rin"erL 0-nL ;hat are yo- doin" hereE ;hat /ill happen to -s, to yo-, todayE 2e /ill kill yo- and he /on8t kill -s. 9t is Jin" Bharthari and he doesn8t kill fe(ales, he kills only (ales. 2e /on8t kill -s, so r-n a/ayL3 Mes, yo- r-n a/ay or /e /ill all !e /ido/ed. :hen ,oti >ta" spoke: 3G +oes, /hy are yo- afraid of dyin"E :he one /ho kno/in"ly "oes to face death is called a (an, he is called a (an. And /hatever the G-r- >overei"n does, that8s /hat happens.3 :hen the does ran and s-rro-nded the kin"8s horse ... 3Mes, Bharthari, kill -s7kill ten, t/enty, forty, fifty, Jin" Bharthari, !-t don8t kill o-r one ,oti >ta". Jill -s, as (any as yo- /ant. B-t if yo- kill ,oti >ta" then all seventy h-ndred of -s /ill !e /ido/s. >o kill -s.3 3Hook, +oes, 9 have vo/ed three thin"s. :hese are (y r-les. Gne is that 9 don8t drink the /ater of r-nnin" rivers. And, 9 don8t ride on pre"nant (ares. And the third is that 9 never shoot and in1-re fe(ales. 9f there3s a (ale, then 9 shall kill only the (ale. Mo- fe(ales, (ay!e yo- /ill co(e ri"ht -nder (y horse8s feet, !-t still 9 /on8t kill yo-. 9 /as !orn a (an and 9 only kill (en, 9 don8t in1-re /o(en.3

:hen the does said to ,oti >ta", 3B-rn -pL ;hat are yo- doin" hereE 0-n a/ay, leap over seven hed"esL3 3G sl-ts,?1$B yo- !elon" to the fe(ale species, !-t 9 shall "o and face death. ;hat is there to fear fro( deathE ;hatever the G-r- >overei"n does, let it co(e to pass.3 >o he approached Bharthari, co(in" t/o dori?11B closer. Jin" Bharthari /anted to kill hi(, so this (ade the kin" happy. 3Gh hoL 9t8s very fine that the h-nt has co(e in front of the kin"L ;onderf-lL3 ?1$B rand0 an a!-sive ter( /hose (eanin"s ran"e fro( 3/ido/3 to 3prostit-te.3 ?11B A dori is a -nit of (eas-reD 1C dori eF-al one (ile. < 112 < ,oti >ta" ca(e !efore Jin" Bharthari and said, 32ey Jin" Bharthari, hear (y /ords. ,y death is in the third arro/. .o/ 9 shall (ake (y pro(ises?12B and yo- (-st "rasp the(.3 Pay attentionL 3Pay attention.3 5Bh 2.2.e6 :hen ,oti >ta" spoke, 3Hook, Jin" Bharthari, yo- /ill kill (e, yes, 9 have co(e in order to die. >o, Jin" Bharthari, listen to /hat 9 have to say. ,y death is in the third shot. And "ive these feet of (ine to co/ards and thieves. Het the( !oil and eat the(, and then they8ll !e a!le to r-n a/ay and save their lives. .o one /ill catch the(. 3And as for (y skin7in the 1-n"le /here so(e yo"i is perfor(in" tapas , so(e sadhu , then he can /rap half aro-nd hi(self, and he can spread half to sit -pon /hile repeatin" prayers. :hat /ill !e (y passa"e to li!eration. 3And look, Jin" Bharthari, (y horns, /hich are so !i", "ive (y horns to Gorakh .ath1i, and he can c-t off the tip and (ake a horn instr-(ent.?1#B >o he (ay "o fro( ho-se to ho-se callin" )Ala&h*)?1AB Het Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n (ake the horn and so-nd it and call )Ala&h*) and then 98ll "et release, passa"e, 9 /ill "o to en1oy (yself in 2eaven. 3And this flesh, distri!-te it a(on" the 0a1p-t fa(ilies. 3And (y eyes, (y piercin" eyes, "o and "ive the( to yo-r F-een, and she can eat the( and then people /ill call her deer4F-een.3 +eer4eyed. Mes, deer4eyed. 3>-re, !rother.3 >o then he fi=ed his arro/. ;hoE Jin" Bharthari. B-t Bhair- .ath?1%B (ade the first one of his arro/s (iss its (ark. Bhair- /as his favored deity. ;hoseE :he sta"8s. 2e fi=ed the second ?12B va(han0 altho-"h it (ay !e translated as 3pro(ise,3 va(han can also (ean any 3stron" /ords3 or 3tr-e /ords.3 ?1#B 2ere is the ori"in of the fa(o-s deer4horn instr-(ent that /e enco-nter thro-"ho-t !oth tales and that is one of the chief e(!le(s of .ath yo"is. ?1AB 'Ala&h*' /hich yo"is cry /hen on their !e""in" ro-nds, (eans 3the i(percepti!le.3 :he ver! -sed

/ith it, !agarno , (eans to /ake -pD the i(plication is this cry ro-ses people to an a/areness of invisi!le realities, kno/n to yo"is, as /ell as the visi!le reality of a !e""ar /ho (-st !e fed. ?1%B Bhair-1i is an i(portant deity in r-ral 0a1asthan, associated /ith !oth >hiva and the "oddess, and often does their /ork in the /orld for the( 5Gold 19@@, 2%&I%@6. < 11# < arro/ and the G-r- >overei"n Gorakh .ath1i (ade it (iss its (ark. B-t the third arro/ str-ck hi( in the (iddle of his forehead,?1CB it str-ck the (iddle of ,oti >ta"8s forehead, and he !reathed his last. 2e !reathed his last, and /hile he /as dyin", those does said, 3G 2-s!and4"od, father of a da-"hterL :-rn yo-r neck -p and keep it that /ayL ;e told yo- to r-n a/ay, !-t yo- ref-sed to r-n. .o/ keep yo-r neck -p for a little /hile, as lon" as yo- are conscio-s.3 >o the sta" t-rned his neck -p and his horns /ere sharp as sharp can !e, and the does ca(e 1-(pin" and thre/ the(selves on his horns. )-(pin" and leapin", they !eca(e sati . :hey "ave -p their lives. Mes, they "ave -p their lives, and their so-ls /ere released.?1&B :he kin" tho-"ht, Gh ho, /hat a /eird thin" has happenedL >eventy h-ndred does are /ailin" in the 1-n"le. :hey said, 3Jin" Bharthari, 1-st as /e are /ailin", /e does of the /oods, so /ill they /ail in yo-r Color Palace. ;e /ill c-rse yo-: Be a yo"i, in yo-r early yo-th, and call 8Ala&h* 8 fro( ho-se to ho-se. And 1-st as /e does of the forest are /ailin", so in yo-r d/ellin" /ill they /ail. ;e /ill c-rse yo-, Jin" Bharthari.3 :hey c-rsed hi(. >o the h-nter hardly kne/, the h-nter tho-"ht, :hese sl-ts are 1-st !arkin", they are ani(als, /hat kind of spirit do they haveE >o Jin" Bharthari didn8t pay attention to /hat they said, and leapin" and 1-(pin" the does died. Jin" Bharthari had a handkerchief. :hose does /ere st-ck, ca-"ht, on the horns, and he p-lled the( off and tossed the( aside, and he took his cloth, his handkerchief, and p-t it in the !lood. 2e soaked it in deer8s !lood. 3>on of a ... L *ven these does of the forest !eco(e sati, !-t 9 /onder a!o-t (y o/n F-een ... /ill sheE Het8s find o-t. Het8s "ive N-een Pin"ala a test?1@B and see if she /ill !eco(e sati too. 9f these ?1CB tala& lalar 52. tila& 6, there is (ore si"nificance than 3shot in the head3 in these /ords. A tila& is an a-spicio-s reli"io-s (ark (ade on the center of the forehead at the close of a rit-alD and the /ord lalar is also -sed for fate, /hich is /ritten on the forehead. :he i(plication is not only that ,oti >ta"8s death /as fated !-t that it /as an a-spicio-s and rit-alized death. ?1&B %u& hogi0 that is, they !eca(e %ut&i or free fro( eternal cycles of redeath and re!irth. ?1@B pari&sa0 the the(e of a test, very often !y a (ore po/erf-l !ein" de(andin" s-pre(e sacrifice fro( a /orshiper, is co((on in 2ind- (yth and le"end. A synony(o-s ter(, a!a%ais, is also -sed !elo/. < 11A < does of the forest do it, (y F-een o-"ht to !eco(e sati too.3?19B >o the kin" soaked his handkerchief

in !lood and "ave it to the 0oyal >ervant /ho /as /ith hi(: 3Go to (y city of U11ain, and "ive it to N-een Pin"ala, and tell her the kin" /as killed in !attle. And if she is a sati, then this is the (o(ent.3 32ey, Grain4"iver, yo-8re standin" !efore (e and yo- haven8t even "ot a splinter st-ck in yoany/here, so ho/ can 9 "o and tell the F-een that the kin" diedE3 3GoL 9t8s none of yo-r !-sinessL Mo- 1-st "o and "ive it to her and see if she !eco(es sati or doesn8t.3 ;ell ... /hen the kin" "ives a s-((ons old /o(en co(e r-nnin"...?2$B :hat 0oyal >ervant /ent. 3:he kin" "ave an order and sent (e.3 :hat 0oyal >ervant took the handkerchief /ith deer8s !lood in it. And this is /hat Jin" Bharthari did. :he does of the /oods /ere /ailin". 2e lifted the sta" onto his horse, and then he too sat on his horse. 3Het that 0oyal >ervant r-n a/ay. ;e /ill keep on "oin" slo/ly.3 2e had chased the servant a/ay, and that servant /ent and "ave the handkerchief to the F-een. 5Bh 2.#.e6 2onored Jin" ... 2e set the sta" !efore hi( on his horse, ,y kin", !efore hi(, and the kin" rode thro-"h the 1-n"le. 2e is co(in" slo/ly thro-"h the 1-n"le, G Jin" Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. 2onored Jin"... Ba!a Gorakh is co(in" thro-"h the 1-n"le: 3Histen to this (atter, Jin".3 Gn his feet he8s /earin" sandals, in his hand are ton"s, ?19B Bharthari8s perception of /hat has happened chan"es so(e/hat, !et/een not takin" the does serio-sly and decidin" to test Pin"ala. ?2$B :his prover! appears in a co(pletely different conte=t in Gopi Chand 1. 9ts p-rport is that, even if a kin"8s /ork appears (eanin"less or a(oral, it (-st !e done. < 11% < Gn Gorakh8s sho-lder is a sack, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, +hara .a"ar8s r-ler: 3Histen to (y /ordsL3 .o/ Gorakh Ba!a approached hi(. 2onored Jin" ... 3;hy did yo- kill a har(less ani(alE ;hy did yo- kill hi(, Jin"E Gne sta" and seventy h-ndred /ido/s, Mo- (ade seventy h-ndred /ido/s today, Jin" Bharthari.3 2onored Jin" ... 3+id they destroy yo-r fieldsE?21B Jin", listen to (y ne/s: ;hy did yo- kill the ani(alE Mo-8d !etter listen, Bharthari, Histen, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar.3

2onored Jin" ... :he kin" said to Gorakh .ath, 3Histen Gorakh .ath 9 killed hi(, !-t no/ listen, 9 killed hi(, !-t listen, Gorakh Ba!a.3 2onored Jin" ... Gorakh .ath ca(e. 3Histen Ba!a .ath, Mo- can (ake hi( live a"ain, listen Gorakh Ba!a, ,ake hi( live a"ain, listen Gorakh Ba!a.3 .o/ Gorakh Ba!a told Bharthari, 3P-t do/n the deer, Jin", ;hy did yo- kill that har(less lifeE3 Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Gorakh Ba!a (ade Bharthari p-t do/n ,oti >ta". 2onored Jin" ... Gorakh .ath /rapped it /ith a sheet, no/ Gorakh .ath sprinkled it /ith eli=ir of life, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, 2e sprinkled it /ith drops of the eli=ir of life, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, 2e took off the sheet and Gorakh Ba!a... ?21B :hat is, /hat har( did they ever do yo-E < 11C < 2onored Jin" ... 2e (ade hi( live, the sta" "ot -p, listen to (e, Jin", 2e leapt over seven hed"es, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, 2e lost his prey, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari ? #aughs B, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, Histen, +hara .a"ar8s kin", yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. 5Bh 2.A.s6 >o he sent that 0oyal >ervant, to the F-een. 2e /ent to N-een Pin"ala, 3N-een, N-een, take this handkerchief, take it, and !eco(e a sati 7this is the (o(ent. Jin" Bharthari /as killed. 2e /as h-ntin" deer for sport, !-t he "ot sliced into pieces. A lion killed Jin" Bharthari. >o this is the (o(ent to !e a sati .3 N-een Pin"ala had a (a"ic tree. >he had planted a (a"ic tree, and if Jin" Bharthari had a (ere splinter, one of its !ranches /o-ld /ither. :he (a"ic tree8s. :he (a"ic tree8s. .o/ the F-een looked at the (a"ic tree, and it /as !losso(in" and !loo(in" as -s-al. 3G 0oyal >ervant, Jin" Bharthari, (y h-s!and4"od, hasn8t even a splinter. Mo- are lyin".3 3Mo- are al/ays /aterin" that tree, so ho/ co-ld it /itherE 9f yo- po-r /ater on a tree, if yo- "ive it liF-id, then the tree /ill never /ither. 9f yo- are a sati , then this is the ti(e. :his is the kin"8s !lood. 2e filled the handkerchief and sent it to yo-, so if yo- /ant to !e a sati , then !e oneD if not, then, that8s

yo-r /ish. 9t co-ld !e yo- are a hypocrite ... Mo- said, 89 /on8t eat !read /itho-t yo-, /itho-t seein" yo-r face, !-t yo- told lies. Mo- /o(en are a heartless race.?22B 9f yo-8re a sati , then !-rn, !-rn, !eca-se Jin" Bharthari died.3 :hen N-een Pin"ala realized /hat /as "oin" on, 3Gh (y, it8s stran"e, he is testin" (y sati 4po/er.?2#B ;hoE Jin" Bharthari is testin" ?22B bega% !at0 bega% co-ld also (ean 3e(pty4headed.3 ?2#B Pin"ala -ses the /ord sat here. Altho-"h it can (ean 3tr-th,3 3divinity,3 3essence,3 several definitions of sat in the SK relate it directly to the po/er of a sati . :h-s, (eanin" A: sati/hone &e &aran ane vala !os, u%ang va bal 3the into=ication, e=cite(ent and stren"th ca-sed !y !ein" sati'0 (eanin" %: stri /dvara pati ya putra &i las le&ar (itarudh hone &i &riya ya bhav 3the act or intention of a /o(an to take her h-s!and or son8s corpse and !e cre(ated.3 >ee 'l-ecki"er 19@9, AAIA%, for a disc-ssion of sat as 3fe(ale tr-th po/er3 in the Horik4Canda epic. < 11& < (y sati 4po/er. 8Het8s see if (y F-een /ill !e a sati") >o it8s a testL3 .o/ N-een Pin"ala served Hord >hankar. >he /as a devotee. Gf /ho(E Gf >hankar and of Parvati. >he served the( re"-larly and recited their na(es. N-een Pin"ala recited their na(es only. >o she /ent and thre/ herself into Hord >hankar8s shelter. 32ey Grain"iver, >hankar, Hord, no/ "ive (e sati 4po/er.3 Hord >hankar /as in her heart, so she /as a!le to speak to hi(, face to face. Hord >hankar said, 3N-een Pin"ala, on /hose acco-nt are yo- askin" for sati 4po/erE3 3Grain4"iver, "ive (e this po/er, 9 /ill !e a sati .3 3N-een Pin"ala, yo-r h-s!and is alive so ho/ can 9 "ive yo- sati 4po/erE Mo- /ill die, and then yo-r Jin" Bharthari /ill co(e, and ask for Pin"ala, and /ho /ill "ive herE ;here /ill /e "et a Pin"ala to "ive hi(E3 3.o, Grain4"iver,3 she said, 3he sent a to/el, a handkerchief /ith !lood in it. :he kin" is dead, and he sent the 0oyal >ervant. >o Grain4"iver, "ive (e sati 4po/er. :his is itL Mes, certainly, 9 /ill !-rn, for (y h-s!and4"od is testin" (y sati 4po/er.3 3Go then into the Chapala Garden,?2AB and set -p a f-neral pyre and !e a sati .3 Hord >hankar "ave her sati 4po/er. 3Go and !-rn -p, sister4f-ckerL3 >o N-een Pin"ala !eca(e sati over there. And Jin" Bharthari, Jin" Bharthari, over here, even his "a(e /as snatched a/ay. ?The bard is laughing here0 an audien(e %e%ber (o%%ents: 2is "a(e ca(e !ack to life and ran a/ay.B 9t ca(e to life and ran a/ay, and Jin" Bharthari tra(ped alon" /ith a "l-( face. 2e had lost his "a(e. 2e had (et no lion in his h-nt, nothin"D he didn8t kill the !oar, and even the deer that he had killed7 Gorakh .ath had !ro-"ht it to life and it ran a/ay. .o/ /hat to doE 2e /as afflicted !y "reat thirst in the 1-n"le. And it /as a hot day, and /here /as /aterE .o/here in the 1-n"le. :here /ere t/enty4fo-r pl-s t/enty4fo-r, forty4ei"ht (iles of desolationL :hen Jin" Bharthari sa/ a heron circlin". 3Gver there s-rely there8s so(e /ater.3 >o Jin" Bharthari /hipped his horse and /ent

?2AB ;hy the f-neral pyre sho-ld !e in the "arden instead of the cre(ation "ro-nd is not e=plained !-t (ay !ear on the association of the Chapala Garden /ith yo"is thro-"ho-t !oth tales. < 11@ < to /here the heron /as circlin", and there /as a !anyan tree and a step4/ell.?2%B 3:hank God, here is so(e /ater. 98ve fo-nd so(e /ater.3 >o Jin" Bharthari tied -p his horse, and /ent do/n into the step4/ell and had a drink. 2e had a drink, and he tho-"ht he8d rest a little in the shade of the !anyan tree. 5Bh 2.A.e6 >o, he lay do/n in the shade, !-t the kin" co-ldn8t sleep. 2e /as 1-st lyin" do/n, thinkin", Het8s have a little rest. .o/ a 2-nter?2CB ca(e alon". ;ho /as the 2-nterE A bagaryo .?2&B And he had ten or t/enty ra!!its and ten or t/enty deer, oh (y, oh (y, dan"lin" fro( !oth his sho-lders. 2e thre/ the( do/n -nder the tree. Jin" Bharthari sa/ this, and tho-"ht, B-t 9 had only one ... And that one ran a/ay. ... /hich Gorakh .ath !ro-"ht to life and chased a/ay. B-t this fello/, (y sonL 2o/ and /here did he collect so (anyE 2e has piled -p as (any as ten or t/enty deer and ten or t/enty ra!!its -nder the !anyan tree. :he 2-nter lay do/n, he stretched hi(self o-t. 2e had told his /ife, the 2-ntress, 398ll co(e to s-ch and s-ch a !anyan tree and step4/ell, so !rin" (y food there. 98ll co(e there after 98ve killed ani(als.3 >o the 2-ntress is co(in" /ith his food. And that 2-nter looked -p into the !anyan tree and -pon it, -pon the !anyan tree, sat a c-ckoo.?2@B .o/ the c-ckoo sat in the tree and a!ove a !ird of prey /as circlin". ;hat /as itE A ha/k. A ha/k /as circlin", thinkin", Brother, 98ll kill that c-ckoo. Brother, if he flies -p then 98ll kill hi(. ?2%B :hese t/o acco((odations appear very freF-ently in 0a1asthani folkloreD in GC A, Gorakh .ath and ,achhindar .ath rest in s-ch a settin". ?2CB phardi . ?2&B :his is a caste 5bagari, SK 6 of h-nters or h-nters8 helpers. Accordin" to Bho1- a n-(!er of the( live near >a/ar and !-y and sell (ale !-ffalo for (eat. :h-s ,adh- .ath identifies the tale8s 2-nter /ith an -nsavory !-t fa(iliar local !ati . ?2@B paphiyo0 2indi (ata& , defined as Cu(ulus %elanoleu(us . :his s(all !lack !ird occ-rs freF-ently in 0a1asthani folk son"s, associated /ith ro(ance and (oonli"ht, as it sin"s s/eetly in the ni"ht. 2earin" its voice, /o(en yearn for their a!sent h-s!ands and therefore so(eti(es address the !ird as 3ene(y.3 < 119 < .o/ do/n !elo/ the 2-nter too took ai(. :he ha/k /as circlin", and it too (i"ht co(e into his line of fire. 2e /anted to kill !oth the c-ckoo and the ha/k /ith one arro/. 2e tho-"ht, :he ha/k is circlin" and /hen he co(es into line /ith the c-ckoo, then, that8s itL 9 /ant to kill the( !oth /ith one arro/. >o he fi=ed his arro/.

:hen the c-ckoo prayed to God: 3Piv piv piv piv,'?29B the c-ckoo said: :he 2-nter8s fi=ed his arro/, a!ove flies a !ird of prey, 2ey Hord, /here and ho/ can 9 save (y life todayE :he c-ckoo prayed once, t/ice, fo-r ti(es, he prayed. :o /ho(E :o God. 32ey God, ho/, ho/ can 9 save (y lifeE 9f 9 fly -p/ards then the ha/k kills (e, and if 9 don8t fly then that 2-nter is fi=in" his arro/, and he /ill shoot (e do/n.3 >o the c-ckoo re(e(!ered the G-r- >overei"n and Hord >hankar /ith his voice. God heard that c-ckoo8s voice. 2is God heard his voice. ;hose voiceE :he voice of the c-ckoo prayin". >o, fro( the roots of the !anyan tree a poisono-s snake e(er"ed. And it str-ck hi( ri"ht on the !ack of the head, ?#$B even as he /as takin" ai(. :he 2-nter. Mes, the 2-nter. 9t str-ck hi( on the !ack of the head /hen his attention /as on his ai(, and p-lled o-t the 2-nter8s !reath.?#1B Gh (yL >o even as he ai(ed, he "asped for !reath and t-(!led do/n and died. :he 2-nter died. :he snake p-lled o-t his !reath and drank it, and the 2-nter died. :hat 2-nter /rapped hi(self -p. As soon as he /as str-ck, he covered his face, he covered his face and !reathed his last and he died. ,ean/hile, the 2-ntress ca(e !rin"in" food. >he ca(e and cried, ?29B :he call conventionally attri!-ted to this !ird is tho-"ht to so-nd like 3!eloved3 5piu piu 6 ?#$B (oti na&hai0 literally, -pon the !raid. :he spot hi"h on the !ack of the head, /here hi"h4caste or t/ice4!orn 2ind-s keep a lon" lock of hair, is a very -nlikely place for a snake to !ite, accordin" to Bho1-D and a h-nter /o-ld !e -nlikely to have s-ch a !raid. ?#1B sas &han(htai0 if a snake is very poisono-s people !elieve that the victi( of its !ite cannot take another !reath. < 12$ < 3Alas alackL ;hat kind of heap did yo- take todayE :en or t/enty deer and ten or t/enty ra!!its7yohave so (-ch, /ho can eat itE ;e are only t/o persons, t/o eaters, and ho/ /ill /e -se so (-chE Mohave sinned, yo- have killed the /hole earth and "one to sleep. Get -p, have so(e food.3 B-t he didn8t speak. :hen the 2-ntress "ra!!ed his foot and p-lled it, 3Get -pL3 B-t he still didn8t "et -p. .o/ she -ncovered his face, and ants /ere "oin" in and o-t of his (o-th. 3Gh, yo- killed these deer, sinner, yo- killed all these deer and ra!!its, and yo- haven8t even eaten the(. Mo- died and these ants are "oin" in and o-t ... .o/, Hord, /hat /ill 9 doE ;hat kind of arran"e(ent can 9 (akeE3?#2B :hat 2-ntress didn8t even cry. 9((ediately, she /ill !e a sati .

0i"ht over there. 0i"ht over there, !eneath the !anyan tree. Gh (yL *ven !eneath the !anyan tree. 9t /as -ninha!ited land, 1-n"le, so there /ere lots of co/ pies lyin" aro-nd. Co/ pies /ere lyin" aro-nd, co/ d-n", (an-re, and she kicked the(, and they t-rned into cocon-ts and /ent rollin".?##B And (any !ranches fell fro( that !anyan tree, and she -sed the( to !-ild a pyre. >he !ro-"ht the cocon-ts, and she collected co/ pies !y the !asketf-l, and she (ade a pyre, and i"nited it. 2o/E >he str-ck fire /ith flint. >he lit the pyre, she lit it, sir, she lit itL And no/ this is /hat that 2-ntress did: she took a da""er, son of a ... L >he took a da""er and she !e"an to recite 3>hivL GorakhL >hivL >hankar, >hankarL3 and she circ-(a(!-lated it. :he pyre. :he pyre. Jin" Bharthari /as /atchin". 3>on of a ...L ;hy is she circ-(a(!-latin" itE Het8s see, she is !eco(in" sati , (ay!e she /ill !eco(e sati 3 .o/ Jin" Bharthari /as /atchin". And she took the da""er, and the pyre /as !-rnin", her h-s!and8s, and she lifted hi( and placed hi( in the (iddle of it, and she took the da""er, and she c-t off her !reast and thre/ it, !rother. ?#2B :hat is, ho/ /ill 9 cre(ate hi(E ?##B Beca-se of her decision to !eco(e sati she is already like a "oddessD hence the (iracle of co/ d-n" t-rnin" to cocon-ts. < 121 < 9nto the pyre. >he thre/ it into the pyre. Jin" Bharthari sa/ this: 3Gh, son of a ...L >he c-t off her !reast and thre/ it. ;hat is "oin" onE3 ,ean/hile she c-t her second !reast also and thre/ it also in the pyre. 3Gh, son of a ...L ;ill she not !eco(e sati3 3 ,ean/hile, she c-t off one hand. ;ith the da""er, she sliced it and c-t it off, and that hand /ent rollin". >he c-t it off and thre/ it in the pyre. ;hoE :his 2-ntress. 3G son of a ...L >he is c-ttin" off her hands and feet and thro/in" the( do/n.3 And no/, she c-t one le" fro( the knee. >he c-t and separated that knee /ith the da""er, son of a ...L and thre/ that foot, too. ?#AB 9nto the pyre. 9nto the pyre. .o/ she is hoppin" on one foot, /hile Jin" Bharthari is lookin": 3Gh, son of a ...L >he has !eco(e a sati* >he is c-ttin" off her hands and feet and thro/in" the(. .o/ let (e ask her for predictions for the co(in" year,?#%B let (e find o-t the ne/s. >he /as hoppin" alon" and s/ayin", and she /ent and fell into the (iddle of the pyre. 32arL 2arL 2arL >hivL >hivL >hivL >hivL3 she kept sayin". :hen Jin" Bharthari asked that 2-ntress:

3Co(e, Haksh(i,?#CB are yo- "oin" to !e a sati3 3 3Mes, if Jin" Bharthari says it.3 2e said, 3;hat are the predictions for the co(in" yearE :ell (e. Mo- have !eco(e a sati , so tell (e yo-r predictions for the co(in" year.3 3Jin" Bharthari, the co(in" year /ill pass in "reat !liss, a very fine year lies ahead ... and say, Jin" Bharthari, do yo- think 98( "ivin" a sho/E3 ?#AB Bho1- points o-t that ,adh- sho-ld have her c-t her feet !efore her handsD ho/ can she hold the da""er after the hands are c-tE :he a-dience, clearly involved in this scene, did not F-estion the seF-ence, ho/ever. ?#%B sa%%atsal0 d-rin" the fall /orship of the "oddess in Ghatiyali and other 0a1asthani villa"es, persons possessed !y the "oddess "ive predictions a!o-t crop yields and "rain prices and so forth for the co(in" year. Bharthari !ehaves rather crassly here, /ishin" to profit fro( this tra"ic and violent (o(ent. ?#CB :o address the 2-ntress as Haksh(i7consort of i((ortal Kishn- and "oddess of prosperity7 carries a certain irony, !-t Bharthari has prosperity on his (ind. < 122 < 3Mes 9 a( sittin" here, so 9 a( seein" this sho/.3 3G Jin" Bharthari, yo- (ay !e /atchin" this sho/, !-t yo-r N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p over there in the Chapala Garden. >he has !eco(e a pinch of ash. And the people ... there are five h-ndred, (ay!e seven h-ndred villa"es in yo-r do(ain, and all the people incl-din" /o(en and yo-n" (en are fillin" the Chapala Garden. Mo-r N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, and the /orld is /atchin", and sister4f-cker yo- are /atchin" (y sho/L 32e said, 39s it tr-eE3 39t isD yo-r Pin"ala !-rned -p.3 Gh (yL Jin" Bharthari ran fro( there. 2e saddled and !ridled his horse, he -ntied his horse and sat on it, and Jin" Bharthari "ave it a kick, he "ave it a kick, and !rother, he ca(e to U11ain. 2e ca(e to U11ain, and /ent into the "arden, oh (yL 9t /as filled -p /ith peopleL (en, !oys, little !oys, and they /ere sayin" 3 a% a% a% o-r N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p.3 >he !eca(e sati ... and no/ the kin"8s horse appeared and every4one said, 3Hook, there8s o-r kin", he is co(in".3 2e8s aliveL 3B-t o-r F-een !-rned -p.3 >o(ethin" i(proper had happened. Jin" Bharthari ca(e and "ot off his horse, and the "roo(s took it, so(e!ody tied it -p. :hen he !e"an to circle the f-neral pyre.?#&B 5Bh 2.%.e6 >o the pyre is !-rnin", the pyre is !-rnin" and as soon as Bharthari ca(e there he !e"an to circle ro-nd it. 3Alas Pin"ala, alas Pin"alaL3?#@B 2e /as circlin" all aro-nd the pyre. 2e /as !ein" st-!!orn, Jin"

Bharthari /as !ein" st-!!orn. Bi" lords and officials ca(e7kin"s ca(e too, very !i" ones. ?#&B rati0 altho-"h the pyre the 2-ntress !-ilt is called !y the co((on ter(, (hita , Pin"ala8s pyre in the follo/in" episode is al/ays desi"nated rati . Bho1- "losses rati as 3a pile of ashes fro( a !-rnin" corpse,3 !-t this (eanin" does not appear in the SK . ati is the na(e of the love "od Ja(a8s /ife and often refers to se=-al pleas-re. :his idiosyncratic -sa"e (ay -nite Bharthari8s passion for his deceased /ife /ith the yo"ic (essa"e that passion8s o!1ects inevita!ly !eco(e ash. ?#@B 2ay Pingala D the kin"8s (ad cry is one of (o-rnin"D th-s 9 translate hay , an e=cla(ation, as 3alas.3 < 12# < *ven kin"s /ho /ere his eF-als ca(e: 32ey Grain4"iver, hey Jin" Bharthari, /here is N-een Pin"ala no/E ;here is N-een Pin"alaE Mo- did it /ith yo-r o/n hands, so /ho( /ill yo- !la(eE?#9B Mosent the handkerchief /ith yo-r o/n hands, and she !-rned -p at her o/n hands and /here is N-een Pin"ala no/E Mo- sent the handkerchief and no!ody !-rned -p Pin"ala !y force. 3Mo- kne/ /hat yo- /ere doin" /hen yo- sent the handkerchief, so she !-rned -p and no/ ... did yo(ean to kill her so yo- co-ld !e a sato3?A$B Mes, yo- 8killed her on p-rpose to !e a sato .8?A1B Mo(eant to kill her, yo- sent the handkerchief, and N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p. >he !-rned -p, and no/ yo- keep "oin" on: 8Alas, alas Pin"alaL Alas Pin"ala, Pin"alaL8 ;here /ill she co(e fro( no/E >he has !eco(e a pinch of ash.3 >o the kin" circled the f-neral pyre for three days and three ni"hts, cryin" 3Alas Pin"ala, alas Pin"alaL3 :hen God8s throne !e"an to tre(!le. ;hyE Beca-se they are dyin" of h-n"er, /hile the kin" is circlin" over here. 2o/ to li"ht the cookin" fireE ?obviously, this audien(e %e%ber is pro%pting Madhu B 2o/ to li"ht the cookin" fireE?A2B ;o(en and (en and !oys and "irls /ere s/oonin" and dyin", 3Gh (isery, /e8re h-n"ry for !readL3 :hree ni"hts and three days had "one !y, and ho/ to li"ht the cookin" fire /hen the kin" is over here cryin", 3Alas Pin"alaL3E ?#9B Hiterally, to /ho( /ill yo- "ive the 3sin37as dos is often translated. B-t dos -s-ally i(plies a (istake, and the point here is that Bharthari can attri!-te the (istake res-ltin" in Pin"ala8s death only to hi(self. ?A$B Sato /o-ld !e the (asc-line eF-ivalent of sati 7that is, a h-s!and /ho !-rns hi(self on his /ife8s f-neral pyre. Accordin" to Bho1- the act is not -nheard of, and at least one 0a1asthan villa"e has shrines to satos . >ee Ka-deville for a (o(ent in the 4hola/Maru epic /here +hola is a!o-t to choose cre(ation alon" /ith his !eloved ,ar-ni /hen a passin" yo"i restores her life, chidin" hi(: 3*st4ce Q l8ho((e Q se !rRler avec sa fe((eE C8est la fe((e F-i se !rRle avec l8ho((eL35 19C2, 9C6. ?A1B :he prover! %anas %arar sati hona i(plies that a !ad /o(an /ill ca-se her h-s!and8s death in order to !eco(e sati . Gender4reversed here, it s-""ests that Bharthari deli!erately killed his /ife in order to follo/ her as a sato . ?A2B +-rin" this ina-spicio-s period /hile the kin" (o-rns, no one can cook or eatD a state of death poll-tion prevails for the /hole kin"do(. Gr, as Bho1- p-ts it, 3;hen the kin" "oes h-n"ry la(entin", ho/ can the s-!1ects "o ho(e and cookE3

< 12A < God8s throne tre(!led. ;hen his throne tre(!led, God said to .arad1i,?A#B 3G .aradE3 3Mes Grain4"iver.3 3Go and see /hat8s happenin" in the three /orlds.?AAB ;hat8s "oin" on, /hat "reat ascetic /as !orn, ca-sin" (y throne to tre(!leE3 >o .arad >overei"n ran off, and as he /ent r-nnin" and /anderin" he ca(e to the city of U11ain. 9n the city of U11ain7its r-le /as over five h-ndred, one tho-sand persons, and there /ere five h-ndred, tho-sands of villa"es that !elon"ed to it7people fro( the /hole district had "athered7/o(en and yo-n" (en. And there /as the kin" cryin", 3Alas Pin"ala, alas Pin"alaL3 And they /ere dyin" of h-n"er, their eyes /aterin". :he !oys and "irls /ere /ailin", dyin" of h-n"er, rollin" aro-nd here and there. B-t ho/ to li"ht the cookin" fireE Gh (y, Hord .arad tho-"htD so(ethin" /eird has happenedL :hin"s are stirred -p and people are dyin". 2avin" seen this, .arad h-rried !ack to God8s city of Kaik-nth.?A%B Goin" in there he said, 3Grain4 "iver, hey Hord, so(ethin" e=tre(ely shockin" has happened.3 3;hat happenedE3 3;hat happenedE ;ell, N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, she !eca(e a sati , and Jin" Bharthari ca(e and fo-nd that the F-een had !-rned -p into a pinch of ashes, and he let his horse "o, and he has !een circlin" the f-neral pyre cryin", 8Alas Pin"alaL Alas Pin"alaL Alas Pin"alaL8 for three ni"hts and three days. :hat8s all Jin" Bharthari /ishes to do, and he /on8t accept any co-nsel, and the people are dyin" of h-n"er. :he kin" is actin" this /ay, so ho/ can they li"ht the cookin" firesE :he !oys and "irls and /o(en and (en are rollin" aro-nd fro( starvation, and their eyes are /aterin"7they8re dyin" of h-n"er, !-t ho/ can they a!andon the kin"E :his is the state of affairs.3 :hen God said, 3Call the thirty4three &aror of deities.3?ACB >o they called the thirty4three &aror of "oddesses and "ods. ?A#B .arad is a fa(iliar (ytholo"ical fi"-re, often a "o4!et/een for heaven and earth. ?AAB Conventionally: heaven, the /orld of (ortals, and the -nder/orld. ?A%B vai&unth0 one of several co((only -sed na(es for heaven or paradise. ?ACB A &aror is ten (illionD this conventional fi"-re descri!es the (-ltit-de of 2ind- "ods. < 12% < ;hen they ca(e, God asked, 3.o/ /hich one of yo- "ave sati to N-een Pin"alaE ;ho "ave her sati3 /hich one of yo- thirty4three &aror of "oddesses and "odsE3 3Grain4"iver, no one, none of -s "ave sati to N-een Pin"ala.3 ;ell, /ho "ave her sati3 Sati is "iven on death. ;ho "ave her sati /hen her lord of the ho-se?A&B /as livin"E3 32ey Grain4"iver, /ho has this infor(ationE ;e kno/ nothin" at all a!o-t it. >o let8s see, ... God, call Hord >hankar.3

God called Hord >hankar and asked hi(, 32ey >hankar, 9nnocent >toreho-sekeeper,?A@B didn8t yo"ive it to herE ;ho "ave sati to N-een Pin"alaE And her h-s!and /as livin", so he8s cryin" 8Alas Pin"alaL Alas Pin"alaL8 and people are dyin". >hankar Ba!a, yo- "ave her sati , didn8t yo-E3 3Mes 9 "ave N-een Pin"ala sati 4po/er.3 3>o Ba!a, ho/ co-ld yo- "ive her sati 7po/er /hen her h-s!and is livin"E .o/ Jin" Bharthari is askin" for Pin"ala7ho/ co-ld yo- "ive it to her /ith a livin" h-s!andE3 3;ell, she /as (y devotee. ;hoE N-een Pin"ala. >he served (e, she /as (y devotee, so she fell at (y feet and said 8Give (e sati 4po/erL8 and 82e tested (e, he tested (e, Jin" Bharthari /ants to find o-t if 9 /ill !e a sati .8 >o, the sister4f-cker, she /anted to !-rn so she !-rnedL3 :hen God said to Hord >hankar, 3;ell Ba!a, yo- "ave her sati 4po/erE3 3Mes, 98( the one /ho "ave her sati 4po/er.3 3>o "ive !ack Pin"ala, "ive !ack Pin"ala, and take a/ay that sati 4po/er yo- "ave her. :ake it a/ay fro( her. 2ave the( li"ht the cookin" fires and then co(e !ack. 9f they don8t li"ht the cookin" fires then they /ill all die.3 .o/ ,ahadev1i said, 3Gh, sister4f-ckerL ;hat kind of a (ess have 9 "otten (yself intoE3 39nto 1-st this kind of a (ess7/hy did yo- "ive sati 7po/erE Mo- sho-ld have tho-"ht, 8;ell, !rother, her h-s!and is alive, /e /ill hardly "ive her sati 7po/er.8 >o Ba!a, this sin /ill stick to yo-.3 :hen Hord >hankar called Gorakh .ath1i and said to hi(, 3G !rother Gorakh .athL3 ?A&B ghar &o dhani0 the (ost freF-ent ter( for h-s!and in villa"e speech. ?A@B bhola bhandari0 another epithet for Shiva" < 12C < 3Mes, Ba!a.3 3Go over there to U11ain /here N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, and p-t an end to Jin" Bharthari8s st-!!ornness. And li"ht the cookin" fires.3 3B-t Ba!a, that Jin" Bharthari, he /on8t F-it !ein" st-!!orn.3 3>o "ive that sister4f-cker a co-ple of !lo/s on his ass /ith yo-r ton"s, and tell that sister4f-cker, 8:his is ho/ 98ll take a/ay yo-r st-!!ornnessL83 3>o the kin" is st-!!orn, !-t 9 can !e 1-st as st-!!orn79 /on8t allo/ hi( to do /hat he8s doin". 98ll !eat hi( /ith (y ton"s and 98ll (ake hi( F-it !ein" st-!!orn, 98ll (ake hi( for"et N-een Pin"ala.3 3Go, Gorakh .ath, and li"ht the cookin" fires and st-ff, !eca-se 98( at fa-lt.3 3Ba!a, yo-8re sendin" (e, so send (e7!-t /hatever 9 say, it sho-ld happen?A9B 7then yo- can send (e. Gr else 9 /on8t "o.3 3Go, son, and /hatever yo- say /ill happen.3 39f it8s like that, then 98ll "o.3 5Bh 2.C.e6 As soon as >hankar Ba!a "ave the order, Gorakh Ba!a /ent ri"ht a/ay. 2e took his sack4and4st-ff, the G-r- >overei"n took his ton"s4andst-ff, he p-t on his sandals4and4

st-ff?%$B and !le/ his horn. :he G-r- >overei"n prostrated hi(self respectf-lly to Hord >hankar. A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind.?%1B :he .ath took the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned his face to/ard?%2B U11ain. 2e crossed one forest, he crossed a second forest. 9n the third forest he ca(e to U11ain City and he entered the Chapala Garden. As soon as he entered the Chapala Garden, he sa/ it /as filled /ith people, /o(en and (en. ?A9B :he act-al phrase, 3sho-ld stand -p,3 /o-ld so-nd pec-liar in *n"lish !-t foreshado/s Gorakh .ath8s (irac-lo-s restoration to life of the dead F-een. ?%$B ,adh- -ses 2indi echo4/ords hereD a literal replication /o-ld !e 3sack/ack, ton"s4/on"s, sandals4/andals.3 Gne i(plication of the echo4/ord for(ation is 3et cetera.3 ?%1B :his phrase, a rhy(ed co-plet, occ-rs every ti(e a yo"i travels: baithya !ogi to &hair &i &huti0 uthya !ogi panvan &i %uthi . ?%2B surati lagali0 surat (ay si(ply refer to a face !-t in esoteric yo"ic ter(inolo"y is a partic-lar kind of 3conscio-sness.3 ;hile this stock phrase certainly i(plies a (a"ical directin" of the yo"is8 conscio-sness, the (ore literal translation is s(ootherD the conseF-ences of i((ediate transportation are conte=t-ally clear. < 12& < Bharthari Ba!a /as cryin", 3Pin"ala Pin"alaL3 and Gorakh .ath1i ca(e and as soon as he ca(e, Gorakh .ath1i said, 3Jin" Bharthari, /hy are these people dyin"E Mo- sister4f-cker, yo- killed Pin"ala. Mo- killed Pin"ala, !-t /hy are yo- killin" all these peopleE ;hat /ill yo- r-le thenE 3:hree days and three ni"hts have passed, and they are dyin" of h-n"er, and these !oys and "irls and /o(en are tre(!lin" and dyin". Aren8t yo- sorry for the(E Mo-8re cryin", 8Alas Pin"alaL8 !-t this Pin"ala has !eco(e a pile of ash.3 :hen he filled !oth his hands /ith ash and scattered it to the /ind, and the ashes of the f-neral pyre fle/ a/ay. 3Jin" Bharthari, /here is yo-r Pin"alaE Mo- sister4f-cker, yo- !-rned her -p /ith yo-r o/n hands, and no/ yo- are cryin" 8Pin"ala Pin"ala,8 sister4f-cker, and it looks as if the people are dyin".3 B-t Bharthari Ba!a?%#B didn8t listen, still Bharthari Ba!a didn8t listen. 2e kept on /ith 3Alas Pin"alaL Alas Pin"alaL3 and he didn8t listen7he didn8t even kno/ that Gorakh .ath1i had co(e, and he /o-ldn8t sh-t -p. Gorakh .ath1i "ot (ad. 3>o !e st-!!orn and /hat /ill !e /ill !e,3 he said. 2e had a clay drinkin"4 /ater 1-", like this, 1-st this !i", and that 1-" fell on a !i" rock and !rokeD he !roke it. 2e dropped it on a rock. Jin" Bharthari, a little distance a/ay, had !een "oin" aro-nd the f-neral pyre /ith his 3Alas Pin"alaL3 for a lon" ti(e. 2e /as tired, three days and three ni"hts had passed. Gorakh .ath1i, a little /ays a/ay, dropped his 1-", its little fra"(ents fell, and he circled ro-nd the( cryin" 3Alas (y 1-"L Alas (y 1-"L37chantin".?%AB 2e /as chantin", and to Jin" Bharthari8s one ro-nd he (ade t/enty ro-nds, he circled the 1-" chantin", 3Alas (y 1-"L Alas (y 1-"L3 2e /as chantin" so lo-d that no!ody co-ld even hear Bharthari Ba!a. Gorakh .ath1i8s chantin" /ent ri"ht -p into the sky. 2e kept chantin" 3Alas (y 1-"L Alas (y 1-"L3 and it /as heard all over the /orld. >o no/ people !e"an to la-"h, 32ey, that so-nd is co(in" fro( the skyL :he sky is speakin": 8Alas (y

1-"L8 and that chantin" reaches do/n here, too. .o/ /hat8s "oin" on hereE3 ?%#B :his epithet presa"es Jin" Bharthari8s transfor(ation to a sadhu or baba!i . ?%AB Bho1- "losses the ter( -sed here, ranoti , as 3contin-o-s and lo-d vocalization3 and s-""ests its relation to r-nkhar, (eanin" the repeated recitation of the na(e of God, or any reli"io-s recitation. < 12@ < Bharthari Ba!a "ot (ad, and he stopped in his tracks, and as soon as he stopped he said to Gorakh .ath1i: 3Mo"i, yo-8re (akin" f-n of (eL Kery i(portant people are "athered here. Kery !i" kin"s are "athered, and this yo"i is (akin" f-n of (e.3 :o the asse(!led people Bharthari said, 3;hy aren8t yo- a!le to stop hi(E :hese police(en have a-thority and all these i(portant (en are seated here and this yo"i is (akin" f-n of (e, !-t yo- aren8t a!le to stop hi(.3 :hey ans/ered, 3;ho /ill fi"ht /ith a Ba!aE :his is a Ba!a and /ho /ill do itE 2e is a yo"i, so ho/ can /e do anythin" to hi(E And Grain4"iver, yo- sho-ld !e patient /ith hi(. Mo- did it yo-rself and ca-sed -s all (isery and no/ yo-8re sayin" 8Alas Pin"alaL8 and de(andin" her, !-t /here /ill she co(e fro(E3 :hen Jin" Bharthari "ot (ad, and he called to Gorakh .ath1i, 32ey, yo-8re a yo"i and 9 a( Jin" Bharthari and yo- are (akin" f-n of (e.3 B-t Gorakh .ath1i didn8t hear hi(. 2e 1-st kept cryin", 3Alas (y 1-"L Alas (y 1-"L3 .o/ he !-rst o-t in an"er at Gorakh .ath. ;hoE Bharthari. Jin" Bharthari, 32ey yo"i, yo- are (akin" f-n of (e.3 *ven so, Gorakh .ath1i didn8t listen, he didn8t leave off his chant: 3Alas (y 1-"L Alas (y 1-"L3 :he third ti(e Jin" Bharthari said to Gorakh .ath1i, 3Mo- are totally r-inin" (y rep-tation. Mo- are cryin" a!o-t yo-r 1-" of (ere clay, !-t (y N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, and that8s /hat 9 a( cryin" a!o-t. Mo- are cryin" over yo-r clay 1-" and not lettin" (e !e heard, yo"i.3 ;hen he said this three or fo-r ti(es, then Gorakh .ath1i stopped. 3;hat8s the (atter, Jin" BharthariE3 3;ell, (y N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, and 98( cryin" a!o-t that !-t yo- are cryin" a!o-t a clay 1-".3 3GJ, Jin" Bharthari, /hat /ork did yo-r N-een Pin"ala doE3 2e spoke then to Jin" Bharthari. 3Jin" Bharthari, yo- sister4f-cker, yo- killed her /ith yo-r o/n hands. Mo- sent the cloth soaked /ith deer8s !lood and killed her, sister4f-cker. Mo- killed the deer ,oti >ta", sister4f-cker, and yo- sent ,oti >ta"8s !lood in a handkerchief to see if yo-r F-een /o-ld !-rn or not !-rn, and she !-rned. < 129 < 3;hy are yo- cryin"E Co(pared to yo-r F-een (y 1-" is a very "reat and -sef-l thin". ;hat /as yo-r N-een Pin"ala likeE ;hat /ork did she doE >he (ade yo-r food and "ave it yo-, and she slept /ith

yo- in yo-r /o(en8s F-artersD that8s the /ork she did. 3B-t (y little 1-", /hen (y so-l feels thirsty, then if 9 say so she p-ts her neck in a noose. :his little 1-" p-ts her neck in a noose and then she "oes fifty hands deep and she strains the /ater and !rin"s it7 "ood, p-re /ater.?%%B After/ards, as soon as she co(es o-t, 9 drink -p the /ater, "l-! "l-! "l-! "l-!. >he alone is (y !ody8s caretaker, and no/ she has died, so sho-ldn8t 9 cry for herE >he took care of (y !ody. 'ar !etter than yo-r F-een is (y little 1-".3 :hen Jin" Bharthari said, 3Gorakh .ath1i, 9 can "et seven h-ndred and fifty clay 1-"s 1-st like yo-rs.3 Gorakh .ath1i said, 3Jin" Bharthari, yo- /on8t "et one.3 3.o, Gorakh .ath1i, 9 /ill order seven h-ndred and fifty 1-"s 1-st like yo-rs.3 Gorakh .ath1i picked -p the !roken pieces of his 1-" and said, 39f yo- order a 1-" 1-st like this, then 9 /ill (ake seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas 1-st like yo-rs stand -p.3 32o/ can 9 !elieve thatE3 2e said, 3Jin" Bharthari, seven h-ndred and fifty...3 3Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n, 9 shall order seven h-ndred and fifty 1-"s e=actly like yo-r 1-".3 3Jin" Bharthari, yo-8ll order a 1-" 1-st like this oneE3 3Mes, e=actly like it.3 3:hen 9 /ill "ive yo- seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas, every one of the( 1-st like yo-rs. +o yo- think 98( 1-st any yo"iE 9f yo- ask for seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas, 98ll "et yo- 1-st as (any as yo- ask for.3 ,ean/hile, Jin" Bharthari called, 3G all yo- villa"e PottersL3 2e ordered the villa"e Potters: 3Go and !rin" clay 1-"s 1-st e=actly like this one.3 B-t Gorakh .ath1i /as sayin", 3Jin" Bharthari, /here are the 1-"sE 0i"ht no/ the Potters are dyin" of h-n"er. 9t has !een fo-r days no/, and /o(en and (en are dyin" of h-n"er. :hese Potters sho-ld "o and roll o-t !read and eat it. :hey have !een h-n"ry for ?%%B :hat is, he -ses the 1-", tied to a rope, to !rin" -p /ater fro( a deep /ellD its narro/ neck ad(its no de!ris. < 1#$ < fo-r days, they8re -pset, so they sho-ld sleep for a little /hile. Hater the Potters /ill take their donkeys and "o to the (ines. :hey8ll "o to the (ines and di" o-t clay, and load it on their donkeys and !rin" it, and later they /ill co(e to their ho(es and !reak -p the l-(ps of clay, and later they /ill add /ater. 3:hey8ll add /ater, and later they8ll knead it. :he clay fro( the (ines. And after kneadin" it, they8ll (ake !alls and then t-rn the( on the /heel and it /on8t !e dry for fo-r days... ;hatE :hose 1-"s that they (ake. After dryin", then they /ill decorate the(, and p-t the( in the s-n, and later they /ill !ake the(, so (ean/hile ten days /ill pass. 3>o, /ill yo- keep the( sittin" here for ten daysE ;hoE All these people, they8ll die.3 Gorakh .ath1i said, 3Go, every!ody "o and li"ht the cookin" fires. ;hen 9 (ake N-een Pin"ala stand -p, on that day co(e !ack and see the sho/, !-t (ean/hile "o li"ht the cookin" fires and feed the children. ;ho kno/s /hen the 1-"s /ill !e readyE Go, !rothers. All the sin of this district /ill !e re(oved, as 8;hen the evil sinner >hivo Jh-vas died... 83?%CB

;hen yo- s-ffer h-n"er, yo-r spirit leaves. >o Gorakh .ath1i told the(, 3Go and li"ht the cookin" fires. ;ho kno/s ho/ (any days it8s !een since the F-een died and he8s !een killin" everyone /ith his 8Alas Pin"alaL83 5Bh 2.&.e6 >o they lit the cookin" fires in the villa"e, and the Potters all ate their !read and drank and had a little rest. :hen the Potters took their picka=es, and their !-ffalo and donkeys and /ent to the (ines to di". :hey d-" clay and !ro-"ht it !ack and thre/ it in a trench. Breakin" the l-(ps apart, they added /ater to the clay. :hey p-t in /ater and dissolved it, and finally they !e"an to knead it. Grad-ally they prepared it, and /hen it /as ready they shaped it into !alls,?%&B and then the Potters p-t these on the /heel and !e"an ?%CB papalano &or %aryo Shivo Khuvas0 an -nco((on sayin", accordin" to Bho1-, referrin" to a /icked !ar!er na(ed >hiva /hose death released his /hole co((-nity fro( sin. 9 do not kno/ his storyD the point is si(ply that one sinner can r-in a /hole kin"do(, as Bharthari8s crazed (o-rnin" has ca-sed so (-ch tro-!le in his do(ain. ?%&B pinda , 2. pinda0 any ro-nd o!1ect. :he ter( is laden /ith creative (eanin"s: an e(!ryo is a pinda , as are special food offerin"s to the spirits of recently deceased persons that create !odies for the(. Pinda is also a >hiva lin"a(, and the !all of clay on the potter8s /heel is said to rese(!le a >hiva lin"a(. < 1#1 < to t-rn the(. B-t, that /as itL Gorakh didn8t allo/ the( to (ake the( nice and strai"ht. 2e (essed the( -p and (ade the( all crooked. 2e has (any kinds of divine "a(es, ho/ /o-ld he let the( co(e o-t ri"htE :he Potters (ade the 1-"s very nicely, !-t as soon as they c-t one and lifted it fro( the /heel and set it do/n7of its o/n accord it !eca(e crooked. Hater they dried the( in the s-n. :hey dried the( in the s-n, and the Potters (ade desi"ns on the( and applied color. :hey applied color and desi"ns to the 1-"s. :hey decorated the 1-"s !-t he /o-ld not allo/ that partic-lar color to co(e. :hen they !aked the( in the kiln, to (ake the( fir(. :hey covered the(, and they -sed co/4d-n" cakes to !ake the(. :hen they loaded their donkeys, piled the( -p7the Potters of every villa"e, every district of the kin"do( of U11ain7all the Potters loaded their !-ffalo and donkeys and !ro-"ht 1-"s and (ore 1-"s. All !ro-"ht the(. Mes, they !ro-"ht 1-"s and (ore 1-"s and p-t the( in the Chapala Garden. 9t /as a h-"e heap, like yo- see at a Potter8s kiln. :hen the kin" said, 3Grain4"iver, lookL Gorakh .ath1i, lookL :he 1-"s have co(e.3 B-t Gorakh .ath1i lifted -p the shards of his 1-" and said, 3Jin" Bharthari, de(and a 1-" of this color. :hese Potters haven8t !ro-"ht any of this color, the color of these shards. 9f yo- /ant to have a Pin"ala 1-st like yo-r Pin"ala, order (e a 1-" of 1-st this color, and then yo-8ll "et yo-r Pin"ala.3 :he Jin" said, 3G Potters, take these shards and !rin" (e 1-st s-ch a color.3 :hey said, 3;e have plenty of shards !-t this color /on8t co(e. ;e8ve already "one to a lot of tro-!le, (akin" these 1-"s. Brother, five or seven days have "one !y7!y the ti(e /e dried the( and loaded

the( on the !-ffalo, fifteen days have "one !y.3 'ifteen days had "one !y, and /hat co-ld Jin" Bharthari doE .o/ the 1-"s had co(e, the !-ffalo ca(e loaded and the donkeys ca(e loaded and Grain4"iver Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n looked and said, 3G Jin" Bharthari, order a 1-" 1-st like this 1-".3 >o Jin" Bharthari "rasped his feet and prostrated hi(self. 3Grain"iver, 98ve done the !est 9 co-ld, "ood or !ad, 98ve ordered /hat 9 co-ld. .o/, Grain4"iver, that8s eno-"h. Good or !ad, !lack or fair, < 1#2 < (ake (e a Pin"ala. )-st as 98ve !ro-"ht these 1-"s, !lack or yello/, so !rin" her, !lack or yello/.3 >o Jin" Bharthari fell at his feet, at Gorakh .ath1i8s feet, and said, 3Grain4"iver, 1-st like this, !lack or fair, (ake her stand -p. 9 offered yo- /hat 9 co-ld (ake. >o Grain4"iver, yo- "ive (e Pin"ala, !lack or fair.3 5Bh 2.@.e6 Gorakh Ba!a /orshiped >hankar.?%@B Gorakh Ba!a /orshiped >hankar, 3Mes, >hankar as 9 /orship, co(e, Ba!a .ath, And (ake Pin"ala stand.3 Gorakh Ba!a had /orshiped >hankar, then he stood -p, Gorakh Ba!a stood -p. Mes, Gorakh Ba!a lifted his ton"s fro( the ca(pfire and str-ck seven ti(es. 2e str-ck his ton"s seven ti(es -pon the f-neral pyre. Mes, he hit the ashes. Ba!a hit the f-neral pyre seven ti(es /ith his ton"s, Gorakh .ath hit the f-neral pyre, Mes, and seven h-ndred and fifty sl-ts /ith fairies?%9B inside >tood -p over here. .o/ they descended fro( their palanF-ins,?C$B and seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas /ere standin". All the Pin"alas, all of the( ?%@B :his !e"ins the final s-n" se"(ent of Bh 2. ?%9B :he ter( ,adh- -ses here is puriyan or pariyan 5f.pl.6, a co"nate of *n"lish 3fairy,3 9 !elieve. 2ind- (ytholo"y associates these fe(ale spirits /ith 9ndra. 2o/ever, Bho1-8s investi"ations deter(ined that the 3fairies3 (entioned here are act-ally sa&tis 73po/ers3 s-!1ect to control !y the perfected yo"i Gorakh .ath. :hey are deni"rated as 3sl-ts,3 for they are no !etter than his slaves. ?C$B pal&ya or 3sedan chair,3 /hich !earers -s-ally carry on their sho-lders. 2ere, ho/ever, the i(a"e is of fairies flyin" thro-"h the sky in a-to(otive chairs.

< 1## < looked like one another. All looked like all, and all looked like Pin"ala, /ith 1-st one face. All of the( had 1-st one face, they all had N-een Pin"ala8s face. Gorakh Ba!a said to Jin" Bharthari, 3.o/ listen, Bharthari, >even h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas are standin" here, Gra! the one that8s yo-rs !y the hand. Gra! that one only, for if yo- "ra! another !y the hand, Jin", 98ll (ake yo-r skin fly /ith (y ton"s.3 5Bh 2.9.s6 >o, Jin" Bharthari fell at his feet: 32ey G-r- >overei"n, hey Gorakh .ath1i, >overei"n, 9 had the !lack and /hite 1-"s (ade, as !est 9 co-ld, 9 !ro-"ht the(.3 3>o like that, !lack or fair, shall 9 (ake seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas stand -p7"or"eo-s or !lackE3 3Mes, Ba!a, that8s /hat 98( askin" yo- to do.3 3Good, Jin" Bharthari.3 >o Gorakh .ath stood -p. 2e stood -p and took the na(e of Hord >hankar and str-ck the f-neral pyre seven ti(es /ith his ton"s and called, 32ay landi 3?C1B and seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas stood -p. :he Pin"alas "ot do/n fro( their palanF-ins, and all seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas stood -p. :hey for(ed t/o ro/s, one in front and one in !ack. All seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas stood, and all of the( /ere dressed the sa(e, the ladies /ere dressed in lon" skirts 1-st like this lady8s.?C2B And they all had !lo-ses 1-st like this, and !an"les, and /ere /earin" /raps like this. And their eyes all looked the sa(e. All seven h-ndred and fifty had N-een Pin"ala8s face, N-een Pin"ala, /ho !-rned -p, her e=act face7not one of the( /as (issin" so(ethin". Gr else the kin" (i"ht not have reco"nized her. ?C1B #andi is a variant of randi or 3prostit-te,3 an ins-ltin" yet (ore acc-rate epithet for these fe(ale spirits than 3fairy.3 ?C2B ,adh- "est-res to >-ra1 J-(ar, the da-"hter of o-r hostessD she /ears a lango 7the traditional ankle4len"th skirt of /o(en fro( the 0a1p-t caste. < 1#A < All seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas stood there /ith the sa(e face. Good. :hen Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n "ave an order: 3Jin" Bharthari, here are seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas. P-t yo-r hand on the one that is yo-rs. +on8t to-ch any of the others. Mo-r Pin"ala is here, so "ra! her hand, and /atch o-tL Beca-se if yo- p-t yo-r hand on another, sister4f-cker, 9 /ill !eat yo- /ith (y ton"s and (ake yo-r skin fly. +on8t to-ch any other Pin"ala, !-t only yo-rs. Gra! the one /ho is yo-r Pin"ala.3 32ey Grain4"iver, they all look the sa(e. :hey all have the sa(e face.3

3;hat, yo- don8t reco"nize the Pin"ala yo- /ere cryin" forE3 3Mes 9 reco"nize her.3 3:hen "ra! her.3 Jin" Bharthari tho-"ht, .o/ Gorakh .ath1i said that if 9 to-ch the /ron" one 39 /ill !eat yo- sister4 f-cker.3 B-t they all have e=actly the sa(e face. 2e looked at their faces, !-t they all looked the sa(e. Gne like the ne=t one. :his one looked like the ne=t one /ho looked like the ne=t one. 9t /as her face. 3:heir faces are 1-st like hers7all seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas that 9 see. 2er color, her for(, son of a ...L ;hich one sho-ld 9 "ra!E >ho-ld 9 "ra! this one or this oneE3 >o Jin" Bharthari /ent !et/een the t/o ro/s of all seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas, and he looked and looked, and then he ca(e !ack. 2e ca(e !ack to the G-r- >overei"n. 3;ell, Jin" Bharthari, "ra! her, sister4f-cker.3 3Ba!a, they are all (ine. All the Pin"alas are (ine.3 32ey sister4f-cker, /hat do yo- (ean, all seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas are yo-rsE Mo- /ere cryin" for one, yo- /eren8t cryin" for seven h-ndred and fifty.3 3Grain4"iver, G-r- >overei"n, 9 can8t reco"nize her, and if 9 p-t (y hand on another one, if 9 "ra! another one, then yo- /ill !eat (e /ith yo-r ton"s, so /hat sho-ld 9 doE Grain4"iver, 9 can8t reco"nize her, they all look the sa(e. :herefore they are all (ine, !eca-se she had a face 1-st like that.3 3Go, sister4f-cker Jin" Bharthari. Mo- /ere cryin" and cryin" for 1-st one Pin"ala and no/ yo- say 8All seven h-ndred and fifty are (ine.8 Mo- sister4f-ckin" "reedy kin".3 < 1#% < 3>o Grain4"iver, 9 /on8t "ra! the( all, 9 /ill only the "ra! the one yo- say 9 sho-ld.3 3Good, !rother.3 2e !lindfolded hi( ti"htly. 3.o/, "o, "o, and yo-r Pin"ala /ill co(e into yo-r hand. :he one that co(es into yo-r hand, hold on to her ti"htly or else she8ll take yo- flyin". Gra! her forcef-lly.3 >o, !lindfolded, he /ent !ack and "ra!!ed Pin"ala, !rother, he "ra!!ed one, only one. 2e "ra!!ed her ti"htly !y the /rist. And Gorakh .ath1i str-ck his ton"s a"ain and chased the( a/ay. 3Go !ack /here yo- ca(e fro(, landi . 0-n a/ay all yo- Pin"alas, fly a/ay.3 B-t the one that Jin" Bharthari had "ra!!ed started to take hi( -p /ith her, she /ent flyin" /ith hi(. :hen Gorakh .ath1i said, 3Meah, yo- sister4f-ckin" /hore, did yo- kill yo-r h-s!and on p-rpose to !eco(e sati ,?C#B Pin"ala, sister4f-ckerE 2e /as askin" for Pin"ala. +id yo- /ant to (ake yo-r h-s!and fly /ith yo- to Kaik-nthE ;ill yo- take the kin"E3 Gorakh .ath1i said, 3>ister4f-cker, h-s!and4killer, yo- !eca(e sati and /ent over there to Kaik-nth. B-t stop, here co(es yo-r h-s!andL3?CAB 2e "ave Pin"ala !ack to Bharthari, 32ere is yo-r Pin"ala, Jin" Bharthari, take her and don8t say, 8Alas Pin"alaL Alas Pin"alaL8 .o/ "o into the castle and take care of the kin"do(.3

;ho (ade this prono-nce(entE Gorakh .ath1i said it. 3:ake care of yo-r kin"do(. And take this N-een Pin"ala.3 :his is Ghatiyali Killa"e, and ,adh- .ath1i has finished this Bharthari ri"ht here. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n (ade a dead Pin"ala stand after fifteen days, after fifteen days he "ave her into Jin" Bharthari8s care, after she had !-rned. :hat8s the kind of kin" Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /as. 5Bh 2.9.e6 ?C#B %anasa %arar sati hor0 here the sayin" previo-sly applied to Bharthari is t-rned on Pin"ala. ?CAB 9f none of the Pin"alas are real, and the one Bharthari has "ra!!ed is only a slave4spirit, then Gorakh is 1-st !ein" r-de, as -s-al, to his enslaved fe(ale spirits. 9f it is the real Pin"ala then he is i(p-tin" dark (otives to the faithf-l F-een. < 1#C <

Part * The Guru1s !esson

Introduction
:his part opens /ith Bharthari tossin" and t-rnin" in his royal !ed7perhaps the sin"le (o(ent of the tale in /hich the a-dience sy(pathizes /ith his character. Co(parin" Gorakh .ath8s po/er over life and death to his o/n kin"ly potency, Bharthari concl-des, as have a n-(!er of other le"endary and (ytholo"ical 9ndian kin"s, that royal do(inion is nothin" !-t d-st.?1B :he lesson !e"-n !y Gorakh .ath at Pin"ala8s pyre reaches fr-ition here in Bharthari8s resolve to leave the palace. :itled !y ,adh- .ath 3:he G-r-8s Hesson3 or 3ser(on3 5upades 6, part # does sho/ Bharthari fallin" at Gorakh .ath8s feet to receive initiation and a little "ood advice. B-t (ost of the action act-ally concerns the e=4kin"8s confrontation /ith his for(er slave "irls and /ife. Gf co-rse, these e=periences too are part of the "-r-8s lesson: it is Gorakh .ath8s order that the kin" sho-ld !rin" al(s fro( the hands of N-een Pin"ala after callin" her 3,other.3 :his /o-ld see( to !e a po/erf-l lesson, indeed. Met in the event, not Gorakh .ath8s !-t Pin"ala8s /ords are the (ost eloF-ent and (e(ora!le, altho-"h -lti(ately f-tile. Both ,adh- and his a-dience -s-ally cite 3Pin"ala8s la(ent,3 /hich is not a soliloF-y !-t a dialo"-e !et/een eternally severed h-s!and and /ife, as a favorite scene in the epic. 9t is 1-d"ed second in appeal only to the initial enco-nter !et/een Gorakh .ath and ?1B >ee Gold 19@9 for a disc-ssion of and references to reno-ncer4kin"s in 2ind- (yth. < 1#& < Bharthari at Pin"ala8s f-neral pyre. ;hereas the latter is a scene of co(ic and (a"ical dra(a, Pin"ala8s la(ent is hi"h (elodra(a7certainly the (ost e(otionally to-chin" episode in Bharthari8s epic. 9n !et/een Bharthari8s initiation and his final enco-nter /ith Pin"ala is the episode in /hich the kin", as yo"i7!e""ar, confronts his for(er slave "irls. :his entire scene very closely replicates three enco-nters !et/een !e""in" yo"is and slave "irls appearin" in Gopi Chand8s tale. 9 decided to

condense the yo"i4slave "irl dialo"-e here, !eca-se 9 a( convinced that it is (ore intrinsic to the Gopi Chand story, /here 9 f-lly translate t/o of its three occ-rrences 5in parts 9 and 26. ;hen ,adh- .ath perfor(ed this enco-nter in Bharthari #, he not only -sed the Gopi Chand rag !-t several ti(es said Gopi Chand8s na(e !y (istake, as /ell as callin" Pin"ala 3Pata( +e.3 :he end of Bharthari8s enco-nter /ith the slave "irls, /here 9 ret-rn to a f-ll te=t, does depart fro( Gopi Chand8s t/o enco-nters. 'ar fro( !reakin" do/n and /ailin" for his "-r-, Bharthari -nlike Gopi Chand is a!le to take care of hi(self even in s-ch ta=in" circ-(stances. ;hen Bharthari finally (eets Pin"ala, /e are (ore clearly !ack in his proper storyD at this very (o(ent ,adh- shifts the rag !ack to the a!a!i (elody characteristic of his Bharthari perfor(ance. Pin"ala8s challen"e to Bharthari is co-ched in a pers-asive rhetoric different fro( Pata( +e8s to Gopi Chand. )-st as Bharthari did not cry /hen the slave "irls attacked hi(, he does not /aver !efore Pin"ala8s po/erf-l onsla-"ht. 0ather, he (atches her co(plaints and de(ands /ith appropriate re1oinders. .onetheless, a-dience sy(pathies are /ith Pin"ala. 9n Gopi Chand the enco-nter !et/een h-s!and t-rned yo"i and devastated sy(!olically /ido/ed /ife is (ediated !y the interference of ,anavati ,other, /ho is tryin" to (anip-late the( !oth into follo/in" the "-r-8s co((ands. :here, too, the ac-te passion of Gopi Chand and Pata( +e as h-s!and and /ife is diff-sed fro( personal to collective sorro/, if intensified in vol-(e, !y the lo-d chor-s of conc-!ines and slave "irls. 2ere, in contrast, Bharthari and Pin"ala have a one4to4one enco-nter. :he task of callin" one8s /ife 3,other3 and !rin"in" al(s fro( her hands is a standard trial for ne/ yo"is in pop-lar traditions. ;hy this sho-ld !e, /hen initiation as a reno-ncer involves a sheddin" of past identities and kinship connections, is a"ain a F-estion 9 take -p 5tho-"h hardly ans/er6 in the after/ord. Het (e, ho/ever, call the < 1#@ < reader8s attention to the final lines of ,adh- .ath8s te=t: 3Ba!a, no/ feast on yo-r food, fro( the F-een today, fro( (y N-een Pin"ala.3 )-st at the (o(ent /hen the "-r- has pro(ised that his yo"a /ill !e f-lfilled, Bharthari -ses the lan"-a"e of his r-lin" ti(es: 3(y N-een.3 :h-s, altho-"h Bharthari see(s to have internalized the "-r-8s lesson far (ore readily and thoro-"hly than did his nephe/ Gopi Chand, this speech s-""ests a lin"erin" irresol-tion. 9t co-ld !e a ver!al accident, or it co-ld !e yet another e=pression of ho/ diffic-lt it is to let "o of past possessions and relationships, even for a fated and stron"4/illed reno-ncer4kin".

Te6t
2onored Jin" ... Mo-r throne and !ed are pleasant, Jin", Mo-r storeho-se filled /ith pearls, Jin" Bharthari. Mo-r storeho-se filled /ith pearls, Jin" Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar, Jin" of +hara .a"ar, .o!ody is i((ortalL 2onored Jin" ... At (idni"ht the kin" had a drea(, 2e drea(ed he sa/ Gorakh .ath, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari,

2e drea(ed he sa/ Gorakh .ath, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar, Jin" of +hara .a"ar, .o!ody is i((ortalL 2onored Jin" ... At ni"ht he drea(ed he sa/ >hankar, Hord >hankar appeared to the kin" in the ni"ht, to Jin" Bharthari, And Ba!a Gorakh .ath appeared, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar, Jin" of +hara .a"ar, Mo-8re (y /edded lord, !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. < 1#9 < 2onored Jin" ... :he kin" had drea(s at (idni"ht: Histen Jin" BharthariL 2onored Jin" ... Mo-8ll "o to hell?2B if yo- r-le the kin"do(, (y kin", strai"ht to hell. .o/ yo- !e a yo"i, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar, Jin" of +hara .a"ar, U11ain City8s r-ler, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. 5Bh #.1.s6 ,ean/hile, the kin"do( and N-een Pin"ala /ere "iven !ack into Bharthari8s care. 2e is kin", and he does not lack dia(onds or r-!ies, his /areho-se is filled /ith pearls. B-t no/ the kin" can8t sleep. Jin" Bharthari can8t sleep. 9n his drea(s he sees Hord >hankar and he sees Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n appears to hi(: 3Gh Jin", /hy are yo- holdin" on to these thin"s /hen yosho-ld hold on to yo"aE3 :he kin" a"reed. 3:here8s so(ethin" in the condition of yo"a !-t nothin" at all in r-le.3 3Jin", nothin" co(es of r-lin"L Mo- 1-st acc-(-late sin. Mo- eat dhar(a.?#B Mo- p-t co/s in the lock-p and then collect a fine. ;hoever co((its any cri(e or sin, yo- fine the( fifty or one h-ndred r-pees. >o yo- eat dhar(a and then yo- fall into hell. Jin", r-lin" is the sa(e as hell, !-t yo"a is the sa(e as r-lin". Previo-sly yo- earned yo"a, yo- earned yo"a and so yo- !eca(e kin".?AB B-t !y r-lin" yo- fall into hell.3 :he kin" a"reed, !-t for five, ten, fifteen, t/enty days, for an entire (onth it /ent on like this. 2e stayed, !-t Jin" Bharthari co-ldn8t sleep. 3Gh, this is all a !-ndle of sinL And sister4f-ckL ;hat to do inside of itE Hook, take Gorakh .ath1i, he is /ise, and he lives as a yo"i, so /hy sho-ld 9 live as a kin"E 9n the forest he !ro-"ht ,oti >ta" to life and sent hi( r-nnin". Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n !ro-"ht a dead deer to life. Gh (y, /hat a yo"iL ;hen (y o/n N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, she /as really a pinch of ash, and he scattered it, !-t ?2B nara&0 in Gopi Chand the alternative to yo"a is not hell !-t death. ?#B dhar%a &hana0 a phrase often -sed to (ean 3to co((it in1-stice.3 2ere the i(plication see(s to !e

that the r-ler 5like any petty villa"e official6 lives off of -nfair penalties i(posed on others. ?AB :his (ay !e a reference to Bharthari8s previo-s !irth as a yo"i, not ever (entioned e=plicitly in ,adh-8s perfor(ance !-t part of a fra(in" tale in several other versions 5see chapter #6. < 1A$ < fifteen days later he (ade seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas stand -pL Gh (y, this yo"a is "reat. :o hold on to yo"a is "reat, !-t to live as a kin" is nothin" at all. 9t is 1-st a fall to hell.3 .o/ Jin" Bharthari a"reed. 3All ri"ht, 98ll !e a yo"i, 98ll do it, !eca-se this life of r-le is nothin" !-t d-st. 9 shall "o !ehind the F-een8s !ack. Gther/ise, if 9 try to leave in front of the F-een and all the others, there isn8t a chance that they8ll let (e "o.3 ?An older 5o%an in the audien(e, not the h-nkar, (o%%ents , Mes, they /on8t let the kin" "oL ;ho /o-ld let hi( "oEB 3.o/ 9 /on8t r-le. 9 /on8t r-le and 9 /ill p-t the a-spicio-s (ark of r-le?%B on (y !rother, 2ero Kikra(aditya.3 32ey Grain4"iver, /here did yo- "et s-ch an i(possi!le notionE3 2e had a yo-n"er !rother. Mes, his yo-n"er !rother /as 2ero Kikra(aditya. 3;e o-"ht to cro/n Kikra(aditya. 9 /on8t r-le any(ore, so 98ll call (y !rother 2ero Kikra(aditya and cro/n hi(. 2e /ill !e the (aster of the kin"do(.3 Jin" Bharthari co-ldn8t sleep, or he slept restlessly, and he sa/ Gorakh .ath1i and a"reed /ith hi(. 2is desire fi=ed on yo"a. 3Co(pared to yo"a the r-lin" life is nothin" at all. 9n the r-lin" life yo- fall into hell.3 Jin" Bharthari a"reed /ith this. >o let8s see no/, at (idni"ht, he "ot -p and is "oin" into the 1-n"le ... 5Bh #.1.e6 2onored Jin" ... At (idni"ht Bharthari "ot -p, (y Jin" Bharthari 2e /ent o-t of the palace, the kin" /ent o-t, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, :he Jin" is leavin" the city, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, :he Jin" is leavin" the city, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, U11ain City8s r-ler /andered in the 1-n"le. 2e /ent /anderin" in the 1-n"le, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. 2onored Jin" ... 2e crossed one /oods, the kin" crossed another, ?%B ra! tala&0 that is, rit-ally install Kikra(aditya as kin". < 1A1 <

2e crossed the third /oods and then, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, :he kin" crossed the third /oods, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, :he kin" /ent /anderin" in the 1-n"le, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Gver here a lion roars, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. .o/ he fi=ed his (ind on Gorakh Ba!a, .o/ he fi=ed his (ind on Gorakh Ba!a, 2e is cryin" in the 1-n"le no/, G Jin" Bharthari. 2onored Jin" ... Gn the (o-ntain his ca(pfire?CB is !-rnin", G Jin" Bharthari, 2e /ent strai"ht to that ca(pfire, Jin" Bharthari 2e /ent strai"ht to that ca(pfire, G Jin" Bharthari. 2onored Jin" ... 2e /ent to the ca(pfire, Jin" Bharthari, (y Jin" Bharthari, 2e fell at the ca(pfire and called, G Jin" Bharthari, 2e fell at the ca(pfire and called, G Jin" Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar (et Gorakh Ba!a, 2e (et Ba!a Gorakh .ath, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, +hara .a"ar8s kin" !o/ed flat to Gorakh .ath, he !o/ed flat, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari.?&B :he kin" !o/ed flat to Gorakh, he fell at his feet. 3Mes Ba!a raise yo-r eyelids, +ina .ath, and (ake (e yo-r disciple. 3,y "-r- raise yo-r eyelids, Ba!a Gorakh .ath ,ake (e yo-r disciple.3 ;hen Bharthari said this, Gorakh Ba!a raised his eyelids, ?CB :he ter( 9 translate 3ca(pfire3 is dhuni and refers specifically to the fires !y /hich yo"is sit, as a for( of ascetic practice. >hrines to reno-ncers often center on their for(er ca(pfires. ?&B At this point ,adh- "ave a lon"er than -s-al (-sical interl-de and s/itched to GC rag 2. < 1A2 < .o/ he raised his eyelids, Mes, Ba!a raised his eyelids, Gorakh .ath, and sa/ Jin" Bharthari at his feet. 3Jin", 9 already took care of yo-r F-een so /hy have yo- co(e a"ainE3 3,y "-r- (ake (e a disciple

Gorakh Ba!a .ath Please (ake (e a yo"i.3 3Jin", yo-r F-een /ill /ail in the Color Palace. Mes Jin", she /ill !e sati , so /hy then are yo- standin" here a"ainE Mo-r F-een /ill /ail in the Color Palace. Go !ack and r-leL3 3,y "-r- in a life of r-le 9 fall into hell, (y honored "-r- Gorakh, B-t Ba!a, in a life of yo"a, Ba!a .ath, 98ll "et i((ortality. 3.o/ (ake (e yo-r disciple, Ba!a Gorakh .ath, for 9 can8t ever sleep.3 5Bh #.2.s6 >o /henever Jin" Bharthari tries to sleep then, al/ays, Hord >hankar appears to hi(, and al/ays Gorakh .ath1i appears. :he kin" really fo-nd o-t that if there is anythin" at all, it is in the yo"i8s life. B-t in the life of a r-ler there is nothin" at all7all it a(o-nts to a pile of hell. 3>o G-r- >overei"n, initiate (e as yo-r disciple.?@B 9 "et to sleep only /ith "reat diffic-lty, and if 9 do "et to sleep, then Gorakh >overei"n, yo- appear. 9 /as /anderin" lost in the /ild /oods, /anderin" lost ?@B .ote ho/ the transition fro( Bharthari8s /akef-l tho-"hts to his fallin" at Gorakh .ath8s feet is co(pletely !l-rred here. 9n the s-n" portion he leaves the city and crosses three forests. B-t in the e=planation his passa"e is a (ental one. < 1A# < and /ith diffic-lty /hen yo-r !ri"ht ca(pfire appeared. Mo-r !ri"ht ca(pfire appeared, so G-r>overei"n, 9 have co(e. 39 called, 82ey Ba!a Gorakh, Ba!a Gorakh .ath,8 /hile 9 /as in the 1-n"le, and lions and ti"ers /ere roarin" and 9 had no /eapons /ith (e, nothin" at all. B-t Ba!a, 9 tho-"ht only of yo-, and yo- kept the lions and ti"ers fro( eatin" (e. Ba!a, 9 /as lost in the 1-n"le /hen this hill /ith yo-r ca(pfire on top appeared, and so G-r- >overei"n, 9 have tied (yself to yo-r holy feet and fallen there. G-r- >overei"n, initiate (e as yo-r disciple.3 32ey Jin" Bharthari, sister4f-cker, al/ays yo- are /ailin" like a F-een. 'irst yo- cried, 8Alas Pin"ala, alas Pin"ala,8 and no/ yo- are follo/in" (eE N-een Pin"ala /ill /eep.3 3Het her /eep if she /eeps. ,ake (e a yo"i.3 3Gh yo"a is very diffic-lt /ork, Jin" Bharthari. 9 /ill thr-st a da""er thro-"h yo-r ears, and then 9 /ill thr-st these /ooden pl-"s?9B in the holes. 'ollo/in" a yo"i8s r-les is very diffic-ltD it is the !lade of a

s/ord.3 3.o Ba!a, no (atter /hat, 9 /ill take hold of yo"a.3 3GJ, 9 /ill (ake yo- a yo"i.3 3Mes Ba!a 9 /ill certainly !e a yo"i.3 3.o/ 9 /ill thr-st the da""er in yo-r ears ... !-t are yo- s-re this heat /on8t !-rn yo-E3?1$B 3.o Ba!a.3 3Good, son, !-t yo-r so-l doesn8t "o to yo-r F-eensE3 3.o, it doesn8t.3 3Mo-r so-l doesn8t "o to yo-r !rothers, yo-r fa(ilyE3 3.o, it doesn8t.3 3>o sit do/n Jin" Bharthari, no/ 9 /ill (ake yo- a yo"i.3 5Bh #.2.e6 >o to (ake hi( a yo"i he seated hi( in the u&aru position,?11B like this ?Madhu de%onstrates B. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n took his da""er and thr-st it thro-"h Bharthari8s ear. 2e pierced his ear and p-shed ?9B gutta0 /ooden pl-"s p-t into a ne/ initiate8s ears -ntil the /o-nds heal. ?1$B tap nahin bhalega0 Bho1- s-""ests that tap here covers all the diffic-lties incl-ded in initiation: the pain of c-ttin", the heat of the ca(pfire, the sorro/ of leavin" his fa(ily. ?11B >-ndardas8s dictionary 519C%6 descri!es this position taken /ith knees !ent, soles of feet to-chin" the "ro-nd, and !-ttocks restin" on heels. < 1AA < in pl-"s (ade of ni% /ood, as !i" as a !i" toe. Pl-"s of ni% are p-shed in first. >o, he p-t in the pl-"s. 3Mes, sister4f-ckerL .o/ look, yo- /ill re(e(!er yo-r life of r-le.3?12B And he i"nited fla(es in a half4pot?1#B and p-t it on his head. 'irst he took a head pad and p-t it on his head, and then he i"nited fla(es in a half4pot and placed it on top, and the fla(es reached his ears. 9t didn8t !-rn his head, !-t it kept his ears very /ar(. Jeepin" his ears /ar(, he took hi( to Badari .arayan. ?1AB ;hoE Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n. 2e took hi( to Badari .arayan. :hey /ent very slo/ly, !y foot, and they /ere !arefoot too. Bharthari had (any !listers on his feet, and the pot /as !-rnin" on top of hi(, and he /as s/eatin" too, /ith the heat co(in" onto his ears. :he kin" tho-"ht, >ister4f-ckerL 0-lin" /as really "reat. ?Mu(h laughter fro% the audien(e B 3Gh (y, yo"a is very !i" and diffic-lt /ork. Mo"a is very !i" and !ad /ork. Gh, fla(es are heatin" (y ears.3 :he "-r- /as "oin" in front. 2e took hi( to Badari .arayan. 9t took the( ten, fifteen days to reach there, (ay!e a (onth. >o he took hi( to Badari .arayan, and there he took darsan of Badari .arayan. :hey prostrated the(selves and "ave respect to Badari .arayan. :hen Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n took per(ission fro( Hord >hankar ... and he p-t an iron platter?1%B on his head and they /ent to (ake

offerin"s to 2in" Ha1 ,other.?1CB :o /orship 2in" Ha1 ,other they had to "o !y foot. Previo-sly there /ere no (otor cars, no airplanes ?#aughter B, no (otors or cycles, ?12B :here is no (ention here, as there is in Gopi Chand, of one ear 3!leedin"3 (ilk and the other !lood7the !lood indicatin" that Gopi Chand8s (ind had /andered to his r-lin" ti(e. 2o/ever, the "-r- -ses the f-t-re tense 3/ill re(e(!er3 5yad ayegi 6. Perhaps the pot of fla(es is intended to prevent s-ch (e(ories in Bharthari8s case, /hereas in Gopi Chand8s it is s-pposed to cook the( o-t of hi(. ?1#B dhibaro0 Bho1- says this is the !otto( half of a clay /ater pot that so(eti(es holds s(all fires in /inter. ?1AB An i(portant pil"ri(a"e shrine in the 2i(alayas that is especially fa(ed for its diffic-lt access, Badari is a site dedicated to Kishn-, !-t these >haivite yo"is visit it first. ?1%B tagar0 this ter(, -sed for the container of fla(es placed on Gopi Chand8s head !y )alindar .ath, no/ see(s to replace the ori"inal clay half4pot. ?1CB A "oddess /hose /orship is central to the .ath sect in the villa"eD her shrine is in Pakistan and no 0a1asthani pil"ri(s visit it today. >ee Gold 19@@, 1$2IA. < 1A% < no /ay to "o !-t !y foot, and the platter /as !-rnin" on his head, and the fla(es /ere strikin" his ears. 9t took a!o-t a (onth for the( to "et there. ;hereE :o /orship 2in" Ha1 ,other. :hey /ent !y foot, and he had !listers on his feet. >o(e places they fo-nd /ater !-t so(e places there /as no "rain, no /ater, nothin" at all. 9t /as very diffic-lt for Jin" Bharthari. 3Gh (e, oh (yL A very /eird thin" has happened. 9n tr-th, the life of yo"a is very hard /ork.3 After/ards they ca(e !ack to the ca(pfire in the Ja1ali ;oods.?1&B And then Gorakh .ath1i took the platter do/n fro( Jin" Bharthari8s head. 3*no-"hL >it do/n, Jin" Bharthari. .o/ yo- don8t have a platter on yo-r head and yo-r ears are healed. :he heat !-rned a/ay the !lood, and they8re healed. .o/ let8s p-t darsani in yo-r ears.3 *no-"hL 2e took o-t s-ch darsani* ;hoE Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n. :here /ere dia(onds sparklin" in the(, and he p-t the( in his ears for hi( to /ear. 3Good son, 9 /ill "ive yo- darsani like these to /ear, Jin" Bharthari.3 >o he "ave hi( darsani to /ear, and he /as a yo"i. 30ecite prayers and sit.3 2e ta-"ht hi( to t-rn his prayer !eads and "ave hi( ashes to r-! on hi(self and "ave hi( a loincloth to /ear. 2e "ave Bharthari Ba!a prayer !eads to t-rn, (ade of rudra&sa ,?1@B and he "ave hi( a deer4horn instr-(ent on a rope?19B and yo"is8 earrin"s to /ear. 3GJ, son, Bharthari.3 3Mes G-r- >overei"nE3 3>on, yo-r yo"a is still not f-lfilled.3 3>o G-r- >overei"n, ho/ /ill it !eE3 3Go to yo-r N-een Pin"ala8s palace and !rin" al(s fro( yo-r F-een8s hand. And say 8,other,8 82onored ,other,8 call yo-r F-een 8,other.8 ?This is spo&en 5ith high dra%a .B 8+rop in al(s, Pin"ala ,otherL8 :hen yo-r yo"a /ill !e co(plete.3

32ey G-r- >overei"n, (y N-een Pin"ala is (y /ife, she is (y /ife, she is (y /ife, so ho/ /ill 9 call her 8,other8E3 ?1&B &a!ali van0 this location appears freF-ently in .ath lore as a "-r-s8 retreat. 9n the SK it is a forest of !anana treesD the na(e (ay also evoke darkness and (ystery, as &a!aliyo (eans dark or !lack. ?1@B A special dried seed -sed !y >haivite reno-ncers only for their prayer !eads. ?19B seli singi nad0 see chapter 2 for characteristic paraphernalia of yo"is. < 1AC < 3Mes, sister4f-ckerL :he F-een /as yo-r /ife, /hen yo- lived as a r-ler, she /as yo-r N-een Pin"ala, !-t no/ yo- have !eco(e a yo"i. .o/ yo- have !eco(e a yo"i, and she has !eco(e yo-r (other. >o call her 8,other8 o-t lo-d, and !rin" al(s. :hen yo-r yo"a /ill !e co(plete.3 3'ine, G-r- >overei"n, 9 shall "o.3 3Hook son, co(e on the roads and "o on the roads and call all /o(en 8,other8 and 8>ister.8?2$B And don8t !rin" sha(e to yo-r yo"i8s ro!es. Get al(s fro( yo-r N-een Pin"ala. Call her 8,other,8 and take al(s and h-rry !ack.3 3'ine, Grain4"iver.3 >o, let8s see /hat happens /ith Pin"ala. 5Bh #.#.e6 2onored Jin"?21B ... :he kin" ... a seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. 2e took his sack, the yo"i picked -p his ton"s, he p-t on his sandals, and so-nded his deer4horn instr-(ent. Ba!a so-nded his horn, and !o/ed his head to the "-r-. Mes Ba!a /andered into the 1-n"le, Bharthari .ath,?22B and t-rned his face to/ard U11ain. Bharthari Ba!a crossed one /oods, the yo"i crossed a second /oods, then he crossed the third /oods. Mes, in the third /oods, Hord, Ba!a ca(e to the !o-ndaries of U11ain. 5Bh #.A.s6 ?2$B :hat is, don8t stray fro( the path and don8t look -pon any fe(ales as se=-al !ein"s. :hese lines are the nor(al partin" /ords fro( "-r- to disciple settin" forth. >ee .arayan 19@9 for tales of disciples /ho set o-t on a "-r-8s errands only to !e distracted !y /o(en. ?21B ,adh- !e"an /ith one off4key 32onored Jin" ...3 and then settled into GC rag 2. 9 "ive only three verses of the sin"in" that are not covered in the arthav . ?22B :his is s-n" very dra(atically, stressin" the kin"8s ne/ identity, no lon"er as a!a!i !-t as Bharthari .ath. :he last sylla!le is dra/n o-t: 3.aaaath.3

< 1A& < Jin" Bharthari had !eco(e a yo"i, !-t in the 1-n"le Bharthari .ath re(e(!ered the thin"s of his r-lin" ti(es. :he /hite, /hite castles appeared, and he re(e(!ered the thin"s of his r-lin" ti(es. 3Gh (y, 9 -sed to sport at h-ntin" lions in this very 1-n"le, /ith ho/ (any soldiers and ar(ies, and /orkers and servantsL 9 sat in a throne on an elephant8s !ack /ith /hisks /avin" over (e and (any 0oyal Bards?2#B praisin" (e. And today in /hat poverty 9 have co(eL 3Gn (y fair?2AB !ody a loincloth?2%B is tied, and on (y fair neck tan"led locks spread, and (y /hole !ody is s(eared /ith ash. )-st look at the poverty 'ate has "iven (e: in (y hand ton"s and on (y feet sandals and on (y sho-lders a sack. 98( /anderin" in the 1-n"le and there is no herald for (e, there are no h-(ans at all.3 >o Jin" Bharthari /as re(e(!erin" the thin"s of his r-lin" ti(es and cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes.?2CB ;ho /as there to talk /ith in the 1-n"leE 3Gh (y "-r-, 'ort-ne has inscri!ed this destiny in (y kar(a /ith thick /ritin": i((ortal fakirhood. ?2&B :here is no one to re(ove it.3 B-t he kept -p his faith, tellin" hi(self, 3N-it re(e(!erin" the thin"s of yo-r r-lin" ti(es, and keep yo-r (ind on prayer. Het8s "o !rother, /ith a stron" chestL3 And Jin" Bharthari /ent on his /ay.?2@B A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l ?2#B (haran bhat0 an i(portant caste of poet4historians in 0a1asthan. ?2AB bhurya sa0 literally !ro/nish !-t i(plyin" a favora!le contrast /ith dark and -nattractive skin7 th-s fair. ?2%B langoti0 for an e=tensive disc-ssion of folklore s-rro-ndin" and (eanin"s carried !y ascetics8 loincloths see .arayan 19@9. ?2CB 9ndra is the Kedic deity associated /ith rain. :his description of !itter /eepin", in three stock phrases, rec-rs dozens of ti(es in Gopi Chand. ?2&B vidhata apan li&h diya %ota le&h ar &ar%a %e li&h diya a%ar fa&iri . *n"lish4speakin" 0a1asthanis often identify 1idhata as 3Goddess 'ort-ne3 and eF-ate it /ith Be%ata 7the fe(ale divinity /ho inscri!es all infants8 foreheads /ith their destinies. 2o/ever, as -s-ally -nderstood in >anskrit and standard 2indi, 1idhata is (ale and i(personal. 3:hick /ritin"3 5%ota le&h 6 (ay (ean the 3(ain3 thin" /ritten or, (ore literally, so(ethin" /ritten in letters that cannot !e erased, as the follo/in" sentence i(plies. Pop-lar tho-"ht often (er"es the concepts of fa&iri and !oga , altho-"h fa&ir is an 9sla(ic ter( for a practitioner of asceticis(. :here e=ist cens-s reports of castes desirin" to s/itch their na(e of record fro( !ogi to fa&ir 5see chapter 26. 2ere as in Gopi Chand8s tale, fa&iri appears associated /ith i((-ta!le fate. ?2@B 9n GC 2 and GC # /e /ill see Gopi Chand in an identical sit-ation, !-t a!sol-tely -na!le to proceed /itho-t the "-r-8s co(fort. Bharthari p-lls hi(self to"ether independently. < 1A@ < of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s o/n for(. 2e crossed one /oods, and a second /oods, and in the third /oods he entered the city of U11ain. Jin" Bharthari entered /ith ton"s in his hand and locks this lon" han"in" do/n, and he /ent alon" s(eared /ith ashes, !-t keepin" -p his co-ra"e. Gver there no!ody even said 3Kictory to >hivaL3?29B

;ho /o-ldE 3Brother, it8s 1-st so(e poor sadhu .3 3:here is no one to anno-nce (y o/n na(e, they don8t even re(e(!er Bharthari Ba!a over here. :hat is /hat the /orld of fl-= is like. :here /as a day /hen 9 -sed to "o o-t ridin", and then they called !efore (e, 8,ercy, Grain4"iver, (ercy, Grain4"iverL8 B-t no/ lookL ,y o/n people see (e in this poor clothin", in yo"i8s ro!es, and no!ody even says 8Kictory to ,ahadevL8 :his is the ocean of cos(ic fl-=.3 :hinkin" in this /ay, he /ent into the )e/el >F-are.?#$B 2e passed thro-"h one portal, he passed thro-"h a second portal, he /ent to the top of the third portal and set -p his (editation seat and lit his ca(pfire. 2avin" lit his ca(pfire in the third portal, Bharthari Ba!a stood -p and cried 3Ala&h* 3 2e cried 3Ala&h* 3 and !le/ his deer4horn instr-(ent. As soon as he !le/ his deer4horn instr-(ent, and cried 3Ala&h* 3 it reso-nded in N-een Pin"ala8s ears. And as soon as it reso-nded in N-een Pin"ala8s ears, she called her eleven slave "irls.?#1B N-een Pin"ala had eleven slave "irls a(on" /ho( her favorite8s na(e /as ,oti1i. 3,oti1i.3 3Mes, HadyE3 3Go, son, today so(e "reat so-l has co(e to o-r door, a yo"i has co(e. And he is callin" 8Ala&h* 8 2e has so-nded his deer4horn instr-4 ?29B :his /o-ld !e a polite "reetin" for a .ath reno-ncer, !eca-se .aths are kno/n as a >haivite sect. ?#$B %ana& (au&0 an i(a"e of splendor that occ-rs often in folkson"s and stories in reference to the (ain sF-are of a city. ?#1B ,adh- .ath -ses t/o ter(s for slave "irl, dasi and goli . Accordin" to Bho1-, dasi refers to vir"in "irls incl-ded in a do/ry "iven to a "reat kin", and goli refers to the fe(ale offsprin" of 0oyal >ervants or darogas . Altho-"h ,adh-8s -sa"e appears to !e rando(, in order to replicate the /ord variation 9 translate dasi as slave "irl and goli as !ond/o(an. At points in !oth tales, goli appears to have (ore dero"atory i(plications. < 1A9 < (ent. Go, son, fill a platter /ith dia(onds and r-!ies and take it. P-t on fine clothin" and then "o, don8t "o like this. Mo- p-t on nice clothes and "o. :ake a platter of dia(onds and r-!ies, and "o, "ive the yo"i al(s. Go F-ickly !eca-se if yo- don8t then the yo"i /ill leave o-r door e(pty4handed and "ive a c-rse. 3.o/ /e don8t kno/, for he didn8t tell -s, /here o-r o/n kin" is. 2e !eca(e a yo"i ... /ho kno/s ho/ /e failed to serve hi(?#2B ... o-r o/n kin" !eca(e a yo"i, or so they say, tho-"h /e didn8t see it /ith o-r o/n eyes. 2e /ent o-t in the ni"ht, and /ho kno/s /here he /ent. :/o (onths, t/o and a half (onths have passed and he hasn8t co(e !ack.3 5Bh #.A.e6 >o the F-een sent ,oti +asi to "ive al(s, and she started a fi"ht. ?,oti +asi dresses in her finest and offers Bharthari a platter of dia(onds and r-!ies. ;hen he ref-ses the( she ins-lts hi(, and event-ally he loses his te(per and strikes her. >he "oes /eepin" to the F-een, /ho ar(s all her slave "irls /ith !a(!oo sticks and sends the( to drive a/ay the violent yo"i. :hey s-rro-nd hi( and threaten hi( /ith their sticks. 'or an identical enco-nter feat-rin" Gopi Chand and his F-een8s slave "irls see GC 2. 9 ret-rn no/ to ,adh-8s /ords.B

5Bh #.%4C.e6 >o they s-rro-nded hi( and prodded hi(. :hen Bharthari Ba!a tho-"ht, Before these sl-ts thoro-"hly spoil (y honor, 9 /ill sho/ the( the face of (y r-lin" ti(es. >o he /et a sF-are of cloth fro( his "o-rd?##B and /iped the offerin"4ash off his /hole !ody. 2e /iped the offerin"4ash fro( his face too. 2e said, 3>l-ts, yo- sa/ (y "ar(ents of poverty. :hat8s /hy yo- ca(e /ith !a(!oo sticks. ;ho /o-ld reco"nize (eE >l-ts, raised on (y scraps, yo- are holdin" !a(!oo sticks over (eL3 Gh (yL As soon as they sa/ Jin" Bharthari8s face, all the sl-ts fell at his feet. And they thre/ do/n their !a(!oo sticks. 32ey Grain4"iver, /e have !eco(e yo-r -n"ratef-l /retches.3?#AB ?#2B &ana &hai saiva %e (u& pargi0 it (i"ht also !e constr-ed as 3/ho kno/s /hat lack of service he is s-fferin"E3 ?##B ;anderin" reno-ncers carry dried, hollo/ ve"eta!le "o-rds as /ater containers. ?#AB lun hara%anya0 those /ho have eaten one8s salt and then treated one !adly. < 1%$ < va sa va* ?e6(la%ation of satisfa(tion and approval B 3;e threatened yo- /ith !a(!oo sticks, and /e have !eco(e -n"ratef-l /retches.3 >o then as soon as they said this, the !ond/o(en /ent r-nnin", the slave "irls. :hey ran /ailin", and the F-een said, 3Girls, 9 sent yo- la-"hin" so /hy have yo- co(e cryin"E ;hat kind of a yo"i is it, a (a"ician, a death4spell /ielderE +id he feed yo- so(e kind of roasted hashish that yo- have co(e stoned and /ailin"E3 3Hady, no, the yo"i is no (a"ician, no death4spell /ielder, and he did not feed -s roasted hashish. B-t yo-r fate has split and the kin", Jin" Bharthari, has co(e as a yo"i. 2e has lon" (atted locks spreadin", and in his ears he is /earin" yo"is8 earrin"s. And there are ashes s(eared on hi( and 7 take yo-r ivory ar(!ands and thro/ the( a/ay, and p-t on a lon" !lo-seL?#%B :he kin" has !eco(e a yo"iL3 3G sl-ts, (any yo"is co(e, and they all look the sa(eL Mo"is keep co(in", cryin" 8Ala&h* 8 >l-ts, no/ 9 /ill !eat yo- /ith the /hip, and 9 /ill (ake yo-r skin fly off. :he kin" /ill never !e a yo"i. 2e /ill never co(e.3 ;hat he !eca(e no/ /e8ll see. 5Bh #.&.e6 .o/ Pin"ala ca(e too.?#CB >he passed thro-"h all the portals, and all the slave "irls /ent /ith her. Mes, Hady, "o and take yo-r h-s!and8s darsan: Mo-r h-s!and4"od?#&B has co(e as a yo"i. >he crossed one portal, the F-een crossed the second portal, then she ca(e to the third portal. Mes, in the third portal, Hord, Jin" Bharthari /as standin". ?#%B Beca-se a reno-ncer 3dies3 to his past life, his /ife !eco(es a /ido/. Broken !an"les especially, and the re(oval of all orna(ents, are si"ns of /ido/hood. A 3lon" !lo-se3 5la%bi &a(hal ya 6

s-((arizes /hat /e (i"ht call 3/ido/8s /eeds.3 ?#CB ,adh- !e"ins in GC rag 2, then s/itches to a!a!i . 9 incl-de this and all re(ainin" s-n" portions !eca-se they co(prise Pin"ala8s la(ent7considered to !e the e(otional peak of ,adh- .ath8s Bharthari perfor(ance. ?#&B pati dev takes on pain and ironyD he has !eco(e a darsan 4/orthy reno-ncer !-t is no lon"er her h-s!and. < 1%1 < 2e picked -p his sack, Ba!a, and lifted his ton"s, and picked -p his c-p. 3Mes, ,other Pin"ala, "ive (e al(s today, it is the "-r-8s po/erf-l co((andL ,y (other, "ive (e al(s, Pin"ala ,other, it is the "-r-8s po/erf-l co((and.3 2onored Jin"?#@B ... ,isled !y a yo"i he is standin", he has co(e, (y h-s!and has co(e. 2onored Jin" ... 2ad 9 !-t kno/n yo- /ere !orn to !e a yo"i, (y kin", had 9 !-t kno/n, 9 /o-ld have stayed /ith (y father, and th-s spent (y life, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored Jin" ... *at and drink and accept /ealth,?#9B (y h-s!and, accept it, :reat yo-r so-l /ith love, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, treat yo-r so-l /ith love, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. ?#@B 2ere ,adh- s/itches to the rag that is characteristic of Bharthari, 1-st at the (o(ent /hen his story diver"es si"nificantly fro( si(ilar scenes in Gopi Chand. ?#9B As in the very first stanza of Bh 1, the interpretation of these lines plays on the do-!le (eanin" of %aya as /ealth and ill-sion. Pres-(a!ly Pin"ala tells hi( to 3en1oy life3 5as Bho1- p-ts it6 !-t the /ords %aya %anlyo co-ld hint at the ill-sory F-alities of the very thin"s she -r"es hi( to accept.

< 1%2 < 2onored N-een ... +on8t stand there and F-arrel, (y !ea-tif-l F-een, ,y co(pany8s leavin" for Badari .ath.?A$B N-it !ein" st-!!orn, G N-een, for (y co(pany8s leavin" for Badari .ath. N-it !ein" st-!!orn, 1-st like a /o(an,?A1B and accept /hat 9 say. 2onored Jin" ... ;hen 9 /as a vir"in, (any "roo(s so-"ht (e, (y kin", (any "roo(s so-"ht (e. B-t no!ody (arries a (arried /o(an, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, .o!ody (arries a (arried /o(an, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored Jin" ... 'or /ho( shall 9 /ear these dan"lin" earrin"s, (y h-s!and, dan"lin" earrin"sE And for /ho( this tasseled ar(!andE yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, 'or /ho( this tasseled ar(!andE yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored Jin" ... 9f yo- (-st !e a yo"i then 9 a( yo-r yo"ini, (y h-s!and, yo-r yo"ini. ;e8ll cooperate in yo"ic practice, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, ;e8ll cooperate in yo"ic practice, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, ?A$B :hat is, 398( a!o-t to leave on a pil"ri(a"e3 and a( therefore in a h-rry. ?A1B tariya &i !at0 literally 3fe(ale species.3 < 1%# < Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, take (e /ith yo-, (aster, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored N-een ... 9f 9 take yo- /ith (e, the /orld /ill speak !adly,

(y F-een, they8ll speak !adly. :he /orld /ill think (e a ho-seholder, yo- (-st realize, fe(ale. Mo- (-st realize, fe(ale species, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, fe(ale species, and accept /hat 9 say. 5Bh #.@.s6 Ba!a lifted his sack and lifted his c-p, 32o, Pin"ala ,other, don8t F-arrel /ith (e, "ive (e al(s, Pin"ala ,other. 9t is (y G-r- >overei"n8s po/erf-l co((and. Give (e al(s (y (otherL3 As soon as he said this she fell into la(entation, 3Gh (y, this is really an o-tra"eL .o/ yo- said 8,other.8 2ey, h-s!and4"od, a( 9 yo-r (other or a( 9 yo-r /o(anE Co-ld this have co(e to pass in 1-st a fe/ daysE3 2e said, 3.o/ yo-8re not (y F-een or anythin", no/ yo- are (y (other.3 :hen she la(ented, 32ey 2onored Jin", eat and drink and accept /ealth, and treat yo-r so-l /ith love. :he pleas-res of a h-(an !irth /ill not co(e a"ain. 32onored Jin", for /ho( do 9 /ear these dan"lin" earrin"s, and for /ho( this tasseled ar(!andE And Grain4"iver, /hat is this o-tra"e yo-8ve co((ittedE 9 !-rned -p in the "arden, and yo- had (e !ro-"ht !ack to life. 9t see(s yo- had (e !ro-"ht !ack to life in order to (ake (e /eep, in order to leave (e here la(entin".3 ?Several %e%bers of the audien(e, of both se6es, %a&e sy%patheti( (o%%ents .B :hen he said, 3Mo- have yo-r yo-n" !rother4in4la/,?A2B /hoE 2ero ?A2B devar0 h-s!and8s yo-n"er !rother, /ith /ho( se=-al 1okin" is per(itted and a (arria"e after /ido/hood (i"ht !e approved. < 1%A < Kikra(aditya. :he a-spicio-s (ark of r-le /as "iven to hi( and yo- can live /ith hi( in !liss.3 3Jin", a cravin" for (an"oes isn8t satisfied !y ta(arinds. Jin" Bharthari, if yo- (-st !e a yo"i, then take (e /ith yo-. 98ll !e yo-r yo"ini, and /e8ll cooperate in yo"ic practices, /e8ll !oth live in the condition of yo"a.3 32ey N-een, if 9 took yo- /ith (e the /orld /o-ld -nderstand -s as ho-seholders and the /orld /o-ld speak !adly.3 39 /ill !e a yo"ini.3 39f yo- !eco(e a yo"ini it /on8t look "ood. ;e can8t live to"ether. 9 have taken on fakirhood, i((ortal fakirhood, and yo- are (y (other, so ho/ co-ld 9 take yo- /ith (eE3 .o/ the F-een said, 32ey Jin", if 9 had kno/n yo- /ere !orn to !e a yo"i 9 /o-ld have stayed /ith (y father, and 9 /o-ld never have "ot (arried. 2o/ /as 9 to kno/ that yo- /ere !orn to !e a yo"iE 39 /o-ld never have "ot (arried, 9 /o-ld have stayed a vir"in, and /orshiped the pipal tree?A#B at (y father8s ho-se. B-t yo- are leavin" (e in the (iddle.3 3N-een, don8t stand there F-arrelin", !eca-se (y co(pany is a!o-t to leave for Badari .ath. ;hy are yo- standin" there and F-arrelin"E 'ort-ne /rote in (y kar(a, and she /rote 8i((ortal fakirhood8 and

there is no re(over.3 >o that8s the /ay the F-een la(ented. :hen the kin" said, 3N-een, don8t la(ent, and "ive (e al(s, 9 (-st have al(s, it is (y "-r-8s po/erf-l co((and, so don8t delay.3 2ey, G-r- >overei"nL 9ndescri!a!leL 9ndestr-cti!leL 5Bh #.@.e6 2onored N-een ... 'east (e a (eal fro( yo-r hand, (y F-een, fro( yo-r hand, And (ake the "-r-8s portion too, N-een Pin"ala. Mo- (-st realize, fe(ale species, and accept /hat 9 sayL Accept /hat 9 say, fe(ale species. N-it !ein" st-!!orn, fe(ale species, and accept /hat 9 sayL ?A#B ;orship of the pipal tree is associated /ith vir"in da-"hters. < 1%% < 2onored Jin" ... Place yo-r ca(pfire in the Clo-d Castle,?AAB (y h-s!and in the castle. Place yo-r (editation seat in the portal, and do tapas?A%B at (y door. Gh yes, do tapas only here, r-ler, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, U11ain City8s r-ler, yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored Jin" ... ;hat is (oonli"ht /itho-t the (oon, (y h-s!andE ;hat is ni"ht /itho-t the starsE yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. ;hat is ni"ht /itho-t the starsE yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored N-een ... 9f 9 place (y ca(pfire here, the s(oke /ill fly -p, (y lovely F-een, it /ill fly -p. :he Color Palace /ill !e !lackened, N-een Pin"ala, the Color Palace /ill !e !lackened, (y N-een Pin"ala. Mo- (-st realize, fe(ale species, and accept /hat 9 say. 2onored Jin" ...

9f the kin"do( !e !lackened, or the palace, (y h-s!and, 9 /ill do-!le their color, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, 9 /ill do-!le their colorL ?AAB badal%ahal0 descri!ed in the SK as the 3!est and (ost !ea-tif-l castle,3 and a 3place of (erri(ent and pleas-re.3 ?A%B Tapas is often translated as 3ascetic feats3D literally it is heat or ardor. 9 retain it in the ori"inal thro-"ho-t this translation /here it -s-ally va"-ely indicates appropriate yo"ic practices. < 1%C < Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar, do tapas at (y door. Mes, do tapas at (y door, r-ler, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari. 2onored Jin" ... ;ho tied the yello/ /eddin" !racelets, (y h-s!and, the /eddin" !raceletsE ;ho tied the /eddin" crest on yo-r headE yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, ;ho tied the /eddin" crest on yo-r headE yo- (-st realize. Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored N-een ... :he Brah(an tied the yello/ /eddin" !racelets, (y F-een, the !racelets. :he Bar!er tied the /eddin" crest on (y head, yo- (-st realize, fe(ale. Mo- (-st realize, fe(ale species, and accept /hat 9 say. 2onored Jin" ... Het li"htnin" strike the Brah(an, (y h-s!and, li"htnin", Het a !lack snake !ite the Bar!er, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Het a !lack snake !ite the Bar!er, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, yo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 5Bh #.9.s6 >o she had la(ented all this (-ch, !-t even so /hat happenedE 2e said, 3N-een, no/ yo- have la(ented a!o-t everythin", and yo- /ant li"htnin" to strike do/n the Bar!er, yo- /ant a !lack snake

to !ite /ho(ever, /hatever yo- /ant, !-t if yo- are "oin" to prepare a (eal and feast (e at this ca(pfire, do it, or else 9 /ill pack -p and < 1%& < "o ri"ht no/. :oday yo- see (y face, !-t after/ards yo- /ill not see it.3 >o, /eepin", the F-een /ent !ack and prepared food. >he prepared food and ca(e !ack and fed it to Bharthari Ba!a. >he fed hi( and she p-t do/n a special portion for the G-r- >overei"n. 32ey, Jin" Bharthari, 9 didn8t kno/ yo- /ere !orn to !e a yo"i, and 9 !-rned -p, so /hy did yo- (ake (e stand -p a"ainE3 ?The audien(e laughs at this bitter irony B >he fed hi( and kept -p her la(entation. After the food /as prepared, she took hi( inside the castle and feasted hi( a "ood (eal. 3:ake the special portion for the G-r- >overei"n and "o, sir, "o.3 >he "ave hi( a send4off and he /ent !ack to the ca(pfire. :o Gorakh .ath8s ca(pfire. :o Gorakh .ath8s. 5Bh #.9.e6 2onored Jin"?ACB ... ,y !lo-se /as never /et /ith (ilk, h-s!and, (y !lo-se, And a !oy child never played in (y lap, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari, A !oy child never played in (y lap. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari, Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, +hara .a"ar8s r-ler left (e destit-te. 2onored Jin"... 'east on food fro( (y hand, (y h-s!and, fro( (y hand. :ake the "-r-8s portion, G Jin" Bharthari, :hen "ive (e darsan once a"ain, 9nnocent .ath, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, Mo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. 2onored Jin"... 2e picked -p his ca(pfire ?ACB :his is the final se"(ent of Bh #. < 1%@ < fro( the portal no/, Jin" Bharthari,

he sho-ldered his sack, Jin" Bharthari. .o/ the yo"i "ot -p, yo- (-st realize, Bharthari. ?A brief %usi(al interlude in GC ra" 7, and a return to it B A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. Mes Ba!a !eca(e the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned his face to/ard the Ja1ali ;oods. 2e crossed one /oods, Bharthari crossed a second /oods, then he crossed the third /oods. Mes in the third /oods, Hord, Ba!a reached the "-r-8s ca(pfire. 2e reached the ca(pfire and !o/ed his head to the "-r-, he !o/ed his head. 3Ba!a take this special portion of Pin"ala8s, ,y "-r-, feast on (y food. 3,y "-r- 9 stayed on the road, Ba!a, 9 stayed on the road. 9 called everyone 8,other8 and 8>ister.8 Mes Ba!a take this food, Gorakh Ba!a, 9 called the F-een 8,other8 and !ro-"ht it. 3Ba!a, no/ feast on yo-r food, fro( the F-een today, fro( (y N-een Pin"ala.3 >peak: Kictory to Bharthari Ba!aL >peak: Kictory to G-r- Gorakh >overei"nL G Hord >hankar, no/ Bharthari Ba!a is co(plete. 5Bh #.1$.s6 < 1%9 <

T,$ TA!$ O& 5ING GOPI C,AND

< 1C1 <

Part I Go.i Chand1s 4irth tory

Introduction
)-st as /e learn nothin" of Bharthari hi(self in his !irth story, /e learn very little of Gopi Chand in the first part of his tale. 2o/ever, Gopi Chand8s destiny is shaped (ore e=plicitly than is Bharthari8s !y the circ-(stances of his !irth. A n-(!er of critical (otifs are introd-ced in this !riefest of the tale8s fo-r parts: Gopi Chand8s personal !ea-ty, the "-r-8s love for hi(, and (ost of all the fact that he is 3!orro/ed3 !y his (other. Gopi Chand literally 3o/es3 his life to the "-r- )alindar. 2e /as a yo"i !efore his !irth and is destined to ret-rn to that state. Gorakh .ath plays a !acksta"e part in Bharthari8s procreation, for it is his (a"ic po/er that allo/s the donkey pro"enitor to /in Pan +e. B-t )alindar is the direct a"ent of Gopi Chand8s conception7red-cin" his handso(e disciple to ashes 5not for the last ti(e6 and "ivin" the( to ,anavati ,other to 3lick -p.3 ;hereas Bharthari8s !irth story !e"ins /ith a father8s c-rse and contin-es /ith a tale of !ride4/innin" fro( a (ale vie/point, Gopi Chand8s has a co(pletely (aternal perspective thro-"ho-t. Jin" Bharthari8s sister, ,anavati 5called ,anavati ,other or ,anavati ,ata6, is the central character in Gopi Chand8s !irth story. Hike his event-al initiation as a yo"i, Gopi Chand8s !irth as a kin" is en"ineered !y ,anavati. Altho-"h his !irth involves a divinity8s personal intervention and a yo"i8s loan, the story is far less fancif-l to villa"ers than that of the talkin" donkey and his "old and silver palaces. 9ndeed, to villa"e a-diences the !arren /o(an8s desperate search for divine assistance is deeply fa(iliar. < 1C2 < ,anavati8s tale of r-nnin" fro( deity to deity, and of (akin" appropriately pleasin" offerin"s to each, rese(!les personal e=periences 9 often heard narrated and several ti(es /itnessed, /hile 9 /as livin" in Ghatiyali 5Gold 19@@, 1A9I%A6. *ven the F-een (other8s te(porary dis"-st /ith the fr-itlessness of s-ch activities and the s-!seF-ent revelation7inspirin" redo-!led faith7that there is one "od /ho has not !een tried !-t /ho 1-st (ay do the trick, are patterns /ell kno/n to (odern villa"ers. Gnce ,anavati presents herself in the yo"is8 ca(p in the Chapala Garden, /e are in (ore e=otic territoryD fe/ if any villa"ers have /alked a(on" cro/ds of yo"is. Gorakh .ath strides thro-"h Bharthari8s story as a lone apparition of strikin" and sin"-lar po/er, !-t )alindar .ath is al/ays s-rro-nded !y disciples 5visi!le and invisi!le6. +espite the e=traordinary nat-re of their n-(!ers and /ay of life, )alindar8s cohorts are portrayed in a (anner that coincides /ith villa"ers8 notions a!o-t r-n4 of4the4(ill yo"is. :hey are not a terri!ly attractive lot. 0ather, e=cept for Gopi Chand, the t/o chief disciples, Charpat and 2ada, and )alindar hi(self, the (assed yo"is are deficient characters: crippled, -"ly, a"ed. 9n the opinion of (any 0a1asthani peasants yo"is are a scr-ffy "ro-p a(on" /ho( one in a tho-sand (i"ht !e the real thin". Charpat .ath8s enco-nter /ith 2ira +asi is al(ost a replica of Gopi Chand8s f-t-re confrontations /ith t/o sets of slave "irls, as /ell as of Bharthari8s /ith Pin"ala8s (aidservants. Met a fe/ note4/orthy and revealin" differences stand o-t /ithin the stock e=chan"es, ins-lts, and (is-nderstandin"s. Gopi Chand and Bharthari /ant !read, !-t Charpat /ants (ilk. >harin" daily !read represents the inti(acy and s-!stantial identity that is the hall(ark of fa(ily -nity in r-ral 9ndia. ,ilk does not transfer poll-tion in the /ay !read doesD rather it is food that can !e "iven to hi"her castes or even to deities. Gopi Chand and Bharthari vent their an"er !y strikin" an i(p-dent slave "irl on her !ack, !-t Charpat

contents hi(self /ith a !lo/ to a rock. :he effect is the sa(e: the slave "irl stops ar"-in" and takes a (essa"e to the F-een. B-t Charpat dazzles, rather than !eatin" her into doin" his errand. Gopi Chand and Bharthari, despite their yo"is8 cost-(es, react personally and viscerally to 1i!es fro( their 3p-rchased3 /o(en. Charpat8s relative self4restraint reflects his "en-ine noninvolve(ent in the ho-seholder8s /orldD he has co(e on a (ission for the "-r- that (eans nothin" to hi(. 9n short, Gopi < 1C# < Chand and Bharthari in the "-ise of !e""in" yo"is are still connected in several /ays to palace lifeD Charpat .ath is not. Another salient factor, of co-rse, is that neither Bharthari nor Gopi Chand is eno-"h of a yo"i to t-rn rocks to "old.

Te6t
3Gopi Chand, a!ide in prayer,?1B son, Praise the tr-e ,aster,?2B G Gopi Chand, kin" and kin"8s son, darlin" !oy,?#B 0ecite prayers, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody?AB /ill !e i((ortal. ,y son, !e a yo"i, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 3,y (other, the earth is asha(ed, (y !irth4"iver, the sky is asha(ed, ,anavati ,other, kin"8s da-"hter. ,y !irth4"iver, aren8t yo- asha(edE ,other and !irth4"iver, F-een fro( the Color Palace.?%B ,y (other, yo- have only one son, (other and !irth4"iver, on /ho( yo- are forcin" yo"a. ,y (other, God /on8t re/ard yo-, !irth4"iver, G-r stars favor prosperity.?CB ?1B sa%aran sa%aran bha!anon" Sa%aran 52. si%ran 6 (eans constant recitation of God8s na(e or na(esD the ver! bha!ano has ei"hteen "losses in the SK , incl-din" 3to recite God8s na(e3 and 3to !e a!sor!ed, to take ref-"e, to accept, to e(!race.3 ,anavati ,ata is "ivin" her son practical advice. ?2B san(ha i nath . :he ter( nath as -sed here is a na(e of God !-t also evokes the .ath yo"is, a(on" /ho( Gopi Chand is n-(!ered, and the .ath !ati , of /hich the sin"er is a (e(!er 5see chapter 26. ?#B lala0 a very affectionate /ord for (ale !a!ies, -sed as a ter( of endear(ent for any (ale yo-n"er than the speaker. ?AB &aya0 altho-"h e=plicitly perisha!le, &aya is (ore than sarir , the physical !odyD it is the perisha!le !ody endo/ed /ith a so-l. *lse/here 5Gold 19@@6 9 translated &aya , a/k/ardly, as 3!ody4so-l.3 ?%B rang %ahal0 to translate this as 3ladies8 palace3 !eca-se it descri!es /here the royal /o(en d/ell /o-ld take a/ay the i(plications of rang or 3color37i(plications of entice(ent and pleas-re. ?CB uga%ai bhala satara . Accordin" to Bho1-, the (essa"e here is that only poor folk !eco(e yo"isL < 1CA < 3,y (other, /ho, /hen !orn a kin", t-rns yo"i and departsE

,anavati ,other, kin"8s da-"hter, :ell (e the hidden tale of s-ch a one, (y (other and !irth4"iver, and 9 /ill do yo-r !iddin".3 3,y son, 0a(a /as a yo"i, son, Haksh(an /as a yo"i, ,y darlin" !oy, on Jailash ,o-ntain, Bhola .ath,?&B /ho created the earth. ,y darlin" !oy, 98ll tell yo- so(eone closer, (y dear darlin" !oy, yo-r -ncle Bharthari, ,y son, in an instant he a!andoned U11ain8s kin"do(, darlin" !oy. 2e t-rned yo"i and /ent.3 3,y (other, 9 have eleven h-ndred F-eens, si=teen h-ndred slave "irls, ,y !irth4"iver, they /ill eat opi-(4poison and die, !irth4"iver, ;hy did yo- "et (e (arriedE3 3,y son, /hose are the F-eensE Gopi Chand, /hose are the slave "irlsE ,y darlin" !oy, :i(e /ill eat the(,?@B (y dear darlin" !oy. B-t yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal. 3,y darlin" !oy, the kin"do( yo- r-le, Gopi Chand, /ill dissolve.?9B ,y darlin" !oy, !eco(e a yo"i, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 ?&B :he first three e=a(ples that ,anavati ,other "li!ly "ives are not F-ite to the pointD 0a(a and Haksh(an spent t/elve years e=iled in the forest !-t did not reno-nce the /orld to !eco(e yo"is. Bhola .ath is a na(e of the "od >hiva, /ho /as never a /orldly kin"D he is, ho/ever, fa(o-s for straddlin" ascetic and /orldly (odes of !ein" 5G8'laherty 19&#6. ?@B &hal &ha !ave0 :i(e 52. &al 6 is death. ?9B parala %a !asi . Bho1- told (e that parala (eant a torrential rain, !-t in the SK it is the 0a1asthani for >anskrit and 2indi pralay 7the total cos(ic dissol-tion that occ-rs cyclically in 2ind- ti(e. < 1C% < 3,y (other, "ive (e another t/elve years. Het (e r-le, let (e ride horse!ack, ,y !irth4"iver, 9 /on8t !reak this pro(ise to yo-, !irth4"iver, Hater, 98ll !e a yo"i.3 3,y son, t/elve yearsE Gopi Chand, ;ho "ets the(E ,y dear Gopi Chand, ,y son, don8t co-nt on a (o(ent, darlin" !oy,

(y darlin" !oy,

:i(e /ill eat yo-. ,y son, !e a yo"i, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 2is (other had said all this, no/ /hat did Gopi Chand declareE 3,y !irth4"iver, /itho-t yo"is, (y (other and !irth4"iver, yo- /o-ldn8t have o!tained a son, ,y (other, yo"is do tapas in the /oods, (y (other and !irth4"iver, !-t yo- live in p-rdah.?1$B ,y (other, /itho-t yo"is, (y (other and !irth4"iver, Mo- /o-ldn8t have o!tained a son.3 >overei"n >hivaL 9ndescri!a!leL 9ndestr-cti!leL 5GC 1.1.s6 Gopi Chand /as a kin". 2is (other /as childless. >he had no son, so this is /hat she did: every day she feasted one h-ndred sadhus?11B and one h-ndred Brah(ans. >he served the( feasts fit for Brah(ans. >he also (ade "ifts of one h-ndred co/s. >he did this for the sake of (erit.?12B ?1$B P-rdah, literally a c-rtain, 3covers3 a /hole set of practices that are so(eti(es descri!ed as 3the secl-sion of /o(en3 altho-"h this secl-sion is (ore sy(!olic than act-al in r-ral life. A /o(an /ho 3keeps p-rdah3 /o-ld not nor(ally leave her h-s!and8s ho-se. ?11B Sadhu is a "eneral ter( for any reli"io-s (endicant or (onk or saint. ?12B pun0 >anskrit and 2indi punya . :he concept of (erit for r-ral .orth 9ndian 2ind-s is associated /ith intan"i!le re/ards "ained thro-"h "ood /orks. Punya is -nderstood as a kind of kar(a or action /ith effect, ho/ever refined. :he acc-(-lation of punya (ay help a so-l to/ard a !etter !irth /itho-t "rantin" the -lti(ate ai( of li!eration fro( !irth and death. < 1CC < >he "ave one h-ndred co/s every day. And she "ave honorari-(s?1#B of "old to the sadhus and Brah(ans, t/o "olden coins to each. After feastin" the(, she "ave the( honorari-(s of t/o "olden coins. ?Aside to Ann and 4aniel: Mes, she "ave "enero-sly to the( after feastin" the(, !-t yo- /on8t !e a!le to "ive so "enero-sly to (e, after havin" (e sin". There is general laughter .B :hen she said to Gopi Chand, 3>on, "ive -p the kin"do( and !eco(e a yo"i. 9 !ro-"ht yo- as a t/elve4year loan. 9 !ro-"ht yo- as a loan, after 9 served the "-r- and Hord >hankar. >o !e a yo"i, son, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 3B-t ,anavati ,other, 9 have fifty4t/o portals,?1AB 9 have fifty4three door/ays, 9 have the r-le over t/elve districts, and a co-rt of 1-stice in (y ho-se. And 98( (arried to eleven h-ndred F-eens. .o/ 9 a( the (aster of the kin"do(.3 And after hi( there /as no yo-n"er !rother, none at all. 3And no/ if 9 !eco(e a yo"i, then to /ho( /ill 9 entr-st the care of (y kin"do(E 9f 9 !eco(e a yo"i, ,anavati ,other, 9 /on8t !e at all satisfied. 98ve r-led for t/elve years and yo- say, 8Be a yo"i.8 Give (e t/elve (ore years to r-le. And allo/ (e to ride, to ride horse!ack. And later 9 /on8t !reak (y pro(ise to yo-, (other. Hater 9 /ill !e a yo"i. Het (e r-le for t/elve (ore years.3

3;ho "ets eleven or t/elve years, sonE3 his (other said. 3;ho "ets t/elve years, son, yo- can8t co-nt on a (o(ent. And then there8s the pro(ise to the G-r- >overei"n7that pro(ise (-st !e f-lfilled or :i(e /ill eat yo-. 9f :i(e eats yo-, and yo-8re dead, then /ho /ill en1oy these F-eens and slave "irlsE B-t if yo- !eco(e a yo"i, son, yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 :hen Gopi Chand said, 3B-t (other, yo- live in p-rdah inside the palace, and yo"is live in the 1-n"le. :hey do tapas !y their ca(pfires in the 1-n"le. B-t yo- live in the palace. >o, ho/ did yo- co(e to kno/ any yo"isE ?1#B da&sina0 in >anskrit rit-al, an additional "ift, a final pay4off to a priest or preceptor. ?1AB dod yan0 f.pl. of dodi , an architect-ral feat-re of 9ndian castles descri!ed as, a(on" other thin"s, a little roo( that one passes thro-"h to enter a !i" ho-seD since this is one definition of portal, 9 settled on portal. *lse/here 5(isled !y villa"e infor(ants -nfa(iliar /ith palaces6 9 translated dodi as !alcony. < 1C& < 3;ithin yo-r do(ain, (other, are "oddesses and "ods: ,ata1i, Bhair-1i, >ala"ra(1i.?1%B And there are a lot of "hosts and spirits, too. 9f yo- had /orshiped the( and taken a son, then yo- /o-ldn8t !e (akin" (e a yo"i.3 :hat8s /hat Gopi Chand said. ,anavati ,ata said, 3Hook son, for t/elve years 9 follo/ed their r-les,?1CB for t/elve years.3 ;hat r-lesE :he ones a!o-t ho/ to /orship deities. 3Besides that, for t/elve years 9 perfor(ed dhar(a?1&B and (editation, and !esides that 9 feasted one h-ndred sadhus and one h-ndred Brah(ans, and !esides that 9 "ave "ifts to one h-ndred co/s, and 9 !-ilt a te(ple for >ala"ra(1i. And for ,ata1i and Bhair-1i and all the deities 9 !-ilt shrine4platfor(s. ?1@B 9 staked fla"poles /ith /avin" !anners a!ove the te(ples at those deities8 places,?19B and every day 9 s-pplied soaked chickpea4offerin"s?2$B to all the deities. ;hoever ate saltless !read and cocon-ts, to the( 9 "ave saltless !read and cocon-tsD /hoever ate "oats, to the( 9 "ave "oats. 9f they ate !-ffalo, 9 offered -p !-ffalo. *very day 9 offered -p red paste?21B and 9 /orshiped the( all for t/elve years. 9 perfor(ed dhar(a and (editation. B-t it /asn8t in (y fate. :here /as no son /ritten for (e.3?22B >o t/elve years /ent !y, t/elve years of dhar(a and (editation. And then she "ave -p dhar(a and (editation. >he "ave it -p and ?1%B ,ata1i (ay refer to any villa"e "oddessD Bhair-1i is a partic-larly i(portant (inor deity in this part of 0a1asthan and is often associated /ith c-res for !arren /o(enD >ala"ra(1i is a s(all !lack stone, /orshiped as a for( of Kishn-. ?1CB niya% ra&hna0 not perfectly translated !y 3follo/ the r-les,3 for it i(plies internal discipline as /ell as e=ternal precision in (aintainin" the "ood ha!its and rit-al o!servances de(anded !y any "iven deity. ?1&B ,oral cond-ctD here a coverall for appropriate reli"io-s acts. ?1@B >he distin"-ishes th-s !et/een >ala"ra(1i /ho, as a for( of Kishn-, /o-ld reside in a te(ple and the re"ional deities /ho are -s-ally enshrined on roofless platfor(s. ?19B A fla"pole /ith a lon" pennant is one hi"hly visi!le, (oderately costly, and therefore pleasin" offerin" often (ade to local "ods in 0a1asthan. ?2$B bal ba&al0 bal is a sacrificial offerin"D ba&ala is defined in the SK as !oiled "rains offered to "ods or "hosts !-t in Ghatiyali refers to soaked chickpeas7of /hich Bhair-1i is especially fond.

?21B ka(i0 a paste (ade of red po/er and clarified !-tter that is s(eared on icons to !ea-tify and please the(. ?22B >ee Gold 19@@, 1A9I%A, for !arren /o(en8s transactions /ith deities in 0a1asthan of /hich this is a realistic, if so(e/hat e=a""erated, description. < 1C@ < (ade a resol-tion:?2#B 39 /on8t "ive even a s(id"eon of !-tter4offerin"?2AB to any "od at all.3 >he (ade a resol-tion: 3.o/ 9 /on8t even "ive the ra/ in"redients for one (eal to any Brah(an. And 9 /on8t even "ive a scrap of !read to any indi"ent person.3 >he (ade a resol-tion a"ainst doin" dhar(a and (erit. 5GC 1.1.e6 3.o/, 9 /on8t even toss a scrap to a stray (-tt. And if any Brah(an sho-ld co(e, if any sadhu sho-ld co(e, 9 /on8t even hand o-t a pinch of flo-r.3 :h-s she s/ore an oath. 'or three days after (akin" this resol-tion she did nothin" for dhar(a or (erit. :he third ni"ht ca(e, the third ni"ht ... and there /as Hord >hankar, in the for( of a !oy, and he had locks like this on his head. ?As he said , like this, Madhu Nath gestured to Ann, 5ho had (urly, unruly hair: Hike yo-rsB Hike this, fallin" all over his head. And ashes, ashes /ere s(eared on Ba!a, all over Hord >hankar. ?Addressing Ann: +o yo- kno/ Hord >hankarE Ann: Mes, 9 kno/ Hord >hankar.B Mes, it /as Hord >hankar, ,ahadev hi(self. 9t /as t/elve (idni"ht /hen he ca(e, and the ni"ht /atch(an /as (akin" his ro-nds. Gn his feet he /as /earin" /ooden sandals, and in his hand he carried iron ton"s. And on his sho-lder he had a sack. And he cried 3Ala&h* 3 in the portal of the palace, at (idni"ht, and so-nded his horn.?2%B Hord >hankar so-nded his horn and said, 3,anavati ,ata, "ive al(s, (y (other. A yo"i is standin" in the portal. Give al(sL3 :hen ,anavati ,ata said, 3Mo"i, 1-st "o a/ay the sa(e /ay yo- ca(e. 9 have "iven -p dhar(a and (erit. 9 have (ade a resol-tion. 9 /ill not even toss a scrap to a stray (-tt. 9 /on8t "ive any al(s to any sadhu or saint. >o "o a/ay. 'or t/elve years 9 "ave a/ay (-ch ?2#B sa%&alp0 a >anskritic ter( for a vo/ or resol-tion nor(ally (ade !efore so(e diffic-lt reli"io-s -ndertakin" s-ch as a pil"ri(a"eD its -se here in the ne"ative sense is clearly ironic. ?2AB dhup0 specifically clarified !-tter 5ghi 6 po-red over s(o-lderin" co/4d-n" cakesD it is the (ost essential in"redient for the /orship of local deities in r-ral 0a1asthan. ?2%B :he description of >hiva8s appearance and actions is typical of all descriptions of yo"is in ,adh-8s tales. < 1C9 < /ealth, and 9 had "reat faith in the deities, and 9 /orshiped the( a lot. B-t no/ 9 /ill "ive no !-rnt offerin"s to any deity, nor /ill 9 do anythin" for the sake of dhar(a or (erit.

:hen Hord >hankar said: 32ey ,anavati ,ata, +on8t "ive -p tr-th, G !rave one, or yo-8ll lose yo-r honor too. Bo-nd to tr-th is ,other Haksh(i, and she8ll ret-rn to yo-.?2CB ;itho-t a pillar the sky is !-ttressed. :r-thf-l /ork is the channel for (erit.3?2&B And she said, 3Ba!a1i, for t/elve /hole years, 9 feasted yo- sadhus !-t for three days 9 haven8t "iven any feasts7that8s /hy yo- have co(e to restore dhar(a. 9sn8t there a pro"ra( for a feast so(e/here elseE 9t8s three days since 98ve stopped "ivin" daily feasts, as 9 did for t/elve years, and yo-8ve co(e to restore tr-th. )-st leave the sa(e /ay yo- ca(e. Mo"i, 98ve "iven -p tr-th and dhar(a. 9 /orshiped the deities a lot and 9 also did a lot of dhar(a and (editation, !-t 9 (et no son4"iver on the face of the earth.3 :hen Hord >hankar spoke, 3,anavati ,ata, yo- (-st have /orshiped pe!!les and rocks7stones. 9f yo- had /orshiped (e, (e, if yo- had /orshiped (e, then yo-r 1o! /o-ld have !een perfectly done. ;hat can co(e of /orshipin" rocks and pe!!lesE3 As soon as he said this, ,anavati ,ata opened the door of the palace and ran and clasped >hankar8s feet. >he fell at his feet sayin" 32ey, Grain4"iver, /ho are yo-E ;here have yo- !eenE 9 /orshiped the thirty4three &aror of deities, !-t /ho are yo-E :ell (e, /here is yo-r placeE3 3,anavati ,ata, in the Chapala Garden,?2@B !eneath a 1as(ine tree is an icon of >hankar. ;hen did yo- ever /orship that "ood >hankarE3 ?2CB :his rhy(ed co-plet or doha is a local sayin". ?2&B :he c-(-lative (eanin" of these eni"(atic state(ents see(s to !e that ,anavati ,ata sho-ld have faith 5as the sky stays -p /itho-t a pillar6, and if she contin-es her tr-thf-l /ork she /ill receive /hat she desiresD Haksh(i, the "oddess of prosperity and /ell4!ein", /ill not a!andon her. ?2@B :he Chapala Garden is a place that rec-rs thro-"ho-t !oth tales7-s-ally as a ca(psite for yo"is, !-t it is also /here Pin"ala8s cre(ation and ret-rn to life took place in Bharthari 2. < 1&$ < 3Alas, Grain4"iver, 9 never /orshiped yo-. 9 never even re(e(!ered >hankar. 9 /as lost, circlin" aro-nd the other deities. And 9 never even re(e(!ered ,ahadev, nor did 9 /orship hi(.3 3>o if yo- never /orshiped (e, /hy are yo- fa-ltin" (eE ;hen did yo- ever /orship (eE And yo- are fa-ltin" (e, and 9 never even ate yo-r !-rnt offerin"s.3 ,anavati ,ata took five Brah(ans /ith her, and she took a tin of clarified !-tter. 9n /ith the !-tter she (i=ed saffron and (-sk, raisins and dates, al(onds, raisins, and dates. And she took fine (ilk s/eets. And she !e"an to perfor( fire o!lations over there. ;hereE 9n the Chapala Garden, >hankar8s place. And ,anavati ,ata stood on one foot. 'or three ni"hts and three days, she re(ained standin", 3>hiv, >hiv, >hiv, >hiv3 she kept on prayin" all ni"ht and day. 3G >hankar, G >hankar, G >hankar.3 And she had an altar set -p !y Brah(ans. And they (ade !-tter o!lations and (ilk4s/eet o!lations into the fire. After only three days Hord >hankar /as pleased, and as soon as he /as pleased he ca(e to ,anavati ,ata and said: 3Ask and /hat yo- ask /ill !e. 9f yo-r kin"do( is too s(all then 9 /ill do-!le or F-adr-ple itD if yo-r riches and property are too little, then 9 /ill fill yo-r treas-ry /ith dia(onds and r-!iesD 1-st ask, and /hatever yo- ask /ill !e.3

>he said, 3G Ba!a, (y kin"do( is "reat, and 9 haven8t the least shorta"e of riches or property, so "ive (e a protector of the kin"do(,?29B a !oy, "ive a child, !eca-se 9 have no protector of the kin"do(.3 Hord >hankar said, 3,anavati ,ata, it8s not in yo-r fate. 9t8s not /ritten !y 'ort-ne. >o /here can 9 "et yo- a sonE Mo- ca(e fro( God8s ho-se a totally !arren /o(an.3?#$B >he said, 3Grain4"iver, /hy not, /hy isn8t it /ritten for (eE3 39t8s not in yo-r fate.3 3>o, Grain4"iver, yo-r pro(ise is !roken, yo-r pro(ise is !roken, the one yo- (ade (e, yo- "ave (e a pro(ise. Gver there, in the palace, yo- said that (y 1o! /o-ld !e perfectly done. >o, do (y 1o! perfectly, Ba!a, or else yo-r pro(ise is !roken.3 3,anavati ,ata, 9 /on8t !reak (y pro(ise. :here8s another yo"i ?29B :hat is, an heir. ?#$B ban!hari0 a ter( -sed for a !arren /o(an, often as an ins-lt or a c-rse. < 1&1 < doin" tapas , one )alindar .ath1i. ;hereE 0i"ht over there, in this "arden. :hat yo"i has fo-rteen h-ndred disciples doin" tapas secretly, and fo-rteen h-ndred disciples doin" tapas visi!ly, on the earth. )alindar Ba!a. )alindar .ath Mes, the one /ith saffron !-rnin"?#1B in his ca(pfire. Go to hi(, fall at his feet, and that yo"i /ill !e pleased. :hen 9 /ill have one of his disciples "iven to yo-.3 ,anavati ,ata t-rned and left ,ahadev and no/7)alindar Ba!a8s feet. >he falls at his feet. 5GC 1.2.e6 ,anavati ,ata /ent to )alindar Ba!a, /hose eyelids /ere lo/ered as he /as repeatin" prayers. >he prostrated herself, respectf-lly "reetin" the G-r- >overei"n. B-t he didn8t speak. 2e had lo/ered his eyelids. ;hoE )alindar Ba!a. 'o-rteen h-ndred disciples of his /ere doin" tapas secretly, /ithin the earth, and fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ere doin" tapas visi!ly. A(on" the visi!le disciples Charpat .ath?#2B /as the chief, and he stood !y the ca(pfire. )alindar Ba!a had closed his eyelids. >affron /as !-rnin" in his ca(pfire, cracklin", and Ba!a had sh-t his eyelids. As soon as ,anavati ,ata ca(e she prostrated herself respectf-lly. 32ey G-r- >overei"n,3 she i(plored hi(. >he prostrated herself three or fo-r ti(es, and then she stood there for a!o-t an entire ho-r, !-t the G-r- >overei"n didn8t a/aken. 2e didn8t a/aken, so ,anavati ,ata "ot (ad. >he said, 3;ellL A very s-rprisin" thin" has happenedL 9 a( a F-een, and 9 have prostrated (yself in "reetin" to hi(, !-t he has taken no notice. ;ell, yo"i, 9 a( no less than yo-. Mo- keep yo-r eyelids closed for si= (onths, !-t 9 /ill sh-t (ine for t/elve years.3 :hen ,anavati ,ata took the sha/l /ith /hich she /as /rapped and folded it -p into a pillo/ and /ent to sleep !eside the ca(pfire. .o/ ,anavati ,ata sh-t her eyes and did not a/aken for t/elve years. And rain po-red do/n, in the rainy season, fro( Sravan to Bhadva .?##B >o ,anavati ,ata disinte"rated. :er(ites ate herD scor4 ?#1B >affron is in 9ndia, as in the ;est, hi"hly precio-s, so to !-rn it is a si"n of profli"acy in /hich only a very po/erf-l yo"i /o-ld ind-l"e.

?#2B Charpat .ath is a fi"-re (entioned in other .ath loreD verses attri!-ted to hi( appear in collections of 0a1asthani devotional literat-re. ?##B )-ne4)-ly and )-ly4A-"-st, /hen rainfall is heaviest in 0a1asthan. < 1&2 < pions hatched in her (o-th. And (an"o, le(on, and oran"e trees spran" -p in the (iddle of her sto(ach, in her intestines. >he died, she act-ally died, and a ter(ite hill of clay rose there.?#AB >he died. >he /ent to sleep in that yo"i8s shelter,?#%B and t/elve years passed. :/elve years passed and a "reat !i" tree "re/ in her sto(ach. :/elve years /ere over, and )alindar Ba!a8s eyelids opened. As soon as they /ere open, he said to Charpat .ath, 3Gh no, Charpat (y son, yo-8ve ne"lected s/eepin" aro-nd (y ca(pfire. Hook, over here8s a ter(ite hill, and over there a tree has spr-n" -p.3 32ey, G-r- >overei"n, 9 s/eep aro-nd the ca(pfire every day, !-t Jin" :aloki Chand8s?#CB F-een, ,anavati ,ata, ca(e into yo-r shelter and /ent to sleep. >he thre/ herself into yo-r shelter, and yodidn8t /ake -p. :/elve years have "one !y, father of a da-"hterL 9n t/elve years she !eca(e a ter(ite hill, ri"ht here. >he died, so le(on and oran"e trees "re/ in her intestines. .o/ /hat /ill 9 do /ith herE 9f 9 s/eep o-t the ref-se, then /here /ill 9 d-(p this F-eenE3 3Gh, so she8s a F-een is sheE3 3Mes, she is Jin" :aloki Chand8s F-een, ,anavati ,ata.3 3GJ, son, then -proot these trees and plant the( in the "arden and F-ickly search thro-"h that ter(ite hill and take o-t her !ones7find the ri!s and /rist!ones of that one eaten !y ter(ites.3 >o he p-t ,anavati ,ata8s fleshless !ones !ack to"ether, 1oint !y 1oint, and over the( he circled his tin /ith life4"ivin" eli=ir.?#&B As soon as he circled that tin, she /as standin" there, and she prostrated herself and then stood /ith her hands pressed to"ether. 32ey Ba!a, )alindar Ba!a, 9 did not a/aken !efore yo- did. Mo- /oke -p first. >o no/, Ba!a, t/elve years have "one !y. 98ve !een doin" tapas , and no/ 9 a( standin" at yo-r service. :/elve years have "one !y, and no/ yo- have opened yo-r eyelids.3 2avin" heard that (-ch,)alindar Ba!a said, 3,anavati ,other, ask and /hatever yo- ask /ill !e. 9f yo- /ant /ealth, then yo- /ill ?#AB :he i(a"e of a person in (editation so deep that ter(ites !-ild hills on top is a conventional one in 0a1asthani folklore. ?#%B :o !e in the shelter 5saran 6 of a deity or po/erf-l person has partic-lar i(plications of s-rrender and asy((etrical reciprocity 5;adley 19&%6. ?#CB Gne of the fe/ references in the te=t to Gopi Chand8s father. ?#&B sara!ivan &unpo0 a &unpo 8&upi, SK+ is a type of (etal can in co((on -se in the villa"e. 9t is s(all and ro-nd /ith a lon" narro/ spo-t in the center. < 1&# < have no shorta"eD if yo- /ant a "reater kin"do(, then 9 /ill do-!le or F-adr-ple itD and if yo- /ant

li!eration then 9 /ill send yo- to the city of heaven.3?#@B 39 have no lack of /ealth, and (y kin"do( is "reat. )-st "ive (e a protector of the kin"do(, "ive (e a !oy. 9 need a child to r-le the kin"do(.3 32ey ,anavati ,ata, it8s not /ritten in yo-r fate. Mo- ca(e fro( God8s ho-se a !arren /o(an, and a son is not /ritten for yo-.3 3Ba!a, yo-r pro(ise is !roken. 9 spent t/elve years doin" tapas , and Hord >hankar pro(ised: 8>erve that yo"i and he /ill !e pleased, and yo- /ill "et a son.8 >o, Ba!a, yo-8re !reakin" >hankar8s pro(ise.3 :hen )alindar Ba!a said, 32ey, ,anavati ,ata, it8s not /ritten for yo-, it8s not /ritten in the /o(!. B-t 9 can "ive yo- one of (y disciples, /ho, after r-lin" for t/elve years (-st !e "iven !ack to !e a yo"i. 9 /ill "ive hi( for only t/elve years. :/elve years as a little !oy, a (ere !oy, la-"hin" and playin", those 9 /ill not co-nt. ;hen he !eco(es the kin"do(8s kin", (aster of the throne7he has another t/elve years7let hi( r-le. :hen (ake hi( a yo"i and his !ody /ill !e i((ortal. 9f not, :i(e devo-rs hi(. Mo- (ay take hi( fro( a(on" (y disciples.3 :hen ,anavati ,ata said, 32ey Grain4"iver, !etter than sonlessness is t/elve years. 9f that8s all, /ell, GJ. 9f all yo- can "ive is t/elve years, Grain4"iver, then "ive it. 9t8s not /ritten for (e, so "ive (e t/elve years only, ri"ht no/, and at least the sti"(a of !arrenness /ill !e re(oved, and 9 /ill have so(e pleas-re. After/ards 9 /ill (ake hi( a yo"i.3 3,anavati ,ata, co(e to(orro/. .o/ "o !ack to yo-r palace. 9n the (ornin" a yo"i /ill co(e, and yo- sho-ld have hi( served al(s of (ilk. :hat8s all, po-r in al(s of (ilk and yo-r 1o! /ill !e done.3 >o ,anavati ,other /ent !ack to the palace, and in the (ornin" he sent a yo"i, he sent a disciple. 5GC 1.#.e6 ?#@B Hi!eration 5%o&sa 6 refers to release fro( endless ro-nds of !irth and death7the -lti(ate ai( of life for 2ind-s. :his sentence of )alindar8s sho/s the (er"in" in pop-lar -nderstandin" of 3li!eration3 /ith 3heaven3 5see Gold 19@@, 2##IA16. < 1&A < :he ne=t day da/ned, and the G-r- >overei"n ordered Charpat .ath: 3>on, "o and "et al(s of (ilk fro( the palace of ,anavati ,ata. Brin" !ack al(s of (ilk.3 >o Charpat .ath took his sack4and4st-ff, his iron ton"s4and4st-ff, and he p-t on his sandals4and4st-ff. :hen he took his "o-rd4and4st-ff in his hand. A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned his face to/ard the land of Ben"al. As soon as he entered the city he /ent to the palace. 2e passed thro-"h one portal, he passed thro-"h a second portal, and in the third portal he called, 3Ala&h* 3 2e called 3Ala&h* 3 and he so-nded his horn instr-(ent. ;hoE Charpat .ath. As soon as he called 3Ala&h* 3 his voice ca(e to ,anavati ,other8s ears. And as soon as she heard it, she said to her slave "irl, 3>lave "irl, today a yo"i is callin" 3Ala&h* 3 at the "ate. 'ill a platter /ith dia(onds and r-!ies and take it to hi(, "ive hi( al(s. Ask for a !lessin", and "ive hi( fine al(s.3 :hen the slave "irl filled a "olden platter /ith dia(onds and r-!ies and placed it on the pal( of her hand. >he passed thro-"h one portal, she passed thro-"h the second portal. 9n the third portal /as a yo"i to /ho( she called: 32ey, yo"i, fro( /hich city do yo- co(e and "o, for yo- strike (e as an esta!lished .ath.?#9B 0aise yo-r eyelids, Ba!a .ath, 9 have co(e to take yo-r darsan .3 Gnce she had said this, Charpat .ath raised his eyelids. :hen she said, 3:ake these al(s, Ba!a, 9 have

co(e to take yo-r darsan , and 9 have !ro-"ht a platter filled /ith dia(onds and r-!ies.3 3Gh slave "irl, /hy have yo- !ro-"ht these pe!!les and rocks, /hy have yo- !ro-"ht a platter filled /ith stonesE 9 /ill take al(s of (ilk.3 :hen the slave "irl said, 39s this a holy (an or a prankster7a yo"i or /hatE Mo-8re not a yo"i at all, yo- see( to (e to !e sick. A yo"i, father of a da-"hterL Mesterday or day !efore yesterday, tro-!led !y h-n"er, yo- /ere a ho-seholder8s !oy, dyin" of h-n"er, and that8s /hy yo- !eca(e a yo"i, so it see(s. >o no/ yo- desire a scrap of !read for yo-r al(s. Mo-8re no yo"iL 9 !ro-"ht a platter filled /ith dia(onds and r-!ies. 9f yo- took the(, yo"i, yo- co-ld !athe ?#9B tha&ana halo0 literally, so(eone fro( a lar"e estate in other /ords not a piece of h-(an flotsa(. < 1&% < in ,alva,?A$B "o to G-1arat, "o to all 'o-r *sta!lished Places.?A1B 'or the rest of yo-r lifeti(e, all yo-8d have to do /o-ld !e sleep and eat, and still yo- /o-ldn8t -se it -p7a platter of dia(onds and r-!ies. B-t yo- have called the( pe!!les and stones. Mo"i, if there /ere leaves in the (iddle of yo-r destiny, then they /o-ld fly a/ay, !-t it see(s that a !i" rock is tan"led there. :hat8s /hy yo- have called dia(onds and r-!ies 8pe!!les.83?A2B As soon as she had spoken, Charpat replied, 3GJ, slave "irl, there8s a !i" stone ca-"ht in (y fate. +o these rocks serve the p-rpose of food, h-hE .o/adays do /e /ander a!o-t for (oneyE +o /e /ander a!o-t for c-rrency notesE Are they so(ethin" to eatE ;hat -se are these pe!!les and stones, these dia(onds and r-!iesE :hey are hardly "ood for eatin". >lave "irl, !rin" (e so(e al(s of (ilk.3 3Hook at the yo"iL 9t8s a platter of dia(onds and r-!ies and he8s cryin" for (ilk.3 :hen Charpat .ath "ot an"ry. :here /as a !i" flat stone lyin" there, /ei"hin" five or ten (a-nds,?A#B and he str-ck it /ith his ton"s, sayin", 39f yo- /ant /ealth, take this fro( (e,3 and he t-rned the entire stone to "old. As soon as he t-rned it to "old, the slave "irl sh-t her eyes. 3Uh ohL :his yo"i is so(e /eird (iracle4 /orkerL3 And the slave "irl ran a/ay. >he ran a/ay and said to the F-een, 32ey Grain4"iver, honored F-een, today it8s yo-r son4"iver. 2e str-ck a flat rock /ith his ton"s and t-rned it to "old, so "o at once.3 ,anavati ,ata r-shed to the !alcony to see the !a!a: 32ey Ba!a, /hat can 9 do for yo-E3 32ey ,anavati ,ata, 9 have a desire for (ilk, !rin" (e (ilk.3 >he said to the slave "irl, 3Brin" o-r kin"do(8s t/elve h-"e (ilk pots, and fill his "o-rd.3 ?A$B ,alva is a re"ion of ,adhya Pradesh7idyllic pastoral co-ntry in 0a1asthani lore. ?A1B (har dha%0 fo-r (a1or pil"ri(a"e centers 5Badarinath, P-ri, 0a(eshvara(, and +varka6 located in each of the cardinal directions on the s-!continentD to 1o-rney to all fo-r sites is !eyond the financial (eans and advent-ro-s spirit of (ost r-ral 0a1asthanis. ?A2B :his speech is al(ost identical /ith other speeches (ade !y slave "irls to Gopi Chand in parts 2 and #. Charpat8s response, ho/ever, is very different fro( Gopi Chand8s. ?A#B Gne (a-nd, a -nit of /ei"ht that see(s to have passed fro( 9ndia into British -sa"e at so(e point, is c-rrently considered eF-al to forty kilo"ra(s.

< 1&C < :hen the slave "irl e(ptied one (ilk pot into his "o-rd !-t the (ilk didn8t even cover the !otto(. >he e(ptied the second, and the !otto( /as not covered. >he e(ptied seven or ei"ht pots. :hen N-een ,anavati ,ata ca(e: 3Girl, let8s see if there isn8t a hole in this "o-rd.3 3,anavati ,other, /hen this "o-rd overflo/s /ith (ilk, then yo-r pro(ise /ill !e f-lfilled. 9f not, then it /on8t !e.3 >he said to the slave "irl, 3Po-r in all the (ilk fro( o-r t/elve (ilk pots, and r-n to the villa"e, and de(and the villa"ers8 (ilk. 2ave it collected, for ... 8;hen the kin" "ives a s-((ons old /o(en co(e r-nnin"8?AAB ... so /e8ll !e a!le to fill the "o-rd.3 3.o, ,anavati ,other, 9 /on8t take the (ilk of others.3 9 /ill take only yo-rs. 3:hat8s eno-"h, 9 /ill take only yo-rs.3 >o she e(ptied in seven pots, she e(ptied ei"ht, she e(ptied ten, she e(ptied eleven. As soon as she e(ptied the t/elfth pot the "o-rd overflo/ed. :hat /as eno-"h. Ba!a /as pleased and said, 3*no-"h, yo- have filled -p (y "o-rd.3 >he said, 3Ba!a, yo-r desire is f-lfilled, so no/ /hatE3 3,anavati ,ata, the G-r- >overei"n orders yo- to co(e in the (ornin" to his ca(pfire in the "arden.3 >o Charpat .ath left, and his "o-rd /as f-ll. 2e /ent !ack to the "arden and e(ptied his "o-rd into a h-"e ca-ldron, and all the yo"is filled their "o-rds fro( it. 2e "ave all the yo"is (ilk to drink. :he disciples drank al(s of (ilk, and the G-r- >overei"n drank too, and all of the( /ere pleased. And as soon as day !roke, ,anavati ,ata ca(e !ack. >he ca(e to "et a son. 5GC 1.A.e6 ,anavati ,ata at the !reak of day /ent into the "arden.?A%B ,other /ent to the ca(pfire, the "-r-8s ca(pfire. ,other /ent to the ca(pfire and fell at the yo"i8s feet. ?AAB 2ere this prover! (ay si(ply i(ply that as F-een, ,anavati can co((andeer the villa"ers8 (ilk if she desires. ?A%B :his is the final s-n" se"(ent of GC 1. < 1&& < As soon as she fell at his feet, /hat did Ba!a )alindar sayE 3,other, no son is /ritten for yo-, !irth4"iver, 9 shall "ive yo- one disciple. 3'or t/elve years have hi( r-le the kin"do(, 2ave the kin"do( r-led, ,other. Hater (ake hi( a yo"i, (y (other and !irth4"iver, as a yo"i he8ll !e i((ortal.

39f yo- don8t !rin" hi( to yo"a, then :i(e /ill eat hi(, :i(e /ill eat hi(. B-t if yo- (ake hi( a yo"i, (y (other and !irth4"iver, as a yo"i he8ll !e i((ortal. 3'o-rteen h-ndred disciples of (ine are doin" tapas visi!ly, ,other, doin" tapas visi!ly. Go, and pick one of these fo-rteen h-ndred disciples, the one that pleases yo-, and that8s the disciple yo- /ill receive.3 .o/ ,anavati ,ata looked at the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples, their ca(pfires /ere !-rnin", as the yo"is recited prayers. >eated a(idst the( all /as Gopi Chand. Gopi Chand8s ca(pfire /as in the centerD there he stayed a(idst the yo"is. Gn his foot a lot-s sparkled, on his left ar( a 1e/el "lea(ed, it "lea(ed on Gopi Chand, And on his forehead a (oon so !ri"ht, it see(ed as if the s-n /ere risin" in the "ardenD ,other /as pleased. < 1&@ < 3Ba!a, a !oy has pleased (e today, yo"i, no/ yo- please (e. 3Ba!a, on his foot a lot-s sparkles, and on his left ar( a 1e/el "lea(s. Ba!a, on his forehead a (oon, yo"i, so that8s the !oy for (e.3 ;hen ,anavati ,other had said this (-ch, /hat did )alindar Ba!a say to ,otherE 3,other, don8t tear o-t (y liver, (y (other and !irth4"iver, (any disciples fill the "arden.3 3Ba!a, lend (e that disciple, "ive that very one to (e. 9f not yo- !reak yo-r pro(ise, Ba!a .ath yo"i,

yo- !reak yo-r pro(ise to (e. 32o/ can yo- !reak yo-r pro(ise, yo"i, ho/ can yo- !reak itE3 >o Ba!a called to Gopi Chand, 3Co(e here, >on, "o no/, Gopi Chand, (y darlin" !oy, .o/ yo- (-st r-le the kin"do(.3 Ba!a called Gopi Chand, called Gopi Chand, and seated hi( !y the ca(pfire. :he yo"i took his ashes4ar(!and,?ACB circled it over hi(, and t-rned Gopi Chand to ashes. 2e t-rned hi( to ashes and "ave the( to ,other. ?ACB A /ell4kno/n de(on in 2ind- (ytholo"y possessed s-ch an ar(!and and /as finally tricked into destroyin" hi(self /ith itD -s-ally ,adh- .ath refers not to an ar(!and !-t to a 3tin3 that red-ces to ashes, 1-st as )alindar8s other tin !rin"s the dead to life. < 1&9 < 3,other, no/ eat the(, (y (other, then "o, and yo- /ill have a son. 3,other, yo- asked for only one, yo- asked for one, !-t 9 "ive yo- t/o. ,other, one is Gopi Chand, !-t this sister of his, Cha(pa +e, 9 also "ive. 3'or t/elve years take this !liss in yo-r hands, take it, and have the kin"do( r-led, too. Hater, (ake hi( a yo"i, (y (other and !irth4"iver, as a yo"i he8ll !e i((ortal.3 >hiv1i >overei"nL 5GC 1.%.s6 At day!reak ,anavati ,ata /ent to the Chapala Garden. :here, fo-rteen h-ndred of )alindar Ba!a8s disciples /ere doin" tapas secretly and fo-rteen h-ndred /ere doin" tapas visi!ly. At once, she fell at his feet: 32ey, G-r- >overei"n, for t/elve years 9 did tapas .3 ,anavati ,ata fell at his feet, 32ey Ba!a, "ive (e a son, Grain"iver. .o/ (y t/elve years of service are co(plete. >o no/, Ba!a, f-lfill yo-r pro(ise.3 3,anavati ,ata, these fo-rteen h-ndred disciples are doin" tapas . ;hichever one of the( pleases yo-, that8s the !oy 9 /ill "ive to yo-.3 >o ,anavati ,ata /ent into the "arden /here the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ere doin" tapas . >he /ent a(on" the(, !-t so(e had t/isted li(!s and so(e /ere !earded, and so(e /ere lon"haired, and

so(e /ere crooked4(o-thed7s-ch sonsL >o(e /ere old and so(e had /hite hairs. B-t Gopi Chand /as a !oy like >ha(!h-rya ?.ath- .ath8s nephe/, a handso(e /ell4"roo(ed yo-th present at the ti(eB, and on his foot a lot-s /as sparklin" and on his left ar( a 1e/el /as "lea(in" and on his forehead /as a (oon, as !ri"ht as if the s-n /ere risin"71-st as if in the (iddle of the "arden the s-n /ere risin". 2e /as in the center of everythin", in the (idst of the ca(pfires, and on !oth sides of hi( the other sadhus sat7!-t the li"ht stayed only /ith hi(7/ith Gopi Chand. ,anavati ,ata /as pleased /ith hi(: 3Gh (y oh (yL :his is the very !oy 9 /ill take for (yself. ;hat /ill 9 do /ith s-ch !earded < 1@$ < fello/sE ;hat /ill 9 do /ith s-ch t/isted li(!s, or ones like this /ho don8t even -nderstand speechE ?Madhu Nath gestures to5ard Ann and there is general laughter .B ;hat /ill 9 do /ith the(E3 ,anavati ,ata said, 3After (y t/elve years of tapas , 9 /ill take a !oy like this one.3 >he /as pleased /ith Gopi Chand alone, a(on" all the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples. >he /ent to the G-r- >overei"n8s ca(pfire, and stood there: 32ey, G-r- >overei"n, a disciple has pleased (e, and Grain4"iver, the one /ho pleases (e, that is the very one 9 o-"ht to receive.3 3Mes, ,anavati ,ata, /hich discipleE ;hich disciple pleases yo-E3 32ey, G-r- >overei"n, on his foot a lot-s is sparklin" and on his left ar( a 1e/el is "lea(in" and on his forehead is a (oon "ivin" li"ht7that8s the !oy that 9 /ill take.3 )alindar Ba!a said, 3,anavati ,ata, yo- are sonless. 9 a( "ivin" yo- a loan, and yet yo- have p-t yo-r hand into (y liver. :he li"ht of (y entire asse(!ly7that li"ht is his only. 2e is the (oon,?A&B Gopi Chand, and if 9 "ive hi( to yo- then 9 /ill live in darkness.3 3;ell Ba!a, then yo- !reak yo-r pro(ise. 9 did t/elve years of tapas , 9 "ave -p (y life4!reath co(pletely. :hen yo-r eyelids opened. ;hat8s yo-r pain in the liver co(pared to (ineE :rees "re/ in (e, ter(ites ate (eL And no/ yo- are "ivin" a disciple, and yo- say 9 have p-t (y hand in yo-r liverE 9f yo- don8t "ive this !oy then yo-r pro(ise is !rokenL3 9t8s tr-eL 32o/ can yo- !reak yo-r pro(iseE3 3All ri"ht, ,anavati ,other, "o ahead and take the one /ho pleases yo-.3 :he "-r- had "iven a pro(ise. 3>on, Gopi Chand, co(e here.3 As soon as the "-r- "ave the co((and, Gopi Chand ca(e over there, askin", 3G-r- >overei"nE3 3Go, son, for t/elve years r-le the kin"do(D (arry F-eens and slave "irls and r-le the kin"do(.3 32ey G-r- >overei"n, /hy are yo- (akin" (e leave (y devotional prayersE 9 /on8t "oL ;hat do they have over there in the ?A&B :he second half of Gopi Chand8s na(e, Chand, (eans 3(oon3 !-t is also a very co((on Jshatriya s-rna(e. Gther le"endary heroes in 9ndia, s-ch as Chandra Hekha, also have (oons on their foreheads. < 1@1 <

kin"do(E 9n the ho-seholder life sta"e?A@B one only falls into the noose of %aya 8s net.3?A9B 3.o son, "oD recite yo-r prayers and "o, son. 0-le the kin"do( for t/elve years, and en1oy yo-rself a(on" the F-eens and slave "irls. 0-le, son, 9 a( sendin" yo-.3 3G-r- >overei"n, 9 didn8t e=pect this.3 3.o son, sit do/n.3 And he sat Gopi Chand do/n and circled his t-rn4to4ash tin over hi(, and !-rned hi( -p into one pinch of sacred ash.?%$B ;hoE Gopi Chand. :hen he took the sacred ash and "ave it to ,anavati ,ata. 3Hick it -p,3 he said, and she licked it -p /ith her (o-th. 3Go, ,anavati ,ata, this Gopi Chand /ill !e yo-rs, and he /ill have a sister, too, Cha(pa +e. Go, 9 pro(ised yo- one !-t 9 have "iven yo- t/o, sister and !rother. Cha(pa +e is yo-rs for her entire life, !-t Gopi Chand is "iven as a loan. 2ave hi( r-le the kin"do( for t/elve years, and then (ake hi( a yo"i. 9f yo- don8t (ake hi( a yo"i, :i(e /ill devo-r hi(.3 .o/ he is !orn. :hese /ere the circ-(stances of Gopi Chand8s !irth. 5GC 1.%.e6 ?A@B A reference to the theory of fo-r sta"es of life 5(har asra%a 6 in 2ind- social codes. ?A9B %aya !al0 %aya or ill-sion enco(passes all the pleas-res and concerns of a ho-seholder8s e=istence. 9ts snares are a rec-rrent the(e in the tale. ?%$B Altho-"h the /ord bhas% is -sed for ashes in the precedin" phrase, those that )alindar feeds to ,anavati are called bhabhut 7often translated as 3sacred ash37a ter( applied only to ashes of !-rnt offerin"s (ade to deities. :his sacred ash has a variety of rit-al -ses and c-rative propertiesD yo"is s(ear their !odies /ith it. < 1@2 <

Part 7 Go.i Chand 4egs fro0 8ueen Pata0 De

Introduction
As part 1 closes, ,anavati has co(pleted her acco-nt to Gopi Chand of ho/ she acF-ired hi( as a loan fro( )alindar .ath. :he point of this narrative is to pers-ade Gopi Chand of the necessity to s-!(it to his destiny and reno-nce his kin"do(. Part 2 opens, then, /ith Gopi Chand8s response to his (other8s advice: he p-shes his "-r- do/n a /ell. 'ollo/in" his perfor(ance of the !irth story, ,adh- had infor(ally previe/ed these events for (e. 'ro( that tellin" 9 had "athered that Gopi Chand alone had conceived this !ri"ht idea of ho/ to dispose of )alindar. >everal /eeks later, /hen ,adh- perfor(ed the episode as it appears here, he (ade it clear that it /as 30oyal >ervants and relatives3 /ho 3(is"-ided3 Gopi Chand in advisin" this re(edy for his distress. .o (atter /hose idea the (ischief is, the openin" events of part 2 hardly follo/ the co-rse that ,anavati had in (ind. Gopi Chand (arches in po(p to the "-r-8s ca(p and !oldly atte(pts to do a/ay /ith hi(. .ote that the s-n" portion refers in one verse only to )alindar8s captivity in the /ell and then takes -p the conseF-ences in "reater detail. 9n the e=planation, ho/ever, ,adh- .ath ela!orates considera!ly on the /ell episode, to everyone8s en1oy(ent. :his is a no4lose entertain(ent sit-ation. >ince nothin" can really h-rt or sha(e a po/erf-l yo"i like )alindar .ath, to pict-re hi( !-ried -nder horse (an-re offers -n(iti"ated deli"ht.

:hat )alindar, despite !ein" !-ried -nder horse (an-re, is a!le < 1@# < to s(oke a pipe /ith Gorakh .ath and7!et/een the t/o of the(7to free Gopi Chand fro( +eath8s ,essen"ers is also an en1oya!le representation and tr-(petin" of yo"is8 s-perior po/er. .either +eath8s ,essen"ers nor the anony(o-s 3"od3 /ho deployed the( p-ts -p (-ch of a fi"ht /hen Gorakh .ath !randishes his ton"s. .ote too the -nstated ca-sal connection !et/een ,anavati8s vo/ to )alindar that she /ill spend one and one4F-arter la&h of r-pees on "ood /orks sho-ld Gopi Chand co(e !ack to life, and the yo"is8 pro(pt resc-e of her son. :his link s-stains her role as Gopi Chand8s protectress and !irth4"iver. Also s-stained is the fa(iliar pattern of !ar"ainin" (aterially /ith divine po/ers esta!lished in the !irth story. ;hen Gopi Chand re"ains conscio-sness and tells ,anavati /ith poi"nant si(plicity and /onder /hat it /as like !ein" dead, she insists that he carry o-t her vo/ and distri!-te the cash even !efore f-lfillin" his destiny as a yo"i. :he (elodra(a of Gopi Chand8s tale reaches one of its several peaks in his enco-nter /ith Pata( +e 0ani and the (-ltiple keenin" chor-s of conc-!ines and slave "irls. :he conflicted identity e=perienced !y Gopi Chand7/ho despite all )alindar8s efforts to (ake hi( a fir( disciple never see(s f-lly transfor(ed 5Gold 19@967e(er"es vividly as he approaches his for(er palaces as a !e""in" yo"i. >patially, this entire episode is a (ove(ent in/ard. Gopi Chand8s e(otional crises "ro/ (ore intense as he travels fro( forest to /aterside to )e/el >F-are to portal to the interior of the Color Palace. :here 7s-rro-nded !y /ailin" F-eens and slave "irls, his little da-"hter clin"in" to his neck7he is co(pletely dro/ned in so-nd and senti(ent. Pata( +e8s reproaches to Gopi Chand are different fro( Pin"ala8s to Bharthari. Pin"ala acc-ses Bharthari of r-inin" her life !y (arryin" her /hen he /as !orn to !e a yo"i. >he had plenty of other s-itors. >he co-ld have stayed a vir"in. Pata( +e8s reproaches have less to do /ith stat-s, (ore /ith relationship, and th-s are (ore inti(ate. 3Mo- like the "-r- !etter than yo- like (e3 see(s to !e her (ost ac-te co(plaint. Unlike Pin"ala she has a da-"hter, so she cannot la(ent her childlessness, nor does she care that Gopi Chand has left the kin"do( /itho-t a (ale heir. 0ather, for her the cr-= of (isery is that her h-s!and, her (an, has denied their for(er (arital !ond !y callin" her 3,other3 and sp-rned her char(s in favor of the "-r-8s. *verythin" Pata( +e says is reinforced !y the h-ndreds of other /ailin" /o(enD her final < 1@A < acceptance of Gopi Chand8s ne/ stat-s is forced on her !y her (other4in4la/. ;hereas Bharthari s-cceeds in /alkin" a/ay fro( Pin"ala /ith al(s for the "-r-, Gopi Chand fails. 'ro( his co(plete i((ersion in an inner a!yss of e(otional rhetoric and copio-s tears, he cannot e(er"e on his o/n. 2e needs help fro( !oth his (otherly "-r- and his (other to e=tricate hi(self. 0ed-ced to ashes for the second ti(e, he is restored to life a third ti(e in ,anavati ,other8s palace, /here she is a!le to feed and advise hi(. As she h-rries off to s-ccor her son, ,anavati8s partin" /ords to the F-eens73Mo-8ve killed (y son, no/ take a restL37are !itin" !-t also tr-e. :he destr-ctive, !-rnin" po/er of passionate love has taken its toll. By the "race of )alindar8s infinite patience, ho/ever, Gopi Chand escapes death once a"ain. 9t is in keepin" /ith the (aternal !ias of Gopi Chand8s entire tale, vers-s the paternal stress and sche(e of Bharthari8s, that )alindar is a soft, for"ivin", 3(otherly3 "-r- /here Gorakh .ath is hard and strict. Gorakh .ath is Bharthari8s father8s "-r-. 2e shocks Bharthari into enli"hten(ent and neither coa=es nor coaches hi(. )alindar is Gopi Chand8s (other8s teacher and !enefactor. 2e no-rishes, enco-ra"es,

and s-pports his disciple in every /ay. 9n one of ,adh-8s rather rare asides d-rin" an arthav , he noted and praised the special F-ality of )alindar8s care for Gopi Chand, contrastin" it /ith the indifference of conte(porary "-r-s.

Te6t
3Gopi Chand, a!ide in prayer, son, Praise the tr-e ,aster, G Gopi Chand, kin" and kin"8s son, darlin" !oy. 0ecite prayers, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal. 3,y son, fro( pilin" -p pe!!les the castle /as !-ilt, Gopi Chand, the castle /as !-ilt. B-t it8s not o-r lot to live there, (y dear, darlin" !oy Mo- (-st take fakirhood.3 )alindar Ba!a /as covered -p < 1@% < /ith horse (an-re,?1B co(pletely covered -p /ith horse (an-re. Gopi Chand /as sleepin" in the palace, Hord, in the early afternoon, /hen +eath8s ,essen"ers?2B ca(e. :he eleven h-ndred F-eens /ere fannin" hi(, the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere standin" in the Color Palace. ;hen +eath8s ,essen"ers ca(e for Gopi Chand, they "ra!!ed hi( and took hi(. :hey took Gopi Chand, and he tr-ly died. *leven h-ndred F-eens /ere /ailin" in the Color Palace, >i=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere /ailin" in the Color Palace. ,anavati ,ata ca(e fro( her Color Palace: 3;hy are yo- /ailin", slave "irls and F-eensE3 ,other ca(e into Gopi Chand8s castle /hile eleven h-ndred F-eens and slave "irls /ere /ailin". As soon as she ca(e ,anavati sa/D and she placed her hand on Gopi Chand8s chest, she placed her hand, !-t

Gopi Chand had no heart!eat at all, 2e had tr-ly died. ;hat did ,anavati ,ata say to )alindar .athE 3Ba!a, 9 shall (ake a resol-tion,?#B ?1B Gnly here does the sin"in" refer to Gopi Chand8s atte(pt to "et rid of his "-r-D the arthav that follo/s /ill e=plain /hat happened. ?2B !a% &a dut0 these are fa(iliar fi"-res in 2ind- (ytholo"y. ?#B ,anavati8s resol-tion in part 9 /as ironically conceived, !-t this one is sincere and reflects the -s-al practice of villa"e reli"ion /here a lar"e offerin" is pro(ised if and only if a "reatly desired !oon is "ranted. < 1@C < of one and one4F-arter la&h ,?AB Ba!a, 9 shall (ake a resol-tion. 9f Gopi Chand ret-rns to life, (y "-r-, 9 /ill have that (-ch distri!-ted for dhar(a.3 :his (-ch had happened, /hen the yo"is )alindar Ba!a and Gorakh Ba!a /ere s(okin" hashish in the Chapala Garden. ;hat did Gorakh Ba!a say to )alindarE 3,y "-r- )alindar, Mo- said yo- "ave Gopi Chand, B-t /here did yo- "ive hi(E 3+eath8s ,essen"ers are takin" Gopi Chand, lookL +eath8s ,essen"ers took hi(.3 ;hen Gorakh .ath had said this (-ch, /hat did )alindar Ba!a say to Gorakh1iE 3Gorakh .ath, 9 did "ive Gopi Chand, 9 "ave hi( to ,other. >et Gopi Chand free, Gorakh Ba!a, h-rry -p, set Gopi Chand free.3 ;hen )alindar .ath had said this (-ch, Gorakh Ba!a the yo"i took the for( of the /ind, took his iron ton"s, and fle/ -p in the sky. As soon as he "ot there he "ave +eath8s ,essen"ers a co-ple of /hacks /ith his ton"s.

3;hy are yo- takin" this disciple of o-rsE ?AB Gne la&h eF-als 1$$,$$$D pres-(a!ly ,anavati (eans she /ill spend 12%,$$$ r-pees. :he a(o-nt 3one and one4F-arter3 5sava 6 is co((only -sed in offerin"s !oth of cash and kind at 0a1asthani shrines and is often associated /ith the re(oval of ina-spicio-sness. < 1@& < +id God "ive hi( to yo-E 2e /as "iven fro( (y disciples, so 2o/ can God ask for one of o-rsE3 5GC 2.1.s6 >o, the first ti(e /hen he /ent to !eco(e a yo"i there /ere seventy4three h-ndred dr-(s, and seventy4 t/o h-ndred no!le(en. :hey /ent /ith "reat dr-(s and fla"s and ar(ies, to a (ilitary dr-(!eat. 2e /as "oin" to !e a yo"i, and (any 0oyal Bards and Genealo"ists /ere callin" o-t respectf-l "reetin"s. :hey /ere /ailin", 32ey Grain4"iver, yo- are the 2ind- >-nL3 >even h-ndred tho-sand horses /ere "oin" !efore hi( and seven h-ndred tho-sand /ere "oin" !ehind hi(, and Gopi Chand /as enthroned on an elephant8s !ack. 3Grain4"iver, are yo- "oin" to !eco(e a yo"iE3 2e said, 3Brothers, (y (other is forcin" (e.3 3B-rn yo-r (other.?%B ;here did yo-r (other "et this notionE3 :hen they (is"-ided hi(. ;hoE 2is co(panions. ;ho /ere theyE 2is relatives, and the 0oyal >ervants: 3Grain4"iver, /here is yo-r "-r-E3 3Gn the ed"e of the !lind /ell in the Chapala Garden.3 3Mo- prostrate yo-rself to hi( and 98ll "et !ehind hi( and p-sh hi( into the /ell. :hen, after that, /ho /ill (ake yo- a yo"iE3 >o they p-shed hi( into the /ell fro( !ehind, !rother. :hey p-shed hi( and no/ they ca(e and said to Gopi Chand, 3Grain"iver, yo-r (other keeps cryin" like this, !-t no/ yo-r "-r- is dead. ;e have p-shed hi( in the /ell and p-t a flat rock on top of hi(. >o to(orro/ "et the d-n" of seven h-ndred and fifty horses, fill -p carts /ith it, and -se it to fill -p the /ell. Press it do/n thoro-"hly. 'ill -p the /ell /ith horse (an-re. >o the G-r- >overei"n really /ill die. ;ho then /ill (ake yo- into a yo"iE3 3Mes, this is also a "ood idea.3 :he ne=t day he "ave an order. Gopi Chand co((anded all the C-ltivators and Gardeners?CB in his kin"do( to "ive free la!or?&B 7and fill the !lind /ell /ith horse ?%B than&i %ata badi lagavo0 a conventional c-rse. ?CB :/o pop-lo-s peasant castes in the !ard8s villa"e and area are loda 5c-ltivators6 and %ali 5"ardeners6. ?&B begar0 la!or conscripted !y the r-ler fro( his peasants /ith no pay. < 1@@ < (an-re. :hose C-ltivators "ot -p at the ti(e of flo-r4"rindin"?@B and called to one another, 3Brother let8s "o and do the kin"8s la!or.3 Ha!orin" for the kin", they filled carts /ith horse (an-re and pressed

it all into the !lind /ell and filled it -p. :hey /orked for fo-r or five days. :hey (ade an entire heap. :hey filled it and pressed it do/n, so that /as it: the pro!le( of the G-r- >overei"n /as finished. And Gopi Chand contin-ed to r-le the kin"do(. Gopi Chand did not !eco(e a yo"i altho-"h ,anavati ,ata had ceaselessly pleaded /ith hi(. 39 sent Gopi Chand to !e a yo"i. ;hy has he co(e !ackE3 :hen so(e 0oyal >ervant or other said, 3,other, he thre/ his "-r- do/n the /ell and then he covered hi( -p /ith horse (an-re and pressed it do/n thoro-"hly. Gopi Chand /on8t !e a yo"i.3 3;hat, Gopi Chand /on8t !e a yo"iE3 3.o, he /on8t.3 3Alas, he8ll die, (y son /ill die, no/ /hat can 9 do, he /ill die. :hin"s have t-rned o-t stran"ely. G sorro/4(akers, oh dear, /hat to doE3 >he kept after hi( for a fe/ days, !-t the last chance ca(e and /ent. ;hoseE Gopi Chand8s. .o/ the t/elve pro(ised years /ere over, and on that very day Gopi Chand /as sleepin" in the early afternoon. 2e had eaten a "ood (eal and he lay do/n for a co(forta!le siesta. 2is eleven h-ndred F-eens /ere fannin" hi(D his si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere in attendance. :hen +eath8s ,essen"ers arrived. As soon as they ca(e -p to Gopi Chand they to-ched hi( /ith their sticks.?9B :hey yanked o-t Gopi Chand8s !reath and took o-t his so-l. :hey thre/ do/n a palanF-in and laid hi( on it and then fo-r of +eath8s ,essen"ers took Gopi Chand. As soon as they took hi(, he died. +eath8s ,essen"ers took hi(. .o/ all eleven h-ndred F-eens and si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere cryin" hard, their eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rainD they /ere /ailin".?1$B :he si=teen h-ndred slave "irls8 resonant /eepin"?11B filled the /hole palace. ?@B A convention of traditional ti(e4reckonin": a!o-t A A.,. , the ho-r /hen, !efore the introd-ction of electric flo-r4(ills, all villa"e /o(en -sed to rise to "rind "rain for the day8s !read. ?9B &utera D #4 to # 1 24foot4lon" sticks, s-ch as police(en carry. ?1$B :he first t/o references to the ladies8 /eepin" are e=actly the sa(e as those applied a"ain and a"ain to Gopi Chand8s o/n cryin"D the third, &urlari , is !y contrast never done !y Gopi Chand. Gne of its (eanin"s is the /ailin" that /o(en do at death. ,ore "enerally, it is any cryin" o-t in -nison. ?11B ranohi !agari . :he a-ral i(a"e here is of a resonant echoin" /ithin !-ildin"s. < 1@9 < .o/ his (other8s palace /as separate. >he tho-"ht to herself, Uh ohL :he F-eens and slave "irls are happy and content. >o /hy are they /ailin"E ;ith a little stick in her hand and /ooden sandals on her feet?12B ,anavati ,ata /ent to Gopi Chand8s palace. :he eleven h-ndred F-eens and si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere !eatin" their chests. ;hat had happenedE Gopi Chand had died. Gh (yL ,anavati ,ata sa/ that so(ethin" very stran"e had happened. )-st today he /as very happy and content. 2e had neither pain nor flat-lence.?1#B >o /hat happened to Gopi ChandE N-ickly ,anavati ,ata /ent and "ra!!ed his hand, !-t she fo-nd no si"ns of life /hatsoever, no p-lse. >he laid her hand on hischest, !-t there /asn8t any heart!eat. 2e had arrived. ?1AB

3Gh noL 2e8s "one, Gopi Chand. G son, Gopi Chand, for (any days 98ve !een tellin" yo-, 8Be a yo"i, son, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.8 B-t yo- didn8t accept /hat 9 said, and yo- had the G-r>overei"n p-shed into a /ell and covered hi( -p /ith horse (an-re. 32ey G-r- >overei"n, 9 vo/ to "ive one and one4F-arter la&h , Grain4"iver, one and one4F-arter la&h of r-pees. 9f (y Gopi Chand co(es !ack to life, G-r- >overei"n, then 9 /ill distri!-te one and one4 F-arter la&h for dhar(a and (erit, and then strai"hta/ay 9 (yself /ill (ake hi( a yo"i. B-t he (-st co(e !ack to life, G-r- >overei"n. 9 /as heedless for too lon", !-t no/ 9 /on8t let hi( "o /ith anyone else798ll take hi( (yself. As soon as Gopi Chand co(es !ack to life, first 98ll have one and one4 F-arter la&h distri!-ted for dhar(aD then 9 /ill "o /ith hi(. 98ll take hi( to the "arden and (ake hi( a yo"i. B-t G-r- >overei"n, (y Gopi Chand o-"ht to co(e !ack to life, G-r- >overei"n.3 Gver here, then, ,anavati ,ata (ade a vo/ to spend one and ?12B ;hy the F-een (other carries a little stick is -nclearD she /ears /ooden sandals, perhaps !eca-se of her affinity /ith yo"is. ?1#B &oi &hai du&hyo na padyo na0 a co((on e=pression (eanin" that not the least thin" /as /ron" /ith hi(. ?1AB :hat is, he had arrived else/here, left this /orld. < 19$ < one4F-arter la&h for dhar(a. And over there /ere )alindar Ba!a and Gorakh .ath1i, s(okin" hashish. ;hereE Gver there in the "arden. Gn the ed"e of that !lind /ell. ;hen he (eets /ater, then he8s /ater. ;hoE )alindar Ba!a. And /hen he (eets /ind, then he8s /ind. And /hen he (eets fla(e, then he8s fla(e.?1%B >o he hardly re(ained !-ried in the /ell7he also ca(e o-t.?1CB >o, )alindar Ba!a and Gorakh .ath >overei"n /ere s(okin" hashish, and +eath8s ,essen"ers had seized and taken Gopi Chand. :hen Gorakh .ath >overei"n looked -p. 3)alindar Ba!a, yo- said, 89 have "iven Gopi Chand.8 Mo- said, 8'ro( (y disciples 9 "ave one disciple to ,anavati ,other.8 B-t +eath8s ,essen"ers have taken Gopi Chand.3 3;hatE3 3Mes, they are takin" hi(.3 3Gh, the sister4f-ckersL ;hy are they takin" (y disciple, (y disciple that 9 (yself "ave. :o /ho(E 9 "ave hi( to ,anavati ,other. And that little4God4fello/,?1&B /hy is he askin" for hi(E 2e is hardly the one /ho "ave hi(.3 3:hey8ve taken hi(, +eath8s ,essen"ers have "ra!!ed hi(.3 3Gh, r-n, Gorakh .ath. Beat those sister4f-ckers /ith yo-r ton"s and free Gopi Chand and !rin" hi( here.3 :hen Gorakh .ath >overei"n took the /ind8s for(. 2e took his ton"s and fle/ -p in the sky. ,ean/hile, inside the palanF-in, the fo-r +eath8s ,essen"ers had thro/n Gopi Chand face do/n, /ith his hands !o-nd !ehind his !ack, and they carried hi( like a rolled4-p !anner. :h-s they /ere takin" hi( /hen Gorakh .ath >overei"n ca(e alon" and "ave each of the( a /hack /ith his ton"s. 2e str-ck +eath8s ,essen"ers: 3Gh, yo- sister4f-ckersL ;hy are yo- takin" o-r discipleE +o yo- think God "ave hi(E 2e is o-r discipleL ;e "ave this disciple, and that sister4f-cker God is hardly the one /ho "ave hi(, so /hy has God de(anded hi(E3?1@B

As soon as he said this, and as soon as he dealt the( one or t/o ?1%B Accordin" to Bho1-, these phrases descri!e a 3siddh purus 3 or perfected !ein" /ho (ay at /ill take on the characteristics of any (edi-(. :he (eanin" here is that )alindar Ba!a is not affected !y !ein" p-shed do/n a /ell. ?1CB As /e /ill see in part A, he did re(ain !-ried and (-st !e e=cavated. ?1&B bhagvanyo0 a disrespectf-l di(in-tive of bhagvan . ?1@B 0ecall that ,anavati ,ata ca(e fro( God8s door a !arren /o(an. < 191 < !lo/s /ith his ton"s, +eath8s ,essen"ers released Gopi Chand and /ent far a/ay. As soon as they released hi(, he ca(e !ack into the palace and ret-rned to life at once. 3Gh (yL 98ve slept very deeply.3 :he /ailin" F-eens sa/ hi(. 3Gh (yL 98ve slept very /ell.3 And ,anavati ,other /as standin" near. 3G son, Gopi Chand. ;hat ca(e over yo-E 'or (any days 98ve !een tellin" yo- to !e a yo"i, and then yo-r !ody /o-ld !e i((ortal. And the G-r- >overei"n8s deadline arrived, and yo- did not !eco(e a yo"i. >on, /hat ca(e over yo-E3 3,other, they really took (e.3 3Hook, the F-eens and the slave "irls are /ailin". ;here is yo-r royal throne, and yo-r horse4dra/n chariot and palanF-inE +id they "o /ith yo-E )-st no/ they took yo- and if the "-r- hadn8t freed yo-, then /ho /o-ld have freed yo-E3 3,other, there /as a sadhu /ith hair this lon" and /ith ton"s this !i", and he ca(e. 9 /as !o-nd /ith (y hands !ehind (y !ack, and they /ere takin" (e. And he "ave the( each one !lo/ /ith his ton"s. 2e told +eath8s ,essen"ers: 82ey, it8s o-r disciple and hardly yo-rs, hardly God4"iven7it8s o-r disciple. And yo- sister4f-ckers, /hy has God de(anded hi(E And /hy are yo- takin" hi(, sister4 f-ckersE Het "oL8 3:hen he let the( have it /ith his ton"s, and they released (e and ran a/ay.3 3>on, they released yo-. .o/ !e a yo"i or else +eath /ill eat yo-. And these F-eens and slave "irls /ill re(ain ri"ht here, and yo-r royal throne /ill re(ain ri"ht here. .othin" "oes /ith yo-. 9 (ade a resol-tion to distri!-te one and one4F-arter la&h for dhar(a7so yo- (-st do that.3 >o he distri!-ted one and one4F-arter la&h for dhar(a, in order to f-lfill her resol-tion. :hen the son and (other /ent to"ether, infor(in" no relatives, infor(in" no F-eens and slave "irls, infor(in" no one. 5GC 2.9.e6 2-rriedly, !efore da/n, ,anavati ,ata "ra!!ed Gopi Chand !y the hand: 3Het8s "o, son, 9 /ill (ake yo- a yo"i.3 >o ,anavati ,ata p-shed Gopi Chand in front of her, sayin", 3:here is no (eanin" in these thin"s, son, :i(e /ill eat the(. :he F-eens and slave "irls /ill < 192 < stay over here /ailin". Mo- died, !-t if yo- !eco(e a yo"i yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3

:his ser(on affected Gopi Chand, !eca-se he had died. 'ro( dyin", he really fo-nd o-t?19B that /e (-st all die. >o ,anavati ,other took Gopi Chand into the Chapala Garden. :hey entered thro-"h the "ate/ay. 9n the distance they co-ld see Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n and )alindar Ba!a, over there, doin" tapas !y the ca(pfire. Gopi Chand /ent !efore her, and ,anavati said, 3Go, son, sit !y yo-r "-r-, clasp his feet.3 B-t s-ddenly !oth "-r-s !eca(e nine4hand4tall lions. :hey !eca(e nine4hand4tall lions and ca(e at Gopi Chand as if to kill hi(, in order to fri"hten hi(, !rother, to scare hi( a/ay. :hey !oth ca(e at hi(, roarin". Gopi Chand said, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, it /as (y fa-lt, Grain"iver. 9 p-shed yo- do/n -nder horse (an-re. 'or"ive (y error, Grain4"iver.3 Gopi Chand sh-t his eyes ti"ht. And then he clasped the pa/s of those /ho had !eco(e lions. 39f they /ant to eat (e, let the( eat (e. :here8s nothin" left for (e to do !-t die or !eco(e a yo"i. >o, fine, let the( eat (e, and (y (isdeed /ill !e re(oved.3 As soon as he clasped their pa/s, then )alindar Ba!a and Gorakh .ath >overei"n t-rned !ack into yo"is. ;hen they /ere yo"is,)alindar Ba!a said, 3>on, Gopi Chand.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n.3 3Go son, yo-r desires are not yet satiated.?2$B Go r-le the kin"do( for another t/elve years. Mo-8ve had t/elve years of F-eens and slave "irls, !-t yo-r desires are not satiated. >o "o, son, r-le for another t/elve years. Go, r-n a/ay.3 3G-r- >overei"n, no/ 9 /on8t "o. .o/, 9 /ill !e a yo"i. 9 /ill !eco(e yo-r disciple, 9 /on8t "o !ack.3 3Gh "o !ack, sister4f-cker, yo- /ill r-in (y kar(a.?21B >isterf-cker, yo-r cravin"s for F-eens and slave "irls have not yet !een ?19B %arnau !a(h gi0 !a(hno (eans 3to e=a(ine and find o-t3 or 3to learn thro-"h e=perience.3 ?2$B dhapyo0 the co((on villa"e ter( for havin" had eno-"h, -sed at the end of a (eal, for e=a(ple. ?21B :he 0a1asthani kara( is so(eti(es eF-ated /ith an -ncontrolla!le fate or destiny 5&is%at, le&h, ta&dir , etc.6. B-t at ti(es its (eanin" approaches that of 2indi and >anskrit &ar%a 7in that responsi!ility for all individ-als8 destinies is attri!-ta!le to their past or present actions. 2ere )alindar .ath is /orried that his kar(a /ill !e stained !y initiatin" so(eone /ho is -nprepared for ren-nciation. < 19# < re(oved. And yo-r desires for the throne of r-le are not satiated. Go !ackL3 3.o, G-r- >overei"n, 9 /on8t "o.3 3Mo- /on8t "oE3 39 /on8t "o.3 3GJ, then sit do/n !y the ca(pfire.3 2e seated hi( in a post-re of (editation. And )alindar .ath >overei"n took o-t his da""er /ith fo-r !lades. As soon as he took o-t his fo-r4!laded da""er he told Gopi Chand, 3>ay 8>hivL >hivL83 >o first )alindar .ath >overei"n pierced Gopi Chand8s left ear. As soon as he pierced the left ear, (ilk ca(e o-t. And he drove a /ooden pe" into it. As soon as he had driven in the pe", he then t-rned to p-t the da""er in the second ear. B-t Gopi Chand tho-"ht, 3.o/, the "a(e of life is spoiled. :hat8s it. 2e

"ives one !lo/ /ith the da""er and the "a(e of life is spoiled ... F-eens and slave "irls ... the /hole kin"do( has t-rned to d-st.3 ;hile Gopi Chand8s i(a"ination /as r-nnin" on like this, the "-r- raised the da""er and pierced his ri"ht ear and !lood ca(e o-t. Blood ca(e o-t, and the G-r- >overei"n /as incensed: 3Mo- sister4 f-ckerL 9 told yo- that yo-r (ind /asn8t satiated /ith F-eens and slave "irls, yo-r (ind /asn8t satiated /ith r-lin" the kin"do(. 9 told yo- to "o and r-le for another t/elve years and, sister4f-cker, yo- didn8t "o. B-t still yo-r spirit is led astray in the net of ill-sion.3?22B 3G-r- >overei"n, /hat is to happen happens.3 3Mo- have spoiled (y kar(a. ,ilk -sed to co(e o-t of (y yo"is8 ears. ,ilk ca(e o-tD !-t no/ !lood has !e"-n to co(e o-t. 9t8s a si"n of thin"s to co(e.3?2#B 2e inserted a /ooden pe" in the ear, (ade fro( ni% ,?2AB and then he p-t an iron platter /ei"hin" one and one4F-arter (a-nds?2%B on ?22B %aya !al %a !iv na dula diyo0 dularno is to !e (aused to !e restless, de(oralized, nervo-s, fickle, -nsteady, deviated, or astray. :he s-""estion is that Gopi Chand is (ore helpless than c-lpa!le. ?2#B lag !ay ainda se0 accordin" to Bho1- the phrase i(plies that fro( this day only !lood /ill co(e o-t. ?2AB :he ni% tree8s leaves and /ood have (any rit-al and healin" -ses in r-ral 0a1asthan. ?2%B suva%an0 as noted a!ove, the s-( of one and one4F-arter is associated /ith the re(oval of ina-spicio-snessD here, the heat of the fla(es cooks or heals the /o-nds in Gopi Chand8s ears and averts ina-spicio-s infl-ences tho-"ht to threaten the healin" process. < 19A < Gopi Chand8s head. Gn top of the platter he i"nited a /ood fire and the fla(es rose -p. 2e p-t the platter on a cloth pad on Gopi Chand8s head, and took hi( on a pil"ri(a"e to-r. :he fla(es rose -p, so that the fire at ti(es h-n" do/n over his ears. After the pil"ri(a"e to-r the G-r- >overei"n took hi( to o-r ca(pfire.?2CB ;hereE 9n the Ja1ali ;oods. Gver there in the Ja1ali ;oods, fo-rteen h-ndred of the G-r- >overei"n8s disciples /ere doin" tapas invisi!ly. And fo-rteen h-ndred visi!le disciples /ere doin" tapas . As soon as they "ot there, the G-r- >overei"n took the iron platter do/n fro( Gopi Chand8s head and said, 3>on, yo- have !eco(e a fir(?2&B disciple. .o/ yo- have !eco(e a yo"a4holder. >o take yo-r ton"s, son, and take this sack, and take this deer4horn instr-(ent, and /ear these /ooden sandals on yo-r feet.?2@B .o/ son, this is the kind of /ork that needs to !e done. Mo- have !eco(e a yo"i.3 3Mes sir.3 3Go into yo-r castle and "et al(s. >ay 8,other8 to yo-r special /ife, Pata( +e 0ani, and !e" for al(s and !rin" the( !ack. :hen yo-r yo"a /ill !e f-lfilled.3 32ey G-r- >overei"n, Pata( +e 0ani is (y /o(an. 2o/ can 9 call her 8,other8E 9 have scattered all her leaves and s(elled all her flo/ers.?29B >he is (y /o(an, G-r- >overei"n. 9t /o-ld sha(e (y saintly "-r-?#$B and (y (other8s (ilk. 2o/ can 9 call her 8,other8E3 3Mes, son, Gopi Chand. Pata( +e 0ani /as yo-r /o(an, !-t that /as in yo-r r-lin" ti(e. .o/ yohave !eco(e a yo"i, a yo"a4holder, so son, no/ in the ti(e of yo"a she is yo-r (other. Call her 8,other8 and !rin" !ack al(s, and then yo-r yo"a /ill !e f-lfilled.3

3;ell, yo- have "iven the order, the G-r- >overei"n8s order, and if yo- say it, it (-st !e done.3 3Mes. >o son, co(e on the roads and "o on the roads and call all ?2CB 2ere the sin"er identifies hi(self /ith the le"endary .ath yo"is. ?2&B pa&&o (helo0 2. pa&&a has (any (eanin"s incl-din" ripe, cooked, -nassaila!le, "en-ine, fried. ?2@B :h-s the "-r- !esto/s the e(!le(s of a yo"i8s identity on his cooked disciple. ?29B 9nai pana pana baroli phula phula dhu%ari0 accordin" to Bho1-, this poetic sayin" (eans that he kno/s each part of his /ife8s !ody as /ell as a "ardener kno/s the leaves and flo/ers on his plants. ?#$B guru/pir0 act-ally a pairin" of 2ind- and 9sla(ic ter(s for a reli"io-s teacher. < 19% < /o(en 8,other8 and 8>ister.8 And don8t !rin" sha(e to yo-r yo"i8s ro!es. 2-rry and "et al(s fro( Pata( +e.3 >o let8s see /hat happens to Gopi Chand, and /hat al(s he /ill !rin". 5GC 2.2.e6 >o Gopi Chand p-t on his /ooden sandals, picked -p his ton"s, picked -p his sack, and took his deer4 horn instr-(ent. A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s for( and t-rned his face to/ard Ga-r Ben"al.?#1B 2e crossed one /oods, he crossed a second /oods, in the third /oods Gopi Chand ca(e to the !order. As soon as he ca(e to the !order, his /hite, /hite castles ca(e into vie/, and Gopi Chand re(e(!ered the thin"s of his r-lin" ti(e. As soon as he re(e(!ered, it /as 1-st like /hen a spark falls into one h-ndred (a-nds of "-npo/der. ;hen a /ick is set to one h-ndred (a-nds of "-npo/der7 then fla(es shoot -p. )-st so, fla(es rose -p violently in Gopi Chand8s (ind. 2e tho-"ht, Gh, a very astonishin" thin" has taken placeL :here /as a day that once rose for (e /hen 9 /o-ld sport at h-ntin" lions in the 1-n"le. >even h-ndred tho-sand horses /ere in (y co(pany, and 9 rode in a throne on the !ack of an elephant, /hisks /avin" over (e. ,any 0oyal Bards /ere sho-tin" (y praises. B-t today look at the splendor /ith /hich Gopi Chand /as "oin" into the palace. Gn his fair !ody he /as /earin" a loincloth, and on his fair neck spread (atted locks, and his /hole !ody /as s(eared /ith ashes. 9n his hand he had ton"s and on his sho-lders /as a sack and there /as no one to herald his co(in". 0e(e(!erin" the thin"s of his r-lin" ti(e, Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 32ey G-r- >overei"n, ho/ has (y condition chan"ed so fastE :here is no one to herald (y co(in". .o one to say 8Kictory to >hivaL83 2e /as cryin" over there. Gopi Chand cried a lot, he cried so (-ch. :here -sed to !e fifty4t/o portals and fifty4three door/ays and t/elve districts8 r-le and a ho(e co-rt of 1-stice and today7nothin" at all. 3:oday sacred ash is s(eared all over (e, look, and on (y ?#1B ,adh- prono-nces this location Gor0 see chapter 2. < 19C <

sho-lders there8s a sack and in (y hand ton"s. 98( /earin" a loincloth, and 9 a( all alone in the 1-n"le, /ailin". B-t if thin"s hadn8t t-rned o-t like this, tho-sands, h-ndreds of tho-sands of (en /ere in (y service.3 Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. And he !eso-"ht?#2B his "-r-. 32ey G-r- >overei"n, 9 !eseech yo-, F-ickly co(e, Ba!a .ath. Mo-r fireplace in Ja1ali ;oods is far a/ay, and G-r- >overei"n, (y castle also is far a/ay, and Grain4"iver, no/ in the 1-n"le 98( /retched.3 >o he !eso-"ht his "-r- /ith !ody and (ind, and as soon as he !eso-"ht the "-r-, )alindar Ba!a ca(e. As soon as he ca(e, he re!-ked Gopi Chand: 3G son, if yo-8re already /retched here in the 1-n"le, /hat /ill yo-r condition !e /hen yo-8re near the F-eens and slave "irlsE3 Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 2e said to his "-r-, 32ey, G-r- >overei"n, yo- have no kno/led"e of these thin"s, to cry or not to cry a!o-t the(. ;hat do yo- kno/E 9 have eleven h-ndred F-eens in the castles /eepin", si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /eepin", and ,anavati ,ata, (y old (other, she is cryin" very hard. And in (y kin"do( /ere fifty4t/o portals, fifty4three door/ays, t/elve districts8 r-le, and a ho(e co-rt of 1-stice. B-t no/ the co-rt is deserted and the "reat dr-( lies -pside do/n. And G-r- >overei"n, yo- have no kno/led"e of these thin"s. Mo- /ere thro/n do/n fro( the sky and ca-"ht !y *arth ,other,?##B and yo- have neither (other nor father, nor any /o(an, nor any nanny "oats, nor any sister, nor any nieces.3?#AB 3Cal( do/n, son. Go on recitin" prayers and keep yo-r attention on those prayers. Go th-s to yo-r palaces, (eet yo-r F-eens and slave "irls, "et so(e al(s and h-rry !ack, son.3 5GC 2.#.e6 ?#2B arodhya0 a variant of aradhno , (eanin" to pray or praise. :his ter( al/ays occ-rs /hen Gopi Chand i(plores )alindar .ath for help and in no other conte=t in the t/o tales. :o distin"-ish it fro( sa%aran or the cal( recitation of prayers, 9 shall translate it 3!eseech3 thro-"ho-t. ?##B Gopi Chand refers to )alindar8s pres-(a!ly (ythic !irth and ela!orates the ar"-(ent in s-!seF-ent enco-nters /hen the "-r- chides hi( for 3tan"lin" in %aya 8s net.3 >ee Gold 19@9. ?#AB .ote that, e=cept for 3father,3 everythin" the "-r- lacks is fe(ale. < 19& < A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s o/n for(, and t-rned his face to/ard Ben"al. Ga-r Ben"al, that /as his villa"e, and +hak Ben"al /as his sister8s place, her (arital ho(e.?#%B 2e crossed one /oods, he crossed a second /oods, and in the (iddle of the third /oods he reached the /aterside. As soon as he reached the /aterside in Ben"al, Gopi Chand set -p his (editation seat and i"nited his yo"i8s ca(pfire. 2e sat in a (editation post-re and !e"an recitin" prayers. >o, Gopi Chand had lo/ered his eyelids and /as recitin" prayers /hen the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls ca(e fro( the palace /ith their do-!le /ater pots, to fetch /ater. :hey e(er"ed fro( the villa"e and looked o-t over the /aterside. :here they sa/ a yo"i doin" tapas . A(on" the( /as 2ira +asi.?#CB :hey /ere talkin" of other thin"s /hen 2ira +asi spoke: 32ey, slave "irls, !-rn -p all other (atters. :oday there8s a yo"i doin" tapas on the /aterside. :oday8s o-r l-cky dayL G-r kin" !eca(e a yo"i. >o /e /ill ask this yo"i a!o-t hi(, /e /ill ask for ne/s of o-r kin"7

/here o-r yo"i kin" /ent and /here he didn8t "o7/hether he8s /ell, /hether he8s sad or happy, /e8ll find o-t a!o-t o-r kin".3 :hey didn8t kno/ if he had really !eco(e a yo"i, or if he had 1-st "ot an"ry and left. :he F-eens and slave "irls kne/ nothin" at all. >o ri"ht a/ay the si=teen h-ndred /ent and set their do-!le /ater pots do/n on the /aterside, and s-rro-nded Gopi Chand, as 9 a( s-rro-nded here ?,adh- refers to the a-dience s-rro-ndin" hi( at the ti(e of tellin"B. 2e had set -p his ca(pfire, and on all fo-r sides of hi( /ere /o(en, nothin" !-t /o(en, slave "irls. .o/ /hat did they say to Gopi ChandE As soon as they had s-rro-nded hi(, 2ira +asi spoke. 5GC 2.A.e6 32ey, yo"i, fro( /hich city do yo- co(e and "oE Mo- see( to !e an esta!lished .ath. 0aise yo-r eyelids, Ba!a .ath, /e have co(e to take yo-r darsan .3 As soon as this (-ch /as said, Gopi Chand tho-"ht, Brother, so(e tr-thf-l servant?#&B has co(e to serve (e. >o(eone has !ro-"ht flo-r and thin"s, thin"s to cook /ith. Het (e see. And he raised his ?#%B ,adh- offers this clarification of "eo"raphy as an aside. ?#CB ;hen +asi is part of a na(e 9 do not translate it. ?#&B seva&0 derived fro( seva or service, a ter( /ith reli"io-s i(plications. < 19@ < eyelids and sa/ that his ca(pfire /as s-rro-nded !y nothin" !-t slave "irls7si=teen h-ndred /ere standin" there. As soon as he sa/ the(, Gopi Chand kne/. 3Brother, these are (y o/n slave "irls /ho have co(e. B-t if they reco"nize (e, then look o-tL 9ll-sion8s net /ill spread here.3 As soon as he raised his eyelids, 2ira +e +asi spoke: 3G, G-r- >overei"n, G Great >o-l, G no!le Grain4"iver, o-r kin" !eca(e a yo"i, and /ent a/ay. .o!le Grain4"iver, tell -s a!o-t hi(. ;e /ill take yo- into the palace, and G-r- >overei"n, /e /ill serve yo-. G-r kin" !eca(e a yo"i. 9s he happy or is he sadE 9n /hat co-ntry are he and his "-r-E +id he pierce his ears or didn8t he pierce the(E3 :hese are the kinds of thin"s she asked. 3G !rother, 9 kno/ nothin" a!o-t yo-r kin" and 9 kno/ nothin" a!o-t any F-een. 9 a( a /anderin" sadhu /ho has co(e, /hat sho-ld 9 kno/E3 :here /ere si=teen h-ndred slave "irls s-rro-ndin" hi(. And they /ere cryin" hard. And as they cried they /ere askin" hi( ne/s of Gopi Chand. 32ey G-r- >overei"n, o-r kin" had si=teen h-ndred slave "irls and eleven h-ndred F-eens, and !eca-se of hi( all of -s in the Color Palace are /earin" lon" !lo-ses. 3And his ,anavati ,other7(ay she !-rn -pL7she (ade her son a yo"i secretly. G-r kin" had fifty4 t/o portals and fifty4three door/ays, t/elve districts8 r-le, and seven h-ndred tho-sand horses /ere raised in his co(pany. 2e rode in a throne on an elephant8s !ack, /ith /hisks /avin" over hi(. B-t the kin"do( has !eco(e desolate. And the "reat dr-( is lyin" -pside do/n. 3.o!le Grain4"iver, please tell -s a!o-t o-r kin"L ;e /ill take yo- into the palaces and serve yo-.3 :he si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere cryin" very hard. 3.o!le Grain4"iver, o-r kin" rese(!led yo-. 2e had a face 1-st like yo-rs. G-r kin" !eca(e a yo"i, and /e yearn for hi(. ;here is o-r kin"E3 Gopi Chand /as /retched. 3.o/ if these sl-ts reco"nize (e here then %aya 8s net /ill spread.3 >o Gopi Chand !raced hi(self and lifted his ton"s fro( the (iddle of his ca(pfire. 2e !randished his ton"s at the slave "irls, the sl-ts /ho kept on cryin". 3Get o-t of here, 9 have no kno/led"e of yo-r

kin" or of any F-een. ;hy have yo- co(e here !otherin" (eE Get "oin" or else 9 /ill !eat each one of yo- /ith (y ton"s, yo- sister4f-ckers.3 After he had re!-ked the(, the slave "irls filled their /ater pots. < 199 < Hiftin" -p their pots, they ret-rned to the palace. As soon as they entered the palace, they p-t do/n their do-!le pots. N-een Pata( +e took her /hip fro( its pe" and "ave 2ira +e a co-ple of /hacks. 3>lave "irl, yo- left in the (ornin" to "et /ater, so /here have yo- !een sittin" the /hole dayE ;anton sl-t, /ho kno/s /hereE ,ay!e yo- /ent to see so(e sho/E ;here /ere yo- sittin", "ettin" /ater, for the /hole day, all si=teen h-ndred of yo-E3 >o she "ave her a co-ple of /hacks. :hen, cryin", 2ira +e said, 3G ,istress, send (e a/ay if yo- like, or if yo- like take a/ay (y life, !-t there8s a yo"i doin" tapas . ;hereE At the /aterside. >o 9 1oined (y hands in "reetin" to that yo"i and asked hi( to tell (e so(e infor(ation a!o-t o-r kin", and 9 offered to serve hi( and to !rin" hi( into the palace. 9 asked, 89s the kin" sad or happyE 9n /hat co-ntry is heE At /hose ca(pfire has he !eco(e a discipleE ;ho is his "-r-E ;here is heE Give (e infor(ation a!o-t (y kin".8 9 only asked for this kind of infor(ation, Grain4"iver, and that8s /hy 9 /as late.3 3Mo- sl-t, 9 /as !-rned and no/ yo-8re p-ttin" salt in (y /o-nds. Mo-8ll !e the death of (e, if every day yo- "o to "et /ater and (eet so(e yo"i and ask hi( for infor(ation. Mo-8re p-ttin" salt in (y !-rns, and yo-8ll !e the death of (e. ,y kin" !eca(e a yo"i, and that8s /hy yo- feel free to ta-nt (e.3 >-ch /as her 1-stice.?#@B 5GC 2.%.e6 ,ean/hile, Gopi Chand picked -p his sack and his ton"s fro( the /aterside. 2e p-t on his sandals and ... a seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s o/n for( and fi=ed his conscio-sness in Ga-r Ben"al. 2e entered the city. Gopi Chand /as /earin" a loincloth on his fair !ody, and (atted locks spread over his fair neck. 2e had ton"s in his hands and a sack on his sho-lder. As Gopi Chand /as "oin" alon", he re(e(!ered the ti(es /hen he r-led. 3Gh (yL ;hat an a(azin" thin" has happenedL3 Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. 9n the center of the city, he entered the (arketplace. 9t -sed to !e that people /ent !efore hi( cryin" 3Grain4"iver, "reetin"sL ?#@B nyay hoyo0 an ironic co((ent on her treat(ent of the slave "irls, /ho /ere only tryin" to help. < 2$$ < Grain4"iverL3 :hey /o-ld cry 3Greetin"s, Giver of "rainL3 B-t today, no one even "lanced. 398( still the sa(e (an 9 /as !efore. B-t lookL .o one even says 8Kictory to ,ahadevL8 ?People co-ld at least re(ark,B 8Brother, there8s a sadhu "oin" alon", and for this reason /e /ill cry victory to ,ahadevL83 Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 2e entered the (ain (arket. Cryin" hard he /ent alon", thinkin", .o one even says, 3>overei"n, /here do yo- liveE Kictory to ,ahadevL Co(e and !e seated please.3 .o one even says 3 a% a% .3?#9B Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 2e

/ent into the )e/el >F-are, and after passin" thro-"h the "ate/ay, he sa/ an elephant tied -p. ;hereE :o the fodder tro-"h. 9t /as ,an"ano 2athi, the one he -sed to ride. 'ro( this side Gopi Chand /as co(in", cryin" hard, and as soon as he sa/ ,an"ano 2athi, Gopi Chand shrieked. 'ro( the other side ,an"ano 2athi too !e"an to !ello/. 32ey Grain4"iver, G kin", /hat have yo- doneE Mo- !eca(e a yo"i and left and there is no one to feed (e !read and no one to "ive (e fodder and /ater. Grain4"iver, /hat tro-!les have co(e into (y lifeL 9 don8t even "et any /ater, there is no one to look after (e at all.3 3G !rother ,an"ano, no/ /hat to doE 'ort-ne has inscri!ed this destiny in (y kar(a /ith thick /ritin": i((ortal fakirhood. :here is no one to re(ove it.3 3B-t Grain4"iver, /hat is to !eco(e of (eE3 3>on, this /as /ritten for (e, in (y &is%at .?A$B Mo-rs also is /ritten: to die of h-n"er. >o "o and die.3 Gopi Chand passed thro-"h one portal and a second portal, and then he ca(e to the third portal, /here he lit his ca(pfire. And he set -p his (editation seat. :hen Gopi Chand "ave a ro-sin" 3Ala&h* 3 2e "ave a ro-sin" 3Ala&h* 3 and so-nded his deer4horn instr-(ent in the portal. As soon as he so-nded his horn, the so-nd reached the ?#9B a% a% is the (ost co((on "reetin" !et/een eF-als in the !ard8s re"ion. :h-s Gopi Chand see(s to crave any h-(an interco-rse, not 1-st the ad-lation he received as a kin" or sho-ld receive as a yo"i. ?A$B Met another /ord for fate, fro( the Urd-4Persian tradition, and one very co((on in villa"e talk. < 2$1 < ears of Pata( +e 0ani. As soon as the so-nd reached the ears ofPata( +e 0ani, she spoke to 2ira +e +asi. 3>lave "irlL3 3Mes, Grain4"iver.3 3GoL :oday, after (any days, a yo"i has co(e and "iven -s a ro-sin" 8Ala&h* 8 G-r kin" !eca(e a yo"i and left. Previo-sly, (any yo"is -sed to co(e !-t this is the first yo"i to co(e since o-r kin" left. >o fill a platter /ith dia(onds and r-!ies, and "ive very fine al(s to the yo"i. And ask for a fine !lessin" and !rin" it fro( the yo"i. Go ri"ht a/ay and do it. Go at once, !eca-se it8s a yo"i and he (i"ht "et an"ry and "o a/ay, and then he /ill c-rse -s.3?A1B As soon as she said this, the slave "irl p-t on a skirt /ith ei"hty pleats and /rapped herself in a flo/ered G-1arati sari and p-t on her nose rin" and her toe rin"s and a three4rin" set of hollo/ anklets. >he p-t on (any delicate ankle chains, and eyeliner and henna, and she threaded pearls in her hairs. >he s(eared on eyeshado/, and she p-t on necklaces7one strand, t/o strands, seven strands, so she !eca(e like the fla(e of 2oli, and like li"htnin" in a !lack clo-d.?A2B 9f the /ind !lo/s this /ay she !ends this /ay, and if the /ind !lo/s that /ay she !ends that /ay, and if the /ind sho-ld !lo/ in all fo-r directions then that slave "irl /o-ld !reak into pieces.?A#B And if an opi-(4eater like !rother 2ardev ?a (e(!er of the a-dienceB (et her, then he /o-ld take her for a dose of opi-( and eat her -p. 5GC 2.C.e6 :he !ond/o(an no/ filled a platter /ith dia(onds, r-!ies, and pearls.?AAB 2ira, (y slave "irl,

?A1B 9f a yo"i "oes a/ay e(pty4handed, he (ay /ell c-rse the -ncharita!le ho-se. Patan +e see(s to have for"otten her previo-s ra"e at the slave "irls8 (entionin" yo"is. ?A2B ,etaphors of fire and li"htnin" evoke dan"er as /ell as !ea-ty and are partic-larly appropriate for a dan"ero-s /o(an. ?A#B :his sa(e i(a"e of e=tre(ely delicate yet dan"ero-s fe(ale !ea-ty occ-rs in the 0a1asthani +ev .arayan1i epic to descri!e 0ani )ai(ti7an incarnation of the "oddess /hose ai( is to destroy the heroes. ?AAB :his s-n" portion is (ore than do-!le the len"th of (ost, indicatin" that ,adh- (ay have si(ply !eco(e carried a/ay /hile sin"in" and ne"lected to !reak at the -s-al place. 2e !e"ins his arthav at a point in the narrative that o(its a portion of the s-n" story. 9 therefore translate the sin"in" -ntil the arthav catches -p /ith it. < 2$2 < passed thro-"h one portal, the !ond/o(an passed the second portal, no/ she ca(e to the third portal. ;hen she reached the third portal, Hord, /hat did she say to the yo"iE 3:ake these, Ba!a, spread open yo-r sack, and hold o-t yo-r c-p, yo"i. 9 have a platter filled /ith dia(onds and r-!ies, yo"i, no/ yo-r poverty has fled.3 ;hen 2ira had said this (-ch, Gopi Chand raised his eyelids and "azed at the slave "irl. 3,y !ond/o(an, /hy have yo- !ro-"ht a platter filled /ith stones and pe!!lesE ;hat /ill 9 do /ith these pe!!lesE 3>-ch stones and pe!!les l left !ehind at ho(e, 2ira +e, (y slave "irl. >lave "irl, !rin" (e a stale, leftover scrap, a feast fro( Pata( +e 0ani8s hands.3 3G Mo"i, yo- don8t see( to !e a yo"i, it see(s to (e yo-8re sick, princely yo"i. Mesterday or the day !efore yo- /ere a ho-seholder8s !oy, dyin" of h-n"er, and that8s /hy yo- !eca(e a yo"i. Up -ntil no/ yo-r h-n"er hasn8t left yo-, yo"i, and that8s /hy yo- crave a scrap of !read. 3Mo"i, /ere there leaves in the (iddle of yo-r fate

they (i"ht fly a/ay, !-t there (-st !e a !o-lder in the (iddle of yo-r fate, yo"i, if yo-8re callin" dia(onds 8pe!!les.83 ;hen 2ira +e had said this (-ch, /hat did Gopi Chand replyE < 2$# < 32ira +e, (y !ond/o(an, G !ond/o(an, there /as once a day that rose for (e /hen they /o-ld "na/ on (y poll-ted?A%B scraps, !-t today, !ond/o(an, people speak to (e any old /ay.3 3G Mo"i, yo- don8t see( to !e a yo"i, it see(s to (e yo-8re sick, princely yo"i. Mo"i, F-it sayin" 8!ond/o(an,8 yo"i, or 98ll let fly (y !a(!oo. Mo"i, 9 /ill han" yo- hi"h fro( the !itter ni% tree, and r-! yo-r /o-nds /ith salt. 3Mo"i, 9 a( the F-een, Mo"i, 9 a( the F-een. Mo"i, 9 alone a( (istress of the fort: Mo- /on8t "et a/ay /ith callin" (e 8!ond/o(an8L3 3Bond/o(an, yo-r front teeth stick o-t and yo-r forehead8s -"lyL?ACB Bond/o(an, yo-r fate is shattered. Bond/o(an, /here have yo- co(e fro(, clai(in" to !e (y N-een Pata( +eE3 3Mo"i, the (istress of the kin"do( doesn8t call (e 8!ond/o(an,8 yo"i, nor do the city people call (e 8"irl,8 princely yo"i. 3Mo- 1-st F-it this 8!ond/o(an8 !-siness, yo"i, or 9 /ill split yo-r skin /ith (y !a(!oo. Mo"i, 9 /ill han" yo- hi"h fro( the !itter ni% tree, and r-! yo-r /o-nds /ith salt.3 5GC 2.&.s6 ?A%B uthyara0 0a1asthani for !hutha, or poll-ted !y saliva. Pres-(a!ly he refers in the third person to the slave "irls, /ho /o-ld have eaten his leftovers. ?ACB thari bhundi (ha ye laladi0 bhundi can (ean -"ly or ina-spicio-s or i(properD laladi is another of the (any /ords that in r-ral 0a1asthan refer to preordained fate. Hiterally, ho/ever, it (eans the 3forehead37/here fate is /ritten. :his phrase th-s carries a do-!le (eanin": yo-r face is -"ly, yo-r fate is ina-spicio-s.

< 2$A < >o this is /hat happened /ith the !ond/o(an. >he said to Gopi Chand, 3Mo"i yo- aren8t really a yo"i, it see(s to (e yo-8re sickL 9 /ill han" yo- hi"h fro( the !itter ni% and r-! yo-r /o-nds /ith salt.3 B-t it /as Gopi Chand. Gopi Chand /as (-tterin", dizzy, all in a fl-rry, till he !-rst o-t in ra"e and f-ry.?A&B Gopi Chand thr-st his ton"s into the (iddle of his ca(pfire, ri"ht in the !-rnin" coals, -ntil they "ot red hot. :hen he str-ck the !ond/o(an in the (iddle of her !ack, and she /ent rollin". 2er platter of dia(onds and r-!ies scattered all over the portal, and the !ond/o(an /ent rollin" and fallin". 2e had str-ck her once on the !ack, !-t t/o streaks s/elled -p 1-st as /hen a sick ani(al is !randed.?A@B And she /as /eepin" lo-dly, she /as cryin" very hard, her eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( her eyes. >he ret-rned to the Color Palace and /ent la(entin" to Pata( +e 0ani. :hen Pata( +e 0ani spoke: 3>lave "irl, 2ira +e, 9 sent yo- la-"hin"D /hy have yo- co(e cryin"E ;hat kind of a yo"i is it, a (a"icianE a death4spell /ielderE +id he feed yo- roasted hashish, so that yo-8ve co(e /ailin" and stonedE3 :hen the slave "irl said, 3,istress, yo- can have yo-r 1o!, and 9 /ill take t/o o=en and !e a far(er. >ho-ld 9 eat !lo/s fro( any yo"i8s ton"sE3 :hen Pata( +e 0ani spoke, 3Bond/o(an, are yo- (akin" -seless e=c-sesE ;here did the yo"i shove his da""er in yo-E3?A9B 2ira /as /rapped in that flo/ered G-1arati sari, !-t the pearls in her hair had scattered /hen he /hacked her /ith the ton"s. .o/ /hen Pata( +e said this, 2ira +e -n/rapped her sari and !alled it -p and tossed it !ehind the F-een. :hen she ran and thre/ herself face do/n, and as soon as she did, Pata( +e 0ani looked at her !ack. 'ro( her neck ri"ht do/n to her !-ttocks /ere s/ollen /elts like ?A&B :his is a stock phrase: Gopi Chand &a ayo sarnato ar ghasgyo bharnato ar ros agyo gado" Sarnato refers to the so-nd of a lo-d or r-shin" /ind and (ay i(ply an"ry (-tterin"D it is also an into=ication res-ltin" fro( e=cite(ent and restlessness. Bharnato (eans (ha&&ar or dizziness. os translates literally as an"er. ?A@B A ton"s has t/o strips of iron, !-t Bho1- interprets the t/o /elts fro( one !lo/ to res-lt fro( the !lo/8s prodi"io-s force. :he ter( 9 translate 3streaks3 evokes li"htnin". Brandin" is a treat(ent still practiced on livestock. ?A9B 9 /as convinced that !y this state(ent Pata( +e s-""ests that the yo"i (i"ht have se=-ally assa-lted 2ira +eD accordin" to Bho1- she only asks sarcastically, 3;here does it h-rtE3 < 2$% < li"htnin" streaks. 3Bond/o(an, he "ave yo- one /hack !-t t/o streaks have s/ollen on yo-r !ack. 9t looks 1-st like /hen a sick ani(al is !randed in the (iddle of the !ack. ;hat kind of a pitiless yo"i is thisE 2o/ co-ld he treat yo- this /ayE :hat yo"i has no co(passion inside his hollo/ fra(e,?%$B if he -ses his ton"s like this. >-ppose yo- die, then /hatE3 2ira +e kept cryin", 3,istress, /hat does that yo"i -nderstandE 2e -nderstands nothin" of pity, there8s no pity at all in his heart. ,istress, r-n hi( o-t of the portal. 2e al(ost took (y life a/ay. And if he had taken (y life a/ay, then /ho /o-ld take care of (y childrenE3 And she /ept like a /aterfall. 3,istress, that yo"i al(ost took a/ay (y life.3

Pata( +e "ot an"ry and said, 3Girl, /hat -se is a yo"i like that /ho doesn8t even have co(passionE A yo"i is s-pposed to have co(passion inside of hi(. B-t this one is a /icked one. 2e8s not a yo"i at all, he8s sickL >o, slave "irl, "o and call the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls. All of yo- !eat hi( /ith !a(!oo sticks and (ake that yo"i8s skin fly. Chase hi( o-t of the castle.3 2ira +e /ent r-nnin" at once to call the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls. >he called the( and they "athered in the presence of the F-een. :he F-een ordered 2ira to "ive each of the( one !a(!oo stick, !-t instead she "ave each of the( t/o. Gh son of a ...L >he "ave t/o !a(!oo sticks to each person. 3.o/ let8s "o "et that yo"iL3 5GC 2.&.e6 As they /ere "oin", she called to the( fro( the !alcony a!ove7/hoE7Pata( +e 0ani: 32ey, "irls, /ait, and listen to /hat 9 say. +on8t kill the yo"i, 1-st fri"hten hi( and chase hi( o-t of the palace. G sl-ts, if yo- kill a Brah(an, then yo- (eet destr-ction, for a"e -pon a"e.?%1B And if yo- kill a yo"i, then yo-r linea"e /ill tr-ly sink, sl-ts, he8ll c-rse -s. And o-r kin"do( is /itho-t a son, o-r kin"do( is /itho-t a r-ler, so if the yo"i "ives a c-rse, the kin"do( /ill !e ?%$B ghat0 literally a clay 1-", often a reference to the !ody as a container of so(ethin" (ore i(portantD here, ho/ever, is the opposite i(plication7the yo"i has nothin" inside. ?%1B !ug !ug hatya ho!ya0 hatya is literally (-rder or sla-"hter. Po/erf-l !ein"s (-st !e treated /ith care, for to da(a"e the( is to inc-r "reat da(a"es to oneself in the 2ind- kar(ic econo(y. < 2$C < lost. +on8t kill the yo"i !-t 1-st fri"hten hi( and chase hi( o-t of the palace.3?%2B :hey passed thro-"h one portal, they passed the second portal, and they ca(e to the third portal and challen"ed the yo"i. 3Mo"i, no/ pack -p yo-r !a" and !a""a"e, yo-r cl-! and "o-rd. ;e /ill (ake yo- re(e(!er the /hack yo- "ave /ith yo-r ton"s. ,any days have "one !y, and /ho kno/s /ho( yo- have !eaten /ith yo-r ton"s. B-t today, /e /ill (ake yo- re(e(!er it. ;e8ll han" yo- hi"h fro( the !itter ni% tree and r-! yo-r /o-nds /ith salt. ;e8ll !eat yo- /ith !a(!oo sticks, and then yo-8ll -nderstand /hat kind of slave "irls /e areL3 ;hile they /ere sayin" this, Gopi Chand raised his eyelids and "azed aro-nd the portal. 9n the (onth of Sravan , clo-ds of 9ndra the Great Jin" (o-nt in the skyD th-s /ere the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls like a red and yello/?%#B clo-d !ank. And their !a(!oo sticks overshado/ed hi(. Gopi Chand sF-eezed his eyes sh-t. Gh (yL 9f all these sl-ts hit (e /ith their !a(!oo sticks then 9 /ill die. 3Hook, yo- !ond/o(en, once the day rose for (e /hen 9 had fifty4t/o portals and fifty4three door/ays, t/elve districts8 r-le and a ho(e co-rt of 1-d"(ent. And today look at (e L 9 have fallen into the co(pany of poverty and yo- si=teen h-ndred slave "irls7yo- /ho /ere !ro-"ht -p on (y scraps 7are raisin" !a(!oo sticks over (e. Mo- have !eco(e -n"ratef-l /retches, yo- /ho are (y !o-"ht "oods.3 3Mo"i, yo-8re no yo"i at all, yo-8re sickL ;e /ill (ake yo- re(e(!er the !lo/ yo- "ave /ith yo-r ton"s. .o/ yo- try to (ake yo-rself into o-r kin". .o/ yo-8re afraid of !ein" !eaten so yo- pretend to !e o-r kin". B-t /e don8t co-nt s-ch a kin". ;e /ill (ake yo-r skin fly off /ith o-r !a(!oo sticks and /e /ill r-! yo-r /o-nds /ith salt.3

,ean/hile, son of a ...L :hey had s-rro-nded Gopi Chand, and so(e prodded hi(, and so(e "ra!!ed his (atted locks, and so(e ?%2B G!vio-sly Pata( +e 0ani is a little overe=cited and conf-sed here. 2er kin"do( is already in !i" tro-!le, her linea"e already 3s-nk3 /ith no (ale heir and the kin" a reno-ncer. 2er state(ent reflects the c-lt-rally prevalent fear of an"ry yo"is. ?%#B :hese colors are favored !y 0a1asthani /o(en for o-ter /raps. < 2$& < !e"an to toss his cl-! and "o-rd and all his !a" and !a""a"e here and there. Gopi Chand tho-"ht, >on of a ...L :hese sl-ts /on8t accept (e. Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. And he !eso-"ht his "-r-. 3G G-r>overei"n, 9 !eseech yo-, co(e F-ickly Ba!a .athL G)alindar Ba!a, these sl-ts /ho /ere no-rished on (y scraps are "oin" to spoil (y honor.3 2e (ediated on the "-r- /ith !ody and (ind, and he !eso-"ht the "-r- /ith !ody and (ind. 3)alindar Ba!a, G-r- >overei"n, co(e F-ickly.3 2e /as s-ch a tr-thf-l (anly disciple, and )alindar /as s-ch a tr-th4speakin" "-r-, that i((ediately -pon Gopi Chand8s !eseechin" hi(, he /as standin" there. ?As an aside, ,adh- adds: :he "-r-s of today have !eco(e s-ch that even if their disciples cry o-t in a"ony, still they don8t "lance in their direction.B :he "-r- ca(e at once, and as soon as he ca(e he said, 3;ell, Gopi ChandE3 3G-r- >overei"n, these sl-ts, raised on (y scraps, have spoiled (y honor.3 3G son, Gopi Chand, they /ill not accept yo- as yo- are. >o take a sF-are of cloth and "et it /etD in yo-r "o-rd is /ater7/et a sF-are of cloth /ith it, and re(ove all the offerin"4ash fro( yo-r !ody. 0eveal the face of yo-r r-lin" ti(es, son, and ri"ht a/ay all of those sl-ts /ill fall at yo-r feet.3 >o, Gopi Chand took /ater fro( his "o-rd and /et a sF-are of cloth and !e"an to /ipe off the offerin"4ash /ith the /et cloth. As soon as he had /iped off the offerin"4ash7on his foot a lot-s sparkled, and on his left ar( a 1e/el "lea(ed, and on his head /as the (oon, so that it see(ed as if the s-n had risen in the portal. As soon as the s-n rose, as soon as they sa/ the face of his r-lin" ti(es, all of the sl-ts i((ediately thre/ do/n their !a(!oo sticks and fell at his feet. :hey said to Gopi Chand, 32ey, Grain4"iver, Jin", Ba!a, /e are yo-r p-rchased "oods, and /e have !eco(e -n"ratef-l /retches. ;e ca(e holdin" !a(!oo sticks a!ove yo-, Grain4"iver, and /e are sl-ts reared on yo-r scraps.3 All si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ent fallin" and rollin" and /eepin" into the Color Palace. :hen N-een Pata( +e spoke: 3G slave < 2$@ < "irls, first 9 sent one and she ca(e !ack /eepin", and 1-st no/ 9 sent si=teen h-ndred and they all have co(e !ack cryin". 3G "irls, G !ond/o(en, 9 sent yo- la-"hin". ;hy have yo- co(e /eepin" like thisE ;hat kind of a yo"i is it, a !lack (a"icianE a death4spell /ielderE +id he feed yo- roasted hashish, that yo- have co(e stoned7all si=teen h-ndred slave "irls cryin", h-hE 9s it so(e kind of a yo"i (a"ician /ho fed

yo- po/dered "reen hashish and yo- have co(e /eepin", stoned on hashishE3 5GC 2.@.e6 >o 2ira +e +asi said to N-een Pata( +e, 3,istress, yo- (ay scold (e or !eat (e or take a/ay (y life. B-t yo-r fate is shattered. Mo-r h-s!and has co(e as a yo"i. Gopi Chand is standin" here as a yo"i. ,eetin" is "ood and partin" is !ad and the noose of %aya 8s net is al/ays very !ad. ,istress, it8s a carnival of partin". Mo-r h-s!and has co(e to yo-r door, and if yo- /ant to take his darsan then "o to the !alcony. 9f yo- don8t, then it8s a yo"i8s !ane.?%AB 9f he "ets -p and "oes, yo-8ll never even have seen his face. 3,istress, !reak and scatter these pearls in yo-r hairD !reak and scatter these ivory !an"les, tooD !reak and scatter the si=teen kinds of orna(ents yo- are /earin", for no/ yo- (-st p-t on a lon" !lo-se. Gopi Chand has co(e as a yo"i. Gn his foot a lot-s sparkles, and on his left ar( a 1e/el "lea(s, and on his forehead is the (oon so !ri"ht that it8s as if the s-n had 1-st risen in the (idst of the portal. Go onto the !alcony and take yo-r h-s!and8s darsan . 9f yo- like, !eat (e /ith the /hip, and then "o and look /ith yo-r eyes. 39f the yo"i "ets -p and "oes e(pty4handed, he (i"ht "ive a yo"i8s c-rse. 9f he "oes e(pty4handed, then the desire to see his face /ill stay /ith yo- the rest of yo-r days.3 Pata( +e 0ani tho-"ht, Het8s see, let8s see fro( the !alcony. >he p-t /ooden sandals on her feet and took a little stick in her hand.?%%B And she /ent onto the !alcony and looked into the portal. Gn his foot a lot-s sparkled, and on his left ar( a 1e/el "lea(ed, and on his ?%AB !ogi &i phat&ar0 this can (ean the infl-ence of yo"a !-t here see(s analo"o-s to /orry a!o-t any ordinary yo"i, leavin" e(pty4handed and sendin" !ack an"ry e(anations. ?%%B ;hy does the F-een /ear /ooden sandals and carry a little stickE Hater ,anavati ,other co(es in this fashion, (ore appropriate for a fe(ale yo"i than a F-een. Perhaps ,adh- descri!es Pata( +e as shortly he /ill descri!e ,anavati. < 2$9 < forehead the (oon /as as !ri"ht as if the s-n had 1-st risen in the portal. Gh (yL >he /ent and sa/ his face, Gopi Chand8s face, and Pata( +e 0ani /as satisfied. Gh (y, look, ho/ !ea-tif-lL ;hat a kin" he isL B-t he has co(e -nder the spell of yo"is.?%CB 32ey, Jin", so 9 see( !itter to yo-. And these Color Palaces and everythin" see( !itter to yo- and yo(et so(e yo"i /ho see(ed "ood. >o yo- s(eared yo-rself /ith offerin"4ash, and p-t "reat !i" rin"s in yo-r ears. >o 9 see( !itter to yo-, !-t that yo"i see(s "ood.3 As she /as sayin" this, Gopi Chand /as lookin" -p at the !alcony, and Gopi Chand cried 3Ala&h* 3 and so-nded his deer4horn instr-(ent. 2e so-nded it, and he held o-t his !e""in" !o/l in his hand: 32ey Pata( ,other, drop in al(s, (y (other. :his is (y "-r-8s strict order: Give (e al(s.3 Gh (yL As soon as he had said this, Pata( +e 0ani !eat her head a"ainst the /all, and said, 3,y o/n h-s!and has called (e 8,other.8 Better to die than to live.3 >he !eat her head a"ainst the /all and 1-(ped off the !alcony, and she fell into the portal. As soon as she fell the F-een lost conscio-sness. :hen the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls picked her -p and !e"an to (assa"e her. :hey took her into the palace and /rapped her in a !edroll and (assa"ed her. >he had fainted. :he eleven h-ndred F-eens /ere /eepin" and the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere /eepin", and the co(!ined resonance echoed thro-"h the palaces.

,anavati ,ata lived in a different palace. 3;hy are the F-eens and slave "irls /eepin"E ;hat has happenedE3 ,anavati ,other p-t on her sandals and picked -p her little stick and h-rried to Pata( +e8s palace. As soon as she ca(e, she asked, 3G "irls, /hy oh /hy are yo- /eepin" todayE ;hat has happened to (ake all the F-eens and slave "irls /eepE Are yo- in so(e kind of painE3 :hen the slave "irls spoke, 32ey ,other4in4la/, o-r Grain4"iver is in the portal. Mo-r son has co(e as a yo"i. 9t8s Gopi Chand: on his foot a lot-s sparkles and on his left ar( a 1e/el "lea(s and on his forehead is the (oon so !ri"ht it see(s as if the s-n had 1-st risen in the portal. Pata( +e 0ani /ent to take his darsan and fell fro( a!ove into the portal. >he fell fro( the !alcony and /e have taken her into ?%CB !ogyan &i phat&ar %a agyo0 phat&ar here is less yo"is8 evil e(anation than their infl-ence. :h-s Pata( +e e=plains to herself her h-s!and8s desertion. < 21$ < the palace to (assa"e her. Grain4"iver, Gopi Chand has co(e as a yo"i.3 3;hy are yo- stirrin" -p (ischiefE ,any yo"is co(e into the portal. ;hat /o-ld Gopi Chand co(e here to takeE Gopi Chand /ill not co(e here.3 3,istress, accept it if yo- like, or don8t accept it. ,other4in4la/, "o o-t on the !alcony and see for yo-rself.3 5GC 2.9.e6 ,anavati ,ata /ent onto the !alcony.?%&B ,other no/ sa/ Gopi Chand in the portal, and !o/ed her head to hi(. >he !o/ed her head to Gopi Chand, and spoke to Gopi Chand: 3,y son tell (e /hat ne/s is in yo-r heartE >on, /hy did the "-r- send yo- hereE ;hy did yo- co(e to these castlesE3 3'or nine (onths, (other, yo- kept (e in yo-r /o(!, ,anavati ,other, da-"hter and sister of kin"s. 9t sha(es (y saintly "-r- that (y !irth4"iver !o/s her head to (e. 3,oreover, (y !irth4"iver, it sha(es yo-r (ilk if yo- prostrate yo-rself to (e.3 ;hen Gopi Chand had said that (-ch, no/ /hat did ,other sayE 3,y Gopi Chand, Jin", (y darlin" !oy, 9 didn8t !o/ to yo-, (y son, 9 !o/ed to the "-r-8s ro!es.

?%&B :his s-n" part is also oversize. As a!ove, 9 "ive the sin"in" for /hich there is no arthav . < 211 < 3>on, it8s no sha(e to yo-r saintly "-r-, nor does it sha(e yo-r (other8s (ilk. ,y son, tell (e yo-r heart8s ne/s: ;hy did the "-r- send yo-E3 3,y (other, the "-r- sent (e for this: 8>on, "o to yo-r N-een Pata( +e8s palace, and cry 3Ala&h* 3 in the palace. Gopi Chand, "o and call Pata( +e 3,other,3 Gopi Chand, !rin" !ack al(s. 38:hen yo-r yo"a /ill !e f-lfilled.8 :h-s the "-r- sent (e. ,other, if 9 "et al(s fro( Pata( +e, :hen (y yo"a /ill !e f-lfilled.3 ;hen Gopi Chand had said this (-ch, then his (other said, 3Gopi Chand, 98ll have al(s "iven yo-, !-t yo- (-st !race yo-rself. 39ll-sion8s net /ill fiercely spread, so yo- (-st fiercely !race yo-rself. ;hen she "ives yo- al(s, (y son, yo-r yo"a /ill !e f-lfilled.3?%@B >o, as soon as she had said this (-ch, ,anavati ,other /ent !ack into the palaces. As she /as "oin" she re!-ked the F-eens and slave "irls. 3G yo- sl-ts, /hy are yo- cryin" for no reasonE ,any yo"is co(e this /ay into the portals, callin" 3Ala&h* 83 B-t the slave "irls said, 3,istress, /e didn8t !elieve /hat /e heard, !-t /e ca(e and sa/ for o-rselves.3 ?%@B :he follo/in" para"raphs are not s-n" !-t spoken: ,adh- keeps str-((in" the sarangi as he talks and at the end res-(es his sin"in". Beca-se the passa"e advances rather than recapit-lates the tale, it is not arthav . :his is one of only t/o occasions /hen ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ance style th-s !riefly shifted. < 212 < 3>h-t -p yo-r -seless /ailin", sl-tsL3 :hen she /ent over to Pata( +e, lifted off the !eddin", "ra!!ed her hand, and sat her -p. ,anavati ,ata no/ lifted the !eddin"

fro( Pata( +e 0ani. 3Pata( +e, "ive al(s, (y son,?%9B (any yo"is co(e. 3>on, /hy are yo- choosin" (iseryE Pata( son, (any yo"is co(e into the portals.3 3G ,other4in4la/, 9 didn8t !elieve /hat 9 heard fro( others, ,other4in4la/, 9 didn8t !elieve /hat the "irls said. B-t ,other4in4la/, 9 sa/ fro( the !alcony today: yo-r son has co(e as a yo"i. 3,other4in4la/, (y h-s!and called (e 8,other.8 Better to die than to live.3 ;hen Pata( +e had said this (-ch, /hat did ,other sayE 3A yo"i8s !reathed -pon hi(,?C$B >on, !-t yo-r h-s!and is h-n"ry and thirsty. 3>on, yo-r h-s!and has co(e to yo-r ho-se, yo- (-st feed hi( a "ood (eal. ,y son, (ake a (eal for hi(, Pata( son, :hen !rin" hi( into the palace.3 ?%9B 9n affectionate affectation, a 0a1asthani (other4in4la/ or (other (ay call a da-"hter4in4la/ or da-"hter 3son.3 ,anavati ,ata -ses this device no/ /hen the "reatest stren"th is reF-ired of her da-"hter4in4la/. ?C$B !ogi &i lagari ye u&ai ab phu&0 this phrase (eans that Gopi Chand is -nder a "-r-8s control, has received a (antra at initiation. ,eanin" 2 in the SK for phu& is %antra parte hue %uh se (hhori !ane vale vayu: 3the !reath that leaves the (o-th /hen recitin" (antras.3 < 21# < 3,other4in4la/, 9 /ill feed hi( a "ood (eal, 9 /ill feed hi( a "ood (eal. ,other4in4la/, if he doesn8t speak the so-nd 8,other,8 then 9 /ill feed hi( a "ood (eal.3 3Pata(, son, a yo"i8s !reathed -pon Gopi Chand. 'eed yo-r h-s!and a "ood (eal, son, he has co(e to yo-r door in h-n"er and thirst. 3Gr else, son, the yo"i /ill "et -p and F-it the portal today. As he ca(e, h-n"ry, he8ll leave. Mo-r h-s!and has

"iven yo- darsan , no/ yo- "ive hi( a "ood (ealL3 5GC 2.1$.s6 >o the eleven h-ndred F-eens and the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls prepared a feast, and ,anavati ,ata took the fresh /ar( food, nine kinds of festive food, and placed it on a platter. >he placed a "olden /ater 1-" on the platter. :hen she took it to the portal. :he eleven h-ndred F-eens and the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ent /eepin". And there /as Gopi Chand, /ho i((ediately called 3Ala&h* 3 and so-nded his deer4horn instr-(ent. 3Pata( ,other "ive (e al(s, (y (other, it is the "-r-8s strict order.3 B-t as soon as he said 3,other,3 she a!o-t4faced and /ent !ack. 39f he is "oin" to call (e 8,other8 then 9 /on8t "ive it, 9 /on8t "ive hi( al(s. 9 t /o-ld !e !etter to die than to live. ;hy has (y h-s!and called (e 8,other8E3 >o Gopi Chand /on8t take al(s /itho-t sayin" 3,other.3 And Pata( ,other /on8t "ive al(s. ;hen Pata( +e ca(e !ack, ,anavati ,ata said, 3>on, he is -nder the spell of yo"is. Give hi( al(s, and then after/ards /e8ll !rin" hi( into the palaces. And /e8ll "ive hi( a !ath and /e8ll dress hi( in clothes. 2e8s !eco(e a yo"i, !-t no/ /e8ll keep hi( here.?C1B >on, "ive hi( al(s.3 3,other4in4la/, he is callin" (e 8,other,8 so 9 /on8t "ive hi( al(s.3 ?C1B Clearly this speech is intended to deceive Pata( +e. < 21A < 32e has co(e -nder the spell of yo"is, son, and yo- (-st "ive the(.3 P-shin" her, she !ro-"ht her near to Gopi Chand. 3Pata( ,other "ive (e al(s, (y (other. 9t is the "-r-8s strict order.3 :he F-een !acked -p a"ain, !-t ,anavati ,other "ra!!ed her /rist and p-lled her and forced her to e(pty the platter. As soon as she had spilled the food into his c-p, he took the al(s, and as soon as he had taken the(, the eleven h-ndred F-eens s-rro-nded hi( and the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls s-rro-nded hi(, and took hi( in their (idst. Pata( +e said, 3Grain4"iver, 9 taste !itter to yo-, !-t yo- think that yo"i8s 1-st s/ell. 2e shoved a loincloth -p yo-r ass and p-t these earrin"s on yo-. 2e pierced yo-r ears and p-t these "reat !i" earrin"s?C2B in the(, and he "ave yo- these lon", spreadin", (atted locks of hair. Mo- -sed to /ear a fine coat and shirt, !-t no/ in their place yo-8ve s(eared ashes. Grain4"iver, these palaces taste !itter to yo- !eca-se the "-r- (ade yo- think the 1-n"le8s s/ell.3 :hey took hi( in their (idst, and then they !ro-"ht the little princess, 1-st so !i"7Ph-la( +e, Gopi Chand and Pata( +e 0ani8s da-"hter7and they fl-n" her on to hi(. As soon as they fl-n" her, she reco"nized her father, !eca-se he -sed to play /ith her, and so she cl-n" to his neck. >he cl-n" to his neck, holdin" on /ith intert/ined fin"ers. :he "irl /as /eepin" and near!y the F-eens and slave "irls /ere /eepin" too. And Gopi Chand too /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. Gopi Chand /as (isera!le. 32ey G-r- >overei"n, if yo- /ant to take care of (e, then do it, or else, G-r- >overei"n, 9 /ill "o !ack and take care of (y kin"do(. Mes, 9 /ill take care of (y kin"do(, !eca-se over here the net of ill-sion is spreadin" fiercely.

3And the F-eens and slave "irls are /eepin". 2ey, G-r- >overei"n, as 9 !eseech yo-, co(e F-ickly, Ba!a .ath. 9f yo- /ant to take care of (e then do it, or else 9 /ill "o !ack to takin" care of (y kin"do(. ?C2B %ura&a0 a special ter( for a (an8s car orna(ent !-t not one of the several special ter(s for yo"is8 earrin"s defined in the SK si(ply as a 3s(all earrin"3 /orn !y (en. Pata( +e says 3"reat !i" %ura&as 3 either !eca-se she disdains yo"is8 earrin"s and /ill not accept Gopi Chand8s havin" the( 5(y theory6 or !eca-se she is i"norant of the correct ter(inolo"y 5Bho1-8s opinion6. < 21% < And as for these earrin"s4and4st-ff,?C#B 98ll "et rid of the(. 3Mes, 98ll take care of (y kin"do(. Jeep takin" care of (e, do.3?CAB >o he !eso-"ht his "-r- /ith !ody and (ind. And as soon as he !eso-"ht hi(, then the G-r>overei"n, /ho had "one to the Ja1ali ;oods, picked -p his t-rn4to4ash tin and h-rried to see /hat /as happenin". :he eleven h-ndred F-eens had s-rro-nded Gopi Chand and the si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere there too, and little princess Ph-la( +e /as han"in" on his neck. And she /as /eepin", and the F-eens and slave "irls /ere /eepin", and fro( their (in"led cries a sin"le resonance arose. ,anavata ,ata for!ade the(, !-t they /o-ldn8t accept it. :he G-r- >overei"n sa/ that /hirlpool?C%B and said, 3Uh ohL 9ll-sion8s net is spreadin" very fiercely aro-nd here.3 >o the G-r- >overei"n took his t-rn4to4ash tin and circled it over Gopi Chand and !-rned hi( into a pile of ash. Gver here he t-rned Gopi Chand into ashesD at the sa(e ti(e he p-shed hi( over there into his (other8s palace. B-t ri"ht in front of the F-eens8 and slave "irls8 faces he t-rned hi( to a pile of ashes. ,anavati ,other looked to/ard her palace and sa/ Gopi Chand ascendin" into it. As soon as she sa/ hi( "oin" in,?CCB she said, 3;eep, sl-tsL Mo-8ve killed (y son, no/ take a rest. ,ay yo- all !-rn -pL 2o/ (any ti(es did 9 e=plain to yo-, 8+on8t cry, sl-ts, don8t cry, don8t s-rro-nd hi(L8 B-t yo-8ve killed (y son, so take a rest, sl-tsL .o/ yo- can rest in co(fort. Mo- "ra!!ed hi( and s-rro-nded hi(, /eepin". .o/ yo-8ve really killed hi(, he8s dead.3 Gopi Chand /as seated in his (other8s castle. ;hen his (other "ot there, she lit the stove and prepared food. >he prepared food and "ave Gopi Chand a "ood (eal. 5GC 2.1$.e6 ;hat did ,anavati ,other say to Gopi ChandE?C&B ?C#B %ura&yan vura&an0 here Gopi Chand see(s to follo/ Pata( +e8s lead in speakin" disrespectf-lly of the sacred earrin"s. ?CAB :he consec-tive !-t contradictory state(ents are typical of Gopi Chand8s perpet-al -ncertainty a!o-t his ren-nciation. ?C%B (ha&&ar0 also dizziness, circle, conf-sion. ?CCB ,anavati therefore kno/s Gopi Chand is all ri"htD she (akes the follo/in" speech to deceive his /o(en. ?C&B :his is the final se"(ent of GC 2D no arthav follo/s.

< 21C < 3'east on this (eal, (y darlin" !oy, and take the "-r- his special portion. +on8t "o for/ard (y son, don8t "o !ack/ards.?C@B Mes, (y darlin" !oy, don8t "o to the land of Ben"al, yo-r (other for!ids it. ,y son, don8t "o to the land of Ben"al, yo-r (other for!ids it.3 3,other, 98ve looked ahead, (y !irth4"iver, and 9 have looked !ehind, ,anavati ,ata, kin"8s sister and da-"hter. B-t 98ve never seen the land of Ben"al. Birth4"iver, /ho lives over thereE 30eveal their (ystery to (e, (y (other, and 9 /ill do yo-r !iddin".3 3,y son, on one !ranch /ere t/o fr-its, Jin" Gopi Chand, Jin"8s son and !rother.?C9B ,y darlin" !oy, yo-n"er than yo- is yo-r sister: .o/ she /ill die in tears. 3,y darlin" !oy she8ll eat opi-(4poison and die: 8,y !rother has co(e as a yo"i.83 3,y (other, eleven h-ndred F-eens, (y !irth4"iver, si=teen h-ndred slave "irls Met, !irth4"iver, none of these ate poison and died. >o /hy /ill (y sister dieE 0eveal this (ystery to (e, (y (other, and 9 /ill do yo-r !iddin".3 ?C@B :he sense is pro!a!ly so(ethin" like, 3+on8t leave the strai"ht and narro/ pathD don8t vacillate.3 ?C9B Gf co-rse, Gopi Chand has no !rotherD the phrase 3kin"8s son and !rother3 is a convention. < 21& < 3,y darlin" !oy, those eleven h-ndred F-eens, Gopi Chand, those si=teen h-ndred slave "irls /ere !orn of others, Jin" Gopi Chand, Jin"8s !rother and son. B-t, (y darlin" !oy, yo- and yo-r sister had the sa(e !irth4"iver, (y darlin" !oy, she /ill die in tears.

3,y son she /ill eat opi-(4poison and die: 8,y !rother has co(e as a yo"i.83 3'or nine (onths, (y (other, yo- kept (e in yo-r /o(!, ,anavati ,ata, Jin"8s sister and da-"hter. Mes, (y !irth4"iver, yo- slept in the /et, and yo- laid (e to sleep in the dry.?&$B 3B-t (other, yo- didn8t eat poison, yo- didn8t die, so ;hy sho-ld (y sister dieE 0eveal this (ystery to (e, (y (other, and 9 /ill do yo-r !iddin".3 3,y son for t/elve years 9 served the "-r-, Gopi Chand Jin". ,y darlin" !oy, 9 served >hankar, Bhola .ath, and !ro-"ht yo- as a loan. ,y son, !e a yo"i, (y dear, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 3,y (other, (eetin" is "ood, (y !irth4"iver, partin" is !ad, ?&$B :hat is, she slept /ith hi( /hen he /as a /ettin" infant, and /hen he soaked the sheets she traded places /ith hi(. < 21@ < 9t8s a carnival of partin", (y !irth4"iver, so 9 /ill s-rely (eet /ith (y sister, Cha(pa +e.3 3,y son, if yo- "o to Ben"al today don8t sho/ the( yo-r kin"8s face. ,y darlin" !oy, or Cha(pa +e is dead, yo-r sister. Gopi Chand, don8t sho/ yo-r face. >on, no/ take a special portion for the "-r-, and "o and (ake prostrations to hi(, fro( (e as /ell. Go, son, and reach his ca(pfire.3 ;hen ,anavati had said this (-ch, Gopi Chand crossed one /oods,

the yo"i crossed a second /oods, then he ca(e to the third /oods. 9n the Ja1ali ;oods /as the "-r-, he !o/ed his head to the "-r-. ?Madhu Nath)s signature B?&1B :he villa"e, oh the city, is Ghatiyali, ,adh- .ath san" Gopi Chand. .o/ praise 0a(, all !rothers, and recite >hankar8s na(e. >peak victory to Hord >hankarL Kictory to Jin" Gopi ChandL 5GC 2.11.s6 ?&1B :his is the only closin" /here ,adh- act-ally san" a for(al (hhap or si"nat-re. < 219 <

Part * Go.i Chand1s 2ourney to 4engal

Introduction
,adh- .ath8s acco-nt of Gopi Chand8s 1o-rney to Ben"al is t/ice as lon" as any other se"(ent of the tale.?1B ,oreover, the act-al enco-nter /ith his sister, Cha(pa +e, acco-nts for a (in-te portion of this !-lk. *la!orated, rather, are the several /ays in /hich Gopi Chand is tor(ented !y fe(ale Ben"ali (a"icians, and ho/ his "-r- sends one resc-e party that fails and then acco(panies another that s-cceeds in resc-in" hi( and s-!d-in" the re!ellio-s /o(en. Co(edy and advent-re as (-ch as pathos set the (ood here. 9nitially, the contest !et/een innocent Gopi Chand and his acco(plished ene(ies is thoro-"hly one4 sided. 'or the villa"e a-dience, Gopi Chand8s travails as an o= prodded in the rear end !y a (a"ician8s slave "irls, or as a donkey loaded /ith dirty skirts and (o-nted !y a la-ndress, are e=-!erant f-n. :he (a"icians the(selves are "leef-lly !ad characters, co(pletely d-plicito-s not only to/ard Gopi Chand !-t to/ard one another. :heir (a"ic, 1-st like that of the yo"is, is s-!s-(ed in ordinary life. :h-s they -se their (a"ically acF-ired slave to aid in their tedio-s lo/4caste la!ors. ;hen reF-ired to e=plain the ori"ins of their ne/ /ork !east, Gan"ali :elin and Jap-ri +ho!in in s-ccession respond !y fa!ricatin" stories of a ne/!orn nephe/ and the ret-rn "ift that a !rother (akes to his sister for her participation in protective rit-als for his ?1B :he ori"inal title for this part /as 3Gopi Chand Goes to +hak Ben"al to Get Al(s fro( 2is >ister, Cha(pa +e.3 9t is the only one of ,adh- .ath8s titles that 9 (odify. < 22$ < child. 9n r-ral 0a1asthan s-ch rit-als are indeed appropriate occasions to (ake val-a!le "ifts to sisters.

:he lady (a"icians, /ild and dan"ero-s as they are, are not so different fro( ordinary /o(en7a (essa"e that has a do-!le ed"e: don8t dis(iss fe(ale po/erD or, /atch o-t for fe(ale treachery. :he conflicts !et/een Gopi Chand8s fello/ disciples and the Ben"ali /o(en pl-s their disciples event-ally escalate into a "lo!al !attle of the se=es. :hese escalatin" conflicts offer a hyper!olic catastrophic vision of /hat /o-ld happen if a fe/ independent /o(en /ere allo/ed to infl-ence the rest. ;hen the /o(en are finally defeated there follo/s an anticli(actic and -ns-spensef-l !attle !et/een (ale ho-seholders and reno-ncers. 9f the lady (a"icians /ere al(ost a (atch for )alindar .ath and his yo"is, the (en of Ben"al are p-shovers. Hike the villa"e a-dience, 9 too reveled in the te(porary !-t "lorio-s victories of the Ben"ali lady (a"icians /hen 9 first heard this part perfor(ed. :he 0a1asthani /o(en 9 kne/ /ere hi"h4spirited and o-tspoken !-t in (y vie/ a !it too dedicated to their ho-sehold chores. After (ore than a year of livin" in their co(pany, 9 /as co(pletely enchanted !y the sp-nk and playf-lness of ,adh-8s 3Ben"ali /o(en,3 ready to drop their !a!ies and rollin" pins and play "a(es /ith yo"is at a (o(ent8s notice. :hese /ere thrillin" visions. 9n the end, ho/ever, the /o(en are defeated and p-nished. After at last transfor(in" the Ben"ali /o(en into donkeys, the "-r- tells his disciples, 3:ake yo-r reven"e,3 and they !eat the she4asses -ntil 3(arked ... /ith all sorts of lines and stripes3 they 3dropped piles of shit all over.3 :his scene is descri!ed /ith "-sto, if no (ore than /as the (a"icians8 previo-s victory over the yo"is. B-t 9 had filtered it o-t of (y conscio-s (e(ory, -ntil 9 did the /ord4for4/ord translation. :hen it (ade (e -nhappy. ;hen 9 listened to the tapes and heard !oth ,adh- and his a-dience ch-cklin" happily d-rin" this (o(ent of reven"e, 9 /as tro-!led. Gopi Chand part # raises iss-es of an"er, violence, and (iso"yny, even as the yo"is raise their red4hot ton"s to !eat vario-s adversaries. Beyond the collective violence a"ainst the she4asses, there are also individ-al !lo/s7the first str-ck !y Charpat .ath -pon the (ale "ardener8s !ack, the second !y the (eek and (ild Gopi Chand -pon his sister8s slave "irl. < 221 < ;hat is the point of these (o(ents of violenceE 9n part, 9 fear, they are f-nny. B-t /hyE Kiolence is a lo/ for( of actionD /ise yo"is /ith restrained passions are not s-pposed to "et (ad. 9t is therefore co(ical /hen )alindar ro-ses his disciples !y declarin", 39f yo- can8t /in /ith (a"ic and spells, then -se yo-r ton"s, "ive those sl-ts yo-r ton"s, !eat the(.3 B-t it is also shockin". :he lady (a"icians, re"ardin" the /elts on the "ardener8s !ack, s-( it -p: 3;hat kind of pitiless yo"i is thatE ... 9f they8ve "iven s-ch a !rand, these yo"is don8t -nderstand pity. :hey don8t even kno/ the /ord for pity.3 Pata( +e in part 2 and Cha(pa +e later in part # (ake si(ilar co((ents -pon re"ardin" the da(a"e done !y a yo"i8s ton"s. Any involve(ent in the /orld is de"radin" for yo"is, !-t violence is a partic-larly lo/ for( of involve(ent. )-st as there is a stock phrase for /eepin"73Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes3Iso there is for an"er: 3S /as (-tterin", dizzy, all in a fl-rry, till he ?or sheB !-rst o-t in ra"e and f-ry.3 :he stylization of over/hel(in" e(otion (ay !e a trick to deny its disr-ptive, internal, individ-alistic di(ension. Gnce a"ain, the tale has it !oth /ays. :hese yo"is are not -ncontrolla!ly an"ryD they are actin" a part. >o the a-dience can la-"h at a !r-tal yo"i, feel dis"-sted /ith hi(, !-t at the sa(e ti(e reserve 1-d"(ent. 9ss-es of kin"ship s-rface once (ore in Gopi Chand part #. )-st as in Bharthari 9, the dreaded specter of a kin"do( /itho-t s-!1ects is raised. 9n Bharthari the kin" (-st "ive -p his da-"hter to set (atters

ri"ht /ith yo"ic po/ers. 2ere it reF-ires rather (ore co(ple= ne"otiations, and these are (ana"ed !y a /o(an. Gopi Chand8s sister, Cha(pa +e, tells her h-s!and the kin" 1-st ho/ to a!ase hi(self s-fficiently !efore the yo"is, of /ho( he is frankly terrified. :he res-lt is to (ake the kin"do( safe for !e""in" yo"is, as it s-rely /as not /hile the /ishes of the lady (a"icians held s/ay. Gopi Chand8s sister stands o-t even a(on" the o-tstandin" /o(en of the epic. >he de(onstrates a sa"acio-s diplo(acy in instr-ctin" her h-s!and in his dealin"s /ith )alindar. 2er inti(acy /ith Gopi Chand is clearly -niF-e. .ot only is she the only /o(an /ho dies for hi( !-t, once revived !y )alindar8s eli=ir, she is the only one /ho /ill event-ally follo/ hi(, herself dressin" as a fe(ale reno-ncer and /anderin" the forest in search of her yo"i !rother. >he th-s confir(s ,anavati8s prono-nce(ent that a sister, a fr-it fro( the sa(e < 222 < !ranch, is the one /ho /ill display the "reatest devotion. Met even /ith Cha(pa +e the yo"i8s s-stained a(!ivalence to/ard /o(en is voiced. >he is (o(entarily v-lnera!le /hen, in a split second of concern for her ho(e, she lets Gopi Chand slip a/ay. ,adh- does not (iss this chance to casti"ate her as 31-st like a /o(an37/ith all the phrase8s attendant i(plications of fickleness and (aterial4 (indedness. Gopi Chand8s e(otional persona really dies /hen Cha(pa +e, his t/in, dies in his ar(s. 2is partin" fro( her is virt-ally the end of his story 5Gold 19@96. 2e /ill reappear, !-t not in a speakin" role, only at the very end of part A /here he passively partakes of the i((ortality that Gorakh .ath tricks )alindar into "ivin" hi(.

Te6t
Gopi Chand ca(e fro( ,anavati8s palace /ith al(s. ?2B 2e had called Pata( +e 0ani 8,other8 and !ro-"ht al(s fro( her hand. 2e had !e""ed for the "-r-8s special portion. Gopi Chand ca(e to the "-r-, prostrated hi(self, and "reeted hi( respectf-lly. 2e said, 3G-r- >overei"n, 9 have called (y N-een Pata( +e 8,other,8 and 9 have !ro-"ht al(s fro( her, and 9 have !ro-"ht al(s fro( (y (other8s palace, too. 9 have !ro-"ht yo- a special portion fro( (y (other8s palace. G-r- >overei"n, it8s eno-"h, (y ai( has !een f-lfilled.3 3Good, son. .o/, Gopi Chand, praise God, son, and do tapas !y the ca(pfire.3 3B-t G-r- >overei"n, 9 still have one (ore desire. Grain4"iver, (y sister is in +haka, in Ben"al, (y sister, Cha(pa +e. ,y heart is set on (eetin" her.?#B >o 9 /ill "o and (eet (y sister, G-r- >overei"n, and then co(e !ack.3 :hen )alindar Ba!a said, 3Gopi Chand, son, /hy are yo- tan"lin" in ill-sion8s netE Mo- o-"ht to praise God and recite his na(e. Mo- are (issin" the chance to pray. >ister4f-cker, /hy are yo- tan"led -p in ill-sion8s netE 2o/ can yo- possi!ly /ander in sorro/ to yo-r sister8s placeE3 ?2B ,adh- str-(s the t-ne on his sarangi !-t talks rather than sin"sD note that no s-n" se"(ent !e"ins this part. ?#B Hiterally, 3the desire to (eet /ith her is affectin" (y (ind very po/erf-lly.3 9ndian psycholo"y does not consider the 3(ind3 5%an 6 a "ood "-ide for the reli"io-sly inclinedD rather it is often a /illf-l opponent.

< 22# < 3.o, G-r- >overei"n, (y conscio-sness?AB /on8t ad1-st to prayer -ntil 9 have (et /ith (y sister.3 :hen the G-r- >overei"n said, 3Hook, son, Gopi Chand, yo-r sister, Cha(pa +e, lives in +haka. Gver there, they /on8t allo/ yo- to (eet yo-r sister.3 3;ho /on8t allo/ (e to (eet her, Ba!aE3 3Gver there is a land of (a"icians ... seven lady (a"icians.3 3;hoE3 3Behri Mo"in and Gan"ali :elin and Jap-ri +ho!in, >etali Jha(ari and H-na Cha(ari and Ba1ori Jan1ari and Cha(ani Jalali.?%B :here are seven sisters. 3:here are that (any lady (a"icians, so, son, they /ill never allo/ yo- to (eet /ith yo-r sister.3 :hen Gopi Chand spoke, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, 9 have in yo- s-ch an all4po/erf-l "-r-7so sho-ld 9 !e afraid of (a"ic spellsE3 :hen the G-r- >overei"n said, 3GJ, Gopi Chand, so "o and visit yo-r sister. Co(e on the road and "o on the road, and call all /o(en 8,other8 or 8>ister.8 3 :hat /as the G-r- >overei"n8s order. 2e "ave it, and Gopi Chand !o/ed his head to the G-r- >overei"n and left. 5GC #. 1.e6 Gopi Chand, a!ide in prayer, (y son, Praise the tr-e ,aster, Gopi Chand, kin" and kin"8s son. Mes, darlin" !oy, fro( prayers and praises, (y darlin" !oy, yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal. Gopi Chand took his sack, his sack, the yo"i picked -p his iron ton"s. Gopi Chand p-t on his sandals and so-nded his deer4horn instr-(ent. ?AB (at 52. (it 6D conscio-sness /ith a potential for enli"hten(ent that (ind lacks. ?%B :he caste na(es of these /o(en translate as Mo"in, Gil4presser, ;asher/o(an, Potteress, Heather/orker, B-tcher, and ;ine4seller. >ee Crooke 192C, 1#A, A#&I#@, for references to a 3noted /itch,3 called Hona Cha(arin 5the salt one6, /ho strips naked in order to plant rice seedlin"s. 9 a( inde!ted for this reference to +avid ;hite, /hose research on alche(ical i(a"ery in yo"ic teachin"s convinces hi( that 3she is in so(e /ay a de(onization of the corrosive po/ers of ca-stic s-!stances3 5personal co((-nication 19@&6. #un is the 0a1asthani /ord for salt. < 22A < A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. Mes, the .ath took the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned his face to/ard Ben"al. Gopi Chand crossed one forest, the yo"i crossed a second forest, no/ he ca(e to the third forest.

Mes, in the third forest, Hord, he reached the !orders of Ben"al. ;hen he reached the !orders his sister8s /hite, /hite palaces appeared. ?Madhu %utters so%ething and (hanges %elodies .B :he palaces appeared, and Gopi Chand, the yo"i, re(e(!ered thin"s a!o-t his r-lin" ti(e. Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 32o/ did s-ch a day arise for (e, Gopi Chand, ho/ did it ariseE >even h-ndred tho-sand horses -sed to ride in (y co(pany, -sed to ride in (y co(panyL And 98d sit in a throne on an elephant8s !ack, /hisks /avin" over (e. 3:here once /as a day /hen 98d arrive at (y sister8s /ith s-ch (a"nificence. B-t /ith /hat (a"nificence have 9 co(e to (y sister8s todayE Gn (y fair !ody a loincloth is /rapped, on (y fair neck (atted locks have spread, no/ (y /hole !ody is s(eared /ith ash, Hord, today 9 co(e in poverty.3 < 22% < Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 3:here /as a day /hen 9 hadfifty4t/o portals, 9 had fifty4three doors, 9 had t/elve districts8 r-le, Hord, !-t today 9 co(e in poverty.3 Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes, and he (editated on the "-r-. 3G-r-, (y sister8s palaces are still distant, (y G-r- )alindar,

G-r-, yo-r ca(pfire too, is far a/ay, (y G-r- )alindar. G-r-, in the 1-n"le 9 feel "reat (isery, 2onored G-r-, fro( (y !eseechin" please co(e. G-r-, as 9 !eseech yo-, co(e, Ba!a .ath, sorro/4"iver, Gh please take care of (eL3 5GC #.2.s6 >o Gopi Chand p-t on his sandals, took his ton"s, took his sack, picked -p his deer4horn instr-(ent, called 3Ala&h* 3 and !o/ed his head to the G-r- >overei"n. As soon as he had !o/ed his head ... a seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned his face to/ard Ben"al, in order to visit his sister. 2e crossed one forest and a second forest, and /ithin the third forest he reached the !orders of Ben"al. As soon as he reached the !orders, his sister8s /hite, /hite castles appeared. As soon as he sa/ the /hite, /hite castles ... for Gopi Chand it /as as if a fla(in" /ick /ere set to one h-ndred (a-nds of "-npo/der. 'la(es e=ploded, like that. 3Gh ho, /hat an a(azin" thin" has happenedL :here /as a day /hen 9 -sed to arrive at (y sister8s /ith s-ch (a"nificence. :here /ere seven h-ndred tho-sand horses ridin" in (y co(pany and 9 sat < 22C < in a throne on an elephant8s !ack /ith /hisks /avin" over (e and !ards chor-sin", 82ave (ercy, Grain4"iver, "iver of "rainsL8 And /ith /hat (a"nificence have 9 co(e to (y sister8s todayL3 >o Gopi Chand re(e(!ered his r-lin" ti(es. Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 9n the (idst of the 1-n"le he /as /eepin" and /ailin". ?Gopi Chand la(ents his chan"ed condition and /eeps for the "-r- here 1-st as he did on approachin" his /ives8 palaces. And, 1-st as he did then, )alindar co(es and sp-rs hi( on/ard.B 5GC #.2I#.e6 Gopi Chand contin-ed on his /ay. A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s for(. 2e crossed one forest, he crossed the second forest, in the third forest he ca(e to Ben"al8s /aterside. As soon as he reached the /aterside, he set -p his ca(pfire4andst-ff, and he set -p his (editation seat, and at once he !e"an to (editate, !e"an to t-rn his prayer !eads, lo/ered his eyelids. >o, Gopi Chand had co(e to Ben"al8s /aterside and /as (editatin". 'ro( over there all seven lady (a"icians /ere co(in" to "et /ater. Hady (a"icians. All seven. >even, seven /ere co(in". Ann: Gf different castesE Gf different castes. Gne /as Behri Mo"in, and Gan"ali :elin, and Jap-ri +ho!in, >etali Jha(ari, H-na Cha(ari, Ba1ori Jan1ari. Ann: ;o(enE Mes, /o(en: >etali Jha(ari and Cha(ani Jalali. :he seven lady (a"icians /ere co(in" to the

/aterside to "et /ater, and they /ere talkin". 9n front of all the rest /as Behri Mo"in, for she /as the "-r-4F-een of the( all. A(on" the( /as Gan"ali :elin, /ho looked onto the /aterside and spotted Gopi Chand. :hat yo"i appeared to !e doin" tapas . .o/ Gan"ali :elin spoke: 3>isters, listenL B-rn -p all other(atters and listen to (e.3 3;hat is itE3 3Hook, over on the /aterside, there8s a yo"i doin" tapas . ,any days have "one !y since /e8ve played a contest,?CB !-t today8s o-r l-cky ?CB bad ra(hasya0 literally, create a disp-te. < 22& < day. >o !-rn -p all other (atters and let8s h-rry to the /aterside, for today /e8ll have a contest /ith this yo"i.3 As soon as she said this everyone "ot e=cited and, "oin" to the /aterside, they p-t do/n their do-!le /ater pots. :here /as Gopi Chand, seated in (editation, his eyelids lo/ered, recitin" prayers. >o they s-rro-nded Gopi Chand, all seven of the(. :hen Behri Mo"in said to Gopi Chand, 3Mo"i, /here are yo- fro(E Mo- look like an esta!lished .ath. 0aise yo-r eyelids, Ba!a .ath, 9 have co(e to take yo-r darsan .3 As soon as she said this, Gopi Chand tho-"ht, Brother, so(e devotee has co(e to offer service to (e. 2e /as h-n"ry too, and tho-"ht, >o(eone (-st have !ro-"ht food for (e to cook, and then 9 /ill eat. Gopi Chand raised his eyelids and looked aro-nd, and every/here he looked he sa/ 5o%en . >ilently he co-nted the( and there /ere a f-ll seven. As soon as he had co-nted a f-ll seven, Gopi Chand, /ho /as h-n"ry, stopped feelin" h-n"ry. Uh ohL G-r- >overei"n said so(ethin" a!o-t 3seven lady (a"icians3 and they see( to have co(e ri"ht here to the /aterside. :hey didn8t even let (e into the city. :hey look like lady (a"icians and 9 don8t even kno/ (a"ic, 9 don8t even kno/ spells. And no/, /ho kno/s /hat they /ill doE Gh !rotherL >o ri"ht a/ay he lo/ered his eyelids a"ain. As soon as he had lo/ered his eyelids, Behri Mo"in spoke: 32ey yo"i, /here are yo- fro(E 0aise yo-r eyelids, Ba!a .ath, 9 have co(e to take yo-r darsan . ;hy do yo- sh-t yo-r eyes no/E :alk a little /ith yo-r (o-th. ;ho is yo-r "-r-E ;hat is yo-r villa"e and /hat is yo-r na(eE :ell everythin", or else /e /ill play a contest /ith yo-.3 As soon as she had said this, Gopi Chand spoke: 3G sisters, 9 don8t kno/ contests nor do 9 kno/ contestin", G Ben"ali /o(en. And 9 a( a yo"i /ho /as shaved only yesterdayD 9 a( a ne/4(ade yo"i. >o 9 kno/ neither contests nor contestin". And 9 have co(e /anderin" ai(lessly into Ben"al.3 :hen Behri Mo"in said, 3Mo"i, it see(s yo- are a kno/led"e /ielder, a love4spell /ielder, a death4spell /ielder,?&B since yo- have co(e into ?&B !ann !ugaro 5so(eone /ho possesses kno/led"e6, &a%an garo 5often refers in the villa"e to the (a"ic -sed !y 0a1p-t /o(en on !ride"roo(s6, and %ustgaro 8(an refer to the a(tion of in!uring or &illing 5ith a parti(ular %udra or hand "est-re6. < 22@ <

Ben"alD other/ise yo- /o-ldn8t even have "lanced over here in Ben"al. 9f yo- kne/ nothin", then ho/ did yo- co(e into Ben"alE3 3G sisters, 9 ca(e to /ander.3 3+oes this look like so(e p-!lic (eetin" placeE?@B ;itho-t askin" yo- have co(e to Ben"al, and this is hardly a p-!lic (eetin" place. :his is Ben"alL 2o/ did yo- arrive if yo- kno/ no (a"ic and spellsE3 3G sisters, 9 kno/ nothin". 9 ca(e only to /ander.3 3Mo"i, no/ /atch o-t for yo-r (a"ic, /atch o-t for yo-r spellsL 9f yo- don8t tell (e all a!o-t yo-rself, then 9 /ill send yo- flyin", 9 /ill send yo-r ca(pfire flyin", 9 /ill t-rn yo-r iron cane into a cro/, 9 /ill t-rn yo-r sack into a v-lt-re, and that "o-rd of drinkin" /ater 9 /ill t-rn into a tortoise.?9B And 9 /ill send yo- flyin" in the sky. 2o/ did yo- co(e here into Ben"al if yo- kno/ nothin"E3 :hen Gopi Chand said, 3>ister, 9 a( a ne/4(ade yo"i. +o as yo- please /ith (e, sister. 9f yo- /ish to fly (e in the sky, that8s fineD and if yo- /ish to keep (e on the earth, that8s fine. B-t 9 have co(e as a ne/ yo"i, and sisters, (hhot?1$B is strikin" (y ears, so keep a/ay fro( (e.3 Behri Mo"in said, 3Brother, no!ody is allo/ed to co(e here.3 3>o is this yo-r father8s kin"do(E +o yo- "ive the orders hereE3 3Mes, 9 "ive the orders.3 3'ine, sister, 9 /on8t co(e a"ain, sister, 98ve co(e and no/ 98ll "o.3 3Mo"i, yo- see( to !e a kno/led"e /ielder, a death4spell /ielder, and no/ /atch o-t for yo-r /isdo(.3 >o ri"ht a/ay Behri Mo"in recited (a"ic, and she recited spells, and she str-ck the (a"ic !lo/.?11B Gopi Chand, poor thin", he kne/ nothin", he /as a ne/4(ade yo"i. And no one had ta-"ht hi( (a"ic spells, and he had 1-st co(e to visit his sister. Behri Mo"in str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ and t-rned Gopi Chand into a parrot. Mes, she t-rned hi( into a parrot and p-t hi( in her sack. ?@B :he ter( -sed is patelan &i pol 7the entrance/ay to a head(an or patel 8s ho-se. 9nevita!ly involved in factional politics and settlin" disp-tes, a patel (-st keep open ho-se for ene(ies as /ell as friends. ?9B Behri Mo"in address her threats to virt-al e(!le(s of yo"ic identity 5Gold 19@96. ?1$B An e(anation har(f-l to any healin" /o-nd, one partic-larly associated /ith (entr-atin" /o(en. ?11B !adu &i phat&ar0 in the SK phat&ar (ay !e a vital !lo/, a shock, a c-rse, an an"ry look. < 229 < :hen at the /aterside all seven lady (a"icians filled their do-!le /ater pots, p-t the( on their heads, and ret-rned to the city. :hey ret-rned to the city, and there they /ent their separate /ays. :hey each /ere headin" ho(e, !-t at 1-st this (o(ent, Gan"ali :elin spoke to her G-r- >overei"n7to /ho(E to Behri Mo"in. 5GC #.A.e6 Gan"ali :elin said to Behri Mo"in, 32ey, G-r- >overei"n.3 >he /as the chief disciple. Mes, she said, 3G-r- >overei"n, /hat are yo- "oin" to do /ith this parrotE3

3>ister, 9 /ill p-t hi( in a han"in" ca"e in (y ho-se and "ive hi( food to peckD /hat else /ill 9 doE ;hat8s on yo-r (indE3 3G-r- >overei"n, "ive (e this parrot, and 9 /ill p-t hi( in a han"in" ca"e, and 98ll have fine conversations /ith hi(.3 3Hook, Gan"ali :elin, if 9 "ive the parrot to yo-, then yo- /ill "ive the yo"i sorro/.3 3Grain4"iver, /o-ld 9 "ive the yo"i sorro/E 9 /ill "ive hi( lentils (i=ed /ith !-tter to peck and s/eet s/eet Gan"es /ater to drink. 9 pro(ise not to "ive this yo"i any sorro/. 9 /ill love this parrot !etter than (y o/n so-l. G-r- >overei"n, "ive (e this parrot.3 3;ell, yo-8ll really keep hi( /ith love, yo-8ll love hi( !etter than yo-r o/n so-lE3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n, "ive (e this parrot.3 >o Behri Mo"in took hi( o-t fro( her sack and "ave hi( to the Gil4presser /o(an. :hen they split -p, each "oin" to her o/n ho-se. Gan"ali :elin p-t hi( in her sack and /ent ho(e. At her ho(e she had three h-ndred fifty oil presses "oin". ;hen she "ot there she took do/n her do-!le /ater pots and p-t the( in the /ater niche.?12B :hen she p-t her hand in her sack and took o-t the parrot. >he took the parrot o-t of her sack, p-t hi( do/n, and recited (a"ic. >he recited spells and str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ and spoiled the parrot. >he t-rned hi( into a yo-n" o=. >he (ade an o=, and she pierced his nose and inserted a thick nose rope. >he had si=teen h-ndred slave "irls. ;ho didE :hat Gil4presser /o(an. And she said to the(, 3Mosl-ts, ho/ can yo- !e so slack, ?12B .otice this ho(ey detail, /hich also sho/s that the lady (a"icians, despite their dirty dealin"s /ith yo"is, follo/ the life patterns of ordinary /o(en. < 2#$ < /hen 9 a( standin" here /ith a vir"in?1#B o=E :ake this o= and yoke hi( to the oil press and drive hi( day and ni"ht. +on8t let this o= "o, !eca-se he cost a lot of (oney. 2e /as very e=pensive, and he is a vir"in o=.3 After she said this several of her slave "irls ca(e r-nnin" and s-rro-nded the o=. :hey "ra!!ed hi( and !o-nd his eyes,?1AB and (akin" soothin" so-nds they took hi( to the circ-lar track and delicately p-t the yoke on hi(. :hey p-t on the yoke and the leather harness and str-ck his !ack /ith the nine4 tailed /hip, and as soon as they str-ck hi(, Gopi Chand leaped for/ard so that t/enty kilos of oil seeds /ere pressed in 1-st a fe/ (in-tes. After all, he had !een a r-ler. 3Girls,3 said Gan"ali :elin, 3don8t set the o= free. Grind oil seeds in t/enty4kilo !atches, one after another. ,ake hi( "o day and ni"ht, and if he "oes slo/ly then !eat hi( /ith the nine4tailed /hip and poke hi( /ith the iron spike. P-sh hi( forcef-lly fro( !ehind. +on8t let hi( "o, this is a vir"in o=.3 Gopi Chand "ro-nd -p one !atch of seeds and a second one and a third. ;hile he /as "rindin" the fo-rth !atch Gopi Chand8s spirit /ithered.?1%B Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. Plop, plop, his tears /ere fallin", and he /ent slo/ly, and they !eat hi( /ith the nine4tailed /hip and shoved hi( fro( the rear /ith the toothed iron spike, so that the (oon and the s-n /ere printed on !oth his !-ttocks.?1CB Gopi Chand /as !e"innin" to "et h-n"ry and he /as tiredD he had pressed fo-r !atches of seed, and the fifth /as po-red into the press. .o/ ho/ far co-ld he "oE Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, and he !eso-"ht his G-r- >overei"n: 32ey G-r- >overei"nL Gh, father of a da-"hterL 2o/ nicely 9 have

?1#B asudho0 can refer to a vir"in, to one /ho has not /orked for a lon" ti(e, to a (an /ho has not had se= /ith a /o(an in a lon" ti(e, to a field that has lain fallo/, or to one /ho cannot !e e=ha-sted in any /ay. ?1AB G=en attached to oil presses are nor(ally !lindfolded7the only /ay, 9 /as told, to fool the( into /alkin" in endless circles. ?1%B &ha%alagya0 Bho1- descri!es this as 3to !e finished like a flo/er after !loo(in".3 ?1CB 0ecall that in his r-lin" condition Gopi Chand is descri!ed as havin" the (oon on his forehead, "ivin" off s-ch !ri"htness that it is as if the s-n /ere risin". :herefore, this !randin" of his r-(p has especial pathetic and ironic po/er. :he con1-nction of s-n and (oon carries se=-al si"nificance in :antric yo"a 5+as"-pta 19C9, 2#@6. < 2#1 < visited (y sisterL 2ere 9 a( yoked to the oil press and the sl-ts are pokin" all over (y !ody. ;herever they please they are slidin" the iron spike and strikin" (e /ith the /hip, and 9 a( dyin" of h-n"er. 2ey G-r- >overei"n, no/ (y life8s !reath /ill leave (e. G-r- >overei"n, 9 !eseech yo-, co(e F-ickly, Ba!a .ath, for (y !reath is leavin" (e, and no/ 9 a( in no condition to t-rn the oil press.3 Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 2e /as t-rnin" the press very slo/ly. And s-ch "race ca(e to pass?1&B that Jap-ri +ho!in arrived to fetch so(e oil fro( the Gil4presser /o(an8s ho-se. :here she sa/ the o= "oin", and a strea( of his tears flo/in", Gopi Chand8s tears. :hey /ere !eatin" hi( /ith the nine4tailed /hip and /elts /ere raised on his hide. And the (oon and s-n /ere printed on his !-ttocks !y the iron spike. 32ey yo- sl-ts, this o= is cryin" ceaselessly, his condition is co(pletely spoiled. :he (oon and the s-n are printed on his t/o !-ttocks, and his tears are fallin", plop plop, and his co(ple=ion has !lackened and the hairs of his !ody are standin" on end. .o/ let the poor thin" "o.3 3,istress, ho/ can /e let hi( "oE3 3>l-ts, yo- /ill (ake hi( !reathe his last. Het hi( "o, his condition is r-ined, he8s cryin" hard.3 3,istress, Jap-ri ,other, ho/ shall /e let hi( "o, (istressE Mo- kno/ she ordered -s to drive hi( ni"ht and day, and not to let hi( "o, !eca-se he cost a lot of (oney. >he said, 8;hip hi( /ith the nine4 tailed /hip, and prod hi( /ith the iron spikeD drive this o= ni"ht and dayL8 >o ho/ can /e let hi( "o /itho-t her co((andE3 32ey, let (e in, /ho does yo-r (istress think she isE Het (e in to see that sl-t.3 >o Hady Jap-ri /ent in to see Gan"ali. 5GC #.%.e6 >he /ent -p to Gan"ali :elin and asked her, 3G Hady Gan"ali, Gan"ali lady, /here did yo- "et this o=E Mesterday 9 ca(e to yo-r ho-se and there /as none. >o /here did this o= co(e fro( todayE :his o= yo- have !ro-"ht is a handso(e one. ;here did yo- "et itE3 ?1&B asi &ripa hoi0 a re(ark perhaps intentionally ironic, !eca-se the ;asher/o(an saves hi( fro( the oil press only to "ive hi( even (ore /retchedness. 9n the s-n" version Jap-ri +ho!in co(es to take la-ndry rather than to fetch oil. < 2#2 <

:hen /hat did Gan"ali sayE 3Jap-ri +ho!in, don8t keep sayin" 8handso(e, handso(e8 lest the evil eye strike (y o=. Mo- said it t/o or three ti(es, so no/ spit fro( yo-r (o-th, spit lest the evil eye strike (y o=.?1@B 3,y !rother /ent to a lot of tro-!le to "ive it to (e, so that 9 co-ld live off its earnin"s. Hook, Jap-ri, in (y natal ho(e (y nephe/ /as !orn. >o 9 took !racelets and necklaces, and (y !rother "ave (e the o= as a ret-rn "ift.?19B >o, spit fro( yo-r (o-th, lest the evil eye strike (y o= and (y o= die. >pit then.3 ;hen she had said this (-ch, Jap-ri +ho!in /as (-tterin", dizzy, all in a fl-rry, till she !-rst o-t in ra"e and f-ry. :h-s enra"ed, Jap-ri +ho!in !e"an to recite (a"ic, and havin" recited (a"ic she recited spells, and havin" recited spells she str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ and spoiled the o=. >he released it fro( the oil press and t-rned it into a donkey, and she "ra!!ed the donkey8s ears and !ro-"ht it ho(e /ith her. >he !ro-"ht it ho(e and tied it to a stake and /ent r-nnin" all aro-nd Ben"al. >he ran aro-nd Ben"al, and fro( so(e she took skirts and fro( so(e t-r!ansD she took skirts and /raps fro( all the /o(en of Ben"al. >he took the( in order to /ash the(. >he !ro-"ht the( and loaded the( on top of the donkey. >he piled the( on the donkey, and she sat herself on top of the pile and /ent to the pond. >he tied -p the donkey and /ashed the clothes, and she piled the /et clothes !ack on hi(, and she, the ;asher/o(an, sat on top. Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. Gopi Chand /ailed, 3Gh (e oh (y, G-r- >overei"n, yo- (-st co(e. Mo-r eyelids are closed over there in the Ja1ali ;oods, !-t 9 a( yo-r disciple, and ho/ (y condition has !een spoiled todayL :he clothes fro( all of Ben"al, skirts and /raps, are on top of (e, on top of the kin". 9t doesn8t see( possi!le that so(eone /o-ld pile -p skirts and /raps on top of Jin" Gopi Chand, !-t there it is, G-r?1@B na:ar or the 3evil eye3 refers to the destr-ctive effects of lookin" /ith ad(iration on another8s prized possession. >pittin" is an antidote. ?19B dhund %a0 literally, in the dhund . :hat is, she !ro-"ht orna(ents to her !rother8s /ife and child on the occasion of dhundana 7a rit-al for the protection of a ne/ son to /hich sisters (-st !ear "ifts. An o= /o-ld !e an e=ceptionally fine !-t not -nheard of ret-rn "ift fro( a !rother. < 2## < >overei"n.?2$B And /hat8s (ore, the ;asher/o(an has seated herself on top of (e7a ;asher/o(an is seated on topL >o Grain4"iver, if this /ere (y r-lin" ti(e, and a ;asher/o(an sat do/n on top of (e, then 9 /o-ld !-ry her deep and have horses tra(ple her, or else 9 /o-ld (ake her fly fro( a cannon8s (o-th. B-t 9 a( !ein" controlled !y others, and G-r- >overei"n, 9 !eseech yo- to h-rry today, Ba!a .ath, G sorro/4"iver, take care of (eL3 Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. :he ;asher/o(an kept on drivin" Gopi Chand !ack to her ho-se. :here she tied hi( to a stake and p-t the clothes o-t to dry. >o he spent the ni"ht there and the ne=t day ca(e. Gn that day, /ho ca(e to the ho-seE :he ;asher(an had dr-nk /ine, so Cha(ani Jalali, the ;ine4seller /o(an, ca(e to ask for pay(ent. 5GC #.C.e6 As soon as she "ot there, she sa/ the donkey tied -p. And she said to Jap-ri +ho!in, 3Jap-ri, lady, /here did yo- "et that donkeyE Mesterday yo- hadn8t a donkey. >o /here did yo- "et itE Hady, that donkey strikes (e as handso(eL Mo- have !ro-"ht a very fine thin".3

;hen she had said this, Jap-ri +ho!in spoke. 3Hook, sister, spit fro( yo-r (o-th, lest the evil eye strike (y donkey. 9f (y donkey dies no/ then /hat of yo-rs /ill !e spoiledE 9n (y natal ho(e (y nephe/ /as !orn. 9 !ro-"ht the( a-spicio-s desi"ns and a-spicio-s han"in"s, and 9 also !ro-"ht p-ffed "rains.?21B 9 /ent to (y nephe/8s protection rite and (y !rother "ave (e this donkey so 9 co-ld live off its earnin"s. Cha(ani Jalali, spit fro( yo-r (o-th, sl-t, lest the evil eye strike (y donkey. >pit, !eca-se (y !rother is a "reat (iser, and he "ave it -n/illin"ly. Mes, and yo- /ill kill it, the evil eye /ill strike it.3 ;hen she had said this (-ch, Cha(ani Jalali /as (-tterin", dizzy, all in a fl-rry, till she !-rst o-t in ra"e and f-ry. :h-s enra"ed, ?2$B 9n 0a1asthan the (ention of soiled skirts cannot !-t evoke the potential of (enstr-al poll-tion. 9 /as told that even the skirt of a non4(enstr-atin" /o(an /as poll-tin" !eca-se it (-st have co(e into contact /ith (enstr-al !lood. ?21B Colored desi"ns 5satya 6 are (ade on paper and placed !y the door of a ne/ (other, -s-ally not for dhundana !-t on the day of the postpart-( cleansin" rit-al and s-n "od /orship. ;reaths 5bandarval 6 are h-n" over the door/ay d-rin" cele!rations of child!irth. Grains 5dhani 6 are -s-ally !arley or /heat. < 2#A < she recited (a"ic, Cha(ani recited spells, and she str-ck the (a"ic !lo/. As soon as she str-ck the (a"ic !lo/, she spoiled the donkey and t-rned hi( into a rooster, a cock. >he (ade hi( a rooster and p-t hi( in her sack and took hi( to her ho-se. And the ;asher/o(an 1-st stood there starin". >he took hi( and !e"an to teach the rooster. >he ta-"ht hi( to speak73Cockadoodle dooL37and sat hi( on the rooftop. Gopi Chand had fifty4t/o portals, he had fifty4three door/ays, he had t/elve districts8 r-le, and a co-rt of 1-d"(ent in his ho(e7and he had seven h-ndred tho-sand horses. ;hen he /ent o-t /ith his horse co(pany, seven h-ndred tho-sand horses /ent o-t. And he rode on an elephant, -pon a royal seat, and /hisks /ere /aved over hi(, and his praises /ere constantly sho-ted o-t !y n-(ero-s !ards. 2o/ did a condition like Gopi Chand8s "et r-inedE Cha(ani Jalali had (ade Gopi Chand into a rooster and seated hi( -p on her rooftop and ta-"ht hi( to speak in a fine voice as the s-n /as risin". .o/ Behri Mo"in8s h-s!and /as Asa(al Mo"i. >o he /as the ;ine4seller8s elder sister8s h-s!and.?22B ;hoE7Asa(al Mo"i. 2e lived at Asan /here G"ar .ath lives.?2#B Behri Mo"in lived there, at Asan, and there Asa(al Mo"i had set -p his ca(pfire, for doin" tapas . 2e kept on doin" tapas all day. And all alone he played si=teen fl-tes at once.?2AB ;hoE Asa(al Mo"i. And he re(ained a!sor!ed in the (elody. >o at day!reak Behri Mo"in /o-ld take her sack and "o !e""in" for flo-r. Be""in" for flo-r, she /ent to Cha(ani Jalali8s. 5GC #.&.e6 Behri Behri Mo"in, the sl-t,?2%B took her sack, the sl-t took her ton"s, p-t on her sandals and ?22B !i!a!i0 !eca-se of the "-r-4sister relationship that -nites the lady (a"icians. ?2#B :his is another instance of ,adh-8s half41okin" location of his story in local sceneryD G"ar .ath is a (e(!er of ,adh-8s fa(ily /ho lives as a reno-ncer on the "ro-nds of a villa"e >hiva te(ple called

Asan7literally 3,editation >eat.3 >ee Gold 19@@, A@I%$. ?2AB sola pungyan na e&alo ba!avai0 9 tho-"ht this (i"ht all-de to so(e diffic-lt (editation practice, !-t villa"ers -nderstand it to (ean that he act-ally has si=teen fl-tes in his (o-th. ?2%B A fe/ lines of sin"in" are not covered !y arthav . < 2#% < so-nded her deer4horn instr-(ent.?2CB .o/ thro-"ho-t Ben"al, today the lady yo"i is "oin" to !e" for flo-r. Be""in" for flo-r she arrived at Cha(ani Jalali8s ho-se. :he lady yo"i arrived at the ho-se, and called 3Ala&h* 3 and so-nded her deer4horn instr-(ent. >he so-nded her horn and looked -p on the roof and sa/ a rooster sittin" there. :he lady yo"i sa/ the rooster, and /hat did Behri Mo"in say to the ;ine4seller /o(anE 3;ine4seller /o(an, /here did yo- pick -p this e=tra yo"i, sl-tE 3Gne sl-t t-rned hi( into an o=, and yoked hi( to the oil press. Gne sl-t t-rned hi( into a donkey and one (ade hi( a rooster. G sl-t, /here did yo- pick -p this e=tra yo"i, sl-tE3 ;hen Behri Mo"in had said this (-ch, Cha(ani ca(e o-tside. Cha(ani ca(e o-tside, prostrated to the lady yo"i, then stood /ith her pal(s 1oined. 3,y "-r-, 9 have "iven yo-r yo"i no tro-!le at all. ,y "-r-, yesterday 9 /ent to the ;asher/o(an8s and she kept hi( as a donkey. ,y "-r-, 9 t-rned the donkey into a rooster, ?2CB .ote that she prepares to "o !e""in" 1-st as a (ale yo"i /o-ld. < 2#C <

9 only !ro-"ht hi( yesterday. ,y "-r-, 9 have "iven this yo"i no tro-!le, dear "-r-, /hat do 9 /ant /ith a yo"iE ,y "-r-, take a/ay the yo"i, dear "-r-, /hat do 9 /ant /ith hi(E3 ;hen Cha(ani had said this (-ch, the sl-t Behri Mo"in !e"an to recite (a"ic, the lady yo"i !e"an to recite spells. :he lady yo"i str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ and t-rned the rooster !ack into a parrot. 5GC #.@.s6 >o Behri Mo"in t-rned hi( into a parrot and p-t hi( in her sack and !ro-"ht hi( fro( Cha(ani Jalali8s place. Be""in" flo-r as she /ent she contin-ed on her /ay -ntil she ca(e to Asan. As soon as she ca(e to Asan, there /as her h-s!and, playin" one (elody on si=teen fl-tes. 2e /as filled /ith the fl-tes8 (elody and /as sittin" in a (editation post-re, like this, and the cracklin" fire /as !-rnin", and the yo"i /as into=icated !y the (elody. )-st then Behri Mo"in ca(e and said, 32ey, (y h-s!and, yoare into=icated !y the (elody, !-t 9 have !ro-"ht a s-rprise for -s.3 As soon as she said this, Asa(al Mo"i stopped the (elody of all the fl-tes and raised his eyelids and said to Behri Mo"in, 32o, lady yo"i, /hat s-rprise have yo- !ro-"htE :ell (e. ;hat have yo!ro-"htE3 At once, Behri Mo"in p-t her hand into her sack and took o-t the parrot. >he took o-t the parrot and p-t it at the feet of Asa(al Mo"i. As soon as she p-t do/n the parrot, Asa(al Mo"i looked at it. 2e looked at the parrot /ith attention, and he shook his head, like this ?in disapproval, as Madhu de%onstrates B. 3Mo-8ve done so(ethin" a/f-l, lady yo"i. Mo-8ve done so(ethin" a/f-lL ;hy have yo- !ro-"ht itE G, yo- sorro/4"ivin" sl-t, /hat cri(e did it doE3 3G Grain4"iver, /hat happened, tell the tr-th. ;hy are yo- shakin" yo-r headE3 3G sl-t, /hy have yo- !ro-"ht yo-r deathE Mo-r death has co(e. P-t hi( !ack /here yo- "ot hi(.3 Behri Mo"in said, 3;hat do yo- (ean, (y deathE3 32e is the kin" of Ga-r Ben"al. 2is na(e is Gopi Chand, and he is the real !rother4in4la/ of o-r o/n kin", and he is o-r F-een8s real < 2#& < !rother. >o /hen kin" finds o-t he /ill !-ry yo- deep and have horses tra(ple yo-, or he /ill send yoflyin" fro( a cannon8s (o-th. ;ho(E All seven of yo- sl-ts. And if it so happens that o-r kin" and F-een don8t find o-t, /ell he is )alindar .ath8s disciple, )alindar .athL 9n the Ja1ali ;oods his fo-rteen h-ndred invisi!le disciples are "athered, doin" tapas , and his fo-rteen h-ndred visi!le disciples are doin" tapas , and his fire !-rns /ith saffron. >o )alindar Ba!a /ill co(e and lay /aste to the /hole city. And he /ill t-rn yo- all into donkeys and !eat yo- /ith ton"s -ntil yo-r skin flies off. Brayin" 8:i!h- ti!h-8 yo- /ill /ander here and there. 3P-t hi( !ack /here yo- "ot hi(. 2e is yo-r death. :ake hi( !ack /herever yo- fo-nd hi(. Het hi( "o. :here8s no -se keepin" hi(, so h-rry -p and p-t hi( !ack. 9f yo- are saved fro( the s/ord8s !lade yo- /ill !e slain /ith the point, and if yo- are saved fro( the point, then yo- /ill !e slain /ith the

!lade.3?2&B After Asa(al Mo"i had said this (-ch, Behri Mo"in /as (-tterin", dizzy, all in a fl-rry, till she !-rst o-t in ra"e and f-ry. Pickin" -p the parrot she p-t hi( in her sack, sayin", 3,y pockets are filled /ith (any s-ch as )alindar Ba!a. 9 keep the( in (y pockets. B-t yo-, Ba!a, yo- are -selessly a!sor!ed in the (elody of si=teen fl-tes.3 >he p-t hi( in her sack. :here /as a t/o4story !-ildin" there, in Asan, and she cli(!ed -pstairs, sayin" to herself, 3,any like Asa(al Mo"i play in (y pockets.3 B-t as she /as r-nnin", Asa(al Mo"i spoke, 32o, lady yo"i, one day yo-r pockets /ill split and )alindar Ba!a /ill e(er"e. Mo-r pockets /ill !-rst, and on that day 9 /on8t co(e to help yo-.3 3'ine, don8t co(eL ,y pockets are filled /ith (any s-ch as hi(, Ba!a1i.3 And she cli(!ed to the top floor, set o-t her cot, h-n" the parrot in a ca"e, and lay do/n to sleep. 5GC #.@.e6 Behri Mo"in tossed this /ay and that, !-t she co-ldn8t "et to sleep. A train of tho-"ht?2@B filled her (ind. 2er tho-"hts ran on a!o-t /hat Asa(al Mo"i had said. 2er eyes /ere sh-t, !-t she co-ldn8t "et to sleep. >he tho-"ht, ,y h-s!and Asa(al Mo"i said: 3:his is the kin" ?2&B :hat is, if yo- escape the kin" then )alindar Ba!a /ill "et yo-, and vice versa. ?2@B veg or beg D literally 3speed,3 !-t -sed for an interior strea( of tho-"ht that is -ncontrolla!le. < 2#@ < of Ga-r Ben"al, and p-t hi( !ack /here yo- "ot hi(.3 >o let8s see, is it the kin" of Ga-r Ben"alE 2e said it /as Gopi Chand, so let8s see, a kin"8s face is hardly -nreco"niza!le. Het8s (ake hi( into a (an and look at his face and see if his face is a kin"8s !ea-tif-l one. 9n the attic Behri Mo"in F-ickly took do/n the ca"e and took the parrot o-t of the ca"e. At once she recited (a"ic and recited spells and str-ck the (a"ic !lo/, and she t-rned the parrot into a (an. As soon as she (ade it a (an, it /as Gopi Chand, the kin"8s son. Gn his foot a lot-s sparkled and on his left ar( a 1e/el "littered and on his forehead /as the (oon, so it see(ed as if the s-n had risen on the top floor. As soon as that s-n rose, Behri Mo"in t-rned her f-ll "aze in his direction, Behri Mo"in looked, and as soon as she looked she !eca(e dizzy, dazzled !y the kin"8s radiance, she fell face do/n. Behri Mo"in /as not a!le to end-re the kin"8s heat, so she fell on her face and for t/o ho-rs she re(ained /itho-t conscio-sness, /itho-t kno/led"e. Gopi Chand sa/. 3.o/ she8s -nconscio-s. B-t if 9 kill her, then /hat /ill happenE :here are too (any others7/hat "ood /ill it do to kill 1-st oneE Brother, if 9 kill this lady yo"i the others are ready. Asa(al Mo"i is ready, and there are seven lady (a"icians ready, there is all of Ben"al f-ll of po/erf-l (a"ic4/ielders. :hey /ill not let (e "o safely. >o /hat8s the -se of killin" herE Het (e !eseech the "-r-L 3By no/, so (any days have passed /hen 98ve !een in ani(al !odies. >o(e days 9 /as a donkey, and so(e days 9 /as a parrot, and so(e days 9 /as a rooster, and so(e days 9 /as an o= and yoked to the oil press. B-t no/ 98( inside a h-(an !ody, so /ith !ody and (ind let (e (editate on the "-r-.3 >o Gopi Chand !eso-"ht the "-r- /ith !ody and (ind, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, fro( (y !eseechin" F-ickly co(e, Ba!a .ath, G sorro/4"iver, if yo- /o-ld take care of (e then please do, !eca-se (y so-l is very conf-sed. 3And Ba!a, 9 have end-red so (any tro-!les. )-st no/ 9 a( in a h-(an !ody, and in (y h-(an !ody 9

a( (editatin" on yo-. G-r- >overei"n, re(ove (y tro-!les, G-r- >overei"n, then 9 /ill never co(e !ack to Ben"al.3 >o /ith his !ody and (ind Gopi Chand re(e(!ered and praised his "-r-, -p on the top floor. As soon as he re(e(!ered hi(, the "-r-8s (editation seat in the Ja1ali ;oods !e"an to shake. :here /ere fo-rteen h-ndred disciples doin" tapas invisi!ly and fo-rteen < 2#9 < h-ndred doin" tapas visi!ly. A(on" these, Charpat .ath, /as the chief disciple. Charpat .ath stood at the ca(pfire, servin" the "-r-, and ri"ht a/ay the G-r- >overei"n8s eyelids opened, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he said to Charpat .ath, 3>on, CharpatE3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"nE3 3>on, /hat kin"8s kin"do( is s/ayin"E >on, /hat ascetic8s asceticis( has di(inished, /hat tr-thf-l person has s/ayed fro( tr-thE >ay, son, (y (editation seat tre(!led and (y eyelids opened7/hat8s "oin" onE3 :hen spoke /hoE Charpat .ath. Pal(s 1oined to"ether, he spoke, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, hey )alindar Ba!a, yo- (ade Gopi Chand, the kin" of Ga-r Ben"al, yo-r disciple. Mo- (ade hi( yo-r disciple, Ba!a, and yo- p-t yo"is8 earrin"s in his ears and ca-sed hi( to p-t on reno-ncers8 clothes and ca-sed his hair to "ro/ and spread and s(eared hi( /ith ash and sent hi( into Ben"al to visit his sister. B-t he hasn8t (et his sister, and, G-r- >overei"n, over there he (et the other sisters, on the road, the other sisters, the seven lady (a"icians. And, G-r- >overei"n, Gopi Chand8s condition has !een "reatly spoiled. Grain4"iver, take care of hi( at once. Mo- (ade hi( a disciple and yo- sent hi(, and he kne/ nothin" at all, nothin". Mo- sent hi( to visit his sister and he has s-ffered a "reat deal of sorro/, a "reat deal. 2is tears are flo/in". Mo- had !etter take care of Gopi Chand ri"ht a/ay.3 3Good, "ood, son, let8s do it ri"ht no/.3 ,ean/hile, t/o ho-rs passed co(pletely, and Behri Mo"in re"ained conscio-sness. As soon as she re"ained conscio-sness, 3Gh (e oh (y, the father4eaterL 9f he had /anted to kill (e, he co-ld have done it, he co-ld have kicked (e. 9t8s /eird that 9 lost conscio-sness.3 2avin" re"ained conscio-sness, she recited (a"ic and she recited spells and she str-ck the (a"ic !lo/. As soon as she str-ck the (a"ic !lo/, she t-rned Gopi Chand !ack into a parrot. >he (ade hi( a parrot and sh-t hi( in the ca"e and took it to a dark pit?29B in the (iddle of Asan. 9t /as a chest4deep hole, and she !-ried hi( /ith the ca"e, so deep, and p-shed a flat stone on top. 3;e8ll see, if )alindar Ba!a co(es, ho/ /ill he search and /ho /ill "ive hi( the addressE ?29B &hai D accordin" to Bho1- this can refer to a ditch, (oat, or trench, s-ch as rich people have !eneath their ho-ses to hide (oney and val-a!les. < 2A$ < *ven the /ind can8t "o near hi(. 3;e8ll see /ho /ill "ive hi( Gopi Chand8s address.3 And no/ let8s see a!o-t )alindar o-rselves. 5GC #.9.e6 )alindar .ath said to Charpat .ath, 3Call the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples. ;e /ill send the( into

Ben"al to search for Gopi Chand and !rin" hi( !ack.3 >o as soon as he "ot the G-r- >overei"n8s order, Charpat .ath /ent. And he !ro-"ht the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ho /ere doin" tapas , and they stood in the e=alted presence of the G-r- >overei"n. :he G-r- >overei"n said, 3G sons, fo-rteen h-ndred disciples, "o to Ben"al no/, and search for Gopi Chand and !rin" hi( !ack at once.3 :he fo-rteen h-ndred disciples said, 3G-r- >overei"n, /e /ill shit ri"ht here !-t /e /on8t p-t a foot in Ben"alL3 ?#aughter B 3;hy, /hat8s the (atterE3 3Grain4"iver, /e kno/ nothin" and7son of a ....L7as soon as /e "et there, they /ill (ake -s into donkeys. ;hat can /e do !y "oin" thereE ;e /on8t have the tiniest effect. As soon as /e "et there, they8ll t-rn -s into donkeys, so /e /on8t "o to Ben"al at all.3 :hen the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples said, 3G-r- >overei"n, send Charpat .ath /ith -s to Ben"al, send the chief disciple, and then /e /ill "o other/ise, as soon as /e "et there, (y son8s ... they /ill (ake -s into donkeys. >o send Charpat .ath /ith -s and then /e /ill "o.3 ;hen they had spoken the G-r- >overei"n said, 3GJ, son, Charpat .athE3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"nE3 3Mo- "o, son, and search for Gopi Chand and take care of hi( and F-ickly !rin" hi( !ack.3 :hen Charpat .ath said, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, send (e too, !-t later take care of (e F-ickly, so 9 /on8t end -p a donkey !rayin" in the /ilderness, !eca-se of those sl-ts. 9 don8t /ant to !ray in the /ilderness /hile yo-8re over here /ith yo-r eyelids lo/ered.3 3:hat /o-ld !e a !i" s-rprise. :he sister4f-ckers ... "oL 2o/ can those sl-ts (ake donkeys o-t of yo-E3 :hen the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples took their sacks, picked -p their ton"s, p-t on their sandals and lifted their horn instr-(ents. :hen they !o/ed their heads to their G-r- >overei"n. A seated yo"i8s < 2A1 < a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .aths took the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned their faces to/ard Ben"al. :hey crossed one forest, they crossed a second forest, and in the third forest they reached the "arden of Ben"al. As soon as they reached the "arden, there /as the "arden4 keeper?#$B standin" in the entrance/ay, Bhair- ,ali. 32ey "arden4keeper.3 3Mes, >overei"n.3 3GJ, !rother, open the "ate. 2ere are fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is, /ho /ill do tapas in the "arden.3 :hen the "arden4keeper said, 3Hoincloth4/earers, /hat connection does this place have /ith Ba!a1isE 9f 9 let yo- in, yo- /ill spoil the kin"8s "arden. >cra( into the 1-n"leL +o tapas in the 1-n"le. 9f yo- set -p yo-r ca(pfires here, yo- /ill !reak the (an"o and le(on and oran"e trees. >o "o into the 1-n"le. ;hat !-siness do Ba!a1is have in the "ardenE3 :hen Charpat .ath said, 3Garden4keeper, these yo"is don8t do tapas in the 1-n"le, they do tapas only in "ardens. >o open the "ate.3 3G loincloth4/earers, didn8t 9 say yo- have no !-siness in this "ardenE Go in the 1-n"le to heat yo-rselves at fires. :his is the kin"8s "arden and yo- /ill spoil it. :here is no order to let yo- enter it.3 3>o, there8s no orderE3

3Mes.3 At this point Charpat .ath /as (-tterin", dizzy, all in a fl-rry, till he !-rst o-t in ra"e and f-ry. 2e "ave the "arden4keeper a !lo/ on the !ack /ith his ton"s that sent hi( rollin". 'allin" and rollin" /ent the Gardener. 2e had "iven 1-st one !lo/ to the Gardener, !-t t/o /elts rose -p on his !ack, 1-st like /hen sick livestock are !randed. And he /ent rollin" and /ailin", he fled into Ben"al. Gver there at the /aterside all seven lady (a"icians7Gan"ali :elin, Jap-ri +ho!in, >etali Jha(ari, H-na Cha(ari, Ba1ori Jan1ari, and Cha(ani Jalali, all seven lady (a"icians?#1B /ere fillin" their pots /ith /ater. And here ca(e the "arden4keeper, cryin" and cryin". ?#$B bagavan0 9 translate this ter(, referrin" to a partic-lar post, as 3"ardenkeeper,3 and for the caste na(e Mali 9 -se Gardener. Bhair- is the na(e of a (e(!er of the a-dience /ho is of the Gardener caste. ?#1B 2e has left o-t Behri Mo"in, pro!a!ly !y accident. < 2A2 < After havin" !een !randed. After havin" !een !randed. ?#aughter B :hen all seven love4spell /ielders spoke. 3G "arden4keeper, Bhair-, Gh father of a da-"hterL ;hat happenedE ;hy are yo- cryin"E ;hat terri!le tro-!le has !efallen yo-E ;hat8s the (atterE :ell the tr-th7/hat are yo- cryin" a!o-tE3 3;hat a( 9 cryin" a!o-tE 9 a( cryin" to yo-, G sl-ts, to yo-. Mo- did it, yo- (-st have co((itted so(e cri(e and /hat has happenedE ;ell, yo- are lady (a"icians and yo- have s-spended all of Ben"al in (idair /ith yo-r (a"ic.?#2B B-t /hat8s the !i" acco(plish(ent of doin" (a"ic here in o-r o/n villa"eE 'o-rteen h-ndred yo"is have co(e into the "arden. +o so(e (a"ic on the(, and then 98ll kno/ yo-r (a"ic is tr-e. G sl-ts, yo- can fri"hten anyone in the villa"e, !-t let8s see yo- do so(e (a"ic on these yo"is /ho have co(e, fo-rteen h-ndred of the(. ,ake the( r-n a/ay, and then 9 /ill kno/ that yo-r (a"ic is tr-e.3 32ey, /e /ill "o at once.3 3Uh -hL +on8t say yo-8re "oin" yet7first look at (y !ack.3 :hen he ran ri"ht -p to the( and spread hi(self face do/n !efore the(. 'ro( the !ack of his neck ri"ht do/n to his hips, there appeared t/o stripes. 2e /as !randed. 2e /as !randed. As soon as they sa/ the !rands, they sh-t their eyes. 3G "arden4keeper, Bhair-, father of a da-"hterL ;hat kind of pitiless yo"i is thisE 2e "ave yo- one !lo/ on the !ack, !-t t/o /elts have risen, 1-st like /hen sick livestock are !randed. 9f they8ve "iven s-ch a !rand, these yo"is don8t -nderstand pity. :hey don8t even kno/ the /ord for pity.3 3.o/ don8t yo- "o, in for"etf-lness and tr-st. +on8t "o. :hey "ave (e one !lo/, !-t if yo- "o they /ill decorate?##B yo-. +on8t "o in for"etf-lness and tr-st, for they8ll !eat yo- /ith their ton"s -ntil yo-r skin flies off. :hat8s the kind of yo"is they are.3 3:hey8re like thatE3 3Mes, like that. +on8t yo- "o.3

?#2B a&ha Bangala na adhar &ar %elyo ho !adu &a ghalya0 as noted previo-sly, to !e in (idair, or !et/i=t and !et/een, is a !ad condition. ?##B %andna0 to (ake desi"ns of /hite paste s-ch as /o(en -se to enhance the !ea-ty and a-spicio-sness of their co-rtyard floors. < 2A# < After hearin" this (-ch they decided, 3Het8s "o !ack to the villa"e and "et everyone to"ether. ;e8ll send aro-nd invitations.3 >o, they ret-rned to the villa"e, and each of the seven lady (a"icians !o-"ht seven (a-nds of rice and stained it yello/, tossed it in the fryin" pan and (ade it yello/. :hen they sent invitations, each to her o/n disciples.?#AB *ach one of the( had seven h-ndred disciples. 5GC #.1$.e6 ;ell, !rothers, they !ro-"ht alon" those /ho /eren8t disciples, too, 1-st to see the sho/. 3Co(e alon" /ith -s, /e8ll have a contest /ith the Ba!a1is.3 >o they "athered at the /aterside, so(e /rapped in striped /raps or /raps /ith silver tri(, so(e /earin" flo/ered skirts. +ressed like that they ca(e, in splendid (-lticolors, on the prete=t of "ettin" /ater. :hey "athered fro( the /hole villa"e, fro( the /hole city. 9n front of the( all /ere the seven lady (a"icians, and in front of the seven /as the "-r-4F-een, Behri Mo"in. :hey h-rried to the "arden. :hey /ent thro-"h the "ate, and the fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is had lo/ered their eyelids, and their ca(pfires /ere cracklin". :hey had p-t lo"s in their ca(pfires and they had lo/ered their eyelids, and they /ere recitin" 3>hiv >hiv.3 :he "arden filled /ith all the /o(en of Ben"al. Behri Mo"in /ent -p to the yo"is and said, 32ey yo"is, fro( /hich city do yo- co(e and "o, !eca-se yo- see( to !e esta!lished .aths. Gpen yo-r eyelids, Ba!a .ath, for 9 have co(e to take darsan .3 ,ean/hile, Charpat .ath raised his eyelids and looked. As soon as he raised his eyelids he sa/. 3Gh (yL )-st as clo-ds (o-nt in the (onth of Sravan co(in" fro( the place of 9ndra, like those clo-ds, (o-ntin" and (o-ntin", are these /o(en dressed in red and yello/.3 :he "arden /as filled and a procession of /o(en spanned the villa"e reachin" all the /ay to the /aterside. 3G Hord, if they are all (a"icians, then there /on8t !e eno-"h of -s to "o aro-nd 7 ho/ /ill they share -s o-tE3 Charpat .ath closed his eyes, 32ey Hord, are there so (any !lasted lady (a"icians hereE .o (atter, it8s all to !e done !y the G-r- >overei"n.3 ?#AB *ven today traditional 0a1asthani invitations are sent via (essen"ers !earin" "rains of yello/ rice. < 2AA < Behri Mo"in had co(e, and she said, 32ey yo"is, /here do yo- co(e fro( and /here are yo- "oin"E Mo- see( to !e esta!lished .aths. 0aise yo-r eyelids, Ba!a .ath, 9 have co(e to take yo-r darsan . At /hich ca(pfire /ere yo- initiated, /ho is yo-r "-r-E ;hat is yo-r na(e and /hat is yo-r villa"eE 2o/ is it that yo- have co(e in s-ch a (assE Give (e this infor(ationD if not 98ll play a contest /ith yo-.3 3G sisters, 9 don8t kno/ contests and 9 don8t kno/ contestin", G Ben"ali /o(en. ;hy have yo- co(e to F-arrel /ith (editatin" sadhus E Go ho(e. 9 have lost (y central and priceless pearl?#%B and 98ve co(e to Ben"al to search for it.3

3G yo"is, yo- (-st !e kno/led"e /ielders, yo- (-st !e love4spell /ielders, yo- (-st !e death4spell /ielders, for yo- have co(e into Ben"al, and if yo- /eren8t then yo- co-ldn8t have co(e. ;hat priceless pearl have yo- lostE Mo- (-st !e kno/led"e /ielders and for this reason have co(e here to "ive -s a test. .o/ tell everythin", or else, yo"i, 9 /ill play a contest /ith yo-.3 3G sisters, 9 don8t kno/ contests and 9 don8t kno/ contestin".3 3Mo- don8t kno/E +oes this look like so(e p-!lic (eetin" place /here yo- can co(e /itho-t askin"E3 39 didn8t kno/, lady, that yo-r /ishes /ere co((ands here, or 9 /o-ldn8t have co(e.3 3G yo"i, kno/led"e /ielder, love4spell /ielder, death4spell /ielder, /atch o-t for yo-r /isdo( no/. Beca-se 9 a( "oin" to send yo- and yo-r ca(pfires and yo-r "o-rds and yo-r iron ton"s and yo-r sacks all flyin" in the sky.3 3Het the( fly.3 As he said this, Charpat /as (-tterin", dizzy, all in a fl-rry, till he !-rst o-t in ra"e and f-ry. And Charpat .ath recited (a"ic and recited spells and str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ and t-rned all the sl-ts into donkeys7every sin"le one of the(. Charpat .ath (ade the( all into donkeys. B-t, (y son8s ...L Behri Mo"in re(ained standin". >he stood there and challen"ed Charpat .ath: 3Mo"i, if yo- are holdin" !ack so(e of yo-r /isdo(, then s/ear on yo-r "-r- a h-ndred tho-sand oathsL As (-ch /isdo( as yo-8ve "ot, let it co(e over ?#%B &han0 accordin" to Bho1-, this is a variant spellin" of &ann , one of the na(es of Jrishna, and i(plies that Gopi Chand is as special a(on" )alindar8s disciples as Jrishna /as a(on" the Gopis. < 2A% < (e. Mo- have (ade all the city8s /o(en into donkeys. B-t no/ let yo-r /isdo( co(e on (e, let it co(e no/L3 Charpat .ath once (ore recited (a"ic, recited spells, str-ck the (a"ical !lo/. 2e said spells into (any pe!!les and thre/ the(, !-t not one str-ck Behri Mo"in. After a !it she said, 32ave yofinishedE3 3Haksh(i,?#CB (y (a"ic doesn8t /ork on yo-.3 3>o, Charpat .ath, !etter !e caref-l !eca-se (y skill is co(in".3 And Behri Mo"in recited (a"ic, she recited spells, she str-ck a (a"ic !lo/, and as soon as she had str-ck a (a"ic !lo/, she t-rned all the disciples into donkeys. After this clash, Charpat .ath alone re(ained standin". And on the other side, only the lady yo"i. :hat8s it, the others /ere (ade into donkeys. B-t sister4sha(ed Charpat .athL ;hile she alone re(ained standin", if only he had "iven her a co-ple of !lo/s /ith his ton"s, then he (i"ht have !een a!le to stop the lady yo"i. B-t he (issed his chance. Charpat .ath a"ain recited (a"ic and recited spells, !-t nothin" happened. :hat /as it, he /as defeated. 3*no-"h, eno-"h, no/ /hat can 9 send over yo-, Haksh(iE3 >he said, 3Charpat .ath, !e caref-l, no/ (y skill is co(in".3 And she recited (a"ic. After recitin" (a"ic she recited spells, and she str-ck the (a"ic !lo/. >on of a ...L :he lady yo"i t-rned Charpat .ath into a ca(el. >he (ade hi( a ca(el and then the lady yo"i t-rned the /o(en /ho /ere donkeys !ack into /o(en. ;hoE Behri Mo"in. Mes the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ere (ade donkeys, and the /o(en !eat the( so-ndly /ith sticks, and they thre/ cl-(ps of earth at the(. 30-n off, let8s "oL3 :hey drove the( into the /ilderness and left the( there. 2avin" left the( in the 1-n"le they ca(e !ack. :hey had /on, and ca(e sin"in" victory son"s, son of a

...L :hey /ere happyL And they /ent into the villa"e. And the /o(en said to those /ho had not "one, 3,y sister4in4la/, if only yo- had co(e /ith -sL 'o-rteen h-ndred yo"is /ere (ade into donkeys and driven into the 1-n"le. ;e played a contest today and had a lot of f-n.3 3G !i" sister4in4la/, take (e /ith yo- ne=t ti(e, take (e /ith yo-. .e=t ti(e, sister4in4la/, don8t leave (e !ehind.3 >o ri"ht a/ay the others /ere ready. :he /o(en /ere talkin" like that, and ?#CB 9t is co((on in the villa"e to address a /o(an /ho is "ivin" yo- a hard ti(e as the "oddess of "ood fort-ne and prosperity. < 2AC < the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ere !rayin", 3:i!h- ti!h-,3 and !eseechin" the G-r- >overei"n. 32ey, G-r- >overei"n, /e !eseech yo-, co(e F-ickly, Ba!a .ath.3 5GC #.11.e6 >o, the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples had eaten -p all the "rass. And no/ /hat /as left to eat in the /ildernessE Charpat disciple, /ho /as t-rned into a ca(el, had stripped off and eaten the leaves of all the ni% and &he!ara trees. And he !eso-"ht the G-r- >overei"n. 2e /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 2e !eso-"ht the "-r-, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, co(e here F-ickly, Ba!a .ath, G sorro/4"iver, no/ take care of -s. :hose lady (a"ician sl-ts have t-rned o-r fo-rteen h-ndred disciples into donkeys and driven the( into the 1-n"le.3 :he fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ere cryin" hard, their eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( their eyes. ;hose eyesE :he donkeys8. :hey had t-rned the fo-rteen h-ndred into donkeys, and the chief disciple, Charpat .ath, they t-rned into a ca(el. :he ca(el in the 1-n"le /as cryin" and !eseechin" the "-r- /ith !ody and (ind, and the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ere !eseechin" the G-r>overei"n: 3Ba!a, /e pray, co(e here F-ickly, Ba!a .ath, /e are t-rned into donkeys and Grain4"iver, yo- have yo-r eyelids lo/ered over there, !-t the seven lady (a"icians of Ben"al t-rned -s into donkeys and drove -s into the 1-n"le.3 As soon as they !eso-"ht the "-r- /ith !ody and (ind, the G-r- >overei"n8s eyelids rose in the Ja1ali forest. :here /ere fo-rteen h-ndred disciples doin" tapas invisi!ly, a(on" /ho( the chief disciple /as 2ada, the kin" of B-ndi8s prince. 2e /as a 2ada 0a1p-t.?#&B 2e /as G-r- )alindar Ba!a8s disciple. ?2ada has an e=chan"e /ith )alindar identical to Charpat .ath8s previo-s conversation. )alindar, as !efore, co((ands his fo-rteen h-ndred disciples to "o and resc-e Gopi Chand, and /hen they protest he orders 2ada to "o /ith the(. ;hen 2ada e=presses his o/n rel-ctance to deal /ith the lady (a"icians, )alindar is annoyed.B 5GC #.12.e6 ?#&B B-ndi /as a s(all princely state not far fro( A1(er district. :he na(e of B-ndi8s r-lin" clan /as 2ada. < 2A& < 3>ister4f-ckerL Are there tho-sands and (illions of lady (a"ician sl-ts in Ben"al that yo- can8t /inE ;ell, sister4f-ckers, if yo- can8t /in /ith (a"ic and spells, then -se yo-r ton"s, "ive those sl-ts yo-r ton"s, !eat the(. 'o-rteen h-ndred and fo-rteen h-ndred is t/enty4ei"ht h-ndred.?#@B >o lift -p (y (editation seat, 9 /ill "o /ith yo-.3 ;onderf-lL :he G-r- >overei"n8s co(in" too.

At once they picked -p the G-r- >overei"n8s (editation seat, and they took their sacks, they took their ton"s, they p-t on their sandals ... a seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .aths took the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned their faces to/ard Ben"al. :hey crossed one forest, they crossed another forest, in the third forest they ca(e to the Ben"al "arden. As soon as they entered the Ben"al "arden and passed thro-"h its "ates, they ca(e to /here the fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is had !een doin" tapas . :hen they sa/ that the ca(pfires /ere !-rnin" like this ?,adh- and his listeners are seated aro-nd a fireB 7 the ca(pfires of the first ones /ho /ere (ade into donkeys. 'o-rteen h-ndred ca(pfires /ere 1-st as they had left the(, /ith the /ood !-rnin", !-t not a sin"le disciple. )alindar Ba!a looked and la-"hed. 2e said, 3G 2ada disciple.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"nE3 3'o-rteen h-ndred ca(pfires are !-rnin" !-t there8s not one discipleL :he sl-ts have eaten all of the(, they have eaten -p all fo-rteen h-ndred disciples, those lady (a"icians, (y da-"htersL3 3Gh, /ho kno/s /hat happened, Ba!a.3 3;ell, sons, sit at these fo-rteen h-ndred ca(pfires, they are !-rnin". >et -p yo-r (editation seats, and 2ada disciple, let8s see, let8s lo/er o-r eyelids and take care of o-r disciples.3 >affron is !-rnin" in the G-r- )alindar Ba!a8s ca(pfire. 2e fi=ed -p his (editation seat and !-rned saffron in his ca(pfire. And all the other disciples sat at the !-rnin" ca(pfires and 2ada disciple set -p his (editation seat and lo/ered his eyelids and !e"an to take care. 2e set his (ind to take care of the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ho /ere t-rned into donkeys in the 1-n"le. :hey /ere !rayin" in the /ilderness, here and there. And Charpat .ath, /ho hi(self /as a ?#@B :hat is, /e (-st o-tn-(!er the(. < 2A@ < ca(el, /as strippin" and eatin" the !ark fro( the ni% and &he!ara trees. As soon as he raised his eyelids, 2ada disciple said, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, yo-r fo-rteen h-ndred disciples are t-rned into donkeys and Charpat .ath has !eco(e a ca(el and is strippin" the ni% and &he!ara trees and eatin" the(.3 'ineL .o/ let8s see the orders "iven to Bhair- and 2an-(an.?#9B G-r- >overei"nL 5GC #.1#.e6 2e "ave an order to Bhair- and 2an-(an. 3>ons, "o and !rin" the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples.3 Bhairand 2an-(an /ent at once, and they "athered the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples to"ether and !ro-"ht the( into the "arden. As soon as they entered, then 2ada disciple !e"an to recite (a"ic, he !e"an to recite spells, he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/, and as soon as he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ he t-rned the donkeys !ack into disciples. And Charpat .ath /ho /as a ca(el, he (ade hi( !ack into Charpat .ath, and as soon as he /as hi(self a"ain Charpat .ath prostrated to the "-r-. 3G G-r- >overei"n, even tho-"h 9 have an all4po/erf-l "-r- s-ch as yo-, still those sl-ts /ere a!le to do (a"ic on (e. :hey (ade (e into a ca(el, Grain4"iver. And they (ade all the other disciples into donkeys.3 :hen the G-r- >overei"n said, 3>ons.3 3MesE3 3*ach of yo- set -p a separate ca(pfire and c-t /et "reen /ood fro( the "arden trees, (an"o, le(on,

oran"e, and all. C-t it and p-t it on the ca(pfires. And all to"ether call 3Ala&h* 3 and all to"ether so-nd yo-r horn instr-(ents. .o/ day /ill !eco(e ni"ht in Ben"al. And the /hole of Ben"al /ill shiver, shake, and tre(!le. And ri"ht a/ay, /itho-t o-r callin" the(, the seven lady (a"ician sl-ts /ill co(e here.3 >o they each lit separate ca(pfires and c-t the "reen, /et /ood of (an"o, le(on, and oran"e trees and piled it on their ca(pfires, and ?#9B Bhair- is an a"ent of >hivaD 2an-(an8s (ytholo"ical persona is7like Bhair-8s7an active errand4 doer, !-t he is associated /ith 0a(a. :o (y inF-iry on their pairin", ,adh- .ath said, 3:hese t/o al/ays stay to"ether.3 Philip H-t"endorf has clarified this association: 3:ho-"h a Kaishnava fi"-re, the celi!ate, physically i((ortal 2an-(an is considered to !e a ,ahayo"i and f-ll of shakti. 2ence he has "reat appeal to >haivas3 5personal co((-nication 199$6. < 2A9 < s(oke rose -p fro( /ithin the Chapala Garden.?A$B Billo/s of s(oke rose -p and /ent into Ben"alD Ben"al !eca(e filled /ith s(oke, and day !eca(e ni"ht in Ben"al. As soon as day !eca(e ni"ht in Ben"al, they all called 3Ala&h* 3 and they all so-nded their horn instr-(ents so the /hole of Ben"al tre(!led and shook and s/ayed. :hen the seven lady (a"icians tho-"ht, A po/erf-l yo"i see(s to have co(e. Hike Had- .ath.?A1B 0i"ht no/ a po/erf-l yo"i has co(e, day has t-rned to ni"ht in Ben"al, and the /hole of Ben"al tre(!les and shakes. 0i"ht no/ a yo"i /ho is very po/erf-l see(s to have co(e. And they tho-"ht, :his ti(e /e (-st take all o-r disciples /ith -s. >o at once they p-rchased seven (a-nds of rice and (ade invitations, they (ade yello/ rice and sent aro-nd invitations. Behri Mo"in had seven h-ndred disciples and Jap-ri +ho!in had seven h-ndred and that Gil4presser /o(an, Gan"ali :elin, had seven h-ndred, and >etali Jha(ari had seven h-ndred and H-na Cha(ari had seven h-ndred and Ba1ori Jan1ari and >etali Jha(ari and Ph-la ,alin?A2B 7each one of the( had seven h-ndred disciples. And they sent yello/ rice to all of the(: 3Het8s "o at once. Co(e F-ickly onto the /aterside. ,any yo"is have co(e, (ore than !efore.3 32ey, !i" !rother8s /ife, last ti(e yo- didn8t take (e /ith yo-. :he first ti(e fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is /ere t-rned into donkeys, and this ti(e 9 /ant to "o too.3 >o at once, /itho-t delay, in order to see the f-n and play the contest, for the thrill of it, all of the( took their do-!le pots and they "athered at the /aterside. :hey /ere dyin" fro( anticipation. 9f one sl-t /as "rindin" flo-r, she left the flo-r in the (illD and if one /as rollin" !read, she left the flo-r in the do-"h dish, she left the do-"h: 3Hater 9 /ill roll it.3 And if one /as n-rsin" a !oy or "irl, she tied hi( in the cradle: 3;e /ill !e late for the sho/ and (iss the f-n, so let8s "o no/ and n-rse later.3 :he sl-ts, all the /o(en of the city, acted this /ay. :he /o(en "athered at the /aterside. .o/ let8s see the( "o into the "arden. 5GC #.1A.e6 ?A$B *ither ,adh- (isna(es the 3"arden of Ben"al3 here, or any "arden f-ll of yo"is !eco(es a 3Chapala Garden.3 ?A1B ,adh- 1okes /ith his relative Had- .ath. ?A2B :his is the first /e hear of a Gardener (a"icianD she /o-ld !e the ei"hth.

< 2%$ < ?:he enco-nter !et/een Behri Mo"in /ith her cohorts and )alindar and 2ada .ath /ith theirs proceeds in an identical fashion to the earlier enco-nter !et/een the lady (a"icians and Charpat. 2ada, not )alindar, acts as yo"i spokesperson, -ntil Behri anno-nces:B 39 /ill send all of yo- t/enty4ei"ht h-ndred yo"is flyin" and spinnin" in the sky.3 As soon as she said this, 2ada disciple tho-"ht, Gh, son of a ...L >he /ill send -s flyin" in the skyL ?Mu(h laughter B :hat8s pretty a(azin"L :hen the G-r- >overei"n said, 3All ri"ht, 9 /ill tell. >hall 9 tell yo- all a!o-t (yselfE3 3Mes, tell a!o-t yo-rself.3 3B-t, !rother, if 9 tell yo- everythin" a!o-t (yself, then yo- /on8t send (e flyin" in the skyE3 39 /on8t send yo- flyin" if yo- tell everythin".3 3>ister, on Jailash ,o-ntain, Hord >hankar8s ca(pfire !-rns nine !o!ans tall.?A#B :hat is (y "-r-8s placeL And Hord >hankar, the kin" of Jailash, is (y "-r-. And every day /e are "athered ... so /here do /e co(e fro(E 'ro( over there, on Jailash ,o-ntain, /here there is a (aster/orker /ho fashions h-(an for(s?AAB o-t of rocks. As he fashions the(, he places the( on the road to Ben"al. >o they co(e into Ben"al. Mo- i(a"ine that yo- /ill /ipe o-t yo"is so not a seed re(ains7that yo- /ill finish off yo"is. B-t /e yo"is are takin" !irth fro( rocks. :he (aster/orker keeps fashionin" -s o-t of rocks, and /e set o-t i((ediately on the road to Ben"al. >o yo- (i"ht think that yo- /ill finish off yo"is, !-t let (e tell yo- that /hen the stones of the earth are finished, that8s /hen /e yo"is /ill !e finished. >o no/ 9 have told yo- all a!o-t (y ca(pfireD and Bhola .ath of Jailash ,o-ntain is (y "-r-L3?A%B 3G yo"i, kno/led"e /ielder, love4spell /ielder, death4spell /ielder, then /e /ill have a contest /ith yo-.3 39 told yo- all a!o-t (yself and yo- still /ant to have a contestE3 ?A#B Jailash is the traditional d/ellin" place of >hivaD one !o!an eF-als 12 &os or 2A (iles. ?AAB :he ter( -sed here is %urti , !-t it refers less to an icon than to a stone fi"-re. ?A%B 9nnocent or >i(ple .ath, one of >hiva8s (ost co((on epithets. Altho-"h !y fa(iliar tradition >hiva is )alindar8s "-r-, 9 fo-nd no other references to yo"is !ein" (ade of stoneD 9 interpret this speech as an i(a"inative e=pression of )alindar8s !ravado in the face of the threatenin" Ben"ali (a"icians. < 2%1 < 3Mes, !rother, /e /ill have one.3 :hen )alindar .ath said to 2ada disciple, 3GJ, 2ada disciple, play a contest /ith the(, !-t !e caref-lL3 :hen 2ada disciple recited (a"ic, and after recitin" (a"ic he !e"an to recite spells and he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/. As soon as he recited spells, he t-rned every sin"le one of those Ben"ali sl-ts, all the /o(en, into donkeys. B-t d-rin" this clash, Behri Mo"in /as not affected. ,y da-"hterL >he alone re(ained standin". 3Mes, yo"i, s/ear a h-ndred tho-sand oaths on yo-r "-r-, and then let as (-ch kno/led"e as yo- have co(e over (e.3 At this, Charpath .ath said, 32ada Grandpa, those other sl-ts don8t (ean anythin"79 (ade the( into donkeys (yselfL B-t, son of a ...L :his Behri Mo"in is a !a" of hot chilisL 2ada Grandpa, she t-rned (e

into a ca(elL :his one8s a (a"ician, and (y (a"ic didn8t /ork on her.3 ,ean/hile, 2ada disciple once (ore recited (a"ic, and havin" recited (a"ic he !e"an to recite spells, and he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ and t-rned Behri Mo"in into a she4ca(el. :hen the G-r- >overei"n said to all the disciples, 3:here are !-rnin" coals in yo-r ca(pfires, so (ake yo-r ton"s red hot. :hen, sons, close the "ates for a little /hile, and take yo-r reven"e.3 >o they closed the "ates and7all the sl-ts /ere t-rned into donkeys7and they !e"an to !eat the( /ith iron canes, red hot ones, -ntil they (arked the( /ith all sorts of lines and stripes ?Told 5ith great :est and laughter B. :hey looked like they /ere /rapped in decorative !lankets. Brayin" and !rayin", 3:i!h- ti!h-,3 they ran aro-nd the "arden, and they dropped piles of shit all over. After/ards the G-r- >overei"n said, 3.o/, sons, open the "ates and drive the( into the /ilderness /here yo- /ere "razin" and leave the(.3 :hen they ro-nded the( -p and drove the( into the 1-n"le, /here the disciples had already eaten -p all the "reen "rass fodder. And no/ the sl-ts licked the d-st and /andered in the 1-n"le, !rayin" 3:i!h- ti!h-.3 All the /o(en of the city /ere t-rned into donkeysL Mo- co-ldn8t have the vision of a Ben"ali /o(an any/here. 9n the villa"es there /as nothin" yo- co-ld even call a /o(an. :he G-r- >overei"n drove the( into the 1-n"le and left the( there. .ot a /o(an re(ained to !e seen in the city, so that yo- co-ld say, 8Brother, at so4and4so8s < 2%2 < ho-se a /o(an re(ains.3 .o/ they /ere not /o(en, they /ere donkeys. .o/ only (en /ere leftD they /ere searchin" a(on" the(selves, and the !oys and "irls in the cradles /ere cryin". And 2ardev ?a (e(!er of the a-dienceB said, 3Gh no, (y son .ath-8s /ife hasn8t co(e. 9 (yself /ill "o and search for her.3 >o(e said, 3,y sons8 and da-"hters8 (other hasn8t co(e !ack.3 And so(e said, 3Gh noL ,ine left the do-"h in the kneadin" !o/l.3 Gthers said, 3G dear, at (y ho-se the !read is !-rnin" on the "riddle.3 B-t others sho-ted: 3Het the !read !-rn, !-t (y !oys and "irls are cryin" in the cradle and /hose !reast /ill s-ckle the(, /here has she "oneE3 :alkin" in this /ay all the (en of Ben"al "athered at the co-ncil place.?ACB ;hen they had "athered there, that "ardener /ho /as still !-rnin" like red peppers7the one /ho /as !eaten /ith the ton"s yesterday71oined the asse(!ly. :hen the "ardener said, 3Mo-r /o(en are in the 1-n"le.3 3;hat do yo- (ean, 8in the 1-n"le8E3 3,any yo"is ca(e into the "arden, and the /o(en /ent to play a contest /ith the(. :he first ti(e yo-r /o(en (ade all the yo"is into donkeys and drove the( o-t. B-t this ti(e a !i" "-r- ca(e and they "athered a"ain. :hey /ent to play another contest, and the yo"is (ade yo-r /o(en into donkeys, and they are !rayin" in the !erry /ilderness.?A&B 9f yo- don8t !elieve (e, then look at (y !ack.3 ;ho said thisE :he "ardener. 3Hook at (y !ack, it has /elts like streaks of li"htnin", and the sa(e kind of stripes are on yo-r sl-ts. :hose /ho /ere the lady (a"icians8 disciples /ent and those /ho /eren8t ca(e alon" to see the sho/.3 >o no/, /hat to doE Had- .ath said, 3Het8s all take ear4hi"h sticks. And let8s all "o, all the (en of the city, and ai( o-r sticks at the yo"is. ;e /ill sho/ the( o-r (a"ic spellsL ;e (en (ay not have any (a"ic spells, !-t /e have plain stick (a"ic, and fro( one !lo/ /ith a stick five loincloth4/earers /ill fall.3 ?Mu(h audien(e response and hearty laughter B.

5GC #.1%.e6 ?ACB hatai0 -s-ally refers to a desi"nated nei"h!orhood or caste (eetin" spot. ?A&B bor &33 %angara0 another e=a(ple of local settin" that refers to an area 1-st o-tside Ghatiyali /here !erries -sed to !e plentif-l. < 2%# < And they all took sticks as tall as their ears, and said, 3;e don8t kno/ (a"ic spells, !-t let8s all "o search for every sin"le one of o-r /o(en, (y son8s Ba!a1iL?A@B :hey have pl-cked all o-r /o(en.3 >o "ro-ped to"ether, all the (en of the /hole city /ent to the "arden. :hey took ear4hi"h sticks and /ent thro-"h the "ate/ay, and then the leader of the /hole villa"e and city spoke: 32ey yo"is, ho/ is it that so (any of yo- have co(e and "athered hereE And tell (e /here o-r /o(en are.3 :hen the G-r- >overei"n )alindar Ba!a said, 3G !rothers, /hat do 9 /ant /ith yo-r /o(enE 9t /as !eca-se of /o(en tro-!le that 9 first !eca(e a yo"i. 9 !eca(e a yo"i to "et a/ay fro( /o(en. ;hat need have 9 of /o(enE :here aren8t any /o(en aro-nd here, and /e don8t even kno/ yo-r /o(en. And /hat /o-ld /o(en have co(e to "et fro( sadhus like -sE3 3G yo"is, /e don8t kno/ (a"ic and /e don8t kno/ spells !-t /e have plain stick (a"ic. >o tell -s nicely a!o-t o-r /o(en or else, /ith one stick, ri"ht no/, five loincloth4/earers /ill fall. :ell -s nicely a!o-t o-r /o(enD yo- (ay have (a"ic spells, !-t /e have cl-!sL3 As soon as he had said this, )alindar Ba!a said to 2ada disciple, 3Gh son, 2ada.3 3Mes G-r- >overei"n.3 3>on, they don8t kno/ spells. :hey are !-(pkins like 2ardev. :hey !eat /ith sticks as soon as they co(e. As soon as they raise their sticks, they apply the(, and after/ards, son, /e /on8t re(e(!er any (a"ic spells, after sticks have fallen. >o /ill yo- speak spells or eat sticksE Mo- /on8t re(e(!er (a"ic spells, son, so take care in advance: the sticks are a!o-t to start flyin".3 2ada disciple recited (a"ic, and he recited spells, and he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/. As soon as he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/, all the (en of Ben"al /ere t-rned into donkeys. :hen Charpat .ath said to the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples: 3.o/ let the( take care of their /o(en, sons. 0o-nd the( -p and take the( into the /ilderness, so that the he4asses shall !e /ith the she4asses.3 :hey !e"an !rayin", 3:i!h-, ti!h-,3 and /ent r-nnin" and r-nnin" thro-"ho-t the /hole /asteland. *no-"h, the 1-n"le of Ben"al /as no/ pop-lated, !-t over there in the city 1-st a co-ple of old folks /ere left. All of Ben"al /as deserted. :hen the old folks talked a(on" the(selves, 3:he children ?A@B :his is an ins-lt to the yo"is. < 2%A < are ho/lin" and dyin" of h-n"er.3 :he old folks "athered to"ether, 3Brother, no/ /hat to doE ;here did the (en "oE :he (en don8t co(e and the /o(en don8t co(e, and so(ethin" stran"e has happened.3 Hater they "ot the ne/s: (any yo"is ca(e to the "arden and they8re the ones /ho ca-sed the /hole city to !eco(e deserted. And they (ade the /o(en and the (en into she4asses and he4asses. And they drove the( into the /ilderness and left the(.

:hen the old folks "athered and /ent to the kin", to Gopi Chand8s sister8s h-s!and, to his elder sister8s h-s!and. 2e /as on his /ay to (eet /ith his sister. Gopi Chand8s elder sister8s h-s!and /as the kin", and the old folks /ent to hi( to lod"e a co(plaint. 3;e have a co(plaint, Grain4"iver.3 3Gld folks, /ho has co((itted a cri(e a"ainst yo-E3 3Grain4"iver, o-t of the /hole pop-lation of the city, only -s, a co-ple of old folks are left. All that there are, have co(e.3 3>o /here are all the (en and /o(en of the villa"eE3 3*ven if yo- search, yo- /on8t find the( any/here.3 3;hy, /here have they "one, old folksE3 3Grain4"iver, fo-rteen h-ndred and another fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is ca(e to the "arden. And they (ade all the /o(en into sheasses. And after/ards the (en /ent to search for the(, and they (ade all the (en into he4asses and drove the( into the 1-n"le and left the(. Mo-r 1-n"le has !eco(e pop-lated, !-t yo-r /hole city is deserted. Grain4"iver, only -s, a fe/ old folks re(ain7and yo- re(ain, so do as yo/ill.3 3;hy, old folks, no/ /hat do yo- /antE3 3Grain4"iver, /e /ill "o and yo- co(e alon" /ith -s, and to"ether /e8ll "et the city repop-lated: /e8ll fall at the yo"is8 feet.3 :he kin" said, 3Gld folks, /hy, 98( the only (an left and it see(s as if yo- /ant (e to !e (ade into a donkey, too. 98( the only (an left in Ben"al and yo-8re thinkin", 8Brother, let8s (ake the kin" into a donkey, too.8 :his see(s to !e yo-r desire.3 3.o, Grain4"iver, !-t yo- are the kin", and if yo- 1oin yo-r hands to the( then they /ill repop-late the city.3 3Gld folks, 9 /ill shit ri"ht here !-t 9 /on8t p-t (y foot there. :hey /ill (ake (e a donkey. And (y F-een /ill !e left here in the palace. And 98ll /ander !rayin" in the 1-n"le over there. ;e can settle another city. Het the( !-rn -p.3 B-t Hady Cha(pa +e spoke. ;hoE Gopi Chand8s sister. Gopi < 2%% < Chand8s sister spoke to the kin". 32ey Jin", on acco-nt of o-r s-!1ects, /e are called kin"s. Gver /hat /ill /e r-le /hen Ben"al has !eco(e desertedE :his is /hat yo- (-st do. Mo-r r-le is l-ckless. 9t8s all !eca-se there /ere lady (a"icians in the city, and they played a contest /ith the yo"is. :hat8s /hy they (ade the /hole of Ben"al deserted. 9n (y natal ho(e, yo"is ca(e every day, callin" 8Ala&h* 8 in the portals. And al(s /ere set o-t for the(. B-t 9 have !een "iven in (arria"e into a l-ckless kin"do(, a l-ckless land. And 9 haven8t had the vision of a sin"le yo"i. Mo"is never call 8Ala&h* 8 at (y door. 9n (y natal ho(e, every day, every other day, a yo"i ca(e, callin" 8Ala&h* 8 9 al/ays set o-t al(s for the(, and (y !rother /as "iven as a loan. G-rs /as the %aya of yo"is.?A9B B-t over here in yo-r kin"do(, /hat is "oin" onE 3Jin", this is /hat yo- (-st do: take these old folks /ith yo-, tie yo-r hands !ehind yo-r !ack /ith ra/ thread, and "o over there !are4headed and !are4looted, and fall at the yo"is8 feet.3 5GC #.1C.e6

:he F-een e=plained it all to hi(: 3Go, he /ill never ever (ake yo- a donkey. 9t8s !eca-e of the lady (a"icians never lettin" yo"is into the city7that8s /hy he (ade yo-r city deserted !y t-rnin" everyone into donkeys. 3:ie yo-r hands !ehind yo-r !ack /ith ra/ thread, G Jin", and take a co-ple of old ladies /ith yoand "o !are4headed and !are4footed and fall at the yo"is8 feet. 2-(ility is "reat, so in the /orld !o/ lo/, as the "reen "rasses !end in the river8s flo/. ;hy does the erand cli(! so hi"h /ith its ha-"hty po/er, ;hy does the (an"o !end so lo/, /ith its h-(!le po/erE?%$B ?A9B %a&ai to !ogya &i hi %aya0 this lovely phrase see(s a(!i"-o-s. 9t co-ld (ean 3/e "ot o-r prosperity fro( yo"is3 or 3/e lived o-r ill-sory lives !y the "ood "race of yo"is.3 ?%$B nuvan bari hai sansar %a ra na nubai !yo ni(h, phani %elo gundalo nubai nandi &a bi(0 erand to &yo (harhai hai u(hau &a uni &ararayi &a pan, ar a% ni(ho &yo lulai u&i nara%ai &a pan :he (essa"e of these co-plets is that one (-st !e h-(!le in order to s-rvive, like "rasses or (an"o trees. A (an"o !ends lo/ and people can reach its fr-it /itho-t har(in" the tree, !-t people c-t do/n the erand 5/hose seeds are -sed for (achine oil6 !eca-se other/ise they cannot reach its fr-it. < 2%C < 3*ven if the yo"i looks darkly at yo-, say 8Grain4"iver8 and fall at his feet. Prostrate yo-rself to hi( and ad(it yo-r (istake. And he /ill repop-late yo-r city. ;hatever he says, a"ree /ith hi(.3 Gn hearin" this the kin" !e"an to hope, !-t he said, 3Hook here, N-een, he /ill t-rn (e into a donkey, and then 9 /ill /ander h-n"ry in the 1-n"le and yo- /ill re(ain in the palace.3 32e /on8t t-rn yo- into anythin". 2-(ility is "reat. 'all at the yo"i8s feet.3 >o, at once the kin" had his hands tied !ehind his !ack /ith ra/ thread, and he /ent !are4headed and !arefoot, takin" a fe/ old ladies /ith hi(. ;ith his hands tied !ehind his !ack, the kin" /ent to the "arden. As he /as a!o-t to enter, fro( the "ate/ay, he sa/ the yo"i doin" tapas , !-t to the kin" it looked like a nine4hand4tall lion seated there, and he !e"an to tre(!le. 2e stood tre(!lin" in the "ate/ay and did not "o inside. :he kin" had no stren"th to speak. 3.o/ if 9 speak, he8ll (ake (e a donkey, then /hatE3 >o )alindar Ba!a raised his eyelids and there /as the kin", it /as Jin" Bho1.?%1B )alindar Ba!a noticed that he /as tre(!lin", so )alindar Ba!a said, 32ey, Jin", /hy are yo- tre(!lin" hereE ;hat do yo/antE3 3Grain4"iver, later 98ll tell yo- (any thin"s, !-t first, don8t (ake (e into a donkey. 9 a"ree to everythin" else, !-t don8t (ake (e a donkey, Grain4"iver.3 3Good, 9 /on8t (ake yo- one. ;hat do yo- /antE3 3Grain4"iver, /hatever yo- say, that 98ll do, and 9 /ill serve yo-. B-t, Grain4"iver, repop-late (y city.3 3Jin", anythin" else, /hatever strikes yo- as fine. B-t if yo- speak of repop-latin" the city, then 98ll (ake yo- a donkey.3 >o the kin" !e"an to tre(!le, 32ey Grain4"iver, don8t (ake (e a donkey. 9f yo- prefer it that /ay,

don8t repop-late the city.3 3>ister4f-ckerL Mo-r r-le is s-ch a !lind oneL Mo-8re the kin" !-t yo-r r-le is s-ch a !lind one. 9n yo-r villa"e yo- have s-ch tro-!le4(akin" sl-ts7Behri Mo"in, Gan"ali :elin, Jap-ri +ho!in, and all the rest of those lady (a"icians. ;hen o-r yo"a4!orn co(e, they don8t let the( !e" and eat. :hey (ake so(e into roosters, and they (ake so(e into parrots, and they (ake so(e into o=en and yoke ?%1B Accordin" to Bho1-, Jin" Bho1 /as a kin" of U11ainD ,adh- 1-st -sed the first kin"8s na(e that ca(e into his head. < 2%& < the( to the oil press. :hose tro-!le4(akin" sl-ts (ade (y disciple into a rooster, yoked hi( to the oil press, (ade hi( into a parrot, and !-ried hi( in a hole. Mo-r r-le is s-ch a !lind one.3 3G Great Jin", 9 /ill have an edict en"raved: 8.o sl-ts /ill play any "a(es /ith any ro!e4/earers.8 :he p-nish(ent is !-rial and to !e tra(pled !y horses. :he edict /ill reF-ire the( to vo/, 2ind-s on co/s and ,-sli(s on pi"s,?%2B not to play any contests /ith any yo"is at all. 9n this /ay, Grain4"iver, 9 /ill serve yo-. >o please repop-late the /hole city.3 :hen )alindar Ba!a spoke, 3'ine, Jin", have an edict en"raved.3 3Mes, 9 /ill erect a stone edict.3 3Mes, so "o, order an edict to !e en"raved and have it erected.3 >o he called the /ork(en fro( several villa"es, and had an edict en"raved. 2ind-s had to s/ear on co/s and ,-sli(s on pi"s: 39f any yo"i co(es, no sl-t /ill play a contest /ith hi(.3 Anyone /ho did /o-ld !e !-ried deep and horses set to tra(ple her fro( a!ove. And each one had to s/ear a h-ndred tho-sand oaths on her o/n "-r-: 39f any ro!e4/earer co(es, 9 /on8t play a contest.3 :h-s an edict /as en"raved and erected in the "ro-nd. .o/ the G-r- >overei"n "ave an order to Bhair- and 2an-(an. 3>ons, "o "et the he4asses and she4 asses and !rin" the( !ack.3 5GC #.1&.e6 2ere8s /hat Bhair- and 2an-(an did: they prod-ced !ees, and they sent the(. :he !ees /ent to /here the he4asses and she4asses /ere "razin" and !rayin". :he !ees attacked the( and !ro-"ht the(. :hen the "arden /as filled /ith he4asses and she4asses. As soon as the "arden /as filled, the G-r- >overei"n said: 32ada disciple, t-rn the (en !ack into (en and the /o(en !ack into /o(en.3 B-t Charpat .ath spoke: 3;ait, G-r- >overei"n, yo-8re "oin" to repop-late the cityE B-t yo- still haven8t taken care of Gopi Chand, and the /hole affair /as on acco-nt of Gopi Chand. Mo- have !e"-n to repop-late the city !-t no7Gopi Chand o-"ht to co(e first.3 :hen the G-r- >overei"n said, 30i"ht, son. GJ, 2ada, call Gopi Chand.3 2ada disciple !e"an to (editate, he !e"an to recite and ?%2B :hat is, sho-ld they !reak the vo/, 2ind-s (-st eat co/ and ,-sli(s (-st eat pi" flesh7eF-ally a!horrent altho-"h for different reasons. < 2%@ < pray. :here /as a dark pit, /ith a sla! of stone p-shed over its top, and he (ade that sla! fly off. 9nside

the chest4deep dark pit, inside a ca"e, (ade into a parrot, Gopi Chand /as !-ried. By the po/er of (a"ic, he took the ca"e o-t fro( inside the dark pit and (ade it fly. Gopi Chand /as sh-t -p in that ca"e, and 2ada disciple (ade it fly into the "arden. 3Hook,3 said the G-r- >overei"n, 3Hook, Jin", at /hat those sl-ts did. :his is a kin". :his is Gopi Chand, the son of Jin" :aloki Chand.3 At once he recited (a"ic and he recited spells and he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/ and t-rned the parrot into Gopi Chand. As soon as he (ade hi( into Gopi Chand, on his foot a lot-s sparkled, and on his left ar( a 1e/el "lea(ed, and on his forehead /as the (oon. 9t /as 1-st as if the s-n had risen in the "arden. Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 2e fell at the G-r- >overei"n8s feet: 32ey G-r- >overei"n, it took yo- so (any days to take care of (e. B-t 9 have died. >o(e days 9 /as yoked to the oil press, and so(e days 9 /as t-rned into a donkey, and so(e days 9 /as t-rned into a cock. And this Behri Mo"in is a real sl-t7she sh-t (e in a ca"e, and G-r>overei"n, she p-t (e in a deep pit.3 :hen the G-r- >overei"n said, 3>on, yo- are 1-st one sin"le so-l !-t, Gopi Chand, 1-st look at yo-r reven"e: the "arden is co(pletely filled /ith he4asses and she4asses. 9 have (ade the /hole city desolate, and these he4asses and she4asses are standin" ri"ht !efore yo-. 9 (ade the /hole city desolate for yo-r so-l8s reven"e. And no/ an edict has !een en"raved and erected so these lady (a"ician sl-ts /ill never play /ith anyone a"ain, no/ no one need fear.3 :hen the G-r- >overei"n "ave the order to 2ada disciple and 2ada disciple recited (a"ic, he recited spells, and he str-ck the (a"ic !lo/7t-rnin" the he4asses into (en and the she4asses into /o(en. 3>isters, take care of yo-r !oys and "irls, and roll o-t !read and eat.3 And, to the (en, 3:ake care of yo-r /o(en.3 And he separated the seven lady (a"icians. 2e separated the( and Charpat .ath !e"an to !eat the sl-ts /ith his ton"s. .o/ /ith "rass !lades in their (o-ths and their hands !efore their faces,%# ?%#B ghas &a thuna&alya levai ra hath &havai0 accordin" to Bho1- these are a!1ect "est-res. :he /o(en are pleadin" for (ercy. < 2%9 < they fell at his feet. 3Grain4"iver, /e /on8t play any (ore contests. .o (ore contests. Grain4"iver, /e are yo-r co/s, !-t "ive -s the "ift of life. .o/ even if a yo"i or a sadhu co(es and "ives -s five shoe!eatin"s7even then /e /ill not play contests /ith the(. Grain"iver, the edict is erected. And /e each s/ear a h-ndred tho-sand oaths on o-r "-r-s to play no contests /ith any ro!e4/earers.3 And they (ade vo/s as reF-ired !y the edict. 3:hen "o !ack and repop-late the cityL3 *veryone /ent to their o/n villa"es and ho-ses, and they took care of the !oys and "irls. .o/, the G-r- >overei"n said to Gopi Chand, 3Good, son Gopi Chand, no/ these fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is can "o, and, son, no/ yo- "o and visit yo-r sister. .o/ visit yo-r sister.3 3G-r- >overei"n, 9 tried to visit her !efore, and the (ark is still lyin" here on (y r-(p7the (oon and the s-n are printed7and so 98ve had eno-"h of a visit /ith herL3 3.o, son, yo-8ve co(e this far, so !rother, (eet /ith yo-r sister.3 )alindar Ba!a8s asse(!ly /ent !ack to the Ja1ali ;oods. :he city /as repop-lated. And no/ Gopi Chand is "oin" to his sister8s.

5GC #.1@.e6 ?Gopi Chand for a second ti(e e=periences sorro/ at his chan"ed condition /hile approachin" his sister8s do(ain. 2o/ever, this ti(e /hen he reaches the portals of her palace and calls 3Ala&h* 3 Cha(pa +e sends her slave "irl ,oti +e /ith 1e/els for the yo"i. Gopi Chand8s enco-nter /ith ,oti +e, the "irl8s ret-rn to her (istress, the s-!seF-ent attack of all Cha(pa +e8s eleven h-ndred slave "irls on the yo"i, and his revelation7after )alindar tells hi( /hat to do7of his tr-e identity all follo/ e=actly the sa(e pattern as the enco-nter /ith Pata( +e8s slave "irls in GC 2. 9 ret-rn to the te=t /ith the final s-n" se"(ent of GC #, at the (o(ent /hen the slave "irls, a/are of /ho has co(e, "o /ailin" to the F-een.B :he eleven h-ndred slave "irls /ent /ailin", they /ent st-(!lin" and fallin".?%AB All eleven h-ndred !ond/o(en, the sl-ts, /ent /ailin" into the palace. ?%AB :his is the final s-n" portion of GC #. < 2C$ < 3G "irls, 9 sent yo- off la-"hin", !ond/o(en, /hy do yo- no/ co(e cryin"E ;hat kind of yo"i is this, a (a"icianE ;hat kind of yo"i is this, a death4spell /ielderE G !ond/o(en, did he feed yo- roasted hashish, that yo- have co(e stoned and /ailin"E3 ;hen the F-een had said this (-ch /hat did ,oti +e +asi, the !ond/o(an, say to her (istressE 3.o, ,istress, the yo"i is no (a"ic4/orker, ,istress, the yo"i is no death4spell /ielder. .o, ,istress, he didn8t feed -s roasted hashish. ,istress, yo-r !rother has co(e as a yo"i. ,istress Cha(pa +e, yo-r fort-ne has !-rst, yo-r !rother Gopi Chand stands as a yo"i.3 ;hen ,oti +e had said this (-ch, Hady Cha(pa +e took do/n a /hip fro( its pe". :he lady str-ck ,oti +e t/ice: 3>l-t, yo-8re (akin" (y !rother a yo"iL >l-t, 98ll -se (y !a(!oo to (ake yo-r skin fly offL 2o/ can yo- (ake (y !rother a yo"iL3 ;hen the F-een had said this (-ch:

3,istress, !eat (e if yo- /ish, drive (e a/ay if yo- /ish, take a/ay (y life, ,istress, take a/ay (y life. ,eetin" is "ood, partin" is !ad, ,istress, it8s a carnival of partin", oh HordL ,istress, yo- /on8t (eet yo-r !rother a"ain. 3Gn yo-r !rother8s foota lot-s is sparklin", < 2C1 < on his left ar( a 1e/el is "lea(in". Gn his forehead is the (oon, Hord, .o/ "o, sister, and (eet /ith yo-r !rotherL3 ;hen ,oti +e had said this (-ch, Hady Cha(pa +e /ent to the portal, she /ent to the portal and sa/ Gopi Chand8s co-ntenance. Gn her !rother8s left ar( a 1e/el /as "lea(in", and on his forehead the (oon. Gopi Chand stood shinin", and this sister, Cha(pa +e, ran and /rapped herself aro-nd Gopi Chand8s sho-lders. 3Brother, yo- had eleven h-ndred F-eens and si=teen h-ndred slave "irls, /hen did yo- leave the(E And o-r old (other, /hen did yo- leave her and co(eE G (y !rother, to /ho( did yo- entr-st the kin"do(E3 And she "ave her !rother a h-". Both sister and !rother are cryin" hard. Cha(pa +e h-n" on his sho-lders, dyin" of an"-ish, Cha(pa +e stopped !reathin". Cha(pa +e, his sister, died, !-t re(ained st-ck to his sho-lders. Gopi Chand is cryin" hard in the portal, 3.o/ /hat has happened to (eE3 5GC #.2#.s6 :he slave "irls /ent fallin" and st-(!lin" and /ailin" into the Color Palace. ;hen they "ot there, N-een Cha(pa +e said, 3G "irls, 9 sent yo- la-"hin" so /hy have yo- co(e cryin"E ;hat kind of a

yo"i is he, a (a"icianE a death4spell /ielderE +id he feed yo- roasted hashish that yo- have co(e stoned and /ailin", all yo- eleven h-ndred slave "irlsE3 < 2C2 < :hey /ere cryin" hard, all eleven h-ndred slave "irls, their eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. :hey kept /ailin", and then one said to the F-een, 3,istress, that yo"i is no (a"ician, no death4spell /ielder and he did not feed -s roasted hashish. G ,istress, yo-r fort-ne has !-rst, yo-r !rother Gopi Chand has co(e as a yo"i.3 As soon as she said this, Cha(pa +e took the /hip do/n fro( the pe" and "ave a co-ple of !lo/s ... to /ho(E ... to that ,oti +e /ho had already !een !eaten !efore /ith the ton"s. >he /as the chief slave "irl. 3;hy, sl-t, are yo- (akin" (y !rother a yo"iE 9 have only one !rother, yo- /icked sl-tL3 3,istress, !eat (e if yo- /ish, or even take a/ay (y life. B-t (eetin" is "ood and partin" is !ad and the noose of %aya 8s net is al/ays very !ad. 9t8s a carnival of partin". Gopi Chand has !eco(e a yo"i and co(e into the portalD if yo- like, take a/ay (y life ... !-t it8s a carnival of partin" fro( yo-r !rother7"o and (eet hi(. Gn his foot a lot-s is sparklin" and on his left ar( a 1e/el is "lea(in" and on his forehead is the (oon, as if the s-n had risen in the portal. And (eetin" is "ood !-t partin" is !ad. ,eet /ith yo-r !rother, "o and (eet hi(, or else if he picks -p his ca(pfire and leaves, then after/ards yo- /ill never (eet a"ain.3 ;hile she /as sayin" this, sister Cha(pa +e "ot -p. >he "ot -p and /ent to the portal and there7on his foot a lot-s /as sparklin" and on his left ar( a 1e/el /as "lea(in" and on his forehead /as the (oon. As soon as she sa/ Gopi Chand8s co-ntenance, she /ept and /eepin" she /ent and at once thre/ her ar(s aro-nd Gopi Chand. 3G (y !rother, yo- had eleven h-ndred F-eens and si=teen h-ndred slave "irls, fifty4t/o portals, fifty4 three door/ays, t/elve districts8 r-le, and o-r old (other7/hen did yo- leave the( and co(eE And ho/ did yo- co(e to take on yo"a, and /hat ca-sed yo- to p-t yo"is8 earrin"s?%%B in yo-r earsE ;hat is this yo- have doneE3 >ayin" these thin"s, she thre/ her ar(s aro-nd hi( and e(!raced hi(, and she !e"an to /ail. :hen she really !reathed her last. 0eally, clin"in" to his sho-lders, Cha(pa +e died. Gopi Chand /as cryin" hard, his eyes filled /ith 9ndra8s (isty rain. ;ater po-red fro( his eyes. 2e /as /ailin" in the portal, 32ey G-r- >overei"n, hey Grain4"iver, 9 ca(e to visit (y sister and (y ?%%B %andara0 note that -nlike Pata( +e, Cha(pa +e -ses one of the correct ter(s. < 2C# < sister has died !-t re(ains st-ck to (y sho-lders. >o(ethin" very ina-spicio-s has happened to (e. ,y sister has died. And no/ /hat /ill the /orld?%CB sayE :hey8ll say, 82er !rother !eca(e a yo"i and ca(e, and then N-een Cha(pa +e died. A cri(e has occ-rred.83 :hen /ith his !ody and (ind he !eso-"ht the G-r- >overei"n. ;ho didE Gopi Chand. 32ey G-r>overei"n, 9 a( !eseechin" yo- so co(e F-ickly, Ba!a .ath, Grain4"iver, /hy have yo- afflicted (e /ith this lifelon" !le(ishE3 2e !eso-"ht the G-r- >overei"n /ith his !ody and (ind and /hile he /as !eseechin" hi(, the G-r- >overei"n ca(e. 3>onE3 3;hat8s happened, Grain4"iverE >ee (e !efore yo-. Mo- sent (e to visit, !-t did yo- send (e to kill (y sisterE ,oreover, as 9 /as on the /ay to (eet her 9 had a lot of tro-!le. And Grain4"iver, no/ /hat

sorro/ have yo- "iven to (y spiritE ,y sister, Cha(pa +e, really died and re(ains st-ck to (y sho-lders, and the /orld /ill call it evil: 8;ho kno/s /hat Ba!a1i ca(e and really killed herE8 ;hy have yo- afflicted (e /ith this lifelon" !le(ish, the stain of a vir"inE3?%&B At once, the G-r- >overei"n took his tin /ith the eli=ir of life. 2e sprinkled the (ha%eli tree and took o-t Gopi Chand8s sister8s so-l.?%@B 2e "ra!!ed it and p-t it !ack inside her and sprinkled her /ith the eli=ir of life. As soon as he sprinkled her, he (ade Hady Cha(pa +e stand ri"ht -p a"ain. And she !ro-"ht her !rother into the palace and they had a "ood ti(e, la-"hin" and chattin", !oth sister and !rother for a fe/ days. >he kept hi( very co(forta!ly inside the palace, and th-s sister and !rother re(ained. B-t she /o-ld not let Gopi Chand "o. 9f he /ent, then she /o-ld "o /ith hi(. 3:ake (e /ith yo-, and 9 /ill !e a yo"ini, too.3 Gopi Chand /as standin" in the portal, ready to "o, !-t she /o-ldn8t let hi( "o. 398ll "o /ith yo-, !rother. 9 /ill !e a yo"ini, and "o.3 ?%CB sa%sar0 even as a yo"i, Gopi Chand see(s /orried a!o-t /hat people /ill think, a!o-t his rep-tation. Bho1- (odifies (y 1-d"(ent: he8s /orried a!o-t yogis 8 rep-tations. ?%&B :hat is, a sin res-ltin" fro( killin" a chaste /o(an. ?%@B Apparently Cha(pa +e8s so-l had entered this tree 5a fact not previo-sly (entioned6D (ha%eli is a type of 1as(ine, and (ha%pa is also a s/eet4s(ellin" flo/er. < 2CA < .o/ ho/ co-ld Gopi Chand take his sister /ith hi(E 2e can8t take her. 9n the portal he said, 3Hady, look o-t, yo-r palace is on fire. 'ire str-ck, yo-r palace is !-rnin"L3 >o she looked !ack to see if it /ere tr-e ... 1-st like a /o(an.?%9B >he looked !ack. 39s it really on fireE 2e said fire had str-ck, so let8s see if o-r palace has !-rnt.3 9n that (-ch ti(e Gopi Chand disappeared. 2e t-rned into /ind. Beco(in" /ind, that8s all, he left. Hater she !eca(e a lady yo"i. >he p-t on ochre clothin" and for si= (onths she searched, /anderin" in the 1-n"le. B-t she didn8t find Gopi Chand. 'or si= (onths she /andered, searchin" in the 1-n"le as a lady yo"i, !-t she didn8t find Gopi Chand. ?Madhu to Ann: .o/ "o to sleep, it8s over.B 5GC #.2#.e6 ?%9B tariya &i !at hai0 literally, 3:hat8s the species of /o(en.3 < 2C% <

Part 9 Instruction fro0 Gora3h Nath

Introduction
A persistent le"end in 9ndia tells of a land to the east that is 3r-led !y /o(en.3 'or 0a1asthanis this is i(a"ined to !e in Ben"alD for Ben"alis it is in Assa(D for Assa(ese, it is pro!a!ly B-r(a. :he story of ho/ the .ath yo"i Gorakh .ath "oes to resc-e his "-r-, ,achhindar, fro( entan"le(ent or enslave(ent in s-ch a kin"do( is one of the (ost pop-lar pieces of .ath folklore. 9 have even seen it enacted in the 2indi fil( Maya Ma((hendra . 9n ,adh- .ath8s version, as else/here in .ath literat-re, the episode is initiated !y (-t-al ta-ntin" !et/een Gorakh .ath and )alindar8s disciple Janni Pav1i7 /ho (akes his first appearance here7concernin" their respective "-r-s8 c-rrent conditions. 3Mo-r "-ris in Ben"al r-lin" a kin"do( and en1oyin" /o(en,3 one of Janni Pav8s disciples ta-nts Gorakh .ath /ith ill4advised rancor. 3Mo-r "-r- is s(otherin" -nder horse (an-re,3 ret-rns Gorakh .ath. :his horse (an-re provides the direct link !et/een the (ain action of Gopi Chand A and the precedin" three parts of the tale. Gopi Chand is, after all, responsi!le for )alindar .ath8s !ein" at the !otto( of a /ell covered /ith horse (an-re in the first place. Gther than the (an-re, the !acksta"e role of ,anavati as patron of yo"is, and the reappearance of Gopi Chand at the end /hen it co(es ti(e for hi( to !e (ade i((ortal, several evident the(atic patterns link this final se"(ent of the Gopi Chand epic to the precedin" three. ,ost o!vio-sly, the (otif of royal ren-nciation is replayed yet a"ain in the /renchin" of ,achhindar .ath a/ay fro( his Ben"al. 2ere, ho/ever, rather than a !orn kin" /ho (-st !e pers-aded to < 2CC < t-rn yo"i /e have a !orn yo"i /ho has t-rned kin" and (-st !e l-red !ack to the ascetic fold. Hike Gopi Chand, ,achhindar is rel-ctant to leave the pleas-res of royal life. And, even after F-ittin" throne and /ives -nder Gorakh .ath8s pers-asive entreaty, he clin"s first to his sons and, after they are lost, even (ore a!s-rdly and tenacio-sly to his fo-r "old !ricks. *choes of Gopi Chand8s advent-res in part # are certainly evident in ,achhindar8s captivity !y fe(ale (a"icians in a place called Ben"al, and Gorakh .ath8s resc-e (ission. ;hereas the lo/4caste lady (a"icians8 se=-al -se of captive Gopi Chand /as only i(plied !y their proddin", ridin", and 3teachin" hi( to sin",3 ,achhindar8s F-eens e=plicitly 3keep hi( a parrot !y day !-t (ake hi( a (an at ni"ht3 -ntil he settles into do(estic life so nicely that they feel it safe to stop enchantin" hi(. :hey have not, ho/ever, reckoned on the deter(ination of Gorakh .ath and are F-ite readily disposed of !y that (aster. :his o-tco(e contrasts stron"ly /ith the precedin" t/o parts of Gopi Chand8s tale /here the aspirin" yo"i "rapples endlessly /ith fe(ales and the victory is often less st-nnin" than the fray. Gorakh has a (-ch (ore diffic-lt ti(e, ho/ever, detachin" ,achhindar fro( his t/o sons. :he violence of Gorakh .ath to/ard ,achhindar8s sons (ay !e (ore dist-r!in" than the iron ton" /hacks delivered !y vario-s yo"is in part #. 0ather than the res-lt of e=plosive and stylized an"er, it is pre(editated, calc-lated, and tr-ly devoid of h-(an feelin" on Gorakh .ath8s part. ,adh- e(ploys a fair a(o-nt of realis( in descri!in" .i( .ath8s and Paras .ath8s s-fferin"s 53drops of !lood sprinkled and splattered.... :he !oys ... /ere callin" in a terri!le /ay36. :he non49ndian reader (ay /ell !e a!le to -nderstand ho/ (-ch little !oys are loved in the villa"e and appreciate this fearso(e e=a(ple of a tr-ly detached yo"i8s indifference to h-(an feelin"s. Perhaps less accessi!le to the forei"ner is the shock that /ill tan"i!ly ripple thro-"h an 9ndian a-dience /hen Gorakh .ath7/ho needs a dead

ani(al as a prop for his plot to poll-te his "-r-8s sons7/alks -p to a 3Co/ ,other3 and tells her politely to die. 52e does, of co-rse, conscientio-sly restore her life after her carcass has served his p-rposes.6 ,ost of Gopi Chand part A concerns rivalries a(on" (ales, !e"innin" /ith Gorakh .ath8s conflict /ith Janni Pav1i8s party, contin-in" thro-"h his e=ter(ination of ,achhindar8s sons, and finally co(in" < 2C& < !ack to the internecine F-arrels of the yo"i "-r-s. :his !rin"s the "ender stresses in the epic cycle f-ll circle. Bharthari !e"an /ith (ale rivalries !-t concl-ded /ith the (achinations of /o(en. Gopi Chand !e"ins /ith /o(en8s affairs and fe(ale characters are its (otivatin" force -ntil the very end /hen it ret-rns to a (ale /orld. Gopi Chand A is, a(on" other thin"s, a!o-t the caste identity of its perfor(er. 9t contains a n-(!er of ori"in stories for o!1ects and "ro-ps i(portant to .aths. :hese incl-de the crystal -sed to fashion yo"is8 earrin"sD the loc-sts over /hich the .aths8 po/er /as once a (a1or so-rce of their livelihoodD the )ain yo"i sect fo-nded !y .i( .ath and Paras .athD and the no(adic >nake Char(ers 5kal!eliya6 led !y )alindar8s disciple Janni Pav1i.?1B G-t of the !lind /ell /here )alindar .ath /as !-ried co(e t/o rather different prod-cts: seven species of loc-sts and the fr-it of i((ortality. :hese co-ld !e tho-"ht of as representin" the .ath caste8s occ-pational identity and the .ath sect8s clai(s to reli"io-s achieve(ents. :he .ath caste8s control over loc-sts provided their traditional clai( to /orth and salary in r-ral 0a1asthan 5see chapter 26. 2ere Gorakh instr-cts the loc-sts to 3(aintain the honor3 of yo"is8 ro!es and 3keep their sto(achs f-ll of !read.3 :he fr-it of i((ortality transfor(s Gopi Chand and Bharthari into eternal i((ortals. '-ll sto(achs and i((ortality are coe=istent "oals, it /o-ld see(, in these pop-lar yo"is8 stories. )-st as the contrap-ntal val-es of love and detach(ent have !een inter/oven and interplayed thro-"ho-t the t/o tales, so the reno-ncer8s tri-(ph over !odily li(its and the ho-seholder8s need to satisfy !odily h-n"er !oth have a place in the finale.

Te6t
3Gopi Chand, a!ide in prayer, son, 0ecite prayers /ith devotion, son, Praise the tr-e ,aster, Jin" Gopi Chand. G (y son, recite prayers, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 3,y (other, the earth is asha(ed, (y !irth4"iver, ?1B Kalbeliya is a caste in (odern 0a1asthan. ,any of its (e(!ers still live no(adic lives and perfor( as (-sicians and snake char(ers. Janni Pav1i is kno/n as this caste8s "-r-. < 2C@ < the sky is asha(ed, ,anavati ,other, G Jin"8s N-een. ,y !irth4"iver, 9 /ill stake (y /ord: Hater 98ll !e a yo"iL

3,other, "ive (e t/elve years (ore, and let (e r-le the kin"do(. Het (e ride horse!ack, ,anavati ,other, kin"8s da-"hter and sister. ,y !irth4"iver, 9 /on8t !reak this pro(ise 98( (akin", Birth4"iver, later 98ll !e a yo"i.3 3,y son, t/elve yearsE Gopi Chand, /ho "ets the(, Jin" Gopi Chand, kin"8s !rother and darlin" !oyE ,y son, death is !-zzin"?2B aro-nd yoand it /on8t leave yo-. 3,y son, the "-r-8s pro(ise, Gopi Chand, /ill !e f-lfilled, Gopi Chand Jin", and kin"8s darlin" !oy. G (y son, recite prayers, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal.3 .o/ Gorakh, Gorakh Ba!a in Ga-r Ben"al /as doin" tapas at a Potter8s ho-se.?#B Gorakh Ba!a /as doin" tapas . Janni Pav1i, )alindar Ba!a8s disciple, )alindar Ba!a8s disciple, Janni Pav1i, ca(e /ith his asse(!ly into the Chapala Garden. :he fo-rteen h-ndred disciples i"nited their ca(pfires, ?2B bhunvai0 Gopi Chand is like a flo/er, and death is a !ee !-zzin" aro-nd hi(. ?#B Potters are freF-ently portrayed as devotees, Bho1- says, !eca-se of their traditional role as /ater4 "ivers. :o s-pply /ater to thirsty people is hi"hly (eritorio-s. < 2C9 < added (ore /ood, and praised God. 2e sent one disciple to the palace, he sent hi( to ,anavati ,ata. 3,other, an asse(!ly has co(e of fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is in the Chapala Garden. ,other, send the( a feast, (y (other and !irth4"iver, and send /ood for their ca(pfires too.3 ;hen the disciple had said this (-ch, she s-((oned the people

to "ive free la!or. ,other had the( hitch -p their carts, she had the( hitch -p their carts. 3'o-rteen h-ndred yo"is are doin" tapas in the "arden, so fill -p these carts /ith their feast.3 >he had the carts filled /ith five festive treats,?ABladdus and !alebis?%B she sent to the "arden, ,other sent to the "arden. .o/ Gorakh ca(e fro( the Potter8s door. 2e had set -p his ca(pfire, and /as doin" tapas !y the road. Ba!a /as doin" tapas /hen a cart ca(e alon", loaded /ith "oods. ;hat did Gorakh Ba!a sayE 3G Cart4(an, /hat load do yo- carry, !rotherE 0eveal to (e /hat yo-8ve !ro-"ht.3 ?AB pan(h pa&van0 in the villa"e this is the (ost ela!orate feast "iven, consistin" of fried /heat !read, three fried s/eets, and one crisp spicy treat. ?%B #addus are ro-nd !alls of s-"ary, deep4fried chickpea flo-r. ;alebis are often descri!ed as 3s/eet pretzels3 !eca-se of their shape. :hey are (ade of deep4fried do-"h that is soaked in s-"ar syr-p. < 2&$ < 3Ba!a, (any yo"is have co(e to the Chapala Garden. 'ro( the palace the F-een sends the( !lessed food:?CB ;e8re loaded /ith laddus and !alebis .3 ;hen the cart4(an had said this (-ch, no/ /hat did Gorakh Ba!a say to the cart4(anE ;hat did he say to the driverE 3G son, 9 too a( a yo"i, so yo- sho-ld "ive (e 1-st as (-ch st-ff. .o/ yo-8d !etter fill (y c-p, !eca-se all the yo"is /ill feast in the "arden.3 ;hen Gorakh had said this (-ch, /hat did 2ardev Patel?&B sayE 3Ba!a1i, if yo- /ant to feast then let8s "o to the "arden, yo"i. 2ere it /o-ld all "et poll-ted. ;e8re servin" food at the ca(pfires, yo"i, that8s /here /e8re servin" itL 9f 9 "ive yo- !lessed food in the (iddle, yo"i, the !lessed food /ill all "et poll-ted.3?@B

5GC A.1.s6

>o )alindar .ath8s disciple ... ;hoE Janni Pav1i7the "-r- of the >nake Char(ers7Janni Pav1i /as )alindar .ath8s disciple, and a "reat (iracle4/orker. 2e had fo-rteen h-ndred disciples. .o/ Gopi Chand /as a loan fro( )alindar Ba!a7so no/ she al/ays serves yo"is. ;hoE ,anavati ,ata. .o (atter ho/ (any yo"is co(e into the "arden, she "ives the( all tea and /ater and feasts the(. As (any yo"is as co(e, that8s ho/ (any she feasts, ,anavati ,ata, Gopi Chand8s (other. >he sends the food into the Chapala Garden. >o there /ere fo-rteen h-ndred disciples. ;hoseE Janni Pav1i8s. 2is asse(!ly ca(e. And Janni Pav1i too ca(e. :hey entered the ?CB prasad0 the treats are so called !eca-se they are offered to "od4like yo"is and, accordin" to Bho1-, !eca-se they are not a /hole (eal. ?&B Gnce a"ain, an a-dience (e(!er8s na(e is incorporated into the story. ?@B 2ere is another reference to 3the (iddle3 as a !ad place. A plate of food once eaten fro( is poll-ted. B-t if Gorakh /ere to eat fro( his o/n c-p, that sho-ld not !y ordinary definitions poll-te the rest of the cart load. < 2&1 < Chapala Garden and they lit their ca(pfires. :hey /ere eatin" and so-ndin" their conch shells a lot and recitin" God8s na(es Janni Pav1i sent a disciple into Gopi Chand8s palace. 3Go to ,anavati ,other and tell her 8'o-rteen h-ndred yo"is are doin" tapas here, in yo-r "arden, so please send the( !lessed food. And send the( /ood for their fires, and send thin"s for tea and /ater.83 Gne yo"i /ent into ,anavati ,other8s palace and he called 'Ala&h* ,anavati ,other, fo-rteen h-ndred yo"is, Janni Pav8s asse(!ly, have co(e. 'o-rteen h-ndred yo"is are doin" tapas in the "arden, so send the( treats and tea and /ater, and send the( eF-ip(ent for preparin" hashish and bhang .3?9B 3'ine, !rother, 98ll send it all.3 :hen she s-((oned the C-ltivators and the Gardeners?1$B to "ive free la!or. >he told the( to !rin" their carts. And she had the( fill these /ith laddus and !alebis and sent the( to the "arden. B-t on the /ay they (et Gorakh .ath >overei"n. 2e /as stayin" /ith a Potter, doin" tapas at his ho-se. 9n that very city. Gorakh .ath1i learned that that sister4f-cker Janni Pav1i8s asse(!ly had co(e, and all these thin"s /ere !ein" sent for the(. >o he said to the Potter, 3Pra1apatE3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"nE3 3Mo-r donkeys are tied -p and h-n"ry. Untie the(, and 9 /ill take the( to "raze.3 3;hat, G-r- >overei"n, yo- /ill "raze the donkeysE3 3Gh -ntie the(, they8re h-n"ry.3 >o the Potter -ntied the donkeys. 2e -ntied the( and Gorakh .ath took five or so and he ca(e to a road. .ear the road /as so(e shade, /here he set -p his ca(pfire. :hen he sent a strea( fro( his penis, and he (ade "reen "rass sprin" -p ri"ht there, so the donkeys co-ld "raze on it. 2e let the donkeys "raze, ri"ht there, on that "reen "rass. .o/ the carts ca(e alon". ;hat /as in the(E :hey /ere filled /ith laddus, !alebis, satalya, puris, petha/vetha .?11B .o/ as soon as the

?9B Bhang is a drink (ade /ith (ari1-ana. >haivite ascetics often partake of these into=icatin" s-!stances, as the deity >hiva is tho-"ht to do. ?1$B As in GC 1, la!or is conscripted fro( lodas and %alis . ?11B 2ere ,adh- ela!orates on the delicio-s te(ptin" treats, addin" three (ore. Satal ya is a deep4fried and cr-nchy s/eet (ade of /hite /heat flo-rD puris are fried /heat !readsD petha is a (ilk s/eet, and the echo4/ord i(plies still other delicacies. < 2&2 < first cart ca(e alon", Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said to the driver, 32ey, /hat have yo- "ot in thereE3 :hen 2ardev !rother spoke, 398( loaded -p /ith laddus and !alebis .3 3;here are yo- takin" the(E3 3:o the Chapala Garden. 'o-rteen h-ndred yo"is are doin" tapas there, and so !lessed food is "oin" there. >overei"n, yo- sho-ld "o too.3 3Gh !-t 98( "razin" donkeys, and if these donkeys "et loose, then there /ill !e a lot of tro-!le. 9 /ill eat as (-ch st-ff as yo- p-t in (y c-p. Mo-8re takin" !lessed food there for the sake of yo"is. 9 too a( a yo"i, and 9 /ill eat as (-ch st-ff as yo- can fit in (y c-p.3 :hen the cart4(an spoke7/hoE 2i(, 2ardev Patel. 3Ba!a1i, if yo- /ant to feast, then let8s "o over there. 9f 9 "ive it to yo- here, then yo- /ill poll-te the !lessed food. Gver there are yo"is and /e8re servin" this feast at their ca(pfires. 98( not "oin" to (ake it poll-ted in the (iddle of the road. 9 /on8t p-t any in yo-r c-p no/. Het8s "o to the "arden /here the yo"is areD yo-8re a yo"i too, so feastL3 3B-t !rother, (y donkey /ill "et lost.3 3;here /ill he "et lostE .o/, !rother, feast or "raze yo-r donkey. Mo- can8t do !oth. Het8s "o over there, >overei"n, and feast.3 2e didn8t "ive Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n any. Hater alon" ca(e another cart4(an /ith tired o=en, la""in" !ehind. 5GC A.1.e6 3G !rother, ;hat is yo-r cart filled -p /ithE3 3>overei"n, 98ve "ot laddus, !alebis, satal ya, puris , and all kinds of ve"eta!les too.3 3G child, 9 too a( a yo"i. ;hat yo"is are yo- takin" these thin"s forE3 3Mes, >overei"n, yo-8re a yo"i. 'o-rteen h-ndred yo"is are doin" tapas over there. >o 9 a( "oin" for those yo"is.3 3Gh, !-t 9 too a( a yo"i, sister4f-ckerL 9 too /ill eat. Give (e as (-ch st-ff as (y c-p /ill hold.3 3Go over there, >overei"n.3 3B-t 9 a( "razin" this donkey and it (i"ht "o astray. >ister4f-cker, 98( only one h-(an !ody. >o fill (y c-p one ti(e.3 2e /as co(passionate. 3>overei"n, over there yo"is are eatin"7 < 2&# <

!-t if yo- /on8t co(e, /ell, yo- too are a yo"i, so 9 /ill fill yo-r c-p.3 >o he took the c-p and filled it, Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n8s. As soon as he filled it, Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 32ey landi* 3 and clapped his hands.?12B 3Het all the prosperity?1#B co(e into this cart and let the one ahead !e filled /ith pe!!les and stones, the sister4f-ckerL3 Ba!a said, 3Het all the "ood thin"s fro( the first cart co(e into this one.3 B-t in the first cart /here once there /ere laddus and !alebis and satalya and puris and s-ch thin"s, nothin" re(ained of the(: they had t-rned into speckled stones, rocks, and /hite pe!!les. .o/ the fo-rteen h-ndred yo"i disciples /ere doin" tapas , and Had- .ath, too, /as there /ith the(. >o as soon as the first cart ca(e, he /as h-n"ry, and he /ent over to the cart. Had- .ath picked -p his ton"s and asked, 3;hat all have yo- !ro-"htE3 3>overei"n, 9 have !ro-"ht /hat /ill satisfy yo-: laddus, !alebis, satalya, puris , all these thin"s.3 B-t he lifted the cover and looked to see /hat /as in it. 39t is rocks, only rocks7that8s /hat yo- have loaded and !ro-"ht.3 3>overei"n, 9 !ro-"ht laddus, !alebis, satal ya, and puris . :hey (-st not !e in yo-r fate. ;hat shall 9 do a!o-t itE Gn the road they t-rned into rocks. ;hat can 9 doE3 :he driver had -ncovered his cart, and piled -p there /ere speckled rocks, pe!!les, and stones. :he /hole asse(!ly of yo"is "ot -p. 3G yo- sister4f-cker, /hat have yo- !ro-"htE3 3Great kin"s, 9 !ro-"ht satal ya puris, laddus, !alebis , all seven kinds of festive food. 9f they8re not /ritten in yo-r fate, /hat can 9 do a!o-t itE3 3Gh that sister4f-cker ,anavati ,ata sent rocks for -s, no/ did sheE3 3,anavati ,other sent feast4food. B-t on the road this happened ... /hat can /e do a!o-t itE3 3Gh (y, a /eird thin" has happened.3 9n the (eanti(e the driver /ith tired o=en, the last one, /as co(in" fro( !ehind. All the yo"is /ere feelin" very re"retf-l: 3>ister4 ?12B As in Bharthari 2, Gorakh .ath s-((ons the fe(ale spirits or sa&tis /ho serve hi(. ?1#B riddhi0 a ter( -sed for Haksh(i. < 2&A < f-cker, ho/ did /e end -p /ith rocksE Mo- are sayin" that yo- !ro-"ht laddus and !alebis .3 :hen the last driver, the one /ith the tired o=en, arrived. 5GC A.2.e6 9n the first cart there /ere pe!!les and stones. ;hen the rear cart ca(e, they looked inside it7they /ere h-n"ry, those sadhus , so they tho-"ht, Het8s look in the last cart and see if it too has nothin" !-t pe!!les and stones. :hey /ere feelin" a "reat cravin". >o they -ncovered the cart, and it /as filled -p /ith laddus and !alebis and satalya and puris 7all nine kinds of festive food, all five fried treats. 9t /as filled to the !ri(L 3:he other one ca(e first, !-t only yo- have delivered the "oods.3 3Mes >overei"n, !-t !oth /ere filled /ith the sa(e st-ff.3

3B-t this sister4f-cker !ro-"ht rocks, he !ro-"ht pe!!les and stones, the sister4f-cker. ;here did he drop the "oods, and pick -p these pe!!les and stonesE3 3>ir, 9 have no idea. 9 /as "oin" very slo/ly /ith (y o=en, so 9 have co(e fro( !ehind.3 3Gh, and /ho did yo- (eetE +id yo- (eet anyone on the /ayE +id yo- (eet any sadhu or saintE3 3Mes, >overei"n, there /as one over there on the road doin" tapas , one sadhu .3 3>o did yo- "ive hi( so(eE3 3Mes, he said, 8G !rother yo- have laddus and !alebis in yo-r cart, and 98( a sadhu too, 98( a yo"i too. Mo-8re !rin"in" this for yo"is, so fill (y vessel, or else (y donkey /ill "o astray.8 >o 9 filled it, >overei"n.3 3Good.3 :hen Janni Pav1i asked the first driver, 3+id he !e" fro( yo- tooE3 3Mes, he !e""ed fro( (e, !-t 9 for!ade it. 9 said, 8Het8s "o over there and feast. 9f 9 serve it here, it /ill "et poll-tedD /e are servin" the feast at the ca(pfires.3 3:hen ... (y sonL he t-rned the( into rocks. B-t for the one /ho "ave hi( al(s, he kept the laddus and !alebis .3 :hen Janni Pav1i said to his disciples, 3Ask the cart4(en if there /ere people /ith hi(.3 3.o, he /as a solitary h-(an for(.3 < 2&% < 3Good, then yo- seven h-ndred disciples "o and "ra! Gorakh .ath?1AB and !rin" hi( here.3 Janni Pav1i ordered seven h-ndred disciples. :hen the seven h-ndred disciples picked -p their sacks and took their iron ton"s and p-t on their sandals. A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .aths took the /ind8s o/n for(. :hey /ere "oin" to /here Gorakh .ath1i /as doin" tapas . As they approached hi(, Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n sa/ that seven h-ndred /ere co(in", so Gorakh .ath1i (ade fo-rteen h-ndred disciples stand -p. 2e lifted his ton"s, like Had- .ath, like this. ?Madhu gestures as if brandishing tongs .B Gorakh .ath1i tho-"ht, Het the sister4f-ckers co(e, and /e8ll see ho/ they are "oin" to "ra! (eL :hen the seven h-ndred disciples approached, !-t fro( a distance they sa/ fo-rteen h-ndred and tho-"ht: G-r !eans /on8t cook?1%B 7let8s "o !ack. Beca-se /e are seven h-ndred and they are fo-rteen h-ndred7they /ill !eat -s -p. Het8s "o !ack. >o they /ent !ack and said to Janni Pav1i, 3Grain4"iver, yo- sent -s, G-r- >overei"n, !-t /e are 1-st seven h-ndred and over there near Gorakh .ath1i fo-rteen h-ndred disciples are standin".3 3;hat, fo-rteen h-ndredE B-t the cart4(en said that he /as alone. :hen he /as alone, ask the cart4 (en, he /as alone. 2e (-st have created the(7that sister4f-ckin" Gorakh .ath7so all fo-rteen h-ndred of yo- "o.3 3>overei"n, if /e "o as fo-rteen h-ndred then he /ill (ake t/enty4ei"ht h-ndred. 2e is Gorakh .ath. ;e /on8t !e a!le to do this.3 3GJ, so yo- can8t do itE3 3.ope.3

3GJ, then 9 /ill "o alone, and speakin" /ith s/eet tones 9 /ill !rin" hi(. Mes, 9 /ill "o alone, for /e /on8t "et hi( to co(e !y fi"htin".3 5GC A.#.e6 ?1AB :hey realize i((ediately that it (-st have !een the rival "-r-, Gorakh .ath, /ho has played s-ch a trick on the(. ?1%B na galai <pani dal0 literally, 3o-r dal /on8t soften37a phrase (eanin", 3/e /on8t s-cceed.3 < 2&C < Janni Pav1i took his sack and picked -p his ton"s and p-t on his sandals. A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath !eca(e the /ind8s o/n for(. Gorakh .ath1i had set -p his ca(pfire !y the road, !y the /ayside. 2e /as chantin", 3a%an san%a ra%a sa%an" 3 Janni Pav1i "reeted hi( respectf-lly. 3G-r- Brother, !lessed food has co(e fro( ,other in the castle. And (y asse(!ly is in the "arden. Het8s "o, G-r- Brother, and let8s eat !lessed food over there. Het8s feast on !lessed food and let8s s(oke hashish and drink bhang 7/e8ll s(oke a hash pipe to"ether. ;e8ll prepare bhang and al(ond (ilk.?1CB Het8s "o, G-r- Brother.3 3G, !rother, Janni Pav ... if /e "o over there, /hat a!o-t yo-r disciples, /hat /ill they sayE 9 /on8t !e a!le to stand it.3 3.o, G-r- >overei"n, let8s "o, G-r- Brother, yo-8ve "ot to co(e, s-rely yo-8ll co(e.3 3GJ, !rother, let8s "o.3 >o Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n too took his sack and his ton"s and ... a seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .aths took the /ind8s o/n for(. And Janni Pav1i and Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /ent to the Chapala Garden. 39ndescri!a!le, indestr-cti!le, take so(e, Ba!a, Hord >hankar.?1&B Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n, yo- have so(e too.3 >o Janni Pav1i -sed s/eet talk and soothed Gorakh .ath1i and he !e"an to prepare hashish and bhang . :he t/o "-r- !rothers fi=ed -p their (editation seats at the ca(pfire and sat do/n. :hey /ere preparin" a hashish pipe, and Janni Pav1i said, 3'i= so(e bhang and al(ond (ilk, too, !eca-se 9 have !ro-"ht Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n as o-r "-est.3 >o the t/o "-r- !rothers, Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n and Janni Pav1i, /ere s(okin" dope to"ether. B-t there /as a !astard?1@B a(on" Janni Pav1i8s fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ho said, 3:his is a !ad thin". Hook at this Gorakh .ath. 2e t-rned o-r !lessed food into ?1CB thandaiD (ilk4!ased drinks rich /ith "ro-nd al(onds and s/eet spices. :hese are either (i=ed /ith bhang or -sed as 3chasers3 to co-nteract its heatin" effect 50o=anne G-pta, personal co((-nication 19916. ?1&B Ala&h ala&h abhinyasi baba lena Shan&ar Bhagvan0 a prayer or dedication spoken /hile s(okin". ?1@B dogalo0 not an ins-lt that 9 often heard. Accordin" to the SK it can refer to a person /hose parents are of different castes or to one fathered !y the (other8s lover. < 2&& < rocks. ,anavati ,other sent -s !lessed food fro( her castle7laddus, !alebis, satal ya , and puris 7

and he t-rned it into speckled stones, pe!!les, and /hite rocks. And he doesn8t even kno/ a!o-t his "-r-. ,achhindar .ath1i, Gorakh .ath1i8s "-r-, is over there in the land of Ben"al en1oyin" hi(self /ith sl-ts7and he has had t/o sonsL B-t look, Gorakh .ath8s not even asha(ed, and he spoiled o-r !lessed food.3 Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n is over here s(okin" dope, !-t his ears are listenin" over there: 3Het8s see /hat kind of "ossip they8re tellin" a!o-t (e.3 :hey /ere connected like !rothers, !-t still there /as en(ity !et/een the(.?19B Janni Pav1i8s disciples /ere /hisperin", !-t Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n heard, and so he asked, 32ey !rother, (y "-r- is in the land of Ben"al, en1oyin" sl-ts, and he has t/o sonsE3 3Mes sir, he has.3 32e has had t/o sons, and he8s en1oyin" sl-ts over thereE ,achhindar .ath1iE ;ell, Had- .ath, (ay!e (y "-r- is en1oyin" sl-ts, !-t yo-r "-r- is s(othered -nder horse (an-re. )alindar .ath1i is s(otherin" -nder horse (an-re. 2e is s(othered -nder Gopi Chand8s seven h-ndred and fifty horses8 shit. 2e is s(othered, sister4f-cker, and he hasn8t co(e o-t. ,y "-r-8s alive and en1oyin" sl-ts and r-lin" the kin"do(. And yo-r "-r- is s(otherin" -nder horse (an-re, !-ried in the !lind /ell. :he sister4f-cker, he hasn8t co(e o-t fro( there.3 As he /as sayin" this, they tho-"ht, Het8s "et o-r "-r- o-t no/L ;e8ll "et hi( o-t of the !lind /ell filled /ith horse (an-re, ri"ht no/. 3And 98ll !rin" !ack (y "-r-, too. 98( hardly any /orse off than yo- are. >o "et yo-r "-r- o-t of the horse (an-re in the !lind /ell, and 98ll !rin" (y "-r- ri"ht no/.3 :hen the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples took -p their picka=es and their shovels, and Janni Pav1i told the( to take !askets and !e"in. 3Het8s di" hi( o-t ri"ht no/, todayL3 5GC A.A.e6 Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /as s(okin" dope, and (ean/hile the fo-rteen h-ndred disciples started in. ,y /itchL :hey took shovels and picka=es and !askets and started in. >o they e(ptied half the ?19B 9n fa(ilies !rothers are si(ilarly rivals, so this is not really a contradiction. < 2&@ < /ell. 9t /as filled /ith horse (an-re and )alindar Ba!a /as inside, s(othered -nderneath. Beneath the horse (an-re he /as recitin" God8s na(es. Janni Pav1i8s fo-rteen h-ndred disciples started ri"ht in, -sin" their shovels to fill -p !asket after !asket /ith horse (an-re and then d-(pin" it. 9t took F-ite a /hile for the /ell /as filled to the top. :hey /o-ld thro/ do/n fo-rteen h-ndred !askets all to"ether. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /as s(okin" dope. 2e "ot -p and p-t on his sandals and took his ton"s and took his sack and stood and looked at the /ell. By the ti(e he ca(e, stoned, half the /ell /as e(ptied. And Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n tho-"ht, ,y sonL :hey8ve already half e(ptied it !y no/. And 9 haven8t even left this place. 9 (-st "o to "et (y o/n "-r-. And it is fifteen h-ndred (iles a/ay fro( here. ,y G-r- >overei"n is in Ben"al, fifteen h-ndred (iles a/ay. 9 /ill "o to Ben"al, and /ho kno/s /hat /ill happen over there7/ill the "-r- co(e or /on8t he co(eE ;ho kno/s /hat kind of (ess he8s snared inE ,y sonL :hey8ll e(pty it in 1-st one day, !-t (y "-r- o-"ht to co(e !efore theirs does. >o Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n took off his sandal: 3#andi , do-!le in the day and F-adr-ple in the ni"htL3 2e str-ck his sandal three ti(es: 3+o-!le in the day and F-adr-ple in the ni"ht -ntil 9 co(e !ack,

sister4f-ckerL 9 shall co(e, even if it takes si= (onths. ;hatever they di" o-t fro( there, it /ill refillD in the day it /ill do-!le, and in the ni"ht it /ill F-adr-ple.3 And ... a seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .ath took the /ind8s o/n for( and t-rned his face to/ard Ben"al. 2e crossed one forestD he crossed a second forestD in the third forest Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n ca(e to the !orders of Ben"al. 2e reached ,achhindar .ath1i >overei"n8s !orders. ,achhindar .ath1i >overei"n had "one to Ben"al to /ander. B-t 0a1p-t lady (a"icians,?2$B 0a1p-t /o(en, took hi( into their po/er. :hey (ade ,achhindar .ath into a parrot. :hey (ade hi( into a parrot and h-n" hi( -p. 'or a fe/ days they kept hi( as a parrot only. Hater, in the ni"ht they (ade hi( a (an, and in the day they (ade hi( a parrot. :hey kept on doin" this -ntil ,achhindar ?2$B :hey are th-s clearly distin"-ished fro( the other Ben"ali lady (a"icians /ho are lo/4caste. < 2&9 < .ath8s enchant(ent held fir(. After that they didn8t (ake hi( into any parrot, and they fell in love /ith hi(. :he 0a1p-t ladies (ade hi( their kin". :hey (ade ,achhindar .ath1i their kin" and he fathered t/o sons, .i( .ath and Paras .ath7!oys of five and seven years of a"e. .o/ ,achhindar .ath1i >overei"n had !eco(e a kin". 2e tho-"ht, 9f that sister4f-cker Gorakh .ath co(es, then he /ill take (e a/ayD he /ill (ake (e leave (y kin"do(D he /ill (ake (e leave these F-eens. 9f Gorakh .ath co(es, he /ill take (e. >o 98ll place /atch(en on o-r !orders. And if any Ba!a1i co(es, anyone /ith even a scrap of ochre cloth,?21B he can8t enter. >o that8s /hy he placed /atch(en every/here a road crossed his !o-ndaries. 3Brother, no yo"is can co(e into Ben"al. 'ine, let others co(e and "o, !-t no yo"i, no one /earin" (atted locks, no one carryin" ton"s and a sack, no one in ochre cloth, no yo"i o-"ht to !e a!le to co(e.3 3Good, sir, /e /on8t let the( co(e.3 .o/ Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n ca(e alon" and he /ent -p to the !order, /alkin" alon" heedlessly. :he /atch(an /as sittin" there. 32o >overei"nL3 3BrotherE3 3;here are yo- "oin"E3 3Brother, 9 a( "oin" into the land of Ben"al.3 3By the kin"8s order, yo- (ay not "o.3 3;ho (ay notE3 3Mo-.3 3;hyE3 3.o one in ochre can co(e over here, it is the kin"8s order.3 3Gh, 98( 1-st "oin" to /ander.3 3>overei"n, there are (any co-ntries aro-nd here, and yo- sho-ld /ander in the(. ;ander in other co-ntries, !-t 9 /on8t let yo- co(e into this one.3

3>o, yo- /on8t let (e co(eE3 3Mes, 9 /on8t let yo- co(e. 9 can8t let ochre4cloth /earers co(e. ?21B bhagavan the&ali0 bhagavan is the red4oran"e color of cloth that distin"-ishes reno-ncers8 ro!es and that the .ath caste /ears only as t-r!ans. :he i(plication here is that no one /ith even a patch of ochre4colored cloth -pon his person /ill !e allo/ed into ,achhindar8s kin"do(. < 2@$ < :his is the kin"8s /ill, and 9 "et (y salary for enforcin" it. Please "o so(e/here else to /ander, not here. :here are (any other co-ntries aro-nd.3 Gorakh .ath1i sa/ the sit-ation: >on of a ...L .o/ /hat /ill 9 doE 3Mo- /on8t let (e in, !rotherE3 3>overei"n, please "o !ack.3 3GJ, !rother, 98ll "o !ack, !rother ... .o/ they /on8t let (e in, no/ /hatE3 Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n very re"retf-lly t-rned !ack. 3>ister4f-ckerL ,y sonL 9 /andered all this /ay and no/ they /on8t let (e inL 9t8s t-rned o-t stran"ely. And they8ve pro!a!ly e(ptied the /ell7they /ill take o-t )alindar .ath1i.3 :hinkin" in this /ay, he /ent !ack a!o-t t/o (iles. ;hoE Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n. >o(e perfor(ers /ere on their /ay, five or ten of the(, theater people. :hey had loaded -p so(e o=en, they had a co-ple of pack o=en. :he perfor(ers /ere "oin" alon". 3G !rothers, /ho are yo-E3 3>overei"n, /e are perfor(ers.3 3;hat /ill yo- do, and into /hat land /ill yo- "oE3 3>overei"n, /e are perfor(ers and /e p-t on plays. ;e are "oin" into Ben"al.3 3Good, yo- are "oin" into Ben"alE3 3Mes, /e are "oin" to Ben"al, >overei"n.3 3G !rothers, do /hat 9 say.3 3Mes, say it, >overei"n.3 3:ake (e /ith yo-. 9 /ill /atch over yo-r ca(p, and 9 /ill !rin" fodder for yo-r o=en.3 3;hat pay /ill yo- takeE3 3Gh, nothin" at all, /hat do 9 need /ith a salaryE 9 /ill /atch over yo-r ca(p and 9 /ill "raze yo-r o=en. 9 /ill take no salary.3 :hen the players said, 3Gh a (an /itho-t a salary is fine /ith -s. Mo- can !e the ca(p /atch(an. ;hen /e p-t on o-r plays then yo- keep /atch over the ca(p and "raze o-r o=en.3 3Mes, 9 /ill "raze the o=en.3 2e !-ndled -p his ochre ro!es and everythin" else in a /hite cloth7and he didn8t keep his lon" locks. 2e !-ndled -p his st-ff and p-t it on an o=. .o/ /ho co-ld tell he /as a yo"iE

< 2@1 < 2e chan"ed his cost-(e. ?22B 2e chan"ed his cost-(e and /ent /ith the players. :hey ca(e to /here the /atch(an /as sittin": 3G !rothers, /ho are yo-E3 3;e are all players.3 39s there any yo"i a(on" yo-, any person /ith ochre cloth, any yo"i at allE Beca-se if there /ere a yo"i, there is an order a"ainst hi(.3 3.o, /e have seen no yo"i at all. ;e are theater people.3 3GJ, then "o.3 :hey /ent, sir. ;hen they ca(e to the first villa"e on this side, they p-t on their play. :hey p-t on the play and he "razed the o=en. 9n the day he /ent and sent a strea( fro( his penis. :hen ri"ht there "rass spread. Grass spread and the o=en /ere satiated. And then he "athered and tied -p !-ndles of fodder and loaded the( on the o=en and !ro-"ht the( !ack. And in the ni"ht he /atched over the ca(p. :he players sa/. 3,y /itchL :his (an /itho-t a salary is "ood, o-r o=en are co(pletely satisfied. 2e !rin"s dark "reen "rasses even in the hot season. :his (an is "ood for -sD he applies his hand even /itho-t a salary.3 5GC A.%.e6 >o they /ent on their /ay, p-ttin" on plays in Ben"al. ,achhindar .ath /as r-lin" the kin"do(, in the capital city. ;hen the perfor(ers reached that city and /ent into the !azaar, everyone ca(e r-nnin": 3:he perfor(ers have co(e, today the perfor(ers have co(eL :hey8re a!o-t to p-t on a play.3 :hey decided to hold it at 'o-r4Ar(s. ?2#B :hey chose 'o-r4Ar(s :e(ple as the site for the play. :hey called to one and all, thro-"ho-t the villa"e: 3Brothers, today the perfor(ers /ill p-t on a playL3 All the /o(en and (en "athered. ?22B bhes badalgya0 a nice play on the do-!le (eanin" of !hes as dis"-ise and yo"is8 ro!es. ?2#B A (e(!er of the a-dience s-""ests the (ost appropriate location in o-r villa"e for s-ch a prod-ction7!efore the te(ple of 'o-r4Ar(ed Kishn-. 9n the part of 0a1asthan /here ,adh- co(es fro( al(ost every villa"e, incl-din" his o/n, has a centrally located :e(ple of 'o-r4Ar(ed Kishn/here p-!lic perfor(ances, (ost often on reli"io-s s-!1ects, occ-r. < 2@2 < Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n spoke to the players: 3G !rothers, today 9 too /ill 1oin the sho/.3 3>overei"n, /hat /ill yo- doE3 3;hatever yo- say, 9 /ill do.3 3B-t tell -s /hat kind of thin"s yo- doE3 3;ell, if yo- say so, then 9 /ill play the dr-(. 9 kno/ ho/ to play the dr-(, or 9 /ill play the tabla . 9f yo- say so, 9 /ill play the sarangi . 9f yo- say so, 9 /ill play hand cy(!als. 9 can play everythin". 9f yo- say 8>in",8 then 9 /ill sin" too.3 3GJ !rother, let8s "o.3 Gorakh .ath >overei"n /ent alon" /ith the perfor(ers, and the play !e"an. As soon as the play !e"an,

Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n played the dr-(. 2e played the dr-(, and its !eat /ent far. ;ith one dr-(!eat the ;ord?2AB reso-nded in the nether/orld, and one dr-(!eat reso-nded in the sky, and the third dr-(!eat reso-nded in the play. :hose /ho /ere /atchin" the play /atched, !-t they !eca(e a!sor!ed in the dr-((in". ;hoE :he entire villa"e /as entranced !y that dr-(8s attractions, spreadin" aro-nd. ;hoever heard that dr-(!eat !eca(e entranced: 3Gh (y, s-ch a player has never co(e to -s !efore.3 :hey (ade five h-ndred r-pees in the city. :he players kne/ that it /as all !eca-se of that (an, o-r Gorakh .ath1i. 3G-r fort-ne is (adeL :oday he ca(e and today /e earned five h-ndred r-pees.3 :hey /ere totally satisfied and they tho-"ht that their days of h-n"er /ere past. *veryone in the villa"e /as very pleased. :he 0oyal >ervants, their !rothers, and sons had co(e to see the play, and the ne=t day they /ent into the fort. 3Gh, Grain4"iver,3 they said to the kin", ,achhindar .ath. 3Grain4"iver, e=cellent perfor(ers have co(e.3 3Uh h-hE3 3:hey p-t on a play in the !azaar, and it (ade everyone !lissf-l. :he dr-((er "ave a "reat deal of pleas-re. Gne of his dr-(!eats (ade the ;ord reso-nd in the nether/orld, and one of his dr-(!eats reso-nded in the sky, and one reso-nded in the play. G-r sto(achs ache fro( la-"hin" so (-ch, and fro( the effects of the dr-(!eat. 9t /as really a "reat playL3 ?2AB sabad0 can and here certainly does refer to divine so-nd. < 2@# < :hen ,achhindar .ath1i spoke. 3:oday let the( perfor( their play in (y o/n )e/el >F-are.3 3;hatever the Grain4"iver orders sho-ld !e.3 3:hen "o ri"ht a/ay and say to the perfor(ers, 8Brothers, today yo-r co(pany /ill perfor( in the fort.8 9f they like, then 9 /ill serve the( food and s-pply their /ater.3 >o no/ let8s see ho/ the players perfor( in the fort ... 5GC A.C.e6 :he players /ent to prepare for the sho/, and Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /ent too. As they /ere "oin", people said, 3G !rother, today they8ll p-t on the play in the fortL3 :hey /ere dyin" of e=cite(ent. 3Hast ni"ht he played the dr-( in three different /ays, so today let8s "o to the fortL3 +yin" of e=cite(ent, the /hole villa"e cro/ded into the fort, and the perfor(ance !e"an, and the dr-((er "ave the !eat. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n played his dr-( so that one dr-(!eat reso-nded in the nether/orld, and one reso-nded in the sky, and one reso-nded in the play. :he play had started, and as the play /as startin", everyone /ho /as near hi( !eca(e very affected. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n took everyone into his po/er.?2%B .o/ half the play /as over, and ,achhindar .ath1i /as sittin" on a chair, and his .i( .ath and Paras .ath /ere seated on his knees. :hen /hen half the play /as over, Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n chan"ed the dr-(!eat. 2e chan"ed the first dr-(!eat, and he chan"ed the second dr-(!eat, and that dr-(!eat of its o/n accord !e"an to play: ;ake ,achhindar, Gorakh has co(eL

;ake ,achhindar, Gorakh has co(eL 'ro( *ast and ;est 98ve called to yo-, ;hy sleep s-ch sleep, G "reat "-r-E 98( a disciple !-t yo-8re the "-r- tr-e.?2CB .o/ the dr-(!eat /as talkin" like that, and everyone /as ?2%B basi&aran0 this sa(e e=pression /as -sed to descri!e the lady (a"icians8 conF-est of ,achhindar .ath. Gorakh .ath is their (atch. ?2CB !ag Ma(hindar Gora&h aya" ar aga% pa(hha% diya hela !i" asori nind &ai suta pare% guru ap satguru %a (ela hu" < 2@A < la-"hin", 3Gh this dr-(, /hat has it started sayin"E3 ;ake ,achhindar, Gorakh has co(eL ;ake ,achhindar, Gorakh has co(eL 'ro( *ast and ;est 98ve called to yo-, ;hy sleep s-ch sleep, G "reat "-r-E 98( a disciple !-t yo-8re the "-r- tr-e. .o/ the dr-( !e"an to talk like this, and ,achhindar .ath1i paid attention: 3:hat sister4f-cker Gorakh .ath has co(e. Brother, no one !-t Gorakh .ath co-ld do this (ischief. :hat sister4f-cker Gorakh .ath (-st !e a(on" the players.3 And the dr-(!eat /as sayin": ;ake ,achhindar, Gorakh has co(eL ;ake ,achhindar, Gorakh has co(eL 'ro( *ast and ;est 98ve called to yo-, ;hy sleep s-ch sleep, G "reat "-r-E 98( a disciple !-t yo-8re the "-r- tr-e. ,achhindar .ath1i tho-"ht, G, sister4f-cker Gorakh .ath has co(e. .o!ody else co-ld play s-ch a dr-(!eat e=cept for that sister4f-cker. ,ean/hile, Gorakh .ath "ot -p, and he prostrated hi(self and respectf-lly "reeted the G-r>overei"n. As Gorakh .ath /as doin" this, ,achhindar took .i( .ath and Paras .ath, /ho had !een sittin" in his lap, and p-t the( aside. 2e set the( on a ta!le. 3>it over here.3 And he seated Gorakh .ath1i on his knees, !eca-se he /as his first disciple. 2e seated hi(, and said to the players, 3Brothers, keep playin". Hater on /e can talk to"ether. B-t yoplayers, don8t r-in the play, don8t /reck it, keep the play "oin".3 >o they /ent on /atchin" the play. .i( .ath and Paras .ath, the !oys five or seven years of a"e, /ere sittin" there. And Gorakh .ath1i sa/ the(7.i( .ath and Paras .ath7/atchin" the play. >o a little /hile later, Gorakh .ath1i contrived to (ake the( need to piss and shit. ;hoE :hose t/o !oys. :he play /as "oin" on and they said to ,achhindar .ath1i, to the r-ler, 3'ather ...3 And one said, 39 /ant to shit,3 and one said, 39 /ant to pee.3 3Gh, ri"ht no/ /atch the play.3

3Uh -h, 'ather, 9 have to poop.3 And the other said, 39 have to pee.3 < 2@% < :hen ,achhindar .ath1i >overei"n said, 3G, Gorakh .ath.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n.3 3:ake the( to shit and pee.3 3>-re,3 so he "ra!!ed the( !y the /rists: 3Het8s "o, 9 /ill take yo- to shit and 9 /ill take yo- to pee.3 2e took the( o-t, and he sat the( do/n, !oth !oys. 2e took his da""er o-t of his sack, and he said: 3)-st shit or 1-st pee or else 9 /ill sta! yo- /ith this da""er, sister4f-ckers. +o one /ork, don8t do t/o, either shit only or pee only. 9f yo- do !oth, then 9 /ill sta! yo- /ith the da""er.3 .o/, son of a ...L >hit co(es, and then pee also co(es, doesn8t itE 9t co(es. ?There is a great deal of laughter and %any audien(e (o%%ents here .B .o/ the !oys /ere fri"htened. :hey tho-"ht, 9f /e shit, then pee /ill co(e and then he /ill sta! -s /ith his da""er. >o they didn8t shit or pee, they /ere dyin" of fri"ht. 3Het8s "o !ack, that8s eno-"h, did yo- shitE3 3Mes 9 shit.3 3Mo- didn8t peeE3 3Uh -h, 9 didn8t pee.3 B-t neither one of the( had shit or peed. :hey /ere dyin" of fear. >o he !ro-"ht the( !ack and seated the(. And they !e"an to /atch the play. :hey !e"an to /atch the play, !-t a little /hile later, he (ade the( /ant to shit and pee even /orse. ;ho didE Gorakh .ath1i. As soon as they felt it one said to ,achhindar .ath1i, 3'ather, 9 have to poop.3 And the other one said, 39 have to pee.3 3B-t Gorakh .ath 1-st took yo- to shit and pee.3 3Mes, !-t /e have to "o a"ain.3 Gorakh .ath1i afflicted the( very very stron"ly /ith the need to shit. 3Gh no, /e have to "o /e have to "o.3 Gne said, 39 have to shit,3 and the other said, 39 have to pee.3 >o they /ere very (isera!le, /hile they /ere /atchin" the play. :hen ,achhindar .ath1i said, 3Gorakh .ath.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n.3 3:ake those sister4f-ckers to shit. :ake the( nicely and help the( shit.3?2&B ?2&B yannai !har pa(hhat hangar lya bhen(hod na" !har pa(hhat ra !uva ra lya &a yannai hangalya &a . < 2@C < 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n, 98ll "o.3 5GC A.&.e6

3,ake s-re they shit nicely.3?2@B .o/ the G-r- >overei"n8s /ords?29B ca(e to Gorakh .ath. >o sho-ld it !e done or not doneE 9t (-st !e done. 3Gorakh .ath, "o8 and (ake s-re they shit nicely.3 Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n "ot -p and "ra!!ed !oth !oys !y the /rists and took the( to a platfor( o-tside the fort. 9t /as (ade of stone, and he took the( onto it and !e"an to s(ash !oth !oys. And he took off their skins and piled -p their !ones and flesh, strippin" off the skins. 2e took off the skins and h-n" the( on the !ack of the G-r- >overei"n8s chair. And then he !e"an to /atch the play. ,achhindar .ath1i sa/ that Gorakh .ath1i had co(eD /hy hadn8t he !ro-"ht .i( .ath and Paras .athE 3G Gorakh .ath.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n.3 3;here are .i( .ath and Paras .athE3 3:hey are /atchin" the play, G-r- >overei"n.3 :hen he looked here and there. :hat8s the /ay (others and fathers /orry. 2e didn8t see the children. >o ho/ co-ld he en1oy the playE?#$B :hen he said, 3Gorakh .ath, /here are .i( .ath and Paras .athE Mo- took the( to shit and piss, so /here are theyE :hey8re not here at the play.3 3G-r- >overei"n, they are /atchin" the play.3 3;hereE3 3:hey are han"in" on the chair. :heir skins are dryin", 9 h-n" -p their hides over there.3 3Gorakh .ath, yo- sister4f-cker, yo- 1-st "ot here and yo-8ve killed (y .i( .ath and Paras .ath. Mosister4f-cker, /hat cri(e have yo- co((itted, yo- so4and4soL3 3G-r- >overei"n, re(e(!er yo-r /ordsL ;hat did yo- sayE Mo- said, 8Gorakh .ath, "o and s(ash the( thoro-"hlyL8?#1B 9 acted -pon ?2@B yannai !har pa(hhant ra !uvalya ?29B va(han0 can !e (ore po/erf-l: vo/, pro(ise. ?#$B .ote the -n4yo"i4like (entality depicted here. ?#1B !a &ha &a yannai Gora&h Nath !har pa(hhant ra !uva ra lya D a play on /ords is involved here. :he dictionary (eanin" of !harno is 3to strike a !lo/D to !eatD to eraseD to destroy.3 Pa(hatno is 3to !eat as /hen slappin" clothes on a rock to "et the dirt o-t of the(.3 :h-s the destr-ctive instr-ctions are easy to read. 9t is (ore diffic-lt to find 3,ake s-re they shit nicely,3 in the /ords !har pa(hhant ra !uvalya . :his is local lan"-a"e and 9 have to accept Bho1-8s interpretation on faith. 2o/ever, in Ghatiyali !harai refers to a r-nny !o/el (ove(ent and the SK "ives 3to send3 for pa(hathno . < 2@& < the /ords yo- said. 9f yo- tell (e to s(ash the( thoro-"hly, then 9 s(ash the(. Mo-r /ords are po/erf-l, /ords said !y the G-r- >overei"n, ri"ht o-t of yo-r (o-th. >o 9 acted -pon the(.3 3Gh, sister4f-cker, 9 /as talkin" a!o-t havin" the( shit and piss,?#2B !-t yo- really s(ashed the( thoro-"hly, yo- didn8t spare a !one, and yo- !ro-"ht !ack nothin" !-t skins.3

3G-r- >overei"n, 9 only did /hat yo- said to do.3 3Mes, sister4f-cker, yo-8ve s-re done a lot for (eL B-rn -p, yo- sister4f-ckerL 9 didn8t allo/ any reno-ncers to cross (y !o-ndaries !-t yo- 1oined the perfor(ers and ca(e in. And no/, yo- 1-st "ot here, and yo- killed (y .i( .ath and Paras .ath, yo- killed the(, sister4f-cker, yo- ca-sed (e a lot of tro-!le and yo- interr-pted the play too.3 3G-r- >overei"n, are yo- an"ryE3 3Mes, and if yo- didn8t /ant (e to !e an"ry then yo- sho-ldn8t have killed the children.3 3G-r- >overei"n, don8t !e an"ry.3 :hen he took the skins and filled the( !ack -p /ith the !ones and thin"s he had piled -p, and then he circled his tin /ith the eli=ir of life over the(. .o sooner had he done this than the !oys ca(e to life, 1-st as they had !een !efore. 3G-r- >overei"n, don8t !e an"ry.3 :he G-r- >overei"n /as happy. :here /ere his !oys, 1-st as !efore: .i( .ath and Paras .ath. :he play /as over, it /as li"ht.?##B Gorakh .ath !ade fare/ell to the perfor(ers. 3Go, !rothers, that8s eno-"h, this is /here 9 /anted to !e.3 3B-t G-r- >overei"n, all o-r play8s profits are d-e to yo-. 9t8s !een 1-st incredi!leL3 3B-t 9 1-st /anted to co(e to this villa"e.3 39t /o-ld have !een !etter for -s if /e had taken yo- so(e/here else.3 ?#2B %un to !harai !uvaba vastai %utba vastai &hiyo . ?##B As is often tr-e in 9ndia, this /as an all4ni"ht perfor(ance. < 2@@ < 3*no-"h, !rothers, all 9 /anted /as to co(e here.3 >o the perfor(ers left. Gorakh .ath1i stayed a fe/ days /ith his G-r- >overei"n and !e"an to tell tales to hi(. 3G-r- >overei"n, yo- have to "o. Gver there, 9 had a !ad F-arrel /ith Janni Pav1i8s asse(!ly. 9 said, 8Brother yo-r "-r- is s(otherin" -nder horse (an-re,8 and they said, 8Mo-r "-r- is in Ben"al r-lin" a kin"do( and en1oyin" /o(en.8 >o Grain4"iver, /e had so(e harsh /ords a(on" -s, and 9 said, 8.o/ 98ll !rin" (y "-r-,8 and they said, 8.o/ /e8ll "et o-t o-r "-r-.8 :hat8s the F-arrel that /e had, so G-r- >overei"n, /e really (-st "o. Hater if yo- /ant to co(e !ack, that8s fine.3 3G Gorakh .ath, these lady (a"ician sl-ts /on8t let -s "o.3 3:he lady (a"ician sl-ts /on8t let yo- "oE3 3:hey /ill do (a"ic. :hey /ill transfor( -s (a"ically. :hey /ill (ake -s into roosters, they /ill (ake -s into donkeys, these lady (a"icians. :hey8ll do (a"ic on (e, and if yo- try to take (e and they find o-t, the sl-ts /ill kill yo-.3 3G G-r- >overei"n, 98( 1-st tellin" yo- to "o. Mo- sho-ldn8t even think a!o-t those sl-ts. Mo- co(e /ith (e !eca-se 9 have a F-arrel to settle over there, /ith Janni Pav1i8s asse(!ly. >o it is necessary for yo-, the G-r- >overei"n, to "o.3 >o he pers-aded hi(. B-t then he said, 3G !rother, 9 /ant to take .i( .ath and Paras .ath. 9 /ill leave (y kin"do( and (y F-eens, !-t 9 /ill take !oth (y !oys, (y .i( .ath and Paras .ath.3 3Mes G-r- >overei"n, take the(. Het .i( .ath and Paras .ath live here or take the(, as yo- like7it8s

-p to yo-. B-t over there the yo"is have "athered to"ether.3 3GJ, Gorakh .ath, let8s "o. ;e8ll leave in the (iddle of the ni"ht. At (idni"ht. :hen the sl-ts /ill !e sleepin". And 98ll send .i( .ath and Paras .ath ahead. At (idni"ht no one /ill see, no do"s /ill !ark. Het8s "o.3 3GJ.3 3B-t, Gorakh .ath, if the sl-ts catch -s !efore /e "et to the !o-ndaries, then they /ill kill -s.3 3Mo- "o in front, G-r- >overei"n, and don8t "ive any tho-"ht to those sl-ts.3 5GC A.@.e6 :hey left at (idni"ht. ,achhindar .ath >overei"n filled his !a" /ith fo-r "olden !ricks. 3Brother, there8s an asse(!ly of sadhu s and < 2@9 < saints over there, and 98ll "ive the( a feast of !lessed food. 98ll pay for one day8s feast.3 2e p-t fo-r "olden !ricks in his !a", and took his sack, took his ton"s, p-t on his sandals, and so-nded his deer4 horn instr-(ent. 2e sent Paras .ath and .i( .ath ahead. A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .aths took the /ind8s o/n for(. And no/ they left Ben"al. :hey crossed one forest, they crossed a second forest, and in the third forest, they ca(e to the !order. .o/ ,achhindar .ath8s F-eens /ere fo-r lady (a"icians. And one of the( realized that Gorakh .ath had taken the(. 3;hy are yo- sleepin", sl-ts, he took hi(L And he took the princes .i( .ath and Paras .ath, too. 2e took the( and he has reached the !order.3 3Mes he took the(L3 :hro-"ho-t the /hole palace there /as a "reat co((otion. 3G sl-ts, /hat are yo- doin" sleepin"E 2e took the(, the father and the princes, tooL 2e took ,achhindar .ath1i, Gorakh .ath took the(L3 3Gh, he took the( and no/ they8ve reached the !order.3 >on of a ...L Gne F-een !eca(e a she4ass and one !eca(e a !i" v-lt-re, the kind /ith a red neck,?#AB and one !eca(e a /hite v-lt-re.?#%B And they ca(e flyin", /hizzin" after the(, /hen they had reached the !order. As soon as they ca(e flyin" after the(, ,achhindar .ath spoke: 3Gorakh .ath, they have co(e. :he sl-ts /ill kill -s ri"ht no/.3 39 -nderstand that they have co(e. G-r- >overei"n, don8t look !ack, don8t "ive it a tho-"ht.3 >o they kept co(in" and one had !eca(e a she4ass and /as !rayin" as she ca(e, and he str-ck her /ith his ton"s. >he /as a she4ass so he "ave her to the Potters: 3Hoad her heavily and feed her little.3?#CB And one had !eco(e a /hite v-lt-re, and he str-ck her /ith his ?#AB &han(har banyo u ratya galta &o &anvalo0 &han(har is not in the SK , !-t &anvalo is identified as a kite, a /hite v-lt-re, or a lar"e cro/. 9 a( not certain of the zoolo"y in &han(har 8s case, !-t it is an -npleasant !ird of prey.

?#%B .ote that only three transfor(ations have !een identified here, altho-"h there are fo-r F-eens. ,adh- for"ot to (ention the F-een /ho !eca(e the s(allpo= "oddess, >itala ,other, as /e /ill learn shortly. ?#CB An acc-rate description of a donkey8s e=istence. < 29$ < ton"s and even today she still flies in the sky. :he one /ho !eca(e >itala, Gorakh Ba!a installed her o-tside the villa"e.?#&B :hat /as .i( .ath and Paras .ath8s (other. >he is /orshiped over here. :hen the fo-rth ca(e, the one /ho had !eco(e a !i" v-lt-re /ith a lon" neck7the kind that eats the !ones of dead ani(als, that one /ith a red neck. 2e (ade her stay a v-lt-re and said, 3>l-t, yo- keep flyin" in the sky.3 >o she keeps flyin" in the sky. >o Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n finished off all fo-r lady (a"icians 1-st like that and ca(e alon" /ith .i( .ath and Paras .ath and ,achhindar .ath. >o they /ent alon", and /hen they ca(e to a city or a villa"e they /o-ld set -p their ca(pfires at d-sk. :hen Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /o-ld "o into the settle(ent to !e" and !rin" !ack cold stale scraps 7 for the "-r- and to feed .i( .ath and Paras .ath. Gne day they ca(e to a certain city and /ere "oin" to spend the ni"ht there. .o/ Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said to ,achhindar .ath, 3G-r- >overei"n.3 3Mes sonE3 3Grain4"iver, sho-ld 9 "o alone into the settle(entE ;e are fo-r persons, and /hat -se is it if 9 "o alone into the settle(entE ;e o-"ht to teach these !oys, .i( .ath and Paras .ath, to !e". 9t is o-r yo"is8 /ork so /e o-"ht to teach the(, and take the( aro-nd the settle(ent.3 3B-t they are kin"8s sonsL ?Spo&en 5ith a perfe(t sense of deli(ate outrage B ;hat do they kno/ of !e""in", Gorakh .ath yo- sister4f-ckerE3 3G-r- >overei"n, it is necessary to teach the(.3 3Mes, /e8ll have to teach the(, !-t they8ll learn little !y little.3 3Co(e G-r- >overei"n, 98ll take the( into this nei"h!orhood. Het the( fill their o/n !ellies, "-r-. 98ll take the disciples and let the( "et as (-ch flo-r as they need to live.3 B-t Gorakh .ath1i /as thin&ing , 98ll destroy the( on the /ay, so those sons of penis4eaters?#@B over there don8t see the( and say, 3Hook, yo-r "-r- en1oyed sl-ts and had sons.3 Mes, 98ll "et rid of the( so no one can say that. ?#&B >itala ,other is the "oddess of s(allpo=D her shrine is o-tside the villa"e. ?#@B phoda&hani0 this harsh ins-lt refers to Janni Pav1i8s "ro-p of yo"is /ho ta-nted Gorakh /ith his "-r-8s la=ity. As an ins-lt to the (other, it i(plies not se=-al perversity !-t e=cessive desire. < 291 < B-t to ,achhindar .ath1i >overei"n he said, 3Grain4"iver sir, /e sho-ld p-t /ooden sandals on the( and "ive the( ton"s to carry and sacks and s(ear the( /ith ashes. And let the( "o into the settle(ent to !e" and 98ll "o a different /ay. Het o-r disciples !rin" eno-"h to fill their sto(achs.3

3All ri"ht, son, "o. .i( .ath, Paras .ath yo- "o too.3 3B-t G-r- >overei"n, /e have never !e""ed, 8Ala&h* Ala&h* 83 3Mo"is8 !e""in" is easy, isn8t it, sister4f-ckersE 9f people are tr-e they8ll co(e for/ard and "ive to yo-, and those /itho-t tr-th /on8t "ive.3 ?spo&en 5ith saran"i ba(&ground %usi( B Gorakh .ath >overei"n took the( for/ard7/ho(E .i( .ath and Paras .ath. :here /as a ,erchant8s f-neral feast?#9B "oin" on over there in that city, and the place /as fillin" -p /ith ,erchants and Brah(ans. 5GC A.9.e6 Gorakh .ath took .i( .ath and Paras .ath into the city. 3Mo- "o into that nei"h!orhood, and 98ll "o into this nei"h!orhood. After/ards, yo- co(e !ack to the ca(pfire, and 98ll co(e !ack there too. :hat8s the order.3 3Ala&h ala&h ala&h ala&h* 3 they /ent callin". Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n called 3Ala&h* 3 as he /ent into the !azaar that /as filled /ith (any ,erchants and Brah(ans. 3G it looks like a feastL3 3Mes it8s a ,erchant8s feast, sir.3 3>o /hich ho-se is the feast4"iver8sE3 39t8s this one, sir.3 A co/ /as standin" over here, near 0atan ;ell.?A$B 3Co/ ,other, /hat are yo- doin" over hereE Go to the feast4"iver8s "ate/ay and die in the "ate/ay.3 >o Co/ ,other did this, she /ent to the "ate, ri"ht near the threshold, and sat do/n and died.?A1B And Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /ent on to the ne=t street. ?#9B '-neral feasts are of "reat i(portance in villa"e social lifeD they often involve feedin" h-ndreds or even tho-sands of "-ests. ,adh- -ses t/o /ords that 9 translate 3,erchant3: Ma!ana and Banya0 in Ghatiyali !oth refer to (e(!ers of a relatively /ealthy caste /ho act as shopkeepers and are all )ains. ?A$B :his is a na(ed /ell in Ghatiyali, near the Brah(an nei"h!orhood. ?A1B Gorakh .ath8s r-thlessness to/ard the co/ foreshado/s his r-thlessness to/ard the !oys. < 292 < .o/, /here the food lines /ere set -p,?A2B the ,erchants8 and Brah(ans8 feastin" sh-t do/n. 3G, a% a% a% a co/ diedL ;here can /e eat if a co/ diedE?A#B And there8s no one to take it a/ay. 2o/ can the platter4!earers serve the feastE A co/ died, and yo-8ve "ot to re(ove it first, !rother. :hen /e8ll feast.3 .o/ /ho is "oin" to re(ove a co/ all of a s-ddenE >o this stran"e thin" had happened, and in the (idst of the conf-sion, .i( .ath and Paras .ath ca(e callin" 3Ala&h* Ala&h* 2ey !rother, ,erchant 'ather, yo-8re doin" so(e !i" cookin" todayL 'east -s and "ive -s a special portion for o-r G-r- >overei"n.3 :hose !oys /ere (akin" a racket. 3G !rother ,erchant 'ather, feast -s, and "ive -s a special portion for o-r G-r- >overei"n.3 :here /as one !astard of a ,erchant there, and he said, 32ey !oys, don8t (ake s-ch a h-lla!aloo.3

3G ,erchant 'ather, then feast -s. And "ive -s a special portion for o-r G-r- >overei"n.3 2e said, 3:his co/ died, and, s-re, /e8ll feast yo- and /e8ll "ive yo- a special portion for yo-r G-r>overei"n. B-t first one of yo- "ra! the horn and one of yo- "ra! the tail and p-sh the co/ over !y 0atan ;ell, !y the /all. :hen /e8ll start feastin" a"ain, and /e8ll feast yo- too and /e8ll fill yo-r c-ps for the G-r- >overei"n. :his co/ died over here !y the "ate, and so the feastin" has stopped. 9f yo/ant to eat then yo- (-st p-ll.3 Gne of the(, .i( .ath, said, 39f Gorakh .ath1i sees -s then he8ll !eat -s.3 B-t Paras .ath said, 3Gh, /ho kno/s /hat alley Gorakh .ath has "one into. Mo- "ra! the horn and 98ll "ra! the tail and then they8ll feast -s and they8ll fill o-r c-ps too. Gther/ise, these are ,erchants and (y sonL they8ll never feast U>L3?AAB >o one !rother "ra!!ed the horn and one !rother "ra!!ed the tail. And they p-lled that co/ over !y the /all of 0atan ;ell and p-t it do/n there. As soon as they had p-lled it, the ,erchants set ?A2B At villa"e feasts, "-ests are seated !efore leaf plates in lines that (ay !e in the co-rtyard !-t -s-ally e=tend o-tside into the street. ?A#B A dead ani(al is poll-tin" and food (-st not !e eaten in its vicinity. :he very essence of lo/4caste service in the villa"e is the re(oval of dead ani(als. ?AAB ,erchants are notorio-sly stin"y and al(ost al/ays !adly portrayed in folklore. < 29# < -p their eatin" lines a"ain. 3Brother, no/ the co/ is re(oved, !rother, no/ !e seated.3 :hey sat do/n in the eatin" lines, and they (ade the !oys sit do/n too. 32ere, !oys, yo- feast too.3 >o they feasted the(. 3Give -s a special portion for o-r G-r- >overei"n.3 3Brothers, take this special portion.3 And so they filled their c-ps. As soon as they had their c-ps filled, and they had eaten their fill, they /ent !ack to the G-r- >overei"n8s ca(pfire. :hey "ot there and said to the G-r- >overei"n, 3G-r- >overei"n, look, take this. Gorakh .ath1i !rin"s stale cold scraps and today /e have !ro-"ht five fried treats. :oday /e /ent for the first ti(e and /e !ro-"ht five fried treatsL3 ;hen they told this to the G-r- >overei"n, he /as very happy. 3Mes, (y sons, today yo- have !ro-"ht so(e e=cellent "oods, !-t that sister4f-cker Gorakh .ath !rin"s stale cold scraps that 9 can8t even che/.3 ,ean/hile, Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n had !een (akin" his ro-nds, and then he ca(e !ack to the ,erchant8s "ate. :he dead co/ /as lyin" there, and Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n sprinkled it /ith the eli=ir of life and said, 3Co/ ,other there8s no "razin" over here, /hat are yo- doin"E3 >he ca(e !ack to life and Co/ ,other /ent on her /ay.?A%B .o one had feasted Gorakh .ath1i. 2e had stale cold scraps in his !a" /hen he /ent !ack to the ca(pfire. At the ca(pfire he said, 3:ake so(e, G-r- >overei"n, eat.3 3Meah, sister4f-ckin" Gorakh .ath, yo- !rin" sister4f-ckin" cold stale scraps that an old (an like (e can8t eat. B-t today (y .i( .ath and Paras .ath /ent, and they !ro-"ht five fried treats.3 3G-r- >overei"n, these cold stale scraps are :r-th8s. And these five fried treats are Untr-th8s.3

3>-re sister4f-cker, (y .i( .ath and Paras .ath !ro-"ht the( and that8s /hy they8ve !eco(e Untr-th8s, !-t yo-r scraps are :r-th8s.3 3Mes G-r- >overei"n, those are >in8s and these are +har(a8s.3 3>ister4f-cker, ho/ are these >in8sE3 3G-r- >overei"n, cover the( -p. And cover -p these scraps too.3 >o he covered the( -p /ith a sheet. 2e covered the !oys8 c-ps ?A%B Gorakh .ath th-s repairs his sin of co/4killin", ho/ever anticli(actically. < 29A < and he covered the scraps too. As soon as he covered the(, sister4f-ckerL Prosperity entered the scraps, !-t the !oys8 t-rned into p-s and !lood. >o their c-p had p-s and !lood, !-t Gorakh .ath8s scraps t-rned into five treats. 3All ri"ht, Gorakh .ath, /hat8s the (eanin" of thisE3 3G-r- >overei"n, they !ro-"ht this for p-llin" a co/. :hey !ro-"ht it for p-llin" a dead co/, so that8s /hy it has p-s and (a""ots. .o/ these t/o can8t !e o-r disciples any lon"er. :hey8re dead, the sister4 f-ckers. :hey have t-rned into Heather/orkers.?ACB :hey are lo/ co/4p-llers.?A&B :hey have no (ore (eanin" for -s. :hey have !eco(e Heather/orkers.3?A@B 3;ell, sister4f-ckers, yo- re(oved a co/E3 3Mes, Grain4"iver sir. :here /as a ,erchant, and he /o-ldn8t feast -s, and there /as a dead co/ lyin" there, o-tside his ho-se, and /e "ra!!ed its horns and tail and dra""ed it aside. ;e 1-st "ave it a little p-sh.3 3;ell, sister4f-ckers, yo-8re spoiled. Mo- have !eco(e lo/ co/4p-llers.3 Gorakh .ath said, 3G-r- >overei"n, they8re spoiled, and they8re no -se to -s any(ore, so no/ /hat /ill /e do /ith the(E ;hat /ill /e do /ith the sister4f-ckersE ;hat do /e need the( forE :hey have !eco(e co/4p-llers and they can8t live /ith -s. :hey can8t s(oke or share to!acco /ith -s.3 3>o those ,erchants, those c-nts7/hy did they spoil o-r disciplesE3 3Het8s take the( there.3 >o ,achhindar .ath "ra!!ed one of their /rists and Gorakh .ath "ra!!ed the other one8s /rist. And they /ent to the ,erchant8s "ate. :here /as a !i" flat rock lyin" there and they !e"an strikin" the( on it. :hey "ra!!ed their feet and thre/ the( a"ainst it, and drops of !lood sprinkled and splattered. :he ,erchant and his /ife fell at their feet and 1oined their hands and !e""ed for"iveness. 3Gh, Grain4 "ivers, don8t kill the(.3 ?ACB regar0 one of the t/o leather/orkin" castes in Ghatiyali. ?A&B dhed0 the SK "ives the caste na(e (ha%ar for this, !-t accordin" to Bho1- it is less a caste na(e than an ins-ltin" desi"nation specific to the /ork of p-llin" dead ani(als. ?A@B (ha%ar0 the other local leather/orkin" "ro-p. < 29% <

3G yo- sister4f-ckers, yo- didn8t feast the(. ;hy did yo- r-in o-r disciples, /hy did yo- have the( p-ll a co/ fro( yo-r placeE G sister4f-ckers /hy did yo- t-rn the( into Heather/orkersE G co/ards, ?A9B yo- didn8t feast the(, yo- sister4f-ckers. ;hy did yo- have o-r disciples p-ll a co/E ;hat "ood are they to -s no/E :hey8re no "ood at all. >o /e are "oin" to kill the( at yo-r "ate/ay. ;hy did yo(ake the( into Heather/orkersE ;hy did yo- have the( p-ll a co/E3 3G G-r- >overei"n, /ho told yo- this storyE 9 didn8t even talk to the( at (y party.3 3G yes, yo- sister4f-cker, yo- t-rned the( into Heather/orkers. ;e are yo"is and /hat "ood are they to -s no/E ;e /ill kill the( at yo-r "ate/ay, sister4f-cker.3 32ey Grain4"iver, don8t kill the(.3 3>o /hat sho-ld 9 do thenE3 3Grain4"iver, leave the( /ith -s, and /e /ill feed the( plenty of !read in a nice /ay and take "ood care of the(.3 3>-re, sister4f-cker, yo- did this to o-r disciples and yo-8ll "ive !readL 98ll kill the( ri"ht here at yo-r "ate/ay, sister4f-cker.3 >o he str-ck the( and str-ck the(. 2e "ra!!ed their feet and s(ashed the(, a"ain and a"ain, the /ay /e s(ash a !lanket.?%$B Blood spattered, and the !oys .i( .ath and Paras .ath /ere callin" in a terri!le /ay. :he ,erchant and his /ife !e""ed for"iveness and fell at his feet, 3Gh Grain4"iver don8t kill the(.3 3>o if 9 don8t kill the( /hat /ill 9 do /ith the(E3 32ey Grain4"iver, don8t kill the( and /e /ill (ake the( o-r deities, /e /ill call the( :hak-r1i.3?%1B 3>o, yo- /ill (ake the( :hak-r1isE3 3Mes sir, /e /ill (ake the( :hak-r1is, and /e /ill /orship the( /ith rice. :hat8s /hat /e8ll do fro( one "eneration to another.3 3Good, sho/ (e the te(ple.3 >o ri"ht a/ay he took the( to the te(ple. :here /as a te(ple ?A9B led yavo0 an ins-lt (eanin" 3co/ard3 that is partic-larly appropriate for ,erchants, accordin" to Bho1-, !eca-se ,erchants are notorio-sly -n/illin" to fi"ht. ?%$B :hat is, slap it do/n a"ain and a"ain, as clothes are /ashed in r-ral 9ndia. ?%1B A title -sed for deities in (any local te(ples of 0a1asthan, its pri(ary (eanin" is a local landlord or r-ler. < 29C < /ith no icons, in /hich they p-t !oth !rothers standin" side !y side. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n t-rned the( to stone. :hen he said to the ,erchants and Brah(ans, 3Gffer -p /ater on these and drink the nectar fro( their dicks?%2B or else yo-8ll !e destroyed. ;orship the( /ith rice and serve the( /ell, or else yo-8ll !e destroyed.3 >o the ,erchants and Brah(ans offered /ater and accepted it fro( their penises,?%#B sayin", 3Grain4 "iver, :hak-r1i >overei"n, Grain4"iver.3

>o that8s ho/ the ,erchants8 sect ca(e to !e, and .i( .ath and Paras .ath !eca(e :hak-r1is.?%AB And Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n8s sorro/ /as erased. 3.o/ no!ody can say, 8Hook, !rother, yo-r "-r- en1oyed sl-ts and had sons.83 .o/ they left that place /here they had (ade .i( .ath and Paras .ath into :hak-r1is. 5GC A.1$.e6 :he "-r- and disciple /ere "oin" alon" to"ether. As they /ent do/n the road, Gorakh .ath1i said, 3G-r- >overei"n, yo-8re /alkin" like a cripple /ith that sack, yo-8re "oin" as slo/ly as an old (an. Give that sack to (e. 9t (-st have so(ethin" heavy in it, so let (e carry it.3 B-t the G-r- >overei"n /asn8t a!o-t to "ive -p his "old !ricks. Brother, that Gorakh .ath, /ho kno/s /here he8ll thro/ the( do/n, (y sonL And /ho kno/s ho/ he8ll trick (eL Mes, he8ll play a trick /ith (y "old !ricks. 2e8s not likely to "ive the( to Gorakh .athL 2e said, 3.o, no, Gorakh .ath.3 3Co(e, G-r- >overei"n, it looks like there8s a /ei"ht in there, "ive (e yo-r sack.3 3.o.3 >o the G-r- >overei"n /ent slo/ly alon". And on the road they ca(e to a !anyan tree and a step4/ell. ?%%B ?%2B Beca-se the icons in )ain te(ples are naked, /ater po-red on their heads is likely to r-n over their penises. :he /ord for (ale or"an here is not linga% !-t indari , /hich Bho1- tells (e villa"ers -se for little !oys8 penises. ?%#B langi0 another ter( pro!a!ly related to linga% . ?%AB Accordin" to Bho1-, .i( .ath and Paras .ath are incl-ded a(on" the t/enty4fo-r )ain tirthan&ars" ?%%B bar bavari0 in 0a1asthani folklore travelers often co(e -pon these t/o paired co(forts of shade and /ater. < 29& < ,achhindar .ath said, 3Gorakh .ath let8s take a little rest here. Het8s have a s(oke and let8s take an afternoon rest and /ash o-r hands and faces.3?%CB 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n, let8s /ash o-r hands and faces.3 3:hey sat do/n in the shade of the !anyan tree over there !y the step4/ell. And they s(oked the hashish pipe, and ,achhindarsaid, 3Gorakh .ath, 9 shall "o /ash (y hands and face.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n, "o /ash.3 3Brother Gorakh .ath, this is the thin".3 3Mes, Grain4"iver, tell (e.3 3Mo- !eat ti(e. ?Madhu (laps to de%onstrate" B And /hile yo-8re clappin" 98ll /ash (y hands and face and co(e !ack.3 .o/ /hatever the "-r- says (-st !e done. ,-stn8t it !e doneE

9t (-st !e done. :he G-r- >overei"n tho-"ht, :o protect (y sack 9 /ill start hi( clappin" first, and then "o. Gther/ise he8ll thro/ the !ricks that 98ve loaded in it into the step4/ell, and then /hat /ill 9 doE >o he started hi( clappin". ?Madhu (ontinues to de%onstrate and laughs" B 3As soon as he8s keepin" ti(e 98ll "o over there.3 :he G-r- >overei"n said to hi(, 3Mes, son, yo- !eat ti(e and 98ll "o into the 1-n"le.3 3Mes, "o G-r- >overei"n.3 Gorakh .ath1i !e"an to keep ti(e. 3Mo- keep on co-ntin" and /e8ll see if 9 co(e !ack in the !eat.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n, 9 a( co-ntin".3 :he G-r- >overei"n /ent and after a /hile he sF-atted on the other side of the thorn !-sh. As soon as he sF-atted, Gorakh .ath >overei"n kept !eatin" ti(e. ?Madhu (laps" B B-t he !e"an to !eat his thi"h. And /ith one hand only he checked o-t the sack: And he didn8t skip a !eat. 3Het8s see /hat /ei"ht the G-r- >overei"n has cra((ed into his sack that (akes hi( /alk so slo/ly. Het8s search it.3 >o he searched the sack and fo-nd inside it so (-ch "olden (oneyL 'o-r !ricks /ere lyin" there. Gh the G-r- >overei"n has filled his sack /ith stones. >o then ho/ can he /alk7the son of a penis4eaterE 2e has loaded this !-rden of rocks in his sack. :he G-r- >overei"n has p-t the( there i(properly, sinf-lly. ;hy has he filled his sack /ith these stonesE ?Madhu is laughing, en!oying this story a lot" B :hat c-nt7/ith one hand he kept ti(e and didn8t skip a !eat and /ith one hand only he took the( and >plashL >plashL >plashL ?%CB hath %unda dholyan0 a standard e-phe(is( in the villa"e for defecation. < 29@ < >plashL7/ith fo-r separate splashes he thre/ the( in the /ell. As soon as he heard the fo-r separate splashes o-tside the !eat, the G-r- >overei"n didn8t care if he had shit or not shit, he /ashed his ass and "ot -p. 2e "ot -p so fast he didn8t even tie -p his loincloth, like Had- .ath, he didn8t knot his loincloth. And the G-r- >overei"n r-shed !ack to check on his sack. As soon as he checked it o-t, he fo-nd o-t it /as e(pty. 3>ister4f-cker, Gorakh .ath, yo- thre/ (y fo-r "old !ricks into the /ell, yo- sister4 f-ckerL3 3;hat, G-r- >overei"nE ;hat did 9 thro/ /hereE3 2e said, 3;here did yo- thro/ the(E :here /ere fo-r splashes 1-st no/. Mo- thre/ all fo-r !ricksD they !roke the rhyth(.3 3Gh (y, G-r- >overei"n, /hy did yo- fill yo-r sack /ith this senseless !-rden of rocksE G-r>overei"n, yo- /ere /alkin" like a cripple and that8s ho/ 9 kne/, !rother. 8;hy did he !rin" these rocksE8 G-r- >overei"n, 9 thre/ the( a/ay.3 3>ister4f-cker Gorakh .ath, 9 /on8t "o /ith yo-. >ister4f-cker, yo- (ade (e leave (y kin"do( and (y F-eens, too. Mo- (ade so(e into donkeys and so(e into v-lt-res and yo- spoiled (y kin"do( and (y co-rt. And .i( .ath and Paras .ath /ere (y princes, /ho( yo- ca-sed to !e killed, sister4f-cker, and had (ade into ,erchant deities. And the little !it that 9 !ro-"ht for (y e=penses yo- thre/ in the /ell. Mes, sister4f-cker, yo- s-ppose that 98ll "o /ith yo-E3

2e had (ade the G-r- >overei"n an"ry. .o/ Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n tho-"ht, ,y /itchL Hook, the old (an is an"ry, !rother, no/ /hat a( 9 "oin" to doE 2e prostrated hi(self and !locked his path. 2e !locked the G-r- >overei"n8s path and 1oined his hands. B-t he t-rned his !ack on hi( and passed hi(. 3.o, Gorakh .ath, don8t !lock (y path, 9 /on8t "o /ith yo-. Mo- are a knave, sister4f-ckerL3 And no/ Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3G-r- >overei"n, yo-8ve !eco(e an"ryE3 3Mes, sister4f-cker, yo-8ve r-ined (y ho-se, sister4f-cker. And no/ yo- even took (y "old that 9 !ro-"ht for e=penses.3 Mes he (ade hi( leave his place and r-ined everythin"L 3Mo- r-ined everythin", and yo- had (y princes killed, and yo- (ade (e leave (y kin"do(, and yo(ade (e leave (y F-eens, and yo- had (y princes killed. And, sister4f-cker, 9 !ro-"ht fo-r < 299 < "olden !ricks for (y e=penses, that 9 /as "oin" to -se to feast the sadhus and saints, and even those yo- thre/ in the /ell, sister4f-ckerL Mo- have left (e e(pty4handed, reso-rceless.3?%&B :hen Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n "ot an"ry and said, 3G-r- >overei"n, yo-8re really distra-"htE3 3Mes, sister4f-cker, 98( distra-"ht.3 )-st then Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n thre/ do/n his ton"s on the hill of )aypal1i.?%@B And as soon as he thre/ do/n his ton"s, the /hole hill !e"an sparkle4sparkle4sparklin": it had t-rned to "oldL 3G-r- >overei"n, take as (-ch as yo- can pack. Pick -p the /hole hill and take it. Mo- /ere "oin" a/ay (ad, !elievin" in fo-r "olden !rick4pe!!les. .o/ pick -p this /hole hill and take all this "old, nothin" !-t "old.3 Gh (yL :he G-r- >overei"n /as happy. 32ey, Gorakh .ath.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"nE3 3>on, it has !eco(e per(anent.3?%9B 39t /as the "race of the G-r- >overei"n that (ade it that /ay. >o pick it -p. Pick -p the hill.3 32ey sister4f-cker, yo- think 9 can carry this hillE3 3GJ, G-r- >overei"n, 1-st pick -p as (-ch as fo-r !ricks8 /orth. Pick -p fo-r rocks and p-t the( in yo-r sack. And then let8s "o, take the( and "o. G-r- >overei"n, are yo- happy no/E3 3Mes, son, 98( happy.3 3Good, so take the( and let8s "o.3 :hey !e"an to "o and then they looked !ack. ,achhindar .ath1i looked !ack and sa/ the for( of riches?C$B 7the "olden hill /as sparklin". 3Gh, Gorakh .ath.3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n.3 3>on, spoil this "olden hill a"ain.3 3;hy, G-r- >overei"nE3

?%&B abhyagat can !e a reno-ncer, as /ell as 1-st a poor person. Both (eanin"s co-ld (er"e here, as Gorakh .ath takes a/ay ,achhindar8s reso-rces to (ake hi(, once a"ain, a reno-ncer. ?%@B .aypal!i is a shrine tended !y the .ath caste located on a hill so na(ed !ehind the .ath nei"h!orhood. ?%9B pa&&a0 cooked, fir(, -sed to distin"-ish ho-ses and roads (ade of concrete or !rick or stone fro( those (ade of (-d and dirt. ?C$B %aya rupi0 co-ld also !e rendered 3for( of ill-sion.3 < #$$ < 3G sister4f-cker, the kin" of over here /ill say, 89t8s /ithin (y !orders8 and the kin" of over there /ill say, 89t8s /ithin (y !orders,8 and then, sister4f-cker, (any ar(ies /ill c-t one another, and, sister4 f-cker, the sin /ill !e o-rs. :he sla-"hter /ill !e o-r fa-lt, sister4f-cker7tho-sands of (en c-ttin" one another, sister4f-cker. >o spoil it a"ain.3?C1B >o Gorakh .ath >overei"n ha/ked and spit on it7on that hill. As soon as he had spit, it t-rned into Jash(iri stones7fro( /hich these (ar!le icons co(e.?C2B And these darsani that /e /ear in o-r ears. G-r yo"is8 darsani that /e /ear in o-r ears are (ade fro( that hill, fro( that Jash(iri stone. Hike the darsani 9 /ear in (y ears, like that. >o he spoiled it, and they /ent on their /ay: 3Het8s "o.3 :he G-r- >overei"n /as happy. >o no/ Gorakh .ath1i and ,achhindar .ath1i >overei"n are "oin" alon". 5GC A.11.e6 A seated yo"i8s a stake in the "ro-nd, !-t a yo"i once -p is a fistf-l of /ind. :he .aths took the /ind8s o/n for( and fi=ed their conscio-sness on Ga-r Ben"al. :hey crossed one /oods, they crossed a second /oods, and in the third /oods they ca(e to the "arden of Ga-r Ben"al, the Chapala Garden. ;hen they reached the Chapala Garden, they sa/ Janni Pav1i8s disciples lookin" do/n4at4the4(o-th. :hey had filled their shovels a"ain and a"ain, !-t it do-!led in the day and F-adr-pled in the ni"ht so they /ere (isera!le, and si= (onths had "one !y since that day. :he /ell /asn8t e(pty7it do-!led in the day and F-adr-pled in the ni"ht. >o Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3G sister4f-ckers, 9 have !ro-"ht (y "-r- fo-rteen h-ndred (iles, and, sister4f-ckers, yo- haven8t taken o-t yo-r "-r-. 9t8s !een si= (onths and yo- still haven8t "ot yo-r "-r- o-t.3 3'ather of a da-"hterL Gorakh .athL Mo-8ve !eaten -s. 9t do-!les in the day and in the ni"ht it F-adr-ples. >on of a penis4eater. ;e do the sa(e kind of /ork every day, !-t it is never finished.3 ?C1B :his is the only (o(ent /hen ,achhindar see(s /iser than GorakhD he -nderstands the /ays of kin"s. ?C2B Accordin" to Bho1- the Jash(iri stone is the sa(e as 2indi billauri , a kind of F-artz or crystal. ,adh- is conf-sed hereD the crystal for earrin"s and (ar!le for icons are t/o different kinds of stone. < #$1 < 3Mes, sister4f-ckers, yo-8ll never finish it. N-it tryin". :his is /hat yo- sho-ld do. Call all the "-r-s8 disciples. )alindar Ba!a has fo-rteen h-ndred disciples doin" tapas -nder"ro-nd. Call the(. And call

too his fo-rteen h-ndred disciples /ho do tapas visi!ly. 'o-rteen ti(es t/o is t/enty4ei"ht. :/enty4 ei"ht h-ndred disciples of )alindar Ba!a. And fo-rteen h-ndred disciples of Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n and fo-rteen h-ndred disciples of ,achhindar .ath, and fo-rteen h-ndred of Janni Pav1i.3 :he "arden filled -p co(pletely. .o/ this is /hat Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n did. 2e str-ck seven ti(es /ith his sandal. And he took o-t seven "ro-ps of loc-sts fro( that horse (an-re in the !lind /ell. 2e took o-t one "reen "ro-p, he took o-t one /hite "ro-p, he took o-t one !lack "ro-p, he took o-t one red "ro-p, and one dappled "ro-p. 2e took o-t one oil4colored "ro-p. And so he took o-t seven kinds of loc-sts. 2e took those separate "ro-ps fro( inside there. 2e took o-t the "ro-ps of loc-sts and (ade the( s/ear an oath: 3Brothers, /hen yo"is tell yo- "o, then "o. And (aintain the honor of ro!e4/earers. 2elp the( to earn their livin"s. Jeep /anderin" aro-nd in the /orld, and /hen yo"is and yo"inis co(e, accept their (a"ic circles?C#B and (aintain the honor of their ro!es. And keep their sto(achs f-ll of !read.3 2e took the loc-sts o-t of the horse (an-re. >o /e speak spells like 3G( "-r- in the /estern land is the deep /ell /here the loc-sts /ere !orn.3?CAB :he loc-sts /ere !orn in the !lind /ell. 9n Gopi Chand8s horses8 d-n". And no/ the "ro-ps of loc-sts /ere e(ptied o-t, and the /ell /as co(pletely e(ptied. 9nside it /as the !i" flat stone -pon /hich he had set -p his (editation seat. ;hoE )alindar Ba!a. And he /as recitin" God8s na(es. 3.o/ take o-t yo-r G-r- >overei"n,3 he said to the(. 32o/ shall /e take o-t the G-r- >overei"nE 2e /on8t co(e o-t.3 ?C#B &ar dhar0 a circle inscri!ed on the "ro-nd and e(po/ered !y spells that can keep loc-sts inside or o-tside its line. ?CAB Au% guru!i pa((ha% des %a!! &a go !yan tidi &a !ala% hoya0 this is a fra"(ent of an act-al spell -sed to re(ove loc-sts. :here is no har( in revealin" the spells !eca-se their potency derives as (-ch fro( the sayer8s acc-(-lated (editative pro/ess as fro( the /ords the(selves. < #$2 < 3All ri"ht !rother.3 >o they called Gopi Chand and Bharthari. And Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n asked for dab "rass. 2e asked for dab and he -sed it to (ake dolls of !oth of the(,?C%B of Gopi Chand and of Bharthari. :hen he set do/n a !i" dr-(. ;hereE 2e set do/n a !i" dr-( on the ed"e of the !lind /ell, and Gopi Chand and Bharthari !e"an to play it. And no/ they /ill !eco(e i((ortal, ri"ht here, Gopi Chand and Bharthari. 5GC A.12.e6 2e (ade these dolls, and set do/n the dr-( on the ed"e.?CCB 2e set do/n the dr-( on the ed"e, and Gopi Chand and Bharthari !e"an to play the dr-(. :hey !e"an to play, they played 3da% da% 3 on the dr-( and the so-nd /ent into the !lind /ell. 'ro( the !lind /ell

)alindar Ba!a spoke: 3;ho is "oin" 8da% da% 8E3 Gorakh Ba!a said, 3Ba!a, Gopi Chand and Bharthari, Ba!a, Gopi Chand and Bharthari.3 A voice e(er"ed fro( Ba!a8s (o-th: 3AshesL Gopi Chand and Bharthari are ashes.3 As the speech 3Ashes3 e(er"ed the dolls !-rned -p. :he dolls !-rned -p, and then a second ti(e he (ade dolls and "ave the( their na(es, and they !e"an playin". Ba!a yelled, 3;asn8t (y speech acceptedE .o/ /ho8s "oin" 8da% da% 8E3 ?C%B 4ab is a special "reen "rass -sed in >anskritic rit-alsD in other versions of Gopi Chand8s story these dolls are (ade of seven (etals, or of three (etals, hintin" at associations /ith an alche(ical p-rs-it of i((ortality. ?CCB :his is the final s-n" se"(ent of GC A. < #$# < 3,y "-r-, it8s Gopi Chand and Bharthari, Ba!a, Gopi Chand and Bharthari.3 :he "-r-8s voice ca(e o-t of the /ell, 3AshesL Het Gopi Chand and Bharthari !e ashesL3 G-tside the dolls !-rned -p, o-tside they !-rned -p. 'or the third and last ti(e the yo"i (ade dolls, he (ade dolls. :hen Gopi Chand and Bharthari played the dr-(, he had the( play the dr-(. .o/ the so-nd 3da% da% 3 /ent into the /ell and )alindar Ba!a de(anded: 3;ho8s "oin" 8da% da% 8 todayE ;ho is doin" it, /ho is doin" itE3 3,y "-r-, Gopi Chand and Bharthari are doin" it, G-r-1i, 9t8s Gopi Chand and Bharthari.3 After this had happened, the "-r-8s pro(ise e(er"ed: 3As lon" as earth shall !e

live Gopi Chand and BharthariL G sons, Bharthari /ill live.3?C&B :he "-r-8s speech 39((ortal3 e(er"ed, and Gopi Chand !eca(e i((ortal. 5GC A.1#.s6 >o the !lind /ell /as e(ptied of the loc-sts, and )alindar Ba!a /as in there doin" tapas , recitin" God8s na(es.?C@B .o/ to "et the G-r- >overei"n o-t ... 3+o this: call Gopi Chand and Bharthari. Gopi Chand and Bharthari are in this co(pany, a(on" )alindar Ba!a8s disciples.3 ?C&B An echo of the prover!, !ab ta& a&as dhartari tab ta& Gopi Chand Bharthari" ?C@B :his !e"ins the final spoken se"(ent of ,adh- .ath8s Gopi Chand epic. < #$A < :hen Gorakh .ath (ade dolls o-t of dab "rass. 2e (ade t/o "rass dolls: one /as Gopi Chand and the other /as Bharthari. 2e na(ed the( separately. And he had Gopi Chand and Bharthari start to !eat the dr-(. 34a% da% da% da% ,3 they !eat the dr-(. And the so-nd of the dr-( playin" 3da% da% 3 /ent into the !lind /ell, and )alindar Ba!a8s eyelids opened. 'ro( inside ca(e a voice. 32ey, sister4f-cker, /ho is "oin" 8da% da% 8 over hereE3 :hen Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3>overei"n, it is Gopi Chand and Bharthari.3 3>ister4f-ckers7ashesL3 As soon as the speech 3Ashes3 e(er"ed then, crackle crackle those dolls !-rned -p. :he dolls Gorakh .ath had (ade ... !eca-se )alindar said, 3Het Gopi Chand and Bharthari !-rn to ashesL3 !-t Gorakh .ath1i had "iven their na(es to the dolls. >o as soon as the dolls !-rned -p, then he (ade a second set of dolls. >o /e8ll try, and third ti(e proves all.?C9B Mes, let8s see, if they /ill !eco(e i((ortal /ith three chances. :he first set of dolls t-rned to ash, and then he (ade (ore dolls of dab "rass. 3:hat one8s Gopi Chand and that one8s Bharthari,3 and he had the( !e"in to play the dr-(. 34a% da% da% 3 it /ent, and as soon as it /ent 3da% da% da% 3 then the G-r- >overei"n said, 32ey sister4f-ckers, /ho is thereE ;hat sister4f-cker is (akin" this 8da% da% da% 8 racketE3 Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3>overei"n, G-r- >overei"n, it8s Gopi Chand and Bharthari.3 3:hose sister4f-ckers7ashesL3 :hen the dolls !-rned -p ri"ht there. And as soon as the dolls !-rned -p, then Gorakh .ath (ade (ore dolls. 3Het8s seeL .o/ co(es the third, and the third ti(e proves all. 9f the speech 89((ortality8 e(er"es, then they8ll !e i((ortal. B-t if the speech 8Ashes8 e(er"es, then they8re dead.3 >o he (ade the dolls for the third and last chance. 3Brother, that one8s Gopi Chand and that one8s Bharthari.3 And he had Gopi Chand and Bharthari !e"in to play the dr-(. ?C9B lo& pati!an0 accordin" to Bho1- this e=pression occ-rs in contests /here the 3!est of three3 is the /inner. 9 cannot e=plain the literal (eanin", /hich (ay concern the three 3/orlds3 5lo& 6 in cos(olo"y. 9 translate as 3third ti(e proves all3 rather than 3!est of three3 !eca-se in t/o o-t of three ti(es

)alindar "ave the c-rse of 3ashes.3 < #$% < And it /ent 3da% da% da% 3 and as soon as it did, then )alindar Ba!a yelled, 32ey sister4f-cker, /ho is "oin" 8da% da% da% 8 and isn8t acceptin" /hat 9 sayE3 3G-r- >overei"n it8s Gopi Chand and Bharthari.3 3Mes, yo- sister4f-ckers, as lon" as the earth re(ains, so /ill Gopi Chand and Bharthari.3 :hat /ord?&$B e(er"ed fro( the G-r- >overei"n. :hat did it. :he speech 39((ortality3 e(er"ed and they !eca(e i((ortal. :hen Gorakh .ath stretched o-t his ar(. 3Co(e o-t, G-r- >overei"n.3 3;hyE3 3;hyE Beca-se the /hole asse(!ly is /atchin" and callin" yo-. >o co(e o-t.3 :hen Gorakh .ath stretched o-t his ar( and "ra!!ed the "-r-8s hands /ith his and !ro-"ht o-t )alindar Ba!a. 2e had !een doin" tapas for years in the !lind /ell, he had !een doin" tapas for so lon" that fro( his tr-th8s co(plete s-ccess a fr-it of i((ortality had !een prod-ced there.?&1B 2e !ro-"ht that fr-it of i((ortality in his sack, and as soon as he ca(e o-t, he took it o-t and /ith his o/n hand he "ave the i((ortal fr-it to Gopi Chand and Bharthari. 2e fed half to Gopi Chand and he fed half to Bharthari, so they !eca(e i((ortal, !rother.?&2B >o they took o-t )alindar Ba!a. As soon as they took hi( o-t, he set -p his ca(pfire, and fi=ed -p his (editation seat ... he had saffron !-rnin" in his ca(pfire. *veryone /as sayin", 3:he G-r- >overei"n has co(e, the G-r- >overei"n has e(er"edL3 >o then they said, 3:he /hole asse(!ly is here, G-r- >overei"n. ;e o-"ht to have a !i" feast, of all the "-r-s.3 )alindar Ba!a /as the senior "-r-,?&#B and so he had to provide the first feast. 9t /as a /ish4feast.?&AB 3*at a lot, a lot of laddus and !alebis .3 ?&$B sabad . ?&1B !i&a satt &a par%an se a%ar phal paida hogyo uthai0 this co-ld also !e constr-ed as 3fro( the evidence of his tr-th.3 9t is the only (ention in either of ,adh-8s epics of an a%ar phal 7aro-nd /hich certain versions of Bharthari8s story revolve 5see chapter #6. ?&2B :he events that follo/ /ere not incl-ded in the sin"in", !-t ,adh-8s narrative flo/ed into the( /itho-t pa-se. ?&#B ,achhindar .ath is -s-ally identified as the first of the .ath yo"i "-r-s, !-t ,adh- .ath says )alindar is the eldest. ?&AB 2ere the e=pression 3/ish4feast3 5%anasa bho!an 6 involves a nice assort(ent of desira!le s/eetsD see !elo/ for Gorakh .ath8s (a"ical /ish4feast. < #$C < >o all the asse(!lies of yo"is had a feast at the "-r-8s e=pense. :hey cooked (asses of food and all the yo"is feasted /ell.

:hey had a /onderf-l ti(eL .o/ the ne=t day7/hose t-rn /as itE ,achhindar .ath >overei"n8s. ,achhindar .ath /as 1-nior to )alindar .ath. >o ,achhindar .ath took his fo-r !ricks, his "old !ricks. 2e "ave the( and said, 3Brothers, take these fo-r "old !ricks and !rin" all the st-ff and then eat plenty of laddus and !alebis .3 :hat /as it: the st-ff ca(e and then ,achhindar .ath Ba!a8s feast took place, in a very fine /ay ... his cookin" ... his party. >o no/E .o/ it /as Janni Pav1i8s t-rn. And Janni Pav1i also "ave a "reat party for every!ody. B-t no/ his n-(!er?&%B co(es -p. .o/ Gorakh .ath1i is left. Gorakh .ath1i8s n-(!er ca(e -p. And he tho-"ht, Brother, 9 haven8t any feast st-ff, nothin" at all. 9 haven8t any cash, and 9 haven8t any fire/ood, and 9 haven8t any !eans, and 9 haven8t any st-ff at all ... 98( a yo"i, 9 a(. Het the sister4f-ckers drink offerin"ash to(orro/L ;hen evenin" ca(e, Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n called, 3G asse(!lies, listen, all yo- asse(!lies. :o(orro/ Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n invites yo- at t/elve o8clock for a feast, for a /ish4feast. :he invitation is for /hatever yo- desire. 3*veryone !rin" his o/n c-p ri"ht side -p, covered /ith a cloth. ;hatever yo- desire to eat, then p-t yo-r hand on yo-r c-p and ask for it. :hat very food /ill co(e.3 >o he "ave that invitation, and then Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n /ent to sleep. .o/ day da/ned. And as soon as day da/ned, and they had /ashed their hands and faces, the yo"is t-rned their prayer !eads. At eleven o8clock they /ent to Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n and said, 3:he ti(e has co(e. Get -p, yo- don8t have any st-ff yet, nothin" at allL ;here are yo- "oin" to "et stores of "rain, cookin" pots, flo-r, all the thin"sE Mo- pro(ised t/elve o8clock. G !rother, /here are the "oods "oin" to co(e fro(E3 3Mo- 1-st take yo-r !aths, !rothers, and /ash yo-r hands and faces.3 ?&%B :his is one of the fe/ (o(ents /hen ,adh- .ath -ses an *n"lish /ordD 3n-(!er3 co((only (eans 3t-rn3 in r-ral 0a1asthan. < #$& < 3;ell, /e already !athed and /ashed and /e8re h-n"ry. Mesterday yo- said there /o-ld !e a feast at t/elve o8clock. >o it8s t/elve o8clock and >overei"n, /e8re dyin" of h-n"erL3 3Good, !rothers, yo-8re h-n"ryE3 3*veryone is h-n"ry.3 3Good, then sit do/n. >it do/n in eatin" lines. Het each "-r-8s o/n disciples sit in separate eatin" lines.3 >o they sat do/n in separate lines. 9n one line /ere )alindar Ba!a8s disciples. 9n one line /ere ,achhindar .ath8s disciples. 9n one line /ere Gorakh .ath8s. 9n one line /ere Janni Pav1i8s. 3.o/, !rothers, this is /hat yo- sho-ld do. :here are leaf plates set o-t. *veryone hold his o/n c-p ri"ht side -p and sit do/n. :ake yo-r c-p and sit do/n, everyone.3 .o/ Janni Pav1i8s disciples /ere feelin" en(ity. ;hyE Beca-se he had t-rned their food into rocks previo-sly. Gorakh .ath1i had t-rned that cartload of cooked food that /as co(in" into rocks. :hey /ere feelin" en(ity.

Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3GJ, !rothers, set do/n yo-r c-ps, /ith their (o-ths -p, and cover the(, cover the( /ith a cloth.3 :hey covered the( /ith a cloth. :his /as his /ish4feast, Gorakh .ath1i8s cookin". 3*veryone p-t yo-r hand on yo-r c-p and ask for yo-r desire, /hatever yo- /ant to eat. And that very thin" /ill co(e.3 .o/ one of Janni Pav1i8s disciples said, 3:hat c-nt7let8s ask for i(proper thin"s. 2e spoiled o-r feast4food. 2e t-rned it into rocks. >o let -s spoil his cookin". 2o/E >o(e of yo- ask for snakes in yo-r c-p, and so(e of yo- ask for scorpions, and so(e of yo- ask for "oats8 heads, and so(e of yoask for !-ffalo, !-ffalo heads. >o(e of yo- ask for !i" snakes and so(e for 1ackals, fo=es, lizards, fat lizards ... /e8ll ask for all these different thin"s and see /here Gorakh .ath /ill "ra! the(.3 3Meah, then it /ill !e spoiled, /here /ill he "et livin" ani(als and !rin" the(E 2e said /e8d have a feast in o-r c-ps. B-t /here /ill Gorakh .ath "et scorpions, poisono-s lizards, snakes, or /ater snakesE3 >o they covered the( -p, and (y sonL :hey /ere dyin" of en(ity. And so(e asked for snakes, and so(e asked for lizards, and so(e asked for "oats8 heads and so(e !-ffalo heads, and so(e asked for 1ackals and fo=es and fat lizards. :hey asked for the( in their c-ps. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3Mes, !rothers, everyone is invited < #$@ < to (y /ish4feast. P-t yo-r hands on yo-r c-ps, /hich are c-rtained, and ask for any kind of food. AskL3 ;ell, ,achhindar .ath8s and Gorakh .ath8s and )alindar .ath8s disciples asked for satal ya and puris , and laddus and !alebis , and delicate !reads and lentils. :hey asked for /hat they /anted. And they asked only for thin"s to eat. B-t Janni Pav1i8s disciples ... so(e asked for 1ackals and so(e for fo=es and scorpions, poisono-s ani(als, lizards and poisono-s lizards and "oats8 heads and !i" snakes. :hey asked for !lack snakes and thin"s like that, !rotherL And it all ca(e into their c-ps. Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n (ade everythin" co(e, !eca-se he had invited the( to a /ish4feast. .o/ /hich "-r-s /ere senior to Gorakh .ath1i >overei"nE :he one /ho( he took o-t fro( the !lind /ell, )alindar Ba!a. And ,achhindar .ath1i7and he /ent to their ca(pfires. 2e said, 3G-r- >overei"nsE3 3Mes, !rother Gorakh .athE3 3;ell, G-r- >overei"ns, 9 (ade a pro(ise in the ni"ht. 9 "ave invitations to a /ish4feast of (ine. >o, G-r- >overei"ns, /hatever they desire they ask for it, and it co(es into their c-p.3 3>o they eat /hat they ask for.3 3And s-ppose they ask for so(ethin" i(proper, then, G-r- >overei"ns, /hat sho-ld they doE3 3Het the sister4f-ckers eat it, or !eat the( /ith ton"sL 9t /as an invitation to a /ish4feast so /hy sho-ld they ask for i(proper thin"sE And if they ask for i(proper thin"s, the sister4f-ckers have to eat the(L3 :hen Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3Mes, !rothers, everyone -ncover his o/n c-p and feast.3

>o everyone took off the piece of cloth. And ,achhindar .ath1i8s and Gorakh .ath1i8s and )alindar Ba!a8s disciples !e"an to feast. :hey had asked for "ood feasts. >o(e had laddus and satal ya and puris , thin"s to eat. And if they asked for ve"eta!les, then they "ot ve"eta!les. And if they asked for ve"eta!les /ith puris 7/hatever they asked for, all five festive foods, they "ot. B-t those /ho asked for other thin"s had piles of lizards and scorpions. >o(e had fat snakes and so(e had "oats8 heads and so(e had !-ffalo heads and they looked ... 3*at *atL3 ?#aughter B < #$9 < .o/ ho/ /o-ld they eatE Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n said, 3)alindar Ba!a ...3 3Mes, !rother Gorakh .ath.3 3;hy aren8t these disciples of Janni Pav1i eatin"E3 32ey, yo- sho-ld eatL3 3Mes, G-r- >overei"n.3 ?Spo&en in a nasal 5hine B 3>tand -p, all yo- G-r- >overei"ns, stand -p ... ,achhindar .ath1i, )alindar Ba!a, lookL ;hat thin"s have they "ot to eatE 9(proper, i(proper thin"s to eat are lyin" there in their c-ps. 3>o they looked in the(. 3G sister4f-ckers, /hat have yo- doneE >o feast on itL3 3Grain4"ivers, ho/ can /e feast on thisE >nakes and lizards, lookL Goats8 heads and !-ffalo heads.3 3G sister4f-ckers,3 the G-r- >overei"ns said. 3+id it co(e /itho-t askin" or did yo- ask for itE3 3G-r- >overei"ns, /e askedL3 ?Spo&en li&e terrified (hildren (onfessing to a pran& B 32o/ /o-ld it co(e /itho-t askin"E Gorakh .ath1i (ade a pro(ise: 8Ask for /hatever yo- /ish, ask and eat.8 >o yo- asked and no/ the thin"s have co(e. :here are snakes and lizards and !-ffalo heads, "oats8 heads, sister4f-ckers, fo=es and 1ackals. 'at lizards and poisono-s lizards ... sister4f-ckersL :hat8s /hat yo-8ll eatL Mo- asked for the( to eat.3 3G-r- >overei"ns, /e asked o-t of en(ity.3 3;hat kind of en(ityE3 3'ro( !efore, /hen he t-rned o-r feast into rocks.3 39f yo- had asked for rocks, (ay!e /e co-ld have helped yo-. B-t yo- asked for 1ackals and fo=es. *at the(, sister4f-ckers.3 3Grain4"iver, ho/ can /e eat the(E3 3.o/ 98ll (ake (y ton"s fly, sister4f-ckers, /hy did yo- askE ;ere yo- tryin" to destroy Gorakh .ath8s /isdo(E ;here /ill he "et scorpions, /here /ill he "et fat lizards, /here /ill he "ra! 1ackals, /here /ill he "et snakes, /here /ill he c-t off ani(als8 headsE8 ;ell, sister4f-ckers, he p-t the( in yo-r c-ps, yo- have really spoiled his honorL *at the(, sister4f-ckersL3?&CB >o he !eat the( /ith his ton"s and fed the(, the >nake Char(ers.

?&CB )alindar see(s to !e the speaker and actor here, !-t the te=t is a(!i"-o-s. < #1$ < 2e fed the( and "ave the( a fraction of kno/led"e, !-t to -s he "ave a f-ll (eas-re.?&&B 3Go, sister4f-ckers, and don8t settle in any villa"e. Mo- have to live in the 1-n"le and play the fl-te.?&@B And catch snakes, sister4f-ckers, and (ake the( dance. *at snakes, search for lizards, kill 1ackals and fo=es and eat the(. >ister4f-ckers, live in the 1-n"le only.3 :hat8s it, this /ill !e their destiny. ;hen any >nake Char(er co(es, /e keep hi( o-tside. 2e "ave the( a fraction of kno/led"e, and to -s he "ave a f-ll (eas-re of kno/led"e. And o-r sect settled (any retreats and co-ld (ake lions and co/s live to"ether. 9n (any places /e t-rned the hills to "old, and so(eti(es five h-ndred bighas?&9B of land /ere assi"ned for o-r retreats, for the service of ,ahadev. ;e co-ld keep a co/ /ith a lion, that8s the kind of /isdo( /e hadL ;hen ar(ies die, then /e (ake the kin" a disciple and !rin" his ar(y !ack to life. ;e !rin" it !ack to life and (ake the kin" a disciple. :hat8s it. .o/ Gopi Chand has !eco(e i((ortal, and that8s it, Gopi Chand is co(plete. 5GC . A.1#.e6 ?&&B Hiterally he "ave the >nake Char(ers 3one and one4F-arter of one4F-arter of a ser 3 and "ave the rest 3one and one4F-arter of a /hole ser .3 A ser is a little over t/o po-nds. ?&@B pungi0 an instr-(ent associated /ith tri!al "ro-ps. ?&9B Gne bigha eF-als five4ei"hths of an acre. < #11 <

A&T$R:ORD+ PO!ITIC ; !O#$; D$AT,; AND D$ TIN%

>tories have a re(arka!le capacity to travel, soarin" like yo"is as a 3fistf-l of /ind3 across all (anner of lin"-istic, c-lt-ral, and political !o-ndaries. *thno"raphy "enerally involves (ore sl-""ish and enc-(!ered crossc-lt-ral treks. :hat (ay !e /hy so (any of -s /ho seek to interpret other c-lt-res hitch rides on stories.?1B ,any interpretive fli"hts /o-ld !e possi!le on the /in"s of ,adh- .ath8s tales. :he zi"za""in" co-rse 9 shall take in the follo/in" pa"es /as charted !y (y response to the pers-asive po/er of ,adh-8s voice and reflects pree=istin" intellect-al and personal interests. Gne fine hope 9 have for this !ook is that readers /ho !rin" other predispositions to it /ill !e (oved to e=plore its richness in /ays that never occ-rred to (e. Met 9 do feel convinced that the tentative and oscillatin" nat-re of (y interpretation is at least partially intrinsic to the narrative str-ct-re and perfor(ative life of these stories of yo"is told !y and for ho-seholders. .o tidy resol-tions are offered. 'e/ if any /ho hear these stories decide to reno-nce the /orld, and neither tale as 9 recorded it ends on a note of divine detach(ent. :he one ?1B :he *n"lish /ord 3narrative3 is ety(olo"ically connected /ith 3kno/led"e,3 derivin" fro( the >anskrit root gna (eanin" 3kno/3 5;hite 19@1, 16. :h-s gyan 7the very kno/led"e of /hich the !ard ,adh- .ath clai(s a f-ll (eas-re in the closin" passa"e of his epic perfor(ance7has an ancient and crossc-lt-ral association /ith stories. >ee .arayan 19@9 for (any insi"hts into the -se of narratives as reli"io-s teachin".

< #12 < thin" /e are s-re of is that Gopi Chand and Bharthari live ever afterD /hether happily or not is hard to say. 0ecall the last lines ,adh- sin"s of Bharthari. :he kin" addresses "-r- Gorakh .ath /ith these /ords: 3Ba!a, no/ feast on yo-r food, fro( the F-een today, fro( (y N-een Pin"ala.3 :h-s he reaffir(s possession even as he f-lfills his yo"ic severance. And at the close of Gopi Chand, ,adh- does not stop /ith Gopi Chand8s receivin" the fr-it of i((ortality !-t "oes on to descri!e the F-arrel !et/een Janni Pav1i8s disciples and Gorakh .ath that res-lts in the de"radation of the for(er. 2ere ,adhclai(s that his o/n "ro-p received a f-ll (eas-re of 3kno/led"e3 5gyan 6 and the de"raded "ro-p a fractional (eas-re. 2is o/n "ro-p received land "rants for (any pleasant retreats, !-t the de"raded "ro-p had to live in the 1-n"le and eat snakes. At first 9 /as -nhappy a!o-t this endin"D 9 /as te(pted to e=cise itD it str-ck (e as off4key7an al(ost (elancholy reincorporation of hierarchy and /orldly concerns into the reno-ncers8 /orld, after they had fl-shed o-t love. 2ere /as a sorry co((entary on /hat reli"ion had to offer. :hat reaction, 9 fear, displayed a "en-ine deafness to the te=ts8 ori"inal voice, and a ref-sal to "rant the teller his interpretive ri"hts 5:edlock 19@#6. ,adh- tr-(pets this endin" and en1oys in it a stron" reaffir(ation of his identity /ith po/erf-l yo"is, and a clai( for his o/n /orth as part of that "ro-p7even if the part to /hich he !elon"s had slipped into (arria"e and o/nin" property. 9f the endin" of each tale dan"les, each dan"les differently. 9ndeed, t/o very different characters appear /hen /e place Gopi Chand and Bharthari side !y side. :he rec-rrent refrain, the the(e son", of Gopi Chand8s tale is his (other8s advice: ,y son, !e a yo"i, (y dear darlin" !oy, and yo-r !ody /ill !e i((ortal. Gopi Chand8s (other, to save her son8s life, co((its hi( to yo"a. 2is response is repeated e(otional revolt, follo/ed !y an event-al resi"ned s-!(ission to his fate. :he rec-rrent refrain in Bharthari is Pin"ala8s la(ent. Mo- (-st realize, Bharthari Panvar of +hara .a"ar, Mo-8re the (aster of (y -nion !-t yo-8ve "one and left (e destit-te. < #1# < Bharthari8s /ife, N-een Pin"ala, /ants to prevent Bharthari fro( !eco(in" a yo"i, for it destroys her /ell4!ein" as an a-spicio-sly (arried /o(an. Bharthari8s response to Pin"ala is to tell her to 3F-it !ein" st-!!orn,3 !eca-se his yo"ic destiny is preordained, thickly /rittern. :h-s altho-"h !oth epics are a!o-t kin"s /ho leave the /orld, each creates a different at(osphere /ith different stresses as it descri!es the process. Gopi Chand8s is a!o-t pers-asion to/ard yo"a, /hich event-ally /orks. Bharthari8s is a!o-t pers-asion a"ainst it, /hich event-ally fails. 9 first !eca(e interested in Gopi Chand !eca-se he /as so senti(ental and /ishy4/ashy, and !eca-se he had deep e(pathy for fe(ales 5Gold 19@96. Gn the !asis of Gopi Chand8s tale alone, 9 hypothesized that the ho-seholder stat-s of the perfor(er8s caste, and the hi"h val-ation of /o(en in r-ral 0a1asthan8s folklore co((-nity, allo/ed a sy(pathy for love in the /orld to over/hel( the yo"ic detach(ent val-ed in the ori"inal tradition 5Gold 19916.

Bharthari, ho/ever7that donkey8s pro"eny7is a st-!!orn !oor, (akin" -p his (ind and stickin" /ith it no (atter ho/ (-ch it h-rts other !ein"s7-s-ally fe(ale ones. *ven his crazed "rief over Pin"ala8s death is selfish and har(f-l to others. .o one /eeps /ith hi(, as people do /ith Gopi Chand. ,adh.ath (akes hi"h co(edy of Bharthari8s (o-rnin" scene. +espite the -ncle8s and nephe/8s shared i((ortal destiny each reaches it !y a different path. .onetheless, it (-st !e possi!le to find co((onalities of (eanin" in the t/o tales. :hey are 1oined not only in ,adh- .ath8s li(ited repertoire !-t thro-"ho-t vario-s perfor(ed and literary "enres, fro( sec-lar 2indi theater to .ath sect ha"io"raphy. 9 /ent !ack to 9ndia e=plicitly to record Bharthari in order to !alance (y interpretation of Gopi Chand. 9n this closin" chapter 9 deli!erately seek the deep (eanin"s that rise fro( !oth tales. 9 shall hi"hli"ht three rec-rrin" concerns and one overarchin" non4concern that 9 find evident in !oth te=ts. Both tales are a!o-t kin"s, and also a!o-t kin"do(s7pop-lated political entities located in space, s-!1ect to disr-ption and reconstit-tion, and dependent on "ood relations /ith yo"is. Both tales have (-ch to do /ith the inti(ate ties of kinship, and ho/ these are !o-nd and -n!o-nd. Both tales are a!o-t final partin"s, a(!i"-o-sly constr-ed, so(eti(es in ter(s of yo"ic detach(ent and i((ortality, so(eti(es (er"in" /ith h-(an (ortality. 'inally, !oth tales freF-ently evoke as -lti(ate a-thority < #1A < the ca-sal !lack hole of predestination. Met, 9 shall s-""est, they are not s-cked in !y its e=planatory po/er. 9n e=plorin" the /ays that s-ch confi"-rations of story and (eanin" for( and interpenetrate in ,adh.ath8s tales 9 have taken these 3crazy stories3 5so (y (other calls the(6 to !e deep 5gehra 6 and serio-s 5ga%bhir 6. B-t as any reader /ho has co(e this far kno/s, pervadin" all of ,adh- .ath8s perfor(ance, like a fifth di(ension, is a co(ic flair. Mo"is /arn -s not to take politics, love, death, or destiny too serio-sly7still less the concl-sions of o-r errant and e"o4ridden (inds.

De0ogra.hic urges through !andsca.es of /eaning

As 9 translated these tales 9 /as str-ck !y a rec-rrent (otif !est descri!ed as the (otion or fl-= of pop-lations. :/ice in Bharthari8s tale and once in Gopi Chand8s entire pop-laces are te(porarily displaced. Bharthari8s tale also narrates the per(anent settle(ent of a ne/ kin"do(. 9n each case these events /ere o!vio-sly connected /ith de(onstrations of ho/ a kin" is not only responsi!le for, !-t dependent on, his s-!1ects. And, not s-rprisin"ly, each of these (ove(ents of peoples is directly or indirectly related to the active po/er of yo"is. Beca-se (y interest in the tales initially foc-sed on /hat 9 felt to !e their e=traordinary concern /ith and insi"ht into the psycholo"ical t-r(oil of separate persons, 9 fo-nd the narratives8 apparent fascination /ith de(o"raphic s-r"es p-zzlin" and 59 confess6 not so "rippin". ;hat, after all, co-ld these episodes have to do /ith either the teachin"s of yo"is or the e(otions of ho-seholdersE Met the tale4teller lavishes considera!le attention on these scenes. Consider the episode in Bharthari 1 /hen Pachyo Potter decides to F-it his city !eca-se his donkey Jh-kanyo, a disciple of Gorakh .ath, is e(!arrassin" hi( and endan"erin" his life !y lo-dly de(andin" to (arry a princess. :he potter8s (ove precipitates that of the rest of the pop-lace. 0oyal servants infor( the kin" of the tro-!le !re/in": 3Grain4"iver, over /ho( are yo- r-lin" hereE Gnly o/ls are left here in the villa"e, only o/ls hootin". :he /hole city is e(pty. .ot even a child re(ains.3

3;hyE3 < #1% < 3;ho kno/s /hy they left. B-t, 98( tellin" yo-, sir, there are no h-(an !ein"s left here.3 3>o they left. ;ell /hat /as tro-!lin" the(E3 3;ho kno/sE :hey told of no tro-!le. :hey left and /ent to the !order.3 9n Gopi Chand #, all of Ben"al is depop-lated !eca-se of the contest !et/een lady (a"icians and yo"is. After the yo"is have t-rned not only the tricky ill4doin" /o(en !-t their innocent h-s!ands into !rayin" donkeys /ho (-st fora"e in the /ilderness, a very si(ilar (o(ent arises. Gnly a fe/ old folks re(ain and they "o to the kin". 3Grain4"iver, o-t of the /hole pop-lation of the city, only -s, a co-ple of old folks, are left. All that there are, have co(e.3 3>o /here are all the (en and /o(en of the villa"eE3 3*ven if yo- search, yo- /on8t find the( any/here.3 3;hy, /here have they "one, old folksE3 3Grain4"iver, fo-rteen h-ndred ... yo"is ca(e to the "arden.... Mo-r 1-n"le has !eco(e pop-lated, !-t yo-r /hole city is deserted. Grain4"iver, only -s, a fe/ old folks re(ain7 and yo- re(ain, so do as yo- /ill.3 9n !oth cases (atters are set ri"ht /hen the kin" personally ne"otiates /ith po/erf-l !ein"s or their a"ents7the donkey in the first case, the yo"i4"-r- )alindar .ath hi(self in the second. B-t a si(ple s-!ordination of kin"s to yo"is is not all that is happenin". .one of these episodes is intelli"i!le /itho-t so(e "rasp of spatial concepts in the /orld of the tales. :his is a /orld /here spaces are politicized, "endered, and !o-nded. B-t the !o-ndaries are (ade for passa"e, not contain(ent. :he center, inner(ost real(7the Color Palace7!elon"s to F-eens. As i(plied !y its na(e, the Color Palace 5rang %ahal 6 is a place of passion and stron"ly associated /ith the inti(ate relationships to /hich yo"a p-ts an end. G-tside the Color Palace /e find the )e/el >F-are or !azaar, /here the co((erce of ordinary city life "oes on. Beyond lie t/o i(portant locales for !oth stories: the "arden and the /aterside. :hese are places on the ed"e, !et/een city and co-ntry, (eetin" "ro-nds. 9n Bharthari, the "arden is /here Pin"ala !-rns and Gorakh .ath instr-cts the ravin" kin"D in Gopi Chand a "arden is the site of the contest !et/een /o(en (a"icians and yo"is. All the places 9 have na(ed th-s far are part of the "reater city. Beyond the( lie the 1-n"le, the /astelands, the /oods, the -ninha!ited < #1C < co-ntryside7and there is a plethora of s-!tly distinct 0a1asthani and 2indi /ords for these areas. >o(e/here in this no4(an8s4land lies the Ja1ali ;oods /here yo"is ca(p. 9nterco-rse !et/een castle and city, and the s-rro-ndin" 1-n"le or forest is critical to the action of !oth tales. 0ecall the hilario-s scene in Bharthari8s !irth story /hen the kin" pro(ises the de(andin" donkey his da-"hter as a !ride if the donkey is a!le to s-rro-nd his city overni"ht /ith do-!le /alls of copper and !rass. .ot tr-stin" a kin"8s /ord of honor, the donkey (akes his /alls 5!y sta(pin" his hoof and callin" on "-r- Gorakh .ath6 /itho-t "ates. :he pop-lation /akes -p to this dreadf-l sit-ation, 1-st as the donkey had predicted: 3;hen so(eone has to "o to the latrine they /ill !eat their head on the /all. As for the

livestock, ho/ /ill they take the( to "razeE ;here /ill the people "o to shitE ;hen it8s dark they can sF-at near the /all, !-t /here /ill they "o once it8s li"htE3 :he kin" has no choice !-t to "o thro-"h /ith the sha(ef-l (arria"e. Hike his s-!1ects, a kin" too (-st have an on"oin" physical connection /ith the land !eyond the city /alls. Part 2 of Bharthari8s story opens /ith Pin"ala ta-ntin" Bharthari !y sayin" that his kin"ship is 3/orthless3 !eca-se he never rides h-ntin" in the /oods.?2B ;hat have yo"is to do /ith these confi"-rationsE Associated /ith the 1-n"le, they are dependent for al(s on the city. And 1-st as (-ch as the people /ho live inside need a /ay o-t, yo"is /ho live o-tside need to !e s-re that their /ay in is not !arred. ;hen they /ish, yo"is are capa!le of "reat disr-ptive acts. :heir lila or divine play (ay /ell ca-se havoc to healthy social relationships7/hether they drive people o-t of the city or trap the( in it. B-t this lila is allo/ed to "o only so far. :he stories clearly s-stain a co((it(ent to (aintainin" social order, once the i(perative de(ands of yo"is are (et. 'or -lti(ately yo"is reF-ire a s(oothly f-nctionin" kin"do( for their o/n s-!sistence. 9n Bharthari8s tale, /hen Bharthari is (o-rnin" Pin"ala in the "arden7a li(inal space7all the people of his kin"do( asse(!le there and then cannot ret-rn ho(e and cook /hile their kin"8s ?2B 'or an interestin" disc-ssion of the connections of kin"s to the 1-n"le in a >o-th 9ndian epic tradition see Beck 19@2D see also 2eester(an 19@%, 11@. < #1& < (adness and death poll-tion contin-e. :his constit-tes a sit-ation so -nsee(ly as to shake the kin"do( of heaven. Gorakh .ath is sent !y God not to convert Jin" Bharthari to a yo"ic perspective 5altho-"h s-ch is the res-lt6, !-t to !rin" Bharthari to his senses so that the people can 3li"ht the cookin" fires3 and "et on /ith ordinary life. :h-s, altho-"h the tales sho/ yo"is aloof fro( ordinary people and capa!le of controllin" the(, they also de(onstrate the desira!ility for yo"is of a /ell4ordered society, appropriately arran"ed in space. Gopi Chand and Bharthari finally follo/ their yo"i teachers to the re(ote /ilderness, !-t (ass depart-res are e(phatically not reco((ended. Mo"is have a pec-liarly a(!i"-o-s relation to the inner fe(ale space stron"ly associated in these tales /ith love, sorro/, and food. *ven tho-"h ,anavati has /on the !oon of a son t/ice over thro-"h ascetic pro/ess, she is not 3"iven3 Gopi Chand -ntil a !e""in" yo"i receives al(s of (ilk in her inner portal. >i(ilarly, even tho-"h Gopi Chand and Bharthari have !een initiated and te(pered !y fire and pil"ri(a"e, neither /ill !e 3co(pleted3 yo"is -ntil they ret-rn fro( 1-n"le to palace and clai( a share of food. >hared !read is a s-!stantial i(a"e of fa(ily -nity pervasive in 9ndian c-lt-re. :he cold stale scrap of !read that !oth kin"s de(and /hen they reach the do(ain of /o(en i((ediately evokes a contin-in" (e(!ership in their a!andoned fa(ilies. B-t /hen their /ives hand the( the food as al(s to a yo"i !e""ar, it !eco(es a token of release and severance. :hey (-st !ear it fro( the inner roo(s to the "-r-8s ca(p in the desolate 1-n"le. Hike so (any i(a"es in the stories, the !read in its passa"e fro( royal palace to ascetic ca(pfire is (ovin" in (ore /ays than one.

"n0a3ing !ove
,ar"aret :ra/ick in her re(arka!le !ook Notes on #ove in a Ta%il ;a%ily says, 3for the( love /as !y nat-re and !y ri"ht hidden3 5199$, 916. >he o!serves that in :a(il .ad there is a p-!lic ethos of denial,

and this is 1-st as tr-e in 0a1asthan: a (other (-st not "aze at her child nor a /ife speak her h-s!and8s na(e. Met !eneath the facade of denial are tan"led /e!s of inti(ate relations that :ra/ick8s st-dy of a fa(ily reveals in e=F-isite co(ple=ity and s-!tlety. 'olk epics are not "enerally kno/n for their psycholo"ical co(4 < #1@ < ple=ity and s-!tlety. Met /hat the tales of Gopi Chand and Bharthari have to say a!o-t the ties that !ind 7an *n"lish phrase that is re(arka!ly apt in 2ind- settin"s 5Peterson 19@@67is far fro( si(ple and !l-nt. .o/here in ,adh- .ath8s tales do the several 2indi and 0a1asthani /ords for love 5pre%, sneha, pyar , and others6 appear. Met s-!(er"ed, hidden, and indirect tho-"h its (anifestations (ay !e, the po/er of love infiltrates and often (otivates the plots. Gne code for love is the "-r-8s phrase 3ill-sion8s net3 5%aya !al 6 or the 3noose of ill-sion8s net.3?#B ,anavati ,other /arns Gopi Chand /hen he co(es !ack to his palace as a yo"i, !efore he (eets Pata( +e and the other F-eens: 9ll-sion8s net /ill fiercely spread, so yo- (-st fiercely !race yo-rself. ;hen first )alindar set Gopi Chand the task of callin" his /ife 3,other,3 the disciple protested: 3B-t she is (y /ife. 9 have scattered all her leaves and s(elled all her flo/ers37a poetic depiction of con1-"al inti(acy, !ased, 9 /as told, on a "ardener8s relation /ith his plants. :he "-r- responds caref-lly: 3Pata( +e 0ani /as yo-r /o(an, !-t that /as in yo-r r-lin" ti(e. .o/ yo- have !eco(e a yo"i.3 At this precario-s (o(ent in his disciple8s career he stresses not the perisha!ility of all (ortal relationships !-t the kin"8s re(oval fro( the( after initiation. 9n yo"is8 lore, to call one8s for(er /ife 3,other3 and take al(s fro( her hands is a /ell4kno/n trial for the ne/ initiate, !-t it appears to contain a !-ilt4in contradiction. 9f all persons are tr-ly the sa(e to a yo"i, /ho has died to his past, /hy sho-ld it take an enco-nter /ith his /ife to f-lfill his yo"aE :he ans/er, 9 think7at least for these .ath tales of partin"7is that, -nspoken tho-"h it (ay !e, the po/er of love is "iven its d-e. 9t is "iven its d-e in t/o /ays: as a (oral i(perative and as a (ortal i(pedi(ent. :hat is, in the ho-seholders8 /orld so recently a!andoned and not yet for"otten !y the ne/ initiate, (arital love is /orth ?#B 9n everyday .epali %aya (eans 3love,3 and %aya !al is -sed to refer to the 3snares of love.3 Alan 0oland in his c-lt-rally sensitive psycholo"ical e=ploration of 9ndian selves /rites that 3%aya can !e vie/ed ... not si(ply as ill-sion ... !-t rather as the stron" e(otional attach(ents of the fa(ilial self that profo-ndly distract the person fro( his or her real nat-re, or the spirit-al self.... ;hat is ter(ed detach(ent can !e vie/ed psycholo"ically as increasin" involve(ent in the spirit-al self and a loosenin" of the po/erf-l e(otional !onds in fa(ilial4social relationships3 519@@, #$&6. < #19 < so(ethin". ;o(en lay clai(s on (en, and the validity of their clai(s is dod"ed /ith diffic-ltyD that is /hy s-ccessf-l denial represents s-ch a cro/nin" achieve(ent for the ne/ yo"i. :hat is also /hy these tales need, as relief, lo/4!orn and l-sty !ad /o(en -pon /ho( ne/ yo"is (ay practice the arts of disdain and re!-ffal. And yet, at least in that treachero-s land of Ben"al, the entire cate"ory 3/o(an3 easily (er"es /ith that of 3lady (a"icians.3 :he (a"icians are strai"htfor/ardly the 3"-r-s3 of all Ben"ali /o(en.

>everal ti(es in the co-rse of Gopi Chand #, the re!ellio-s /o(en of Ben"al e(er"e fro( their do(estic confines to challen"e yo"is in the "arden. After their defeat !y the "reat "-r- )alindar .ath8s po/er, they are transfor(ed into !rayin" she4asses and driven into the 1-n"le. :he (en of Ben"al, (issin" their dinners and !eset !y cryin" !a!ies, then collectively confront the 3loincloth4/earers3 and de(and their /o(en !ack. )alindar ans/ers the(: G !rothers, /hat do 9 /ant /ith yo-r /o(enE 9t /as !eca-se of /o(en tro-!le that 9 first !eca(e a yo"i. 9 !eca(e a yo"i to "et a/ay fro( /o(en. ;hat need have 9 of /o(enE :here aren8t any /o(en aro-nd here, and /e don8t even kno/ yo-r /o(en. And /hat /o-ld /o(en have co(e to "et fro( sadhus like -sE )alindar, of co-rse, protests too (-ch. 2is disclai(er, the a-dience kno/s, is an o-tri"ht lieD the yo"is are indeed responsi!le for the Ben"ali /o(en8s disappearance. B-t, he is also speakin" the official tr-th: yo"is, and )alindar as a leader of yo"is, have nothin" to do /ith /o(en. )alindar8s in"en-o-s do-!le4talk opens a /indo/ on the s-!tle a(!i"-ities and shiftin" eval-ations that characterize attit-des to/ard the fe(ale species in ,adh- .ath8s tales. 9f it is taken for "ranted that the /orld of yo"is is a /orld !eyond /o(en, the e=istence of that /orld is in (any /ays defined in reference to /o(en. ,-ch (ore than divinity, /o(en often see( to !e the center a!o-t /hich these tales revolve. :he nat-re of divinity is taken for "rantedD it is sta!le, it is availa!le for /hoever has the capacity for concentration, and it has the certainty of tr-th. B-t the nat-re of /o(en is el-sive, -nsta!le, and al/ays open to do-!t. Altho-"h so(e /o(en are so-rces of stren"th, food, and co(fort, others are (enacin" ene(ies. B-t for an aspirin" yo"i, the passionate love of a "ood /o(an is far (ore dan"ero-s than the !a(!oo sticks or (a"ic spells of fe(ale adversaries. < #2$ < ;o(en are to !e a!andoned or, as )alindar8s tone and /ords i(ply and (-ch of the action portrays, escaped. ;hen Bharthari realizes his kin"do( is d-st and decides to seek his "-r-, he says to hi(self: 39 shall "o !ehind the F-een8s !ack. Gther/ise, if 9 try to leave in front of the F-een and all the others, there isn8t a chance that they8ll let (e "o.3 ;hen face to face /ith the /ives they (-st leave, neither Gopi Chand nor Bharthari refers to a F-est for spirit-al perfectionD !oth evade personal responsi!ility !y referrin" instead to conveniently inel-cta!le fate or to the "-r-8s po/erf-l co((and. *lse/here 9 have disc-ssed "ender in the Gopi Chand tale alone, hi"hli"htin" the associations of fe(ales /ith po/ers at once creative and !e"-ilin". 9 have e=plored the kin"8s relationships /ith his /ives, sisters, and fe(ale ene(ies 5Gold 19916. 2ere 9 shall foc-s on the h-s!and4/ife !ond7a !ond epito(ized in Bharthari8s story !y the central act of sati . :o -nderstand the place of sati in ,adh- .ath8s tales, /e have to appreciate the pre(ises prevailin" in the perfor(ance conte=t: a 0a1asthan villa"e /here the decision to !e sati transfor(s a /o(an into a deity. :his is pop-larly perceived as an a/eso(e and e=tre(ely rare (anifestation of fe(ale po/er. A 0a1asthani prover!, /hich occ-rs several ti(es in the Bharthari epic, co((ents: 3>he deli!erately kills her h-s!and to !eco(e sati 3 5%anas %arar sati hona 6. :he i(plication is clearly that a r-thless po/er4h-n"ry /o(an (i"ht seek o-t sati . ;hatever the social realities, (ost of ,adh- .ath8s a-dience vie/s sati , then, as access to po/er for a deter(ined /o(an, not as oppression of a helpless one.?AB ;hat is interestin" a!o-t the portrayals of sati in Bharthari8s tale is that, /hile the story accepts the e=traordinary po/er of the act itself, the tale co-ld /ell !e taken as anti4sati propa"anda, altho-"h it /as co(posed !y yo"is, not fe(inists. :he ideal of sati is fo-nded in the /ife8s e=istin" only as her h-s!and8s half4!ody and her acceptance of her h-s!and as a "od. Met the h-s!ands here are evidently

not /orth dyin" for. 9n all three satis , as portrayed !y ,adh- .ath, the (ales have acted as selfish sinners and the fe(ales kno/ it. :his has so(ethin" to do /ith yo"is8 deval-ation of the (arria"e !ond as one !i" strand of ill-sion8s net. ?AB >ee 2arlan 1992 for insi"hts into sati in 0a1asthan. 'or other ill-(inatin" disc-ssions that hi"hli"ht the co(ple=ity of sati and raise i(portant historical F-estions that 9 have i"nored here see Co-rtri"ht in pressD ,ani 19@9D .andy 19@$, 1I#1D 19@@. < #21 < :he first of three satis that take place in Bharthari 2 is that of the does, /hose (ate Jin" Bharthari shoots, ironically eno-"h, !eca-se he had taken a vo/ never to har( fe(ales. ,oreover, the sta", /ho is hi(self a disciple of Gorakh .ath, ref-ses to r-n a/ay fro( death. :he does voice ri"hteo-s an"er /ith their spo-se for i"norin" their pleas that he flee and th-s save the( the terri!le fate of /ido/hood. :hey address hi( /ith ins-lts even as they prepare to !eco(e sati -pon his horns: 3;hile he /as dyin", those does said, 8G 2-s!and4"od, father of a da-"hterL :-rn yo-r neck -p and keep it that /ayL ;e told yo- to r-n a/ay, !-t yo- ref-sed to r-n.83 :he second sati , the h-ntress, is scornf-l /hen she realizes that her h-s!and, /ho has had an e=cessively s-ccessf-l h-nt, is dead. >he (akes a kar(ic connection !et/een his killin" and !ein" killed. 3Gh, yo- killed these deer, sinner, yo- killed all these deer and ra!!its, and yo- haven8t even eaten the(. Mo- died and no/ ants are "oin" in and o-t.3 As he has previo-sly /atched the does in dis!elief, Bharthari "a/ks as the lo/4caste h-ntress !eco(es a "oddess !efore his eyes. 2is !oorishness on this occasion kno/s no !o-nds. :he kin" o!serves the h-ntress dis(e(!er herself slo/ly and painf-lly, and he (akes occasional e=cla(ations and co((ents. 2e then decides to take advanta"e of the presence of divinity and crassly asks for 3predictions for the co(in" year37a divination typically availa!le d-rin" "oddess possession and directed to/ard crop s-ccess and "rain prices. 2er ans/er to hi( is, 3Jin" Bharthari, the co(in" year /ill pass in "reat !liss, a very fine year lies ahead.3 'ro( one vie/point, the falsehood of this prediction drips /ith sarcas(: Bharthari /ill leave his ho(e, !eco(e a !e""ar, and s-ffer "reatly. B-t fro( a yo"ic perspective, this state(ent confir(s the sati 8s divine o(niscience. ;hat co-ld !rin" (ore !liss than ren-nciationE :h-s the h-ntress8s speech, as freF-ently happens in these tales, offers !oth sides of the coin at once: on the /orldly level an appropriately nasty retort to Bharthari8s callo-s opport-nis(D on the transcendent level a vision of yo"ic tr-th. :he enco-nter concl-des /ith her (asterf-l p-t4do/n: 3>ay, Jin" Bharthari, do yo- think 98( "ivin" a sho/E3 3Mes 9 a( sittin" here, so 9 a( seein" this sho/.3 3G Jin" Bharthari, yo- (ay !e /atchin" this sho/, !-t yo-r N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p over there in the Chapala Garden. >he has !eco(e a pinch of ash. And ... all the people incl-din" /o(en and yo-n" (en are < #22 < fillin" the Chapala Garden. Mo-r N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, and the /orld is /atchin", and sister4f-cker yo- are /atchin" (y sho/L3 9f /e look, as directed !y the transfi"-red h-ntress, at Pin"ala8s sati , /e find that rather than 3tr-th3 5fro( /hich sati is of co-rse derived6 it has at its !ase a series of lies and i(proprieties. Bharthari tests

Pin"ala !y sendin" a !lood4soaked handkerchief /ith a false (essa"e. :he 0oyal >ervant /ho kno/in"ly !rin"s evil tidin"s challen"es the F-een: 3Mo- said, 89 /on8t eat !read /itho-t yo-, /itho-t seein" yo-r face,8 !-t yo- told lies. Mo- /o(en are a heartless race. 9f yo-8re a sati , then !-rn, !-rn, !eca-se Jin" Bharthari died.3 ;ell a/are, !y virt-e of a (a"ic plant, that her h-s!and 3hasn8t even a splinter,3 Pin"ala is piF-ed !y Bharthari8s test. 3Gh (y, it8s stran"e, he is testin" (y sati 4po/er.3 Met Pin"ala8s reaction is not to call the kin"8s !l-ff !-t to pray to >hiva to (ake her sati . >hiva kno/s her h-s!and is alive, !-t "rants her reF-est nevertheless. God is later an"ry /ith all of the( 5Bharthari, Pin"ala, >hiva6 for their irresponsi!le !ehavior. :he yo"i Gorakh .ath re!-kes Bharthari, /ho has needlessly ca-sed Pin"ala8s death, in stron" and scornf-l lan"-a"e: 3Jin" Bharthari, yo- sister4f-cker, yo- killed her /ith yo-r o/n hands.3 9t is no accident that a yo"is8 tale th-s constr-es sati so a(!i"-o-sly. :he ideolo"y of sati i(plies that the connection !et/een -nited co-ples e=tends !eyond e(!odi(ent. B-t .ath yo"is teach in (any /ays that death is the end of all connections 5Gold 19@@, 99I12#6. :h-s the instit-tion of sati 7an i(portant part of 0a1asthan8s r-lin" /arrior caste8s identity7is appropriately (ocked in Bharthari8s story. B-t it is (ocked !y stressin" not the (isperception of /o(en /ho take (arria"e serio-sly !-t the -n/orthiness of the (ales for /ho( they die. 'ro( the reno-ncer8s perspective, no relationship is /orth livin", or dyin", for. B-t that is not the only vie/point in these tales. Grdinary /o(en8s (otivations are stron"ly rooted in a fa(ilial (orality, of /hich sati is only the e=tre(e "est-re. ,ales (ay slip in and o-t of this /orld accordin" to the infl-ence of yo"is. ,oti >ta" fails his (ates !eca-se he accepts his death as the "-r-8s /ill. Bharthari8s despica!le actions are 1-d"ed th-s: 3Mo- killed her /ith yo-r o/n hands.3 2is yo"i8s destiny is !ased on a different (oral econo(y7one /here he is not !la(ed for his several cr-elties to fe(ales. Both perspectives are clearly voiced. < #2# < ;hen Gopi Chand8s /ife, Pata( +e, finds that the yo"i at her "ates is tr-ly her h-s!and, her response is 3Better to die than to live,3 and she "oes into a dead faint and falls fro( her !alcony7a sati 4like act. Hater Pata( +e8s (other4in4la/ atte(pts to console her !y sayin" that Gopi Chand is 3-nder the spell of yo"is3 5!ogyan &i phat&ar %a agyo 6. :o the hi"h4(inded yo"i, /o(en8s love itself is a deceptive spell or ill-sion8s net, !-t to /o(en in the /orld yo"is cast spells of deception. :his is a tellin" 1-=taposition, especially "iven the e=e"esis 9 received fro( (y research assistant on the phrase 3-nder the spell of yo"is.3 Mo"is are in fact s-spect characters in the villa"e. :hey are tho-"ht to -se spells to enchant children and lead the( a/ay.?%B Gopi Chand8s (other !elieves in yo"a as her son8s only hope. B-t here she atte(pts to soothe his /ife8s (isery !y i(plyin" that Gopi Chand /o-ld stay, /ere he not ro!!ed of his volition !y yo"is8 enchant(ents. ,any of the sit-ations in these tales are open to s-ch (-ltiple interpretations. ;o(en loo( lar"e in ,adh- .ath8s stories as e(!odi(ents of ill-sion, or love, or inti(acy, or !onda"e. B-t if /o(en are in certain /ays paradi"(atic e(!odi(ents of ill-sion8s net, they do not have e=cl-sive do(inion over attach(ent. 9n the final se"(ent of Gopi Chand, ,adh- .ath e=plores the father4son !ond /ith eF-ally fine4t-ned a(!ivalence. :his episode is part of the sa"a of Gorakh .ath8s resc-e of his "-r-, ,achhindar, fro( the (a"ician F-eens of Ben"al. :he F-eens present no real diffic-lties7perhaps !eca-se the !ard has spent hi(self on the s-!1ect of /o(en in tellin" Gopi Chand8s story. :he pro!le( here is sons.

:he prod-ction of sons is for 2ind- ho-seholders a chief reli"io-s "ood. B-t for yo"is it is pro!le(atic 7a so-rce of persistent te(ptation at least as po/erf-l as se=. :he "-r-4disciple relationship is often concept-alized as a father4son relationship, perhaps in part to pro(ote detach(ent fro( the desire for physical pro"eny. Met this s-!stit-tion or displace(ent can play o-t in all kinds of s-rprisin" /ays.?CB As ,adh- .ath descri!es Gorakh8s enco-nter /ith his "-r-4t-rned4h-s!and4and4father, it is characterized fro( the !e"innin" ?%B >ee 2enry 19@@, 1@C, on the rep-tation of !ogis as kidnappers in Bho1p-rispeakin" .orth 9ndia. ?CB :hese incl-de disciples adopted as le"ally inheritin" sons and sons initiated as spirit-al disciples. >ee Gold 19@#, 19@& for an ill-(inatin" disc-ssion of the s-ccession disp-tes s-rro-ndin" the ei"hteenth4cent-ry >ant poet Charandas. < #2A < !y s-!terf-"e, rivalry, and displace(ent. Gorakh .ath is -na!le to enter ,achhindar8s kin"do( !eca-se ,achhindar anticipates 1-st s-ch an eventD he does not /ant to !e resc-ed and has (ade a la/ that no yo"is shall cross his !o-ndaries. Gorakh (-st re(ove all si"ns of yo"ic identity and 1oin a co(pany of dra(atic perfor(ers in order to approach his "-r-. ;hen the tro-pe is invited to perfor( at ,achhindar8s palace, ,achhindar as kin" sits do/n to /atch the play /ith his t/o !oys on his lap. Gorakh soon (akes his presence kno/n /ith his (a"ic talkin" dr-(!eat. ;hen, shortly thereafter, he prostrates hi(self !efore his "-r-, ,achhindar very deli!erately re(oves his t/o sons, settin" the( on a near!y ta!le, and then seats Gorakh .ath on his knees, 3!eca-se he /as his first disciple.3 :he "-r- reco"nizes /ho tr-ly !elon"s in the paternal lap. 2ere is an i((ediate si"n of Gorakh .ath8s i(pendin" victory and an al(ost to-chin" portrayal of "-r-4disciple kinship. B-t nothin" is settled yet, and Gorakh .ath8s !ehavior soon departs fro( the h-(anly ad(ira!le. Gorakh .ath /o-ld like to s(ash the kids and have done /ith it, !-t he is constrained !eca-se ,achhindar, to /ho( Gorakh o/es all deference as spirit-al father, is also a nat-ral father and is -nasha(ed of his fatherly feelin"s. )-st as /ith sati , it see(s that yo"ic detach(ent and fa(ilial loyalty are al(ost si(-ltaneo-sly valorized. 2ere the si(-ltaneity is effectively esta!lished !y a p-n7a play on /ords that is also a play on t/o realities: that of the ho-seholder /ho patiently and lovin"ly attends to his children8s lo/est needs and that of the yo"i /ho slashes thro-"h affection. :h-s Gorakh (isinterprets ,achhindar8s order 3,ake s-re they shit nicely3 as 3>(ash the( thoro-"hly.3 And so he does, han"in" the !oys8 e(pty skins on the !ack of a chair. ,adh- descri!es ,achhindar8s an=iety over his sons, pointedly ela!oratin" on the /ay his e(otional response is akin to ordinary fa(ilial sensi!ilities not at all proper to a hi"h "-r-. 3:hen he looked here and there. :hat8s the /ay (others and fathers /orry. 2e didn8t see the children. >o ho/ co-ld he en1oy the playE3 Gf co-rse Gorakh .ath has the eli=ir of life handy and is a!le to restore the children as "ood as ne/. :his first "a(!it has "ot hi( very little. 2e soon pers-ades ,achhindar .ath to r-n a/ay fro( the F-eens, !-t the "-r- insists on !rin"in" his sons alon". Gn the road, Gorakh devises a ne/ and hi"hly devio-s sche(e to rid hi(self < #2% < of these livin" re(inders of his "-r-8s fall. 2e offers to teach the !oys to !e", referrin" to the( as 3o-r disciples,3 as if he had accepted the( !y transfor(in" the( into spirit-al s-ccessors. +riven !y his desperate desire to free his "-r- fro( the snares of %aya , Gorakh .ath has (oved fro( p-ns to p-re

hypocrisy, and the !ard spells o-t his d-plicity. 3Co(e G-r- >overei"n, 98ll take the( into this nei"h!orhood. Het the( fill their o/n !ellies, "-r-. 98ll take the disciples and let the( "et as (-ch flo-r as they need to live.3 B-t Gorakh .ath1i /as thin&ing , 98ll destroy the( on the /ay, so those sons of penis4eaters over there don8t see the( and say, 3Hook, yo-r "-r- en1oyed sl-ts and had sons.3 Mes, 98ll "et rid of the( so no one can say that. B-t to ,achhindar .ath1i >overei"n he said, 3Grain4"iver sir, /e sho-ld p-t /ooden sandals on the( and "ive the( ton"s to carry and sacks and s(ear the( /ith ashes. And let the( "o into the settle(ent to !e"....3 Gorakh .ath proceeds to en"ineer the re(arka!le scenario that /ill event-ally s-cceed in riddin" hi( of the !oys. :he first (ove of the plot is to 3r-in3 the(7de"rade the( to -nto-cha!le, leather4/orker stat-s7!y fa!ricatin" a sit-ation /here they naively a"ree to carry a co/8s carcass in order to "et choice food for their father. :he pro-d little !oys !ear festive treats !ack to the "-r-8s ca(pfire, /hile Gorakh has !ro-"ht stale scraps. ,achhindar praises his sons: 3Meah, sister4f-ckin" Gorakh .ath, yo- !rin" sister4f-ckin" cold stale scraps that an old (an like (e can8t eat. B-t today (y .i( .ath and Paras .ath /ent, and they !ro-"ht five fried treats.3 3G-r- >overei"n, these cold stale scraps are :r-th8s. And these five fried treats are Untr-th8s.3 Mo- co-ld hardly have a stron"er state(ent of the difference !et/een fa(ily connections and "-r-4 disciple ones. After ,achhindar a"rees that his !oys are 3r-ined,3 Gorakh dra"s the( !ack to the ho(e of the (erchants /ho en"a"ed the( to do the dirty /ork and !e"ins once a"ain to s(ash the( to death, !r-tally. B-t they are resc-ed !y the pleas of the (erchant and his /ife /ho ne"otiate on their !ehalf /ith Gorakh .ath and -lti(ately a"ree to install the( as icons in a handily e(pty near!y te(ple. Gorakh .ath instr-cts the (erchants to offer the( /ater and < #2C < 3drink the nectar fro( their dicks or else yo-8ll !e destroyed.3 :he !ard concl-des: And Gorakh .ath1i >overei"n8s sorro/ /as erased. 3.o/ no!ody can say, 8Hook, !rother, yo-r "-r- en1oyed sl-ts and had sons.83 :hat the destiny of the !oys is to !e (erchants8 icons fro( /hose penises nectar /ill !e dr-nk is in part of co-rse 1-st a 1i!e at the (erchant caste, rarely favored in folklore. ,erchants are )ain in this part of 0a1asthan, and )ain icons are naked. Hike 2ind- te(ples, )ain te(ples distri!-te to /orshipers as 3nectar3 the /ater -sed to !athe the icons7/ater that is po-red over their heads and r-ns do/n their !odies to !e collected fro( their feet. Killa"ers th-s (ay 1oke that (erchants drink nectar fro( penises, !eca-se this /ater has flo/ed over the naked stat-es. :he first /ord Gorakh .ath -ses for penis is not linga% 7the co((on ter( for Hord >hiva8s /orshipa!le phall-s7!-t indari , a ter( often e(ployed in the villa"e for the s(all /ettin" or"ans of little !oys. 2ence this i(a"e provides /hat co-ld !e a sli"htly dis"-stin" association /ith the procreative contin-ities val-ed !y ho-seholders7perhaps (akin" the( take a second look at those cherished val-es. Met fa(ilial !onds are "iven their d-e in this episode !y the very co(ple=ity and ro-nda!o-t nat-re of the process /here!y they (ay !e re(oved or displaced or safely relocated. :hat even Gorakh .ath

cannot si(ply kill the children !-t (-st "o to so (-ch tro-!le to deify the( s-""ests a precio-sness that no yo"ic hatred can deny. ,oreover, little !oys8 penises are perceived as precio-s, and treated lovin"ly in the villa"e.

/ortality
+eath is the pre(ise of ordinary h-(an e=istence, to /hich yo"a is opposed a"ain and a"ain. 3Be a yo"i or else +eath /ill eat yo-,3 says ,anavati ,other to Gopi Chand. +eath is also the pri(ary !lind spot of those /ho live tan"led -p in %aya 8s net. Gopi Chand initially ref-ses the "-r-8s teachin"s, desirin" to contin-e to r-le his kin"do( and en1oy his /ives and slave "irls. 2e is literally snatched fro( his !ed a(on" the /o(en and r-shed off !y +eath8s ,essen"ers. 2is "-r- resc-es hi(, !-t it is the physical e=perience of dyin", not his (other8s pro(ptin"s or any instr-ction fro( the /ise yo"i, that no/ < #2& < convinces Gopi Chand to reno-nce. As ,adh- s-ccinctly p-ts it: 3'ro( dyin" he really fo-nd o-t.3 Bharthari has a si(ilar insi"ht after Gorakh .ath "ives hi( !ack Pin"ala: Jin" Bharthari co-ldn8t sleep. 3G, this is all a !-ndle of sinL And sister4f-ckL ;hat to do inside of itE Hook, take Gorakh .ath1i, he is /ise, and he lives as a yo"i, so /hy sho-ld 9 live as a kin"E ... ;hen (y o/n N-een Pin"ala !-rned -p, she /as really a pinch of ash, and he scattered it, !-t fifteen days later he (ade seven h-ndred and fifty Pin"alas stand -pL Gh (y, this yo"a is "reat. :o hold on to yo"a is "reat, !-t to live as a kin" is nothin" at all. 9t is 1-st a fall to hell.3 *lse/here 9 have /ritten at len"th on 0a1asthanis8 ideas a!o-t (ortality and afterdeath e=istence 5Gold 19@@6. *=cept for those pro(oted !y the .ath sect8s perfor(ances, s-ch ideas are lar"ely a!o-t (aintainin" controlled relationships /ith the spirits of the dead. .ath epics tell -s t/o thin"s at once a!o-t death. 'irst, death is a!sol-te and h-(ans (-st s-stain no hope of connections end-rin" !eyond the pyre. >econd, death isn8t a!sol-te at all, not for yo"is. Gorakh and )alindar each have t/o little tins: one contains ash(akin" drops and the other an eli=ir of life. :h-s they can t-rn a live person to ash or !rin" a pile of shattered !ones to life /ith a fe/ sprinkles. :he i(plication is that death itself is (eanin"less, one of a kind /ith all the other (istaken perceptions to /hich h-(ans are s-!1ect in the /orld of fl-=. )-st as a yo"i8s capacity to t-rn a hill to "old dra(atizes the /orthlessness of /ealth, !rin"in" the dead to life ne"ates the fatality of death. B-t ironically and inevita!ly the person /ho cares for /ealth or for other people /ill never have s-ch po/ers. Gnly the perfectly detached yo"i overco(es death. Un(akin" love is the prereF-isite to i((ortality, !-t i((ortality itself is a (ystery that the tales do not atte(pt to penetrate. :hat it sho-ld !e "ained in the end !y trickery7its so-nd e(er"in" fro( )alindar8s an"ry (o-th (ore like another c-rse than a !lessin"7s-""ests that i((ortality re(ains an -ncertain "ood. :o those stron" eno-"h to realize the -tter perisha!ility of love, yo"a offers an i((ortal e=istence, !-t in ,adh- .ath8s tales that e=istence is veiled, re(ote, and sli"htly s-spect.?&B ?&B A pop-lar hy(n a!o-t the inevita!le partin"s of death concl-des: 3Gopi Chand and Bharthari spoke: +on8t anyone !eco(e i((ortal: ;e !eca(e i((ortal and s-ffered sorro/ and 1-st keep /anderin" in circles3 5Gold 19@@, 1$96.

< #2@ <

Oral Perfor0ance and the Thic3 :riting of &ate

:here are (o(ents in !oth epic tales /hen, in identical for(-laic speeches, !oth Bharthari and Gopi Chand evoke the all4po/erf-l ca-sality of fate: 3'ort-ne has inscri!ed this destiny in (y kar(a /ith the thickest /ritin": i((ortal fakirhood. :here is no one to re(ove it.3 9ndeed, it /o-ld !e easy to s-((arize the tales of Gopi Chand and Bharthari as t/o stories a!o-t kin"s /hose kar(a forced the( to !eco(e yo"is. B-t if yo- have traveled this far /ith ,adh- .ath and (e, yo- /ill appreciate ho/ little s-ch a red-ction tells -s. 9n a recent provocative essay entitled 3>cape"oats of the Gods: :he 9deolo"y of the 9ndian *pics,3 )ohn +. >(ith ar"-es, and seeks to de(onstrate /ith e=a(ples fro( 0a1asthani folk epics a(on" others, that s-ch tales present a /orldvie/ /here 3fate is -sed !y the "ods to enslave (en, and to s-!1ect the( to vario-s evils3 519@9, 1&&6.?@B 2o/ever, it see(s to (e that in ,adh- .ath8s tales7and 9 !elieve this co-ld /ell !e e=tended to other folk traditions in and !eyond 0a1asthan7fate provides a facile and fascinatin" ca-sal !ackdrop !-t re(ains /itho-t (otivatin" (eanin" as a force in characters8 lives. 0ather than en"ineered !y deities to restrict or repress h-(an in"en-ity, fate is a sta"e for (ortal and divine affairs, as !i" as the sky and 1-st as disen"a"ed. >(ith speaks of a hero8s 3!rilliant i(provisation3 519@9, 19#6 in the "rip of fate7!-t he speaks of it as the thrashin" of the doo(ed. :h-s /e (i"ht consider Gopi Chand8s tears or Pin"ala8s la(ent as (anifestations of hopelessness, !-t 9 think it /o-ld !e /ron". :he F-estion hin"es on /here the stress lies7in the res-lts or in the process. 9s it the concept of i((-ta!le destiny or is it the play of h-(an feelin"s that enlivens ,adh- .ath8s oral perfor(ance /ith char( and (eanin" for his listenersE?9B >-!ordination is not resi"nation, as so (-ch recent /ork in anthropolo"y, history, and /o(en8s st-dies has sho/n. )-st as politically or econo(ically dise(po/ered persons (ay contrive s-!tle s-!versions, practice delicate (odes of resistance, and in doin" so -nder(ine the e=ercise and very concept of do(inance, (i"ht not the 3i(provisa4 ?@B >ee also >(ith 19@$. ?9B ,any others than >(ith and 9 have pondered the 2ind- concept of destiny. >ee Jeyes and +aniel eds. 19@# for a n-(!er of interestin" perspectives. Beck8s article in that vol-(e treats the co(ple=ity of fate in a >o-th 9ndian epic. < #29 < tions3 of the cos(ically dise(po/ered -nder(ine the concept of their helplessnessE 9t is pro!a!ly no accident that fate is (etony(ized as /ritin" in 9ndian civilization /here literate elite (inorities hold the keys to rit-al and political po/er over a nonliterate (a1ority. B-t it is /orth payin" attention not only to ho/ that thick /ritin" is ackno/led"ed !-t also to ho/ it is revised. 9n >o-th Asian folk traditions, rather than i(posin" destinies on (ortals /hile re(ainin" i((-ne the(selves, deities are often s-!1ect to fate 1-st as h-(an !ein"s are. After ,adh- .ath finished sin"in" Bharthari in 19@& 9 e=pressed so(e disappoint(ent that the end had co(e so soon. 2e offered then to perfor( the third (a1or piece of his narrative repertoire: 3:he ;eddin" >on" of Hord >hiva3 5Siv!i &a byavala 6. 9 have not translated this, !-t 9 did read thro-"h it hastily /ith Bho1-8s help in the /inter of 19@9. At the ti(e 9 sensed that it provided (issin" links in (y -nderstandin"s of Bharthari and Gopi Chand. Met 9 t-cked it !ack in its file folder7-nderstanda!ly loath to "et involved /ith another !i" te=t. .o/ that /e are safely nearin" the end, 9 shall take the risk of tappin" into, if not

-nleashin", this additional so-rce of perple=ities and pleas-res. Anyone fa(iliar /ith 2ind- (ytholo"y kno/s that storytellers have deli"hted for cent-ries in spinnin" yarns a!o-t the i(poverished, dope4s(okin" ascetic >hiva8s /eddin" cele!ration: parado= piles -pon parado=.?1$B ,adh- .ath8s version of >hiva8s (arria"e !e"ins in an ascetic ca(p on Jailash ,o-ntain /here >hiva and his !-ll co(panion .andiya live in co(forta!le (asc-line co(panionship, cons-(in" F-antities of narcotic and hall-cino"enic s-!stances and not (-ch /holeso(e food. B-t .andiya "ets tired of doin" all the chores and s-""ests that >hiva -se his po/er to create a (hela 5(ale disciple6 to help /ith the /ork. >hiva follo/s all the appropriate, ti(e4honored steps for creatin" s-ch a !ein", !-t so(ethin" "oes /ron". 2e "ets a (heli 5a fe(ale disciple6. 3;e8ve no -se for "irls aro-nd here,3 .andiya cries in alar(, and >hiva !-rns her to ashes. 2e tries a"ain /ith the sa(e dis(ayin" res-lts. .andiya scolds hi(: 3Ba!a, in this de"enerate era yo- have started to l-st after /o(en. +on8t create "irl disciples, Mo"i. 9 said yo- sho-ld ?1$B >ee G8'laherty8s classic co(pendi-( of >haivite (ytholo"y for (any versions fro( the >anskrit 5 19&#6D see >a= 1991 for one lovely folk tradition s-n" !y /o(en in Garh/al. < ##$ < (ake a !oy disciple, !-t yo- are (akin" "irl disciples. ;hen she "ets to !e t/elve years old she /ill ask for a h-s!and and /here /ill yo- "et hi( fro(, in the 1-n"leE ;ho /ill "et (arried at Jailash ,o-ntainE +on8t (ake a "irl disciple.3 Co(pliantly, /ishin" only to please his friend, >hiva !-rns her -p a"ain. :hen .andiya /ho is a holy character decides he can8t live /ith a (-rderer and stalks off into the 1-n"le. >hiva atte(pts to placate hi(: 398ll !rin" her !ack to life and then 9 /on8t !e (arked !y the sin of (-rder any (ore.3 >o he does, and this is his -ndoin". 'or the (heli he has created achieves "reat po/er thro-"h her tapas and after threatenin" >hiva /ith the direst c-rses /ins a !oon7she /ill !e !orn a"ain as Parvati and "et hi( for a h-s!and. :he re(ainder of ,adh-8s tale is concerned /ith the h-(oro-s co-rtship of >hiva !y an -tterly deter(ined and self4possessed Parvati and ends /ith a "reat party and a lot of "ood food. :he /eddin" son" of >hiv1i is a!o-t ho/ an ascetic deity "ets (arried a"ainst his /ill. Bharthari and Gopi Chand are a!o-t ho/ (arried h-(ans rather haplessly !eco(e ascetics7in the case of Gopi Chand, at least, a"ainst his /ill. )-st as the h-(ans Bharthari and Gopi Chand are fated to reno-nce their thrones and /ives, there is nothin" the o(nipotent divine >hiva /ith his a!sol-te po/er over life and death can do to avoid (arryin" Parvati. Met >hiva 5and the /o(an4hatin" .andiya6 !oth try as hard as they can to "et rid of the "irl, to scare a/ay and s-!seF-ently disco(fit the !ar!er /ho !rin"s the (arria"e offer, and so forth. ,oreover, their str-""le to s-!vert the /eddin" plans is 1-st /hat pleases ,adh- .ath8s a-dience, all of /ho( are fa(iliar /ith the nice /ay that (arria"e ne"otiations o-"ht to !e cond-cted. 9s the (essa"e that not even the all4po/erf-l >hiva can resist the disasters i(posed !y fateE ;hy does his str-""le (ake s-ch a "ood yarnE ;e co-ld ask the sa(e F-estion a!o-t Gopi Chand8s incessant /eepin" and co(plainin", or even a!o-t the old and not so /ily "-r,achhindar8s atte(pt to stash his fo-r "old !ricks. 9 do not !elieve that the point of these tales is to de(onstrate the iron "rip of destiny. Gn the contrary, to confront fate and not to s-rrender to it is a h-(an, and divine, prero"ative. Bho1-, /ho "re/ -p in the villa"e and "ot involved /ith forei"ners in his early t/enties, /as infl-enced in vario-s co(ple= /ays !y ;estern cynicis(. Gnce

< ##1 < he said to (e, altho-"h it /asn8t e=actly tr-e, 39 don8t !elieve in the "ods any(ore, !-t 9 still !elieve in &is%at0 fate is everythin".3 By this he /as assertin" a refor(-lated intellect-al freedo(, not passive fatalis(. *ven if the lady (a"icians lose in the end, their tri-(ph is prolon"ed and deli"htf-lD even if Gopi Chand reno-nces in the end, he has "one protestin", declarin" and de(onstratin" his rel-ctance, and this is /orth so(ethin". >t-ck in a donkey8s !ody, Prince Gandaraph >yan acco(plishes (-ch. At ti(es in these stories (ortals can and do e=ert po/er over destiny: ,anavati ,ata "ets a son tho-"h none is /ritten in her fate. ;illin"ly and pra"(atically, she accepts the ter(s of the !ar"ain: ... !etter than sonlessness is t/elve years.... 9f all yo- can "ive is t/elve years, Grain4"iver, then "ive it. 9t8s not /ritten for (e, so "ive (e t/elve years only, ri"ht no/, and at least the sti"(a of !arrenness /ill !e re(oved, and 9 /ill have so(e pleas-re. Gral perfor(ances, accordin" to n-(ero-s scholars /ho have /orked in (any c-lt-ral conte=ts, (ay open -p spaces for creative resistance 5A!-4H-"hod 199$D Hi(on 19@1D Kat-k 19C96 and e(er"ent c-lt-ral (eanin"s 5Basso 19@%D Ba-(an 19&&, 19@C6. Gne so-rce of oral traditions8 s-!versive potential is the i(provisational nat-re of the art involved in their e=ec-tion. ,-ch has !een /ritten a!o-t the for(-laic and conservative F-alities of oral "enres, !-t it is eF-ally evident that ver!al art is free to play -pon and interact /ith i((ediate social conte=ts and to insin-ate s-!tle s-!versions of pree=istin" po/er str-ct-res.?11B 9n the case of 9ndian oral epic perfor(ances, it is evident that ver!al artistry can ill-(inate the thick letters of fate /ith (any kinds of e(!ellish(ents. 9 s-""est that the deeper (eanin"s lie in the e(!ellish(ents rather than in that /hich they e(!ellish. Het (e ret-rn to ,adh- .ath8s tellin" of Gopi Chand. Consider this speech that rec-rs several ti(es in the (o-ths of several characters: 3,eetin" is "ood and partin" is !ad and the noose of %aya 8s net is ?11B 'or so(e recent approaches to oral vers-s /ritten (odes of e=pression see Goody 19@&D Gn" 19@2. G8'laherty 19@@, %CI&#, -ses 9ndian e=a(ples to challen"e so(e of the accepted distinctions in ;estern tho-"ht !et/een oral and /ritten. < ##2 < al/ays very !ad. 9t8s a carnival of partin".3?12B :hese lines are replete /ith the a(!i"-ities and s-stained a(!ivalence that pervade the e(otional tenor of the t/o reno-ncer4kin"s8 tales. As a co((ent on the h-(an condition, 9 s-""est that despite insistin" on an a/areness of death, these /ords are neither despairin" nor fatalistic. :he 3,eetin" is "ood ...3 speech is evoked /hen a /o(an learns that the yo"i at her door is her loved one, !-t she doesn8t /ant to look at hi( and ackno/led"e his i((inent depart-re. Addressed !y slave "irl to F-een, this constit-tes advice to take one last look at a !eloved /hile there8s still a chance. :h-s the /ords see( to indicate that one (-st accept the conditions of the noose of %aya 8s net and act fro( love any/ay. Gopi Chand hi(self speaks these lines to his "-r-, after the "-r- has reproached hi( for his e(otional /eakness. 'or hi(, they are a kind of defiant self4defense. 2ere, as is often the case, Gopi Chand allies hi(self /ith /o(en a"ainst the teachin"s of yo"a7a characteristic that sets hi( apart fro( Jin" Bharthari. 2e is tryin" to tell his "-r- so(ethin" a!o-t his o/n dividedness as he cries in the li(inal area !et/een the "-r-8s ca(pfire and the /o(en8s palaces. :akin" each state(ent contained in these lines seF-entially, and allo/in" each its o/n conte=t-ally

deter(ined validity, 9 (ay, in a concl-din" flo-rish, connect the( /ith the the(atic areas hi"hli"hted here as co((on to the epics of Bharthari and Gopi Chand. Both tales accept and val-e a society /here kin" and kin"do( are in (-t-al har(ony and s-pport !e""in" yo"is. 'ro( the perspective of participants in that society7a collective entity not s-!1ect to the rava"es of ti(e7(eetin", transactions, co(in", and "oin" are all "ood. ,eetin" is also "ood for co-ples, for !rothers and sisters, for parents and children, !-t that "oodness is contin-ally -nder(ined !y the doo( of inevita!le partin", a condition of (ortal e=istence. By portrayin" sati 7a deed !ased on the hi"hest eval-ation of h-(an co-plin" !-t one that takes place at the f-neral pyre7as an ani(al, lo/4caste, and -lti(ately tr-thless act, the te=t !rilliantly deval-es pairs. :he de!ase(ent of !eloved sons to leather/orkers and then to naked stone icons /orshiped !y a disdained caste "ro-p has a si(ilar ?12B %alba bhala hai ar ba(hatba bara hai ar %aya !al &a phanda to harga! bot bara hai" ba(hatata &a %ela hai . < ### < effect. Partin" (ay !e !ad, !-t /isdo( lies in realizin" its necessityD to clin" to /hat is already lost is folly. :he noose of %aya 8s net is al/ays very !ad, !eca-se it is /oven of everythin" that keeps (ortals fro( achievin" freedo( fro( their other/ise eternal s-!1ection to death8s do(inion. B-t the i(a"e of h-(an life as a carnival of partin" evokes not 1-st sorro/ and the kar(ically deter(ined necessity to reno-nce !-t all the colors and pleas-res, the vital en"a"e(ent and f-nny vicissit-des of the ho-seholders8 /orld that is shared !y ,adh- .ath and his a-dience. < ##% <

APP$NDI- ON$ T,$ !ANG"AG$ O& T,$ 4ARD

David /agier :he !ard /ho perfor(ed the tales translated in this !ook, ,adh- .atisar .ath, is fro( the villa"e of Ghatiyali, in the A1(er district of 0a1asthan. 0a1asthan is a lar"e state at the /estern ed"e of .orth 9ndia, on the !order /ith Pakistan. ;ith an area of 1#%,$$$ sF-are (iles and a pop-lation of (ore than thirty (illion, it enco(passes a /ide ran"e of physical, a"ric-lt-ral, historical, and lin"-istic s-!re"ions. 9n readin" these translations /e nat-rally ask, ;hich lan"-a"e /ere these tales translated fro(E 'or reasons that /ill soon !e (ade clear, ans/erin" this F-estion /ith so(e partic-lar lan"-a"e na(e /o-ld !e essentially inadeF-ate, even if it /ere possi!le. 9n this appendi= 9 e=trapolate fro( the te=t of the !ard8s rendition of Gopi Chand8s !irth story 5the !an%patri 6, and -sin" that as a representative sa(ple of his dialect, 9 descri!e so(e of its salient feat-res and e=plore its lin"-istic relation to other lan"-a"es and dialects of the re"ion. Before la-nchin" into the act-al description, 9 (-st (ake several (ethodolo"ical points. 'irst there is the F-estion of the lan"-a"e sa(ple. Any lin"-istic description !ased on tapes and /ritten te=ts 5rather than interactive elicitation sessions /ith native speakers6 (-st !e taken as inco(plete and tentative.

Hin"-istic descriptions are, after all, a set of hypotheses a!o-t ho/ the lan"-a"e /orks. :hese re(ain hypotheses -ntil their validity can !e verified !y testin" alternative for(s /ith native speakers. >econd, there is the for( and conte=t of the collected sa(ple. 9deally, a description of a partic-lar lan"-a"e or speech variety < ##C < sho-ld !e !ased on the cas-al conversations of native speakers in re"-lar face4to4face conte=ts. G-r sa(ple of ,adh- .ath8s speech, ho/ever, is a perfor(ance /hich is a restricted and hi"hly specialized conte=t. 9n other /ords, /e (ay /ell ass-(e that the kind of lan"-a"e the !ard -ses in recitin" his tales !efore an a-dience differs dra(atically fro( the variety of speech he /o-ld -se, for e=a(ple, at ho(e in cas-al conversation /ith his fa(ily. 5'or(al vers-s cas-al conte=ts see( to prod-ce distinct speech varieties, /hich lin"-ists call 3re"isters,3 in all lan"-a"es, !-t lan"-a"es (ay differ in the de"ree to /hich these re"isters are distinct fro( one another.6 :raditional perfor(ance "enres like this, /hile certainly containin" (any i(provisational ele(ents, freF-ently stay /ithin fairly narro/ ran"es of style and re"ister, /hich are the(selves part of the definition of the "enre. :he pro!le( is f-rther co(plicated !y the fact that ,adh-8s a-dience incl-des the researcher 5/ho is also the pri(ary patron for these perfor(ances6. Ann Grodzins Gold is a forei"ner, a person of hi"h stat-s, and so(eone /ho speaks ,adh-8s lan"-a"e i(perfectly. ,adh- also kno/s that she speaks 2indi 5tho-"h he does not6. 9n this conte=t, /e cannot r-le o-t the possi!ility that ,adh-8s speech style 5incl-din" perhaps pron-nciation, choice of /ords, and even sentence str-ct-re6 is infl-enced to so(e de"ree !y Gold8s presence. And, indeed, 9 do find certain passa"es in the arthav 5the prose sections in /hich he e=plains the plot of the story6, /here the perfor(er see(s to !e speakin" directly to the researcher, and /here certain ele(ents of his speech !eco(e 32indified.3 ;e can !e"in to envision ho/ Gold8s presence (i"ht affect the perfor(ance if /e i(a"ine a traditional conte=t s-ch as :hanks"ivin" dinner, and then pict-re an e=otic, non4*n"lish4speakin" forei"ner /ith a tape recorder sittin" do/n at the ta!le. :he conversation aro-nd the ta!le /o-ld -ndo-!tedly chan"e in s-!tle and nons-!tle /ays and /o-ld, in any case, differ considera!ly fro( the tr-e cas-al native speech of the conversants. 9 have !ased this analysis only on the prose arthav parts of the te=t. :his (akes sense !eca-se the (etrical and (-sical parts of the perfor(ance are likely to !e (ore strictly str-ct-red !y the "enre, /hile the arthav is closer to a re"-lar face4to4face conversation 5tho-"h it too is part of the perfor(ance6. >everal scholars have noted that folk perfor(ances in 0a1asthan 5partic-larly folk son"s6 sho/ a far "reater -nifor(ity of lan"-a"e than the act-al spoken dialects of the < ##& < perfor(ers the(selves. 9t has even !een s-""ested 5Jo(al Jothari, personal co((-nication 19@26 that there is so(e sort of standard folk son" dialect that varies very little across (ost of 0a1asthan. 9f that is the case, /e /o-ld e=pect the (-sical parts of ,adh-8s perfor(ance to confor( to that dialect and his prose e=planations 5characterized as (ore spontaneo-s, less for(-laic, less constrained !y str-ct-ral considerations, and involvin" freF-ent direct address to a-dience (e(!ers, as /ell as participatory inp-ts fro( the(6 to !e close to his o/n dialect. Also, to (ini(ize the effect of havin" Gold in the a-dience, 9 have eli(inated fro( the analysis all parts of the te=t /here ,adh- directly addresses her, as /ell as o!vio-s shifts of re"ister 5as, for e=a(ple, /hen ,adh- "ives an e=planation in his o/n dialect and then repeats it in a 2indi4like sentence to (ake s-re she has f-lly -nderstood it6. 9n these

cases, the code4s/itchin" represents a kind of lin"-istic acco((odation to the hearer. 'inally, /e (-st (ake note of a f-nda(ental (ethodolo"ical pro!le( for all dialect st-dies. P-t si(ply, lin"-ists have not arrived at any lo"ically consistent /ay to distin"-ish !et/een a lan"-a"e and a dialect. :he fact is, no t/o people speak the sa(e /ay. And even a sin"le individ-al, in the co-rse of his or her life, -ses a (-ltit-de of different lin"-istic varieties 5for e=a(ple, the conte=t-ally deter(ined re"isters (entioned a!ove6. 2o/ different (-st t/o s-ch varieties !e !efore /e a"ree to call the( t/o dialects 5rather than 1-st t/o styles of the sa(e dialect6E 2o/ different (-st t/o dialects !e !efore /e call the( t/o different lan"-a"esE :er(s like lan"-a"e and dialect have (any (eanin"s in pop-lar -sa"e 5the (ost co((on !ein" that a dialect is a disval-ed speech variety, as in the sentence, often heard in 9ndia, 3;hy st-dy 0a1asthaniE 9t8s only a dialectL36, and they rarely have anythin" to do /ith act-al lin"-istic differences. *ven if /e i"nore the F-estion of lan"-a"e vers-s dialect, there is still the pro!le( of na(in" a partic-lar speech variety. Aside fro( the na(es of their o/n villa"es 5and, of co-rse, their caste na(es6, the la!els !y /hich the people of 0a1asthan identify the(selves are often those of partic-lar s-!re"ions, /ith na(es and !orders ro-"hly correspondin" to those of the for(er princely states and s(all kin"do(s. Pri(ary historical -nits of /hat is today called 0a1asthan 5a na(e coined !y Colonel )a(es :od ?see :od 1@29B for /hat /as previo-sly called 0a1p-tana, after the po/erf-l 0a1p-t r-lin" caste that controlled t/enty4t/o separate princely states there as late as < ##@ < 19A&6 incl-de ,ar/ar, ,e/ar, >hekha/ati, and 2ara-ti s-!re"ions. >-ch re"ional na(es also provided the pop-lar no(enclat-re for the spoken lan"-a"es: ,ar/ari, ,e/ari, >hekha/ati, 2ara-ti, and so forth. 2o/ever, there is notorio-sly poor a"ree(ent, on the local level, re"ardin" 0a1asthani dialect na(es, since the (a1or re"ions of 0a1asthan have !een divided into s(aller princely states at one ti(e or another, and a speaker (ay elect to identify his speech /ith a na(e referrin" to one of these s(aller -nits. Also, so(e dialect na(es are !ased on the fa(ily or caste na(es of si"nificant r-lers in the history of a re"ion, and these (ay !e avoided !y c-rrent speakers /ho do not !elon" to that partic-lar caste, even if their lan"-a"es are identical. 9n short, the pop-lar syste( of identifyin" lan"-a"es is very co(ple= and depends on all sorts of nonlin"-istic factors that constit-te the "eneral syste( of "ro-p identity s-ch as caste, reli"ion, tri!e, re"ion, s-!re"ion, and ed-cational level. :his is /hy lan"-a"e infor(ation in the 9ndian cens-s reports is so diffic-lt to interpret 5Jh-!chandani 19@#D Pandit 19&&6. Heavin" aside for the (o(ent the interestin" F-estion of folk ta=ono(y of lan"-a"e in 0a1asthan, /e find that the act-al lin"-istic realities in the re"ion are very hard to pin do/n. >ince the (on-(ental 5!-t no/ so(e/hat o-tdated6 s-rvey /ork cond-cted !y Grierson 19$@I22 5see vol. 9, part 2 on 0a1asthan6, there has !een nothin" in the /ay of caref-l dialect "eo"raphy of 0a1asthan. 9ndia as a /hole has al/ays !een preocc-pied /ith its literat-re and its classical and presti"io-s ton"-es, al(ost to the e=cl-sion of any in4depth investi"ation into the rich diversity of c-rrent vernac-lars. *ven if s-ch s-rveys /ere atte(pted, (any diffic-lt pro!le(s /o-ld re(ain. 9n the traditional society of 0a1asthan, as in (-ch of 9ndia, diversity in lin"-istic repertoire is a re"-lar fact of life. Altho-"h "eo"raphy plays an -ndenia!le role in the set of lan"-a"es 5or dialects6 an individ-al kno/s or -ses, conte=ts of interaction reF-irin" different social identities play an even "reater part, and the ran"e of varieties -sed !y individ-als is F-ite startlin" to anyone fro( a (ore ho(o"eneo-s lin"-istic environ(ent. *veryone in 0a1asthan is hi"hly (-ltilin"-al and (-ltidialectalD each of the n-(ero-s codes a person controls /ill !e appropriate to a different set of conte=ts that arise ro-tinely in daily life

5see G-(perz 19C1D >hapiro and >chiff(an 19@16. 9n a n-tshell, spoken lan"-a"e is s-!1ect to at least three distinct < ##9 < types of variation: "eo"raphic 5i.e., people fro( different places speak differently6, social 5i.e., people fro( different soical "ro-ps ?e."., castesB speak differently, even in the sa(e place6, and conte=t-al 5i.e., the very sa(e person /ill speak differently at different ti(es, dependin" -pon social conte=t, "ivin" rise to distinct conte=t-al styles and re"isters6. A!r-pt lan"-a"e !orders pro!a!ly do not e=ist in 0a1asthanD the sit-ation noted else/here in 9ndia, /ith a "rad-al contin--( of sli"ht chan"es fro( one villa"e to the ne=t, for(in" -n!roken chains across tre(endo-s tracts of land, -ndo-!tedly holds here too. 2ence the pop-lar ,ar/ari (a=i(: bara% &osa% bhasa badle, tisa% &osa% %ausi% 3Han"-a"e chan"es every t/elve kos, /eather every thirty3 5one kos eF-als appro=i(ately t/o (iles6. ;ith all this e=planation as a sort of disclai(er, /e no/ "o on to a !rief characterization of 0a1asthani, and to an o-tline of certain core speech areas that have !een identified 5tho-"h their !o-ndaries are very hazy6. 'inally, /e e=plore ho/ o-r sa(ple of ,adh- .ath8s lan"-a"e fits in /ith this overall pict-re. >o, /hat is 0a1asthaniE Grierson 519$@6 divided the spoken ton"-es of 0a1asthan into t/o (ain "ro-ps: *astern 0a1asthani and ;estern 0a1asthani, separated !y the Aravalli 2ills 5/here Bhil tri!es(en speak a lan"-a"e he identified as Bhili6. ,ar/ari is the lar"est and (ost i(portant of the /estern dialects, and since it clai(s the only e=tensive early literat-re in the state, it has had relatively hi"h presti"e. :he eastern dialects incl-de those called +h-ndhari 5)aip-ri6, 2ara-ti, ,e/ati, Ahir/ati, ,alvi, and .i(ari. Grierson f-rther s-!divided the ;estern 0a1asthani "ro-p into >tandard ,ar/ari 5the lan"-a"e of the old kin"do( of ,ar/ar itself6, and other ,ar/ari dialects, incl-din" *astern ,ar/ari 5,ar/ari4 +h-ndhari, ,e/ari6, >o-thern ,ar/ari 5God/ari, >irohi, ,ar/ari4G-1arati6, ;estern ,ar/ari 5:hali, +hatki, ,ar/ari>indhi6, and .orthern ,ar/ari 5Bikaneri, >hekha/ati, Ba"ri6 5see fi"-re 96. Breakin" /ith earlier scholars 5e."., Jello"" 1@&%6, /ho had classed all of the 3dialects of 0a1p-tana3 as varieties of ;estern 2indi, Grierson 519$@, 1%6 coined the ter( 0a1asthani 5incl-din" all the eastern and /estern dialects (entioned a!ove6, and "ave it the stat-s of a lan"-a"e in its o/n ri"ht. :he 0a1asthani dialects taken as a /hole see( to !ear a so(e/hat closer rese(!lance to G-1arati than to 2indi. < #A$ <

9. Han"-a"es of 0a1asthan. >o /here did these 0a1asthani dialects co(e fro(E :he 9ndoAryan lan"-a"es are -nderstood to represent one !ranch 5the 9ndic !ranch6 of 9ndo49ranian, the lan"-a"e !ro-"ht there !y the Aryans (i"ratin" fro( the -nkno/n ori"inal 9ndo4*-ropean ho(eland 5the ori"in of the Ger(anic, 0o(ance, >lavic, and other *-ropean lan"-a"e s-!fa(ilies6. After the 9ndic !ranch of the Aryan tri!es arrived in northern 9ndia 5so(e ti(e !efore 12$$ B.C. 6, they codified their ancient reli"io-s hy(ns and preserved the( in the for( of the Kedas 5/hich /ere not act-ally set do/n in /ritten for( till h-ndreds of years later6. :his Kedic lan"-a"e is the oldest attested for( of 9ndo4Aryan. 9n the cent-ries

follo/in", there /as si(-ltaneo-s and < #A1 < separate develop(ent of the spoken 9ndo4Aryan vernac-lars and the conservative, often artificially archaic literary lan"-a"es that have !een attested fro( different periods and "enres. Kario-s e=planations of the relationships !et/een 0a1asthani, G-1arati, and 2indi have !een proposed, and their diver"ences res-lt fro( the lack of solid infor(ation a!o-t the evol-tion of these spoken dialects d-rin" the period !et/een Gld 9ndo4Aryan and the first appearance 5startin" aro-nd the fo-rteenth cent-ry6 of literat-re in the .e/ 9ndo4Aryan ton"-es. Given that 2indi and G-1arati are clearly distinct, and descend fro( different spoken ,iddle 9ndo4Aryan so-rces, the lo"ical possi!ilities for 0a1asthani are the follo/in": 5a6 0a1asthani is an offshoot fro( the !ranch that "ave rise to 2indi 5essentially the approach of Bea(es 1@&2I&9 and Jello"" 1@&%, /ith /hich Grierson stron"ly disa"reed6. 5!6 0a1asthani is a separate entity 5Grierson8s 19$@ approach6. 5c6 0a1asthani and G-1arati are descended fro( a co((on ,iddle 9ndo4Aryan ancestor, separate fro( that of 2indi. 5d6 0a1asthani is an a(al"a( of t/o stocks, one 5;estern 0a1asthani6 a sister to G-1arati, the other affiliated /ith ;estern 2indi 5the approach taken !y :essitori 191AI1C6. :he pro!le( /ith 5c6 is that it fails to notice the close affinities of *astern 0a1asthani dialects /ith the nei"h!orin" lan"-a"es of ;estern 2indi. 9n all acco-nts of the si(ilarities of 0a1asthani to G-1arati, it is al/ays ;estern 0a1asthani 5partic-larly ,ar/ari6 that is taken as the pri(e e=a(ple. >ince the c-rrent spoken lan"-a"e see(s to for( a contin--(, it (ay !e !etter to envision 0a1asthani as standin" !et/een the t/o core areas of 2indi and G-1arati, representin" ele(ents "enetically affiliated /ith !oth. :his is the essence of the approach in 5d6. :essitori 5191AI1C6, -pon close analysis of so(e /ritin"s of the fo-rteenth and fifteenth cent-ries, ca(e to the concl-sion that 3at least -ntil the 1%th cent-ry there /as practically only one for( of lan"-a"e prevailin" over the /hole area no/ covered !y ,odern G-1arati and a "reat part, or possi!ly (ost of the area of ,odern ,ar/ari.3 2e calls this lan"-a"e Gld ;estern 0a1asthani and takes it to !e the (edieval ancestor of G-1arati and ,ar/ari. :he scenario, as :essitori envisions it, involved a (i"ration !et/een A.+. A$$IC$$ of the G-1ars 5a "ro-p of Aryans6 fro( their 2i(alayan < #A2 < ho(eland do/n into northeastern 0a1asthan and then, contin-in" so-th/est, into /estern 0a1asthan and finally G-1arat. :his e=plains the fact that ,ar/ari and G-1arati have certain stron" si(ilarities /ith .epali. 'ro( a!o-t the thirteenth cent-ry -ntil the end of the si=teenth 5>(ith 19&%, A#A6, /e see a "rad-al process that has !een repeated (any ti(es in >o-th Asian lin"-istic history. :he Gld ;estern 0a1asthani 5>(ith calls it Gld G-1arati6 !e"an to take on presti"e as a literary lan"-a"e and spread as a verse and prose (edi-( thro-"ho-t 0a1asthan. 9n eastern 0a1asthan, /here the spoken lan"-a"e /as act-ally (ore closely related to Brai and ;estern 2indi, the infl-ence of this presti"io-s /estern literary lan"-a"e !e"an to !e felt, and the loc-s of identity apparently shifted a/ay fro( the 2indi (idland and o-t to G-1arat and especially ,ar/ar.

As Gld ;estern 0a1asthani /as "ainin" in infl-ence as a literary lan"-a"e fro( the thirteenth thro-"h the fifteenth cent-ries, it !eca(e so(e/hat solidified in for( and hence !e"an, a"ain, to !e so(e/hat archaic relative to the still4developin" spoken vernac-lars, /here (any chan"es /ere takin" place. ,ar/ari 5in an early for(6 !e"an to !e distinct fro( G-1arati, and !y the (id4fifteenth cent-ry, a ne/er literary lan"-a"e, (ore closely akin to the then c-rrent vernac-lar of ,ar/ar, !e"an to !e -sed in certain (etrical /orks. ;ithin this poetic (ove(ent there developed t/o distinct local literary lan"-a"es in /estern 0a1asthan, !oth "rad-ally replacin" Gld ;estern 0a1asthani in verse /ritin"s. Gne is identified !y >(ith 519&%, A#A6 si(ply as Gld 0a1asthaniD the other is kno/n as +in"al. By the end of the si=teenth cent-ry, the no/ hi"hly archaic Gld ;estern 0a1asthani !e"an to !e replaced in learned prose /ritin" as /ell. :he lan"-a"e that s-pplanted it in this real(, /hich >(ith calls ,iddle ,ar/ari, "ained infl-ence -ntil it !eca(e the pri(ary vehicle for all prose /ritin" thro-"ho-t 0a1asthan. :his lan"-a"e contin-ed in "eneral -se thro-"ho-t the re"ion for all letters, historical tales, folk stories, learned prose, and all vernac-lar prose chronicles for a!o-t t/o h-ndred fifty years, 3-ntil, in (odern ti(es, the co(!ined press-res of Urd-, >tandard 2indi and *n"lish led to its -lti(ate a!andon(ent in the latter half of the ninteenth cent-ry3 5>(ith 19&%, A#%6. +-rin" all this period, ho/ever, the local spoken vernac-lar ton"-es of the vast (a1ority of people of 0a1asthan contin-ed to evolve, as spoken lan"-a"e -niversally tends to do, -na!ated and < #A# < relatively -naffected !y the cyclic standardizin" and archaizin" develop(ents in the literary lan"-a"es. ;e no/ co(e to the lan"-a"e of the !ard hi(self. ,adh- .ath is fro( a villa"e in A1(er district, /hich falls "eo"raphically on the /estern side of the (a1or divide !et/een *astern 0a1asthani and ;estern 0a1asthani, as proposed !y Grierson 5see (ap6. Accordin" to Grierson8s 19$@ s-rvey, ,adh-8s villa"e sho-ld fall /ithin the dialect area desi"nated as >tandard ,ar/ari. 9n fact /e find that ,adh-8s speech is f-nda(entally si(ilar to ,ar/ari !-t also contains ele(ents 5especially "ra((atical6 that differ si"nificantly fro( ,ar/ari, and that sho/ affiliation to other 0a1asthani dialects, s-ch as +h-ndhari, sit-ated 1-st to the east, and ,e/ari 5to the so-theast6. 5Co(parisons /ith ,ar/ari here /ill !e !ased on infor(ation on that lan"-a"e presented in ,a"ier 19@#a, 19@#!,19@%, 19@&, and 199$.6 'irst, /e note that ,adh-8s no-ns have a syste( of case endin"s that (irrors that of ,ar/ari 5and that differs only little fro( (ost 0a1asthani dialects6. ,asc-line sin"-lar no-ns have either no endin" 5tabar 3child36 or the endin" 4o 5(huntro 3shrine36. 9n the pl-ral, (asc-line no-ns have, a"ain, either no endin" 5%andar 3te(ples36 or the endin" 4a 5darva!a 3door/ays36. 'e(inine no-ns in the sin"-lar have either no endin" 5rat 3ni"ht36 or the endin" 4i 5dodi 3portal36. 9n the pl-ral, all fe(inine no-ns have the endin" 4an 5raniyan 3F-eens36. :his dialect, like (ost .orth 9ndian lan"-a"es, e(ploys postpositions 5/ords that co(e after the no-n6 /here a lan"-a"e like *n"lish e(ploys prepositions. :h-s, /here in *n"lish /e say 3in the roo(3 5/ith the preposition 3in36, in these lan"-a"es one says, in effect, 3roo( in.3 A partic-lar feat-re of 0a1asthani 5as /ell as 2indi and (ost of the 9ndo4Aryan lan"-a"es6 is that no-ns take special case endin"s /henever they are follo/ed !y a postposition 5c.f., *n"lish 393 vers-s 3(e36. ;e call this the o!liF-e case. 9n ,adh-8s dialect sin"-lar (asc-line no-ns that nor(ally end in 4o chan"e that endin" to 4a 5ba((ha ne 3to the !oy36 in the o!liF-e case. ,asc-line no-ns that nor(ally have no endin", still have no endin" in the sin"-lar o!liF-e 5tabar ne 3to the child36. All sin"-lar fe(inine no-ns also take no o!liF-e endin" 5ban!hari ne 3to the !arren /o(an36. 2o/ever, all no-ns 5re"ardless of "ender or type of nor(al endin"6 take a special endin" in the o!liF-e pl-ral: 4an 5ba((han ne, tabaran ne, raniyan ne , etc.6.

< #AA < :hese case endin"s are s-((arized in the follo/in" chart. singular regular (asc. 54o type6 (asc. 5-n(arked type6 fe(. 54i type6 fe(. 5-n(arked type6 4o 7 obli=ue 4a 7 plural regular 4a 7 obli=ue 4an 4an

4i 7

4i 7

4an 4an

4an 4an

:his pattern e=actly parallels that of >tandard ,ar/ari. :he only difference 9 noted /as an occasional tendency to -se the 4a endin" for (asc-line sin"-lar 5non4o!liF-e6 no-nsD it often occ-rred in ,adh-8s speech in places that sho/ed other evidence of an -nconscio-s atte(pt to 32indify3 his speech. :his diver"ence (akes sense !eca-se the 2indi pattern differs fro( the one a!ove in that it has 4a for (asc-line sin"-lars. 2indi also differs in havin" a (ore co(ple= paradi"( for fe(inine no-ns. :hose that nor(ally end in 4i take one direct pl-ral endin" 54an6, /hereas those that do not, take another 54 en 6. '-rther, in 2indi, the -niversal o!liF-e pl-ral endin" is 4on . :h-s, to contrast the t/o fe(inine paradi"(s: Madhu rani rani ne raniyan raniyan ne 2indi rani rani ko raniyan raniyon ne 3F-een3 3to the F-een3 3F-eens3 3to the F-eens3

!at !at (en !atan !atan (en

!at !at (en !aten !aton (enD

3(atter /ord3 3in the (atter /ord3 3(atters /ords3 3in the (atters /ords3

:hese differences are relatively sli"ht and co-ld easily !e called 3dialectal3 if one /ere inclined to classify ,adh-8s speech as so(e sort of dialect of 2indi. 2o/ever, as /e sho/ !elo/, there are other (ore f-nda(ental differences. :he prono-ns 9 fo-nd in the sa(ple of ,adh-8s speech are as follo/s: 1st pers. sin". 1st pers. pl-r. 2d pers. sin". 2d pers. pl-r 5honorific6 #d pers. sin". 5far6 (asc. fe(. (h-n (he th-n then vo va 393 3/e3 3yo-3 3yo-3 3he, it, that3 3she, it, that3

8table (ontinued on ne6t page+ < #A% < 8table (ontinued fro% previous page+ #d pers. sin". 5near6 (asc. fe(. yo ya 3he, it, this3 3she, it, this3

#d pers. pl-r. 5far6 #d pers. pl-r. 5near6

ve ye

3they, those3 3they, these3

:he first thin" to note, in co(parin" this dialect, say, /ith 2indi, is that the dialect (akes a "ender distinction a(on" #d person sin"-lar prono-ns. Gender is totally a!sent fro( the 2indi prono-n syste(. .ote also that 2indi has a three4tiered syste( of 2d person prono-ns 5tu tu% , and ap 6, distin"-ished as sin"-lar 5tu 6 and pl-ral 5tu% and ap 6, and f-rther distin"-ished !y levels of deference or honorific (eanin"s 5see ,a"ier 19@26. 9 fo-nd evidence of only t/o levels 5sin"-lar and pl-ral6 in ,adh-8s dialect, !-t, if it is parallel to ,ar/ari, it (ay have a third hi"hly deferential prono-n 5ap 6 that is -sed very rarely and did not occ-r in this corp-s. :he prono-ns listed a!ove have special o!liF-e for(s for -se /ith different postpositions. 9n partic-lar, ,adh-8s dialect has special for(s in the dative case 5i.e., /ith the postposition ne 3to36 and in the "enitive case 5i.e., /ith the postposition ro 3of36. dative 1st pers. sin". 1st pers. pl-r. 2d pers. sin". 2d pers. pl-r. 5honorific6 #d pers. sin". 5far6 #d pers. sin". 5near6 #d pers. pl-r. 5honorific6 5far6 (ha4ne (han4ne than4ne than4ne 3to (e3 3to -s3 3to yo-3 3to yo-3 genitive (ha4ro (han4ro than4ro than4ro 3(y3 3o-r3 3yo-r3 3yo-r3

-4ne vha4ne

3to hi(3 3to hi(3

-4ro vha4ro

3his3 3his3

-n4ne

3to the(3

-n4ro

3their3

#d pers, pl-r. 5honorific6 5near6

vhan4ne

3to the(3

vhan4ro

3their3

:hese for(s !ear little rese(!lance to their 2indi co-nterparts. :he postpositions the(selves are co(pletely different 5e."., for dative 2indi has &o /hile ,adh- ?and ,ar/ariB has ne , and for "enitive 2indi has &o /hile ,adh- ?and ,ar/ariB has ro 6. B-t co(parison /ith ,ar/ari yields interestin" res-lts. ,ost of ,adh-8s for(s are identical to their ,ar/ari co-nterparts, e=cept for the #d person o!liF-e for(s. :he ,ar/ari #d person for(s are: dative #d pers. sin". 5far6 #d pers. sin". 5near6 #d pers. pl-r. 5honorific6 5far6 #d pers. pl-r. 5honorific6 5near6 -n4ne in4ne 3to hi(3 3to hi(3 genitive -n4ro in4ro 3his3 3his3

vhan4ne

3to the(3

vhan4ro

3their3

an4ne

3to the(3

an4ro

3their3

< #AC < Also, in the non4o!liF-e #d person prono-ns, /here ,adh- has yo , ya , and ye , ,ar/ari has si(ply o , a , and e 5,adh-8s #d person nono!liF-e prono-ns are, in fact, closer to those fo-nd in ,e/ari6. Gne (ore nota!le difference is in the ist person 5non4o!liF-e6 prono-ns. ,ar/ari has %hen for the 1st person sin"-lar 5as do (ost of the /estern dialects 9 o!served6 and %he for the 1st person pl-ral. 5A special separate prono-n for 1 st person pl-ral incl-des the hearer, i.e., 3/e3 (eanin" 3yo- and 9.3 :his for( is apan , and it pro!a!ly e=ists in ,adh-8s dialect, tho-"h 9 fo-nd no instances of its -se. 9t does not occ-r in 2indi.6 B-t ,adh-8s prono-ns, %hun and %he are, in fact, (ore characteristic of ,e/ari and so(e so-theastern dialects of ;estern 0a1asthani. Gn the /hole, ho/ever, these are relatively s-perficial differences, and 9 /o-ld still !e inclined to characterize this prono(inal syste( as essentially a variant of ,ar/ari. 5B-t 9 /o-ld also /ant to e=plore the syste( (ore f-lly, thro-"h elicitation sessions /ith ,adh-, !efore dra/in" any fir( concl-sions. >ee all the disclai(ers a!ove.6 :he syste( of postpositions 9 fo-nd in ,adh-8s dialect is also essentially si(ilar to that of >tandard ,ar/ari. :he one area /here 9 fo-nd si"nificant variation /as in the "enitive postposition. ,ar/ari -ses ro 5inflected for "ender and n-(!er as ro , ra , ri and for o!liF-e case as re 6 !oth /ith prono-ns and /ith re"-lar no-ns 5e."., (hora ri %an 3the !oy8s (other,3 %ha/ri %an 3(y (other36. ;hat 9 fo-nd

in ,adh-8s speech /as the -se of &o 5like/ise inflected as &o, &a, &i and for o!liF-e case as &e 6, e=cept /hen it occ-rred /ith the prono-ns, /here it tended to sho/ -p as 4ro 5etc.6. 9n other /ords, his dialect see(s to distin"-ish !et/een a free4standin" "enitive postposition -sed /ith co((on no-ns 5&o , etc.6 and a !o-nd for( of the "enitive -sed /ith prono-ns 54ro , etc.6. 9 have not o!served this distinction in any other 0a1asthani dialect. 9t is interestin" to note that the freestandin" for( /ith initial & 4 is re(iniscent of 2indi, /here the "enitive is &a 5inflected for "ender and n-(!er as &a, &e, &i and for o!liF-e case as &e 6. :he overall ver!al syste( of ,adh-8s dialect is too co(ple= for adeF-ate description here, and in any case a li(ited corp-s does not provide e=a(ples of all the tense and aspect for(s availa!le in the lan"-a"e. B-t 9 fo-nd the ver!al syste( to !e virt-ally identical to ,ar/ari in nearly every detail. :he only si"nificant differences 9 fo-nd /ere as follo/s: < #A& < 5a6 ,ar/ari -ses a sin"le ver! for( 5i.e., /itho-t an a-=iliary ver!6 for the si(ple present tense. :h-s, for e=a(ple, in ,ar/ari one says va &aive 3she says.3 B-t in ,adh-8s dialect 9 fo-nd instances of present tense sentences -sin" the a-=iliary ver! 5va &haive he 3she says36. :his pattern is fo-nd in ,e/ari 5and is also (ore si(ilar to standard 2indi than ,ar/ari is6. 5!6 ,adh-8s lan"-a"e has a f-t-re tense /ith ver! endin"s in 4ga 5apparently inflected for "ender and n-(!er6. :his f-t-re is very si(ilar to the 2indi f-t-re tense 5/ith inflected 4ga, ge , and gi 6 !-t differs /idely fro( the ,ar/ari f-t-re, /hich has an -ninflected 4la endin". 5,ar/ari also has a distinctive 3inferred f-t-re3 tense ?,a"ier 19@#aB that did not occ-r in the recorded corp-s of ,adh-8s speech !-t (ay nonetheless e=ist in his dialect.6 :here (ay !e other si"nificant differences !et/een ,adh-8s dialect and ,ar/ari that si(ply did not appear in o-r data. 2o/ever, 9 /as a!le to confir( that ,adh-8s dialect does follo/ the 3e=otic3 a"ree(ent patterns fo-nd in ,ar/ari. :hese are the patterns that deter(ine the endin"s of the ver!s, controlled !y the "ender, n-(!er, or person of the s-!1ect and o!1ect no-ns. :he syste( is too co(ple= for a f-ll description here. B-t it is i(portant to note ho/ this syste( differs fro( the one fo-nd in 2indi. Basically, the (ost si"nificant differences occ-r in the past tense. 9n a past tense transitive sentence 5i.e., one /ith a direct o!1ect6, 2indi has a special case endin" for the s-!1ect. 9t is called the 3er"ative3 case and in 2indi is the postposition 4ne . Also, in the case of s-ch er"ative sentences, the ver! /ill a"ree in n-(!er and "ender /ith the o!1ect rather than /ith the s-!1ect. :h-s, to contrast 2indi present tense and past tense sentences: (ain roti khata h-n (ain4ne roti khai 9 eat 5(asc.6 945er".6 ate 5fe(.6 39 eat roti3 39 ate roti3 9n ,ar/ari 5and in ,adh-8s dialect6, there is no special er"ative case (arker on the s-!1ect of past tense transitive sentences. B-t, as in 2indi, the ver! does a"ree /ith the o!1ect. :h-s: (h-n roti 1i(-n h-n (h-n roti 1i(i 9 eat 9 ate 5fe(.6 39 eat roti3 39 ate roti3 9nterestin"ly, 2indi !locks the ver! fro( a"reein" /ith the o!1ect < #A@ <

if the o!1ect no-n 5or prono-n6 happens to !e (arked /ith the dative acc-sative postposition. 9n that case, 2indi has a syste( for 3zero4a"ree(ent.3 :hat is, the ver! a"rees /ith neither s-!1ect nor o!1ect !-t "oes instead into a ne-tral for(. :h-s, in 2indi: larki sita4ko dekhti hai larki4ne sita4ko dekha "irl >ita45acc-s.6 sees 5fe(.6 "irl45er".6 >ita45acc-s.6 sa/ 5ne-tral6 3:he "irl sees >ita3 3:he "irl sa/ >ita3 >i(ilar patterns of zero4a"ree(ent are fo-nd in *astern 0a1asthani, and even in so(e eastern dialects of ;estern 0a1asthani 5e."., in ,e/ari6. B-t in ,adh-8s dialect 5as in >tandard ,ar/ari6, zeroa"ree(ent patterns do not e=ist. Past tense transitive ver!s al/ays a"ree /ith the o!1ect, even if the o!1ect is (arked !y the dative case. :h-s, fro( the te=t of the !irth story: (h-n taitis karor dev4devtan ne p-1 liya 9 ## crore deities45acc-s.6 /orshiped 5pl-r.6 39 /orshiped ## crores of deities3 Gne final co(ponent of the ver!al a"ree(ent pattern, in /hich ,adh-8s dialect accords nicely /ith ,ar/ari !-t differs radically fro( 2indi, is the pattern of personal a"ree(ent endin"s 5/hich occ-r, for e=a(ple, in the present tense for(s of ver!s6. 2indi has separate ver! endin"s, distin"-ished !y nasalization of the vo/el, to indicate pl-ral a"ree(ent. Also, the si(ple present tense in 2indi incl-des a present tense participle that (arks "ender and n-(!er on the (ain ver!, and person on the a-=iliary ver!. B-t ,adh-8s dialect 5as /ell as ,ar/ari and other ;estern 0a1asthani dialects, s-ch as ,e/ari6 has only the personal a"ree(ent endin"s on the ver!. :his sa(e endin" appears !oth on the (ain ver! and on the a-=iliary 5/hen present6 and follo/s this a"ree(ent pattern: singular 1 st pers. 2d pers. #d pers. 4-n 4e 4e plural 4an 4o 4e

.ote that in this syste(, the ver!s (ake no "ender distinctions and in the #d person have no distinction !et/een sin"-lar and pl-ral. :o s-((arize, /e have !riefly sa(pled a s(all selection of feat-res of ,adh-8s dialect and co(pared the( s-perficially to 2indi on the < #A9 < one hand, and to ,ar/ari 5and ,e/ari6 on the other. 9n its "ross o-tlines, ,adh-8s dialect is clearly a /estern dialect of 0a1asthani, confor(in" fairly closely /ith >tandard ,ar/ari in (ost of its "ra((atical feat-res. 59ts phonolo"ical syste(, not treated here, appears to !e identical to ,ar/ari.6 9t sho/s f-nda(ental differences fro( 2indi in 5at least6 the follo/in" areas:

5a6 9t has only one class of fe(inine no-ns 5all takin" the endin" 4an for the pl-ral6, rather than the t/o distinct classes fo-nd in 2indi 5those pl-ralizin" in 4an and those in 4en 6. 5!6 9t (arks "ender distinctions in the #d person sin"-lar prono-ns 5totally a!sent in 2indi6. 5c6 9t has a si(pler present tense ver! paradi"(, /hich does not distin"-ish "ender in the ver! endin"s and does not distin"-ish n-(!er in the #d person 5!oth of /hich are essential parts of the 2indi ver!al str-ct-re6. 5d6 9t has no er"ative case (arker for past tense transitive sentences 5/hich is -s-ally taken as a f-nda(ental characteristic of 2indi !-t is totally a!sent in ,adh-8s 0a1asthani6. 5e6 9t has no zero4a"ree(ent pattern in er"ative sentences. Past tense transitive ver!s al/ays a"ree /ith direct o!1ects, re"ardless of the case4(arkin" of the latter 5/hereas 2indi specifically !locks ver!al a"ree(ent /ith any case4(arked no-n6. 5f6 :he parallel to the 2indi honorific 2d person prono-n 5ap 6 does not see( to occ-r in ,adh-8s dialect, /hereas it is F-ite co((on in 2indi. 9f ,adh-8s dialect is like ,ar/ari 5and 9 !elieve it is6, the honorific syste( in the prono-ns is essentially t/o4tiered 5co(pared to the three4tiered syste( of 2indi6, /hile the ver!al syste( allo/s for a (-ch /ider ran"e of honorific distinctions than is availa!le in 2indi. 9t is fascinatin" to note the act-al -sa"e of these prono-ns. 'or e=a(ple Gopi Chand and his (other, ,anavati ,ata, address each other as thun 5the e=pected nor( in (ost of 9ndia, reflectin" the inti(acy and lack of for(ality !et/een (other and child6. >he also addresses Hord >hankar as thun . 9t is very interestin" to o!serve that /hile ,anavati ,ata -ses the first person sin"-lar 5%hun 6 to refer to herself, Hord >hankar -ses /hat is apparently the 3royal3 /e 5i.e., the pl-ral6 /hen referrin" to hi(self, as in this e=chan"e: < #%$ < ,A.AKA:9 ,A:A : (ha4ne p-tar de!a4halo na (alyo 3:here /as no one to "ive a child to (e ?sin".B >2A.JA0 : (han4ne p-1ti to tharo kara1 saddh hoto 39f yo- had /orshiped to (e ?pl-r.B then yo-r 1o! /o-ld have !een perfectly done3 >-ch -sa"e patterns are deter(ined !y co(ple= !-ndles of conte=t-al and sociolin"-istic factors and so cannot !e adeF-ately deter(ined !y e=a(inin" a sin"le perfor(ance te=t. ,-ch (ore investi"ation 5partic-larly of face4to4face co((-nication6 needs to !e cond-cted in this area. ;e also fo-nd a fe/ differences /ith ,ar/ari that are /orth notin": 5a6 ,adh-8s dialect has a f-t-re tense ver! endin" that apparently inflects for "ender and n-(!er 5/hile ,ar/ari8s f-t-re endin" does not6. 5!6 9t does not see( to have the inferred f-t-re tense that ,ar/ari e=hi!its 5tho-"h this difference (ay si(ply res-lt fro( a "ap in the data6. 5c6 9t has a 1st person prono-n, as /ell as a set of #d person prono-ns that rese(!le those of ,e/ari (ore closely than ,ar/ari. 5d6 9t see(s to have distinct for(s of the "enitive postposition for -se /ith prono-ns. 9nterestin"ly, only the for( that attaches to prono-ns 5ro 6 is the sa(e as the ,ar/ari for(. ,adh-8s "enitive postposition, /hich occ-rs /ith re"-lar no-ns 5&o, &a, &i 6, !ears a rese(!lance to the 2indi "enitive.

:he /ei"ht of the availa!le evidence s-""ests that ,adh- .ath8s dialect is not partic-larly (i=ed or idiosyncratic. .or is it so(e for( of elliptical or !roken 2indi. 9 hope 9 have presented eno-"h of an analysis to s-""est that it is a co(plete "ra((atical syste( in its o/n ri"ht. 9t has feat-res that allo/ -s tentatively to classify it as a dialect in the ;estern 0a1asthani "ro-p, /ith close affiliations to ,ar/ari !-t containin" ele(ents in co((on /ith (ore so-theasterly dialects like ,e/ari. Altho-"h A1(er district sits ri"ht near Grierson8s !order !et/een *astern and ;estern 0a1asthani, ,adh-8s dialect does not display any partic-lar feat-res of these eastern dialects, tho-"h so(e ele(ents see( to reflect an infl-ence fro( 2indi. < #%1 <

APP$NDI- T:O PROP$R NO"N TRAN !IT$RAT$D

Individuals fro0 $.ic and ,istory
Asa(al )o"i Bahari )o"an Ba1ori Jan1ari Bharat .ath Bharthari Panvar Bhartrihari Cha(ani Jalali Cha(pa +e 0ani Charpat .ath Gandaraph >yan Gan"ali :elan Gopi Chand Gorakh .ath G-r- G-"a 2ada .ath 2ira )alindar .ath Janni Pav1i Jap-ri +ho!an Jh-kanyo H-na Cha(ari ,achhindar .ath ,an >in"h ,anavati ,oti1i .arad1i < #%2 < .i( .ath

Pach-1i Pan +e Paras .ath Pata( +e Ph-la( +e Pin"ala Pra1apat 0a1a Pipa 0an1it 0-psi >etali Jha(ari :aloki Chand Kikra(adit 5,adh- says Bakara(adit6

ites fro0 $.ic and ,istory

Badari .arayan Chapala +hank Ban"ala +hara .an"ari +ip .an"ari Gan"a Gor Ban"ala Jailas Ja1ali Kan ,alva Kaik-nth P-ri

Individuals fro0 Ghatiyali and $nvirons

Bho1- 0a( G-1ar Gok-l .ath 2ardev Patel Had- .ath ,adh- .atisar .ath .athG"ar .ath 0a( Chandra >a(!h-rya >iv1i .ath < #%# < >-kha .ath U"a(a .ath1i

ites fro0 Ghatiyali and $nvirons

Asan B-ndi Ghatiyali )aypal1i Jhe1ari ,ori .apa Jhera P-skar 0atan J-a >adara >a/ar

Deities
Bhair-n1i Bhola .ath +ev .arayan 2an-(an 2in" Ha1 ,an Haks(i ,ahadev Pa!-1i 0a(a >ankar >itala >iva thak-r1i < #%% <

R$&$R$NC$
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l8e=e(ple des rOcits chantOs !ho1p-ri.3 9n #iving Te6ts fro% -ndia , edited !y 0ichard J. Barz and ,onika :hiel2orst(ann, C#I@C. ;ies!aden: Gtto 2arrasso/itz. Chatter1ee, >-niti J-(ar. 192C. The ,rigin and 4evelop%ent of the Bengali #anguage . Calc-tta: University of Calc-tta Press. < #%& < 777. 19A2. -ndo/Aryan and 2indi . Ah(eda!ad: G-1arat Kernac-lar >ociety. Cho/dh-ry, A!d-l ,o(in. 19C&. 4ynasti( 2istory of Bengal . +acca: :he Asiatic >ociety of Pakistan. Co-rtri"ht, Pa-l B. 9n press. The Goddess and the 4readful Pra(ti(e . .e/ Mork: G=ford University Press. Co/ard, 2arold G. 19&C. Bhartrhari . Boston: :/ayne P-!lishers. Crooke, ;illia(. 192C. eligion and ;ol&lore of Northern -ndia . Hondon: G=ford University Press. +as, Keena. 19&&. Stru(ture and Cognition . +elhi: G=ford University Press. +as"-pta, >hashi!h-san. 19C9. ,bs(ure eligious Cults . Calc-tta: 'ir(a J. H. ,-khopadhyay. +as"-pta, >-rendranath. 192A. Goga as Philosophy and eligion . Hondon: Je"an Pa-l, :rench, :r-!ner and Co(pany. 777. 19&A. Goga Philosophy in elation to ,ther Syste%s of -ndian Thought . +elhi: ,otilal Banarsidass. +as G-pta, :a(onash Chandra. 19#%. Aspe(ts of Bengali So(iety fro% ,ld Bengali #iterature . Calc-tta: University of Calc-tta. +ehlavi, .yadar >in"h. n.d. Bharthari Pingala . +elhi: A"ar/al Book +epot. +ikshit, 0a1esh. n.d. Navanath Charitra Sagar . +elhi: 2ind P-stak Bhandar. +-""al, J. >. 19&9. ;ol& o%an(es of Pun!ab . .e/ +elhi: ,ar/ah P-!lications. +-(ont, Ho-is. 19&$. eligion, Politi(s and 2istory in -ndia . Paris: ,o-ton. +vivedi, 2a1ariprasad. 19@1. Nath Sa%praday . Allaha!ad: Hoka!harati Prakashan. 777. n.d. Nath Siddhon &i Baniyan . Banaras: .a"aripracarini >a!ha. *d"erton, 'ranklin. 192C. 1i&ra%a)s Adventures or the Thirty/t5o Tales of the Throne . 2arvard Griental >eries. Ca(!rid"e, ,ass.: 2arvard University Press. *liade, ,ircea. 19&#. Mo"a: -%%ortality and ;reedo% . Princeton: Princeton University Press. 'eld, >teven. 19@2. Sound and Senti%ent . Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. 'ine, *liza!eth C. 19@A. The ;ol&lore Te6t fro% Perfor%an(e to Print . Bloo(in"ton: 9ndiana University Press. 'l-ecki"er, )oyce B. 19@9. 3Caste and 0e"ional Kariants in an Gral *pic :radition.3 9n ,ral $pi(s in -ndia , edited !y >t-art 2. Black!-rn, Peter ). Cla-s, )oyce B. 'l-ecki"er, and >-san >. ;adley, ##I%A. Berkeley: University of California Press. Gan"-li, )atindra. 19C&. Three Co%en 2ad Made 2i% a Saint . Calc-tta: *ast and ;est P-!lishers. Ga-ta(, Cha(anlal. 19&A. Gora&sa Sa%hita . Bareli: >anskriti >ansthan.

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edited !y 0ichard Ba-(an and 0o"er +. A!raha(s, 19&I22%. A-stin: University of :e=as Press. Hynch, G/en ,. 199$. 3:he ,astra(: *(otion and Person A(on" ,ath-ra8s Cha-!es.3 9n 4ivine Passions: The So(ial Constru(tion of $%otion in -ndia , edited !y G/en ,. Hynch, 91I11%. Berkeley: University of California Press. ,cGre"or, 0onald >t-art. 19@A. 2indi #iterature fro% -ts Beginnings to the Nineteenth Century . Kol. @, no. C of A 2istory of -ndian #iterature , edited !y )an Gonda. ;ies!aden: Gtto 2arrasso/itz. ,cHeod, ;. 2. 19C@. Guru Nana& and the Si&h eligion . +elhi: G=ford University Press. ,adan, :. .. 19@&. Non/ enun(iation: The%es and -nterpretations of 2indu Culture . +elhi: G=ford University Press. 777, ed. 19@1. Cay of #ife: King, 2ouseholder, enoun(er . .e/ +elhi: Kikas P-!lishin" 2o-se. ,a"ier, +avid. 19@2. 3,ar/ari 2onorifics.3 9n Studies in South Asian #anguages and #inguisti(s , edited !y P.). ,istry 5)-ly 19@26. >pecial iss-e of South Asian evie5 C5#6: 1C$I&#. >o-th Asian Hiterary Association 5,HA6. 777. 19@#a. 3:opics in the Gra((ar of ,ar/ari.3 Ph.+. dissertation, +epart(ent of Hin"-istics, University of California, Berkeley. 777. 19@#!. 3Co(ponents of *r"ativity in ,ar/ari.3 9n Papers fro% the Nineteenth egional Meeting of the Chi(ago #inguisti( So(iety . 777. 19@%. 3Case and :ransitivity in ,ar/ari.3 9n The Se%anti(s of Parti(ipant oles: South Asia and Ad!a(ent Areas , edited !y Arlene Pide, +avid ,a"ier, and *ric >chiller 5Proceedin"s of the ancillary (eetin" held in con1-nction /ith the t/entieth Ann-al ,eetin" of the Chica"o Hin"-istic >ociety6. Bloo(in"ton: 9ndiana University Hin"-istics Cl-!. 777. 19@&. 3:he :ransitivity Prototype: *vidence fro( 2indi.3 Cord #@5#6: 1@&I99. 777. 199$. 3+ative acc-sative >-!1ects in ,ar/ari.3 9n $6perien(er Sub!e(ts in South Asian #anguages: Pro(eedings of the Madison Conferen(e on South Asian #anguages , edited !y ,anindra Ker(a. >tanford: Center for the >t-dy of Han"-a"e and 9nfor(ation. ,ahapatra, Piy-shkanti. 19&2. The ;ol& Cults of Bengal . Calc-tta: 9ndian P-!lications. ,ahesh/ari, 2iralal. 19@$. 2istory of a!asthani #iterature . .e/ +elhi: >ahitya Akade(i. ,a1-(dar, 0a(esh Chandra. 19A$. 3Ha(a :aranatha8s Acco-nt of Ben"al.3 -ndian 2istori(al Juarterly 1C526: 219I#@. < #C1 < ,ala(o-d, Charles. 19@9. Cuire le %onde: rite et pensFe dans l)-nde an(ienne . Paris: *ditions Ha +Oco-verte. ,ani, Hata. 19@9. 3Contentio-s :raditions: :he +e!ate on >ati in Colonial 9ndia.3 9n e(asting Co%en: $ssays in Colonial 2istory , edited !y J-(k-( >an"ari and >-desh Kaid, @@I12C. .e/ +elhi: Jali for ;o(en. ,arkandaya, Ja(ala. 19C$. A Silen(e of 4esire . .e/ Mork: )ohn +ay. 777. 19C#. Possession . .e/ Mork: )ohn +ay Co(pany.

,ar/ar Cens-s. n.d. 3)o"i.3 2#%I%A. )odhp-r. 'iles of the a-thor. ,eissner, Jonrad. 19@%. Malushahi and a!ula A Ballad fro% Ku%aun 8-ndia+ . ;ies!aden: Gtto 2arrasso/itz. ,iller, Bar!ara >. 19C&. 9ntrod-ction to Bhartrihari: Poe%s , edited !y Bar!ara >. ,iller, =vI==viv. .e/ Mork: Col-(!ia University Press. ,isra, B. G. 19C&. 32istorical Phonolo"y of ,odern >tandard 2indi: Proto49ndo4*-ropean to the Present.3 Ph.+. dissertation, +epart(ent of ,odern Han"-a"es and Hin"-istics, Cornell University, 9thaca. .andy, Ashis. 19@$. At the $dge of Psy(hology: $ssays in Politi(s and Culture . +elhi: G=ford University Press. 777. 19@@. 3:he 2-(an 'actor.3 -llustrated Cee&ly of -ndia 5)an-ary 1&6: 2$I2#. .arayan, Jirin. 19@9. Storytellers, Saints, and S(oundrels: ;ol& Narrative in 2indu eligious Tea(hing . Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. .arayan, 0. J. 19@$. The Guide . .e/ Mork: Pen"-in Books. G8'laherty, ;endy +oni"er. 19&#. As(eti(is% and $roti(is% in the Mythology of Siva . Hondon: G=ford University Press. 777. 19@A. 4rea%s, -llusion, and ,ther ealities . Chica"o: University of Chica"o Press. 777. 19@@. ,ther People)s Myths . .e/ Mork: ,ac(illan. G(an, )ohn Ca(p!ell. 19$%. The Mysti(s, As(eti(s, and Saints of -ndia . Hondon: :. 'isher Un/in. Gn", ;alter ). 19@2. ,rality and #itera(y . Hondon: ,eth-en. Pande, :rilochan. 19C#. 3:he Concept of 'olklore in 9ndia and Pakistan.3 S(h5ei:eris(hes Ar(hiv fKr 1ol&s&unde %9: 2%I#$. Pandey, +ivakar. 19@$. Gora&hnath eva% un&i para%para &a sahitya . Gorakhp-r: Gorakhnath ,andir >hodh >ansthan. Pandit, P. B. 19&&. @#anguage in a Plural So(iety: The Case of lndia . .e/ +elhi: +ev 0a1 Chanana ,e(orial Co((ittee. Peterson, 9ndira K. 19@@. 3:he :ie :hat Binds: Brothers and >isters in .orth and >o-th 9ndia.3 South Asian So(ial S(ientist A516: 2%I%1. Platts, )ohn :. 19&A. A 4i(tionary of 9rdu, Classi(al 2indi, and $nglish . Hondon: G=ford University Press. Pritchett, 'rances ;. 19@%. Marvelous $n(ounters: ;ol& o%an(e in 9rdu and 2indi . .e/ +elhi: ,anohar. < #C2 < P-1ari, :hak-r Prasad. 192C. 3:he 'r-it of 9((ortality.3 The -ndian Anti=uary %%:21#. 0ahe1a, Gloria Good/in, and Ann Grodzins Gold. 'orthco(in". Songs, Stories, #ives: #istening to Co%en in North -ndia . Berkeley: University of California Press. 0a1-, P.:. 19@%. Stru(tural 4epths of -ndian Thought . Al!any: >tate University of .e/ Mork Press.

0a(an-1an, A. J. 19&#. Spea&ing of Siva . Balti(ore: Pen"-in Books. 0isley, 2. 2. 1@91. The Tribes and Castes of Bengal . Calc-tta: Ben"al >ecretariat Press. 0oland, Alan. 19@@. -n Sear(h of Self in -ndia and .apan . Princeton: Princeton University Press. 0ose, 2. A. 191A. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Pun!ab and North/Cest ;rontier Provin(e . 0eprinted 19&$. P-n1a!: Han"-a"es +epart(ent. 0o/lands, ). 2elen. 19#$. #a ;e%%e bengalie dans la littFrature du %oyen/Lge . Paris: Hi!rairie d8A(OriF-e et d8Grient. >arkar, >ir )ad-4.ath. 19A@. The 2istory of Bengal . +acca: University of +acca. 777. n.d. A 2istory of 4asna%i Naga Sanyasis . Allaha!ad: >ri Panchayati Akhara ,ahanirvani. >a=, ;illia(. 1991. Mountain Goddess: Gender and Politi(s in a 2i%alayan Pilgri%age . .e/ Mork: G=ford University Press. >chi((el, Anne(arie. 19&%. Mysti(al 4i%ensions of -sla% . Chapel 2ill: University of .orth Carolina Press. >cho(er, Jarine. 19@&. 3:he +oha as a Kehicle of >ant :eachin"s.3 9n The Sants: Studies in a 4evotional Tradition of -ndia , edited !y Jarine >cho(er and ;. 2. ,cHeod, C1I9$. 0eli"io-s >t-dies >eries. Berkeley: Grad-ate :heolo"ical Union. >ee"er, Anthony. 19@&. Chy Suya Sing . Ca(!rid"e: Ca(!rid"e University Press. >eitel, Peter. 19@$. See So That Ce May See: Perfor%an(es and -nterpretations of Traditional Tales fro% Tan:ania . Bloo(in"ton: 9ndiana University Press. >en, +inesh Chandra. 19%A. 2istory of Bengali #anguage and #iterature . Calc-tta: University of Calc-tta. >en, Jshiti(ohan. 19&A. Medieval Mysti(is% of -ndia . .e/ +elhi: ,-nshira( ,anoharlal. >en, >-k-(ar. 19C$. 2istory of Bengali #iterature . .e/ +elhi: >ahitya Akade(i. >hah, ;aris. 19&C. 2ir an!ha , translated !y Charles 'rederick Us!orne. .e/ +elhi: Grient Paper!acks. >hapiro, ,. C., and 2. '. >chiff(an. 19@1. #anguage and So(iety in South Asia . +elhi: ,otilal Banarsidass. >har(a, Jailashchandra. 19@#. Bha&ta%ala aur hindi &avya %en us&i para%para . 0ohtak, 2ariyana: ,anthan P-!lications. < #C# < >har(a, Pad(a1a. 19&2. Mahara!a Mansingh of .odhpur and 2is Ti%es . A"ra: >hiva Hal A"ar/ala and Co(pany. >ie"el, Hee. 19@&. #aughing Matters: Co%i( Tradition in -ndia . Chica"o: University of Chica"o Press. >in"h, ,ohan. 19#&. Gora&hnath and Medieval 2indu Mysti(is% . Hahore: Griental Colle"e. >in"h, Pa!ar. 19&#. The $ast -ndia Co%pany and Mar5ar . )aip-r: Panchsheel Prakashan. >inh, Pancha(. 19&%. The 2atha Goga Pradipi&a . .e/ +elhi: ,-nshira( ,anoharlal. >inha, >-ra1it, and Baidyanath >aras/ati. 19&@. As(eti(s of Kashi . Karanasi: .. J. Bose ,e(orial

'o-ndation. >ircar, +. C. 19C9. An(ient Mal5a and the 1i&ra%aditya Tradition . .e/ +elhi: ,-nshira( ,anoharlal. >ircar, Janika, trans, n.d. 3Gopicander Pancali.3 'iles of the a-thor. >(ith, )ohn +. 19&%. 3An introd-ction to the lan"-a"e of the historical doc-(ents fro( 0a1asthan.3 Modern Asian Studies 95A6:A##ICA. 777. 19@$. 3Gld 9ndian: :he :/o >anskrit *pics.3 9n Traditions of 2eroi( and $pi( Poetry , edited !y A. :. 2allo, A@I&@. Hondon: ,odern 2-(anities 0esearch Association. 777. 19@C. 3;here the Plot :hickens: 8*pic ,o(ents8 in Pa!-1i.3 South Asian Studies 2: %#ICA. 777. 19@9. 3>cape"oats of the Gods: :he 9deolo"y of the 9ndian *pics.3 9n ,ral $pi(s in -ndia , edited !y >t-art 2. Black!-rn, Peter ). Cla-s,)oyce B. 'l-ecki"er, and >-san >. ;adley, 1&CI9A. Berkeley: University of California Press. 777. 1991. The $pi( of Pabu!i: A Study, Trans(ription and Translation . Ca(!rid"e: Ca(!rid"e University Press. >-ndardas, >hya(. 19C%. 2indi Sabdsagar . Karanasi: .a"ari Pracharini >a!ha. >/ynnerton, Charles. 19$#. o%anti( Tales fro% the Pan!ab . ;est(inster: Archi!ald Consta!le and Co(pany. :edlock, +ennis. 19@#. The Spo&en Cord and the Cor& of -nterpretation . Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. :e(ple, >ir 0ichard. 1@@A. The #egends of the Pun!ab . Kols. 1I#. 0eprinted 19C2. Patiala: +epart(ent of Han"-a"es, P-n1a!. :essitori, H. P. 191AI1C. 3.otes on the "ra((ar of the Gld ;estern 0a1asthani, /ith special reference to Apa!hra(Ta and to G-1arati and ,ar/ari.3 The -ndian Anti=uary A#IA%. :i/ari, Bhan Pratap. 1@92. 3:he Co((on He"end of Bhartri .ath.3 North -ndian Notes and Jueries 25@6: 129. :od, )a(es. 1@29. Annals and Anti=uities of a!asthan or the Central and Cestern a!poot States of -ndia . Hondon: >(ith, *lder and Co(pany. < #CA < :ra/ick, ,ar"aret. 199$. Notes on #ove in a Ta%il ;a%ily . Berkeley: University of California Press. :ripathi, B. +. 19&@. Sadhus of -ndia . Bo(!ay: Pop-lar Prakashan. Upadhyay, .a"endranath. 19&C. Gora&sanath . Karanasi: .a"ari Pracharini >a!ha. Kaidya, Ba!- 2aridas. 19@A. 1airagya/Shata& . ,ath-ra: 2aridas and Co(pany. van B-itenen, ). A.B. 19%9. 3:he 9ndian 2ero as a 1idyadhara .3 9n Traditional -ndia: Stru(ture and Change , edited !y ,ilton >in"er, 99I1$%. Philadelphia: A(erican 'olklore >ociety. van der Keer, Peter. 19@@. Gods on $arth: The Manage%ent of eligious $6perien(e and -dentity in a North -ndian Pilgri%age Centre . Hondon: Athlone Press. Karenne, )ean. 19&C. Goga and the 2indu Tradition . Chica"o: University of Chica"o Press.

Kat-k, Ked Prakash. 19C9. Thieves in My 2ouse: ;our Studies in -ndian ;ol&lore of Protest and Change . Karanasi: Kish/avidyalaya Prakashan. Ka-deville, Charlotte. 19C2. #es 4uha de 4hola/Maru . Pondichery: 9nstit-t franTais d8 9ndolo"ie. 777. 19&A. Kabir . Hondon: G=ford University Press. 777. 19@C. Barah%asa in -ndian #iteratures . +elhi: ,otilal Banarsidass. ;adley, >-san >. 19&@. 3:e=ts in Conte=ts: Gral :raditions and the >t-dy of 0eli"ion in Jari(p-r.3 9n A%eri(an Studies in the Anthropology of -ndia , edited !y >ylvia Kat-k, #$9IA1. +elhi: ,anohar. 777. 19@#. 3:he 0ains of *stran"e(ent: Understandin" the 2ind- Mearly Cycle.3 Contributions to -ndian So(iology 5..>.6 1&5 1 6: %1I@C. 777. 19@9. 3Choosin" a Path: Perfor(ance >trate"ies in a .orth 9ndian *pic.3 9n ,ral $pi(s in -ndia , edited !y >t-art 2. Black!-rn, Peter ). Cla-s, )oyce B. 'l-ecki"er, and >-san >. ;adley, &%I 1$1. Berkeley: University of California Press. 777. 1991. 3Beyond :e=ts: :-nes and Conte=ts in 9ndian 'olk ,-sic.3 9n Te6ts, Tunes and Tones , edited !y Bonnie ;ade. +elhi: G=ford University Press. ;atson, ,a1or )ohn ;. 1@&#. 3>tory of 0ani Pin"la.3 The -ndian Anti=uary A-"-st: 21%I1C. ;hite, 2ayden. 19@1. 3:he Kal-e of .arrativity in the 0epresentation of 0eality.3 9n ,n Narrative , edited !y ;. ). :. ,itchell, 1I2#. Chica"o: University of Chica"o Press. ;oods, )a(es 2a-"hton. 19&2. The Goga/Syste% of Patan!ali . 2arvard Griental >eries. +elhi: ,otilal Banarsidass. ;ortha(, 0everend B. 2ale. 1@@C. Sata&as of Bhartrihari . Hondon: :r-!ner and Co(pany. < #C% < Mo"ishvar, Balakra(. n.d. Bha&t Gopi(hand Bharthari . +elhi: A"ar/al Book +epot. P!avitel, +-san. 19&C. Bengali #iterature . Kol. 9, no. # of A 2istory of -ndian #iterature , edited !y )an Gonda. ;ies!aden: Gtto 2arrasso/itz. Pelliot, *leanor. 19@1. 3Chokha(ela and *knath: :/o Bhakti ,odes of He"iti(acy for ,odern Chan"e.3 9n Tradition and Modernity in Bha&ti Move%ents , edited !y )ayant Hele, 1#CI%C. Heiden: *.). Brill. Pvele!il, Ja(il K. 19@&. T5o Ta%il ;ol&tales . +elhi: ,otilal Banarsidass. < #C& <

IND$A
Note : :he translated te=ts have not !een inde=ed. A1(er, district of, A@ , %@ , ##% , #A# , #%$

Arthav 5e=planation6, 9 , 21 Aryans, #A$ , #A1 Ashes, 1$C

4
Beck, Brenda, C@n, #2@ n.9 Ben"al, #9 , %@ , C# 4CAD Ga-r 5kin"do( in6, C# D Gopi Chand tale in, CA D 3kin"do( of /o(en3 in, C% , 2C% D lady (a"icians of, C% , 219 42$, 2CC , #19 Ben1a(in, ;alter, #1 4#A Bha&ti 5devotion6, C9 4&$D nirgun 5/itho-t F-alities6, A2 4AA Bharthari: !irth of, &# 4&@D detach(ent of, 1$% 4C, initiation of, 1#C 4#@ Bharthari tale: recordin" of, 2# 42AD synopsis of, 1& 419D versions of, C$ 4C# Bhartrharinirveda 52arihara6, C2 Bhartrihari 5>anskrit poet6, C$ 4C1 Bri""s, Geor"e ;., #@

C
Cha(pa +e, 221 422 Charpat .ath, A$ , 1C2

D
4arsani" See *arrin"s, yo"is8 +eath, #22 , #2C 42&. See also .ath caste, death rites of +ev .arayan, epic of, %@ +evotion. See Bha&ti

+hara .a"ar. See U11ain +onkeys, &# 4&%, 22$ +-(ont, Ho-is, #C

$
*arrin"s, yo"is8 5darsani 6, C 4&, 2@ 429, #@ , 2C& *pic "enre, 1% 41C

&
'ate, #2@ 4#1

G
Ghatiyali, ##% D .aths of, # 4A, @ , %2 Gill, 2ar1eet >., %% 4%C Gold, +aniel, A , AC n.29, A@ , #2# n.C Gopi Chand: !irth of, 1C1 4C2D i((ortality of, 2C& D partin" fro( sister of, 221 422D partin" fro( /ife of, 1@# 4@AD s-fferin"s in Ben"al of, 219 421 Gopi Chand taleD Gold8s /ork on, 2% 4#1D recordin" of, 22 D synopsis of, 19 42$D versions of, C# 4C@ Gorakh .ath, #@ 4A$, A2 , A# , AA , A& 4A@, %2 , 1@# D as Bharthari8s "-r-, 1#C , 1C2 D as divinity, %C D resc-es ,achhindar, 2C% 4CC, #2# 42C Grierson, Geor"e A., =ii , ##@ , ##9 , #A1 , #A# , #%$ G-"a, epic of, 1C n.9, %& , 1$&n G-1ar, Bho1- 0a(, 2% , 2@ 429 G-1arati, ##9 , #A1 4A2 Gayatri (antras, A9

,
2a/ley, )ohn >., C9 4&$ 2indi, ##C , ##& , ##9 , #A1 , #A# 4%$D ;estern, ##9 , #A1 , #A2 32indified3 speech, ##C , ##& , #AA 2o-seholder 5grihasthi 6 .aths. >ee .ath caste 2-nkar 5response4"iver d-rin" oral perfor(ance6, == , 21 422

I
9ll-sion 5%aya 6, #1@ , ##2 4## 9((ortality, #2& D fr-it of, %@ , C1 4C#, 2C&

2
)alindar .ath, #9 , A$ , A1 , AC D captivity in /ell of, 1@2 , 2C% D as divinity, %C D as Gopi Chand8s "-r-, 1C1 4C2, 1@A )odhp-r. See ,ar/ar .ogis,#% , %1. See also .ath casteD .ath reno-ncersD Mo"is < #C@ <

5
Ja!ir, A# Janni Pav1i, A$ , 2C% , 2C& Jin"s, #1% 41&D ren-nciation !y, %C , 1#@ 2C% Jothari, Jo(al, A& n.#1, ##&

!
Han"-a"e: !orders of, ##9 , #%$ D codes/itchin" in, ##& D and conte=t, ##@ 4#9D dialect "eo"raphy of, ##@ D

folk ta=ono(y of, ##@ D re"ister of, ##C , ##& , ##9 Hove, %# , 1@A , #1& 419, #2&. See also 9ll-sion

/
,achhindar .ath, #9 , A@ , 2C% 4CCD resc-e of, CA , #2# 42C ,ahadev. See >hiva ,al-shahi and 0a1-la, epic of, %& n.% ,alva, %@ , C$ ,anavati ,other, C% 4CC, 1C1 4C2, #12 ,an >in"h, ,ahara1a, A% 4AC ,ar/ar, A% , ##@ , ##9 , #A2 ,ar/ari: ,iddle, #A2 D .orthern, ##9 D >o-thern, ##9 D >tandard, ##9 , #A# , #AA , #AC , #A@ , #A9 D ;estern, ##9 Maya" See 9ll-sion ,e/ari, ##@ , #A# , #AC , #A& , #A@ , #%$ ,iller, Bar!ara >., Con.11 ,iller, )oseph, =i= , 1& , %A 4%% ,-lholland, >andra Jin", A9 n.#A

N
Naga .aths. See .ath reno-ncers .arrative, %A , #11 .ath: defined, #& 4#@D as s-rna(e, A9 4%1 .ath, ,adh- .atisar, # 4@D life history of, C 4&D (-sical perfor(ance of, 1# 41A, C@ , 1#& .ath caste 5!ati 6, @ D contrasted /ith .ath reno-ncers, #C 4#&, AC 4A9, %2 4%#D death rites of, # , % , A9 D

ho-seholder 5grihasthi 6, #C , A@ D and loc-sts, @ 49, %1 4%2, 2C&. See also Mo"is .ath reno-ncers 5naga .aths6, #C 4#&, A@ 4A9D in narrative literat-re, %A 4%&D nine, =i. See also .ath casteD Mo"is

O
Gral perfor(ance, ##1

P
Pa!-1i, epic of, %& n.% Pan +e, &C 4&@ Pata( +e, 1@# 4@A, #2# Pin"ala, %C , C1 4C2, 1$% 4C, 1#& D la(ent of, %# , 1#& , 1@# , #12 D sati of, #22 Pipa, 0a1a, C9 4&$ Pop-lations, (ove(ents of, #1A 41C Potters, #2 4#A, &% 4&C, 1$@ Pritchett, 'rances, #Cn P-ran Bha"at, tale of, %% P-shkar, A@

R
0a1asthan, oral traditions of, 1A 41%, %@ , &C , #1# , ##& 0a1asthani lan"-a"e, =i= 4==, 21 D *astern, ##9 , #A# , #A@ , #%$ D "ra((ar of, #A# 4%$D Gld, #A2 D Gld ;estern, #A1 4A2D ;estern, ##9 , #A1 , #A# , #AC , #A@ , #%$ 0en-nciation, #C . See also Jin"s, ren-nciation !yD .ath reno-ncers 0esistance, CC , ##1

0isley, 2. 2., A& 0oche, +avid, 1# 41A 0oland, Alan, #1@n 0ose, 2orace, AC , %%

Sa%praday 5sect6, #C 4#& Sants , A2 4AA Sarangi 5strin"ed instr-(ent6, 9 Sati , 1@ , 1$C 4&, #2$ 422 >en, >-k-(ar, #9 >hankar. See >hiva >hiva, #2C D association /ith .aths, C , %1 D 3;eddin" >on"3 of, 1% , AA n.2%, #29 4#$ >(ith, )ohn +., #2@ , #A2 >nake Char(ers 5&albeliya 6, 2C& >paces, as constr-cted in .ath tales, #1A 41&

T
:edlock, +ennis, 29 , #12 :e(ple, >ir 0ichard, =ii , A :essitori, H. P., #A1 :od, )a(es, ##& :ra/ick, ,ar"aret, #1&

"
U11ain, city of, C$

#
Ka-deville, Charlotte, A& n.#2 Kikra(aditya, Jin" of U11ain, C1

:
;adley, >-san, 12

;hite, +avid, A2 n.22, A# n.2A, CC n.2A ;o(en, A& 4A@, C2 , &C 4&&, 22$ 422, #19 42$D !arren, 1C1 4C2D as "-r-s, CC

%
Mo"a, #9 4A$, A2 D as syste( of philosophy, #& 4#@ Mo"is, 1C2 , #1A , #2# D e(!le(s of, A1 , A@ 4A9D and politics, A% 4ACD practices of, A$ 4A1D violence of, A1 4A2, 221 , 2CC

Z
P!avitel, +-san, %% < #C9 < Co(positor: :ho(son Press 59ndia6 Hi(ited :e=t: 11 1# Baskerville +isplay: Baskerville Printer: :ho(son4>hore, 9nc. Binder: :ho(son4>hore, 9nc.
Preferred Citation: Gold, Ann Grodzins. A Carnival of Parting: The Tales of King Bharthari and King Gopi Chand as Sung and Told by Madhu Natisar Nath of Ghatiyali, a!asthan" Berkeley: University of California Press, c1992 1992. http: ark.cdli!.or" ark: 1#$#$ ft#"%$$%&#