T H E A D V E N TU R E S

OF TH E

P A N J A B H E R O

R A J A RA S A LU

BY T H E

R EV . C H A RLES S WY N N ER TON ,

M E M BER O F T H E Rowu A s m.
—
m c A ND FO LK -
LO RE S oc n a r uss , A ND o u
r T HE

A S I A TIC S O C IET Y OF BE N G A L.

A U TH O R O F

The A f gha n Wizr ,"

'

Gouglz‘: A c ti o n a t Furle/m b a d, éc'

.

S uc h ta le s the ir c he e r, at wa ke or go s s ip i n g,
W h e n it daa ws n ea r t he W i tc h in g t i m e of n igh t —Bl i a r
.

! ! it
’

N E WM A N Co .
,
U n i; M D A LH O U S I E S! U A RE .

1 8 84 .
 I N M EM ORIA M .

£1 5 . .

0 5 N ovem . é8 :. 1 882 .

0 l aggard t im e
f s adn es s an d of wa itin g,
0 da y p ro lo n ge d from i n g t in g yea r to year,
o

l '

l
H o w o ft I s tan d, wi thin m y he art de b a ti n g,
W il s un s et s h adows n e e r m o re a pp ear ? v
l
50 on g I ve wa ite d fo r the res tfu n igh t ,
‘
’
l
Suc h tears I ve s h e d for s o rro w of t he s oul,
v l
’

ighi n g an d so b b in g i n th e fe e re d igh t
Tha t, b urn in g, b ea ts from out th e b ra z en po l e !

Wi ll v day en d
7 A n d s h a l the s un
n e v erm o re
l l
Fo re e r s tan d re m ors e es s i n the s ky ?
T h e s wo o n i n g H ours o f Ti m e h a e c e as e d to run
A n d m e n a re wres t li n g with e te rn i ty
v ,

l l v
.

l
on g fo r
igh t , I o n g for dre am y c o e rs
n

W i thin th e hi ls o r c los e up on th e de e p l l v
I on g fo r twi ligh t h o urs , e n de are d to o e rs ,
A n d 0 I lo n g fo r c oo ob li i o us s ee p l v l
S om e ca v
de p ths s h a ll b e m y dro ws y pi ow,
ern
'
s lll
l
Far fro m th e wilderi n g tum ult o f the wor d
Th e re le t m e is te n to th e s urgin g b i o w,
By win dy c urre n ts h o a rs e y s wa yed a n d s wirle d 1 l ll
The re , s h e ll tered, o n
ed s h in g e yi n g, th e v ll
e in
Le t m e s eep out the rem n an t o f m y day s ,
l
D rugge d b y s wee t s o th , a lls o rro w p as t , a n d s igh in g,
Pa s t, a ll regard fo r c e n s ure or for prai s e

l v v
Th e c rys ta wa e th a t s h i ers a t m y fe et,

l lll v l l
The b re a ke r foam i n g in th e s h a do wy wild,
W il s i n g for o e a ulab y as s we e t
A s e er a ure d th e fa n c y o f a c h i d
’
l
v
.

C om e th en E e n -s on g,
ye s t a te ly H o urs of

l ll
,
L
ead m e fa r h e n ce t o s om e s uch di m re ce ss ,

l l
The n fo d m e , wea rie d o ut , t o s um b e r lon g,
Fo d m e i n s um b er a n d forge tfu n e ss

O l aggard
l ti m e o f s a dn e s s an d of grie f

ll
0 day p ro o n ge d from t a rdy yea r t o year,
W h e n wi th e s ha do ws , a de n with re lie f,
D escen d from s tarry kin gdom s co d an d c
l l l ear 1
 I N TRO D U C T I O N .

O N th e s um m it o f o n e o f the p eaks of G an dgarh by the

U ppe r I n dus s tan ds an old fo rtre s s whic h is kn own as K ali l
K ot ; o r, th e Fort o f th e I n fi dels . I t is si tuated m i dway
b etwee n Pir Than th e h i gh est p o i n t o f the ran ge an d th e ,

l o fty vill age o f C hen ar K ot b en eath the p recipic es o f

,

wh i c h o ver a fri e n dly gap run s th e ro ugh m o un tai n road

, ,

fro m the bro ad I n dus Vall ey o n the wes t to th e b eauti ful

val e in H azard o n th e east wh ere H arip ur fam ous for its
, ,

flo wei s an d frui ts rep o s e s am o n g th e c oo l groves

,
.

A t K afi r K ot s ays tradi ti o n
,
the l as t s tan d was m ade
,

by th e “ i n fi del H i n du ”
s o f th e C h ac h pl ai n when the ,

c oun try s uccum b ed to th e exterm i n ati n g i n roads o f b ar

b ari an M uham m adan s from C e n tra l A s i a about n i n e hun dred
years ago The wall s c om pri se wi thi n thei r area the very
.

s um m i t o f th e h ill res ti n g o n th e s outh eas tern s i de up o n the

-
,

edge o f a deep i n acc essibl e cli ff which desc en ds for hun

dreds o f feet i n to the peac eful vall ey ben eath Over the .
 LVTA OD UC TlO/V ’
ii .

verge of th e cli ff ,
ju st wi th o ut th e s o uth eas tern-
an gl e of

the fo rt, wh ere the wall i th ere exi s ts a fam o us c ave

re t res ,

o ve rgro wn b y a h ardy u ub e tree jj

an d s o c un n i n gly c o n ,

trive d b y n ature th a t o n ly by acci den t c o ul d its ex i s te n c e ,

b e s uspec ted at all Th i s c ave is kn own as K afi r K ot ki

.
- -

G har o r the C ave o f the Fo rt o f th e I n fi de ls

,
I t run s in a .

do wn ward s l o pi n g di rec ti o n ab o ut fo rty feet i n to the li m e

s to n e ro c k an d it en ds in two sm all n atura l c h am b ers ve ry
,

di ffi c ul t o f acc e ss Wh en the devo ted garri s o n fo un d th ei r

.

retreat c ut o ff on al ls i des it is s ai d th at th ey th re w th ei r arm s

,

i n to th e b o tto m of the c ave an d that th en in th e c h arac ter , ,

o f un arm ed s uppli an ts th ey c am e fo rth a n d m ade an

, un
availi n g appea l fo r q uarter to th e i r te rribl e i n vade rs .

O n e b ri gh t wi n ter s day a fter i r s p ec tin g th e o ld wa ll s a n d

’

c l am b eri n g do wn i n to th e de p th s o f th e c a re wh ere as h es a n d

p ots he rds ex i s te d in ab un dan c e to attes t its an c i en t us es ,

I was res ti n g i n th e den se shade o f th e gro ve o f well gro wn -

S a n d i /ad wh ich c overs the h ill wh e n I o ve rheard s o m e o f ,

m y vill age gui des di sp uti n gas to wh e th e r th e C ave o f the ln

-

fi dels m i gh t n o t b e i den tic al wi th th e l e ge n dary C ave o f

G an dgarh s o m e ass erti n g that it was t he s am e a n d o thers
, ,

m ai n tai n i n g th e c on trary .

Gan dgarri ki— Ghar s ai d a tall m o un ta i n eer from Si riké

”
-
t
j
,

is i n Pir Than To th i s c ave Raa R as al u n ever c am e a t

.

al
l
A s n o on e h as v
e er b een a bl e to fi n d the C av e of

Gan dgarh,
”
an s wered a m an o f Ghaz i ,
I do n ot s ee why
thi s sh o ul d b e it ”
n ot .
 IN TR OD U C TI ON . iii

H o w c o ul d yo u exp ec t to fi n d th e C ave of G an dgarh,

en q ui red th e fi rs t m an tri um ph an tly when ,
Ras al u s hut i n
the gi an t wi th a grea t s ton e an d c o vered th e pl ac e up P
,

I t was un der th e s e ci rc um s tan c es th at I fi rs t m ade ac

q uai n tan ce wi th th e h ero o f the fo ll o wi n g l egen ds Ra é , j .

R as al u A s th e s un was rapi dl y decli n i n g I wai ted then

.

to h ear n o m o re b ut h avi n g en oyed o ur bri ef h al t we

,
j ,

al ls tarted o n o ur return to G hazi I o n fo o t an d m y li ttl e b o y

, ,

o f fi ve we ll arm ed wi th a b o w an d arrow for i n c au

, ti o us
ti gers i n a s m all n ative bri dal do o li e wh ich was b orn e o n
, ,

the s h o ul ders o f a c o upl e o f s tout vill agers Through ro ugh .

ro c ks o f s c h i s t o r li m es ton e an d by m an y a ru ed trac k
, gg ,

o ur p ath c on duc ted us down the steep declivi ti es o f

M o un t G an dgarh affo rdi n g us n ear at h an d b eautiful s un
,

n y vi ews o f vall ey an d p recipic e an d l o fty S i kh fortress an d ,

reve ali n g far away th e s tately I n du s th e s p aci o us P eshawur

,

V all ey an d the s till m ore di s tan t h ill s o f Kabul an d Ba o ur,

,
j
wh ere hum an l i fe is c h eap an d wh ere m en go arm ed to the
,

tee th. H i gh o ver o ur h eads in the p ure aether wheel ed

a go l de n c res te d eagl e an d in the l ower atm osph ere floated
-

k i tes an d h aw
,

ks S o m eti m es a b rac e o f bl ac k p artri d e s

g ,
.

s tartl ed b y o ur approa c h wen t wh i rri n g th ei r n o i sy wi n

,
gs
down i n to th e l ower c op s es or a pai n ted j
, ay fl ew by or a ,

p ai r o f doves sp otted an d rose c o l o ured or som e bl ue -

,

pi geo n s li n gered to gaz e at us o r a C hatterbox p eered from

,

th e gl o om o f a th ic ket o r a fli ght o f exci ted s tarli n s

,
g
s wept thro ugh the radi an t air A m on g thes e wil d upl an d
.

gl en s wh ere h o m es teads are fe w s o li tary an d s c attere d

, ,
,
iv I N TROD UC TI ON .

dwell too the l eop ard , th e wo l f an d th e red an d gray b yse

j
,

n a, the fox an d the a ka c l , th e p ol e c at an d -

the m un go o s e ,
fre tfulp o rc upi n e to geth er wi th
’
th e gre y squi rrel an d th e ‘
,

a s p ec i es o f deer n am ed h ere th e rdzn / z, b ut l ower do wn th e

’

n ra l A t on e ti m e we fo un d o urs elves in a deep dark

. ,

dell all en cl os ed by p rec ipic e s a fi t ab o de fo r the o racl e

, ,

o f a go d in wh ich fl owed fro m p eren n i al sp ri n gs c o l d p el

,

l uci d water an d wh ere flouris h ed a n ab un dan ce o f vege

,

tabl e li fe as th e K a m i la adorn e d pro fusely wi th l ovely red

’

,
’
flowers an d berri es the grace ful dro opi n g c reep er aey rz t e
,

n o wn ed as a rem edy for dys p eps i a th e gr in geyr the dull red , ,

b erri es o f whi c h are s ai d to b e purgative su ch speci m e n s o f ,

ac ac i a as th e p/ml d}: or gum ac aci a an d th e l ea r or ac a ci a

ei/

jj
,

arabic a an d th e bé r wh i c h is th e u ub e tree toge th er wi th -

, , ,

th e d/za m a n gl ori ous fo r i ts gran d fo li age an d fa i r wh i te

flowers an d val uabl e for its fi n e e l a stic wood which is hi ghl y
,

pri z ed b y the co un try b o wyers .

H avi n g di n ed th at e ven i n g wi th o ur exc ell en t ho s t M r ,

.

T L Barl ow o f Ghazi we dre w ro un d the bl az i n g lo g fi re

-
. . , ,

fo r the n i ght air was bi tte rl y co l d an d sp en t th e eve n i n g ,

li s ten i n g to o n e o f m y argum en tative gui des who c am e ,

i n to re l ate to us allth at h e had eve r h eard o f the adve n

ture s o f Ra a Rasal u j .

The l egen d th en tol d an d tran sl a ted wvéwee was pub

'

lis h e d by m e in an En gli s h dre s s in the Folklore journ a l o f

th e m o n th o f M ay i n th e pres en t year .

I n the fo ll o wi n g A ugus t a n d S ep tem b er a sec on d an d a

very di fferen t vers i on o f Rasztlus adven tures was publi s h ed
' ’

by subs cripti o n in Bo m bay .

 I N TR OD UC TI ON .

Thes e two vers i on s so far as I am ware are the o n ly

a

j
, ,

two a cc o un ts of th e old Pan ab h e ro whic h have as yet

b een m adepubl ic .

Th e fo ll o wi n g acc o un t is a c o m pil ati o n fro m three

difl ere n t ve rs i o n s n o w in m y p o ss es s i o n The fi rs t vers i o n .

i s that fro m G haz i refe rred to ab o ve ,

I obtai n ed the .

s ec o n d fro m an ol d p ro fes s i o n al bard n am ed J am s ,

who lives be twe en Rawal Pi n di a n d M ari an d wh o b e ,

lieved hi m s el f to b e o n e h un dred an d twen ty years o f

age . The th i rd vers i o n was re ci ted t o m e by th e bard
S huruf whose h o m e li es m uc h n earer to the bo rders o f
K as h m i r .

A ll th es e three di s ti n c t v ers i o n s wh il e c on tradic to ry in

,

s o m e p o i n ts s e rve to s u
,
ppl em en t eac h o th er in m an y m o re .

Th us J u m as s to ry o f th e G i an ts exc ell ed Shuruf s i n

ge n eral
’ ’
,

i n teres t an d in dra m atic c o m pl eten ess b ut on the other ,

han d S huruf p o s sesse d treas ure s wh ic h the q uaveri n g v o ic e

o f J i i m a san g n o t o f as th e c h arm i n g l egen d o f M irshikari

e o f th e S w
,

an d th e tal
'
an s Fro m S huruf to o I l earn t the
.

n am es o f al l the gi an ts an d o f the gi an tess th e n am e o f ,

Ras i lus h o rs e an d the i m po rtan t tradi ti on that o n e o f th e

’
,

gi an ts at l east an d p ro b ably all o f th e m p oss ess ed o n ly

, ,

a s i n gl e eye To h im I am al s o i n de b ted for the b eauti

.

ful l am en t wh ic h I h ave ren dered

lw
,
“
S tran ge is Thy n a ture a ays , Go d m os t dread,
an dwhich sai d he was s un g by the gi an tess Gan dgarri
, ,

wh en Ras al u i m priso n ed h er un der th e m o un tai n Thi s .

lam en t l have ven ture d to p ut i n to the m o uth o f the gi an t

vi I N TROD UC TI ON .

Thi rra, fo ll owi n g J u vers i o n that it was he an d n ot

’
n i as ,

Gan dgarri, who was th us i m pri s o n ed .

I o n c e too k Sh uruf wi th m e to Ghaz i an d co n fro n ted ’

him wi th s om e o f th e vill agers o f G an dgarh wh en a very ,

am us i n g di s c us s i o n was th e res ul t P oor Sh uruf b el o n gi n g

.
,

to a lo w an d de spi s ed cl as s h ad to s p eak in very s ub dued

ton e s to th e fi erc e P athan s wi th b ated breath an d wh is

peri n g utteran c e b ut h e brav ely hel d h is own
”
-
S ub s e .

q uen tly o n e of the vill agers of Si ri kot cam e to us p rivately

a n d s ai d ,

Szrh ib thes e b ards kn ow n othi n g whatever ab o ut

’

th e m atter The wh o l e o f thes e s to ri es o f th e i rs are

j
.

i n ven ted o ut o f th e ir o wn h eads H o w c o ul d Ra a Rasal u

.

an d h is Ran i have live d at K heri M urti wh en we all k n o w

-
,

th ey lived at M o h at n o t fi ve m il es o fl ?
, I have s een the
pl ac e an d I will sh ow it to yo u .

H ardly had h e go n e o ut wh en S huruf e n tered th e ro om

wi th a m o s t pro fo un d s al aam an d sq uatti n g h i m sel f do wn
,

an d l e an i n g forward as i f ti m oro u s l es t th e very Wall s sh o ul d

ov erh ear h i m b e h al f wh i sp ere d

, ,

Sarb i h th es e vill agers te ll n o thi n g b ut li es all li es H o w

’

, , .

c an th e y kn o w be tter th an we when o ur fo re fath ers fo r

h un dreds o f ge n erati o n s h ave han ded do wn to us th ese very

j
s tori es us t as th ey are

H ours after fro m th e servan ts quarters in rear we

’
, ,

c on ti n ued to c atch s tray s o un ds o f th e di spute s till ragi n g ,

l the eve n ts o f Rasalus c areer we re n arrate d a n d

’
as al

c an vas sed th e o ld b ard fi n ally getti n g th e b est o f the argu

,
 vi i

m en tby showi n g a b o l der fro n t an d del ugi n g his vill age ,

cri tics wi th a torren t of v ers es to thei r am az em e n t an d dis

,

c om fi ture .

F To the l over
c om parative fo l kl ore the l egen ds o f
of

j
,

Ra a Ras al u a ll o f th e m o f great an tiqui ty s ho ul d appeal

, ,

with c on si derabl e p ower an d i n teres t They c o n tai n .

ec ho es o f th e h o us eho l d tal es o f m a n y l an ds a n d they are ,

n o t des ti tute o f c uri ous rem i n i s c en c es o f th e fo l k l e en ds

g
-

o f th e an ci en t G reeks so fa m ili ar to us i n
, the i r m yth o l o gy

an d i n th e p ages o f th ei r tragic p oe ts H e re an d the re.

i n thes e o ld worl d fragm e n ts o rally pre serv ed as they ha ve

-
,

b een by a s eparate an d di s ti n c t cl ass o f m en in hum bl e

s tati on who were an d are utterly un l e ttere d we c atc h
, , , ,

gli m p ses fai n t yet ten der o f th e G o l de n A ge dream t o f by

, , ,

the b ards o f yo re What c o ul d b e m ore q uai n t a n d s i m pl e

.

in its go l de n l oveli n ess th an th e peac e ful pic ture pres en ted

j
to us i n the s tory o f Ra a R as al u a n d Ra a Bh o a ? I t isj j ,

as th o ug h th e warli ke h ero h ad p as s e d o ut o f a wo rl d o f
battl e an d s tri fe i n to a regi o n o f a n e w an d a happy exi s t
e n c e as i f h e h ad s tepp ed b ac kward i n th e m arc h o f Ti m e
, ,

an d was tas ti n g o f th e deli gh ts o f that bli s sful e ra i n depic t ,

in g wh ic h th e wil d dream y el o quen c e o f th e K n i gh t o f La

M an c h a en c h an ted th e ears o f his gapi n grus tic audi en c e
,

fo r even to hi m i t was n ot give n to p erc eive un til th e ve ry

, , , G
l as t that after all the o l den A ge li es n o t i n the vi s i o n ary
pas t b ut in th e bri ght un fo l di n gs o f an as s ured future i n
, ,

th e ho pe full o f i m m ortali ty an d in the gl ory th at s hall b e

reveal ed ,
 vi ii I N TROD UC TI ON

Th e s to ri e s o f R as al u o pen wi th an c
a c o un t of ! ueen Lun a

d Pri n c e P ti ran Rasalu s h alf b ro the r, wh ic h i s alm

’
an ,
-
o s t ex ac tly

th e co un terpart of th e ta el of Phaedra an d Hi pp o lytus .

The G ree k h ero l oyally refus es to un ders tan d th e di s grac e

ful overtures o f his s tep m o th er Phaedra he is i n c o n s equen c e
-

den o un c e d by h er an d his father Thes eus a dem i go d i n

, ,
-

the to il s o f a gi rl drives him away to ex il e an d death

,
.

But Di an a ever en am o ured of c h as ti ty res to res th e yo uth

, ,

to li fe wh il e th e c o n s ci en c e s tric ken
,
Phae dra c o n fe s s es -

h er cri m e S o too P i i ran is s i m il arly tem p ted a n d acc use d

.
, , ,

an d s i m il arly c o n dem n ed Fo r years h e li es as a c o rp s e

.

in a fo rs aken well un til the pro phet G o rakn ath rai s es him
,

from th e dead wh il e the rem o rs e ful Lu

,
n a ac kn o wl ed es h er
g
guil ty pas s i on Th e p arall e l is as n early c o m pl e te as p o s s i b l e
. .

I n th e tal e o f M irs hikari agai n we have a c h arm i n g , ,

rem i n i s c en c e o f s o m e o f th e m os t fam o us s to ri es o f cl as s i

c al an tiqui ty I t is th e s to ry o f O rp h eus o f A m ph i o n o f
j
.
, ,

Pan in an I n di an dre ss Th e Pan abi word b in whic h I

”
.
, ,

have tran s l ated “ l ute m ean s ei th er a s tri n ge d i n s trum en t o r

”
,

a wi n d i n s trum en t S h uruf th e Bard b eli eve d M irs h ikari s

* ’
.

to have b ee n th e l atter— th e do ubl e pip es Th es e pip es

j
.
,

fre quen tl y s ee n i n th e Pan ab are preci s el y i de n tic al wi th ,

th o s e wh ich were used am o n g th e G re eks a n d Ro m an s .

Th ey are th e tibi ae pa res o r as H orac e n am es th em the , ,

,

Lydi an Pip es They c o n s i s t o f two s eparate fl ageo lets

.
”
,

the m al e an d th e fem al e th e tibi a dex tm an d th e tib i a

,

a n s weri n g to th e di ffe ren t t o n es

'

s zzzis zra
‘
, o f th e hum an

The Lodié
n a Pu abi Di ction
n j ar
y .
 I N TR OD U C TI ON . ix

voice an d they are pl ayed by th e on e perform er at the

,

j
sam e ti m e I n the Pan ab th e upp er extrem i ti es o f th ese
.

pipes are often fi xed i n to a sm all holl owgourd, wh ich

,

an swers th e p urpo s e of a rec e ive r an d whi ch i s fu rn is hed,

as well wi th a s i n gl e m o uth pi e c e I t is th is i n strumen t

-
.

whic h is used by travelli n g s n ake charm ers,an d this too -

,

acc o rdi n g to S h u ru f was the i n s trum en t p osses sed by

,

M irsh ikari The who l e s to ry o f the hun ter ki n g, however

.
-
,

is s o redol en t of cl as s ic al tradi ti on al s tory that I have ,

adop ted th e al tern ative m ean i n g o f bi n an d given M ir ,

sh i kari a stri n ged i n s trum en t— th e lyra wh ich was really

-

the c ithara o f A p o ll o do rus —us i n g th e word “ l ute as m o re ”

,

“
g en eric th an lyre an d as b ei n g eq ually appropri ate
, ,

accordi n g to the b eauti ful li n es i n If em

' '

y z zi z
'

“
O rpheus , wi th his ute , l m ade trees ,

lv
A d th e m oun tain to ps tha t freez e ,
n
Bow th em s e es when he did sin g ” .

O f Orph eus we read th at his lyre was the gi ft of the

god A poll o . In li ke m an n er ri derived
M irs h ika his also
fro m a god—fro m the i m m o rtal Kwaj a Khiz ar the .
,

tu tel ary dei ty o f the I n dus —a

go d Who se p roto typ e is
un certai n b ut wh ose c ul tus i n a rude wa still actually
,
y
survives who is thoro ugh l y believed in a n d even worshipped
,

by the M uham m adan dwell ers b y the “ Father of R ivers ,

an d who se aid is a l ways i n vo ked
when ever the c aprici ous
c urren t threaten s to un derm i n e thei r an c estral fi el ds or
vill ages .
 A I N TROD UC TI ON .

Then aga ni we p i c ture Orph eus , as h e is s o o ften pic tured

on th e do m e s tic wa ll s o f Pom pe ii , s i tti n g i n wo o dl an d
gl ades , an d e n c h an i
t n g all n ature wi th th e “
go l den to n e s ”

of his l yre . pres en ted i n the l egen d

S o to o M irs hikari, as re ,

i s c an opi ed by trees an d seated up o n ro c ks ravi s hi n g wi th ,

the dulc et m us ic o i s m agi c l ute th e p oo r dappl ed fool s

“ ”
f h
wi th whic h fores t an d woo dl an d ab oun d .

W h en we turn to th e l egen ds o f th e gi a n ts we fi n d i n
them a v ers i o n o f c ertai n s to ri es wh ic h are di ffused un iver

sally . These gi an ts are m o n s ters m an e aters hum an in

,
-

sh ap e dem o n i ac i n o ri gi n
,
who are a te rro r to go ds an d
,

m en . A t l ast ( s till c o n fi n i n g o urs elves to G reek an al ogy)

c om es th e deliverer H ercul es i n th e p erson o f Rasal u who ,

sl ays them all b ut o n e an d wh o b uri es the s urvivor un der

j
,

m ou n t Gan dgarh us t a s i n c l as s ic al m yth o l ogy thos e Of

, ,

the G i gan tes wh o esc ap ed th e aven gin g arm o f th e des troyer

o f the i r rac e were i m pri s o n e d un der E tn a O r agai n .
,
,

R asal u is U l ys s es wh o i n vades th e gi an t dwell ers in m oun

tai n c aves a n d at who m
, th e o n e eyed A kaldeo h url s an
-

en o rm o us ro c k wh i c h th e h ero rec e ives wi th c al m i n diffe r

, .

e n c e o n the to p o f h is s h i e l d .

Th i s i n tro ducti o n wo ul d b e ren dered tedi o us l y l o n g if all ,

the c o i n ci de n c es o f c o m m o n tradi ti o n al l o re wh i c h th e

R as al u l ege n ds c o n tai n were e x am i n ed an d c o m pare d in

detail . I n K ag th e rave n we rec ogn i ze th e fabl e d atten
, ,
"
dan t o f th e fathero f th e s la in t h e ill b o din g b ird o f Fate
“”
-

, ,

gs Frith io f s S aga, N o tes , I n th e fl yi n gs erpen t

’ ’ “ ”
( Stro n
or drago n , whic h is do ub tl es s th e c o bra ,
m ay b e de tec te d
 I N TR OD U C TI ON . x i

that em bl em o f the c reative prin cipl e in n ature or that ,

m an i fes tati o n o f dei ty wh ic h was ever an obj ec t o f terror

,

a n d wors h ip al l thro ugh th e m ys terio us p ast The m an n er

‘

n wh ic h th e l eg e n d rep res e n ts th e s ub tl e destroyer h overi n g

o ve r th e fac es of weary sl eep ers to draw away th ei r

breath is stron gly s ugges tive o f the gri m pic ture i n th e

Vol usp a

Then wil c o m l e the dim

A d fl yi n g drago n
n
The fi e rc e s erpen t fro m b e lw
o

l
The m oun tai n s o f N ida
H e f oats on his win gs ,
vv l
H e h o vers o er th e p ai n ,
N idhoggr, o er th e dead
'

A gai n ,
we h ave di s ti n c t charm s an df
re eren c es to
i n can tati on s to wi tchcraft an d m agic an d th e supern atural
,

ra i s i n go f s torms to th e fo un dati o n s ac rific e o f hum an bl o o d

,

a n d to th e h eadl ess wa rri o r t o fabl es o f m on o li th s a n d

,

s up ers ti ti o n s o f th e pri n ts o f h o rs e h oo fs i n the s o li d ro c ks

-
,

an d to l o n g l asti n g p eri o ds o f tran c e or c o m a m an y o f

-
,

the tradi ti on s th us i n dicated b ei n g extrem ely Sc an din a

vi an i n s irn ilitude an d ch arac ter Passi n g by these vari o us .

po i n ts of an tiquari an i n teres t we m ay c on cl ude thi s part ,

o f th e in trodu cti on wi th a few words on the s ubj ec t of

en igm as an d m al edic ti o n s .

The ri ddl es or en i gm as wh ic h occ ur i n som e o f th es e

l egen ds m ust stri ke the i n telligen t reader as exceedi n gly
quai n t an d curi ous I n fo rm an d c on cep ti on they are
.

’
l
O ld p aces revis ited, or t e h A n tiquarian En thusiast Vol ii . . .
, p . 206,
x ii I N TROD UC TI ON .

p reci sely li ke thos e which have b een han ded do wn to us

from th e earli es t p eri o ds o f h i story S am so n i n th e Bo o k .
,

o f J udges has an adv en ture b y th e way H e kill s a li o n

'

, .
,
-

an d when h e sees i t agai n a swarm o f b ees h as s ettl ed

,

i n th e ho ll o w c arc as s S o h e p rop oun ds to the en em i es

.

o f his coun try a ri ddl e thus

“
O ut o f the ea ter cam e fo rth m eat
O ut o f the s tron g c am e fo rth s weetn ess .

In i il ar way Rasal u has an adve n ture i n th e fo res t

a s m .

H e rem ai n s a m ute sp ec tato r o f all th e :c al am i ti es wh ich

a tten d th e death o f his fo ll o wer an d wh e n arra i gn ed b efo re
,

h is fo es h e c o n fron ts th em wi th th e ri ddl e
,

ll ll
O n e was ki ed an d two died,

lll
Two were ki ed an d fo ur di ed
Fo ur we re ki ed an d s i x di e d
Fo ur were m a e an d two were fe m a e.l
I f we turn to th e m yths of cl as s ic al h i s tory we fi n , d
m ysteri ous s on gs tres s th e Sph i n x 75fia ibtodo s K iro v ,

“
Th e S phin x , s ub t es t o f fi en ds , l v
W ho m i n i stered to Th eb es hea en s po is o n ed win
ll v l
’
e,
”
U n n atura o e an d m ore un n atura h a te

we fi n d her puzz li n g th e wo rl d wi th th at m os t l i tous'

c a am ,

m o st s orrowful en igm a of all

“
W h at i s th at wh i c h wa l ks

on four fee t in th e m o rn in g ,
on two fee t at n o on , an d on
”
th ree feet in the e env in g?
But th ere is an o th er p ass age in th e Greek which al s o
fo rm s a very n ear app ro ach to th e ri ddl es o f th e l e gen ds

which we are n o w c o n s i deri n g I t is asc rib ed to A l exi s

.
x iv I N TR OD U C TI ON .

an iqui ty we
t ,
m us t adm it th a t th e co n i ci den ces th us n o ted

a re to say l eas t rem arkabl e

th e .

The l as t po i n t to b e o b s erved is that whic h is s ugges te d

by Rasalus c urs e H o w un iver sal is that h abi t or c us tom
’
.

by wh i c h m an ki n d or at l east th e re li gi ous rac es o f the

,

hum an fam ily an d even th e D e i ty H i m s el f are rep re s en te d

, ,

agai n an d agai n as c urs i n g th e i n n oc en t earth o r ,

the frui ts th e reo f i n c o n seq uen c e o f the o cc urren c e o f s o m e

,

terribl e c al am i ty o r th e p erp etra ti o n

, o f s om e devas tati n
g
wickedn ess ! “ Ye M o un tai n s o f G ilb oa let th ere b e n o ,

dew up o n yo u l is typic al o f m al edi c ti o n s wh ic h frequen tly

”

o c c ur n ot o n l y i n
,
th e i n s p i red p ages o f H o ly Wri t b ut ,

throughout all h i s tory A n d wh at is true o f h i s to ry is

.

true al so o f ro m an c e H o w th e c razy c urs e s o f C as san dra

.

i n th e A gam em n on toll in th e ears o f the reader ! Yet ,

i n th i s resp ec t [Esc h ylus was exc e ll ed by S o ph o cl es n o r , ,

as it h as b ee n truly rem arked is K i n g Lea r i ts e l f m o re ,

h o rren t wi th b ri stli n g c urses th an the G dzl b us Ty ra n n us

wh ig h exh ibi ts th e awful sp ec tacl e o f th e bli n d old ki n g ,

purs ued by a fate ever terribl e an d ever un rel en ti n g ,

utteri n g as h e goes i n fallibl e c urs i n gs o ver th e h eads o f h is

t wo so n s al ready s o di s m ally un fo rtun ate
,
I n that wo n de r .

ful trage dy th ere i s o n e p as sage wh ic h m ay fi tly c om p are

wi th a c urs e in our o wn Shakesp eare s R icha rd I ] an d ’

j
,

both p ass ages m ay c om pare wi th th e c urse o f Ra a Rasal u

That fro m the OZrzzpus run s thus
’

pi; 8pt30
’ ’

Ka i fir a ro i s t v et v
xo pa t 9 6 0 159
'

. Ta .

pi
vr '
’
dporo v dvr dt s yfis dwé
va r f wd .

'
vva m dw7ra E8
’
oiiv
pfir
’
as
‘

y
‘
.
 I N TROD U C TI ON . xv

“
A n d for th os e wh o fail to ob ey th ese di rec ti o n s I pray
,

the go ds th at n e th eri an y s ee d c rop m ay spri n g to them

from the i r l an d, n or ye t c h il dre n fro m th e i r
The c urse from Ric/la rd I ] i s m il der in
. character but,

the i dea is approxi m a tely th e sam e

! ua rt —G arden er,fo r telli n g m e th i s n ews of woe,

I woul d, th e pl an ts th o u graft s t, m ay n ever grow
’

—P
.

Garden ers queen s o th at th y s tate m ight b e n o wors e

oo r ,

I woul d m y skill we re sub ec t to thy c urse i t j

H o w striki n gly ali ke are thes e woeful words o f the uh
happy Isabell a to th e c urs e o f Rasal u when for the l ast
’

ti m e he l ooks o n the m an goe trees o f the l ost, guil ty -

queen
O fl ushed with frui t or b are o f b ough ,

l v
Fruit m a y ye n e er b ear again
Dead i s K ok an , h e r p ac e is vo id, l
A n d fl am in g red th e fi res rem ain

But wh en did th i s fa m o us h ero flo urish, an d wh ere dip

he live P
To the fo rm er ques ti o n very deci ded an swer can b e
n o
'

g iven . R asal u s n a m e is n e i th er i n s c ribed on the gl owi n g

’

pages o f hi story n or do es it s urvive on the en duri n g m etal

,

o f an ci en t c o i n s H e live s in th e popul ar m em ory an d i n

.
,

the pop ul ar m e m ory o n ly These legen ds op en an d cl o s e

.

th e on e vo l um e o f his li fe wh ic h h as escap ed the ravages

,

o f ti m e an d o utlive d the rui n o f o blivi o n Th e i n tern al .

( Edipus Tyran n us . 269 —27 1 .

l A c t ii i , sc e n e 4
‘ '
.
x vi I N TROD U C TI ON .

e vi den c e th us pres erved is o f two ki n ds —th e probabl e an d

t e i p rob abl e
h m . We m us t at o n c e re ec t as i m probabl ej
s uc h s tate m e n ts as th at R asal u was ever a c o n vert to

M uham m adan i sm o r that in h is ti m e th e G osp el o f A rabi a

,

h ad even b een heard o f I t was n atural for the n ative

j
.

Pan abi bards who in th e e l even th c en tury were c o m pul

,
v

s oril y driven i n to th e M usal m an fo l d to dec k o ut thei r o ld

,

n ati o n al h ero i n th e trappi n

gs o f I s l am i f o n ly to c o n c ili ate
,

thei r s tern c o n q uerors But th e l egen ds th em s elves n u

.

do ub tedl y bel o n g to a p eri o d l o n g an te ri or to th e age o f

M uham m ad wh il e s o m e o f th em
, as th e l egen d o f the
,

G i an ts m us t b e as crib ed to th e h e ro ic ages o f th e worl d

, ,

an d to th e v ery dawn o f c ivili z ed p o li tic a l p o wer .

Th e o n e p o i n t up o n wh ic h th e wh o l e o f th e di fferen t autho
ri ties are agree d is that Ras al u a R a jpti t pri n c e was th e s on
j
, , ,

an d s ucc ess o r o f Ra as alivahan o r Sh alivhan o r as the b ards,

pron oun ce the n am e Sulwan ,

N o w i t is we ll kn own th at
.

s alivahan was a very p owerful m o n arc h an d th at hi s e ra ,

b egan in or ab out th e year o f Chri s t 7 7 The b eli e f th at

.

h e attac ked an d s l ew the ren o wn ed Vi kram aj it i s evi den tly

e rro r s i n c e the l atter ki n g fl o uri s h ed B
L
an , C S6 1 I t . . .

s ee m s c ertai n h owever th at h e i n h eri ted o r c o n quered h is

‘

, ,

k i n gdo m o f U j ei n i n th e D akkah an d th at h e overra n

,

a c o n s i derabl e po rti o n o f n o rth ern I n di a i n cl udi n g the

j
,

Pan ab . The l egen d rep res en ts him as rei gn i n g at Si al kot .

H i s to ry o n the o th er h an d affi rm s th at his prop er ki n g

l v
’
Elphin s ton e s I n di a, p 24 5 .

t B gg s M ahom edan Po wer i n I n dia, p

’
ri . xx .
 I N TR OD U C TI O N . xvii

*
do m was the Dakkan . Is there an y vi den c e
e in th e

l egen ds co n n ecti n g salivahan o f Si al kot with th e Dakkan ?

Yes —Rasalu havi n g c on s oli dated his rul e at S i al kot o n
the death o f his fath er at o n c e set o ut for the Dakkan
, ,

where he en co un tered hi s adven ture wi th M irs hikari I t .

seem s evi den t therefore th at Sé

,
livaihan o f h i s to ry an d
, ,

salivahan or Sulwan o f l ege n dary fabl e are o n e an d th e

, , ,

sam e i n divi du al If we assum e that the year o f C hri s t

.

7 7 repres en ts the bi rth year o f s alivahan we m ay s afely ,

c o n cl ude th at th at sovere ign expi red abo u t th e year 1 30

j
,

so th at Ra a Rasal u th e h ero o f the l egen ds

, m ay b e ,

asse rte d wi th greater o r l ess probabili ty, to h ave fl o urish e d

,

in th e m i ddl e o r towards the cl o s e o f the s ec on d c en tury

, ,

of o ur era .

Fro m i evi den c

th s e i t wo ul d
a ls o app ear that Ras alus
’

ki n gdo m exten ded from th e D akkan o n the e ast to the

river I n dus o n the west Tho ugh fo r m an y years o f his li fe
.

h e ado p te d the ecc en tric rol e o f a kn i gh t erran t wan deri n g -

,

t h ro ugh o ut h is dim in io n s a l m os t if n ot wholly un atten ded

, , , .

b en t o n sl ayi n g gi an ts deliveri n g c aptive prin cessesj

,
'

an d ac h i evi n g expl o i ts wh ereve r h e wen t, it is cl ear that his

favo uri te pl ac e o f ab ode was s om ewhere cl ose to th e U pp er
I n dus i n the terri tory o f Ra a Sirikap, whom h e ha d dis j
p o ss es s ed whose c api ta l was i den tical wi th th e an ci en t
,

l v l lv
’
E ph in s ton e 5 I n dia, p 24 5 . .

l
1 I n the ers ion which I pub is he d i n the Folklore journ al the re i s
“

s to ry o f Ras au de i erin g a dau

a
in a ro c k he w
n ll
ce .
gh ter of S irikap fro m her c apti vi ty
xv ii i I N TRO D U C TI O N .

Tax il a, * an d who h ad i den ce at S iri kot o n

a s um m e r res

m o un t Gan dgarh as we ll a s a s tro n g b o rder c as tl e at K ot

,

Bhi taur T o n the I n dus ab o ut s ix m il es b el o w A tak

,
Th e .

wh o l e o f thi s c o un try ab o un ded wi th gam e b oth l arge a n d ,

s m all an d th e cli m ate e x c e ti n

, p g duri n g the extrem e h eat o f
,

m i ds um m er was p erfe c ti o n
, Tradi ti o n in the di s tric t o f
.

Rawal Pi n di asserts that th e h ero s favouri te c as tl e s to o d i n

’

th e h ill s o f Kh eri m urti ab o ut twen ty m il es b el o w A tak i n

-
, ,

wh ich c as e the o n c e fam ous Ran ithro d was p ro bably its

s i te .The vill agers abo ut K ala ki S erai howev er wh il e - ~
, ,

beli evi n g that K heri — m urti was the n am e o f th e di s tric t ,

all c o n c u sayi n g that th e fortress lay o n ly

”
r in three ko s
“

from A tak wh ich woul d an s wer t o the s i te o f K ot Bhi taur

, .

Th e p eo pl e o f G an dgarh o n the other han d, are p o s i tive

,

th at the c astl e where th e q ueen K o kl an m et h er death a n d ,

whic h wi tn es s ed th e tragic fate o f h er l over H o di s too d a t ,

th e vill age o f M o hat o n the I n dus ab out six m il es be l o w ,

Torb ela I am s tro n gly i n cli n ed to acc ept as c orre c t th e

’

tradi ti o n o f the m en o f G an dgarh especi ally as On d th e

j
, ,

capi tal o f Raa H odi t wh o h ad a stron g o utpost at A tak

, ,

lay o n l y a fe w m il es di s tan t o n th e o ppo s i te b an k o f th e

river c l o s e to an an ci en t ferry wh ic h m i h t well h ave been
, g
us ed b y the en am oured m on arc h th e b oats i n vogue fro m
'

, ,

ti m e i m m em o ri al b ei n g l arge dat bo ttom ed barges des i n ed

-
, g ,

ll ll
S i rika p s fo rt is s ti kn o wn as S irikap ka-ki a I t o c c upi es a lo w
’
-
l .

l l
l l
h i , i n the m ids t o f the m o re an c ie n t rem ain s ab out h a f a m i e due
n o rth o f the m o de rn rai way s ta tio n o f K a a ki -S e rai
,

l
-
.

1 Lo c a
"
traditio n

l
.

Lo c a tradi ti o n .
 I N TRO D UC TI ON . x ix

fo r th e pas sage of cattl e an d we ll as o f tra

m erc h an di z e as

ve l lers an d therefore pe rfe c tly s uitab le for the c o n veyan c e

, ,

o f H o di s h o rs e as we ll as o f h i m se l f i n acc orda n c e wi th th e
’
,

i n ciden ts des cribed in the l ege n d .

I t s h o ul d b e o b s erved th a t th e rui n ed fo rtress es a t K ala

ki S erai at Ran ithro d at K o t Bhitaur at H o di s c as tl e opp o ’
’
-
, , ,

si te A tak a t On d an d l as tl y at M o hat allexh ibi t precis ely the

, ,
'

sam e s tyl e o f h an ds o m e m ass iv e s o li d s to n e b uil di n

g wh ich
charac teriz ed in thes e p arts th e rrio s t fl ouri sh i n g pe ri od o f
Buddh i s m b ei n g exac tly s i m il ar in this respect to the an
,

c i e n t rui n s in th e J al a l abad vall ey a m i n ute desc ripti o n o f

,

wh ich I publi shed in T/ze Ti m es o f A pril 1 2th 1 8 7 9 ,

.

I n c o n cl us i on it is fi tti n g to add th at in th i s wo rk I h ave

ava il ed m yself of th e ass i s tan c e o f so m e n ative Pa n abi j
fri en ds as well as o f M r Barl o w an d th at to M r J o h n
, .
,
.

Burk e o f R i wal Pi n di an d M ari I am in deb t ei for th e

a

photo graph which at m y reques t he took o f Sh uruf the

, , ,

Bard a n d wh ic h was th e o ri gi n al o f th e fron ti s pi e c e

, .

N A U S H E RA , PA N J AI

N ovem ber 1 88 3 .
 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

t he m o m en t o f his bi rth un t il h e h a d a rr iv e d at the

r
age of p ub e rty O n h is re l eas e fro m dure ss h e wa s
.

p e rm i tte d to a pp ear a t c o urt a n d his fa th e r o n o n e

,

o cc as i o n s en t h i m to p a y h i s res p e c t s t o h i s n e wly

m a rri ed wife Ran i Lun a wh o wa s a b o ut the s a m e

, ,

a ge a s th e y o un g p ri n c e a n d e xc ee di n
, gly fa i r Pura n .

a l s o wa s re m a rk a bl e fo r his
grea t b e a ut y a n d Ran i ,

Lun a wh en s h e s aw h i m
,
fe ll dee ply i n l o v e wi th
,

h im . But b e c aus e h e l o y a l ly re fus e d to li s ten t o h e r

i m p ro p e r adv a n c es s h e p ro c ure d h is di s gra c e an d his
, ,

de l ude d an d i n c e n s ed fa th e r c o n de m n e d him to e xil e

an d dea th . Th e e x e c uti o n ers to w h o m h e was c o m
m i tt ed c a rri e d h i m
,
fa r a w a y i n to t he w i l ds wh e re ,

t h e y c ut o ff h i s h a n ds a n d h is fe e t a n d c a s t hi m i n to
,

a rui n ed w e ll th e re t o l an gui s h a n d di e
, I n th a t di s
.

m al pl a c e h e li n ge red fo r m a n y a y e a r un til h e was

res c ued by th e gre at s a i n t G uru G o ra kh n ath o f Ti l lah ,

who re st o red h is l i m bs to hi m s o un d an d wh o l e as
b e fo re an d s h o w ed h i m k i n dn ess an d p ro te cti o n
, .

Pri n c e Puran n o w de t e rm i n ed to t urn fa k i r a n d ,

c o n c e a li n g his i den t i ty h e t e mp o ra ri ly t o ok up h is
,

’
a b ode by hi s di re ct o r s a dvic e i n a c e rta i n a b an do n e d
, ,

garde n cl o s e t o th e p a l ac e o f h is fa th er i n S i al kot
‘

Th e fa m e o f h is s an c t i ty s p read far a n d wi de un ti l i t ,

wa s re p o rt ed to th e Ki n g S ulwan th a t th e very t rees

o f th e garde n wh ich ha d with ered up to th e ro o ts an d
,

di e d w ere mi rac ul o us ly b egi n n i n g t o b ud an d to

,
p ut
 RA S A L U ’S EA RL Y LIFE .
3

fo rth l ea v e s S o the k i n g an d his y o un ger q uee n ,

.

b e i n g b o th de si ro us o f o ffs p ri n g determ i n ed to vi s it
,

him A s th ey a pp ro ach ed th e s p o t Pura n s a i d to

.
,

hi mse lf H e re c o m es m y fa t h e r an d n o t o n ly b e , ,

b ut my st e pm o th e r as w e ll i f s h e s h o ul d ch an c e to
re c o n i z e m e s h e wi ll aga i n p l o t to w o rk m e i ll
”
g ,
.

But b e i n g a go o d m a n h e c o n s i de re d o n c e m o re ,

N e v e r m i n d I t rus t i n Go d
,
W h ate v e r s h e doe s s he
.

m us t a cc o un t fo r h ereaft er; a n d s o wh eth e r th ey re c o g ,

n i z e m e o r n o t s ti ll o u t o f re sp e ct I will ris e a n d do
,

”
o b eis a n c e to th e m .

W h en the k i n g a n d his c o n s o rt arri v ed at th e pl a c e

P ri n c e Puran th e fak i r st oo d up an d b o w ed hi m s e l f
, ,

h um bly with h is e ye s fi x ed on the gro un d .

A h c ri e d t h e k i n g yo u h av e a ct ed a m iss yo u
“ “
,

are a faki r a n d it i s I wh o sh o ul d h a v e s al ut ed
,

”
yo u .

“
0 kin g, an s wered h e, o n c e I h ad a re l igio us
i n s truct o r, an d, as I re m e mb er his fa c e an d fo rm ,

we re li ke th os e o f y o ur H i gh n ess : this is the

n ot un
rea s o n I ro s e an d s al aam e d at y o ur a pp roa ch
”
.

Th en the q uee n a dd re s s e d h i m an d s aid

“
I also ,

h a v e c o m e to s ee yo u fo r I h ave n o chil dren, .

”

“
Yo u sh a l l c ert a i n ly c o n c e iv e an d h a ve a s o n ,

b ut y o ur s o n s m o th er w i ll a lw ays
’
re pli e d the fa k i r ,

b e c ryi n g e v e n as th e m o th er o f y o ur st e ps o n wa s
a lways c ryi n g A n d j ust as by re a s o n o f th e fra ud
.
 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

c o n t riv ed by yo u the s o n o f Ran i I c hran fe ll up o n

e vi l day s , so tho ugh as a mi gh ty k i n g v o w ed to
,

ch a sti ty yo ur s o n s h a ll c o n q uer his fo es yet h e ,

s h a ll at l a st p eri s h th ro ugh the fa ls e h oo d an d gui l e

o f a w o m an .

I n due ti m e the p ro mis ed s o n was b o rn i n to th e

w o rl d a n d th e ki n g n a m ed hi m Ras al o r Ras al u
,
.

S o rro w an d h ea vi n e s s a t te n ded his bi rth fo r the c o n

,

j un c t i o n o f his stars p res aged a li fe o f s to rm an d

st rife p eril o us to the S t a te a n d the astro l o gers pro
,

ph es ie d e vi l to th e k i n g o n a cc o un t o f hi m S c arc e ly
.

h ad h e o p en ed his e yes o n th e Wo rl d th ere fo re wh en

, ,

h e was b a n i s h ed t o a s o lit ary pl a c e an d, li ke his

,

h a lf b ro t h e r Puran b e fo re him h e was n o t p ermitt e d

-
.
,

to see h is fat h e r fo r t w e lv e w ea ry y ea rs A s he .

adv a n c ed i n gro wth h o w e v e r h e en j o y e d a fo ret a st e

, ,

o f his fut ure gl o ry i n th e s t o ri es o f k i n gs a n d h eroes ,

whi c h we re re cit ed o r sun g to h im da y b y day by

b a rds an d m i n s t re l s un ti l th e very n a m e o f war a n d
,

t h e s o un d o f arm s t i n gl ed i n h is ears li k e m usic A ll .

t h at was s uit a bl e to his p o siti o n a n d agreeab le to h is

de sti n y h e p ra ct i s ed an d l e a rn t ; b ut m o s t o f a llh e
e xc e l l ed i n m agic i n arch e ry in ri di n
, , g an d i n th e us e
,

o f th e s w o rd an d l a n c e whi l e th e pl e a s ure s o f ch es s
,

pl ayi n g an d deer h un ti n g fi ll ed up h is li ght er h o urs

-
.

Th us p a ss e d t h e early b o yh o o d o f Pri n c e Ra s al u ,

un til h e was free to app ro ach th e c a pi tal a n d to s e t

 RA SA L U ’S E A RL Y LI FE .

foo t o ver fath er s th re sh old H e was re m arka bly

his
’
.

st ro ng an d agi le for his y ears m o re li ke a m an th an ,

a b oy ; an d h e was s k i ll ed i n e v ery gen ero us a c

co m p l is h m en t a n d in e v ery w arli k e ex erc is e

,
Y et .

th e re was th en o n e p a sti m e which b eyon d allo th ers , ,

h e was fo n d o f i n dul gi n g i n an d t ha t p asti m e wa s ,

sh o o ti n g m arbl e s fro m th e pell et b o w H e us ed to -

.

watch fo r th e w o m en o f th e city as th ey ret urn e d

fro m th e riv er b ea ri n g o n th e i r h eads ful l ch a tti es o r
p itc h ers o f w a t er an d sh oo t i n g his h ard p e l l e t s wi th
,

an un erri n g a i m fro m th e w a ll s o f th e p a l a c e h e ,

w o ul d b reak the pitch ers i n to a to m s an d l augh ga i ly ,

whe n he s aw th e re l e a s ed w at er p o uri n g do w n i n
fl o o ds o ver the ir s h o ulde rs A t l a st h is victi m s m ade
'

c o m pl a i n t to the wa z i r an d th e w az ir c o mpl a i n ed to
,

t he k i n g ; a n d a s th e p rin c e h a d b e en w a rn ed a ga i n

an d aga i n h e p ro p o s ed his b an ish m en t

, But th e ki n g .

an s we re d ,O n e s o n o f mi n e I dis m i s s ed to ex il e a n d
dea th b e fo re fo r which I sh a l l fo r e v er m o urn
, S ee .
,

h e re is my t rea s ury t ake m o n e y suffi ci en t for the

,
-

purp o s e an d let th e w o m e n o f th e c ity b e p ro v ide d

,

”
with v e sse l s o f b ra ss M o reo v er he la i d h is c o m
.

m an ds o n h is s on th at h e s h o ul d c ea s e to m o l est
th e m .

But i f the wo m en i m agi n ed th at th e i r p itch ers o f

b ra ss wo uld m a ke the sli ght e st di ffe ren c e th ey w e re ,

un de c e iv e d fo r Ra s é
'

s oo n ,
lu fa s hi o n ed a b o w o f st ee l ,
6 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

an d ca st hi m i ro n ; an d s o gre a t was h is
p e ll e ts of

s t ren gth o f a rm t h a t wi t h fa ultl es s a im

,
b e dro v e ,

h is b ull e ts ri gh t t h ro ugh th e b raz en pi tch e rs e v en

wh e n full ch a rged wi th w a ter I n di s m ay th e p eo pl e
.

t urn ed t h e i r s te p s aga i n to th e p a l a c e an d in a n s w e r to
,

t h e i r p raye rs the w a z i r o n c e m o re p ro p o s ed th e
b an i s h m en t o f the p ri n c e .

“
N ay an sw ered th e k i n g
,
”
this is m y o n ly s o n ;
,
“

h e m us t n o t b e s e n t a w ay I th ere fo re o rder th a t i n
.

e v ery en cl o s ure i n th e ci ty a w e ll s h a l l b e s un k s o ,

t h a t th e w o m e n o f ea c h h o us e h o l d m a y dra w th e i r
”
a b un da n c e o f w a t e r un di s turb e d .

S o i n a cc o rda n c e wi th the k i n g s di re cti o n s n um er

’

, ,

o us w e ll s w ere b uil t t h ro ugh o ut th e c i ty a n d th e ,

i n ha bit a n t s fo n dly re c ko n ed o n s upplyi n g th e i r n eeds

i n fre e do m a n d q ui et But aga i n t h e y w ere dis
.

a pp o i n te d fo r t h e i rre p re s sibl e p ri n c e a sc e n de d to
,

t h e t o p o f a hi gh t o w e r which c o m m an de d e v ery

h o m es t ea d a n d w a l l e d en cl o s ure withi n t h e gat e s ,

a n d fro m th a t v an tage gro un d he c o n ti n ued to dis

ch arge his m i m ic a rtill ery a t th e b ra z e n pitch ers to
th e des p a i r o f th e un fo rt un at e o w n ers .

Th e n was th e ki n g i mp o rtun e d fo r th e las t t i m e

e i th e r t o b an i s h o r t o p ut to dea th his re b e lli o us

s o n ; an d h is p a t i e n c e b e i n g at l e n gth e xh a ust ed h e ,

W o ul d t o G o d Ras al u h a d n e v er b ee n
'

a n s w e re d
“
,

b o rn o r th at e v en n o w he w ere t aken a w ay ! Let

,
 RA S A L U S E A RL Y LI FE
’
.

h im l ea v e my c o un t ry le t h im go wh ere s o e ve r h e
,

”
p l e as e s b ut let m e n e v e r l oo k up o n h is fa c e aga i n
, .

A n d t o his m o t h e r Lun a h e s a i d “
Te l l t h at s o n o f
,

”
thi n e to q uit m y k i n gdo m a n d n e ve r t o e n t er i t m o re .

Ful l o f di s t re s s th e q ueen s e n t fo r Ras al u a n d s a i d

t o hi m H e n c e fo rth m y s o n we s h a l l b e a s s tra n gers
, , , ,

fo r th e k i n g h as p ro n o un c e d y o ur do o m Yo u m us t .

l e a v e y o ur m o th e r y o ur h o m e a n d y o ur c o un t ry
, , ,
”
a n d go i n t o e xil e .

But why
”
a s ke d th e
“
, p ri n c e am I to l e a v e
,

y o u m o th er a n d why m us t I q uit th e c o un t ry P W h a t
, ,

c ri m e h a v e I c o m m it ted ? S p ea k to the k i n g m y ,

fa th er an d let hi m de cl are fo r wh at fault I a m

,

”
de s ervi n g o f e xil e .

T h a t n i ght th e q ue e n en t re a te d t he ki n g fo r her s o n
wi th re p e a t e d s o lic it a t i o n s an d t ears b ut h e wh e n , ,

ro us e d b e i n g a m a n
,
o f i m pl a c a bl e t e m p er s t ea di ly ,

re fus ed t o l i s t en to h e r p ra y e rs s a yi n g
“
Ras alus
’
, ,

c ri m e a dm its o f n o e xt en ua ti o n he h a s pl un ge d the ,

p eo pl e i n to di s t re ss i n t h e m att e r o f w a t e r a n d his ,

e xi l e is th e o n ly re m edy .

W h e n th e p ri n c e h ea rd th a t hi s fa t e was irre vo
c a bl e he s o ugh t h is fa th er s p res en c e an d i n s o l e n t l y
,
’

s a i d t o him — I wi l l o b ey yo u i n a ll thi n gs i f o n
“

yo ur si de yo u wil l a cc ept my two c o n diti o n s The .

fi rst is th at yo u m a ke m e a M uss a l m an
, a n d th e

n e xt is th at yo u b e c o m e a M uss alm an y o urs e lf

”
.
8 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A L U .

H eari n g t h es e wo rds t h e k i n g l o s t c o n t ro l o f hi m s e l f,
an d i n a fury h e o rdere d h is s o n t o i n s t a n t ly q ui t th e
p a l ac e A t th e s am e ti m e h e s en t fo r h is m i n i s ters a n d
.

s a i d to t h e m S e t up a fi gure fas h i o n e d li ke a m an wit h

,

his h an d b e hi n d his b ac k an d let th e fa c e o f th e fi gure

,

b e bl ac ke n ed By t h i s s y m b o l my s o n wil l un derst a n d
.

”
th at he is doo m ed to p e rp e t ua l b an i s h m en t .

O n e day as Ra s al u was re turn i n g fro m th e ch a se

, ,

h e c augh t s i gh t o f the fi gure s ta n di n g wit ho ut h is

m o th er s
’
p a l a c e a n d t urn i n g to his fo ll o wers h e
, ,

s aid :
“
This s tat ue is a s i gn th a t I m us t q uit the
k i n gdo m Lo the goo dn e s s o f t he k i n g m y fath er !
.
,

W e are th e desc en dan ts o f th e great Ki n g V i kram ajit

wh o s o l d h i ms e lf aw ay i n c h ari ty t h ree h un dred
ti m e s ; a n d fo r a m ere t rifl e my fa th er dec rees my
”
b a n i s hm en t N ev erth e l es s I wil l o b ey
. .

S o h e gat he red t o ge th er a c h o s e n b an d o f v a li an t
m en , th e fl o w e r o f th e yo uth o f S i al kot an d a rm e d ,

t h em with b o ws l an c es an d sw ords H e a ls o p ro
, .

vided hi ms e lf with fl e e t h o rs e s an d a mpl e t rea s ure ,

an d w h e n al l was ready he m o un t e d h is fa m o us ,

m are Bh aun ra I raki w hich was b o rn o n t h e s a m e da

-
, y
as hims e lf an d p assi n g un der th e wi n do ws o f h i s
, ,

’
m o th er s p al ac e he b ade h er a l o n g fare we l l an d
, ,

s et o ut fro m th e city at th e h e ad o f his fo ll o w ers al l ,

eage rly b e n t o n fo ra y an d s p o i l .

But the Ran i Lun a w ee pi n g a n d b eati n g h er ,

 C H A P TE R I I .

RA S A LU S FI RS T TR I U M PH S
’
.

H is n H is pedi ti on aga i n s t
'

vis i t to erdt . ex

H i s a dven ture wi t /z t/ze herm i t

’
P ri n ces of jfi zla m .

f T271412 The herm i t s prop/m y

’
o . .

A V IN G t urn ed h is
b ac k up o n his n ativ e l an d ,

Raj a Ras al u m a rche d to w a rds the k i n gdo m

of G uj erat W h ere v e r h e en c amp ed o n h is
.

ro u t e the wh o l e c o un t ry wa s m a de aware th at h e
was b o un d o n an e xp edi t i o n o f a dv e n t ure an d th at ,

he w o ul d e n ro ll a ll goo d m e n a n d t rue wh o w o ul d
j o i n his st an dard Th us by th e t i m e he a rriv ed at the
.
,

c ap it alb f G uj erat h e fo un d h i m s e lf in c o mm an d o f
a st ro n g fo rc e o f h ardy w a rri o rs al l e ager to do
,

b attl e fo r th e i r y o uthful l eader .

G
The Ki n g o f uj erat was a G
uj a r th e h ead o f a ,

rac e o f Ra j p uts i n a lli an c e with th e h o use o f S ialkdt ,

a n d fri e n dly to Ra j a S ulwan H e ari n g th at a fo re i gn

.

forc e h ad en ca mp e d withi n s i ght o f his w a lls he w e n t ,

 RA SA L U ’S FI RS T TRI UM P H S . 11

fo rth to h o l d a p arl e y wi th th e m an d , ,

m et Ras al u he a ddres s e d h im c o urt eo usly

,

“
W ho are yo uP

W hat Rzij ’
zi s s on are
yo u,
A n d s ay wh a t n am e yo ub e a r
W he re li es your fathe rlan d,
W hat ci ty o wn s yo u th e re 2” “

A n d to hi m Ras alu m a de an s we r
j
Ra ah S ulwan ’s s on am I ,
Ras al uis m y n am e
S ialkét i s m y fath e r an d, l
My ci ty is th e s am e .
”

Th en was Ra s al u c iv ed an d w e lc o m ed wi th
re e

b e fitti n g h on o ur a n d fes tiviti es w ere h e l d to c e l e

,

b rat e his arriv a l at uj e rat G .

“
But ,
”
s a i d the uj ar k i n g G
yo u are h e i r to a ,

k i n gdo m ; why th en do I s ee yo u a t the h ead o f a n

a rmy s o fa r a w ay fro m y o ur o wn do m i n i o n s P
”

an sw ere d Ra s al u
’ “
N ear J h i lam ,
th ere i s a terri ,

t o ry c o n t ain in g n umb ers o f gi an ts wh o h av e b een

t urn ed in t o st on e b ut it is h e l d by us urp ers O f
, .

th at c o un t ry my fa th er cl a i m s a fo urth sh are as ,

b e i n g n e ar o f kin to th e fo rm er raj as ; an d as hi s ,

ri ghts a re den i ed I a m n o w o n m y way to m a i n t ai n

,

th e m an d to rec o v e r my p a t ri m o n y
,
.

G
Th en th e uj ar ki n g o ffe re d h e lp to Ras al u s ayi n g , ,

Take w ith yo u a c o n ti n gen t o f my t r00 ps ch o s en ,

m arks m e n with a rm s an d m un iti o n s o f war an d go

, , ,
12 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

an d p ro sp er aga i n s t y o ur e n e m i e s A n d to his o wn .

h e s a i d Go fi gh t fo r Raj ai Ra s al u an d do n o t
’

m en , , ,

”
re t urn un ti l yo u are di s m i s s e d .

W h en the p ri n c e arriv ed at the l an d o f the Petri .

fi ed O n e s h e at o n c e b e ga n h is w arli ke o p erati o n s ;
b esi egi n g fo rts th ro wi n g up e arthw o rk s an d c utti n g
, ,

o ff s uppli e s Ra s alus s tren gth was th at o f a gi an t

’
.

his b o w m ade o ut o f s tee l c o ul d b e draw n by n o o n e

, ,

b ut him s e lf a n d h e h ad th re e arro ws each o f th e m

, ,

w e i ghi n g a h un dred p o un ds whi c h n ev er fa il ed to ,

hit an d which h e n ev er fa i l ed to re c o v er
, .

A ft er a sh o rt bl o c k a de th e p ri n cip a l fo rt re ss was
c arri ed by st o rm an d the ci ty fe ll i n t o the h an ds o f
,

Ras a l u M uch sp o il wa s ta ke n go l d a n d si lv er an d
’
.
, , ,

p reci o us st on es an d s pl en di d ra im en t an d m an y a
, ,

fai r dams e l all o f w h ic h was divi ded a m on g h is

,

c apt ai n s an d m en o f war - -
.

Th en whil e th e p etty p rin c es fl ed a w ay or e ls e

, ,

s ubmitted a n d c o n s e n t ed to a c k n o wl edge Rasalu as

,

l ord a n d m ast er th e k i n gdo m was reduc ed to o rder

, ,

l aws w ere en fo rc ed a n d un der cho s e n go v ern o rs p ro s

,

perity o n c e m o re s mil e d o n th e l a n d .

I t was duri n g his h alt at J h ila m th at Raj a Rasalu

h eard o f th e fa m o us h erm it o r s a i n t wh o s e ab o de , ,

was at t h e vill age o f Tillah an d as this m an s re pu ,

’

tatio n fo r w o rk i n g m i ra cl es a n d si gn s was i n ev ery

b o dy s m o uth b e det ermi n ed to pay him a vis it The
’
, .
 RA S A L U ’S FI RS T TRI UAI P H S . 13

h erm it s p o w e r was s o grea t th at h e kn e w o f th e

’

k i n g s app ro a ch l o n g b e fo re h e c a m e to the fo o t o f
’

th e hil l on which h e liv e d an d a ddre s s i n g his disci ,

pl e s h e s a i d Raj a R as al u is at h an d with p urp o se

,

to put my k n o wl e dge t o th e t e s t But as h e i s t he .

,

s on o f a H i n du h e o ugh t t o h a v e k n o w n h is duty
,

b ett er H o w ev er I wi ll an ticip a t e him a n d t e st hi m

.
, , ,

an d we sh a l l s ee wh e th e r his o wn p o wer is s o gre a t

as rum o ur a ss erts .

H is pupi ls an sw ered him True 0 m a st er ; th ey , ,

s ay his arro w is s o st ro n g an d s wi ft th a t it wi ll pi erc e

”
a st o n e Th e re fo re divi n e s o m e thi n g
. .

Th e h erm it th e n t urn ed hi m s e l f i n t o a n i m m en s e
h un gry ti ge r an d wh e n t h e k i n g s fo l l ow ers s aw the
’

wi l d b e as t p ro wl i n g ro un d ab o ut th e h o us e th ey ,

w ere a larm ed an d s ai d S e e s o great is the p o w er o f

, ,

th is h erm it th a t e v en the v e ry ti gers a c kn o wl edge

his sw ay C o m e let us return
. ,

But Raj a Ra s al u a n s w ere d s t e rn ly H e is a wis e ,

m an wh o wi l l fi n i s h a n e n t e rp ri se ; th e fo o lish a re
”
t h e y wh o fa lt er a n d adm i t fa i l ure .

Th en th e k i n g ch a l l e n ge d th e ti ge r a n d s a i d Y o u
“
, ,

are i n deed a m i ghty ful l gro w n ti ger b ut I a m a ,

R jp ut Co m e let us do b a t t l e to ge th e r
a
. ,

I n re ply th e ti ge r ut te re d a t e rrific gro wl li ke t he

,

ro ar o f a c o mi n g ear thq ua ke c ro uchi n g do w n

,
an d ,

he prep ared t o sp ri n g. But Ra sal u fitt ed two o f his

 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

t re m en do us arro ws to his b o w o f s ee t l wh en im m e
,

diate ly th e ti ger was c o n fo un de d with fri ght an d

v an ish e d a w a y .

The k i n g n o w w e n t forw ard to th e ho us e o f this

fa m o us h ermit who m he fo un d s it ti n g c a l mly in the
,

m i dst o f his di s cipl es a n d who a t o n c e a ro se a n d

,

m ade a resp e ctful s a l utati o n to o n e who was m o re

p o we rful th an h im s e l f .

“
Pretty h e rm it th i s c ri ed th e k i n g to st an d
, ,

up to m e or to an y on e

Th e sa i n t fee l i n g i rrit at ed a n d a sh am ed s ai d
, , ,

0 Ki n g this hi l l is o n ly th e ab o de o f p o o r an ch or
,

ite s I t is n o t G a n dgarh wh ich is the h o m e o f

.
,

gi a n ts I f yo u e n gaged the fa m o us gi an ts o f an d
. G
garh a n d if yo u sl e w t h em yo u w o ul d a chi e v e gl o ry
, ,

an d re n o w n ; b ut t h e re c an b e n o re n o w n a n d n o
”

gl ory i n l ordi n g i t o v er h erm i ts .

"
0 S ir an sw e
,
r e d t e Ki n g yo u t a un t m e N o w
h “
, . ,

as I a m a de sc en da n t o f t h e gre a t Kin g V ikram a ji t ,

I vo w n e v er to a bi de in my h o m e i n p ea c e un ti l ,

I h av e c o n quered the gi an ts wh o s e p ra is e s yo u
”
p ublish s o l o udly .

“
A s fo r m e s a i d t he a pp e as e d p ro ph e t
, I can ,

o n ly p ray fo r y o ur s ucc es s i n an en t erp ri s e s o frau ht

g
with h az ard an d a dven t ure Y et by my p o w er o f .
,

divin ation I foret e l l th at yo u will p ro sp er an d o v er

,

c o m e th em i f yo u wil l re m e mb er an d do wh at I
,
 RA S A L U S FI RS T TRI UIVP H S
’
. 15

b id yo u Fi rs t draw n ot y o ur sw ord aga i n s t th e

"

-
,
.

i n n o c en t an d n e xt ,
n ot yo ur h a n d to sh ed the
”
bl o od o f a w o m an .

th at pl ac e , c o n ti n ued
 C H A P TE R I I I .

RA S A LU S RE T U RN FROM
’
EX I LE .

H is vis i t to M ecca . H is rece p ti on by t/ze H az rat . He

becom es a M u/za m m a a a iz
’
. N ews f rom S idlkot . Tb e
f allen wa lls , an d the Izzm zcm s acr ifice . Z doera s
’ ’

a ppea l to t/ze H a z ra t . In o as ioi z o f S ictlkot . Capture

D ea t/z of S a lwa n d Ras ala s su
’ ’
f the ci ty
o . an cces

s zon .

A V IN G s ub due d th e p ri n c es in the b orders

jhilam an d s e t
of up a go v ern m en t o f his
o wn Raj a Ras al u
,
a ga i n s et o u t to l ook for
adv en t ure s .

W an deri n g he kn e w n o t whith er he at l ast c am e ,

to a n o bl e city h a vi n g w a l l s an d t o w ers an d go i n g to ,

the ga t e s he e n q ui re d W h o is th e chi e f o f this pl ac e

“

This w
”
“
a
, n s e re d t h e w tchm
a e n
“
is the city o f ,

M e cc a an d the chi e f o f M e cc a i s t h e H az rat A m am

, ,
”
A li Lak .

N ow is the fi n ger o f G o d m ade m an i fest, s aid

“

Ras al u, an d ri di n g t h rough th e gat e s h e appro ach ed

, ,
18 TH E LE GEN D OF RA S A L U .

Th e fi rst ,
pli e d Ras al u is th a t o f y our
re ,
“
,

go o dn es s yo u wi l l j o i n m e i n wa r aga i n st th e ki n g o f
S i al kot an d t h e n e x t is th at yo u wi ll adm i t m e
, ,

with yo ur o wn h a n ds to M uh a mm adan ism .

The H az ra t a t o n c e p ro fe s s e d his readi n ess to

a ssist his vi sit o r i n e v ery way a n d h a vi n
g m ade him a, ,

M uss a l m an h e s a i d
, I n a s h o rt ti m e y o ur fa th er wi ll
,

b e s ub dued a n d h e a l s o wi ll b e c o m e a M us s alm am ”
’

, .

But Ra s al u s a i d “ S ir R aj a S ulwan i s a great

, ,

ki n g p o s s e ss ed o f un b o un de d p o w er an d c o m
, ,

m a n di n g a great a rm y an d do y o u thi n k s o mi ghty

,

a p ri n c e is to b e s ub due d s o e as ily ? I fear h e wil l

n ev er b e c o n q uere d by yo u .

Do n ot tro ubl e y o urs e lf re pl i e d the H azrat

“
, .

The Ki n g o f S i al kot wi ll b e c o n q uered far m ore

”
easily th an yo u i m agi n e .

A s th ey w ere t h us c o n ferri n g to geth er a c ert ai n

ast ro l oge r arriv ed a t M e cc a an d e n t eri n g the c o u, rt h e

was greet ed by t h e H a z ra t w h o s a i d “
W h at n ews
, ,

to - day
S ad n e ws sw ered the a stro l o ger O n e o f the
, an .

w a lls o f the fo rt o f S i al kot h as fa ll en an d tyran n y ,

is rife withi n th e city .

e e Ha
“
“
Let us abi de i n p ti c
a n e s i
a d t h z rat an d , ,
”
le t us s ee wh at will c o m e to p as s n e xt .

S o Ras al u t oo k up his ab o de a t M e cc a an d th ere ,

h e rem ai n ed w aiti n g for a s i gn fro m the Haz rat

, .
 RA S A L U ’S RE TURN FR OM E X LE
I . 19

A s thewi z ard h a d s p o ke n s o h a d e v en t s p roved

, .

M a n y o f th e w a l l s a n d b a sti o n s o f the fo rt o f S i al kot

h a d c rum ble d i n dus t to t h e gro un d an d th e k i n g ,

m a de p ro cl a m a ti o n th a t t h e wo rk s h o ul d b e re s t o re d ,

fo rth wi t h Th re e ti m e s th e b ui l ders es s ay e d th e t as k
.
,

layi n g st on e up o n s t o n e b o t h n i ght an d day an d ,

t h ree ti m e s th e w o rk a ga i n c o l l a psed i n h o p e l e s s rui n .

Th e n R aj a S ulwan s e n t fo r all th e m agici a n s o f

S i al kot an d fo r allhis wiSe m e n a n d s ai d to th em
, , ,

W h y wi ll n o t the w alls st a n d P an d t h e y an sw ered ”

,

I f th e h ead o f yo ur s o n Ras al u o r th e h e ad o f the ,

s o n o f th e w o m a n Z a b é ro b e t ak e n o ff a n d l a i d b en eath
, ,

th e fo un dati o n s t h e n th e w a l ls wi l l s u
”
re ly abi de .
,

H a vi n g re c e iv e d t h e i r a n sw e r th e k i n g s a i d Ra s al u
“
, ,

i s n o t in th e rea l m W o ul d t h at h e we i e But si n c e
.

th at re b e l li o us o n e i s a b s en t go fi n d th e s o n o f the
,

d w o m a n Z ab é
”
ol ro an d b ri n g him b e fo re m e
,
.

A t o n c e s o m e s o l di e rs w e re de s p a tch ed to s earch
fo r t h e la d th ro ugh o ut th e city a n d i n due tim e h e ,

was fo un d a n d ro ughly dragge d b efo re th e k i n g

,
.

H e wa s a y o uth age d ab o ut fi ft ee n an d Raj a S ul ,

’ ’

wan o b s e rv e d th a t o n h is a rm h e w o re a ga n a which ,

i s a n up t i a l b ra c e l e t c o mp o s e d o f a b et e l n ut a n i ro n
-
,

an d th a t
ri n g a n d a c o w ri e ti e d with sc arl e t t h re ad
, , ,

k u algarl an d
’

h is h ea d w a s a d o r n e d with a s e m o r n pti ,

of fl o w e rs .

ou
W hy s a i d the k i n yo u th us de c ke d t
”
, g
, are
20 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

To day,
”
an s w ere d th e lad is my w eddi n g day
, .

I t m a ke s n o di ffe re n c e c ri e d th e k i n g
, A w ay .
"

”
wi th hi m an d b ri n g m e his h ead wi t h o ut d e l ay l
,

Th e n wa s th e la d s e i z e d by t h e e x e c ut i o n e rs an d led ,

a w a y to b e b e h eade d A n d it h e n his h ea d was c ut o ff

.
,

i t was l a i d do w n b e fo re t h e fee t o f th e k i n g wh o ,

o rde re d it to b e e mb e dde d i n th e f o un da t i o n s o f th e

n e w w a ll s Th e k i n g s o rders w e re a t o n c e carri ed
’
.

ou t th e h e ad was b ui l t i n to th e fo un da t i o n s an d the
, ,

p e o pl e th en c o m pl e t e d th e w o rk which re m a i n e d ,

s t an di n g fi rm an d s o li d a s a ro c k
, .

But Z ab é r o th e o ld w o m a n
, w h e n s h e w i t n e s se d
,

th e m urder o f h e r s o n fe ll to w e e pi n g an d c ry in g
, ,

a n d s h e b e gan t o p ul l o ut h er h a i r a n d to t h ro w du , st

o n h er h ea d ,
an d s h e l e ft t h e c o un try a n d w en t ,

l a m e n ti n g a n d c o m pl a i n i n g t o w a rds M e cc a A fte r a .

l o n g a n d diffic ul t j o urn ey s h e re a c h ed th e city an d , ,

whe n t h e H a z ra t s aw h e r h e en q ui red a b o ut her

,

t ro ubl e s ayi n g
,
“
W h at evi l h a s fa l l en up o n you O ,

w o m a n th at yo u s eem di s trac ted wi th gri ef ?

,
”

”
M y o n ly so n ,
s ai d s he h a s b een c rue lly k i ll ed
,

by the ty ran n y o f Raj a S ulwan .

”

Th e n s a i d t h e H az rat H a v e p at i en c e A fte r s e v en
, .

d ay s I s h a ll m a rc h fo r y o ur s a ke a ga i n s t S i al kot
, , ,

a n d wi th Ra j a Ras al u I wil l wage wa r o n Sulwan .

O n th e s e v e n th day th e H az ra t p ut a ll h is fo rc es i n
m o ti o n an d j o i n e d by Ra s al u h e s e t o ut for th e k i n g
‘

,
 RA S A L U ’S RE TURN FR OM E XI LE . 21

do m of S i a l kot th e y m a rch e d a l o n g Ras al u a n d

. A s

th e o ld w o m a n Z ab é ro c o n f e rred t o ge th e r a n d o n e o f ,

th e m re m arked to th e o th e r “ Th e H a z ra t s a rm y ,
’

i s a v ery s m a l l o n e W h a t wi ll he do again st s o
.

g r ea t a k i n g as R a j a S u lw an I thi n k he wi l l
n e v e r b e a bl e to c o n q uer h i m Le t us th erefo re .

a dvi s e hi m th a t hi s b e st pl a n i s t o t urn b a c k .

N o w t h e H a z ra t divi n e d th e i r t h o ugh ts an d kn o w ,

i n g h o w th e y h ad b ee n c o n s ulti n g h e s a i d to th e m , ,

“
W h at a re yo u t a l k i n g a b o ut ? D o yo u de si re a
m o re p o we rful fo rc e th a n this
“
Ye s
”
,a n s were d t h ey
“
W e thi n k it wo ul d b e
.

”
b e tt er
.

Th e n s a i d th e H a z rat C l o s e yo ur ey e s a n d th ey
, ,

cl o s e d th e m A ft er t wo m i n ut e s h e aga i n sai d
.
, ,
”
O p en t h e m a ga i n an d l o o k ab o ut yo u .

W h en th ey h a d o p e n e d th e i r ey es an d gaz edro un d ,

a b o ut o n e v ery si de th ey w e re as t o n i s h e d to s ee t h a t
,

al l th e t ree s th e bi rds a n d th e an i m a l s ful ly arm ed

, , ,

a n d array ed w ere m archi n g a l o n g with t h e m to b a ttl e

, .

A n d th e i r m i n ds b e i n g re a ss ure d a s t o th e p o w e r-

o f th e i r l eade r th e y di s m i ss ed th e i r do ubt s a n d c o n
, ,

t in ue d t h e i r m arch i n c o n fi de n c e a n d j oy .

A t l as t t h e y a rriv e d a t th e city of S ié lké t an d ,

e n c a m p e d with o ut t h e w a lls Th ere th e H az ra t t o o k

.

M i rz a N i z am D i n a n d s en t hi m
, to Raj a S ulwan

wi th a l e t ter th e p u p o rt o f which was

,
r
“
0 Raj é , ,
 22 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

c o m e an d take b ac k y o ur s o n i n t o fav o ur an d ,
”
y o urs e lf b e c o m e a M us s a l m an .

W h en the ki n g re a d the l e tt er h e to re it to pi e ce s ,

an d lifti n g his s w o rd h e s m o te t h e e n tro

y a n d h ewed
hi m i n to pi e c es The n cl os i n g th e ga te s o f th e fort
.
,

re ss h e m a n n ed th e w a ll s w i th hi s arch e rs an d sli n
, gers ,

an d with al l h is m i gh ty m en o f war an d b egan to

,

fi ght aga i n st th e H azrat A m am A li Lak M an y an

, .

a ss ault was re p e ll e d s ucc es s fully a n d m an y a c on t est

,

was fo ught b en eath t h e c ro wded t o w e rs o f S i al kot

b etw ee n the riv a l h e ro es o n b ot h s i de s S ev en days
‘

t h e b a ttl e rage d wi t h un di m i n i s h ed fury b ut t he ,

b esi egi n g fo rc e fa il e d to ga i n th e s l i ghte st adva n t age ,

fo r th e w a lls w ere fo un de d i n h um a n bl oo d .

A t l ast the H az ra t t o o k his s w o rd an d sh o re o ff

,

his o wn h ead wi th it . Th e n lift i n g a l o ft the

drippi n g s k ull h e h url e d i t wi th b o th his h an ds
,

a ga i n st th e ga t e s o f th e c i t y which i n st an tly b ro ke
,

i n to fragm en ts a n d fl ew wi de o p e n
,
Rushi n g a m o n g
.

his fo ll o w ers with w a vi n g s wo rd the h eadl e ss warri or

,

n ow l e d th e m in a b o dy to th e gate wa y wh ere for a ,

wh o l e day h e fo ugh t with terri fic en e rgy an d wh ere ,

t he l a st de sp era t e s t ruggl e was m ai n t a i n ed o v er the

de ad b o di e s o f th o us a n ds un t i l th e t ro o ps o f S ulwan
,

w ere allp ut to the swo rd o r m ade c aptive s o f war

, ,

an d th e city a n d fo rt re s s h a d b e c o m e th e p ri z e o f t he

victo rs .
 RA S A L U ’S RE T URN FROM E XI LE . 23

I t is s a i d by s o m e th a t Raj a S ulwan wa s t ra c ked

t o hi s cit a de l by h is o wn s o n wh o s a i d to him E ith e r
“
, ,

a cc e pt M uh a m m ada n ism fo r y o urs e lf an d y o ur k i n g ,

do m o r di e
,
a n d t h a t th e o ld k i n g s p urn e d th e c o n

dit io n s wi t h s c o rn wh e n h e was a t o n c e c ut do w n
, .

O th e rs h o w e v e r de n y t h i s a n d s ay th a t h e p e ri s h e d
, , ,

by s o m e un kn o w n h a n d i n th e ge n era l m as s a c re I n .

a n y c as e t h e Ki n g o f S ial
,
kdt wa s fo un d a m o n g th e
dea d a n d b uri e d as b e c a m e h is ra n k a n d h e was
, ,

s ucc ee de d by h is s o n Ras al u wh o a sc en ded the th ro n e

,

an d fo rm e d a go v e rn m en t o f his o wn .

A s fo r th e o ld w o m a n Z ab é ro s h e wa s a mply re
,

c o m p e n s e d fo r t h e y o un g k i n g c o n ferre d up o n
,
he r
i n free gift o n e h a l f t h e ci ty s a yi n g to h er I c an n o t
“
, ,

b ri n g b a c k y o ur s o n t o l ife fo r t h a t p ow er i s o d s
, G ’

a lon e b ut I c a n e n s ure y o ur day s fro m p o v e rty a n d

wa n t A cc e p t thi s gra n t by wa y o f c o n s o l a ti o n
.

a n d n o w m ay yo u l iv e i n pl e n ty a n d e n d y o ur y e a rs
,

”
in p ea c e !
A ft e r this Raj a Ra s al u h a vi n g app o i n t ed a regen t
, ,

to a dm i n i s t e r t h e a ffa i rs o f th e k i n gdo m de term i n e d ,

t o s e t o ut w ith Bh a un ra I ra k i his h o rs e an d S h adi

, , ,

his p arro t to s ee k for fre s h a dv e n t ures

,
an d s o ,

lea vi n g th e h o m e o f his fa th e rs o n c e m o re h e w e n t ,

a w a y i n t o the wi l ds .
 C H A PTE R I V .

RA J A RA s A LU A N D M IRS H I K A R I .

Ras dlu sets out f or the D ehha n H is . a rri va li n the f ores t

g wi th M zrs hihdri
’ ’
an d m eeti n M . zrs hih dri beco m es

p il R as a lus con di ti on s d hi s
’ ’
hi s pu M zrs h i hdri
’

. . an

q ueen H e viola tes his p rom is es

. . The f a te of the

Ba ch an d the D oe . The dea th f

o M i rs hihdri .

Ra s alu wif e H e is accus ed o

'

d e s h i hari s f
’
an .

m urder, an d a cq ui tted. The buri a l an d ep itaph of

M i rs hihdif i .

H E N he h ad es t a bl i s h e d go v ern m e n t in a n ew

S i al kot , Raj a Ra s al us e t o ut fo r th e D e kh an ,
b ec aus e h e wi s h ed to m ee t an d to s e e M ir
s hi kari th e re n ow n e d h un t e r
,
.

A s h e was ri di n g a l o n g h i s h o rs e s udde n ly h e a rd
,

t h e s we e t s tra i n s o f di s t an t m us ic p ro c e e di n g fro m
S ir s a i d s h e to h er m a s
”
th e de p th s o f t h e fo re s t .
,

t e,
r
“
wh at is tha t s wee t s o un d w h ich I h e a r a n d ,

”
wh en c e is it c o mi n g ?
 26 TH E LE GE N D OF R A S A L U .

Th e n s k e d th e
a M irs h ikari,
A re yo u th e R as al u “

t h a t s ho ul d c o m e
Y es a n s w e re d th e k i n g
“ ”
, .

A s I h a v e h ea rd a b o ut yo u s a i d M i rs hi kari , ,

s o n o w h a v e I s e en
yo u .

“
W h a t h a v e yo uh ea rd a b o ut m e en q ui red Ra s al u .

Th e re a l Ras al u a n s we re d M irs h i kai ri

”
c arri e s ’
“
, ,

an a rro w w e i h i n
g g o n e h un dred p o un ds By th i s .

t o k en I k n o w y o uare th e rea l Ras al u a n d to day by ,

-
,

t h e grac e o f G o d I h a v e m e t y o u i n t he o re s t wh e re
,
f ,

I h a d s c a rc e ly h o p e o f s ee i n g y o u a t a ll .

Th en s a i d R as al u W h a t a re yo u do i n g ? W hy
“

”
a re yo u pl ayi n g o n t h i s l ut e ?

a n s w e re d M irs hikari ;
”
“
I t is m y us ua l c us t o m ,

E v ery day o f m y life I pl ay o n m y l ut e in order to

n o tic e t h e an i m a l s b e c a us e wh e n my l ut e is pl ayi n g al
, ,
l ,

t h e a n i m a l s o f t h e fo res t ga t h e r ro un d m e t o li s t en to
it a n d t h e n w a t c h i n g m y c h a n c e I ch o o s e m y s p o rt
, , , ,

a n d s h o o t a t th e m a n d k il l t h em
, s i n c e I c an n o t l iv e ,

wi th o ut fl es h m ea t e v e ry da y But O my M as ter as
-
.
, ,

yo u h a v e c o m e to t h e gre e n wo o d at l a s t I p ray th a t ,

yo u will m a k e m e y o ur di s cipl e
”
.

"
“
S o le t it b e s a i d Ras al u b ut fi rs t if yo u will b e
, ,
“
,

a fo l lo we r o f m i n e th ere are t h ree c o n di t i o n s whic h

,

yo u w ill h a v e t o a cc e p t
”
.

“
W ha te v er s h a l l b e to l d m e s a i d M irs h ikari “ th a t
'

, ,

s h a ll I o b s erv e t o do impl icitly

”
.
 RA J A RA S A LU A N D M I RS H I K A RI . 27

The n s a i d Rasal u The fi rs t c o n diti o n is thi s

, ,
“

Le t n o o n e kn o w o f my c o m i n g h ere an d t e l l n o o n e ,

th a t yo u h av e s een m e Th e se co n d i s thi s —Y o u
.

m ay go an d sh oo t o v e r t h re e s i des o f the fo res t t h e ,

n o rt h th e ea st an d t he w es t
, ,
b ut o n th e fo urt h s i de
,

o u s h a l l n o t sh o o t A n d t h e t hi rd c o n diti o n is t h i s
y .

O n th e fo rbi dden s i de o f th e fo rest th e re liv e t wo

de er a b uc k an d a doe
, O n n o a cc o un t m ust yo u
.

”
k il l t h e m .

Th e n M irs h ikari as ke d H o w sh a l l I kn o w which

,

o f al l th e deer o f the fo re s t t h e two fo rbi dde n o n e s

a re

To h i m Ra s al u re t urn ed an s w er ,
“
On th e s o ut h
s i de of fore st th o s e t wo de er l iv e an d to th at
th e ,

s i de a l on e th ey res o rt Y o u will n e v er m ee t t h e m
.
,

a n d yo u wil l n e ver s ee t h e m un l e s s yo u go t h ere

, .

But i f yo u do go th ere an d if yo u sh o o t th e m yo u wi ll
,
.
,

fo rfe it yo ur o wn life
”
.

A ll th e s e terms w e re a cc e p ted by M i rs hikari an d ,

R as al u h avi n g sh o w n h im his o wn m o de o f us in g
,

w eap on s o f war a n d o f th e ch a s e w en t aw a y fro m

, ,

th at pl a c e a n d t arri ed i n a n o th er p art o f the fo res t

, .

Th e n M irs h ikari afte r p layin g o n his l ut e a n d k i ll

'

i n g s o m e deer ret urn e d t o th e city an d wh e n h e h ad

, ,

e a ten his foo d h e w e n t to his ch a mb er a n d t h ere h e ,

b egan to addres s swe e t w o rds to hi s wife I n the .

m i ds t o f th e i r c o l loq uy he b ro ke the fi rst c o n diti o n

28 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

i mp o s ed up o n hi m by R aj a Ra s al u fo r h e s ai d to her ,

To —
”
day I h av e s e en R a s al u i n t h e fo res t .

Th e w o m an t urn e d ro un d a n d s a i d Yo u are ,

s p eak i n g a j e s t W h at is Ras al u a m adm an to b e

.
, ,

w a n deri n g ab o ut in the w o o ds W h a t a w i s e m an
yo u!
”
are

Fee li n g ash a m ed an d ab as h e d o n a cco un t o f hi s

wife s w o rds he t o o k a n o a t h o f G o d b e fo re h er an d
’
, ,

s ai d I h av e v erily s ee n
,
Raj a Ras al u to day w ith my-

o wn ey e s
”
.

But his wife b e li e v e d n o t h is wo rds an d s h e s ai d ,

to hi m H o l d y o ur t o n gue a n d do n o t t eas e s o
, ,

”
m uch .

A ft er a s h o rt ti m e M i rs h ikari o rde re d his wi fe to

p rep are his b reak fa s t o v e rn i gh t b e c ause s ai d h e , , ,

to m o rro w I m us t b e i n th e fores t l o n g b e fo re da w n
”
-
.

H e ari n g t hi s s p ee ch h is wife th o ught to h e rs e lf

I t i s use l e ss to t ak e s o m uch t ro ubl e a t s o l at e an '

h our Ev erythi n g c an b e got rea dy b e fore h e sta rts

.

”
i n th e m orn i n g .

A t the fix ed ti m e o n th e m o rro w s h e aw o ke an d ,

h avi n g b ath ed s he w en t to the c o o k ro o m t o p rep are

,
-

s o m e foo d fo r M irs hikari b ut s h e was a st on ish ed at ,

fi n di n g th at t h ere was n o m e at i n the h o use Th en .

s ai d s he M irs hiké ,
ri wi ll n o t e a t a n ythi n
g b ut m ea t .

I m ust go i n to th e s t re et to the s t a lls o f the butch ers ,

an d b ri n g two p o un ds o f go a t s fl e sh
’ ”
.
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D M I RS H I K A RI . 29

S o s he w en t b utch e r a n d s a i d
to a iv e m e two
, , G
p o un ds o f go at s fl es h a n d t o m o rro w I wi ll giv e
'
-
,

yo u fo ur p oun ds o f ven i s o n i n s t e ad o f i t .

”
“
A t thi s ti m e o f n i ght a n sw e re d th e b utch er I
, ,

c an n o t o p en my doo r W h a t yo u a re Go d kn o ws
.
, ,

s o m e w itch p erh a p s o r a gai n tes s o r it m ay b e a n

, , , , ,

e vi l spi rit . I a m th e wife o f Raj a M irs hi kari ” -

rep li e d the w o m an .

Th en s a i d th e b utch er I f yo u a re the wife o f ,

“

M irs h ikari b ri n g m e th e m on ey an d I wi l l giv e yo u

, ,

th e two p o un ds o f m ea t
”
.

I n th e m ean ti m e wh i l e h is wife was a rgui n g with t he

,

b utch er M irs hikari wo ke up a n d he c a l l e d an d l oo ked

, ,
,

b ut i n th e p a l ac e his wi fe was n o wh e re to b e fo un d
, .

For s o m e ti m e h e w a i ted b ut h e w a it ed in v ai n fo r s he
, ,

did n ot re t urn Th e n as it was gro wi n g l at e an d as

.
, ,

h e was ti red o f w a i t i n g h e t o o k up his l ut e his q uiv er

,
, ,

a n d h is b o w an d with o ut a n y b re akfa st h e w en t o u
, , t ,

to his sh oo ti n g W h e n h e a rri ved a t th e groun d h e

.
,

b ro ke the s eco n d c o n di t i o n fo r h e ch o s e the si de o f ,

the fo re st which h ad b een forbi dden to him by his

m a ste r R a s al u .

H a vi n g fix e d o n a pl a c e h e s a t hi ms el f do w n
,

t un ed the stri n gs o f h is l ut e an d began to pl ay Th e , .

b e auti ful strai n s fl oa t e d o n th e m o rn i n g air an d ,

p e n etrated i n to the depths o f th e fore st s o th a t as , ,

Raj a Ras alu was wan de ri n g ab o ut his h ors e a a i n

g ,
30 TH E L E GE N D O F RA S A L U .

h eard th e s we et w o o dl an d n o tes an d , sa id to the

Ki n g S ir i t is th e s o un d o f th e l ute we
,
“
,
h e a rd i n t h e
w o o ds ye s t erda y .

Yo u are i gh t an s w ere d R as al u b ut m y m a n
r , ,
“

h as n o t fulfi ll e d m y b e h es t n o r h as h e re ga rded m y
,

w o rd , a n d n o w we s h a ll wi t n e s s th e t urn i n g o f h i s
”
fate .

M ea n wh i l e , as pl ayi n g o n hi s l ut e
M irs hikari was ,

th e t wo dee r a b uc k a n d a do e c a m e o ut o f th e
, ,

fo res t i n to the O p en gl a de a n d th ere s to o d s ti l l t o

,

li s te n A s th ey fe l t t h e m se lv e s dra w n t o w a rds t h e
.

s p o t w h e re th e l ut e was pl a yi n g t h e do c s a i d to t h e ,

b uc k Le t us w a i t h ere a n d s ee Pe rh a p s i t is
,
“
.

Raj a M irs h i kari p l a yi n g o n h i s l ut e I a m a fra i d .

,

l es t s ee i n g us h e wi l l k i ll us de a d b e c a us e by
, , ,

m e a n s o f h i s t rea c h ero us l ute h e h a s a l rea dy do n e

”
m uc h to e m p ty th e w o o ds .

On h eari n g t h es e un e xp e ct ed w o rds M i rs hik ari

st o pp ed h is m us ic , an d gl an ci n g a ll ro un d h im h e
s a w a chich ra tree , c o v e re d wi th l arge gre en l ea v e s .

Th e n m o vi n g s o ft ly to i t, h e pl uc ke d s o m e of th e
fo li age ,
an d h avi n g fas te n e d it all o v er h i s b o dy he
m ade him self l ea fy an d gre en li ke th e tree a n d ,

t ak i n g up his l ute b e b e gan t o pl ay o n it o n c e m o re ,

an d, as he pl ay e d h e s l o wly adv an c e d to wards the

,

b uc k an d th e do c .
 R A jA RA S A L U A N D M I RS H IK A RI .
31

W h e n th e two de e r s aw h i m app ro a chi n g the b uc k

s a i d to the do e H e is c o m i n g t o w ard us for s o m e
,

thi n g le t us go an d m ee t h i m
, .
”

But th e doe s a i d D o n o t m o ve a st e p furth er ,

t o whi ch th e b uc k m a de a n s w e r

“
I n th e fo re s t I was b red,
I n th e fo res t I wa s fe d,
A n d t h e fore s t i s m y h om e
l
S om e li tt e le afy tre e ,
v
To dis c o er yo u an d m e,
I n ex tre m i ty do th ro am ” .

Th en s a i d the do e to h e r s i m pl e h us b an d
I n th e fo res t I wa s b red,
I n th e fo re s t I wa s fe d,
A n d t h e fo re s t i s m y h o m
l
S uch a th in g c o u d n eve r b e
e

l l
Fo r a li tt e e a fy tre e ,
l l
O n t wo itt e fe e t t o ro am .

But the b uc k, b e i n g res o l ve d to go forwa rd, s a i d

“
I n th e fore s t I wa s b re d,
In th e fo re s t I wa s fe d,
'

I n t h e fo res t I ab i de
A n d, if h un ger b e hi s ple a ,
O r, if forc e d b y fa te h e b e,
\

W e m ay ven ture to his s i de .

N o, n o, c ri e d th e do e , “
be w e l l advised
I n th e fo res t I was b re d,
I n th e fo re s t I was fe d,
I n th e fo res t I ab i de
By h is a c ti n g I c an s e e
l
H e wo u d c a p ture yo ua n d m e ,
A n d o ur fl e s h h e wo ud divi de l .
32 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

O m y h us b a n d, co n ti n ue d s he ,
“

yo u s h o ul d n ot

go n ea re r .

S ayi n g th i s , s h e s t o pp e d, b ut th e wilful b uc k w e n t
n earer an d n e are r l i s t en i n
, g t o t he dulc e t m us ic ,
an d, wh e n M irs hikari s a w h im w e ll wi th i n fli gh t o f
'

h i s a rro w h e to o k his l ut e b e tw ee n h is t ee th a n d
, ,

drawi n g h is b o w h e s h o t a t h i m an d th e fo o li s h de e r
, , ,

b e i n g pi erced by th e s h arp w e ap o n i n th e s h o ul de r ,

fe ll to th e gro un d Th e n ra n M i rs hikari s wift ly

.

fo rwa rd a n d dra wi n g his k n i fe h e p re p ared to c ut the

,

t h ro a t o f h is qua rry a cco rdi n g to c us t o m .

But all th e t i m e Raj a Ras al uwa s w a t chi n g h i s p ro

c e e di n gs s a yi n g t o h is h o rs e
,
H e h as di s re garde d
,

m
y c o un s e l l o o k a n d yo u wi ll s ee th e t ro ubl e w h ich
”
sh a ll sh o rtly fa ll up o n h im .

M irs h i kari n o w lift ed his kn ife to des p a tch h is

victi m w h en t h e deer a ddres s e d hi m i n
,
re p roa chful

pl ai n tiv e w o rds a n d s a i d
,

“
Th o u tyran t th ro we r o f th e p o in te d dart,
l
Thin e e dge es s k n i fe , 0 lay i t b y
l
But tak e th e lute, th e ute th at p ie rc ed m y h eart,
A n d s trike s o m e c h ords b e fo re I die
l
O tyran t, s we e p th e trem b i n g s tri n gs aga i n ,
l
I fain wo u d h e ar o n e fl e eti n g dyi n g s tra in
Th en i d M irs hikari H is dea th h as b e en c a us e d
sa ,

by m y l ute a n d I m us t th ere fo re pl a y fo r h i m
,

s o m ethi n g m o re Ye t I am i n fe a r l e s t a s I pl a y h e
.
, ,

m ay s udden ly t u rn h i s h e ad a n d
go re m e with his
”
h o rn s .
34 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A L U .

A fte r a li tt l e w h il e th e do e s to e l o ut fro m th e

j un gl e l o o k fo r h e r hus b a n d a n d s h e fo un d hi m
to ,

dea d . S h e a l s o s a w M i rs h ik ari lyi n g s t ill upon t h e

gro un d .Th e n th o ugh t s h e to h e rs e lf Th e hun te r ,

k i n g h a s b ee n s h o o ti n g fo r a l o n g t i m e a n d n o w ,

b e i n g t i re d h e is ta k i n g h is re s t But v e n turi n g .
”

n e are r s h e e s pi e d t h e de a d s n a ke c ut i n t o t wo pi e c es ,

a n d t h e k n ife res t i n g cl o s e by Th e n un de rs t o o d s h e
.

t h a t h e r h us b a n d h a d b ee n k ill e d by M i rs h ik ari th a t ,

M irs hik ari h a d b ee n k ill e d by th e s n a ke a n d th a t ,

t h e s n a k e h a d b e en k ill e d by t h e k n ife .

H a vi n g l o o ke d up o n th i s di s m a l s p e c t a cl e s h e s a i d ,

t o h e rs e lf N o w fo r m e t o liv e l o n ger i n th e w o rl d i s
,

us e l e s s fo r Go d k n o ws wh o m a y n o t k ill m e o r wh a t
, ,

”
s uffe ri n gs it m ay n o t b e m y l o t to e n dure A n d s he .

b e ga n to w o n de r h o w s he s h o ul d de s t ro y h ers e lf .

A fte r t h i n k i n g a n d c o n s i de ri n g s h e s a i d O my ,

h us b a n d s h o rn s th ey a re s h a rp a s s p e a rs I s h a ll
’

p ut s t ra i gh t h is h e a d a n d j um p up o n th e m a n d th e i r ,

p o i n ts will pi e rc e th ro ugh m y b o dy a n d k i ll m e .
”

S o s ayi n g s h e s e t t h e b uc k s h e a d up ri ght a n d go i n g
’

, ,

t o a li tt l e di s t an c e s h e l e a p ed up o n h is s h a rp t a p e ri n g

h o rn s wh ic h p e n e t rat i n g h e r b o dy ripp e d h er o p en
, ,

a n d k i ll e d h e r I n h e r dyi n g s t ruggl es s h e ga v e
.

p rem a ture bi rth to t wo l i tt l e k i ds a m a l e an d a fem a l e

, ,

b ut th ey a fter b reathi n g th e a i r fo r a fe w s h o rt m o
,

m e n t s e xpi re d li k e wi s e by th e s i de o f th e i r da m
, .
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D i I I RS H I A A RI
l
’
.
35

A n d all Raj a Ra s al u was ga z i n g a t t he

th e ti m e

sc en e, w a tchi n g e v ery h a pl es s ci rc um s ta n c e, an d h e
n o w s a i d t o his h o rs e Le t us s ee wh a t w ill c o m e to
,

”
p as s n e xt .

In a fe w
i n ute s a ja c k a l c a m e o ut o f th e fo re s t
m ,

a n d fi n di n g s o m a n y de a d b o di es lyi n
g p ro n e up o n
t he gro un d h e b e ga n t o t ri m h i s m o ust a chi o s a n d to
, ,

l e a p an d fri s k fo rjo y s a yi n g to hi m s e lf Go d h a s giv e n

,
“
,

m e l o t s o f go o d t h i n gs to day ! I ll e a t my fil l an d sl e e p
’
-
, ,

a n d ea t a a i n
g But M irs h i k ari i s a s t ro n g m an a n d a
.

fa m o us h un te r a n d if h e w ak es up h e will c e rt a i n ly
,

k ill m e S o m y b es t pl a n wi ll b e t o s t e a l his b o w
.

st ri n g an d th ro w it a wa y b e c a us e t he n if he s ho ul d , ,

a w a ke h e w o ul d n e v e r wi th o ut i t b e a bl e to h a rm
,

”
m e an d m ea n w h il e I s h o ul d h a v e ti m e to e sc a p e
, .

S ayi n g t hi s th e j ac k a l c a m e s il e n t ly t o w ards M i s hi
,
r

k ari a n d t a ki n g a wa y h is b o w a n d s k ippi n g i n to t h e
,

j un gl e he en dea v o ured to b re a k it But th e st ri n g

,
.

was m a de o f t wi s t ed s t e e l wi re w h ich p ro v e d t o o t o ugh

fo r h is t ee th A t l a st put t i n g th e si de o f th e b o w o n hi s
.
,

hi n d l egs a n d o n e e n d o f it un de r his ch i n he s uc ,

c e e de d i n slippi n g th e wi re b ut th e re b o un d o f th e ,

w e a p o n was s o s h a rp a n d s o s udde n th at it to re hi m
i n t wo an d th e upp er p a rt o f h i s b o dy w en t flyi n g
,

t o w a rds the s ky .

W h en Raj a Ras al u s a w the j a c ka l s fat e he l aughe d ’

,

an d sa i d Le t us go a n d l o o k a t t h e m n o w
, C o mi n g .
36 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A LU .

to t he s pot ,
he sa id to h is h o rs e, “
W h at s ha ll we
do W hat arran ge m en t s h a ll we m ake fo r th e b o dy
of M irs h ikari
Lay it his o wn h o rse an sw ered he an d h e
on , ,

”
will c a rry it s t ra i ght to his h o us e .

Th e n Ras al u lift e d th e b o dy a n d was go i n g to lay

i t o n M irs hik ari s h o rs e b ut th e a n i m a l o bj e c te d s ay
'
, ,

in g ,
A s h e re fus ed t o o b ey y o ur o rders I wil l ,

n e v e r c arry hi m m o re .

A t l ea s t s a i d Ras al u gui de m e to y o ur m a s te r s
” ’
, ,

p a la c e a n d t ak i n g fro m th e fata l s p o t M irs h ik ari s

,
’

t urb a n ,
his q uiv er h i s b o w an d hi s l ut e h e fo ll o w e d
, , ,

t h e de a d h un ter s h o rs e wh ic h le d th e m o n th ro ugh
’
,

t h e gra s s y gl ade s an d th e l e a fy a ll eys o f the fo re s t .

A s th e y e n t ere d th e ci ty Ré ja Ras é lu c a ugh t s i gh t ,

o f a w o m a n s t an di n g a t t h e s t a ll o f a b u tc h er wh o

wa s w e i ghi n g o ut s o m e m e at a n d h e o v e rh e ard h e r ,

s a yi n g ,
D o n o t l o n ger de l ay M y h usb a n d M irs hiké
“
ri .

”
is w a i t i n g .

Th en Ras al u s to pp e d an d s ai d to h er O w o m an , ,

w h at are yo u do i n g

Yo u wei gh th e fl es h wi th in the s cal e,

But s ay fo r wh o m th e fl e s h yo u weigh
Th e fl e s h yo uwe igh wi n e ’e r avail ll
l
Th e m an who o o ke d h i s as t to day ” l -
.

Th e wo m an h eari n g t h e s e w o rds t urn ed an d sai d ,

W ho are yo u th us c urs i n g m y h us b an d
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D M I RS H I K A RI .
37

I am a w e re d Ra s al u
k i n g, an s .

A wi s e k i n g t o o re pl i e d th e w o m an c urs e
”
, ,
to
an o th e r m an n e e dl e s s ly I t i s n o go o d th i n w h ic h
.
g
y o u do .

But R a s at lu e n q ui re d o f h e r W o ul d yo u re c o gn i z e
’

y o ur h us b a n d s th i n gs i f th e y we re s h o w n to yo u?
-
’ ”

Ye s a n s w e re d s h e lo o k i n g up i n wo n de r
,
”
, .

Th e n l a i d h e do wn b e fo re h e r M i rs h i kari s turb a n
’

h i s l ut e a n d hi s w e a po n s a n d s a i d
, Ex a m i n e a n d
,
“

s e e i f t h e s e a re y o urh us b a n d s
' ”
.

A s s o o n a s s h e l o o k e d up o n th em s he s wo o n e d
a n d fe l l s e n s e l e s s t o t h e gro un d .

W h e n s h e c am e to h e rs e lf s h e a ro s e a n d ra n to the ,

p a l a c e o f t h e k i n g wh o wa s t h e o v e rl o rd o f a ll t ha t
c o un t ry w ee pi n g a n d b eat i n g h e r b reas t a n d Ra s al u
, , ,

fo l l o we d h e r Th e re s h e c ri e d a l o ud
. S ir th i s , ,

m a n h a s k i ll e d m y h us b a n d M i rs h i k ari
”
.

Th e k i n g h ea ri n g h e r di s t re s s ful c ri es o rdere d a
, ,

t ri a l a n d a t th e h o ur a pp o i n te d o n e h un dre d m e n
,

w e re des p a tc h ed to b ri n g Raj a R a s al u to the c o urt .

But Ras al u c o ll e c t i n g t h e m a ll i n o n e pl a c e c o v e re d ,

t h e w h o l e o f th e m un de r t h e b ro a d e xp an s e o f h is

s h i e l d a n d th e n s e n t a m es s age t o t h e k i n
, g s a yi n g , ,

”
C o m e a n d t a k e y o ur m e n fro m un de r m y s h i e l d .

W h en th e k i n g un de rs to o d wh a t a wo n derful m a s te r
o f m a gic h e wa s a n d h o w grea t wa s h is m i gh t t o c o v e r
,

o n e h un dre d m e n wi th hi s shi e l d h e s e n t o th e r m es s en ,
38 TH E L E G E N D O F RA S A L U .

ge rs , sa yi n g to the m Do n ot us e fo rc e wi th h im .

”
Bri n g hi m by s o lici t a t i o n s a n d p ray e rs A s s oon .

a s t h ey a rriv e d th e y re q ue s t e d Ras al u t o c o m e b e fo re

t h e i r l o rd h um bly b e e s ec h i n g hi m
,
.

W illi n gly a n s we re d h e a n d wh en h e e n te re d t he
,
”
,

k i n g s p res e n c e h e s a i d
’

,
W h y do y o u w a n t m e ?
,

W h y h av e yo u s l a i n M i rs hikari re pli e d t h e

ki n g .

Th e n s a i d Raj a Ras al u I a l s o wi ll a s k yo u a
,

ri ddl e an d if y o u c a n a n s w e r i t yo u wi ll k n o w o f th e
, ,

de a th of M irs hikari

ll
O n e wa s k i e d a n d t wo di e d
l
Two we re k il e d a n d fo ur di e d
ll
Fo ur we re k i e d a n d s ix die d
l
Fo ur we re m a es an d t wo we re fem a es l .

But the k i n g wa s un a bl e t o gue s s t he a n s we r .

Th e re fo re s a i d he t o h is m i n i s t e rs G o wi th th i s ,

ge r, wh o e v e r h e is , a n d s e e if h e t e ll s t h e t ruth
”
s t ra n .

S o Ras al u c o n duc te d th e m t o t h e fo re s t, w he re
t he y c a m e an d sa w all th e life l e s s
s ix b o di es lyi n g
t o ge th er o n th e gro un d Ta k i n g up th e c o rp s e o f
.

M i rs h ikari t h e y t o o k it i n to th e p res e n c e o f th e k i n g ,

wh o h avi n g h ea rd th e i r ta l e l o o ke d up o n i t an d s a i d
, ,

o f Ra s al u Th i s m an is te lli n g th e t ruth
,
“
.

Th en Raj a Ras al u c arri e d th e b o dy o f his di s cipl e

M irs hikari b a c k i n t o th e fo re s t a n d t h ere h e l a i d i t ,

do w n a n d h e dug a gra v e for i t b o th l o n g an d de e p wi th

,
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D M I RS H I K A RI .
39

hi s o wn h an ds an d b uri e d i t un de r th e sh a de o f the
,

t ree s A n d o ve r th e s p o t h e ere c te d an e n duri n g

.

t o m b an d p ro cl a i m e d t o t h e wh o l e ci t y “ W ho s o
, ,

e v er w o ul d go h un t i n g l e t h im fi rs t go vi s i t the t o m b
,

o f M irs h ikari an d do h o m a ge a t h i s gra v e

, .

H a vi n g p erfo rm e d t h i s la s t a c t o f pi ety to th e
re m a i n s o f t h e h un te r k i n
g h e e n gra v e d o n his t o mb
-
,

th e fo ll o wi n g e pi ta p h a n d t h en w e n t his way
,

K in g D h a rth ali, p ri n c e with o ut a p eer,

To o k n o ugh t a wa y fo r all h i s m i gh t
l
S o th i s gre a t wo r d s h a di s ap pea r, ll
A s fa de s a s ta r b e s p an g e d n i gh t “
-
l .

re v l
It
ea ed
s eem s
l s afe
h im s e f to th e peo p
to
l
ass um e

e as
th a t Raszi lu, b efo re
th e i r n e w s uz e rain
l v
ea i n g the D ekh an ,
the s o n an d hei r o f
,

th e deceas ed S ulwan .
 C H A PT E R V .

RA J A RA s A LU A N D TH E S W A N S .

R a s a lu arri ves c i ty H e s hoots w th i rty

’
at a . an a rro

m i les h igh . The two cro ws . Thei r vi s i t to the s hy ,

wa n The
’
a n d return . They s helter in a s s n es t .

w s decei t R aja Bhé R a s a lu

’

judgm
’

js
’ ’

m ale c re . en t
.

d Bhd The ja cha ls

'

R a s a lu
’ ’
an d th e ja cha l . an j .

R aja Bhojs a dm is s i on R eca ll of the

’ ’ ’ ’
s ubti lty . .

wa n ws R a s a la wi s dom
’ ’
s s an d the cro . s .

A S A LU , i n h is w an
c e c am e to a de ri n gs , on

c e rta i n ci ty o n th e gate o f w h ich h e re a d an

,

i n s c rip ti o n s ett i n g fo rth th a t Ras al uo f S i al kot th e ,

s o n o f S ul wan w o ul d o n e day a pp e a r t h a t h e w o ul d
,

s h o o t an a rro w th i rty m il es hi gh an d th a t h is re w a rd

s h o ul d b e a t urb a n t h i rty m il es l o n g .

Th e re Ras al u de t e rm i n e d to t a rry ; an d o n e day

i n th e p re sen c e o f th e i n h a bi t a n ts w h e n fea ts o f ,

s t re n gth w e re be i n g e xhibi te d h e t o o k o n e o f h is ,
42 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

W h at c an b e do n e n o w ? s a i d h er c o m p an i o n .

I t is y o ur o wn fa ul t wh y did y o u n o t o b ey m e
,

th ere a n d th en
W i th th es e w o rds th e y b egan to de s c en d an d w o rn ,

o ut wi th fa ti gue th e y fe ll o n t o a c erta i n i s l a n d i n the

, ,

mi ddl e o f the s ea Th en s a i d th e fe m a l e c ro w
. ,

Let us go an d l o o k fo r s o m e pl a c e o f s h e lt e r .

S earchi n g h ere a n d th ere th e y a t l as t s aw a s w an

w ith hi s m at e si tt i n g in a n e s t in th e m i ddl e o f a
t ree The c ro w app ro ac h ed a n d o ffe red h is s a l aa ms
.
,

t o th e s wa n wh o s a i d
, ,

“
W h at do yo u w a n t 0 c ro w ? ,
”

Fo r th e s ake o f G O D a n s w e red th e c ro w b e
” “
, ,

go o d e n o ugh to give us a c o rn e r to sh elt er i n to

s av e o ur liv es .

“
A lth o ugh b e t w ee n yo u an d m e s a i d the swa n , ,

th ere i s n o re l at i o n s h ip s t i ll c o m e i n an d t ake res t

, , .
”

O n h e ari n g t hi s th e fem a l e s w an p ro t e st ed a n d
, ,

sai d ,

I c an n o t a ll o w him to c o m e i n to m y h ous e H e .

"
i s a m e a n fe l l o w an d o ur k i n s p e o pl e wil l re p ro a ch us
, .

“
H e is a s k i n g fo r s h e l ter i n th e n a m e o f G OD ,
’

s a i d h er h us b an d an d I a m th ere fo re b oun d to
,
“

a l l o w hi m to e n te r an d res t .

The c ro w an d h is m a te th en c ra wl e d i n t o t h e n e st ,

an d th e s w an o ffe re d th e m to e a t wh a t s o e v e r his

h o us e a ffo rded .
 RA J /I RA S A L U A N D TH E S WA NS . 43

Th e n e xt m o rn i n g, th e i b e i n g o v e r th e
ra n ,

c ro w s s te pp ed fo rth , an d th e m a l e bi rd s a i d t o th e
s w an ,

“
D ea r fri en d, a ga n i st the wic ked yo ush o ul d a lways
be on y o ur gua rd .

H e who wi ll do evi l s h a l l s uffe r e vi l an s were d

”
,

th e s w an
“
True ,
s a i d th e c ro w b ut wh e th e r a m a n do
,

e vi l o r n o t h e s h o ul d a lw ays k ee p th e b a s e a n d th e
,

un w o rth y a t a di s ta n c e .

“
W h a t do yo u m e an by s ayi n g this ? en q ui red ”

th e s w a n .

D o yo u n o t k n o w s a i d th e c ro w , th a t i n a ,
“

s i n gl e n i ght yo u h av e ro bb e d m e o f my sw a n wife -

wh o m I h ave t en derly re a red fo r tw e lv e y ea rs ?

Y o u h a d b e tt er giv e h e r b a c k t o m e
”
.

“
I s this y o ur re t urn fo r a ll my k i n dn e ss ? a s ked
th e sw a n .

“
I do n o t kn o w the m e an i n g o f k i n dn e ss re pli ed ,

th e i n s o l en t c ro w giv e m e b a c k m y wife ! O th er
,

w is e yo u m ust e i t h er fi gh t with m e o r go to th e k i n g s
, ,
’

c o urt fo r j udgm en t .
”

I h a v e n o de s i re to fi ght wi th you a n s w ered ,

C o m e le t us go to th e ki n g s c o urt
”
th e sw a n
’
.
, .

A ll th e bi rds at on c e s e t o ut a n d c a m e t o the
p a l a c e o f Raj éBh oj W h en th ey en t ered the c o urt
. .

t he ki n g e n q ui re d ,
44 YH E LE GE IVD O F RA S A L U .

W hy fo ur b irds c o m e h e re t o —
h a v e th o s e day
Bri n g th e m b e fo re m e fi rs t .

Th e n w e re t he y m ars h a ll ed b y o ffi c e rs b e fo re t h e
j udgm e n t s e at a n d th e y s a i d
, ,

S i re we h a v e c o m e t o yo u fo r a de cisi o n con
, ,

des c e n d to li s te n
”
.

W h a t is it yo u wan t ? as ke d th e k i n g
“
.

”
En qui re fro m t h e c ro w s a i d the s w an
,
.

N ay re pl i e d t h e c ro w
,
I do n o t wi s h to s a y
,

”
a n y th i n g w h a te v er pl e as e a s k th e s w a n .

Th e n th e s w an s ta te d h is c as e t h us
“
S truc k do wn b y s torm , an d ra in , an d dri in g s n v o w,
W ith crie s fo r s h e lte r c a m e th is c rafty c ro w
I n G O D S gre at n am e h e p ro ffe re d h i s re q ue s t,
v l
’

W e ga e hi m all we h a d— o ur p a c e o f re s t
But 10 1 wh e n m o rn in g da wn e d, goo d t urn e d to i ll
H e s a t an d m oc k ed us , an d h e m oc ks us s ti ” ll .
,

Th e n th e c ro w s to o d fo rw a rd ,
an d t
s t a ed h is o wn

s i de of th e q ue s t i o n thus
v
O n e day upo n th e ri e r S i de
ll
-

I c h an c e d to t a ke a s t ro ,
A n d t h e re I fo un d s o m e c re ature’s e gg
W i th in a s an dy h o le .

“
Th i s I c arrie d i n m y b i ,
e gg ll
A n d c h e ri s h e d it with c a re ,
I h a tc h e d it un de rn eat h m y b re as t,
Ti llal l m y b reas t was b are .

l
A t as t, th e yo un g o n e b urs t th e s h e l, l
l l
N o us e es s c o c k wa s h e ,
v
O r e s e h e m igh t h a e wa n dere d fo rth ,
j l
A n d ro am ed th e un g e free .
 RA jA RA S A LU A N D TH E S WA NS .
45

l
I t was a fem a e, an d I s ai d,
ll
I wi p res erve h e r i fe, l
lv
W h e n twe e ye ars old s h e doub tles s pro ve
’ ’
ll
A os t de s e v n g e
m r i wif ’
.

“
Th en c am e th i s s wa n , s truck do wn b y i
v
ra n ,

By s to rm an d dri in g s n o w,
A n d b egged m e fo r th e o ve o f G O D l
To m i tiga te his woe .

“
I took h i m in wi t h o ut a wo rd,
But, 10 wh e n m o rn in g c a m e,
H e c o tto n ed wi th m y pre tty wi fe,
l
A n d vi i fi e d m y n a m e ” .

Raj a Bh oj ,
h avi n g h e ard b o th sto ri e s s a i d , to th e

s wa n ,

“
Thi s c ro w a pp e ars t o m e to b e i n the ri gh t s o ,
”
h an d hi m o v er h is w ife .

Th e p o o r s wa n m ade n o re ply but gav e up h is wife ,

a t o n c e t o th e c ro w an d t h e n h e w e n t c ryi n g a n d s o b
,

bi n g to a di s ta n t pl a c e wh ere he liv ed i n a c ert a i n

,

s o li tary garde n .

Th e t ri um ph a n t c ro w l eadi n g o ut his p ri z e th o ught

, ,

to h i m s e lf ,

A s m y n e w wife is s o h an ds o m e n o do ubt i f
“
, ,

I go to m y o wn h o us e m y k i n s fo l k wi ll c o m e an d
,

s n a t c h h er a w a y fro m m e I t i s b e tt er t h ere fo re to
.

t a k e h er a wa y wi th m e t o s o m e di s t a n c e .

I t ch an c e d h o w e v e r th a t the s p o t which h e ch o s e
, ,

wa s t h e v e ry ga rden i n w h ich t h e m a l e s wan was

a l rea dy l ivi n g a n d s o i t c a m e to p as s th a t a l
, lth e fo ur
bi rds o n c e m o re fo un d th e m s e lve s t o ge th er .
46 TH E L EGEND OF R A S A L U .

On e da y it h a pp e n ed to j
R a a R a s al u t h a t i n th e

c o urs e o f h is t ra v e l s h e ro de by t h at way a n d th a t h e ,

s a i d t o h is h o rs e ,

To p a s s th e t i m e le t us l o o k fo r s o m e fri en d a n d

ge t h im t o t a l k .

J us t t h e n h e s a w a j ac ka l a n d m a k i n g fo r h i m h e
, ,

ran h i m do w n a n d c augh t h i m
,
.

S ir why h a v e y o u c a ugh t m e
,
s a i d th e j a c ka l .

M e re ly to m ake yo u ta l k an s w e re d R a s al u an d
“
, ,

t o p a s s th e t i m e .

Th e n th e j a c k a l s e a te d o n Ra s alu s s a ddl e b o w
’
-

b e gan t o t ic k l e th e m wi th h un dre ds o f lyi n g s to ri e s ,

w h ic h a m us e d t he m e xc es s iv e ly .

W h il e thus e m pl oy e d t he y a pp ro a c h e d th e ci t y
o f Ra j a Bh oj w h e n Ra s al u to l d t he j ac ka l to b e o ff
, .

But a n s w e re d t h e j a c k a l
”
,
i t w o ul d b e c rue l to
,
“

l ea v e m e h e re s i n c e a llth e do gs o f th e to wn wo ul d s e t
,

o n m e a n d k il l m e Y o uh a d b e tte r t a ke m e wi th yo u
. .

Ra s al u c o n s e n t i n g e n t e re d t h e ci ty
, an d th e ,

p e o pl e s ee i n g h i m p a i d hi m s a l uta t i o n s a n d s a i d
, ,

W h o a re yo u
I a m Ras al u th e s o n o f S ulwem a n s w e re d he
,
’

, .

H e a ri n g h is n a m e a ll t h e i n h a bi ta n ts c a m e an d
,

s urro un de d h i m s a yi n g
,
Th i s day G O D h a s ful
fill ed o ur de s i re s .

Th e n c e Ra s al u w e n t t o th e c o urt o f Raj a
fo r w h o m h e c o n c e iv e d a s tro n g fe eli n g o f fri e n ds h i p ,
 RA jA RA S A LU A N D TH E S WA NS .
47

d di s m o un ti n
fro m h is h o rs e h e en t e re d a n d s a t
’

an g , ,

do w n . Th e n R aj a Bh oj c a l l ed fo r c/wu pa t a n d i n
vite d his vi s it o r t o pl a y R a s al u wh o h a d t a k e n a
.
,

fan cy fo r h is a m usi n g li tt l e fri en d th e j ac k a l c a us ed ,

hi m to s it c l o s e to h i m w h il s t h e b egan th e ga m e .

Fi rst Rag a Bh oj o n his s i de l a i d a b e t o f o n e t h o u

, ,

s a n d rup e e s an d th rew th e dic e b ut h is c as t b e i n g

, ,

sp o i l t by t h e j a c kal fa lli n g vi o l e n tly agai n s t h is arm ,

Ras al u wo n Raj a Bh oj b e c am e a n gry wi t h t h e

.

j a c k al b ut the l att er s a i d
, ,

Pra y s ir p ardo n my o ffe n c e

, ,
I h a ve b een a w ake .

th e w h o l e n i ght an d b e i n g s l e e py I t o uc h e d y o ur
, , ,

”
si de qui te by an a cci de n t .

O n c e m o re R aj a Bh oj l a i d a n d b e ga n t o pl ay
’
.
,

b ut h is c as t o f th e di c e was aga i n b a l k e d by th e
j a cka l fal li n g as b efo re aga i n s t his s i de Th e n c ri e d .

Raj a Bh oj
“
I s t h ere an y o n e th e re ? H o ! s o m e o n e c ut this
”
j a c ka l t o pi ec e s l
“
I h a v e b een aw ake th e wh o l e n i ght s a i d the ,

j acka l e xc usi n g hi m s e l f a ga i n “ forgiv e m e as I h a v e

, , ,

n o t c o m m i t t e d this fa ul t wi l fully .

“
W h a t is thi s t a l k ab o ut y o ur b e i n g a w a ke the
‘

who l e n i ght en q ui re d Ras al u

”
,
“
W h at do yo u m ean.

by t h a t
I wi ll t e ll th e s ec ret s ai d the j ac kal to Raj
“ '

, a
t ,

Bh oj o n ly .
48 TH E LEGEND OF RA S A L U .

Te ll m e j a c ka l s a i d Raj a Bhoj
th e n ,
0 w h at , ,
“

i t was y o u w e re up t o th e w h o l e n i gh t i’
”

S i r re pli e d t h e j a c k a l t o rm e n te d wi th h un ge r
“ “
, ,

I we n t to th e riv e r s i de to l o o k fo r fo o d But fi n d
-
.

i n g n o n e I gre w a n gry an d t a k i n g up a s to n e I th re w
,

i t a ga i n s t a n o th e r s to n e a n d fro m th e t wo s t o n es ,

"
c a m e o ut fi re .

H a vi n g s a i d s o m uc h t h e j a c k a l c a m e to a s to p ,

a n d Ra j a Bh oj s ai d W e ll w h a t e l s e did yo u do ?
, ,

S ir s a i d t he j a c k a l
,
”
I c a ugh t th e fi re i n s o m e
,

dry fue l o ut o f wh ic h a s m a l l ci n de r fl e w an d fe l l
,

i n to th e riv e r wh e n a t o n c e th e w h o l e ri ve r wa s in
,

a bl a z e Th e n I b e i n g a fra i d o f m y l i fe o n a cc o un t
.
,

o f yo u e n dea v o ure d t o
,
q ue n c h th e fi re wi th dry
gra s s b ut t h o ugh I t ri e d m y b es t I a m s o rry t o
, , ,

s ay t wo th i rds o f th e riv e r w e re b urn t up

,
-
an d o n e ,

”
t h i rd o n ly re m a i n e d .

H ea ri n g t h i s ta l e e v e ry o n e b e gan to l a ugh a n d to
, ,

s ay,

W h at a fi b ! C a n w a t e r c atc h fi re a n d c a n dry ,

gras s quen c h i t
i
S rs s a i d t,
h e
”
ja c k a l “
i f w a te r c a n n o t c atch fi re
, ,

h o w c a n a c ro w p o s s ibly cl a i m a fe m a l e s w a n a s h is
‘

wife
H eari n g t hi s Raj a Ra s é lu s a i d
, ,

J a c ka l wh at i n t he w o rl d a re yo u t a l k i n g
“
,

”
ab o ut P
 C H A PTE R V l .

R A J A RA S A LU A N D R A J A BH OJ .

R a s a lu p rolon gs lzis vi s i t H is dep a rture B/i oj

’

. .

a cco m pa n i es lei n i . T/tei r co n ve rs a t i o n . Tlzei r a dven

f R dn i S ob/za n Tlzey
’

ture i n the ga rde n

'

o .
p
en ca n z

f Raja H orn
’ ’

un de r s om e goe trees
m an A-
. rri va l o .

H is R a s a lzz s wi s do m P a rti n g of the two

’

a/ers es . .

ds , R as a lu a n d B/i o
j
’

f ri en .

H E N Ras al u h ad p e n t a b ri e f s e a s o n o f re s t
s

a t t h e c o urt o f Ra j a Bh oj h e re q ues te d th a t ,

k i n g s p e rm i s s i o n to t ak e h is l e a v e But hi s
’
.

h o s t un willi n g t o p a rt wi th him s a i d
, , ,

A s y o u h a v e bl e s s e d m y p a l a c e wi t h y o ur p res e n c e ,

s o yo u wi ll c o n fe r o n m e a s t il l gre a te r fa v o ur i f yo u ,

wi ll abi de h e re a li tt l e l o n ge r a n d m a ke m e y o ur ,

di s cipl e .

I n th e s am e s p o t a n s w e re d R a s al u m y des t i n y
, ,

fo rbi ds m e to t a rry l o n g N e v erth e l es s I wi ll a c c e p t

.

y o ur i n vi tat i o n an d i m p art to yo u w h a te v e r I kn o w
”
m y s e lf .
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D [F
A /A BH O] .
51

So he re m a n e i th a t ci ty s o m e t i m e l o n ge r
d in ,

dw e lli n g i n t h e h o us e o f h i s fri e n d a n d t ea c h i n g ,

h i m th e a rt o f fi gh t i n g an d w res t li n g .

A t l as t Ras al u s e t o ut o n c e m o re o n his t ra v e l s ,

a n d m a n y of th e i n h a bi t a n t s o ut o f l o v e a n d a dm i t

a t i o n fo r h i m s aw h i m o ut o f th e i r b o rders ; b ut
R aj a Bh oj a n d h i s w a z ir to ge th er wi t h s o m e fe w,

a t ten da n ts a cc o m p a n i e d h i m s e v e ra l da y s m a rc h es
’
, .

A s t h e y j o urn e y e d p l ea s an t ly a l o n g Raj a Bh oj s a i d ,

t o Ra s al u ,

Pray t e l l m e wh a t i n y o ur o pi n i o n a re the fi ve
“ ‘

, ,

”
m o s t c urs e d th i n gs i n t h e w o rl d .

Th en R a s al u a n s w e re d hi m ,

l
A th ri ft e s s wi fe wh o ruin s h o us e a n d h o m e
A daugh ter gro wn wh os e h e ad i s b are an d b a d l
A daughter in law o f s o ur fo rb i ddi n g fac e
l ll
- -

A c roo ke d ax e to th e garde n we
l l
A fi e d th a t i es ac ro s s th e vi age ro a d ll
A m a n m ay s ea rc h th e wo r d wh e e er b e p ea s e ,
’
l l
v
r

A n d n e er fi n d m o e c urs e d t h i h h ”
r n gs t a t e s e
n .

w er Raj a Bh oj was pl e a s e d e x
'

H e a ri n g t hi s an s ,
.

c ee di n gly an d ,
p ra i s e d Ras alus wisdo m A n d s o th e ’
.

t wo k i n gs , e n ga ge d i n pl e as a n t c o n v e rs e c o n ti n ued ,

t h e i r way .

A t l as t th e y a rriv e d o n e m o rn i n g a t a de li gh tful
ga rde n w h ic h b e l o n ge d t o t h e Ran i S o b han an d , ,

e n teri n g t h ere i n th e w h o l e c o m p a n y di s m o un t e d a n d
, , ,

l a yi n g a s i de t h e i r a rm s t h e y re cli n e d a l o n g th e m ar
,

i n o f a n a tura l fo un ta i n o f c o o l de li ci o us w a t e r
g .
52 TH E L EGEND OF RA S A L U .

S c a rc e l y h ad t h e y t a ke n th e i r pl a c e s w h en, th e y

s aw a pp ro a c h i n g th e m fro m ,
th e m i ds t of t h e s h rub s

an d t ree s , on e h un dre d b e a ut iful da m s e l s a ll a rm e d ,

wi th dra wn s w o rds . Ras al u wi th a s m il e t h e n s a i d

to Bhoj ,

The se fa i r l adi es app e a r t o b e v e ry form i dabl e . .

.

Le t us am us e o urs e lv e s a li tt l e a t th e i r e xp e n s e .

H a vi n g th us s p o ke n h e l o o ke d a t t h e girls an d s a i d
‘

, ,

O l adi e s why h av e yo u c o m e o ut aga i n s t us wi th

,

”
dra w n s w o rds i n y o ur h a n ds P
”
VVh o so e ve r a n s w e re d t h e y t res p as s es wi th i n th e
, ,

b o un ds o f th i s ga rden an d c o m es h i th er to t a ke w ater
o ut o f th e fo un t a i n fo rfe i ts his ea rs a n d h i s h a n ds a n d ,

is th e n e xp e l l e d with i gn o m i n y
”
.

A l as s a i d Ra s al u wh at di re m i s h ap h as
“ ”
, ,

n
b ro ugh t us h e re
Putt i n g o n s t ern e r l o o k s th e gi rl s th e n S a i d
‘

H av e a n y o f y o u to uc h e d t h e w a t e r o f th e fo un
t a i n ? I f yo u h a v e c o n fes s i t i n o rde r th a t we m ay
, ,

c ut o ff y o ur h a n ds a n d y o ur e a rs fo r s uc h i s th e o rde r
“

we h a ve re c e iv e d fro m th e wh o
h as bi dde n us c ut o ff th e h a n ds an d ears o f a ll wh o . .

dare to dri n k fro m he r fo un ta i n .

”
0 Fa i r O n e s re pli e d Ra s al u we h av e n o t yet “
, ,

p res um ed to dri n k But a s we are m e rely p o o r way

.
,

fare rs do n o t hi n de r us S uffe r us to dri n k a n d th en

,
.
,

le t us de p a rt i n p eac e
”
.
 [B
A /A 13
.4 5 /1 s A N D R A jA BH O] .
53

W ho a re q ui re d th e da m s e l s
y o u?
”
en .

m en c a ll m e Ra s al u
”
A s fo r m e s a i d t h e k i n g , , .

H e a ri n g his n am e a ll t h e gi rl s fl ut te re d to ge th e r ,

a n d b e gan t o wh i s p e r a m o n
g t h e m s e lv e s ,

I f h e b e th e re a l R a s al u h e wi ll c a t c h us a n d k il l ,

us . W e h a d b e t ter le t h im go a n d s ei z e o n ly th e ,

”
o t h ers .

But Ras al u divi n e d t h e i r th o ugh t s a n d s o h e s a i d , ,

I f yo u le t m e go 0 b e aute o us O n es wi ll y o u n o t , ,

a l s o re l e as e t h e o t h ers s e e i n g we a re a l l w ayfa rers ,

”
t o ge th er 9
The n s a i d o n e o f th e m a i den s

W a yfarers
um b er th re e, th e y s ay
n

The b ro ok, t h e m o on , th e s h i n i n g day

O f a llth e s e t h re e ,
P ray te t o m e , ll
W h o i s yo ur fa th e r, an d wh o i s yo ur m o th e r
‘
Z”

It is t rue we a re w ayfare rs re pli e d Ra s al u

, ,

b ut we a re n ot so m uch w ayfa re rs as w o rl d tra -

”
v e ll
e rs .

In dee d, sa i d th e s am e l a dy , b ut

Tra v llers
’ ’
th e wo r d l l
ll t h re e ,
o a re a s o

A s h e e p , a wo m a n , a b u o c k th e y b e
l l l
‘

W ith q ui b b in g wo rds n o o n ge r p a y,
'

But te ll m e yo ur n am e wi t h o ut de l ay .

vi den t s a i d Ras al u th a t we p o o r fe ll o ws
I t is e , , ,

w h e t h er w ayfa re rs o r w o rl d trav e ll ers s h a ll h a v e fa i n

‘
-
,

t o i m pl o re y o ur cl e m e n cy .
54 TH E L E GEND O F RA S A L U .

W e h a v e p o we r o f c o urs e o bs erv ed t h e l a di es , ,

re l e n t i n g to le t yo u o ff
,
But w h a t a n s w e r s h a l l we
.

m a k e t o o ur m i s tre s s

Go to yo ur h a rd h e a rte d mi s t re s s
-

,
an s w e red
Ras al u ,
an d t e ll h er th i s

Bes i de yo ur s prin g t h ree m en re c in ed, l

l
Yo ur fa ther’s fa m i y prie s ts were th e y
Th ey s aw o ur s wo rds , an d, vex e d in m in d,
Th ey ro s e at o n c e a n d wa k e d a way l
G o d kn o ws t h e i r ro ute — we gre at y fear l
The y’ve go n e to K ab u o r Kas hm ir l .

A cc o rdi n gly ,
th e s e i p le
s m l e ft Ras al u
da ms e ls
an d h is fri e n ds , an d go i n g t o th e p al a c e t h e y re p o rt

ed to the Ran i S o b h an a ll t h at h ad b ee n t o l d
the m .

l a s s ai d th e q ueen b e gi n n i n g to gri e v e
A ,
it i s ,

t w e lve l o n g y e ars si n c e o ur fa m i ly p ri es ts w e re h ere

b e fo re ! A n d n o w w h e n th e y h ad j o urn ey ed s o great
,

a di s ta n c e to vi s i t m e m y fo o li sh n e s s h a s driv en
,

t h e m a w ay W h o kn o ws wh eth er th ey wi l l e v e r re
.

”
t urn a ga i n to m e o r n o t 9

So s p ea ki n g, th e q ue e n b e ga n to s o b , an d ri s i n g
fro m h er s ea t s h e p re p a re d t o des c en d i n to th e
gar
de n wi th h e r t ra i n of be l te d m a i de n s .

M ean w h il e ,
h o w ev e r Ra s al u a n d h i s
co m p a n i o n s
, ,

h avi n g re s t ed s uffi ci e n t l y h a d re a llyle ft t h e fo un t a i n

, ,

an d go n e o n th e i r wa y To wa rds ev e n i n g th e y h a lt
.
 RA jA RA S A LU A N D RA jA 55

ed at a pl eas a n sp o t i n t h e o p en wil de rn e ss wh e re
t ,

t h e re w e re s o m e be a ut iful we l l l a de n m an go e t re e s - -
,

a n d a fa i r b a bbli n g b ro o k H e re t h e y de t e rm i n e d
.

t o t a rry fo r t h e n i gh t a n d h a vi n g di s m o un t e d t h e y
,

s a t do wn un de r th e c oo l s h a dy b o ugh s .

jus t th e n a dee r a pp e a re d i n th e di s t a n c e a n d ,

R a s al u dra wi n g h is b o w b ro ught it do wn a fte r wh ic h , ,

a fi re h a vi n g b e en k i n dl ed t h e ga m e wa s dre s s e d a n d
,

s e rv e d an d e v e ry o n e wi th gl a d c on t e n t e d m i n d p a r
,

t o o k o f th e fe a s t .

N o w it h a pp e n e d th a t a b o ut the s a m e ti m e Raj a
Horn o f D e lhi had b een ro ute d i n a grea t b at tl e by
a n o t h e r Ra j a a n d t h at a b a n do n i n g h is c apit a l h e
,

h ad fl e d a w a y w ith o n ly a fe w o f h is a tt e n da n ts .

C o m i n g to th e m an go e — t re es un de r w hich Ra s al u

an d his fri e n ds w e re s l ee pi n g t h e fugitiv es t h e re

p i tch ed t h e i r te n ts a n d h a vi n g e a t e n a fruga l s upp er
, ,

t h e y a ll re t i re d t o re st Th e n i ght wa s v e ry l o v e ly
.
,

a n d Ra j a H om s q ue en wa s lyi n g a s l ee p i n h e r l it
’

t e r n e xt to h e r h us b a n d s t e n t whi l e th e Raj a s a t
’
,

by h e r si de A s h e wa s un wi lli n g o r un a bl e to s l e e p
.

hi m s e lf h e b ega n to ga z e wi t h a c e rt a i n t e n der
,

m e l a n cho ly n o w at t he s l um b e ri n g l a dy a n d n o w
, , ,

a t th e shi n i n g m oo n W h en s o m e t i m e had th us
.

e l a ps e d h e c a ll e d up hi s w a z ir a n d s a i d t o hi m
, , ,

I h a v e j us t m a de s o m e v ers e s .

”
Pray S ir te l l th e m t o m e
, ,
s a i d the w a z ir,
.
56 TH E LE GEND OF RA S A L U .

The n Ra a H orn j re p e at e d t he fo ll o wi n g l in es

l
N o wate r s ik e th e G an ges , ri e r dea r v
l l l l
’

N o ight i s ik e th e m o on , s e re n e y c e ar
l l
N o s e e p i s ik e th e s ee p th at fo n d y ie s , l l l
l ll
S o c a m a n d s t , up o n a wo m an s e ye s ;
i
v
’

O f e e ry fruit t h a t h an gs upo n th e t re e,
Th e lu
s c i o us m an go e i s th e frui t fo r m e .

Brav o ! c ri ed th e w a z ir
ppl a udi n g v eh e m en tly , a .

Exc e ll e n t ly go o d S i r a n d ri ght n o b ly e xp re ss e d
, ,

S udde n ly t h e sil e n c e wa s b ro ke n by the dee p

v o ic e o f R aj a Ra s al u wh o w i th his fri e n d Bh oj h ad
, ,

n o t b ee n s o s o un dly as l e e p b ut th at h e h ad o v e r ,

h ea rd e v e ry w o rd o f th i s p retty i n t erl ude an d who ,

n ow m i s ch i ev o usly i n te rrupt ed the c o n v ers ati o n

with h es e s a rc a sti c w o rds
‘
l l
y woods I wa k , Ra a, l j
w l l
In on e
I a k, a p oo r re c us e
v
H o we er wi s e yo ur t a k, Ra a, l j
Yo ur frien d’s a e a rn e d go os e l .

W h o i s th a t c ri ed Raj a H orn wi t h s udde n an

'

g e r . W h at m e a n s t h i s i n t rus i o n o u o ur p riv a cy
'

”
H o c atch th e fe ll o w a n d b ri n g hi m h e re
, ,
l

O n e o f th e a tt e n dan t s a pp ro a ch e d Ras al u an d ,

s ai d wi th s o m e i n s o l e n c e ,

“
Get up S ir ; h o w da re yo u i n terfe re with o u
,
r

Raj as t a l k ?
’

I f you va l ue your l ife an sw ered Ra s al u re t urn , ,

”
to yo ur m a s t er a t o n c e
- .
 58 TH E LE GEND OF RA S A L U .

W i lli n gly re pl i ed Ras al u

, th e i dea in my
j udgm en t sh o ul d b e rath er th is
N o wa ter li ke th e l im pi d s tream
Th a t ripp es id y b y l l
l l
N 0 igh t s o g o ri ous as th e b e am
Th a t s p arkles fro m the e ye

l l
O f a ll th e s ee p t h at m o rta s k n o w,
Th e s ee p o f h e a th ’s th e b e s t l l
O f a ll th e fruit th e go ds b es to w,
A s o n ex c ee ds th e re s t ” .

How is t h at ? sa i d Raj a H orn .

“
Let m e h ea r
y our e xpl an ati o n .

“
W h en yo u w ere b orn i n t o the w o rl d a n s we red
G
,

Ras al u wh o ga v e yo u
,
“
an ge s w at e r th e n A n d
w h en a thi rsty fugitiv e yo u fl ed a w ay b e fo re y o ur
,

G
,

foe s wh at go o d was an ge s w a t er to yo u th e n
,
If
yo u h a d n o t eyes yo u m i gh t l oo k fo r t h e m o o n li ght
i n v a i n ; i f h e a l t h fo rs oo k yo u sl ee p w o ul d fo rs ak e

yo u to o an d if yo u w e re to die frui t l e ss yo u w o ul d
, ,

die a b a rre n st o c k with n e v e r a s o n to s ucc ee d o r to

,

ou
”

p erpe tuatey .

H a vi n g h ea rd t h is an s w er, Raj a H om a dm i ri n g
Ras alus wi s do m p rais e d h im gre a t ly , an d s a i d to
’

hi m ,

S i r, yo u are un do ubt e dly ri gh t , an d I was w ron g .

Th e n e xt m o rn i n g Raj a Ras al u e m b ra c e d hi s
fri e n d Raj a Bh oj , a n d b ade hi m a di e u, a fter which
he c o n t i n ued h is j o urn ey l
a o n e, e v er s eek i n g fo r
fresh adv en t ures .
 C H A PTE R V I I .

RA J A RA s A LU A N D TH E G I A N TS O F
G A N D GA R H .

Ra s ala He The
’ ’
s vis i on . s ets out on the a dven ture .

disp eoplea ’
ity, d the d wom The wom
’
c an ol an . an s

dis tres s Th e gi a n tri hute Ras dlu d the wo

’
. ts . an

R as a lu a n d Th i rra Fli ght of Th i rra

’ ’ ’
m an s s on . .

an d Bh i ri n . H is en coun te r wi th the o th er g i a n ts .

H is a dven ture wi th the gi a n tes s Fa te of . the ch i e f,

Bdiha lba th , an d of Bh i an a n d Thi rra Thi rra . s

la m H is i m p ris on m en t un der M oun t Ga n dga rh

en t.
.

The bellowi n g of Ga n dga rh R as a la s a rrows

’ ’
. .

A J A RA S A LU was o n c e o ut h un ti n g i n the
fo res t wh en ov e rc o m e with fa t i gue h e la y
do w n un de r a t re e a n d w e n t to sl ee p I n his .

sl ee p h e h ad a vi s i o n i n whi c h h e s aw app ro a c h i n g
,

h i m fi ve h o ly m e n wh o a ddres s e d h im s a yi n g , ,

G et up Raj a a n d ro o t o ut t h e ra c e o f th e g i a n t s
, , .

D i s t urb e d i n m i n d h e a ro s e a n d i n s t an tly s e t
,

o ff o n t h e e xp e di t i o n h a vi n g dete rm i n e d wi th o ut
,

de l ay t o a chi e v e th e e xpl o it M a n y a l e ague rode .

th e h a rdy k i n g o n h is re n o w n e d wa r h o rs e -
60 TH E L EGEND OF RA S A L U .

Bh aun ra I raki , -
v er h i ll s n o w o v er m oo rs an d
n ow o , ,

n o w t h ro u h gl o o m y fo res ts i n te n t o n his arduous

g ,

q ues t O n e da y i n th e de p th s o f a l on e ly w oo d he
.
, ,

rea c h e d a l arge ci t y w h ic h was a s sil en t as th e

grav e .

H e en t e re d th e s tree ts b ut t h e y w ere de s e rt ed h e
,

gaz e d i n at th e o p e n s h o p s b ut t h e y w e re a ll t en an t
,
‘

l ess A m az e d a t th e s o li tude h e st o od i n an o p en
.
,

s p a c e an d s urv e y e d th e s c en e J us t t he n h e c aught .

si gh t o f s o m e s m o ke i ss ui n g fro m a dist an t c orn er ,

a n d m ak i n g h is way t o i t h e s a w th e re a mis e ra bl e
,

ol d w o m an k n e a di n g a n d b ak i n g q uan titi e s o f b read

an d p re p ari n g ab un da n c e o f s w ee t m ea ts b u t a ll th e ,

ti m e s he was e i th er w ee pi n g o r l a ughi n g S urp rised .

at a sp ect ac l e s o e x trao rdi n a ry Ra s al u h a lt ed an d ,

s ai d ,

“
M o th er i n this s o l i t ary pl a c e wh o is to eat all
, ,

t h at foo d a n d why a re yo u b o th w ee pi n g an d l augh

,

in g
Y o u a re a st w e red th e w o m an it is
“
ran ge r an s ,

b ett er fo r yo u to p urs ue yo ur way ,

an d n ot to que s
”
t ion m e .

N ay, s a i d Ra s é
lu I c an n o t b ear t o s e e yo u i n
,

such t roubl e an d I w o ul d kn o w th e c a us e o f it
, .
”

“
The k i n g o f t h i s pl a c e s a i d the w o m an is , ,

K as h udeo a n d h e h a s o rdere d t h at a h um an b e i n g
, ,

a b uffa l o an d fo ur h un dre d p o un ds o f b re ad s h a ll b e
, ,

s en t da ily to a c erta i n pl a c e fo r th e gi an ts O n c e I .
RA jA RA S A L U A N D TH E GI A N TS OF GA N DGA RH 6 1

h ad s ev en s on s o f wh o m s ix h av e b ee n dev o ure d a n d
, ,

t o day i t i s t h e t urn o f th e s e v en th an d to m o rro w i t

-
,
-

wi ll b e th e t urn o f m y s e lf Thi s is my t ro ubl e a n d

.

i t m ak es m e c ry But I am l a ugh i n g b e c aus e to day

.
-

m y s eve n th s o n was to h av e b e e n m arri e d an d b e ,

c a us e hi s b ri de w i ll h a v e to do w i th o ut h i m .
”

W i th th e s e w o rds th e w o m an fe l l to c ryi n g m o re
bitt erly th an e v er .

W ee p n o t s a i d Raja Ra s al u
,
”

G oo d wi fe , your tea rs n o l o n ge r s h e d,
ll
I f G o d wi keep th e yo un gs te r s h ead,
ll ll
’

I s we ar m y o wn s h a fa i n s te a d .

But th e old w o m an h ad n o t s o l earn t h er l e ss o n s o f

l ife a n d re plyi n g t h ro ugh h er t ears A l as wh a t m a n
, ,
“

was e v er k n o w n to giv e h i s h e ad fo r an o th e r ? s he ”

w e n t o n with h er di s m a l t as k But R as al u s a i d
.
,

I h a v e c o m e h e re fo r n o o th er re a s o n th an to e x
”
tirp ate th e k i n gdo m o f th e gi an ts .

W h o a re y o u t h e n P e n q ui r e d t h e w o m an
“
W h at ,

i s yo ur fa th e r s n a m e an d wh ere is y o ur bi rth pl a c e
’

Th e bl e ss e d S i al kot i s m y bi rthpl ac e re pli e d he , ,

I am th e s o n o f S ulwan a n d my n a m e is Ras al u
, .

Th en th e w o m an b e gan c o n s i deri n g an d sh e ,

t h o ught to h ers e lf W h et h er he b e the rea l Rasal u

,
“

I k n o w n o t ; yet h e m ay b e b ec aus e it is w ri tte n O n e

, ,
‘

Ras al u s h a l l b e b o rn an d h e wi l l de st ro y th e k i n g
’
do m o f t h e gi an t s .
62 TH E LE G END OF RA S A L U .

Th e n Ras al ugaz i n g ro un d en q ui red, W hy is th ere

n o on e i n th e ci ty
l
H e re tem p e dom e s a n d p a ac e to we rs , l
l l l
Ba zars an d o w y s h o p s a b o un d,
But, s i e n t a s th e pas s i n g h o urs ,
l lv
“

I d y t h e y li ft the m s e e s a ro un d
l l
W h a t uc k es s h a p h a th c h a n c ed th e wo r d, th a t all l
D e s erte d are th e do o rs o f h ous e an d m a rt a n d h a ? ” ll
Le t n ot s urp ri s e y o u a n swe re d th e w o m an
t hi s ,
”
,

”
th e p e o pl e h a v e all b ee n e a t e n up by t h e gi a n ts .

Ras al u n o w dis m o un t e d fro m h is h o rs e an d h avi n g

t i e d h i m un der s h e lt er he s tre t c h e d hi m s e lf o n a s m a l l

lo w b e ds t e a d an d at o n c e fe ll i n to a de e p s l um b er .

M ea n w h il e th e y o un g la d a rriv e d wi th th e b uffa l o
,

w h ich wa s l aden wi th th e b re ad a n d the s w eetm ea t s,

an d wh e n all was re a dy h e dro v e it b e fo re hi m
t hrough t h e e m pty s tre ets a n d w en t o ut i n to the
fo res t A fter a t im e t h e o ld wo m an c am e cl o s e to
.

th e sl ee pi n g k i n g a n d b e gan t o c ry pi te o us ly s o t h a t ,

th e k i n g s ta rted up fro m h is sl ee p a n d e n q ui red the

rea s o n of h e r di s t re s s S h e an s w ered h i m
.
,

Th o u ri der o f th e dark grey m are,

l
-

R as a u, b earde d, turb a n e d s tran ge r,

v
O fo r s om e s a io ur t o re pa i r,
A c h am p io n , to th e fi e d of dan ger l
I we ep b ecaus e th o s e tyran ts c om e to day,
l
-

To e ad m y on e s urvivin g s on away ” .

Th en Ras al u aro s e , an d with

w ord o f c o mfort a to

t he m o th er h e m o un t ed an d ro de o ff i n p urs uit of

h er s o n H a vi n g o v e rt ake n him h e s ai d
.
, ,
RA J /l RA SA L U A N D TH E GI A N TS OF GA N D GA RH 6 3

H o w s h allwe k n o w whe n t h e gi a n ts are c o m i n g?

Fi rs t, ”
sw ered th e b o y
an ,
th ere wi l l b e a s tro n g
wi n d wi th ra i n a n d w h en th a t
,
i s o v e r th e gi a n ts wil l
”
com e .

C o n t i n ui n g th e i r j o urn e y t h e y arriv e d a t th e b a n ks
o f a riv e r wh ere th e b o y h a l te d, w h i l e Ras al u de s c e n d

ed t o th e st re a m
b at h e I n h is a bs en ce o n e o f th e
to .

gi a n ts n a m ed Thi rra c a m e do w n to fe tch s o m e w a t e r .

S o h uge o f b o dy a n d m i gh ty o f li mb was h e t h at
h i s w a t e r sk i n was c o mpo s e d o f th e hi de s o f tw e n t y
-

s e ve n b uffa l o e s a ll se w n t o ge th er s o as to fo rm o n e
,

v a s t re c e p ta cl e an d h e c a rri ed a b uc ke t m ade up o f
,

t h e h i de s o f s e v en b uffa l o es W h e n he fi ll ed h is .

w a t er s k i n th e riv e r a b s o l ute ly gro a n ed s o th a t Ra

-
,

s al u h ea ri n g gaz ed a t i t i n w o n der
, ,
.

Thi rra s ee i n g the la d a n d th e b uffa l o a n d th e ful l

lo ad o f b rea d gri n n ed wi th gre e dy de li gh t s ayi n g , ,

G l a d a m I to s e e a ll th es e go o d t hi n gs "
.

Th e n s e iz i n g s o m e o f th e l o a v e s h e sh uffl e d i n t o ,

a t h ic k e t an d b egan to m un c h By an d by Ras al u .

re turn e d an d th e b o y s a i d t o hi m
, ,

O n e o f th e gi a n t s h a s a l re a dy c o m e an d h a s t ak e n
a w a y his t o ll o f th e l o a v e s a n d o th e rs will s o o n c o m e
,

a n d ea t m e t o ge th er wi th t h e b uffa l o W h at i s th e us e .

o f y o ur adv an ci n g furth er

W ho i s he th at h as t a ken aw a y the l o ave s

a s ke d Ra s al u .
64 TH E L EGEND OF RA S A L U .

H e is th e w ate r c a rri e r, w e red the lad

-
H is
an s .

n a m e i s Th i rra a n d h e gen era l ly c o m es fi rs t a n d t ake s

'

, ,

”
h is b read b e fo re h a n d as a t a x w h ich is a l l o w ed hi m , .

W here is h e as ked Ra s a l u .

"
Th ere he is s a i d th e b o y i n th e thic ke t e at i n g
, ,
“
,

th e l o a v es .

Ras al u sw o rd i n h a n d ro de i n to t he t hic ke t a n d
, , ,

o i n g up to th e gi a n t h e s m o t e hi m an d c ut o ff hi s
g
ri gh t h an d an d re c o v e red th e l o a v es
, .

Th e n wi th a b o wl wh i ch was s o l o ud an d furi o us
,

th at i t ro us e d h is c o m p a n i o n s t h e o th e r gi a n ts fro m
t h e i r s l e e p o r fro m th e i r l a b o urs a n d b ro ught th e m
o ut fro m t h e i r den s i n th e m o un ta i n th e gi an t c ri e d , ,

a s h e ga ze d at t h e h e ro s e n o rm o us q uiv e r a n d h is
’

t hrea ten i n g a sp ect ,

W h at m an wh a t de m o n a re y o u
, ,

I a m Ra s al u a n s we re d th e k i n g
”
, .

A n d w he n h e h e a rd th e n a m e the di s ab led m o n st er ,

fl e d a way a n d rea c h i n g h is h o m e h e s p o ke to h is fi ve
, ,

b ro th e rs s ayi n g
, ,

“
Run b ro th ers run
, ,

l
H e re c o m es Ras a u th e c h am p ion b rave
Le t us h a s te a n d hide in th e m o un tai n cave -
,

W h eth e r pro ph e t of G o d, or Bee lz e b ub ,

U p on his l
s h o u de rs h e ca rri e s a c ub ” l
w
.

W i th th ese wo rds an d i th m a n y o th e rs o f li ke
i m p o rt he c o n ti n ued h is c a ree r a t h is ut m o st sp eed ,

a n d w en t an d hid him s e lf i n the C av e o f Gan d

garh .
66 TH E LE GE N D OF R A S A L U .

Bl e s s e d S i al kot i s m bi rth pl a c e S ulwan

y ,

fathe r , an d m y n am e is Ras al u

j l
Ra a S ulwan ’s s o n am I ,
Ras a u is m y n a m e
l
S ia k ot i s m y fath er an d,
M y c ity is th e s am e ”
l
.

On e sn or t of m in e, c ri e d Baika lb h a th , will
s weep yo u away .
"

A t on ce st e r l a i d h is fo re fi n ger o n h is ri gh t
th e m on

n o s tril an d bl e wwi th h i s l e ft I n s t an tl y t h ere p as s ed

.

o v e r th e l an d a s udden an d a th ic k da rk n es s ,

th e a t m o s ph e re wa s fill ed wit h l uri d dus t an d by ,

m e a n s o f m a gic an d e n c h a n t m e n t t h e wi n ds a n d th e

cl o uds rus h ed up fro m a fa r Th en b ea t the ra i n fo r .

fo rty days an d fo rty n i gh t s an d th e h a i l s to n es s m ote

, ,

th e t h un de rs ro are d a n d th e li gh t n i n gs fl as h ed an d
, ,

t h e v e ry ea rt h wa s s h ak e n .

N o w k ee p y o ur fee t goo d s t eed, c ri e d Raj a

,

Ras al u an d t o th e lad h e s a i d H e re b o y grip , , ,

w e l l my stirrup an d fea r th em n o t .

A n d w h i l e t h e wi n d s w e pt b y wit h th e fo rce o f a
h urric a n e s o th at th e t rees we re up ro o te d the k i n g
, ,

s a t fi rm a n d un daun t e d i n th e m i ds t o f th e t e m p e st ,

a n d n e v er fl i n c h ed o r c o w ere d a j ot .

W h e n the s to rm h ad driv e n b y a n d the da rkn e ss ,

h ad s p ed Bai kalb h ath b o as tfully c ri e d

, ,

N o w s ee if Rasal u is th ere
 TH E GI A N TS O F G A N D GA RIJ . 67

A nd as the li gh t dawn ed t h ey sa w hi m i n th e sam e

s p o t Th e n Baik a lb h a th b urs ti n g wi th rage s n o rted

.
, ,

wit h b o t h h is n o s t ril s a n d it c o n t i n ued ra i n i n g an d

,

h ai li n g w i t h t wo fo l d vi o l e n ce a n d the s to rm ra ged
-
,

furi o us ly fo r e i gh ty day s a n d e i ghty n i ghts s o t h a t ,

n o s t o n e o r t ree o r a n i m a l o r bi rd was l e ft wi thi n a

,
.
, ,

radi us o f a h un dre d m i l es A n d wh e n th i s wa s o v e r
.

Baik alb h ath c ri e d o n c e m o re ,

N o w s e e if Ras al u i s t h e re
A n d t he y l o o ke d a n d s t i l l t hey s aw th e h e ro s t a n d
,

i n g i n t h e s a m e p o s i t i o n c a l m a n d un m o v e d a s t he
A n ge l o f D e a th Th e n fea r a n d co n s te rn a t i o n fi ll e
. d
t h e i r h earts a n d t h e y w ere i n a m i n d to fl ee w h en
, ,

o n e o f th em s a i d ,

But if y o u a re i n deed Ras al u yo u wi ll pi e rc e wi th

y o ur a rro w s e v e n i ro n gri ddl es fo r s o it i s w ritt e n ,

”
i n o ur s a c re d b o o ks .

“
Bri n g t h e m fo rth s a i d Ras al u, .

A n d t h e gi a n ts b ro ugh t o ut t h e s e v e n gri ddl e s

”
,

ea ch o f which w e i gh e d t hi rty fi ve t o n s a n d s e tt i n g -
, ,

t h e m up i n a ro w o n e b eh i n d an o th e r th ey c h a l l en ged ,

Ras al u t o pi erc e th e m D ra wi n g his b o w Ras al u

.
,

laun ch e d o n e o f h i s s h a fts o f i ro n w e i ghi n g a h un dre d

o u n ds a n d dro v e i t a t t h e s e v en gri ddl es s o th at
p , ,

i t pi erc e d th e m t h ro ugh a n d t hro ugh a n d fi x ed it s e lf ,

i m m o v e a bly in th e ea rth b ey o n d .

“
Yo u h a ve m iss e d c ri ed a llthe gi an t s in a b reath .
68 TH E LEGEND OF RA S A L U .

I
v er m i s s ed i n my life
n e re t urn e d Ra s al u ,
.

Go l o o k at t h e gri ddl es a n d s ee
,
.

Th e y w en t to th e s p o t a n d s aw th e gri ddl e s rea l l y

,

pi erc ed an d th e arro w stuc k i n th e groun d b eyo n d

,
.

"
Th en s a i d Ras al u Pul l o ut th e arro w l
,

Th e y all p ul l e d a n d t ugge d b ut n o t o n e o f th e m ,

c o ul d s ti r it an d Ras al u drew it fo rth hi ms e lf

, .

“
let us ”
O f a t ruth t h i s m an i s a gi an t s a i d o n e , ,

t ry hi m wi th s o m e i ro n gra m If he will eat it we .

,

s h a l l k n o w th at h e c o m es o f th e bl o o d o f t h e de

m on s.

Th en the gi an ts b ro ught ten p oun ds o f i ro n gra m ,

a n d ga v e it i n t o h is h an ds b ut Ra s al u de ft ly ch an g ,

’
i n g it fo r the gra m wh ich h e h ad in his h o rs e s n o s e
b ag b egan to eat b e fo re th em an d wh e n h e h ad
, ,

fi n i s h ed it h e c ri ed , ,

N o w l o o k o ut for y o urs elv e s

Th en c h an ti n g a s pe ll h e t urn ed Baika lb h ath i n t o
s to n e a n d s e t o ff i n p urs ui t o f th e res t
, D ra wi n g his .

b o w h e s t ruc k fi rst a t Tu n dia wh o w en t flyi n g with

th e arro w to M aks u dab agh w h ere h e fe ll an d di ed , .

Th en with a n o th er arro w h e s m o t e M u n di a an d

A kaldos wh o wi th the arro w we n t flyi n g a b ro ad to

, ,

A li khan wh ere th ey al s o fe l l do w n an d th ere th ey

, ,

di ed * .

ll Th ese gian ts
ars of gran i te .
s ti ll s tan d where they fe ll— im m en se l
m on o ithic
pi
 TH E GIA N TS OF GA N D GA RH . 69

H a vi n g a cc o m pli s h ed s o m uch o f h is l a b o ur ,

Ra s al u a s c e n de d G an dgarh , an d e n t e ri n g th e fo rtres s
o f th e
gi a n t s h e b e gan t o l o o k a b o ut hi m wh e n ,

his gl an c e li gh te d o n G a n dgarri th e fe ma l e gi a n t
, ,

c l o th ed i n a ric h dre s s a n d s i tti n

g b e fo re a h uge
‘

fi re o n which s i m m e red a c a p a ci o us c a l dro n of

b o i li n g o i l fo r s h e wa s w a iti n g a n xi o us ly fo r th e
,

re t urn o f h er b ro th ers , wh o w ere to b ri n g h o m e a

m an , s o t h a t s h e m i ght b o i l hi m a n d eat h im A s .

s oo n a s s h e s a w Ra j a Ras al u s he l eered at him an d

,

e xcl a i m e d

A h fri en d I am ch arm e d to s ee yo u Fo r a l o n g
, , .

ti m e h a v e I b een w a iti n g fo r yo u b e c a us e I h a v e,

wi s h ed s o m uch to m a rry yo u But fi rst o f all i f

.
, ,

yo u w o ul d do o n e thi n g it w o ul d b e b ett er
, .

“
W h a t is it ? as ked Ra s al u
”
.

I t is m ere ly an s w e re d s h e
, ,
th a t yo u wi ll w a l k
roun d th is c a l dro n th ree ti m e s a fter whi ch I wi l l
,

m arry yo u fo r th a t i s the c us t o m o f o ur re li gi on
, .

I k n o w n o t ho w to do thi s thi n g s a i d Ras al u ,

”
,

yo u wi ll fi rs t h a v e to t eac h m e .

Th en th e gi a n t e ss a ro s e a n d b e gan to c a p er an d
,

frisk it ro un d th e s m o k i n g c a l dro n b ut wh e n s h e h ad
, ,

c o mp a ss ed it t wic e Ras al u h eav ed h e r up as s he

,

p a s s ed by hi m a n d t o ss ed h er o v e r i n t o the b o ili n g
,

o il
. Th ere s he wa s reduc e d to a s h e s a n d wh e n h er , ,

sk ull split with th e h eat o f the fi re s o great was the ,

70 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A LU .

s ho c k th ere o f th at it b ro ugh t o n a n earth qua k e

,

w h ic h l a s te d fo r th ree h o urs .

A fte r th i s Ras al u w en t fo rth an d fo un d th e lad

, ,

cli n gi n g to th e s t um p o f a tree t re mbli n g a n d q uiver ,

i n g i n ev ery li m b n o t k n o wi n g s o great wa s h is fear

, , ,

wh at h ad o cc urre d .

“
W hy a re yo u afra i d s a i d Ras al u .

'

Be c a us e a n s w ere d h e th e gi a n t s will c o m e j us t
” “
, ,

n o w an
”
d eat m e .

S a i d th e k i n g Th e y ha v e , all b een k i ll ed , or

n e x t t o it D i d y o u n o t fee l t h e
. e arthq ua k e
”
“
Y es , pli ed t he la d
re .

Th at s a i d Ra s al u was c aus e d by t h e b urs ti n g

, ,
“

”
o f G an dga rri s h e ad
’
.

R i gh t pl ea s ed was th e y o uth t o h ear th e go o d n e w s

‘

a n d fo rth wi th h e c a m e t o h is s e n s es .

T h e n s a i d R a sal u “
Th ro w o ff th o s e l o a v e s l o ad, ,

yo ur b uffa l o with s p o i l fro m th e fo rt an d get a wa y ,

”
h o m e t o y o ur m o th e r .

“
Th ere is a b un da n c e o f t rea s ure i n th e des ert e d
ci ty an s w e red th e lad
,
I do n o t wi s h fo r a n y .

”
t h i n g fro m th e fo rt .

S o h e wen t b a c k t o his m o th er an d arriv ed at his ,

h o m e i n s a fety .

Th e n Ras al uch a n t e d an o t h e rs p e ll o v er Ba i k alb ha th

a n d re s t o re d h i m to l ife wh e n the gi a n t s ee i n g h is , ,

en e my s o cl o s e to hi m t o re up a p ros t rat e t ree an d , ,

 TH E GI A N TS OF GA N D GA RH 7 !

a d an
v c ed to k il l hi m ; b ut Ras alus h o rs e m ade a lea p ’

o f fi fty y ards a n d hi s m as t e r was s av e d

, Th e n th e .

gi an t wen t flyi n g t o th e t O p o f th e m o un t ai n an d , ,

li fti n g up a n e n orm o us ro c k he h url e d i t a t Ras al u , ,

wh o rece iv ed i t o n hi s shi e l d a n d s ust a i n e d n o h arm .

N e v er s a i d Ra s al u t o his ho rs e
”
,
s h a ll I be ,
“

a bl e to sl ay Baik al b h ath i f yo u do n o t h ear m e at a

,

b o un d to th e m o un t a i n to p -
.

A t o n c e th e h o rs e dre w hi ms elf t o geth er an d ,

le a p i n g i n t o th e a ir h e c arri e d his m as ter t o his

,

a dv e rs a ry s
’
s i de wh e n R as al u s m o t e h a rd an d
,

fi erc ely s o th a t th e gi an t s le g was c ut o fl an d h e

'
’

, ,

fe l l an d di e d S o p e rish e d Baikalb ha th th e k i n g o f
.
,

t h e gi an ts “9
.

N e ve r fl aggi n g i n his l a b o ur Ra s al u n o w s et o ut ,

fo r Kh eri m i i rti to h un t up the gi a n t Bhi u Th e re

'
-
n .

h e disc o v e red th at h e was hi dden i n a h o l e i n th e

fo re st an d h e c ri ed s ayi n g
, , ,

A re yo u th ere Bhi u n ?

Yes a n s w e red he
,
.

W hy h a v e youh i dde n y o urs el f ? e n qui red Ra sal u .

Bec aus e I was a fra i d o f yo u s a i d Bhiti n

” ’
.
,

En t eri n g th e fo re st Ra s al u ch a l l e n ge d hi m an d
, ,

h a vi n g gat h ered t oge th er vast h eaps o f dry b o ugh s ,

a n d h avi n g t h ro w n th e m i n t o th e pit h e pil ed th e m ,

Th e foot prin ts of Bhaun ra-I raki in l

the im es ton rocks sti l l
v ll
e are

po i n ted out b y th e i age s

r .
72 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A LU .

up, an d s et fi re t o t he m , d t h us t he gi a n t Bhiu
an n

was m i s e ra bly b urn t to p o wder .

Th e n c e Ras al u p ro c e ede d to s earch fo r Thi rra ,

b ut h e was un a bl e t o t ra c k h i m S o h e s en t fo rth .

S h adi his p a rr
, o t wh o fl e w o v e r t h e h ills
, a n d fo un d ,

h i m hi dde n i n th e C av e o f Ga n dgarh Th e n flyi n g .

,

b a c k to h is m as t er h e s a i d The gi an t is hi dden i n
, ,_

"
th e c a v e o f th e m o un t a i n .

G o i n g t o t he pl a c e Ras al u s aw Th i rra c ro uchi n

, g
i n th e gl o o m o f G an dgarri ki gh ar an d h e c ri ed - -
, ,

A re yo u i n s i de Th i rra ,

Yes an s w ere d he
”
, .

W hy a re yo u h ere as ked Rasal u .

Be c a us e s i r s a i d Th i rra “ yo u c ut o ff my h an d
”
, , , ,

a n d I was a fra id o f yo u an d I h a v e c o m e i n , h ith er

”
t o hi de .

Th en as h e h eard th e a pp ro achi n g foo tst e p s o f

,

t h e t erribl e k i n g h e ran furt h e r i n

, an d lift i n g up his , ,

vo ic e i n a l a m en t to Go d h e c ri ed a l o ud an d s a i d
,

“
S tran ge i s Thy n ature a ways , G o d m os t dread,
To Th ee th e p oo r an d n eedy c ry fo r b re ad
l
l
Th o ugives t ife wh ere ife ived n o t b efo re, l l
l
A n d th o s e wh o ive Th o u b iddes t i e n o m o re
M y b ark i s dri ftin g o’er th e s torm y de ep,
lv .

l
W h i e a llh er c re w are wrapt in dead y s eep l l
l l _

A zrae , th e A n ge , gras peth th ’ gui din g o ar,

v
A n d, th ro ugh th e wa es th at h oa rse y ro un d h er ro ar,
H is s h udde ri n g frei gh t h e h urrieth to the s h ore
l
.

0 h o w c an I forekn o w wh at wo rds o f doo m

l l
A gai n st m y sou proc ai m b eyon d the sh adowy tom b
 74 TH E LE G E N D O F RA S A L U .

b a ffl e d ,
an d h is b e ll o wi n g fill s th e vi ll age s ro un d wi th
dre adf"
de d R aj a Ras alus
b a t tl e wi th th e fam o us
’
So en

gi a n ts o f G a n dga rh a n d if yo u a s k t he p e a s a n ts fo r
,

p ro o fs o f t h e s t o ry t h e y will s h o w yo u s c a tte re d ab o ut
,

t h e c o un try Ras alus i n vi n ci bl e a rro w s w h ic h s ti ll

’

s ta n d w h e re th e y s e v e ra lly ligh t e d j ‘ '

.

l l
G a n dga rh i s s ubjec t to fre q uen t earth q uak e s

l E en when th ere i s . v
n o perc e ptib e q uaki n
g, th e i n te rn a ro ari n g o f th e earth c an b e h eard,
a n d th is p ro b ab y is th e n o i s e wh i c h s eem s to
p roc e ed fro m th e hi
v ll ll
v
e e r ass e rt th a t th e b e o wi n

fro m th e ro a r o f a n earth q ua ke
ll
a n d wh i c h i s as c ri b ed to th e i m
p ris o n e d Thi rra The i age rs h o w
g o f th e gi an t i s q ui te a dis ti n c t so un d
a n d th a t, as th i s
.

l v ll l
p ec u i ar b e o wi n g
h a s n o t b een h eard for e igh t yea rs , th e gi an t Thi rra m us t ha e a t as t
e x p i re d

l
.

Ras alus arro ws o ften se en b y the wri ter are gran i te m e a i th s

l l
l
“ ' ’

g
i ke th o s e a t M ak s u
,

dab agh an d A i khan M os t o f the m s tan d eigh t

.

o r te n fee t o ut of th e gro un d .
 C H A P TE R V I I I .

R A S A LU S A D V E N TU R E W I TH T I LLI A R
’

T H E S N A K E, A N D K A G TH E R A V E N , .

R as a lu hedgehog f rom dro wn i n g H e ta hes

’

s a ves a .

i t wi th hi m . He i
a rr ves a t a des erted pa la ce The .

f our wa tches The hedgehog f a lls i n to the pool

. .

The hi n g s life i s i m peri lled The hedgehog s con

’ ’
.

tes t wi th the ra ven an d the s n a he . H i s double vi c

R a s a lu a wa /ees H is gra t i tude The hedge

' ’

to ry . . .

a dvi ce The f ri en ds p a rt
’
h og s . .

A J A R A S A LU on c e c am
b an k o f a e to th e

riv e r w h e re h e s a w a h e d e h o
, g g b e i n g c a rri e d
aw a y by t h e c urre n t A ddre s s i n g t h e k i n g
.
,

t h e li t t l e c rea t ure i m pl o re d h i m to s av e h i m fro m

dea th s a yi n g
, ,

O rider o f t h e dark gre y m a re,

l
-

R a s a u b earde d, t urb a n e d s tran ger,

A dro wn in g h e dge h o g c ra e s yo ur c a re, v
v
Fo r G o d’s s ake s a e h is i fe from dan ger ” l .

Yo u a re ah e dge h o g a n s w e re d Ra s al u
,
, an d
I am a m an ; W h at c o n n e ct io n t h ere is b etw ee n yo u
76 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

an d m e I kn o wn ot . But
bj ure d m eas yo u h a v e a
”
by th e n am e o f G o d I wi ll ta ke yo u o ut o f t h e riv e r
, .

A s h e s p o ke t h e s e w o rds h e l o w e re d do w n o n e e n d
o f hi s b o w t o t h e w at er a n d by t h a t m e an s s a v e d,

th e h e dge h o g fro m his p e ri l Th e n l a n di n g h i m .

s a fe ly o n t h e b a n k h e b a de h i m go w h i t h e rs o e v e r h e
,

pl ea s e d To b e l e ft a l o n e ho w e v e r was far fro m t he

.
, ,

grate ful h e dge h o g s de s i re I t i s n o t go o d s a i d h e

’
.
, ,

th a t yo u s h o ul d n o w a b an do n m e i n th i s pl a c e .

To m o rro w a n o t h er fl o o d wil l c o m e an d i t wi ll c arry

-
,

m e a w ay I f yo u wi l l ta ke m e wi th yo u it m ay
.
,

c h an c e t h at I s h a l l b e a bl e to do vou a s e rvi c e i n re
”
t urn fo r a ll y o ur k i n dn e s s t o m e .

I do n o t th i n k y o ur as s i s tan c e will b e n ee ded ,

a n s w e re d Ras al u .

But th e h edge h o g pl e ade d h ard fo r th e fa v o ur I .

t h a t as yo uh a v e n o w s a v e d m
“
b eg s a id he y life
”
, ,
,

s o yo u wi ll n o t re fus e m y re q ue s t
”
.

But wh ere i n th e Wo rl d s a i d th e k i n g
”
s h a ll I
, ,

p ut yo u
Put m e, re turn ed th e h e dgeh o g , i n t o yo ur
”
b ag
’
h o rs e s n os e -
.

Ra s al u t h e n too k up th e l i tt l e b e as t, l ayi n g an d
h i m i n th e fee di n g b ag, h e c o n t i n ue d his
-
w an de ri n gs .

A s h e wa s ri di n g a l o n g h e o b s e rve d a s p a ci o us ,

m an s i o n b e aut ifully b ui l t an d s urro un de d o n a ll s i des

,

wit h garde n s b ut it was en ti re ly des erted There

, .
78 TH E L E GE N D OF R A S A L U .

m o es t l w ret ch e d w ayfa re rs a n d w h o s o ev er v e n tures

,

t h i s wa y w h e th e r h e b e h un te r o r p ri n c e o r k i n g
, , , ,

”
t he y n e v e r p e rm i t h i m to p a s s th e pl a c e a liv e .

W h a t do th e y do en q ui re d Ras al u .

K n ee li n g do wn b e fo re th e k i n g a s if a t his p ray ers ,

th e h e dge h o g m e ek ly re pl i e d S i re t ra v e ll e rs wh o
“
, ,

c o m e to th i s fo un ta i n b e i n g o v e rc o m e wi th fa t i gue
, ,

lie do wn h e re a n d res t Th en th i s Ti lli er th e s e r

.
,

p e n t i n t h e m i ddl e o f t he n i gh t s te a l s o ut up o n th e m
, ,

a n d s uc k s a wa y t h e i r b re a t h a s th e y l ie a s l e e p a fte r ,

w h i c h h e go e s a w a y a n d i n fo rm s h is fri en d th e s ea
,

ra v en wh o c o m e s i n h is turn an d p e c ks o ut t h e i r
,

e y e s fro m th e s o c k e ts .

s a i d Ras al u
”
“
I s i t t rue ? .

Y e s i t is q ui te t rue a n s w e re d th e h e dge h o g
”
.
,

Th e n s a i d t h e k i n g I c an n o t n o w s t ri k e m y ten t
, ,

b e c a us e I h a v e a l re a dy s a i d t h a t h e re I wi l l c e r
ta i n ly re m a i n But yo u s h a l l a ll a c t a s I b i d y o u
”
. .

W e a w a i t yo u o rde rs s a i d th e h edge h o g
”
,

Go d i s m a s t e r o v e r a ll s a i d Ra s al u
”
, H e h as .

p o we r t o k ill a n d H e h a s p o wer t o s av e But o n e .

t h i n g i n go o d s o o th yo u p eo pl e s h o ul d n o t o m i t to
, ,

do . A l to ge th e r we n um b e r fo ur p ers o n s Le t us .

t h e re fo re w a k e a n d s l ee p by t urn s a n d t h us le t us ,

p as s th e fo ur w a t c h es o f th e n i gh t i n s a fety .

H avi n g s o o rda i n e d R a s al u a ga i n s p o ke an d
,

s aid ,
Th e fi rs t w a tc h o f th e n i gh t s h all b e t a ke n
“
 A D VE N TUR E WI TH TI LLIA R g IrA G.
'

.
79

by m e t h e s e c o n d by Bh a un ra I rak i m y h o rs e th e
,
-
,

t h i rd by S h adi m y p a rro t a d t h e fo urth by t h e

n ,

h e dge h o g .

Th us s ayi n g Ras al u o rde re d e v e ry on e to s l e e p

, ,

a n d b e gan his w a t c h W h e n h is t urn was up h e

.

ro us e d h is h o rs e a n d hi m s e lf l
,
ay do w n t o res t W h en .

th e h o rs e s w a t c h wa s o v e r h e w o k e t h e p a rro t a n d
’

, ,

w e n t t o his b e d W h e n th e p arro t s w a tc h was o v e r

.
’

h e w ok e t h e h e dge h o g an d re t i re d h i m s e l f to s l e e p
, .

Th e h e dge h o g go t up a n d b e ga n t o w a l k to a n d fro
, ,

i n t en t up o n h is duty But th e c o l d wa s s o bi tt er th a t
.

h e fo un d it i n t o l era bl e a n d s o h e w en t n ea r t o t h e
,

fi re t o wa rm h i m s e lf Th ere h o w e v er th e w arm th
.
, ,

m a de him s l e e py a n d h e b e ga n to do z e
, Th e n .

t h o ugh t h e to hi m s e lf ,

I m us t n o t s l ee p 0 n o I m us t n o t s l ee p l e st by
, , ,

e vi l ch a n c e th a t w re tch e d s n a ke s h o ul d c o m e an d k il l

m y m a s t er I h a d b ett e r go an d s it by th e p o o l o f
t h e fo un t a i n .

S o t o th e fo un t a i n h e w e n t b ut un h appily th e ,

da rkn e s s was s o de n s e t h a t h e c o ul d n o t di s ti n gui s h

t h e b a n k a n d do w n
,
h e s lipp e d i n to th e w a te r n o r ,

was h e a bl e to ge t o ut a ga i n th o ugh h e s t ruggl e d ,

h ard a n d trie d h is ut m o s t .

W hi l e th e h e dge h o g wa s th us e n de a v o uri n g to
rega i n th e b a n k t h e s e rp e n t h a vi n g w atch e d h is
, ,

o p p o rt un ity gli de d s o ftly to the s i de o f Ra j a Ras al u ,

80 TH E LE G E N D OF RA S A L U .

an d dre w a b re ath H e t h en sto l e b a c k a n d

w ay h is . ,

t o l d his fri e n d K ag s ayi n g , ,

I h a ve do n e m y duty N o w go you a n d p erfo rm .

y o urs .
”

Th e s e dre adful w o rds w e re ov e r h e a rd by th e -

h edgeh o g wh o i n an a go n y e xc l a i m e d O Go d wh a t
, , ,

h a s h a pp en e d ? A ll t h i s t ro ubl e h as b e e n c a us e d by
my fo o li s h n e s s .

Th e n e x e rti n g hi m s e lf o n c e m o re h e s p ra n go ut o f
th e w a ter wi th a ll h i s m igh t a n d m a i n a n d th i s ti m e ,

fo rtun e fa v o ured him C l a m b e ri n g up th e b a n k h e

.
,
'

ra n s wiftly fro m th a t s p o t an d a pp ro a c h e d th e s i de

o f th e k i n g wh ere h e b ega n to w atc h i n th e gre a t e s t

,

si l en c e e ven s to ppi n g h is v e ry b rea th I n a fe w

, .

m i n ut e s th e rav e n h o pp ed up a n d p erch ed h im s e l f ,

o n Raj a Ra s al us b reas t
’
J us t as h e wa s a bo ut to
.

s tri ke h is p o w erful b e ak i n to the k i n g s ey e s the ’

h edgeh o g h avi n g qui e tly ri s e n c a ugh t h i m by t h e le g , ,

a n d b ega n t o c run ch i t i n t o pi e c e s wi th h is s h a rp lit t l e

t eeth Th e n j um p i n g n i m bly fro m h is leg h e s e i z e d

.

on h is n e c k an d b e gan to c run ch th a t t o o
, The .

ra v e n fi n di n g hi m s e l f cl utch e d ut t e re d p i e rci n
g n o te s ,

o f dis tre s s a n d c ri e d o u
, t m o st l a m en t a bly A t l as t .

his fri en d Ti lliar h e a rd h i m a n d dre w n ea r to o bs erve , .

“
W h o i s th at s a id h e , m ol e s ti n g my b roth er ,
”
K ag?
Th e h edgeh o g m ade n o re p ly .
82 TH E LE GE N D OF A S / IL U
’
Ii .

c ri es
-
. Th e re fo re fi rs t le t h i m go a n d th e n I wil l ,
”
com e a n d re s to re to y o ur fri e n d h is b re a t h .

“
The h edge h o g p erc e ivi n g hi s c ra ft a n s we re d
,
I , ,

c an n o t p erm it t hi s ra v en to e s c a pe o ut o f m y po w e r ,

b ut I will t ake c a re th a t h e s h a ll n o t b e t o rm e n te d
an y m o re .

V e ry w e ll repl i ed th e sn ake .

Th e he dgeh o g th e n s n a p p e d o ff the ra v en s h ead

’
,

a n d l ayi n g him o n o n e s i de h e c ri e d with a l o ud v o ic e ,

N o w c a ll y o ur fri e n d a n d s ee if h e will giv e yo u

,

”
a n a n s we r .

Th e s n ak e c a ll ed to K ag h is fri en d aga i n an d aga i n

, ,

b ut n o t a w o rd was sp o ke n o r a s o un d utt ered i n re ply .

A h
”
,
s a i d th e h edge h o
g yo ur fri e n d wa s i n
,
“

gre a t di s t re s s b ut the m o m e n t I let hi m go h e was

,

o v e rt a ke n by a s o un d de lici o us sl ee p D o n o t th ere .

”
fo re to rm en t hi m a n y m o re .

Th e s n a ke li s t e n ed an d li s t en e d b ut as th e c ri es were ,

n o t re p ea t ed h e t h o u, gh t t o h i m s e l f H e h a s c e rt a i n ,

”
ly le t m y fri e n d go H e t h e re fo re a pp ro a ch e d th e
.

p ul s e l es s b ody o f Raj a Ra s al u an d re sto red to the ,

k i n g th e b reath o f life .

A s h e was re t urn i n g h o m e to h is de n the h e dge h o g , ,

wh o ha d c re pt a w ay i n to th e da rkn es s to w ayl a y
h im ,
s udde n ly sp ran g o ut fro m his a m b us h an d ,

s e i ze d hi m by the h e ad w h ich h e b e an to c run c h a s

, g
h e h ad c run ch e d th e rave n s n e c k
’
 A D VEN TURE WI TH TI LLI A R G
r” K A G . 83

O un wo rthy o n e c ri e d hi s w re tched victi m do

, ,
“

n o t b reak yo ur vo w !
”

I am a wi ld b ea s t re to rt ed the h edgeh o g
, .

W h a t h a ve I t o do wi th fa i th o r wi th v o ws P M y
”
duty is to sl ay my e n e my .

Th e n s ai d t he s n ake

I n form e r ages , wri te the s ages ,

S n akes an d h e dgeh ogs were aki n
Th en c ea s e yo ur s trife a n d s pare m y li fe
S o Go d’s a ppro va yo u wi win ”l ll .
,

But th e h edge h o g a n sw e re d

I n form e r age s , wri te th e s age s ,

S n akes a n d h e dge h ogs b urn e d in hate
l
O fo o i s h o n e , yo ur wo rk i s do n e,
Yo ur o wn ’s th e ax e th a t c uts yo ur fa te

W ith th es e w o rds the h edgeh o g c rus h ed his e n e my

i n t o pi e c e s a n d w h en h e h a d l a i d his b o dy c l o s e to
,

t he pil l o w o f Raj t Ra s al u h e c url e d hi ms e l f u a n d

'
a ,
p
fe l l asl eep .

Th a t day Ra s al u s l e pt l o n g a n d s o un dly an d h e , .

was l at e i n ri s i n g W h en h e a w o ke h e b ega n to
.

sco l d a n d a b us e e ve ry o n e a b o ut him s ay in g W hy , ,

did yo u n o t c a ll m e e a rli er
”
S i re
, sa i d th e h edge hog i n his h umbl e a cce n ts ,

l o o k ab o ut yo u wh a t s e e yo u cl o se to yo ur b ed
”
I s ee s a i d Ra s al u gaz i n g t o wards his re s ti n
“

g
, ,

pl a c e I s ee a de ad ra v en a n d a dead s n ake c rush ed

,

”
to pi ec e s .
84 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Th e n un ders to o d he all th e i m p o rta n c e of th e ser

vic e wh ic h h a d b een re n de re d t o him an d h e was gl ad ,

an d s a i d to th e h e dge ho g

O h edgeh o g t hi s fa vo ur wh ich yo u h av e do n e to
,

m e is p as t re c o m p e n s e si n c e y o u h a v e s av ed my life !
,

But yo u wil l b e re warde d o f G o d .

The p arro t a n d th e h o rs e a l s o c o m m en ded him

hi gh ly s ayi n g
, 0 fri e n d yo u h av e s ave d o ur
, ,

m ast er s l i fe M a y Go d p re s erv e yo u in h appi n ess !

’
.
”

S i re s ai d th e h edgeh o g to Ras al u I h av e m ere ly

, .

re t urn ed t he fa v o ur w h ic h yo u did t o m e A n d n ow .
,

i f yo u wil l a ll o w m e I wi ll go m y way
, .
”

V ery rel uc tan tly Rstja Ras al u c on s en t ed to p art

’

w ith him b ut at l a s t l eavi n g h im at th at v ery s p o t

, , ,

h e m o un t e d an d ro de o ff H a rdly h ad he t urn e d
.

his b ac k wh e n the h edge h o g l o o ked a fter him an d

s ai d ,
“
W h ere are you go i n g to n o w P ”

”
I am go i n g a n s w ered the k i n g to s ee Raj a
, ,

”
S irik ap .

s a i d th e h edgeh og b e w arn ed by m e !
O S i re, ,

Go n o t t o Raj a S irikap fo r h e i s a m agici an an d

, ,

h e will s ure ly bri n g yo u i n to t ro ubl e

”
.

N ev erth e l e s s t o Raj a S i rikap I sh a ll go repli ed

“
, ,

Ras é
lu .

If yo u are really det ermi n ed t o go s ai d the ,

h edgeh o g t ake advic e a n d a c t as I b id yo u

, .

Lyi n g o n the ro ad h alf way t o S irikap s c apit a l yo u ’

-
 C H A PTE R

RA J A RA s A LU A N D RA J A S I R I K A P .

R a s a lu a n d S i ris zth S i ris uh wa hes d spea hs H is

' '

. an .

wa rn i n gs an d his coun s e l . R as dlu con ti n ues his

jo urn y
e . The wea ver an d h is ca t . The two vi llage

hoy s The d the goa t R as a lus

’
old s oldie r a rri
’

. an .

S i ri/cot R a s a lu
’ ’
va l a t S i rihap s
'

. m agi c s torm s .

d the ca s tl R a s a lu a n d P ri n
’

jhudhal
’

an e gon g
-
. ces s .

M eeti n g of the K i n gs . Thei r en i gm as . Thei r play .

Ra s dlu s los s es R a s a la
’ ’
d S i rih ap s
’ ’
. s ca t an ra t s.

H is
’
S i rihap s fi n al def ea t .
fl i
ght an d re- co p ture
The b i rth of the P ri n ces s K ohla n The
’

. m agi c i a n s .

The en d of S i ri lap R a s a la dep a rture wi th

‘ ’ ’
. s

A V I N G de p a rte d t h enc e Raj a Ra s al u j o ur ,

n e ye d o n to w a rds S i ri k ot th e Fo rt o f S k ull s , .

A t th e cl os e o f t he day h e h a lt e d a n d h a vi n g ,

pi tch ed h is t en t a n d e ate n h is s upp e r h e wa l ke d ,

fo rth to l o o k fo r the b o dy o f S i ris fi k th e b ro t he r o f ,

Raj a S irik ap who as h is n a m e i m pli es was s urn a m e d

, , ,
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D RA jA S I R/K A I ) .
87

Th e Be h e ader .
’
H e fo un d th e c o rp s e lyi n g s t i ff
an d c o ld o n th e gro un d, an d t urn i n g to his p a rro t h e ,

s ai d ,

Thi s m an is dead . W ho n o w wil l ad vis e us a b o ut

Raj a S irika p
O ffer up y o ur p ray e rs to Go d an sw ered th e
“
,

p o t, an d
a rr
“
I thi n k the bo dy wil l s it up b ec a us e it ,

i s n o t rea lly dead b ut it li es h e re un der th e s p e l l

o f S irik ap s m a ic
’

g .

Th e n Ras al u wh e n h e h ad fi rst w ash ed h is fa c e

, ,

hi s h a n ds an d h is fe et s to o d a n d p ray ed i n t h es e
, ,

wo rds

G o d, wi th in th e fo res t l o n e y l
l ll
N ight h ath fa e n o ’e r t h e de ad
l
G ran t h im ife a m o m e n t o n y,
Li ght wi th i n hi s e ye ids s he d l
l
The n th i s c o rp s e th at ie th pro n e y, l
Fo ur wo rds to s p eak wi l i ft his h ead ll .

Th e ki n g s p ray er was h eard a n d G o d gra n t ed

’

S i ris uk h is l ife, fo r a t o n c e t h e dead m an a w o k e

an d i
ra s n
g i
hi ms e lf h e b e gan t o sp e ak “
W h o h as .

di s t urb ed m e s aid h e .

H e re yo uh av e b ee n lyi n g a s l ee p for tw e lv e y e a rs ,

a n sw ere d Ra s al u
“
W h a t ki n d o f sl ee p i s this
,

W ho are yo u a s ked S iris uk .

”
I am Rasal u a n s w ered th e ki n g
, .

A re yo u th e rea l Ras al uo r a n o th er s a i d S i ris uk .

W h e re a re yo u go i n g
88 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A LU .

I j o urn e y to w a rds the c a s tl e o f yo ur e l de r b ro t he r ‘

S i rik a p t o w a ge b a tt l e wi th h i m
”
,
s a i d Ra s al u
, .

Th e n S i ris fi k b e ga n t o l augh .

W h a t a re y o u l a ugh i n g a t ? e n q ui red Ras al u .

I a m h is o wn b ro th e r re pli ed S iris uk
,
”
a n d ye t ,
“

h e k ill e d m e wi t h o ut p i t y D o y o u t h i n k h e wil l
.

s p a re yo u ? Bes i de s yo u h a v e n o t e v e n a n a rm y
, ,

w h il e his arm y is n um e ro us H o w do yo u i n te n d .

”
t o c o p e wi th h i m ?

A s s i s t e d by y o ur a dvic e an s we re d Ras al u I
“
, ,

t rus t I s h a l l b e ful ly a bl e t o fi gh t a n d to s ub due h i m .

Th en s a i d S i ris u k ,
W h e n yo ub e gi n to dra w n e a r
th e ci ty h e wil l ra i s e his m a gic a l s t o rm a n d bl o w yo u
,

a wa y to s o m e o th e r c o un t ry A n d if yo u e v ade
.

t h a t h e will b ury yo u un de r a s t o rm
,
o f m a gic a l

s n ow A n d i f y o u e s c a p e th at th e n w h e n y o u s tri ke
.
, ,

t h e go n g w h ic h h a n gs b e fo re th e c as t l e ga te an d -
,

wh e n th e n o i s e o f th e go n g s h a ll s o un d i n y our c a rs ,

yo u wil l l o s e y o ur s en s e s a n d be c o m i n g c ra z e d yo u
,

will b e driv e n o ut o f the pl a c e A n d if pe ra dve n .

t ure yo u a v o i d t h a t p e ri l t h e n , wh e n yo u p a s s un de r
,

th e s wi n g o f his da ught e r Jh udh al wh o s wi n gs i n th e

‘

p o rch o f the p al ac e which is fifty y ards hi gh yo u

, ,

wi ll b egi n to ra ge wi th fre n z y a n d yo u will b e c o m e

th e s p o rt o f th e i n m a t e s b e c a u,
s e th e e ffe c t o f th at

s wi n g i s th at w h o s o e v e r p a s s e s b e n eath i t go e s ra vi n g
'

m ad A n d i f by go o d fo rtun e an d th e fa v o ur o f G o d
.
90 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

H avi n g t t f h e c a m e t o a vi ll age wh ere

s ar e d a re s h ,

a c a t was b us y as s i s t i n g an o ld w ea v e r i n his w o rk .

0 w eave r s a i d Ras é lu h a v e yo u n o s o n n o r
“ “
, , ,

a n y s erv a n t t h at t h i s w re t c h e d c a t i s h e lpi n g yo u
,

a n s w ere d th e we a v er an d
“
I am a poo r m an , ,

n o o t h er c re ature i n t h e h o us e h a ve I e xc e pti n g ,

”
my c at .

Ras é lu o fferi n g th e m an t we n ty rup ee s b o ught

, ,

th e c at an d t o o k he r wi th h i m a n d as th e y w en t
,

a l o n g s h e s uc ke d a t t h e rib s o f S i ris fi k .

Ras al u c am e n e x t to a c e rta i n pl a c e wh ere he

sa w t wo b o y s pl a yi n g t o get h e r O n e o f th e m m ade
.

a s m a ll p oo l o f w ate r a n d c a l l ed it the rive r

,
'
Ravi a n d th e o th e r m a de a s i m i l ar p oo l a n d c al l ed
’

it th e riv er C h en a J us t t h en up c am e a thi rd
‘ ’
.

b oy wh o st oo p e d do w n a n d dran k up th e w at er o ut
o f b o th th e p o o ls .

Re s umi n g h is j o urn e y Ras al u n e xt s aw an o ld

,

so l di er w a s hi n g cl o th es o n th e b a n k o f a riv er .

H e was a di s ch a rge d p e n s i o n e r wh o h ad do n e go o d
s ervic e an d wh o h a d re c e iv e d a s h is re w a rd th e gra n t
,

o f a h o rs e a n d s ix ty vill ages H is v o uch ers o r p en

.

s i o n p ap e rs w ere t i e d up i n
- his t urb an which was ,

lyi n g at so m e di s ta n c e fro m hi m up on the gro un d .

W h en his b ack was turn e d a s tray goat c am e by

a n d ate up b o t h h is t urb an a n d his v o uch ers an d ,

o n disc o v eri n g h is l o s s th e p o o r s o l di e r who was o n ,

 RA /A RA S A L U A N D RA jA S I RI K A P , 9!

his wa y to c l a i m his c mp e n s e b ega n

re o ,
to la men t
m o st bitterly .

H a vi n g o b s e rv e d th es e thi n gs Ras al u c o n ti n ue d
,

his m a rch a n d a t l a st a pp roa chi n g t h e city o f S i ri kot

, ,

th e c a pi t a l o f Raj a S i rika p h e pi tch e d wi thi n a mil e

,

o f t he fo rt re s s a n d th e re h e t arri e d
, .

Wh en th e k i n g o f t h a t pl a c e h e a rd o f the arriv a l o f
this re do ubta bl e ch a m p i o n h e ra i s e d h is m a gic s t o rm s
,

i n which m a n y t re es a n d h o us e s w ere s w e p t a w a y .

Th e n e xt m o rn i n g h e e n q ui re d o f h is daught e r s a yi n g , ,

S ee if t h a t m a n is s t i ll t h e re l
“ ”

Th e gi rl l o o ked o ut o f t h e wi n do w a n d s a i d ,

H e a n d h is h o rs e are t h e re sti l l
”
.

Th en S irik ap p ro c l a i m e d i n t h e ci t y— “ To n i gh t -

th ere wi l l b e a h ea vy fa ll o f s n o w Ta ke c are o f .

y o urs e lv e s A s th e e v e n i n g a pp ro a ch e d the s n o w
.

b e ga n to c o m e do w n a n d it c o n ti n ue d fa l li n g a ll n i gh t
, ,

un ti l e ve ry pl a c e i n th e c ity was b uri e d m an y a y a rd

dee p . W h en m o rn i n g b ro ke the ki n g a ga i n addres s ed
his da ught e r s a yi n g , ,

S e e if th e m a n is s ti ll t h e re
”
S ir a n sw ered s h e l o o k i n g o ut
, h e is s t a n di n g
,

th ere sti ll a n d th e s n o w has n o t to uch ed him

, .

W h en the st o rm wa s o ver Raj a Ra sal u e n t ere d the

c ity an d go i n g to the c a stl e ga te he t o o k up the
, , ,

m a ll e t a n d s m o te the go n g s uch a t erri fic bl o w t h a t

,

m al l et a n d go n g w e re b o th sm ash ed i n t o pi e c e s .
92 TH E LE G E N D O F RA S A L L’ .

Th e n s a i d he to his h o rs e I f I v e n ture to p as s
,

b e n ea th the l ady s s wi n g m y s e n s es w ill l e a v e m e

’
.

S it fi rm ly i n y o ur s ea t a n sw ere d th e h orse I
”
,

w ill re ach h er a t a si n gl e b o un d an d th e m o m en t I ,

”
rea c h h e r do
yo u s e v er the s wi n g with y o ur s w o rd .

W i th th es e w o rds th e h o rs e l eap ed i n to the a ir an d

c a rri ed h er ri der to th e l o fty archw ay wh en Rasal u ,

wi th o n e st roke c ut th ro ugh the sil ke n c o rd o f the

Pri n c e ss J hudh als s wi n g a n d do wn fe l l t h e witch to
’

t h e gro un d . A l a rm ed a n d i n di gn a n t s h e w en t run ,

n i n g i n to h er fa th e r c ryi n g o ut a n d s ayi n
, g
S o m e o n e h as c o m e to day, 0 kin g,
ll ll
-

W h o ki s an d ki s th rougho ut th e to wn ;
H e s m o te m y ro p es , a n d s po i t m y s wi n g, l
A n d I , J h udh al, c am e tum b i n g do wn ; l
ll
Th e m a et fl e w i n fra gm en ts eigh t,
I n fragm en ts n in e do wn fe t h e go n g ; ll
O fl ee, m y S i re, a n d b a fl‘le fate,
l ll
Yo ur fi n a h o ur yo u’ s ca rce p ro o n g l” l
D augh te r, i d Raj a S irikap do n ot di s tre s s
sa ,

y o urs e lf a n d do n o t fear S o o n I s ha ll k il l him a n d

, .
,

yo u wi ll s ee h is h ead up o n th e bl oo dy w a l ls which I
h a v e b uilt o f th e h eads o f o t he rs
”
.

A s h e s p o k e Ras al u h i m s e l f e n t ered th e p a l ac e an d ,

S i rik ap ro s e a n d o ffere d h i m a c o uch c o v e red wi th a

gre e n c lo t h w h ich h ad b een w o v e n by m ean s o f m agic

a n d ch arm s a n d up o n th a t h e i n vit e d h im to res t
, .

But Ras al u rej e ct e d h is o ffe rs I a s k yo u .

n o t f r c o l o ure d c o uch e s
p s ai d h e
,
”
iv e m e a . G
 94 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Ras al u ch a l l en ged h is a d ers ar

v y to divi n e th e

an s w er ,
x e rci s e d his p o we rs i n vai n
b ut S irikap e A t .

l as t h e wa s c o mp ell ed t o giv e it up an d Ras al u s a i d ,

it) h i m
“
Yo u h ave n o t di s c o ve red the an sw e r : gra n t
,

”
m e th e re fore th e whit e c o v ere d c o uch -
an d wi t h o ut ,

a n o t h er w o rd S i ri kap ga ve it t o hi m But th e q ue e n .
,

who h a d b ee n w a tchi n g an d li s ten i n g b egan to t re m bl e ,

wi th fe ar un til her h us b a n d w e n t up to he r a n d
,

ch ee re d h er s ayi n g , ,

D o n o t gri e ve—I s h a l l c ut o ff this fe ll o w s h ea d

’

in a m i n ute a n d s en d i t o ve r to yo u b e c a us e m a n y ,

o t h ers h a v e c o m e i n l i ke m an n er b ut n o n e h a v e es ,

”
c a p ed m y h a n ds a t l as t .

Th e n s a i d S irikap to Ras al u W h erefo re h a v e yo u

“
,

c o m e to m e
I t is p o rt ed a n s we re d h e
re , th a t yo u are a ,

ty ra n t a n d th at yo u h a v e s l a ught ere d th o us a n ds o f
,

i n n o ce n t m en Th e re fo re h a v e I c o m e t o y o ur
.

c as t l e to ch a ll en ge yo u to a rm s
, .
”

Be it s o, re pli ed S irika p
ha l l o f
. E v e rythi n g s

c o urs e b e ordered as yo u de si re Th e n s a i d h e .
”

aga i n Fo r yo u an d m e to fi ght t oge th e r i n p ublic

,

wo ul d b e an ythi n g b ut c re ditabl e Far b e tter is i t .

t h at yo u sho ul d co m e an d pl a y chaupa t wi th m e ,

a n d t h at th e c on q uero r s h o ul d c ut o ff the l o s e r s
’

h ead .
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D RA /A S I RI K A P .
95

To this p ro p o s a l Raj a R a s al u wi lli n gly a gree d ,

s o t h e chau a t was b ro u h t th e l a m p wa s li gh te d a n d
p g , ,

t h e t wo k i n gs s a t do w n t o pl a y .

A s t h e ga m e b e ga n S i ri ka p c h a n te d fo r l uc k s a y
,

in g

l
Ben e ath th i s am p’s un c erta i n ray
T wo k in gs c o n te n d i n ri a p a y vl l
l
O c han ge fu G a m e , c h a n ge t h o u fo r m e ,
W a t S r k p i s th e s a
h i i a w m e s h ll
o u d be 1 ”
l
H e a ri n g th i s c h a rm , Ra s al u o b s erv e d Th a t
,
“

whic h yo u h a v e n o w re p eate d i s es s e n t i a lly w ro n g ,

s i n ce in y o ur v e rs e o t m e n ti o n e d the
yo u h a v e n
s a c re d n a m e o f G o d . W h a t yo u sh o ul d h a v e s a i d
was t h i s

Be n ea th th i s l
p s un c e rt a i n ra y
’

vl l
am

Two kin gs c o n te n d i n ri a p ay
l
0 c h an ge fu G am e , c h an ge th o ufo r m e ,
W h a t G o d de c rees th e s a m e s h a b e
”
ll .

W i th t h es e w o rds t h e ga m e b e ga n R aj a S irika p.

re p ea t i n g i n c a n t a ti o n s o v e r his dic e th re w th em an d ,

Ras a l u l o s t S i al kot The n Ras al u w a x e d w rat h

’
.
,

a n d i n h is a n ge r h e w a ge re d a l lh is s e rva n t s h is go o ds , ,

a n d his w h o l e k i n gdo m all o f whic h w ere a l s o wo n

,

by S iri ka p Th e thi rd ti m e h e s ta k ed h is m a re
.

Bha un r a I rak i a n d h is p arro t S h adi whic h w e re

-
,

a l s o Wo n by S irika p : t he fo urth t i m e h e l os t h is
a rm s ; a n d t he fi fth a n d l a s t t i m e he l o s t his o wn li fe .
96 TH E LE G E N D OF RA S A L U .

The n S irika p s p ra n g t o h is fee t, a n d dra wi n g his

c ut o ff h is riv a l s h e ad But
’
s wo rd he p re p ared to .

Ras al u s a i d ,

“
I t is t rue I h a v e l o s t m y h e a d a n d yo u h a ve a ,

ri gh t to ac t a s
yo u pl e a s e N e v e rt h e l es s I w o ul d
.
,

l o o k to w ards my o wn k i n gdo m o n c e m o re S uffe r .

m e t he re fo re to a s c e n d fo r t h a t p urp o s e to t he roo f

o f y o ur p a l a c e
”
.

S irika p c o n s e n ti n g Ra s al u w e n t up to the p a l ac e
,

ro o f a n d b e a n t o
, g ga z e t o w ards S i al kot an d as he ,

ga z e d in s orro w h e s m o te his h a n ds up o n his thi gh s

a n d ut te re d a si h
g N o w t he c at wa s c o n c e a l e d in
.

h is cl o thi n g an d wh e n Ras al us m o te him s e lf s he c ri ed

,

o ut up o n
, which the k i n g re m e m b ered her an d re ,

jo ic ed .

“
0 yo u l uc kl es s l i t t l e be a s t ,
sa i d he yo u h ave
,
“

n o t ye t do n e m e a s e rvic e at all, b ut n ow le t m e try

m y fo rt un e o n c e m o re .
”

C o m i n g do w n i n to th e p a l a c e h e s a i d to S i rikap , ,

By wh o m w e re yo u c rea t e d
By H im wh o c rea t e d yo u a n s w e re d h e , .

u
”
If y a lly b e li e v e th i s s a i d Ras al u p ermit
“
o re , ,

"
m e to try o n e m o re ga m e in H is n am e .

C e rt a i n
”
w ere d S irik a p a n d the two k i n gs
ly , an s ,

aga i n s at do wn t o pl a y .

Th e n Ra s al u e xcl a i m i n g I n the n a m e o f Go d ,
“
,

th re w the dic e a n d wo n b a ck S i al kot I n the s ec on d

, .
98 TH E LE GE N D OF RA SA LU .

Th e xt m o m e n t t h e fo urth ga m e c a n i o to an en d
n e
'

an d Ras al u was a ga i n th e vict o r Drawi n g his s wo rd .

h e a pp ro ach e d S i rik ap t o s m i te o ff his h e ad b ut ,

h is o pp o n en t b es o ugh t him s ayi n g f Yo u b egged m y ,

‘

p ermiss i on to l o o k t o wa rds yo ur c o un try an d I ga ve

it . Yo uwill a ll o w m e t h e n fo r th e s ake o f Go d to go
, ,

an d s ee my fam ily b ut fi rst I w o ul d v en t u re a m

, g e
a
”
i n th e n a m e o f G o d a s y o u did .

Ra s al u a cc e p te d h is o ffe r,a n d th e ga m e was on c e

.

m o re re s um e d b ut a ga i n S i rik ap l o s t
, Th en s a i d h e .
,
“
I w o ul d n o w i f y o u wil l p e rm i t m e go a n d b id adi eu
, ,

to m y fa m ily a fte r w h ic h I will s h o rtly re turn

, .

Ras al u agree d a n d t he de fe a te d k i n g go i n g to
,

his wife an d daugh te rs s a i d to th e m Put o n y o ur ,

“

j ew els a tt i re y o urs e lv e s ro ya l ly a n d p res en ti n g yo ur

, ,

s e lve s b e fore Ras al u e n deav o ur to s ub due hi m wi th

”
yo ur b eauty .

5 0 his wi fe a n d da ught e rs a pp a re ll ed th e m s e lve s

i n th e i r b e s t a n d ado rn e d t he m s e lve s wi th rich o rn a
m e n ts an d b ri ght j ew e l s a n d go i n g to Raj a Ras é
, lu
t h e y b egan to p a ra de t h e i r c h arm s But h e h e eded .

th e m n o t n e i t he r di d he l o o k a t th e m a tt en tive ly
, ,

b ut h e as ked o f t h e m W h e re i s S irika p
,

I n fear o f h is life a n s w ere d th e y “ he h as fl e d

“
, ,
”
a w ay .

It doe s n o t m att er s a i d Ras al u “ W h erev er he

, .

go es I will s e a rch fo r h i m a n d fi n d hi m o ut
”
.
 RA jA RA S A L U A N D RA I A S I R/N A P .
99

G i g
o n to the c o un ci l of
mi n i s te rs h e e n q ui red
wh e re th e i r m as t er gen e ra l ly s at S o m e s a i d H e .
,

”
m ay b e i n h is ch a mb er o f mi rro rs O th e rs s ai d .
,

He m ay b e i n h is s ub te rra n e a n dwe l li n g But th e .

re st s a i d
“
H e is a k i n g a n d h e m ust h a ve go n e
, ,

”
whi the rs oe v er it p leas ed h i m .

Th en R a s alu b e ga n t o s earch th e c o urt an d the

p al a c e Fro m c h a mb er to ch a m b er he p as s e d ; i n
.

s o m e pl a c e s h e fo un d m i s erabl e c a p t iv e s i n o th ers ,

th e b o di e s o f de a d m e n a n d wo m e n a n d in o th e rs ,

p rec i o us s to n es a n d v a l ua bl e o rn a m e n ts b ut n o wh e re ,

c o ul d h e di s c o v e r S irika p Le a vi n g the p al a c e he
.

w en t t o the s t a bl e s a n d a s h e l o o k e d a n d l o o ke d i n
, ,

e v e ry c o rn e r h i s e ye re ste d o n
, a m a n ge r fil l e d w i th

l itte r which s ee m e d to b e a liv e .

“
W h a t is th e m a tt e r s a i d h e wi th thi s h o rs e
,
”
,
“

l itt er th a t it sw e l l s an d si n ks an d sw e ll s aga i n
G o i n g up to t h e m a n ge r h e t o s s e d o ut th e l i t te r
, ,

a n d th e re c ro uc h i n g m i s e ra bly b en ea th i t was fo un d
, ,

Raj a S i rikap .

A h s a i d Ras al u do ub t l e ss yo u a re s o m e m ean
”
, ,

fe ll o w s i n c e yo u h ave hi dden yo urs e lf in th i s fi l thy

,

p lac e .
”

A n d he c a ught hi m by the n e c k an d dragge d

h i m a l o n g to the ch a mb e r in which t h e y had pl a y e d ,

e xcl a i m i n g a s h e w en t 0 vi ll a i n h un dre ds o f h ea ds
. ,

yo u h a v e smi tte n o ff i n y o ur ti m e wi t h y o ur o wn
 1 00 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

h a n d, an p as ti m e ye t yo u n e v e r gri ev ed o r
d all fo r ,

s h e d a tear A n d n o w w h en th e s a m e fa te i s t o b e
.

y o ur o wn y o u s n ea k a way a n d b ury yo urs e lf i n

”
h o rs e dun g 1
-

N o w an e ve n t h ad o cc urre d
p a l a c e o f which i n th e
R as al u wa s n o t a w a re O n e o f th e fa v o uri t e W i v e s
.

h ad giv e n bi rth to a da ugh te r a n d th e m a gici a n s a n d ,

wi z a rds h a d m et S irik ap a n d h a d to l d h i m s ayi n g , ,

“
S i re we h a v e s o ugh t fo r th e i n t e rp re ta t i o n o f th i s
,

m y s te ry why rui n s h o ul d h a v e fa ll e n o n yo ur h o us e ,

a n d we divi n e th a t c a l a m i ty h a s b ee n b ro ugh t by
y o ur i n fa n t da ugh te r w ho s e de s ti n y h as c ro s s e d y o ur
o wn S h e h as c o m e i n a n e vil h o ur
. Le t h e r n o w .

b e s a c rific e d a n d le t h e r h e a d b e th ro w n i n to the
,

riv e r a n d y o ur c ro w n a n d h e a d wil l b e s e c ure

”
A n d .

S i ri ka p h a d a n s w e re d I f m y life de p e n d o n h er go
“
, , ,

c ut o ff h e r h ead a n d m i n e m ay h a ply ye t b e p re
‘

s e rv e d S o a s l a ve gi rl was de s p a t c h e d t o b ri n g th e
”
-
.

i n fa n t to th e m a gici a n s A n d a s s h e c arri e d it a l o n g
.

fro m th e a p a rtm en ts o f i ts m o th er s h e c ri ed whi l e , ,

s h e c a res s e d i t ,

O, wh at a p retty c h i l d I s h o ul d li ke
, to sa ve it .

I t wa s ju
st at th i s m o m en t as s h e c ro s s ed th e c o urt
tha t Raj a R a s al u a pp e a re d fro m t h e s ta bl e dra i
gg n g
S irika p , an d h e t h us o v e rh e a rd her re m a rk .

W h ere are yo u t aki n g th a t c h il d s ai d he .

10 2 TH E L E G E N D O F RA S A L U .

e xc us e h i m lf n o t to m a ke th e li n e s But Ra s al u
se .

c a ugh t h i m by th e b a c k o f t h e n e c k a n d h o l di n g h is ,

n o s e to t h e gri ddl e h e m a rk e d i t wi t h li n e s un t i l h i s
,

n o s e wa s b urn t do wn to th e b ri dge a ft e r w h ic h h e ,

l o o s e d h i m an d le t h im go Th e n S irik a p s e e i n g
.
,

h i m s e l f i n s uc h a s t a t e o f s h a m e a n d di s gra c e ra n ,

a way i n to th e wil d w o o dl a n ds an d n e v er re turn e d

,

an y m o re .

A fte r th i s Raj a Ra s al u, h a vi n g e s ta bli s h e d a go vern

m e n t o f h is o wn , m o un te d h is c h a rge r, a n d a t th e h e a d

o fso m c h o s e n fo ll o we rs wh o s e l a n c e h ea ds gle a rn ed in
e ,
-

t h e s un li gh t a n d wh o s e a cco utre m e n t s cl a s h e d m e rrily

, ,

h e ro de p ro udly a w ay W i th h im in a m a gn i fic e n t
.

li tte r acc o m p a n i e d by h e r a n c i e n t n urs e tra v e ll e d th e

, ,

i n fa n t da ugh te r o f S irika p w h o s e n am e was K o ka l o r

, ,

K o kl an th e s we et c oo i n g D o v e S he it was who in
,
-
.

a ft e r y ea rs w h en s h e gre w to w o m a n s es ta te b e c am e
’

, ,

h is b e a ut iful b ut i ll fate d c o n s o rt
,
-
.
 C H A PT E R X .

TH E TR E A S O N o r ! U E EN K O K LA N .

R a s a lu s ettles K heri Ch i ldhood

’

at -
m zi rf i . o f K ol
a/( i n .

D ea th R a s a lu s p urs ui ts R a uz
’

f th e
’ '

o n urs e . .

a/( i n
K ol pa n i es R a s a lu the cha s e Thei r
’

a cc o m to .

a dven H i ra H a ra u the Blue Due/e h is di sgra ce

’
tures .
,

d h is Bo ld hea d a n d On e ey e R aya
’

an reven ge .
- -
.

H odi com es to K heri -

m urti . H is a m o ur wi th K ohla u
’

The p arrot an d th e m in a . H odi q ui ts the pa la ce i n

The di s con H odi s a dven ture
’
ala rm . s ola te quee n .

wi th the was herm an an d h is wif e . H is a rri va l at

A tta h .

RA V ELL I N G t h en ce fo r t w e lv e day s R a s al u
a rriv e d a t t h e h ill s of K h e ri -
m uti r n ear Bur
s aw up o n t h e h e igh t b e a utiful
‘

h an ,
wh e re h e a

m an 5 1o n by a fa i r ga rde n
s urro un de d ,
wh ic h l o o k e d '

li ke th e dwe lli n g pl a c e o f a ki n g
-
.

Th i s s a i d Ra s al u i s a n a b o de wo rthy of livi n
“ “
, , g
”
in ,
an d h e re I re s o lv e to re m a i n .
 1 04 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

i d h is m a re to h im
S ir, sa t hi s is a p a l a c e whic h
,
“

l o o ks to m e l i ke th e h o us e o f a gi a n t I t is n o t wi s e .

”
t o ta ke up y o ur q ua rt e rs h e re .

a n s we re d Ras al u
”
Let us a bi de ,
“
at l eas t fo r a ,

n i ght I f we a re m o l est e d we ca n th en a b a n do n it
.
,

b ut i f n o t I m e a n t o o cc upy i t b e c a us e it i s a pl a c e
, ,

a fte r m
y o wn h ea rt an d I h av e n o de si re t o l eav e
,

”
it .

S o t h e re t h ey l p t i n se c urity a n d n o m a n o r
s e , ,

de m o n o r an y o th e r c reat ure i n t rude d up o n th e m fo r

, ,

w
t e lv e y e a rs a n d R as a
, l u s a i d “
H ere t h ere i s n o o n e
,

t o c a us e us a l arm A n d i n t h a t l o fty s t ro n gh o l d h e
.

dw e l t h a vi n g s tren gt h e n e d i t w e ll with w a ll s an d
,

b as t i o n s a ll ro un d a n d h avi n g c ut o ut a fli gh t o f
,

s te p s e i gh ty s i x i n n um b e r fro m th e
garden b en eath
-
, ,

to t h e p a l a c e ab o v e .

W he n th e chil d K o k l an was growi n g up h e o rdered ,

t h a t th e o ld c us to m o f his p e o pl e s h o ul d b e di s re ard
g
e d a n d th a t th e li tt l e p ri n c es s s h o ul d b e n o t re ared o n
, ,

v eget abl e fo o d b ut n o uri s h ed wi t h fl es h m e at e v ery

,
-

day H er educ a t i o n
. was i n t rus t e d to t h e an ci en t
n urs e wh o h ad a cc o mp a n i e d h e r fro m S i ri k ot an d ,

who wa s q ui te de v o t e d t o h er N o o t h er w o m an b ut .

h e rs e lf wa s a ll o w e d to a tt e n d h e r a n d n o o t h e r w o m a n
,

b ut h e rs e lf was p e rm i tte d t o en t e r t h e w a ll s o f th e fo r
t re ss W h e n wi t h i n c re as i n g y e ars s h e b e c a m e i ll a n d
.
,

was li ke ly to die th e k i n g s a i d to h e r
, ,
 1 06 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

So p as s e d th e l ive s p ri n c es s un t il the
of kin g an d ,

ol d n urs e di e d a n d th e l i t t l e gi rl h a d gro w n i n to a
,

wo m a n a n d h a d b e c o m e R a s alus ! uee n Th e y w ere

’
.
,

v e ry h a ppy to ge the r fo r th e k i n g was a lw ay s wh a t

,

”
M ah um m a dan s i n th e Pa n j ab n a m e a go o d m an “
,

w h ich m ean s th a t h e was fa i th ful t o th e o n e l a dy o f h is

c h o ic e
, a n d th a t h e n e v e r de s i re d th e c o m p a n i o n s h ip

o f a n o th er N a y furth e r Ras al u was m o re fo r

.
, , ,

h a vi n g b een v o w e d t o c h a s ti ty fro m t h e m o m e n t o f
h is bi rth h e e v e r guarde d w e l l t h a t o n e p ri n cipl e
, ,

up o n t h e p res e rv a t i o n of w h ich t h e who l e o f h is

w o n de rful s t ren gth de p e n de d .

O n e e v e n i n g w h en h e was i n a m e rry m o o d an
, ,

o dd fa n cy c am e i n to t h e ki n g s m i n d w h ic h wa s th a t
’

, ,

h i s y o un g wife s h o ul d a cc o m p an y h i m t o t he ch as e .

S a i d s h e to h i m ,

I h a v e e a te n s o m uc h v e n i s o n i n m y li fe th a t if ,

I did go wi th yo u a ll t he dee r o f th e fo res t w o ul d

”
fo ll o w m e .

But the p ro p o s a l de l i gh te d h er a n d h er h a ppy ,

y o uth ful s pi ri ts b e c a m e e xh il a ra te d a t t h e p ro s p e c t
o f lib e rty a n d o f l e a vi n g th e c a s t l e if o n ly fo r a da
, ,y ,

to vi s i t th e wil d tra c k l es s w o o dl an d .

But s a i d s he h o w do yo u k i ll the de e r ?”
,
“

W h e n I s h o o t m y a rro w a t th e dee r " a n s wered ,

th e k i n g a n d wh en th e deer fee ls hi m s e lf w o un de d
“
, ,

h e run s b a c k a n d fa lls de ad b e fo re m y h o rs e s fe e t
,
’
.
”
 TH E TREA S ON OF Q UEE N K OK LA N . 10 7

Th e q uee n was surp ri s ed to h ear t e l l o f thi s , an d

she s a id ,

H o w c an it b e I s h o ul d li ke s o m uch t o s ee it .

A n d s o yo u s h a ll s aid he fo r t o m o rro w
” “
-
, , ,

S we e th e a rt yo u a n d I wi l l go h un ti n g to ge t he r
, .

I n t he m o rn i n g t h ey s e t o ut un att e n de d t he q ueen ,

ri di n g o n a pi lli o n b eh i n d h er h us b a n d a n d th ey ,

c a m e t o th e w o o ded h i ll o c ks a n d gra s s y ra vi n e s ,

wh ere the dee r l o v e d to w a n der S o o n the k i n g .

l o o s ed a n arro w fro m th e s tri n g whic h w o un ded a ,

do e b ut th e an i m al i n s te ad o f app ro ac h i n g t he m ra n
,

fo rwa rd h a lf—a — m i l e w h en s h e wa s o v ert a ke n a n d s l ai n

,
.

Th e n s a i d t h e q ueen ,

“
Y o u h a v e n o t s p o k e n th e t ruth S ir , .

W hy s o a s ked Ras al u .

I f yo u h a d h a d n o h o rs e wi th yo u re pli ed the ,

q uee n , yo u c o ul d n o t h a v e c a ught t h i s de e r a t a ll .

Th e reas o n is th i s s a i d Ra s al u yo u h ave b ee n
, ,

s i tt i n g b e hi n d m e t h e wh o l e day t o uch in g m y b o d
y ,

a n d fro m c o n t a ct with yo u o n e th i rd o f m y fo rc e h as
-

”
le ft m e .

Th e n s a i d th e q ue e n wi th a m o c k i n g l a ugh I
, ,

k n o w n o t wh e t her I a m wife o r daugh t e r b ut if a ,

m ere t o uch h as c o s t yo u o n e thi rd o f y o ur s t ren gt h

-
,

h o w wil l it fare wi t h yo ufo r de sc en da n ts ? But n o w

a l l o w m e a n d I wi ll c a tch a l
, l th e s e a n i m a l s a live with
”
my h an ds .
108 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

So th eq ueen di s m o un ted a n d s at h e rs e lf do w n,

a m o n g t h e ro c ks a n d th e t h ic ket s an d s h e l o os en e d ,

h er b eaut i ful rave n h a i r gaz i n g a llthe ti m e wi th ful l

,

e y e s a t t h e deer But wh en th es e ge n t l e c re at ure s

.

s a w h er a n d wh en, th ey s c e n t ed in th e b re ez e th e
sw ee t fragran c e o f h er fl o wi n g t ress e s th ey all c a m e ,

run n i n g t o wards h e r A n d s h e s ai d to Ras al u

.
,

C o m e n o w Raj a a n d c at c h a n y o n e o f th e m yo u
“
, ,
”
pl eas e .

“
I wil l c atch n o n e o f th e m an sw ered th e k i n g
,

w a rm ly n e i th er are th ey w o rth the k i lli n g fo r th e y

, ,

”
a re y o ur l o v e rs .

J us t t h e n th ere a pp ro ach ed h er a gre a t bl ue

b uc k by n am e H ira H a ran wh o was th e m o n a rc h
, ,
.

o f th e m al l E n ch an te d wi th he r dazz li n g b e a uty
.
,

h e w a l ke d up to h e r wi t h s ta t e ly s te p s a n d m ade ,

a n o b e i s a n c e by s t oo pi n g do w n h is n o bl e h e a d a t the

Ran i s fe e t
’
.

Ki n g R as al u wh o h a d b een fi ll ed with am a z e m en t
,

a t t h e p o w e r o f h is wi fe s b ea uty n o s oo n er s a w th e
’

k i n g o f th e deer at h e r fee t th a n his j e a l o us s o ul b e

c a m e bl a c k wi th res e n t m e n t .

“
N e v e r h av e I p e rm i tte d a si n gl e c re at ure o f th e
m a l e s ex to app ro ach h e r s a i d h e t o hi m s e l f an d
,
”

n o w th e k i n g o f th e de e r i s l a n
gui s hi n g at her fee t !
”

H is p a ss i on a t e n a t ure was n o t p roo f a ga i n s t the

a n ge r wi th which s uch a s p e ct acl e i n s pi re d h i m so ,
1 10 TH E L E GE N D OF RA SA L U .

I n dus a c e rta i n ki n g n am e d H o di h ad b uilt a b o rder

fo rtres s o n th e to p o f a cli ff w h ich ris e s fro m the
v ery m a rgi n o f th e riv er Th i s C hi e fta i n wa s n o te d
.

fo r h is l o ve o f i n t ri gue as we l l as fo r his p as s i o n for

,

t h e pl e a s ures o f t h e c h as e C a ll i n g th e s e ci rc um
.

s ta n c es to m i n d the Bl ue Buc k s a i d ,

“
I will b e take m e to th e p al a c e o f Raj é
N o w,
H o di an d I wil lgra z e i n h is ga rden a n d w h en the
, ,

h ue a n d c ry is s e t up a n d h e b e gi n s t o fo l l o w m e
- -
, ,

I will run to the c as t l e o f Raj a Ras é lu .

S o he m ade h is way to Raj a H o di s fo l l o wed by ’

l h is fri en ds an d e n te ri n g t h e k i n g s ga rden h e
’
al ,

utte rly de s tro y e d it Th es e t hi n gs th e ga rde n e rs

.

re p o rte d to t h e i r m a s t e r wh o wh en h e h eard o f
, ,

t h e h a v o c which h a d b een m a de i ss ue d a n o t ic e , ,

s ayi n g ,

W h o s o e v er s h all k il l H fra H aran , th e Bl ue Buc k ,

I wi ll giv e h im rich p re s e n ts a h ors e , to i de o n
r ,
an d
j e w e l s to w ear a n d I wil l m a k e hi m
, th e c o m m an de r
”
o f m y a rm y .

Th i s tic e was p ubli s h ed o v er a ll th at c o un try

n o ,

an d i t s o h a pp e n e d t h a t t h e n e ws o f it rea c h e d th e
e ars of t wo s h e ph e rd— b o ys n am ed Bal d h ea d a n d -

On e- eye who s a i d to e a c h o t h e r
, ,

Le t us go
“
an d fin d this l a H aran , the Bl ue
Buc k
”
.
 TH E TRE A S ON OF Q UE E N K OK LA N . 111

Th ey s ea rc h ed an d s e arc h e d un t i l th e y fo un d h im ,

wh e n Ba l d -
h ead w en t p riv a te ly to Raj a H o di an d
s a i d to him ,

“
I f y o u wil l c o m e wi t h m e I wi ll s h o w you th e
Bl ue Buc k
”
.

Th e n t h e k i n g l o a de d hi m wi th p res en ts a n d
a cc o m p an i e d h i m to t h e pl a c e .

M e an w h i l e h o we v e r O n e e ye wh o h a rb o ure d a
, ,
-

grudge a ga i n s t Ba l d h ea d h a d h un t e d a w ay th e b uc k
-
,

fro m t h a t ra vi n e i n to a n o th e r A n d w h en Raj a H o di
.

c a m e a n d c o uld n o t fi n d an y th i n g h e s a i d , ,

“
W h e re is th e Bl ue Buc k ? ”

Th e n s p o k e O n e e ye a n d s a i d
-
,

“
Th i s b o y is s illy a n d k n o w s n o th i n g w h at e v e r
,

a b o ut h i m . H e h a s b ee n de c e i vi n g y o u b ut i f yo u
wi ll t a ke a w ay h i s p re s en ts a n d giv e th e m to m e I wil l ,

s h o w yo u t h e Bl ue Buc k .

S o th e k i n g t ra n s fe rre d th e p res e n ts fro m Ba l d

h ead to O n e e ye wh o t o o k h i m t o th e ra vi n e a n d
-
,

p o i n ted o ut t o h i m t he ga m e h e was i n s e arc h o f .

A s s o o n a s H i ra H a ran p e rc e iv e d Raj a H o di h e ,

ran de lib e ra te ly i n fro n t o f h i m an d l e d h is p urs ue r,

i n the di re c t i o n o f Kh e ri m ii rti a ll th e t i m e fe i n i n
'

g g
-
,

a l a m e n es s i n o rder t o en tic e hi m o n m o re an d m o re

wi th the h o p e o f e v e n t ua l c ap ture .

”
“
S i r s a i d th e w a z i r
,
“
do n o t p urs ue t hi s de e r
,
,

th ere is s o m e m agic a b o ut him .

1 12 TH E LE G E N D OF RA S A L U .

Ki n g H o di h o w e v er re fus e d t o h ear the v o ic e o f

, ,

h is w a z i r a n d gall o pi n g h i s h o rs e h e w e n t s t ra i ght for

, , ,

h is q ua rry l ea vi n g h is a tte n dan ts t o s h ift fo r th e m

,

s e lve s A fter an e xci t i n g run t h e Bl ue Buc k sp ran g

.

th e riv er cl o s e to th e p a l a c e o f R an i K o k l an a n d the ,

n o bl e h o rs e o f Ra j a H o di ro us e d by the ch a s e es
, ,

s ay e d an d p erfo rm e d th e s a m e l e a p But the deer .

t h e n di s a pp e are d i n to a c a v e a n d h id hi ms e l f a n d ,

wh e n th e k i n g a rriv ed at t h e s p o t he was n o wh ere

to b e s ee n .

5 0 H o di dre w re i n a n d fi n di n g hi m s e l f in the
,

m i ds t o f a ga rden o f m a n go es h e s tre tc h e d fo rth his ,

h an d to pl uc k s o m e o f th e frui t But as h e did s o .

on e o f th e s en t i n e l m i n a s e xcl a i m e d
-

“
D o n o t b re a k th e b ra n c h es a n d do n o t eat the ,

m an goe s Th i s ga rde n b e l o n gs t o on e wh o wil l

.

p un i s h i n t rude rs .

Raj a H o di th e n o b s erv e d t h a t t h e t ree s gre w b e

n e ath a fo rt re s s b ut h e c o ul d p erc e iv e n o m e a
, n s of

a pp roach . Lo o k i n g up h e s a wt h e pl um age o f the

,

p arro ts gl ea mi n g fro m th e e a ves an d Ran i K o klé n ,

p aci n g the ro o f i n h e r ro y a l a rray Th en s a i d h e to .

to the mi n a

Th e p a rro ts p e rc h th em s e ve s a o ft l l
ll
Th e y dwe wi t h in th e e ave s
,

But 0 th a t s p l l
l l
did us tre , 5 -t
en
A n d b righ t as go den ea ve s
S ay, M i n a , s a y, wh a t b ea uty pa s s e s th ere,
Pe rc han c e s om e m an , or is it m a iden fai r
1 14 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Th e k i n g an s we re d h er ;

j
Ra a Bh atti’s s on am I ,
H o di i s the n a m e I b ear,
U db c is m y fa th e r an d, l
A tt ak is m y c ity the re .

Th en th o ught H o di to hi ms el f, W ho i s this w o m an
i n th e m i ds t o f t h e wi l de rn es s ? I s s he a wi t ch or
s o m e go dde s s ? I m ust fi n d o ut S o h e s ai d .
,

“
W ho is yo ur fa th er a n d wh o is y o ur h us b an d ?
,

\Vh e re c a n th e fo o li s h o n e h av e go n e wh o h as l e ft yo u
a l o n e i n y o ur l o fty p a l ac e ?

I a m t h e da ugh t er o f Ki n g S irika p an d th e wife ,

o f Ra s al u ,
a n sw e re d t h e q ue en K o k l an Le avi n g
m e a l o n e i n my l o fty p a l a c e my h us b a n d is far aw ay
,

ch a s i n g the wi l d de e r .

“ h e n H o di h ea rd th e n a m e o f Ras al u h e b egan
'
f
'

t o q ua ke wi th fea r a n d w o ul d fa i n h a v e t urn e d b a c k
, .

But l o ve s t ro n ger th an fea r urge d hi m o n an d h e ,

s ai d to th e q ueen ,

D o yo u k n o w m e wh o I a m ? ,

Y e s an s w e re d s h e
, I k n o w yo u w e l l an d I h ave
, ,

b e e n wai t i n g fo r yo u .
”

The n s a i d H o di
“
Run n l
in g a n d wa ki n g i n b rea th es s h a s te
Fro m s c en e s a far I hie d m e ,
,
l
l
Ye t h e re t h e go de n t i m e I wa s te,
Fo r 1 kn o w n o p a th to gui de m e
’

l
O Ram , s ay, wh ere ie s yo ur p a ac e ro ad l
l
W he re are th e s te ps th a t ead to yo ur a b ode ?”
,
 TH E TR E A S ON OF Q UE E N K O KL A N
'

. 1 x5

A n d to him t h e q ue e n m a de an s w er
“
Be n e a th th e m an goe s s e t yo ur s teed,
v
Yo ur q ui e r to th e p o m m e tie l
Th e s te p s th a t to th e c a s t e ea d, l l
A m o n g t h e m an go e tre e s t h e y lie ;
ll l
-

Fu e igh ty s i v , n o r e s s n o r m ore ,
ll l
-

W i b rin g yo u to m y pa a c e do o r .

Raj a H o di l o o k e d fo r th e s t e p s a n d fi n di n g th em ,

h e b e ga n to a s c e n d But w h e n h e ga i n e d th e ves t i
.

b ul e o f th e p a l a c e o n e o f th e m i n as o n guard s to pp ed
,

h i m s ayi n g
,

W h ere v l
h a e yo u o s t yo ur deer,
A n d wh e re di d yo ur c att e go ? l
S o m e t ra ito r le d yo u h ere
l
To p a y R a s alu’s foe ” .

A n d t urn
i n g to h er c o m p an i o n a p a rro t s h e s a i d , , ,

Th e duty w h ic h is i m p o s e d o n us b o t h by o ur
de ar m a s te r is t o wa t c h o v e r th e s a fe ty o f t h e q ue e n ,

a n d we s h a l l b e fa l s e t o o ur s a l t if we do n o t re p o rt

t o h i m th e m i s c o n duc t o f t h i s s tra n ge r
”
.

By th i s t i m e Ran i K o k l an wa s gro wi n g imp at i e n t

,

an d s he was s a yi n g t o h e rs e l f ,

W hy do es h e t a rry wh y li n ger t he s te p s o f m
,
y
R aj a
S o s h e p as s e d o ut o f h e r c h a m b e r t o e n q ui re an d , ,

s e e i n g t h a t h er fa v o uri t e m i n a was th e c a us e o f t
he
de l a y s h e b e ga n t o re p ro ve he r
, But th e mi n a re .

pl i e d ,

W h a t a re yo u do i n g adm i tt i n g a s t ra n e ,
g
m an t o th es e w a l l s ? I f th e ki n g h e a r o f t h i s
1 16 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

wic ke dn es s , he wi l l st ri k e yo u dea d wh ere yo u

s ta n d .

Th e q ue en s t art ed a n d fl ush e d wi t h rage, b ut,

re s t ra n i i n g h e rs e l f, s h e le d H o di to th e
w e l l wh ich
R aj a Ras al u h a d h ew n o ut o f t h e ro c k a n d w h i c h ,

wa s furn i s h e d wi th w h e e l s a n d ro p e s an d pi tch e rs
fo r drawi n g up w a t er i n t o th e t ro ugh Th ere th ey .

s at a n d s h e ga v e h i m
,
fo o d an d dri n k an d they ,

en t ert a i n e d o n e an o th e r wi th de lici o us w o rds .

Th en K o k l an led the way to th e v es t ib ul e o f th e

k i n g s ch a m b e r b ut a s s h e ga i n e d th e do or way
’
-
, , ,

t h e mi n a a ga i n s p o ke a n d s a i d ,

H ear O p a rro t thi s i s n o l o n ger a h o m e fo r

, ,

us fo r thi s fe ll o w is n e i th e r a k i n s m a n n o r a c o n
,

n ec tio n S ure ly s uch p res ump t i o n n e v e r was s e en

.
,

t h a t a w ret ch e d c ro w s h o ul d p e c k a t t he cl us t e ri n g

gra p es
Th e q uee n i n s t an tly t urn e d up o n t h e mi n a b ut ,

t h e p a rro t a n xi o us t o a ll a y h er a n ger s ai d to h is
, ,

c o m p an i o n ,

0 yo u s e n s e l e ss o n e ! W h at h a rm is don e i f the
m a n m e re ly e a t s a n d dri n k s a n d go e s a w ay ? W h at
i s Raj a Ra s al u t o us ? D o e s n o t th e q ueen o ur
m i s tre s s t e n d us a n d fee d us wi t h h e r o wn h a n ds .

S he do e s i n dee d a n s we re d th e m i n a
, S till s h e .

h as di s h o n o ure d h er n am e a n d do n e w h a t s h e sh o ul d
,

n o t h av e do n e A n d we are th e s erv a n t s o f t h e Raj a

.
.
”
1 18 TH E LE G E N D OF R A S A L U .

N o w, all th s i p a rro t wa s m e di ta t i n g a n es
ti m e th e

c a p e fro m th e cl o s ed c h a m b e r b ut h e fo un d n o m e a n s ,

o f e gre s s A t l a s t h e p e rc e iv e d a s m a l l a p e rture
.
,

a n d fl utte ri n
, g t h ro ugh i t h e fl e w o n to th e b a tt l e
,

m en ts .

Up an d a w ay l
c ri e d t h e a l a rm ed q uee n to
”

H o di a w ay a s yo u h o p e t o s a v e y o ur life !
, The
n e ws h a s go n e to R a s al u

A l a s ! s a i d H o di wi th a dee p b rea th But O

“ ”
.

R an i c o n t i n ue d h e if yo u wi l l c o a x t h e p a rro t
” “
, ,

t o re turn I th i n k h e w ill n o t di s re ga rd yo u b ut
, ,

c o m e b a c k to y o ur h o us e a n d th e n we s h a l l ha ve ,

n o ro o m fo r a l a rm a n d n o c a us e fo r s o rro w
”
.

S o t h e q ue e n l o o k e d o ut a t a c a s e m en t an d c ri e d ,

t h ro ugh th e l a tt i c e i n c a res s i n g t o n e s

l v
R ic e wi th m y n a i s h a e I c e an e d fo r yo u e l v
l l
Bo i e d i t i n n ew m i k a n d c h ide d yo u n e er v e r,

j
C o m e to m e , Pre tty, re turn to m e , D e a r,
Yo u a re m y Ran h a, an d I a m yo ur H ir l”

But the p a rro t wa s dea f to h er bl a n di s h m en ts , an d,

s p rea di n g h is b ri gh t wi n gs h e a n s we re d h e r ,

Yo u
’
v ll
ki e d m y pre tty m in
e
A ll wido we d n o w a m I
a dea d,

If e ’er b y p arro ts I wa s b re d,
A wa y t o th e ki n g l’llfl y ” .

W i th th e s e w o rds th e bi rd m o un te d a n d fl e w fa r
j
,

a wa y a n d h e b e ga n t o s ea rc h fo r Ra a Ra s al u a m o n
, g

,
Th es e were t wo de v o ted lv
o e rs .
 TH E TRE A S ON OF Q UE E N K OK LA N . 1 19

fo re s ts an d h ill s a n d des e rts b ut un abl e to ,

fi n d hi m
h e fi n a lly s t o pp e d e x h aus te d i n o n e pl a c e .

M ea n wh il e , H o di wa s in fri gh t fo r wh e n h e s a w
a , ,

t h e t e l l t a l e p arro t o n th e wi n g fe a r s e i z e d up o n h i m
-
, ,

a n d c a ri n
, g o n ly fo r h is o wn s a fe ty h e h as ten e d o ut o f ,

t h e do o rs o f t h e p a l a c e But t h e q ueen t h re w h e r a rm s
.

a b o ut h i m a n d clipp e d h i m a n d w e p t pi t eo us ly
, an d ,

H o di t o s o o t h e h e r wip e d a wa y h er te a rs wi th h is
h a n ds a n d t h e bl a c k s ta i n fro m h e r e y es di s c o l o ure d
,

h is fi n ge rs I m p a t i e n t to b e go n e h e to re h i m s e lf
.
,

a wa y fro m h e r a n d t h e n fo r h is c o wa rdic e s h e re a rd
, g
e d h i m wi th s c o rn an d s aid
, ,

Yo u a rel e avi n g m e t o b e a r th e b run t o f it a ll I .

t o o k yo u fo r a s w an b ut lo yo u a re a v e ri t a bl e c ra n e !
, , ,

H a d I kn o wn yo u yo u s h o ul d n o t h av e c o m e n i gh
,

"
m y do o r .

V e xe d by h er t a un t s H o di a n s we re d h e r,

I h ave ea t e n of de l i c a t e
fa re a n d m l ea vi n
, y gs re
m ain t h e b eaut i ful cl o th h as b e c o m e w o rn an d o ld
”
fi t c o v e ri n g fo r b e ggars .

W i th w o rds b e rus h ed fro m the pl a c e an d

t h es e ,

m a de hi s es c a p e C o m i n g to th e ri ver b an k h e w e n t
.
-
,

do w n t o dri n k w a t er fo r h e wa s th i rs ty an d t h e re
, , ,

wh en h e h a d put d ow n his h an ds to w a rds th e w a ter ,

h e s a w o n h is fi n ge rs th e bl a c k s ta i n o f th e c o lly ri um ,

a n d h e dre w th e m b a c k s ayi n g , ,
1 20 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Th i s is th e on ly to ke n of m y l o v e w h ic h I p o s s es s ,

an d I m us t n ot l os e it .

Th us s p e ak i n g to h i m se lf
, he s oot p ed do w n on h is
kn e es , a n d dra n k l i ke a go a t .

H a rd by th e re wa s , w as h e rm a n wh o o b s erv
an o ld ,

i n g h is a c ti o n s a i d to h is wife W h o i s th a t m a n ,
“

”
dri n k i n g w at e r li ke a b e a s t P
“
W h e th er yo u kn o w him o r n o t a n s w e red s h e I , ,

k n o w h i m w e ll
”
.

Te ll m e th e n wh o h e is
, s a i d h e r h us b a n d
, ,
.

H e is Raj a H o di s a i d t he w o m an
”
,

0 fo o l re t urn e d th e wa s h e rm a n
,
did yo u eve r ,

s ee a R a j a dri n k i n g water l i k e t ha t a "

I a m a fra i d re pl i e d s h e to te l l yo u th e reas o n
, ,
“

o f it l e s t if I did yo u s h o ul d k i ll m e
, , ,
.

W h a t a s t ra n ge t h i n g to s ay s a i d h e ; a s if I ,

s h o ul d k il l yo u fo r t e lli n g m e a go o d s e c ret !

Ta k e a n o a th s a i d h is wife
“
.

I ta k e a n o ath o f th e G o d wh o c rea ted m e an ,

s we re d h e t h at I wil l n o t h a rm yo u if yo u will te l l
“
, ,

m e wh y th e R a j a is dri n k i n g w a t er li ke t h a t .

Th e n h is wife re pli e d to h i m t hus

Las t n igh t, s om e waywa rd wi fe , o r da ugh te r,

E n ro c k e d h im i n h e r s o ft em b ra c e s
l
—
S o , o x ik e , s to o p s t h e kin g fo r wa te r,
lv v lv
Fo r o e t o s a e o e ’s p ite o us tra c e s
S h e we p t to pa rt, b e wi pe d h e r te a rs a wa y,
T h e s a b e s t a i n l
s h i s fi n ge r ti p b
s e ra y
" o
.
1 22 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Use n ot th e bli s te ri n g h e rb as a t o o th -
b rus h , an d
e at n o t fl es h o f s n akes C a re s s n o t an
th e so n . o th er s
’

fo r h e will c o ver y o u wi th s pi tt l e C h urn n ot .

a n o th er s c urds fo r t h e i r t as te i s a s w ater n e ith er

’
, ,

c o v et an o th er s b e d s i n c e i t n e v e r c a n b e y o urs
’

, .

Th e re fo re cl e a n s e y o ur h a n ds w a s h a w ay th e s ta i n ,

an d c o m e dri n k h a n dfuls o f wa te r
”
.

Raj a H o di p e rc e ivi n g t h a t s h e was a wi t c h t o o k

, ,

t h e w o m a n s a dvic e a n d w a s h i n g h i s h a n ds h e dran k
’
,

h i s fill Th e n a pp ro a c h i n g t h e w as h erm an h e s a i d
.
,

O w as h e rm a n th i s w o m a n is n o t fi tt e d fo r yo u
, ,

b e c aus e s h e is wi s e w h il e yo u a re a fo o l Yo u ha d
,
.

b etter t ak e a th o us an d go l d pi e c e s a n d ha n d he r ,

o ve r to m e I will c h e ri s h h e r li ke o n e o f m y
.

c h il dren a n d wi th m y m o n e y yo u c an m arry a n o ther

,

Y
.

”
o ur p a rdo n S ir s a i d th e w a s h erm an th i s
“ “
, , ,

pl an wi ll n e v e r do .

S o Raj a H o di l e ft t h em an d p ass i n g o n h e arrive d ,

a t h is o wn p a l a c e Th e re c h o o s i n g a s o li ta ry c h a m
.
,

b e r i n w h ic h s t o o d an o ld c o uc h h e l a i d h i m s e lf
, ,

do w n an d b e ga n
,
wi th t e ars t o rem e m b er an d to
, ,

l am e n t fo r th e Ran i K o k l an .
 C H A PT E R X I .

TH E FA TE O F RA N I K O K LA N
‘
.

He fi izds
'

f ugi ti ve pa rrot res um es li zs s ea re/

z .

leis m as ter i n H a z drd, an d belm y s t/ze q ueen Ra .

s a lu a n d leis hors e H is a rri va ll H e desp a tc/zes

’
. i am e .

S /m di to Rajo H odi T/ze H odi

’ ’ ’

. s tra ta gem . com es

Tli e duel H odi R a s dlu

’
to K /zeri m zi rti
-
. . s dea l/i .

an d K okli n . T/ze evi den ces o f gui lt T/ze gra dua l

.

Tb e en d of Ra n i K olfldi z
’

ly un f oldi n g m tas trop /te . .

H I LE h e s e di s gra c e ful do i n gs w ere go i n g

allt
o n at th e p a l a c e o f Ra j a Ra s al u t h e q ue e n s ’

p a rro t h a vi n g re c o v e re d fro m h is fat i gue

,

res um e d h is s e a rc h a n d at l as t c o m i n g to J h uln a
, ,

K a n ga n in H a z ara h e n o t ic e d s o m e s m oke ri s i n g up
,

t o t h e s k i es .S o h e fl e w t o w a rds it a n d t h e re h e ,

s aw his de a r m a s te r s h o rs e t i e d to a t re e a n d S h adi
’

t h e p arro t s i t ti n g o n t h e p o m m e l o f t h e s a ddl e w h i l e ,

un der th e c o o l s h a de o f t h e dro o pi n g fo li a ge t h e k i n g
lay s l e e pi n g .

S a i d h e t o S h adi W a ke up v o ur Raj a l
,
”
1 24 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

I h av e n o th ori ty t o do s o a n s w ered S h adi

au , ,

w ak e h im yo urs elf s i n c e yo u a re th e Ran i s m es

,
’

s en ger .

Th e n w e ary bi rd dippi n g h is wi n gs in the

th e ,

fl o wi n g s trea m fl utt ered th e m o v er Ra s alus fa ce a n d

,
’
,

th e dro ps fe ll up o n hi m li k e s o ft ra i n a n d h e a w o ke , ,

a n d s ee i n g h is w ife s fa v o uri te si tt i n g a b o v e h i m o n
’

t h e tre e h e s a i d
,
W hy h ave yo u l e ft the h o use
,

"
alo n e P

W ee pi n g th e bi rd m ade a n sw er
,

Th e Ran i ki ed m y m i n a b i rdi e ll
l l
-
,
C o d it ie s upon th e fl oo r,
A n d m y repro ac h es , un avai i n g, l
l
O n y vex e d h er m o re a n d m o re
A ris e , a ris e, O s e e p i n g Ra a, l j
v
Th ie es h ave fo rc e d yo ur pa ac e do or 1 l
H eari n g th es e s orro wful t idi n gs th e k i n g s a i d

um b e r e igh ty- s ix ,
My
ll
m in as n
M y p ea c oc k s t e fo urs c o re
ll
W e gua rde d th us , wh a t th i evi s h tri c ks
l
C o u d fo rce m y p a a c e do o r i ” l
If ,
we red the p arro t th e h o us e—
an s h o l der him ,

s e lf ro b th e h o us e a n d fi x i t o n o t h ers o r if t h e fen c e
, ,

e a t up th e b a rl e y c ro p w h a t c a n th e guards do P
”
-
,

Th en Ras al u a ro s e, an d sa id to h is h o rs e ,
“
N ow be
w a ry an d true , 0 Bh a un ra I raki , an d t ak e m e to my
h o us e i n a m o m en t .

”
I wi ll do s o, w ered an s the ho rs e , b ut n e ve r
sm i te m e wi th y o ur h ee l s .
”
 1 26 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

with thi s t o ken o f l o v e as a s i gn fo r hi m to com e an d

"
b ear h er awa y .

I go a t o n c e S ir a n s we red th e p arro t an d
, , ,

t a ki n g wi rrg h e fl e w t o wa rds A tta k a n d rea chi n gt he

,

p a l a c e h e p erch ed h i m s e lf i n o n e o f the wi n dow s .

Th ere h e was s een by c e rt a i n o f th e s ervan ts who

—
,

s a i d to e a ch o th e r S ee thi s p arro t— i t i s t a m e it
,

l ooks li ke s o m eo n e s p et ’

O v erh ea ri n g t h e i r w o rds S h adi an sw ered th em ,

Yo u are ri gh t I a m , .

W h o s e p arro t a re y o u e n q ui red o n e .

I b e l o n g to t h e R an i K o k l an ”
re pli e d h e
,
“
an d ,

if yo u wi ll go a n d t e l l y o ur Raj a th at I a m h ere he ,
”
will re w ard yo u .

Th e s erv a n ts w en t t o th e Raj a a n d s a i d to h i m ,

Th ere is a p arro t s i tt i n g i n o n e o f th e wi n do ws wh o ,

s ays t h at h e has a m es s a ge fo r yo u fro m the Ran i

”
K okl an .

Raj a H o di h eari n g th e n a m e o f K o k l an sp ran g to

,

his fe e t a n d c a m e o ut i n s ta n t ly a n d a pp roachi n g th e
, , ,

p arro t he s ai d O fa i th ful bi rd wh a t m e s s age h ave

, , ,

yo u b ro ught fo r m e
I n s t ead o f a n s w eri n g S h adi b ega n to s h ed tears
, .

W hy a re yo u c ryi n g a s k e d th e k i n g .

”
D o ub t l e s re pli d t h e p arro t “
s ,
e
y o u a re an
,

h o n o ura bl e m a n t o fo rm a fri en ds hi p a n d th en to go
, ,

a w ay a n d di s c ard i t utte rly

 TH E FA TE OF RA N ] K OK LA N
’

. 1 27

W h a t do yo u m ean by th at ? s a i d H o di .

Th i s m o rn i n g a n s w ere d t h e p arro t t h e Ran i

” “
, , ,

on a cc o un t o f y o ur a b s en c e was go i n g t o k il l h e r ,

s e l f I s ee i n g th e dagger in h e r h a n d i m pl o re d h e r
.
, , ,

s ayi n
g O w a i t t il l I re t urn
,
Th e n s h e ga v e m e
h er ri n g an d b a de m e fo r dea r li fe go q uic k ly a n d
, ,

s h e is w a i ti n
gfo r m e But i f yo u do n o t go to h er
.

”
a t o n c e s h e wil l des t ro y h ers e lf
,
.

H o di t a k i n g t h e l o ve t o k e n s ai d But wh e re is -
,

y o ur m as te r Ras al u
Go d k n o w s an s w ere d S h adi I h a v e s ea rch ed
"
.
,

fo r h i m e v e ry wh e re b ut I wa s un a bl e t o fi n d h i m
,
I .

t h i n k s o m e dem o n s o r gi an t s m us t h a v e k ill e d h i m
”
an d ea t en h im .

Raj a H o di c a ll ed fo r his h o rs e an d m o un ted

th e n , ,

a n d ro de a w a y o n th e s p o t A n d wh e n th ey s i gh t e d
.

t h e t o w ers o f K h e ri m u rti th e p a rro t a ddres s e d hi m

-
,

an d s a i d Le t m e fly i n a dva n c e o f yo u to i n fo rm
,

”
th e q ue e n o f y o ur arri va l .

“
Pra y do s o a n sw e re d
”
,
H o di A n d th e p a rro t .

fl ew t o t h e m a n go e t rees a n d s a i d t o h i s m as te r
-
,

Y o ur riv a l i s c o m i n g
_
M a ke re a dy to m ee t h im
.
‘

Th e n Ra s al u h ea ri n g th e l o n ge d fo r t i di n gs s p ra n g
,
-
,

i n t o h i s s a ddl e an d a w a i t e d h is fo e m a n i n p a t i en c e
,
.

W h en Raj a H o di dre w n i gh the k i n g adv an c ed ,

to m e e t h im a n d s a i d to hi m
,
“
oo d m o rro w S i r ; ,
G ,

wi ll yo u w al k up P
1 28 TH E L E GE N D OF R A S A L U .

H o di , s ee ni g hi m , b e c a m e as pic ture m ot on i l es s as a ,

an d b e ga n o f e xc us es
to m a ke h un dre ds s a yi n g I “
, ,

h av e c o m e h e re by m i s t a k e I did n o t k n o w w h o se .

p a l a c e t h i s m i gh t b e a n d I was c o m i n g to en q ui re
, .

I h o p e yo u wil l e xc us e m e .

N ay, sa i d Ra s al u yo ur des t i n y h as b ro ught yo u

,
“

h ere . I t is b etter to b et ake yo u to yo ur a rm s an d to ,

us e th e m fi rs t on m e .

S ir, we re d H o di I a m n o t y o ur e n em y I
an s ,
“
.

wa s un a w are w ho s e fo rtre s s t h i s m i gh t b e s o I was ,

c o m i n g to en q ui re a b o ut i t I do n o t th i n k th ere is .

an y h a rm i n e n q ui ri n g !
”

Le t t h i s l
s e n s e es s t a l k go , sa i d Ras al u ,
“
an d us e
y o ur w eap o n fi rs t ! O th erwi s e
s
yo u will s ay Ras al u
e t rea c h e ro us ly
’
s m ote m .

H o di , fi n di n g th ere was c a p e fro m him to ok

n o es ,

an arrow fro m h is q uive r an d p utt i n g i t to his b o w he

, , ,

"
c ri e d “ N o w l o o k
,
o ut m y p o i s o n e d arro w i s c o m i n g!
,

a n d s h o t at Ras al u .

But Ra s al u b e n t fro m his h o rs e v o i ded ,

an d a th e

b o l t w h ich ,
s tri k i n g a ga i n s t th e c as t l e w a l l s b ro ke -
, th e

st on es i n to s h iv ers Th e n s a i d th e i n j ure d k i n g
.
,

l l l ll
0 i tt e , itt e , b en ds th e b o w s tri n g tigh t, -

But gran d y b en ds th e h o w th at b en ds to m igh t

Th e wi s e m an b en ds to s h un th e b arb ed b o t, l
W ho n ever b en ds at allis wo s e th an do l t
r
"
.
130 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Th en k i n g w e n t fo rw ard s w o rd i n h an d, an d,
th e
’
dism o un ti n g, h e s m o te o ff t h e t ra i t o r s h ead .

A s t h e h ead ro ll e d a s i de fro m t h e bl ee di n g t run k

t h e lip s o f th e dead p arte d a n d t h e q ui veri n g t o n gue
uttere d the wo rds Ra s al u giv e m e to dri n k
,

A n d Ras al u as i n a dre a m li fte d h is a dversary s ’

, ,

e mpty q u ive r fro m whic h th e a rro ws h a d sl ipp ed an d , ,

fi lli n g it w i th w ater fro m a p o o l h e h e l d it to the o p en

,

m o uth an d H o di dra n k a n d w h e n h e h ad drun k h e

, ,

c ri e d
,

0 bi rds wh ee l i n g a b o v e m e an d cl eavi n g the sw eet

,

air wi t h y o ur m o t i o n l e s s pi n i o n s go to th e queen
, ,

my Lo v ed O n e t e ll h e r th a t H o di is de ad an d th at
, ,

h e h as t aken w at e r fro m t h e h a n ds o f Ra s al u
Th ere was a s en s e o f s a va ge e x ult a ti o n at th e
h eart o f Raj a R a s al u a s h e fi erc e ly refl ect ed To ,
“

day I h a v e b ro ugh t m y wife n o v en is on Yet s he .

sh a ll h a v e v e n i s o n da i n t i e r t h an e v er s he t asted
”
b efo re .

The h eadl e ss c o rp s e lay a t h i s fee t S t rippi n g it.

o f i ts rich cl o t h i n g a n d c ut t i n g o p en
, the b o dy h e ,

t ore o ut the h eart a n d to o k it wi th him i n to the

,

c a stl e ro lli n g as i de th e p o n de ro us gat e an d cl o si n g

, ,

it aga i n wi th a gi a n t s s t re n gth
’
.

H avi n g m ade h is p re p ara ti o n s h e w e n t to th e,

a p a rt m e n t s o f th e q ue e n a n d fo un d he r sti l
, l asl eep .

” ”
Ge t up c ri ed he th e h o ur is l at e
“
, , .
 TH E FA TE OF RA N ] K OK LA N . 1 31

Risi n g fro m h e r c o uch ,

s he l o o ke d a t h im in a m a ze
m en t fo r her c o n s ci e n c e s m o te h er an d s he
, s a i d to
h ers e lf D oes he s us p e c t an ythi n g
,

Turn i n g fro m th e t h res h o l d a n d loo ki n g i n t o th e ’

c o urt he n o tic ed t h a t w a te r ha d b een re c e n tly dra w n

,

i n th e s usp en de d pi t c h ers o f th e w e ll by m e an s o f the

h eavy t re adl e whic h was t o o di ffic ul t fo r the sl e n der
,

st ren gth o f his wife to m o ve Th e re to o stoo d his .

fav o urit e h oo ka h c l o se to th e pl atform which was b e

fo ul ed with spittl e Regardi n g his Ran i with a
.

s orro wful air h e s a i d

, ,

W h o h as s m oked m y h o o kah Ran i

l
W ho hi s s p it t e h e re di d t hro w ;
, ,

W h o th e wa te r ifte d Ran i l
W et s th e trough wi t h o erfl o w ?”
’
,
v ,

Th en the q ueen h as ten ed to an s w er he r l o rd

v j
,

“
I ha e s m o ke d yo ur h o oka h, Ra a,
l
I the s pi t t e h ere b e s tro wed ;
l
I th e p i tc h e rs ifte d, Ra a, j
A n d t he wa ter o ve rfl o we d .

But i n h er mi n d s h e s a i d H as t he p arro t b e t ray e d

”
m e .

Th en the k i n g l o o k e d b o ut hi m a n d o bs e rv ed
a ,

th a t b o th th e fav o uri te bi rds c ages w ere e mpty ’

Ah s ai d h e , I h e ar n o t th e v o ic e o f y o ur p arro t ,

an d the m i n a gre e ts n o t h er m as t e r W h e re are .

y o ur fri en ds
“
Th e v o ic e o f th e p arro t is s ti ll an sw e re d s he ,
,
an d the m i n a greets n o t h e r m a st er b e c aus e th e y are ,
132 TH E L E G E N D OF RA S A L U .

ro vi n g a b ro a d
. I le t o ut m y fri e n ds fo r a fli gh t ,
an d
th e y fl e w to t h e —tre e s
m an go e .

But h e r m i n d m i s ga ve h e r a n d s h e t ho ugh t t o ,

h ers e lf N o w th e t rut h m us t c o m e o ut
"
, .

Th en th e ki n g w e n t to th e w a ll s a n d c ri e d M ia , ,

m i tt u ! M iam it tu an d th e p arro t h ea rd a n d re pli e d ,

fro m th e m a n go e t re es -
.

H e re I a m
"
s a i d he b ut m y b o dy s h a kes wi th
“
, ,

fear I da re n o t en te r t h e p a l a c e
. .
”

H e h e l d o ut h is h a n d an d t h e p a rro t fl e w o n to i t .

A n d t h e k i n g s a i d Yo u a n d t h e m i n a bi rd w e re l e ft by
,
“
-

m e to guard a n d p ro te c t t h e ! uee n M y c o n fi de n c e .

h as b een a b us e d A ll t h i s e vi l ha s b e e n go i n g o n
.
,

a n d y o u did n o t t e l l m e .

I c o ul d t e ll yo u th e w h o l e truth a n s w e re d th e ,

p arro t b ut t hes e da y s a re n o t th e day s fo r t ruth

,
“

O n e o f us t o l d t he t ruth a n d n o w h is h e ad li es h e re
, ,
”
a n d hi s b o dy th ere .

W h en the k i n g s a w the m i n a bi rd a ll ruffl ed a n d -

h e a dl es s h e pic k e d up th e b o dy a n d t o o k it to t he
, ,

! ue en .

Lo o k ! I l e ft the m in a w ho l e an d w e l l— wh a t
wo rk is th i s P
H e was k ill e d by th e p arro t , an s w ered s h e,

as k hi m —h e dares n o t den y it . A n d as s he

s p o ke th e w o rds s he th re w at th e bi rd a th rea t en i n g
lo ok .
 134 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Th en th e k i n g res t ra i n i n g his rage a n d gri e f c ri e d

, , ,

E n o ugh ! G o , R an i a n d s ee t o t h e v en i s o n w h i c h is
,

p re p a ri n g i n t h e c o o k h o us e , a n d b ak e m e m y b re a d
-
.
”

A n d h e w en t o ut, an d s a t do w n , s ull e n a n d m o o dy,

by th e w e ll .

W h e n th e q ueen a pp eared wi th the s m o k i n g

fl e s h an d th e c a ke s o f b re a d s h e l a i d th e m do w n o n ,

t h e m as o n ry a n d th e k i n g l oo k e d a t h e r a n d s a i d
, ,

C o m e le t us e a t t o ge t h e r o n c e m o re
“ ”
.
,

Li k e a w o m a n q ui te fo rgetful o f h e r fa ul ts s he
, ,

a cc e p te d h is a pp a re n t k i n dn e s s a n d h e r s pi ri ts ros e ; ,

b ut m e n a re di ffe ren t t h e y n urs e t he i r th o ugh ts

,

a n d k ee p th e i r s us pici o n s w a rm .

Th e n th e k i n g p ut s o m e o f t h e b read to h i s lips ,

an d s a i d To da y m y b re a d is t a s te l es s
,
-
.
”

A h!
”
s a i d t h e q ue en W h a t fo o d dea r H eart
, , ,

h a v e yo u b ro ugh t m e h e re ? M e th i n ks n o v e n i so n
was e v e r s o da i n ty an d s weet a s th i s
”
.

Pus h i n g h is b rea d a w a y fro m him a n d ri s i n g up ,

o n t h e p l at fo rm th e k i n g da rk ly re pli e d
, ,

“
W hat
fo o d is this s o dai n ty s wee t ?
lv l
A i e h e a n gui s h e d a t yo ur fe et
N o w, dea d an d gon e , h e p eas es s ti l ll
Yo u eat h is fl es h —n ay, e at yo ur fi ll
But 0 m ay s h e wh o s e h ea rt i s p ro e d un true, v
l l
A s c e n d th e fun era pi e , a n d p e ri s h too

Th e b it dro pp e d fro m th e un h a pp y q ueen s m o uth ’

“
as s he s a i d t o h e rs e lf A h I a m b e tray e d I am b e
, , ,
”
t rayed h e kn o ws all all is o v e r !
 TH E FA TE OF RA N ] K OK LA N . 135

Th en s he an s wered h er l o rd wi th so m ethi n g of

p ri de an d de fi an ce ,

“
I s i t m e do wn , a n d 0 yo ufl o ut m e s o re,
ll
I ge t m e up, an d s ti yo u m oc k m e m ore
l
S i n c e th e n m y s uffe rin g gaze n o r h e p n o r h o p e c an
j ll
s py,
W ith h im fo r wh o m yo uta un t m e , Ra a, wi I di e
S a yi n g t h i s , s h e s p ran g t o h er fee t , a n d rus h e d
wil dly up th e b a tt lem en ts , wh en c e s h e b e h e l d lyi n g
~

fa r be n ea th h er th e h ea dl es s
b o dy o f h e r p a ram o ur .

Th e n wi th a c ry s h e th re w h e rs e lf o v er b ut b e fo re
h e r b o dy h ad re a ch e d th e ro c ks b e l o w h er b reat h ,

h a d go n e o ut o f h e r a n d ! ue e n K o kl an t h e fa l s e
, , ,

th e b ea uti ful was dea d

, .
 C H A PTE R X I I .

T H E D EA TH O F RA S A L U .

R as aln the bodies He ca rri es th em do wn

’
recove rs .

to the ri ver . H is a dven ture w i th the wa s herm an

d h is wife The wa s herm The hi n g

’
an . an s s tory .

bef rien ds the wa s herm an , H is g rief a n d h is f a il

in g powers The wi s e wom en of A tt a h R aja
’ ’
. .

H odi b ro thers The in va s i on f K heri

’
s . o -
m zi rt i .

The wa s heri n d th e p rophecy

’
an s m es s age a n . S iege f
o

R a s a la s cur e s The ba ttle R a s a la

’ ’

K heri m zi rti
’ ’
-
. . . s
’
dea th . L en voy .

H EN Raj a Ras a l u h a d wi t n e s s e d t h e bl o o dy
a n d p i t iful fa t e o f h i s c o n s o rt h e h as te n e d ,

i n h is a m a z e m e n t t o th e ga te o f t h e fo rtre s s ,

an d ,
p as s i n g s wift ly o ut h e des c e n de d th e ro c ky ,

s te p s ,
an d t h e re s t re tc h e d by t h e
,
v e ry c o rs e o f
Raj a H o di w h o s e c ha rge r was s t il l c ha m pi n g his
,

b it un de r t h e m a n go e t re e s h e fo un d t h e s h a t tere d
-

re m a i n s o f th e l uc k l e s s K o k l an S t ran ge a n d wa n .

wa s th e p ro ud s m i l e w h ic h s t ill l i n ge re d o n h e r
 1 38 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

yi g to h er h us b an d in To
“
sa n I t is n ot ye t m o rn g .

p as s the t i m e a s to ry t e ll m e .
”

W h at is th e us e a n s w e re d th e h us b an d .

W e h a v e to ge t th ro ugh t he wo rl d s o m e h o w Pa rt .

o f o ur l ife i s o v e r a n d p art o n ly re m a i n s, W e h av e .

”
n o t i m e t o w as te o v e r s to ri es .

But re pli ed s h e it is n o t ye t da yl i gh t s o te ll
“
‘

, , ,

m e s o m e th i n
”

g .

Th en s a i d th e was h e rm a n S h a ll I t e ll yo u a t rue ,
“
.

”
s to ry o r s o m e o t h e r o n e ?
,

A t rue s to ry a n s w e re d s h e
“
.
,

S o t h e m a n b e gan ,

H e a r m e O wife N o t l o n g a go b e fo re I m a r
, .
,

ri e d y o u I h a d a n o t h e r wi fe
, S h e us e d t o s a y h er .

p raye rs fi ve ti m e s i n t he day a n d I t h o ugh t h e r a ,

t re a s ure Y e t e v e ry n i gh t s h e a b s e n t e d h e rs e lf fro m
.
,

m y h o us e fo r a t l e a s t a n h o ur un t i l I b e ga n t o wo n ,

de r w h a t was h e r m o t iv e A t l a s t I de te rm i n e d t o .

fi n d o ut Th e n e x t t i m e s h e w e n t a wa y I fo ll o we d
.

h er b e c a us e I s a i d Pe rh a p s s h e go e s o ut to h er
‘
, , ,

p raye rs b ut I s h o ul d li k e t o se e fo r m y s e lf I fo un d
,
.
’

s h e vi s i t e d t h e gra v e o f a fa k i r a n d tha t s h e p ray ed ,

t o hi m th a t 1 m i gh t b e c o m e bl i n d Wh e n I h eard .

th i s ,
I co uld n o t h e lp fee li n g Be fo re m y fa c e s h e
re s p e c ts m e b ut h o w fa l s e s he is
, b eh i n d m y b ac k .

To m o rro w I wil l b e b e fo re h a n d wi th h e r a t th e
-

s h ri n e a n d s h e s h a l l h a v e a n a n s w e r
’
, .
 TH E DE A TH OF RA S A L U . I39

The xt n i gh t I hid m y s e lf in th e s h ri n e a n d
n e ,

wh en m y wife c a m e a n d p ra y e d a s us ua l I a n s w e red
h er , O w o m a n fo r a l o n g t i m e yo u h a v e p ray e d t o
,

m e th i s t i m e y o ur p ra y er is a n s w e re d
, Go ho m e an d .
,

fee d y o ur h us b a n d wi th s w ee t p uddi n g i n th e m o rn i n g ,

a n d wi t h ro a s t fo wl i n t h e e v e n i n
g a n d in a w ee k h e ,

wi ll b e bli n d .
’

I t h e n go t a w a y h o m e a s fa s t a s I c o ul d run a n d ,

w he n m y wi fe re turn e d I as ke d h er W h e re h av e ,

yo u b e e n
I h a v e b e e n i n th e vil l age givi n g o ut th e cl o the s ,

a n s w e re d s h e .

“
Th e n e x t m o rn i n g m y wife s a i d to m e H us b a n d , ,

s ee I h a v e h ere s o m e b utt e rm i l k a n d o il l
,
e t m e w a sh ,

y o ur h ea d .
’

“
I a cc o rdi n gly un dre s s e d But wh en my wife s a w
.

my b o dy s h e c ri e d W hy h us b an d h o w thi n yo u
, ,
‘

, ,

h a v e b e c o m e yo u a re a lls k i n a n d b o n e I m us t fe e d .

yo u up To t hi s I a n s we re d
.
’
ood 5 0 m y wi fe G .
’

w en t a n d m ade m e s w eet p uddi n g w h ic h I e n j o y e d , .

A n d i n t h e e v e n i n g s h e gave m e ro as t fo wl w h ic h ,

I e n j o y e d to o .

“
A fter t h ree o r fo ur days I s a i d t o h e r W i fe I ,
‘
,

do n t kn o w w h at h a s h a p pe n e d m y e y es a re ge t t i n g
’
,

q ui te di m Th o ugh s he a ffe c te d to c o n s o l e m e I c o ul d
.

ea s ily p e rc e iv e t h a t s h e wa s gl a d A fte r th e s e v e n th
.

day I s a i d to h er W i fe I am st o n e bl i n d I c a n t
‘ ’

, ,
1 40 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

s ee a th in g .
’
S h e h ea ri n g t h i s
, , s et up a h yp o c ri tic a l
h o wl , go i n g o ut s h e vi s i te d t h i s s a i n t a n d th a t,
an d , ,

an d o ffe re d up c o un te rfe i t p ra y e rs fo r m y re c o v ery .

I n o w to o k c ted t h e bl i n d m an
to a st ic k an d a

t o th e life But o n e da y m y wife s a i d to h e rs e l f

.
,

Th i s m ay b e a ll a de c e i t I m us t p ut his bl i n dn es s
S o s h e s a i d to m e I a m go i n g o ut
’
t o t h e t es t
‘
. ,

a vi s i t i n g
-
if I p ut s o m e b a rl e y to dry will yo u take ,

c a re o f it ? ’

H o w c an I re pli e d I S till if yo u wil l p ut it .

‘
,

o n s o m e m a t t i n g wi t h i n m y rea c h s o th a t I c a n fee l it

fro m t i m e t o t i m e I wi l l t ry ,
.
’

Th i s t h e n s he di d a n d I s a t by i t wi th m y s tic k ,

i n m y h an d I n a s h o rt t i m e I s a w m y wi fe s lyly
.

c ree pi n g t o w a rds t h e gra i n a n d w h e n s h e go t n e a r ,

s h e fe l t i t Lifti n g m y s t ic k I ga v e h er s uc h a
.
,

vi o l e n t bl o w o n th e h ea d t h a t s h e fe ll a l m o s t s en s e l es s ,

c ryi n g o ut A h yo u h a v e k i ll e d m e
,
‘
,

W ife wife p ro tes ted I h o w c o ul d I te ll i t was

‘
,
’
, ,
‘

yo u P D id I n o t s ay I was bli n d I th o ugh t th ere

wa s a b ull o c k o r a go a t h e re
’
.

“
Th i s q ui te c o n vi n c e d m y wife th a t I m us t b e
e n t i re ly bli n d an d s h e c o n t i n ue d to fee d m e a s b e
,

fo re .

“
N o w th e t ruth wa s th at s h e wa s i n tri gui n g with
,

a n o th er m a n w h o m s h e us ed to vi s i t th o ugh a t
, ,

great ris k wh en e v e r s h e fo un d the o pp o rt un ity

, .
1 42 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

A fte r I h a d go n e t wo or t h ree m i les ,

th e m an

i n s i de th e b egan t o s truggl e a n d s h a ke
m at .

S h a k e a w ay s a i d I yo u wi ll h a ve reas o n t o
“ ‘ ’ ‘
, ,

Y o u t h i n k I a m bli n d b ut I a m n o t
’
s h ak e s o o n .
,
.

I n o w a pp ro a c h e d a vill a ge a n d th e fi rs t t h i n g ,

I o b s e rv e d wa s a wo m a n b a k i n g s o m e b re ad o f fi n e
fl o ur W h e n the c a ke was re a dy s h e t o o k it i n s i de
.

t o t h e c o rn b i n w h ere h e r l o v e r wa s h i di n g a n d s h e
-
, ,

ga v e i t t o h i m Th e n s h e c a m e o ut a n d b e gan
.

b a k i n g b re a d o f c o a rs e b a rl e y — m eal Pre te n di n g .

to b e a fa k i r I we n t up t o h e r a n d s a i d M o th e r
‘

, ,

m a ke m e s o m e W h e a t e n b re a d w i t h a li t t l e b utte r .

S h e a n s we re d W h e re a m I to ge t W h e a ten fl o ur ?
‘
,

D o yo u n o t s ee h o w p o o r I a m
N ay b ut b a k e m e s o m e re pli e d I
’

, , .

A s we w e re di s p ut i n g h e r hus b an d c a m e up an d
s aid D o n t q ua rre l wo m a n wi th fa k i rs
’ ’

, , , .

I a m n o t q uarre lli n g s a i d s h e b ut t h i s m an
“ ‘ ’ ‘
, ,

i s b e ggi n g fo r fi n e b re a d a n d b utter D i d y ou e v er .

ge t s uc h a l ux ury ?
’

“
W h e n t h e h us b a n d h e a rd th i s h e wa s a n gry wi th
m e a n d s ai d I f a b a rl e y c a ke wi l l s ui t yo u t a ke it
‘
-
, , .

But if n o t b e go n e,
Th e n s a i d I p o i n t i n g t o th e do o r , ,

Th e y wh o s i t in c o rn bi n s e a t fi n e b re ad b ut -
,

b egga rs m us tn t b e c h o o s e rs ’
.
’

VVh a t s t h i s a b o ut c o rn bi n s c ri ed h e Thi s
’ ’
-
.
,

s t b e l oo ke d i n t o
’
m u .
 TH E D E A TH OF RA S A L U . 1 43

S o he w e n t in to t he c o rn b i n an d t h e re h e fo un d
-

h is wi fe s l o v e r s q ua tt i n g am o n g th e gra i n a n d e a t i n g
’

, ,

fi n e b re a d a n d b ut te r Yo u a re a n h o n es t m an 0
.
,

fak i r h e c ri e d o ut t o m e
’
.

But h e was i n s uc h a ra ge th a t h e dre w h is kn ife

a n d w o ul d m o s t c e rt a i n ly h a v e c ut t h e fe ll o w s
’
t h ro a t

i f I h a d n o t c a ugh t h i m by th e a rm a n d c h e c ke d
h im a n d b ro ugh t h i m o ut o f t h e pl a c e
, .

’
Lo o k h e re s a i d I o p e n i n g m y m a t a n d re l ea s i n g
‘
, ,

Y
,

m y p ri s o n e r h e re i s a n o t h e r o f t h e m o ur fa t e i s
‘
, .

n o t di ffe re n t fro m m i n e n o r m i n e from

’

,
o th e r m e n s .

Th e re fo re do n o t k i ll b ut le t us b o th agree t o m a ke
,

t h e b e s t o f a b a d j o b b e c a us e y o u s e e i f R aj a R a s al u
, , ,

i n h is p a l a c e gre a t a n d m i gh ty a s h e i s h a s th e s am e
, ,

m i s fo rt un e a s we a n d y e t b e a rs i t p a ti e n tly wh o
, a re ,

we t h a t we s h o ul d c o m pl a i n ?
’

W h e n t h e w a s h e rm a n h a d e n de d R aj a Ra s al u ,

wh o h a d o v e rh e a rd e ve ry w o rd c a m e fo rw a rd an d ,

s ai d ,

“
I a m R aj a R a s al u th e k i n g o f a ll th i s re a l m
, .

A s k m e fo r l a n d a n d y o u s h a l l h a v e it o r i f yo u w a n t , ,

m o n e y t a ke i t b ut te l l m e h o w k n e w y o u p eo pl e t h a t
, ,

”
s uc h wic k e dn e s s wa s b e i n g do n e i n m y h o us e ?

A n d a re y o u n o t a w are a n s we re d th e m a n th at
“
, ,

w o m e n a re by n a t ure wi tc h es a n d s o o th s ay e rs ? Th e y
k n o w o r t h e y fi n d o ut e v e ry th i n g a n d th e y h a v e b een,

t a l k i n g o f th e do i n gs a t K h e ri m u
”
rti fo r da y s -
.
1 44 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Th e n th e k i n g t o o k t h e m b o t h t o t h e c as t l e a n d
gav e t h e m m o n ey a n d t o t he h us b an d h e s a i d
, Yo u
Y
,

a re a w h i te b e a rded m a n
-
ol d a n d v en era bl e
, o ur .

y ea rs e n ti t l e yo u to res p e c t Th ere fo re c o m e a n d s e e
.

”
m e o ft e n ,
an d l e t us c o n v e rs e t oge th e r A n d he .

s e n t t h e m aw a y .

H e h i m s e lf a fter t h i s gre w c are l ess an d m o ro s e ,

a n d h e c ea s e d to vi s i t t h e fi e l d s o o fte n h is l ife ,

b e i n g wea ry a n d h is h e a rt b ro ke n th i n k i n g o f
, ,

h is de a d wife o f h e r bl a c k i n gra t i tude an d o f h er

,

di s m a l fa te Freq ue n t ly t h e o ld w a s h e rm a n vi s i te d
.

h im a n d b ro ught h i m i n n e ws fro m wi th o ut a n d ,

h is fa v o uri te p a rro t st ro v e t o c o n s o l e h i m But hi s .

k i n gdo m was n egl e c t e d h i s c o n q ue s ts fo rgo tte n

, ,

m a n y o f his fo l l o w ers de s e rte d his s ervic e h i s gua rds ,

o f p a rro ts ,
p ea c o c ks a n d m i n as m o stly a b a n do n e d
,

t h e pl a c e a n d i n his v a s t l o n e ly fo rt re ss h e live d li ke
,

a re cl us e.

M e a n whi l e th e re w e re wi s e w o m e n a t th e t o w n o f
,

Ri j a H o di wh o h a d gue s s e d o r di vi n e d t h e s e c re t
o f K h e ri m ii rt i O n e da y t h e Raj as b ro th e rs we re
’ ’
-
.

ri di n g p as t t h e c o m m o n w e l l w h e n th e w o m e n w e re

drawi n g w ater for th e i r h o us e h o l ds a n d t h e y o ver

,

h eard o n e o f t h e m s ayi n g ,

M e n re c ko n t he i r darl i n g vic es m ore t h an life .

W h a t is t ha t yo u s ay c ri ed o n e o f the Pri n ce s
,

re i n i n g up .
1 46 TH E LE GE N D OF RA S A LU .

i
s to r e s a n d goo d b o ut t his t i m e h e w en t up
s en s e . A
t o t h e p a l a c e a s us ua l a n d re c e iv ed his c us to m a ry
,

w lc o m e S a i d the k i n g to hi m
e .
“
W h at n e ws ,
”
t o day P
-

Th e w ash erm a n an s w ere d ti m o ro usly A m o n g the ,

“

w o m en of the
vill age t he re i s a st ran ge rum o ur b ut ,

”
i t m ay n o t b e t rue .

“
Le t m e h ave it s a i d the k i n g
, .

I o verh e ard th e m t a l k i n g a m o n g th e mse lv es an d ,

t h e y we re s a yi n g th a t a s Rzij a Ra s al u ha d c ut o ff th e
h ead o f Ré jéH o di s o hi s o wn h ead w o ul d b e a lso
,

c ut o ff i n a fe w day s
”
.

W h en the k i n g un de rs to o d this h e was grea tly put ,

o ut,an d ri s i n g an d p a ci n g th e fl o or h e s a i d H av e ,

yo u re ally h eard thi s ?

”

“
Yes a n sw e red the w as h erm an
,
“
the w o m en h a v e ,

i t s o b ut I kn o w n o th i n g a bo ut it
, .
”

I h a ve s een the day wh e n I co ul d l augh my fo e s

”
t o s co rn s a i d th e ki n g a n d s t i ll I h a ve t ro o ps if I
,
“
,

c an o n ly a ss e mbl e th e m i n tim e
”
.

Th en h e s umm o n e d h i s w a rder an d b ade hi m c all ,

o ut a l l h is fo ll o w e rs i n t h e c as t l e But wh e n th e y .
,

w ere dra w n up th ere w e re n o t a do z en m en l e ft to

,

m a n th e w a lls .

W i n n i n g o r l o si n g a b a t t l e is in the h a n ds o f Go d ,

s a i d h e t o t he o l d w as h e rm a n But wh at i s o n e to
.

d o with ah an dful o f m e n l i ke th i s
 TH E D EA TH OF RA S A L U . 1 47

Vi go ro us ly h o w e v er th e o ld w arri or p re p a re d fo r
, ,

a s i e ge .S o m e thi n g o f hi s fo rm e r s pi rit re turn e d

up on h i m as h e d i re c t ed o n e o f h is m en to ga ll o p .

o ut i n t o t h e c o un t ry t o o rde r h is t en a n ts to
gath e r
the i r v a s s a l s a n d t o b ri n g i n s uppl i es fo r th e de
fe n c e o f his c as tl e a t Kh eri m ti rt i a n d as h e assi s t e d
'
-
,

with h is o wn h a n ds to re p a i r th e b ro ke n ba tt l e m e n ts
a n d to cl o s e up th e b rea ch es H ardly h a d h e c o m
.

p le te d h is t as k w h en th e h o s til e fo rc e a pp eared i n
,

s i gh t .The y w e re le d by th e b ro th ers o f Ré jéH o di ,

an d w e re ful ly a rm e d wi t h e v ery im pl e m e n t o f wa r .

Th ey s w am th e riv e r o r cro s s e d i t o n i n fl a t ed s k i n s
a n d li k e b ee s t h e y s w arm e d up th e h ill a n d s at ,

do wn b e n eat h th e w a l l s o f K h e ri m ti rti Th e n p as s ed
’
-
.

m ut ua l de fi an c es b e tw ee n th e o pp o s i n g l ea ders a n d ,

t h e s i ege b ega n i n fo r
m But Raj a Ras alu th o u h
.

g , _

t e i n fo rc e d by fres h s uppli es o f m en
-
s o o n bega n tb ,

p erc e iv e t h a t th e s truggl e was a h o p e l es s on e a n d ,

th a t th e e n d c o ul d n o t b e fa r o ff Re s o lvi n g th e re.
,

fo re n o t to b e c a ugh t l i ke a ra t wi thi n h is w a l l s b ut
, ,

t o s e l l h is l ife as de arly a s p o s s ibl e h e o rde re d h is ,

troo p s t o p re p are fo r a s a l ly Tha t n i ght h e pi l e d

.

up faggo t s i n th e ch am b e rs o f Ran i K o kl a n a n d ,

s e t th e p a l a c e o n fi re ,a n d w h en th e fl a m es l e a p ed
,

up i n to th e dark n es s o f th e m i dn i ght s ky th e ,

be s i egers s aw th e m a n d w o n dered wh a t the un wo n t ed

,

b ea c o n mi ght p o rt en d .
 1 48 TH E L E GE N D OF RA S A L U .

Th e n e xt m orn in g h e le d h is fo ll o w e rs do w n the
ro c ky s t ep s , an d, as h e p as s ed th ro ugh th e ! ueen ’s
ga rde n ,
he l o o ke d a t the m an goe - t
re es , a n d sa id ,

O , fl us h ed wi th frui t, o r b a re o f b o ugh,
v
Frui t m ay ye n e er fo rm aga in ,
l l
D e ad i s K o k an , h e r p ac e is o i d,
A n d fl am i n g red the fi res rem ai n ! ”
v
Th en wi th a rus h h e des c en ded to the pl ai n s a n d ,

m e t his en e mi es h an d t o h an d Th ere the b a ttl e .

rage d wi th fury o n b o th s i des fo r s e v era l days an d

n i gh t s Ki n g Ras al u fo ugh t li ke a li o n a n d m a n y
.
,

an a dv ers ary w e n t do w n b en eath his mi gh ty arm ,

n e v er t o ri s e a ga i n A t l as t his m e n w ere fo rc e d
.

to give way a ll a l o n g th e li n e a n d th e ki n g h i m s el f , ,

w e a ri ed o ut wi th th e l o n g s truggl e c o v ered wi th ,

wo un ds a n d h e m m e d in by i n c rea s i n g n um b ers Was

, ,
,

sl a i n by a n arro w n i n e ya rds l o n g wh ich e n tered h is ,

n ec k W h en th e fi gh t was o v er h is e n e m i es s m ot e
.
,

o ff h i s h ead a n d c a rri e d it
, b ac k wi th th em in
t ri umph to th e c a stl e o f Raj a H o di .

A n d th us a cc o rdi n g t o s o m e o f th e s t o ry t e ll ers o f
,
-

the U pp er Pa n j ab p eri s h e d t h e h e ro Rzij

, a Ras al u ,

h avi n g o utl iv ed th e fam e an d gl o ry o f his great

‘
ex lo it sfi
p

S o m e say Ras é
v l v l
lun e er di ed, th a t h e c ros se d o er or descen ded i n to
th e ri er I n dus to an ds un kn o wn , an d th at, ike K in g A rthur, he wi
v ll
o n e day re turn agai n .
 L’E N VO Y . 149

For v wi th i n b o wer’s reces s es,

th e
l l
e erm o re ,
l
N o b ub u s i ts an d s i n gs m e o dio us o re l
N 0 verdan t A p ri ll
e af th e ga rden b l es ses,
Fo r everm o re

A m on arch , ro b ed i n m i gh t an d wrapt i n s pl en dour,

Re ign s n ot fo r a ye fro m s o un di n g s h o re to s h ore
l
A n d lo ve, h e r dear de i gh ts m ust alls u rren der,
For everm ore .
 1 52 LE GE N D S OF TH E P A N jA B .

n i gh ts wh en icy w i n ds are bl o wi n g an d wh en th e
, ,

y o un g m en gat h e r ro un d t h e bl az i n g fi re to h e a r
o f t h e fa n tas t ic deeds o f
gi a n ts an d fa i ri e s a n d t h e ,

a dv e n ture s o f a n i m al s a n d m e n o r w h e n th e vil l a ge
,

gue s t i f n o t to o t i re d to s it up a lt e rn a t es th e re ci t a l
, ,

o f fic ti t i o us w o n ders by n e w s fro m t h e
grea t w o rl d o r ,

c o m m a n ds th e a tten ti o n o f a udit o rs as s i mpl e as h i m

s e lf by ci rc um s t a n ti a l a cc o un ts o f m o s t dis as tro us
c h an c es o f m o vi n g acci de n ts o f h is o wn by fl o o d
,

a n d fe ll I t was a t th e li t t l e vi ll age o f G hé
. z i o n th e

riv e r I n dus t h i rt y m il e s a b o v e A t t a k t h a t m an y
, , of

t h e s e s to ri es w ere t o l d to t h e c o m pi l e r a n d tra n s la,

t e d t o hi m vi vd voce fro m t h e Pan j é b i by his h o s p i

t a bl e h o st a n d a tt ach e d fri e n d Th o m as La m b ert
,

Ba rl o w Es q ,
Th ere wi th i n si ght an d h eari n g o f t h e
.
,

m aj e s tic riv er o f h i s to ry a n d ro m an c e i n a di s trict

,

e xcl us iv e ly p as t o ra l c l o se t o th e fabl e d m o u
,
n tain of

G a n dgh ar i n th e m i dst o f m a n y a rui n e d t e mpl e a n d

,

fo rtres s o f a n e a rli er ra c e a n d a fo rm er fa ith o n ,

gro un d h i s t o ric a l a n d e v e n cl a ssic a l t h o ugh n o w s o

,

o b s c ure an d un k n o w n t h es e i n t e res t i n g gl ea n i n gs o f
,

ol d w o rl d fo l kl ore w e re c a re ful ly ga th e re d an d st o re d
-
.

E x a c tly o pp o s i t e li e s a li n e o f ro c ky h i lls o v erl o o k

i n g th e rus h i n g w a t ers o f th e riv er . O n thi s s p o t
s to o d an an ci e n t city o f fa b ul o us s t re n gth an d vas t
e x te n t t h e h o m e o f fo ur H i n du b ro th ers a l
,
lo f t h e m
,

k i n gs . E a ch o f the lo w p e aks o f whic h th ere a re

 S H OR T H O U S E H OLD TA LE S . 1 53

se v e ra l is c ro w n e d by a t o w er a p al ac e o r a t e m pl e
, , , ,

wh i l e t ra c es o f c o n n e c ti n g wa lls a n d rui n e d dw e lli n gs

t ra v e rs e t h e gro un d o n a ll s i des to th e v ery e dge o f

th e cl i ff Thi s ci ty a cc o rdi n g t o t radi t i o n was s o v as t

.

th at o n e o f i ts ga tes wa s c l o s e to H irn d a n e q ually

' '

a n ci en t s i t e whi ch s ta n ds on th e s am e b a n k ab o ut
,

tw e n ty m i l es t o th e s o uth W h at was th e n a m e o f
.

thi s o n c e m i gh ty c a pi ta l ? Po ssi b ly it m ay s urviv e

a m o n g t h e p o p ul ar n a m e s o f th e p ea ks an d ra vi n e s
o n w h ich i t was b uilt a s G é ,
llah Pih ti r
’
h a rri db d
, G .

La r Pa rri dh a K é
,
tth at
’

,
G
a dh i dh a K i tt hzt G é n ga rian h
'

dh a K a s s i Bh o ru dh at K att h a H tm d h a s b e en iden
’ '
.
,

S i ka n de r Bads h a h c ro s s e d
' ”
t i fi e d as t h e s po t wh ere

o v e r w it h h is c o n q ue ri n g a rm y o f G
ree ks a n d um ,

do ub ted ly it p o ss ess e d a n i m p o rt a n t ferry fro m t he

v e ry e a rl i es t a ge s .

A fe w m il es t o th e n o rth o f G
h az i wh ere th e h i l ls
b e gi n t o cl o s e i n we c a n a l m o s t s ee the c o ll e c t i o n o f
,

h a m l e ts kn o w n as To rb e la t h e i n h abi tan ts o f wh ich

,

are a dd te ic d t o t h e c u ri o u s vi c e o f e a t i n g cl ay as ,

pl th p t iv t o t h e c o n s um p t i o n
peo e in o
e e n
e r a r s a r g
pp sit T b la s t d s t h w a rl i k e i n
o f o pi um O
. o e o r e an e

p t vi ll f K bb l I t is h e re b e tw een
de e n de n a ge o a a . ,

t h e s e two r iv a l vi ll a ge s n o t m o r e th a n tw e lv e m il e s

G
fro m h az i t h a t the I n dus b re ak s th ro ugh th e go rge
,

t i i p k n e i t h e r si d e th e l as t s p urs
o f t h e re s e a s o
ra n n g ,

o f th e H im é laya s fo
,
rm i n g t h e t e r rit o r y i n p art i h ,

r
p
1 54 L E GE N D S OF TH E P A N/A B .

dep e n de n t, b ut p artly un de r o ur do m i n io n wh ic h ,

t h e i n h a bi tan ts c al l Yak is tan H o w b ea ut i ful is t h e

.

V i ew m i l e s a n d m il es up t h e ri ver w it h t he de s c e n di n g
li n es o f th e p re cipit o us m o un ta i n s o n e b e h i n d t h e ,

o th er re c e di n g e v e r m o re a n d m o re i n t o bl ue h az e
, ,

un ti l c ro w n e d b y th e di s ta n t s n o ws A s o n e s i ts i n
th e w arm wi n ter s un am o n g t h e riv e r b o ul
,
de rs a t

Gh atz i w h e re th e go l d w a s h e rs a re b us y a t wo rk a n d
’
-
, ,

as o n e s ga z e is di re c t e d n o rth w a rd p a s t th e b are
’
,

t a w n y h il l s i n to the rem o te di s t a n ce o n e th i n k s h o w a ll
,

t h i s l a n d wa s o n c e in th e h a n ds o f a dy n a st y o f re ek s G ,

o f h e l m e d M e n an de r o r li gh t n i n g wi e l di n g A n t i al
,
-

k i das w h o s e c o i n s a tte s t t h e e xc e l l en cy o f t h e a rt s
,

i n th es e re m o te pl a c es wh en un de r th e i r acc o m plish e d
s w ay b ut o f wh o s e i n fl ue n c e e v e ry livi n g tra c e s e e m s
,

t o h a ve di s a pp ea red un l e s s
,
i n th e cl as s i c a l de s i gn s
,

o f th e vi ll a ge b as k e t w o rk o r i n t h e gra c e ful de v i c es
-
,
’

in re d a n d green o n t h e c o un t ry n a m b dars o f fe l t ,

o n e m ay b e p erm i t t e d t o de t ec t a re m n a n t h o w ev e r
G t as te a n d w
,

sli ght o f , re ci an e s t ern re fi n e m e n t .

P as si n g o n to a s u cc e e di n g era o n e rem e m b e rs the

,

lo c a l t ra di t i o n o f k i n g R a s al u who fro m th o s e very

, ,

h ei gh ts t o th e l e ft h url e d a t his riv a l o n th e eas tern

,

b an k a m i gh ty de fi an c e in th e sh ap e o f a h uge m ass
o f gre e n s t o n e w e i ghi n g a m a un d a n d a h a lf Fiv e .

k os i t h urtle d th ro ugh t h e a i r a n d it s til l re p o s e s

,

o n th e s p o t wh e re it fe ll C l o s e to th at s p o t a t t h e
.
,
 S T O RY I .

TH E W E A VER A N D TH E PR O P HE CY .

V I LLA G E w ea v e r w e n t o ut to c ut fi re w o o d .

C li m bi n g a t ree he s to o d upo n on e of th e

b r
ches
an ,
wh ic h he b egan to h e w o ff
cl o s e to th e t run k .

M y fri e n d s a id a t ra ve l
,
le r p as s i n g b e l o w yo u a re ,

s ta n di n g o n th e v e ry l i m b wh ic h yo u a re c utt i n g o ff ;

I n a fe w m i n ute s yo u an d i t wil l b o th fa ll t o t h e
Th e we a v e r un c o n c e rn e dly c o n t i n ue d h i s
”

gro un d .

tas k a n d s o o n b o th th e b ran c h a n d h i m s e l f fe ll to

t he fo o t o f t h e t re e a s th e t ra v e ll er h a d fo re to l d .

Li m pi n g a fte r h i m th e w e av e r c ri e d S i r yo u a re
, ,

G o d yo u a re G o d S ir yo u a re G o d— w h at y o u
, , ,

Tut m a n
”
p ro p he s i ed h a s c o m e to p as s . t ut , , ,
”

”
a n s w ere d th e t ra v e l l e r I am n o t G o d
,
N ay b ut .
,
 S H OR T HO U S EHOL D TA LE S . 1 57

yo u a re , pl i e d th e w e a v e r an d n o w p ray O p ra y
re , , , ,

t e ll m e wh e n I a m t o di e To b e rid o f h is i m p o r
t un i ty t h e t ra v e l l e r a n s we re d
, Y o u wi ll die o n th e
,
“

da y o n w h ic h y our m o ut h bl ee ds a n d h e p urs ue d
”
,

h i s wa y .

S o m e da y s h ad l p s e d w h e n th e w ea v e r h app en ed
e a

to b e m ak i n g s o m e s c a rle t cl o th a n d a s h e h ad ,

fre q ue n t ly to s e p ara te the t h re ads wi th his m o uth a ,

pi e c e o f th e c o l o ured fib re by c h an c e s tuc k i n o n e o f
h i s fro n t t e e t h C a tc h i n g s i gh t o f thi s i n a gl a s s a n d
.
,

i n s t a n t ly c o n cl udi n g tha t i t wa s bl oo d an d th at h is ,

l a s t h o ur wa s a t h an d h e e n te re d h is hut a n d s ai d
, , ,

“
W i fe wife I m s ic k i n a fe w m o m en ts I s h a ll b e
, ,
’

de ad le t m e li e do w n a n d go dig m y gra v e I S o he
”
, ,

lay do w n o n h is b e d a n d turn i n g h is fa c e t o t h e w a ll
, ,

cl o s ed h is e yes a n d b e ga n de lib e ra te ly to die A n d

,
.

i n dee d s uc h is th e p o wer o f th e i m agi n at i o n a m o n g

,

t h e s e p eo pl e t h a t h e w o ul d h a v e di ed wi th o ut do ub t
, ,

i f a c us to m e r h ad n o t c a ll ed fo r h is cl o th e s H e s ee
“

.
,

in g t h e m an s c o n di t i o n a n d h e a ri n g o f th e p ro p h e cy
’
,

”
a s k e d to e x a m i n e h is m o uth A h s a id he . wh at , ,

an i di o t a re yo u C a ll yo u t h i s bl o o d a n d t a ki n g

o ut t h e t h rea d h e h e l d i t b e fo re t h e w e a v e r s ey e s
’
.

Th e w ea v er a s a m an re p ri e v e d fro m dea th wa s o v er
.
,

j o y e d a n d s p ri n gi n g to h is fee t h e re s um e d h is w o rk
, ,

h a vi n g b e en res c ue d a s h e i m agi n e d fro m the v ery

, ,

b ri n k o f the gra v e .
[ 58 LE GEND S OF TH E P A N jA B .

STO RY I I .

TH E T H REE W EA V E RS .

H E RE w e re t h ree w ea v ers a ll b ro th ers who lived, ,

i n th e s a m e vi l l age O n e day t h e e l des t s a i d to t h e

.

o th ers I a m go i n g to b uy a m i lc h b uffa l o ”
S o he .

we n t to a farm e r p a i d fo r th e b uffa lo a n d to o k it h o m e
,
-
, .

The s e c o n d b ro t he r wa s q ui te to uc h e d by th e s i gh t
o f it . H e vi e we d it s h e a d i ts h o rn s a n d i ts t ea ts
, , ,

a n d th e n s a i d , O b ro th er a l l o w m e to b e a p a rtn e r
“
,

in thi s b e a ut iful b uffa l o S a i d t h e e l de r I h av e ,

“

p a i d fo r th i s b e a ut iful b uffa l o t w e n ty t wo rup ees I f -

.

yo u wi s h to b e a p a rt n e r i n h e r y o u h a d b e tte r go t o ,

t h e fa rm e r a n d p a y h i m tw e n ty t wo rup ees t o o a n d
,
-
,

t h e n we s h a l l h a v e e q ua l s h a re s i n h e r
”
.

S h o rt ly a fte r th e th i rd b ro th er c am e i n a n d s a i d O ,
“

b ro th e r yo u h av e a ll o w e d o ur b ro th er t o b e a p a rtn er
,

wi th yo u i n th i s b uffa l o w o n t yo u le t m e ta ke a s ha re
,
’

to o W ill i n gly a n s wered th e o th e r b ut fi rs t

, ,

yo u m us t go t o th e fa rm er an d p ay hi m t w e n ty two -

rup ee s as we h a v e do n e
”
S o th e th i rd b ro t h e r did s o
.
,

whil e th e farm er ch uc k l ed s ayi n g Thi s is a fi n e thi n g

, ,
“

get ti n g allth i s m o n e y fo r m y s k i n n y o ld b uffa l o l

”

Th e th ree b ro th e rs n o w agre ed th a t each on e o f

th e m s h o ul d h a v e a da y s m il k fro m the b uffa l o i n
’

t urn an d th at e a c h s h o ul d b ri n g h is o wn p o t Th e
, .
1 60 L EGEND S O F TH E P A N /A B .

STO RY I II .

TH E W E A V ER AND TH E W A T ER -
M E LO N .

N G E up o n a p o o r c o un t ry w ea ve r vi s i ted a
ti m e a

t o wn wh e re h e s a w a q uan ti t y o f w a te r m e l o n s
,
-

pi l e d up o n e a b o v e th e o t h e r in fro n t o f a b a n i a 5 s h o p
E ggs o f o th e r bi rds t h e re a re he s a id a n d I h av e
, ,

b ut wh a t bi rd s e ggs a re t h es e e ggs ?
’
s ee n th e m

Th e s e m us t b e m a re s e ggs S o h e a s k e d th e b an i a
’

Th e b a n i a i n s tan t ly
’
A re t h e s e e ggs m a re s e ggs P
“

c o c k e d h i s e a rs a n d p e rc e ivi n g th a t h e was a s im
,

p le to n a n s we re d Yes th e s e bi rd s e ggs a re m a re s
“ ' ’
, , ,

e ggs .
”
W h a t is th e p ric e P "
O n e h un dre d rup e e s
a pi e c e
-
s a i d th e b a n i a
, Th e s i m pl e we a v e r to o k o ut
.

h is b a g o f m o n e y a n d c o un t i n g o ut t he p ric e b o ugh t ,

on e o f th e m e l o n s a n d c a rri e d i t o ff A s h e w en t .

a l o n g th e ro a d h e b e ga n to s ay to h i m s e l f
, W he n ,

I ge t h o m e I wi ll p ut th i s e gg i n a w a rm c o rn er o f
m y h o us e a n d b y a n d b y e a fo a l will b e b o rn
,
- -
an d ,

wh e n th e fo a l is b ig e n o ugh I s h a ll m o un t i t a n d ,

ri de i t to th e h o us e o f m y fa t h e r i n la w W on t - -
.
’

A s t h e da y was un us ua lly h o t
”
h e b e a s to n i s h e d 1 -

h e s to pp e d a t a p o o l o f w a te r t o b a th e But fi rs t .

o f al l h e de p o s i te d t h e m e l o n m o s t c a re ful ly i n t h e
m i ddl e o f a l o w b us h a n d t h e n h e p ro c e e de d to un
,

dre s s h i m s e l f H is ga rm en ts w ere n o t ha l f l a i d a s i de
.

,
 S HO R TH O US E H OLD TA LES . 16 1

wh e n o ut fro m th e b us h s p ra n g a h a re a n d the ,

wea v e r s n at c h i n g up p a rt o f h is cl o t h i n g whi l e th e
,

re s t h un g a b o ut hi s l e s i n di s o rder m a de de sp era t e
g ,

e ffo rt s t o ch as e an d o v e rt ake th e h a re c ryi n A h

g o ut
“
, ,

th ere go es t h e fo a l wo o ld b o y wo wo , ,
But h e
, ,

ra n i n va i n fo r th e h a re eas ily e sc a p e d a n d wa s s o o n
, ,

o ut o f s i gh t .

Th e p o o r w ea v e r re c o n ci l e d hi m s e lf t o h is l o s s as
b e s t h e c o ul d Ki s m e t c ri ed h e ,
A n d a s fo r t he “

it i s o f c o urs e o f n o us e n o w a n d n o t w o rth
"

e gg ,

"
re t urn i n g fo r s i n c e t h e fo a l h a s l e ft it
,
S o he m a de
h is wa y h o m e a n d s a i d to h i s wife 0 wife I ha v e ,

h ad a grea t l o s s t h i s day W hy s ai d s he ,
”
,

wh a t h av e yo u do n e I p a i d o n e h un dred rup ee s
fo r a m a re s e gg b ut whi l e I s t o pp ed o n th e ro a d
’

H is
”

t o b a t h e t h e fo a l j um p e d o ut a n d ran a w ay
,
.

wife re pl i e d A h w h a t a pi ty ! if yo u h a d o n ly
,
“
,

b ro ugh t t h e fo a l h e re I wo ul d h a v e go t o n h is ,

H
”
a t h e r s h o us e 1
’

ba c k a n d r i dd e n h i m t o my f ear

thi h w v f l l i n t o a ra ge an d p ulli n g a
in g t e e a e r e
“

s ,
, ,

st ic k o ut o f h is l o o m b e ga n to b e l a b o ur his w i fe ,

W“ h t u w o u l d b re a k t h e b ac k o f a
c ryi n g ,
a y o ,
”

A h ! u l u t l t e b rea k y o urs
y o un g f l o a P
y o s e m ,
.

f hi h w t u t a n d b e ga n to l a m e n t h is
A t er t s e e n o ,

l o s s t o h is fri e n ds a n d n e i gh b o urs w a rn i n g th e m ,
’

I
“ f f u s h o u l d s ee a s t ra y fo a l don t
al l
,
n
a y o y o ,

T o th e vi ll age h e rds m e n
”

fo r e t to l e t m e k n o w
g
.

U
1 62 LEGENDS OF TH E P A N /A B .

es p e ci a l ly he l
re a t e d his wo n de rful
foa l y
s to r ,
h o w th e
c a m e o ut o f th e egg a n d ran ,
a n d wo ul d a w ay ,

p e rh a p s b e fo un d gra z i n g o n the c o m m o n l a n ds so m e
w h ere O n e o r two o f th e fa rm ers h o w e v er t o
.
, ,

w h o m the ta l e was re p ea ted s a i d Wh at is thi s , ,

“

n o n s e n s e P M a res n e v er h a v e e ggs W h ere did yo u .

p ut t h i s e gg o f y o urs I p ut m y egg i n a b us h ,

s a i d t h e w ea v e r
“
n ear t h e ta n k o n
, th e way to t he

C o m e a n d s h o w us l
”
to w n The farm e rs s a i d “
.
,

A ll ri gh t w e av er co m e alo n g
” “
as s e n te d th e
, ,
.

W h e n th ey a rriv ed a t the s p o t the m e l o n wa s fo un d

un to uc he d i n t h e m i ddl e o f th e b us h H e re i t i s ,

c ri e d th e w ea v e r Thi s is
’ ’
h ere s m y m a re s e gg
,
“
.

t h e t hi n g o ut o f w h ic h m y fo a l j um p ed Th e .

farm e rs t urn ed t he m e l o n o v er a n d o v e r a n d s a i d , ,

“
But wh at p art o f th i s egg did th e foa l j um p o ut .

of S o th e w e av er t oo k th e m e l o n a n d b e gan t o
O ut o f thi s c ri e d o n e o f th e farm e rs
”
e x a m i n e it .
, ,

s n a t chi n g b a c k th e m e l o n n o fo a l e v er j um p e d
“
, .

Y o u a re a s i m pl e to n a n d yo u h a v e be e n ch ea te d .

W e ll sh o w yo u wh at the fo a l s a re
’
S o h e sm a s h e d .

th e m e l o n o n a s to n e a n d givi n g t he s e eds to th e
,

w eave r s a i d H e re a re fo a l s en o ugh for yo u whi l e

, , ,

t h e fa rm e rs t h e m s e lv e s a mi d m uch l aught e r s a t do w n
, ,

an d ate up the frui t .

1 64 LEGEN D S O F TH E P A N/A B .

S to p , s to p th i s h ubb ub , go o d p eo pl e , an d le t us fi n d
o ut w h a t is t h e m atte r A ddre s s i n g h i m s e lf t o a n
.

old w o m a n h e s a i d W h at is a ll th is di s t urb an c e in
,
“

t h e vi ll a ge fo r I do n t k n o w an s we re d s he ’ ”
, ,

w h en I c a m e h e re I fo un d th i s w ea v e r gi rl c ryi n g
,
-

The n the w e av e r gi rl o n b e i n g
”
a b o ut s o m e th i n
g
-
.

q ue s t i o n e d s a i d
,
I was w ee pi n g b e c a us e I c o ul d n o t
,

h e lp t hi n k i n g th at i f I m arri e d i n t hi s vill age a n d h ad

a son a n d i f m y s o n w e re to s ic k en an d die a ll m y
, ,

a un ts m y s i s te rs a n d m
, y fri e n ds w o ul d c o m e ro un d
,

m e a n d b e w a i l h im Th e th o ugh t o f thi s m ade m e

.

"
c ry . O n h e a ri n g h e r a n s w e r t h e h ea d m a n a n d h is,

fo ll o w e rs b ega n to l a ugh a n d th e c ro w d di s p ers ed

,
.

S TO R Y V .

T H E Two W EA VERs A ND THE G RA SS H OPPERS .

W O w ea v t o o k gun s an d w e n t o ut fo r a da y s
e rs
’

s p o rt A s the v p as s e d th ro ugh th e fi e l ds o n e
.
,

o f t h e m e s pi ed a n i m m e n s e gras s h o pp er si tti n g o n a
m a dar pl an t whic h , a s t h e y a pp ro a c h e d fl e w o n
, to ,

t h e s h o ul de r o f h is c o m p an i o n S e e s ee t h ere h e , ,

is !
”
c ri ed h e a n d l e v e l li n g h is pi ec e he s h o t his
, , ,

fri en d t h ro ugh the h e art .

 S HOR T HO U S EHOLD T
A LE S . 16 5

ST O R Y V I .

TH E O LD W EA V ER A ND TH E C A M EL s
’

F OOT -
I
PR N TS .

NE i ght a c a m e l t res p a s s i n g i n a w eav er s fi e l d ’

O l e ft t h ere the m arks o f h is feet I n the m o rn i n g

n

th e o w n e r b ro ugh t t o t h e s p o t t h e o l des t w ea v e r i n th e
v il l a ge e xp e cti n g th a t h e w o ul d b e a bl e t o e xpl a i n
,

w h a t m a n n e r o f a n i m a l h a d t ro dden do w n his c o rn .

Th e o ld m a n o n s e e i n g t h e fo o t p ri n ts b o th l a ugh ed -

a n d c ri e d . S a i d t h e p eo pl e O fa th er yo u b o th ,

l a ugh a n d c ry W h at doe s th i s m ean

. I c ry “
,

s a i d he ,
“
b ec a us e I th i n k t o m y s e lf W h a t wi l l th es e ,
‘

p o o r c h i l dre n do fo r s o m e o n e to e xpl a i n th es e th i n gs
t o th e m w h e n I a m de a d an d I ,
’
l a ugh b e c a us e as , ,

fo r t h e s e fo o t p ri n ts I k n o w n o t w h at t h e y a re
-
,

S TO RY V I I .

G Ri BA , TH E W EA V ER .

vil l f B h u liv e d a n ol d w e a v er n a m e d
T th e o r a n

A
e
a g
G b
ri a w h,
o fo r a
,
w o n d e r w a s s h re w d e n o ugh
,
.

h pp h t H b i b K h a t h e la m b a rdar l a i d a
It a e n ed t a a n , ,

w v h u h e rat e o f t wo ru p
’
t t ees
tax o n t h e e a e rs o s e s a
1 66 LE GEN DS OF TH E P A NjA B .

fo r e v e ry doo r way W h en -
ri b a h eard o f t h i s h e
. G ,

t o re do w n his doo r a n d l a yi n g i t o n his s h o ul ders

,

c a rri e d it o ff to the Kh an s H e re Kh an "

“ ’
s aid he .
, ,

wi th a p ro fo un d s al aa m I h av e h eard yo u wa n t ,
“

do o r w ay s s o I h a ve b ro ugh t yo u m i n e
-
,
I a l s o h e ar .

yo u w a n t th e si de w all s a n d I a m n o w go i n g to fe tch
-
,

th e m t oo H eari n g t h i s t h e Kh an laugh e d a n d
.
,

s aid ,
“
G
O riba th e w e av er t a ke b ac k y o ur do o r y o ur
, , ,

ta x is p a i d .

STO RY V I I I .

TH E S I LVERS M I TH A N D HIS M OT H ER ’
S

BA N G LE .

ILV E RS M I T H S cl a s s b ear a b ad re p ut a t i o n
S fo r m ixi n g up an un due quan ti ty o f al l o y in th e
as a

s ilv er o f t h e i r c us t o m e rs Th ere was o n c e a s ilve r

.

s m i th who i n a m o m e n t o f di s i n t e re s t e dn e s s p ro m i s e d
, , ,

his m o th e r th at h e w o ul d giv e h e r a b an gl e w h ich

sh o ul d c on tai n n o thi n g b ut p ure s ilv er Yo u a re m y .
“

m o th e r s a i d h e an d I as y o ur s o n wh o o we yo u
,
”
,

s o m uch c a n n o t do l es s S o h e c a st a b an gl e fo r
.

h is m o th er o ut o f un m i x e d s i lv er an d wh en it was ,

fi n i s h ed he stored it up fo r h er an d w en t to b e d
, .

But h e was q uit e un abl e t o get a wi n k o f s l ee p .

H e t urn ed fro m si de to si de an d m oan ed an d fre tt ed ,

-
 1 68 LEGENDS OF TH E P A N /A B .

Fri en d yo u m ay b uz z ,
,
o r, q uea l
fri e n d , yo u m ay s ,

b ut i n th e m ea s ure y o u c a m e a n d i n th e m e a s ure y o ull

’
,

go . S ayi n g w h ic h he cl a pt t h e wh o l e h an dful
, ,

pl um s an d b ee tl e to ge th er i n to his m outh a n d de
, ,

vo ured th em .

S TO RY X .

H
TH E PA T A N A ND TH E A ss .

PA THA N was da y i tt i n
g i n a ferry b o at
A on e s -

w h ic h wa s m o o red to th e b a n H is k o f the I n dus .

t ulw ar o r s wo rd lay by h is s i de Pres e n tly do w n c a m e

.

a c o un try m a n drivi n g a do n k e y a n d re q ues t i n g t o b e

fe rri e d a c ro s s th e riv er The do n k ey h o w e v er h avi n g

.
, ,
.

c o m e t o t h e b o at re fus ed to e n te r utte rly re ga rdl es s ,

o f e n t rea t i e s t h re a t s a n d bl o w s
, , S udde n ly th e Pa .

t h an s p ran g fro m his s e at s ei z e d h is t ulw ar an d a t a

, ,

To a Path an
”
bl o w s m o t e o ff t h e don key s h ead ’

c ri ed h e th i s Stubb o rn p ri de is p erm i s s ibl e b ut to a

,
“

j a c kass—n ev er '

Th e p e o pl e o f Ba n ey r th o ugh n o ted fo r th e i r b ra
,

v e ry are c o n s i dere d by t h e i r n e i gh b o urs as t h e m o s t

,
.

s tupi d o f m an k i n d ,
n o t e ve n e xc e pti n g w e a v e rs .

Th i s fa c t is i ll us t ra te d by t he fo ll o wi n g a n e c do t es
 S H OR T H O US EHO LD TA LES . 1 69

S TO RY X I .

TH E BA N EVR M AN A N D TH E M ILL .

BA N EY R I c a m do w n to th e wh ere he s aw
In dus
A -
e

a w at er m i ll a t w o rk S a i d h e t o h i m s e lf
. Peo pl e ,
“

s ay t h a t G o d i s k n o w n by H i s w o n derful way s N ow .

h ere i s a w o n de rful thi n g wi t h w o n derful w ay s t ho ugh ,

i t h as n e i th e r h a n ds n o r fe et I t m us t b e G o d
. So .

h e w e n t fo rw ard an d k i s s e d t h e w a ll s b ut h e m ere ly ,

c ut hi s fa c e with th e s h a rp s t o n e s .

S T O RY X I I .

TH E Two S I M PLE BA N EYRI S .

N E Ba n é yri a s k ed a n o th er I f the I n dus w ere

O
,

s e t o n fi re w h e re wo ul d th e fi s h es go ? Th e y “

wo ul d ge t on t h e t ree s ,
s a i d t h e o t h er
”
Th en s a i d .

th e fi rs t ,
“
A re fi s h e s l i k e b uffal o e s to cli mb up
t re e s

l v
in en tion o f th e s to ry te er I t is fre ll
l l
Th is ta e w
l
-
as n o t a m ere .

ridi c ue of the den s e s tupi di ty of th e Ban e yri s

q uen t y to d in
.

V
170 LE G ENDS OF TH E P A NjA B .

S TO RY X I I I .

TH E W I D OW OF BA N ER .

E RE w
T Th y h d
H wi do w o f Ba n é
as a r wh o h ad two s on s .

e a c ut th e h a rv e st o f th e i r li tt l e a n c e s t ra l

fi e l d an d th e i r two b ull o cks w ere t readi n g o ut th e

,

gra i n w h en s udde n ly t h e s ky b e c a m e o v erc a s t a n d a

, ,

s t orm o f ra i n s w e p t by Th e p o o r s illy w o m a n i n s ta n t
.

ly c a ugh t a c ert a i n fa m ili ar i n s e c t a fri en d t o m a n

, ,

a n d run n i n
, g a n e edl e a n d t h re ad th ro ugh it h un g ,

i t up to a n e i gh b o uri n g b er t re e as a c h arm to,

driv e a wa y th e un w e lc o m e s h o w er A t th e s a m e t i m e
.

s h e addres s e d G o d i n t h e fo l l o wi n g w o rds O Go d ,

m y b o y s are b ut chil dre n a n d in

,
this t h i n g a re

i n n o c en t But t h o u a rt a w h it e—
. b earde d m a n D i ds t .

t h o u n o t s ee th at th i s ra i n wa s n o t w an t ed fo r th rash
”
i n g o ut m y wh e at P

S TO RY X IV .

TH E BA N EVR M A N A N D TH E BOA T.

C O U N T RY M A N who h ad s p e n t the wh o le o f his

A l ife in th e fas tn es se s o f Ban é
yr an d h ad n e v er
,

s een the I n dus determi n ed to p erfo rm a j o urn ey

, .

D e sc en di n g to the Yus afz ai pl ai n s h e m ade h is way

 172 LEGEN D S O F TH E P A N/A B .

S TO RY XV I .

TH E BA N EVRI A N D H I S POOR K I N SM A N .

PO O R m an of Ban é
yri un bl e to supp o rt hi ms e l f
,
a

i n his n at iv e m o un ta i n s s et o ut fo r H i n dust an to
,

s eek his fo rt un e a n d t h ere ro s e t o th e ran k o f N a w ab

‘

, .

O n e o f h is p o o r re l at i o n s h eari n g o f h i s goo d fort un e

, ,

de t e rm i n ed t o vi s i t hi m S o h e w en t to t h e b az ar
.
,

a n d with a fe w a n n as b o ugh t o n e p o un d o f s ugar as

,

a n e i ghb o urly p res en t fo r h is fo rm e r a cq ua i n t a n c e .

A fter a l o n g j o urn ey h e a rriv e d at th e p a l a c e a n d ,

fo un d the N aw ab i n th e m i ds t o f his fi n e fri en ds But .

th o ugh he wi n ked an d n o dde d a n d b e c ko n ed to hi m

t o st e p a si de for a fri e n dly gree t i n g an d to re c e iv e ,

his p o un d o f s uga r h is e ffo rts to en gage the grea t

,

m an s a tten t i o n w ere q ui te un s ucc es s ful A t l as t per

’
.
,

c e i vin g t h at h is un w e lc o m e vi s i to r was a b o ut to o p en

his m o uth the N aw ab s a i d to o n e o f his a tten dan ts

, ,

C o n duct this p o o r s tran ger t o my st o re ro o m -

wh ere my b ags o f s uga r a re l a i d up an d th ere let ,

hi m sit do w n an d e a t h is fi ll Th e n h e c a us ed
.

a l ett er to b e w ritt e n t o h i s n at iv e vi ll age st ern ly ,

fo rb iddi n g a n y m o re o f h is p o or i ll cl a d k i n sm en -

to t roubl e h im with th e i r o bj e cti o n abl e p res en c e .

 S HOR T H O US EHOLD TA LES . l7 3

S TO RY XVI I .

TH E PH I LOSO PH I C BA N EVRI .

BA N EYRI s a i d t o h is
wi fe o n e n i ght M a n is ,

b ut a bi rd w ith o ut wi n gs ! ”

H o w i s th a t a s k ed th e w o m an .

D o y o u n o t s ee an s w e re d h e ye st e rday yo u,

we re squa tti n g o n t hi s si de o f t he o ven a n d I wa s ,

c ro uchi n g o n th e o th e r A n d t hi s is th e s tat e o f m a n ;
.

o n e day p erc h e d h ere

,
a n o th e r day p erch e d t h e re
, ,

a lw a ys o n th e h o p n e v e r a bi di n
, g in t h e o n e pl ac e .

Truly m an i s o n ly a bi rd with o ut wi n gs !
”
,

S TO RY XV I I I .

TH E BA N EVRI A N D H IS M OT H ER .

NE th es e e cc en t ric Ba n é
of yri s w e n t o ut c o urs i n g
O o n t h e h il l s a n d h e t o o k h i s m o th er w i t h h i m t o
,

a s s ist hi m i n t h e sp o rt Th e w o m an h ad ch arge o f
.

t h e b o un d b ut i n st e a d o f si m pl y h o l di n g t h e s h o rt
,

l ea s h i n h e r h a n d s h e ti ed i t i n a fa s t k n o t ro un d h er
,

wrist W h en th e ga m e was p ut up th e do g m ade a

.

s udden b o un d by re as o n o f w h ich the un fo rt un at e

,

w o m a n was j e rked fo rward o v e r th e a n i m a l s h ead

’

,
 1 74 L EGEND S OF TH E P A N/ A B .

an d, as s h e c am
i n to vi o l e n t c o n t act wi th a s h a rp
e

ro c k s h e was
,
un l uc k ily k ill e d Th e dutiful s o n .
,

w i th m i n gl ed fee li n gs o f a dm i ra t i o n a n d s o rro w ,

c a rri e d his m o th er h o m e a n d b uri e d h er a n d n e v er ,

a fte rw a rds di d h e c e as e to h o n o ur h e r s ayi n

g to h is ,

fri e n ds “
M y p o o r m o th er was s uch a n e xc e l l e n t
,

c o urs er th at s h e o uts t ripp ed the ve ry do gs an d l e ft ,

”
t h e m mi l e s b eh i n d .

S TO RY X I X .

TH E M A N A N D TH E BEA R .

N E day, w h e n th e iv er was in fl oo d a c ert a i n dark

O o bj ect was s een fl o ati n gdo w n th e s trea m The re
r ,

up o n a p o o r m a n m i s tak i n g i t fo r a l o g o f wo o d

V
, ,

pl un ged i n to th e w ate r a n d s wi m m i n g wi th i go ro us
,

s t ro k es s e i z e d i t wi t h b o th h is h a n ds W h en to o .

l a te h e di s c o v ere d th a t h e was cl a s p e d i n th e s h aggy

e m b ra c e o f a b e a r Ho c ri ed h is fri en ds fro m th e
.

s h o re wh e n th e y s aw hi m drift i n g le t t he lo g go ! le t “
,

”
t h e lo g go J us t wh a t I a m t ryi n g to do a n s w e r
“
,

*
u
’
ppy b h l w l
”
ed t h e un h a m a n t t e o g o, n
“
t e t m e
g l
o

l Lo gs l l
fre q uen t y fl o ated do wn th e I n dus fro m th e
o f deo dar a re

H i m a a ya s D uri n g fl o o ds m an y o f these o gs a re was h ed a way fro m

v
th e
“
.

ti m b er ya rds
c o e red th e v ll
”
-

l
far up i n th e m o un ta i n s
v
Fo r e ery lo g re
i age rs a on g the b an ks re c e i e a re ward o f fo ur an n a s
. v
from the o w e w
’
n rs E ac h l
.o g b ear s i ts o n e r s m a rk .
 176 LEGEND S OF TH E PA N/A B .

S TO RY XX I I .

TH E TW 0 M I S E RS .

N C E up o n t i m e twobb ed to geth er
i s ers hob n
O to e at the i r fo o d O n e o f th e m h ad a s m all ves s e l
a m o

o f gh e e i n to w h ic h h e s p a ri n gly an d grudgi n gly di p

p ed h is m o rs e l s o f b read Th e o th e r m i s er o b s ervi n g
.
,

t h i s p ro te s t e d v e h em e n t ly a ga i n s t s uch w a s te ful e x
,

t ra va ga n c e W hy w as te s o m uch gh ee ? s a i d h e ;
.
“ ”

a n d why do yo u ri s k t h e w a s te o f s o m uc h m o re
“

s e e i n g th a t y o ur b read m i gh t s l ip fro m y o ur fi n gers ,

a n d b e c o m e t o ta lly i m m e rsed ? Thi n k b e tt er o f it ,

a n d i m i t a te m e I t a ke m y v es s e l o f gh ee an d h a n g
.
,

i t j us t o ut o f rea c h t o a n a i l i n th e w a ll Th e n .

I p o i n t a t th e gh ee m y s c ra p s o f b rea d o n e by on e ,

a s I eat a n d I a s s ure yo u I n o t o n ly e n j o y m
, y gh ee
”
j us t as we ll b ut I m a ke n o w a s t e ale
, .

Th is an e c do te is i n s tan c e of th e truth of th e sayin g of S o o

an lll
m on
re m i n d
led
Th ere i s n o n e w th in g un der th e s un
o f th e I ri s h d i s h P o

v l
ta to es an d p o i n

ll
t,
”
M an y rea de rs wi b e
.

c o n s is ti n g o f a a rgelv
s upp y o f po ta to es an d o f a
fish .

Th f lll i f
e ry i m i ted s upp y o f m ea t, b a c o n , or e en

C ll
The p o ta to es a re e a ten , b ut th e m ore s o i d fa re is m e re y p oin te d
w
’
C u t C i t
”
l l
re fe rs
at . e o o n
gp ass a g e r o m a r
y e s o n a
g o s ro

l
to thi s s in gu a r c us to m

v— l
A n d s o th e c a tas tro ph e en ds b y b a thi n g o ur
po or h a f de ad Re c ipi en dary fi rs t i n b oo d, th en , after s om’ e gen uf ex i on s ,
-

—
l v
i n wa ter ; an d s e r i n g hi m a repas t c om pos ed of ro o ts, we grie e to
s ay, m ere pota toes an d— p o zn t 1 ”
’
 S HOR T H OUS EHOLD TA LES . 17 7

S TO RY X X I I I .

TH E ELE P H AN T A N D HIS K EE PER .

‘

H ERE w l ph an t whic h was a cc us t o m e d to

as a n e e

s uffer m o st c rue l t re at m e n t a t the h an ds o f h is

ke e p er a n d th e k ee p er k n o wi n g th e s aga ci ty o f th es e
, ,

a n i m a l s a n d b e i n g in fea r o f his l i fe us ed t o s l ee p s o m e
, ,

li tt l e dist a n c e fro m th e t ree to which the e l e ph an t wa s

ti ed O n e n i ght t he e l e ph a n t t ak i n g up a l o n g l o o s e
.
, ,

b ra n ch c h e w ed th e e n d o f it in o rder to s e p arate th e
,

fi b re s an d h a vi n g t wiste d th e m i n the l o n g h a i r o f th e
, ,

sl ee pi n g m a n h e dragge d hi m wi thi n reach an d

,

t ra mpl ed hi m to de a th .

S TO RY X X I V .

TH E GA RD E N E R S
’
W I FE ,
TH E Po TTER s
’
W I FE ,
A ND

TH E C A M EL .

G A R D EN E R S wife
’
p o tter s wife o n c e hi red
an da
’

a c a m e l to c a rry th e i r go o ds to m a rke t O n
e s i de .

a n d th e
o f t h e b ea s t wa s w e l l l ade n wi th v ege t a bl
es ,

th e r wi t h p o tt e ry A s t h e y w e n t a l o n g the road
o . ,

h c m l k p t s t t chi n b a c k h is l o n g n e c k to pilfer
t e a e e re g
’

th v e e t a bl e s U p o n o b s e rvi n g this t h e p o t ter s

e g . ,

T his an ec dote, to l d by a ab i , prob ab y b e

Pan j l l on gs to H in
17 8 LE GEN D S OF TH E P A N/A B .

wife b egan l augh i n g a n d j e sted h e r fri e n d o n h er ill

,

"
l uc k . S ist e r s a i d s h e
,
a t t h e e n d o f th e j o urn ey
,

t h ere wil l n o t b e a si n gl e v e get a bl e l e ft y o ull h a ve ’

n o thi n g w h a t e v e r to s e ll I t is t rue yo u a re l uc ki er
t h an I am ,
a n s w e red th e
garde n er s wi fe
’
b ut ,

re m e mb e r th e fi rs t to wi n a re th e l a s t t o l o s e W h en
t h ey arriv ed a t t h e m a rk e t pl ac e th e c a m e l m an
-
,
-

orde re d his a n i m a l to kn e e l do wn b ut th e w e i ght o n

,

o n e s i de was s o m uch gre a t er by t h i s tim e t h a n the

, ,

w e i gh t o n th e o th e r th at th e c a m e l ga v e a l urch as he
,

go t o n h i s fore k n e e s a n d c rus h ed th e p o tt ery b e tw e en

,

hi m s e lf a n d t he e arth s o t h a t m o s t o f it was s m ash ed

, ,

a n d w h a t wa s n o t s m a sh ed was c ra c k e d S o i t en ded
.

t h at th e garden e r s wife h a d s o m e t h i n g at l eas t t o s e l l

’

b ut t h e p o t te r s wife h ad n o th i n g
’
.

S TO RY X XV .

TH E M U LE A N D TH E T RA V ELLER .

C E RTA IN ul e, h a vi n g a grea t o pi n i o n o f
hi m
A
m

s e lf b e ga n
,
b ra yi n g p reten ti o us ly, s o th at
e v e ry

o n e s to pp e d t o s a y W ho is t h at A tra v e l l er p as s i n g ,

by at th at m o m en t s a i d to h i m 0 S i r p ray te l l m e
, , ,

wh a t wa s the n a m e o f y o ur m o the r M y m o t h er s
’

n a m e was M a re
”
a n sw ere d t he m ul e p ro udly A n d “
, .

wh at was y o ur fa the r s n a m e ? c on ti n ued the t ra v e l l er

’ ”
.
 1 80 L EGEND S OF TH E P A N/A B .

m a de a s p ri n g a t his tea ch er i n te n di n g t o t e a r h im a n d
,

e a t hi m .
I n s ta n tly the c at ra n n i m bly up a tree
whi the r the t i ger was un a bl e to fo ll o w C o m e do w n ! .
”

c ri e d th e t i ger c o m e do w n i n s t a n t ly !
,
“
No n o 1
, ,
”

re pli e d th e c at H o w fo rtun at e fo r m e th at I did

.

n o t t ea c h
yo u m o re O th erwi s e yo u w o ul d h av e b een
a bl e t o p u rs ue m e e v en h ere
”
.

S TO RY X XVI I I .

TH E TIGER A N D TH E H A RE .

N a c erta i n fo re s t th ere o n c e l iv e d a fi erc e ti ger

w h ic h wa s i n th e h a bi t o f h un ti n g do w n th e res t
o f th e an i m a l s fo r m e re s p o rt w h e th er h un
ge r i m p e ll
,

e d h im t h e re to o r n o t A ll th e an i m a l s th e re fo re
.

m e t to ge th e r by c o m m o n c o n s e n t to c o n s i der th e i r
”
gri e v an c es . Le t us a gre e s a i d t h e j a c ka l that
, ,

o n e o f us s h a ll b e c h o s en by l o t day by day to de v o t e
”
h i m s e lf to t h e t i ge r A ll ri gh t
. a ss e n te d the ,

o th ers
“
b ut fi rs t le t us s ee t h e ti ge r a n d le t us ,

”
of fer him a p e titi o n .

S o t he y a ll m arc h e d t o ge th er t o th e ti ger s den an d

’
,

h umbly b es o ugh t hi m to c eas e fro m i n di s c ri m i n a te

s l augh t e r an d t o b e s at i s fi e d wi t h t he a n im a l w h ich
,

s h o ul d v o l un t ari ly c o m e t o hi m e v e ry da y Do n o t .

h un t us do wn
”
sa i d th ey fo r o n e o f us w i l l a lways
, ,
 S I TOR T HO US EHOLD TA LES . 181

co m e to b e dev o ure d by this pl a n w il l s a ve

yo u, an d
yo utro ubl e a s w e ll
” ”
N o n o ! s a i d th e ti ge r I s h a l l
.
, ,

us e my cl a ws a n d m y t ee t h an d s o e at m y fo o d .

But G o d h as s a i d t h a t we
”
,
s a i d th e a n i m a l s ,

True a n s were d t he t i ger

” ”
o u h t t o l iv e i n h o p e
g .
, ,

b ut H e h a s a ls o bi dde n e v e ry o n e to earn h is o wn
“

b re a d .

A t la st a ft e r m uc h argum en t the ti ge r s uffered

, ,

h i m s e lf to b e p ers uade d a n d m ade a s o l e m n p ro m ise

t o re m a i n at h o m e i n h i s de n E very day a n an i m al .
,

wh i ch wa s ch o s en by lo t w en t to th e den t o b e e at e n ,
.

But wh e n t h e h are s t urn c a m e s h e fl atly s a i d I sh al

’
,
l ,

n o t go I sh a l l liv e my l ife I n v a i n th e o th er a n i m a ls
. .
”

t ri e d to p ers ua de o r t o c o e rc e h er Tw e lv e o cl o c k
’
. .

th e ti e r s u s u
’
a l f e e d i n g t i m e c a m e a n d w en t t h e n
g , ,

c a m e o n e two an d th ree A t l a st the b a re s udde n ly

, ,
.

s ta rted up an d e xcl ai m i n g N o w I m o ff s he s e t o ut
,
’

A h pp ch d h e s aw th e fa mi s h
fo r th e d e n s s . e a ro a e s ,

ti t i u t h e ar t h i n f u ry an d h e ard h i m
ed ge r e a r n g p e ,

b e l l o wi n g — “
W ho i s thi s r i d ic u l o u s littl e h a re to dare ,

”
B u t I h a v e a n e xc u s e p ro
t o ke e p m e w a iti n g ,

t es t e d th e h are “ W h at e xc us e de m a n de d the ti ge r
.
.

“
To da y
- s a i d t
”
h e h a re i t w a s n
,
o
“
t my t urn to c o m e
,

my b th s I ’
t h i n b u t my b ro th e r i s pl um p
b ut r o e r am . r

a n d fa t My .
b r o th e r h a d s t a r te d fo r y o ur de n b ut o n ,

f l l with th ti which w a n te d t o
t h e way h e e i n a n o e r g er

e at h i m a n d in f a ct h e c a u g h t h i m an d w as c arryi n g
_
,
1 82 L E GEND S OF TH E P A N /A B .

him o ff, w h e n I c am e up an d sa id to h im ,
‘
This
c o un try i s yo urs b ut
n ot h e r ti ger s to w h ich the
an o t
’
,
’

St ra n ge t i ge r a n s w e re d G o y o u a t o n c e an d c a l l th at
‘
,

t i ger o ut, d th e n h e a n d I wil l h a v e a fi gh t S o h ere

’
an .

I am ,
s i r, sen t to de l iv e r th e c ha ll e n ge C o m e an d .

k ill t h e vill a i n fo r us
Full j e a l o us y th e t i ge r s a i d to the h are
o f ra ge a n d ,

Lea d o n a n d th e p a i r
, s t arte d fo rth to s ee k

th e riv a l t i ge r: A s t h e y w e n t a l o n g t h e h a re s ud ,

de n ly b e ga n t o l o o k a l a rm e d a n d t o s h ri n k b a c k ,

a n d m a de a s t h o ugh s h e w o ul d h a v e h i dden h ers e lf

i n a b us h W h a t is th e m a tte r ? a s k ed th e t i ger
.
“ ”
.

“
W h y a re yo u re turn i n g I a m a fra i d an s w ere d ,

s he ,
b e c a us e th e o t h e r t i ge r s de n is j us t i n fro n t o f
“ ’

us 0
i ,
W h e re w h e re ? s a i d t h e t i ge r p ee ri n g fo r
“
,
”
,

"
w ard wi th s ea rc h i n g eye s I s e e n o de n . It is .

do n t yo u s ee it n o w ?
” ”
re pli e d t h e
’
t h ere h a re “
, ,

“
I s ee n o den w h a te v e r Sa i d th e t i ger ,
I s t h ere .
“

n o wa y to p e rs ua de yo u to c o m e fo rw a rd an d s h o w

Y es
”
m e t h e pl a c e Pi s a i d t h e h a re
’
,
i f yo u will ,
“

"
p l e as e c a rry m e un de r y o ur a rm .

S o t h e t i ge r lifte d th e h are un de r h is arm an d , .

u i de d by h e r di re c t i o n s h e un e xp e c te dly fo un d h i m
g ,

s e lf cl o s e t o a l a rge w e ll Th i s is t he de n o f the
.
“

o th e r t i ge r whi s p ered t h e h a re
, Lo o k i n a n d yo u .

wi ll s e e h im . G
o i n g t o th e b ri n k a n d l o o k i n g do w n ,

the t i ge r s a w at th e b o tt o m the re fl ec tio n o f hi mse l f -

 1 84 L EGEN D S OF TH E PA N/A B .

On ly fi rs t o f a ll i f a n y thi n g s h o ul d h a pp e n to yo u
, ,

wh e n I a m a w a y h o w s h a l l I k n o w it P S a i d t h e
,
”

c o c k “ W he n e v e r yo u h e a r m e c ro w s e v era l ti m e s
, ,

th en h as ten b a c k t o m e S o fo r s o m e t i m e t h ey
”
.

l iv ed h a ppily t h e do g b ri n gi n g in s uppli es e ve ry day

, ,

w h il e a t n i ght he s l e p t b e n e a th th e tree o n wh ic h the

c o c k s at s a fe ly at ro o s t .

O n e day i n t h e a b s e n c e o f t he do g a j a c ka l c am e
, ,

t o t h e tre e a n d l o o k i n g up s a i d O un cl e, why , ,
“

p ray a re yo u p e rc h e d s o h i gh P C o m e do w n an d let
,

us s a y o ur p ray e rs t o ge th e r ! M o s t will i n gly

“ ”
,

a n s w ere d th e c o c k b ut fi rs t le t m e c ry t h e b h an gh "
,

fo r a ll go o d M us a lm a n s to c o m e an d j o i n us. S o
th e c o c k c re w m o s t l us t ily th re e o r fo ur t i m es un til ,

“
t he do g i n t h e vill a ge h e a rd h i m a n d s a i d A h ! , ,

s o m e th i n g i s a b o ut t o h a pp en t o m y fri e n d— I m us t

H e a t o n c e s t a rte d fo r th e j un gl e b ut t he
”
ge t b a c k .
,

j a c ka l w h e n h e p erc e iv e d h is a pp ro a ch b ega n to
, ,

s n ea k o ff Th en c ri e d t h e c o c k
. 0 go o d n e p h e w , ,

do n t go a wa y s to p at a n y ra te fo r p ray ers S ee h e re s
’ ’
.
, ,

a pi o us n e i gh b o ur c o m i n g t o j o i n us ! A l as ! “

”
fri en d I w o ul d s to p wi th pl e a s ure re pli ed th e
, ,

j ac ka l b ut it j us t o cc urs t o m y m i n d t h a t I q ui t e
,

Fare w e ll l
”
fo r go t t o p erform my a bl uti o n s A n d .

q uic ke n i n g h is p a c e he di s a pp eare d ,
.

th e
The M us alm an
c ro w o f a c oc k .
c ry ll
to praye rs is c a ed the BR A C H N . So l
a so is
 S H OR T HO US EHOLD TA LE S . 1 85

S TO RY XXX .

TH E J A C K A L A N D TH E V OI C E OF FA M E .

J A C K A L p ro wl i n g ro un d a vill age o n e ev en in g
was s p i e d by s o m e o f t he vil l a ge do gs which
i n s t an tly ga ve th e a l a rm A t th e s am e ti m e so m e
.

w a yfarers b e ga n to p o i n t a t: hi m a n d c ry S ee th ere , ,

h e goe s th e re h e goe s This a lw ays s t ri ke s m e as a

m o s t re m arka bl e th in
g s a i d th e j a c ka l a s he cl eare d
”
, ,

o ff
“
I h a v en t a s i n gl e a cqua i n t an c e o ut o f my o wn
’

s e t in th e w o rl d an d ye t wh ere v e r I go e v e ry o n e
, , ,

s ee m s t o k n o w m e H o w i n c o n v en i en t is fa m e

S TO RY X XX I .

TH E PA I N T ED J A C K A L .

PRO W LI N Gj c ka l o n c e fe l l i n t o a l a rge v es s e l
A
a

ful l o f dye W h en h e ret urn ed h o m e all h is

. ,

st ish e d fr i e n d s s a i d W h a t h a s b e fa ll en yo u H e
a on ,

an
sw e re d wi t h a c u rl o f his t a il “
,
W a s t h e re e v er an y

thi n g i n the w o rl d s o fi n e a s I a m Lo o k a t m e Le t
n o on e e v er p re s u m e t o c a llm e j‘
a c k al a
’

g ai n W h at.
”

th e n a re yo u to b e c all ed P a s ked th ey
”
. Peac o c k
X
 1 86 LE GEN DS OF TH E P A N /A B .

yo u will h en c e fo rth c a ll m e p e a c o c k re pl i ed th e ‘

j ac ka l s trutti n g up a n d do w n in a ll th e gl o ry o f s ky
,

bl ue But s a i d h is fri en ds a p e a c o c k c an s p rea d h is

.
-

, ,
“

t a i l m agn ific e n t ly C an y o u s p re a d y o ur t a il P
. W e ll “
,

n o I c a n n o t q ui te do t h at
”
re pli e d th e j a c ka l A n da "
, .

”
p ea co c k c o n ti n ue d th e y c a n m a ke a fi n e m e l o di o us
, ,
“

c ry . C an yo u m a ke a fi n e m e l o di o us c ry P It
” “

m us t b e a dm i tte d
”
s a i d th e p re t e n de r
, t h a t I c an n o t ,

do tha t e i the r .

“
Th e n
”
re to rt e d th ey
, i t is q ui te e vi de n t t h a t i f
,

y o u a re n o t a j a c ka l n e i th e r a re yo u a p ea c o c k
”
, .

A n d th e y dro v e h i m o ut o f the i r co m p a n y .

STO RY XXX I I .

TH E J A C K A L A N D TH E EW E S H EEP -
.

N GE upo n ti m
c ert ai n j acka l m ade a da s h at a
a e a

e we sh ee p h o pi n
g to c a tc h h e r The s h ee p rush
-
, .

e d i n to a h alf dr
y t a n k wh ere s h e s t uc k i n t h e m ud
-
.

T h e j ac ka l att e m p ti n g to fo ll o w h er s t uc k in th e m ud
to o .Th en s a i d th e j ac ka l O a un t t h i s is a b a d b usi , ,

n es s ! O n e ph e w an sw e re d s h e it is by n o m e a n s
, ,
“

s o b ad as it will b e s o o n wh en m y m a st er appears , .
1 88 L EGEND S OF TH E P A N /A B .

S TO RY X XX I V .

TH E FA LS E W I TN ESS .

C A RA VA ch an ts c a m e a n d pi tch e d fo r
N of m er
A t h e n i gh t a t a c e rta i n s p o t o n t h e way do w n t o

H i n du s tan I n t h e m o rn i n g i t w
. as fo un d t h a t th e b a c k

o f o n e o f th e c am e l s was s o s o re th a t i t was c o n s i de re d

e xp e di en t n o t t o l o ad h i m a ga i n b ut to t urn h i m ,

l o o s e i n to th e wil dern es s S o t h ey l e ft h i m b e h i n d
. .

Th e c a m e l a ft e r gra z i n g a b o ut th e w h o l e day b e
, ,

c am e e xc e e di n gly th i rs ty a n d m eeti n g a j ac ka l h e
, ,

s ai d to h im U n cl e un cl e I a m v e ry t h i rs ty ! C an yo u
, , ,

S h o w m e s o m e w ater I c an S h o w yo u w a ter s a i d
“ ”
,

t h e j ac k a l b ut if I do yo u m us t agre e to giv e m e
,
“
,

a go o d fee d o f m e a t fro m y o ur s o re b a c k “
I do .

”
s a i d th e c a m e l b ut fi rs t s h o w m e t h e w a ter
“
a gree , , .

S o h e fo l l o we d h is s m a ll fri e n d un ti l th e y c a m e t o a ,

run n i n g s t ream wh e re h e dra n k s uc h quan t i ti es o f

,

w ater th at th e j a c k a l th o ugh t h e w o ul d n e v e r s to p .

H e th en wi th s o m e p o li t e n e s s i n vi te d t h e j a c ka l to his
re p as t C o m e un cl e y o u c an n o w h a v e y o ur s upp e r
“
.
, ,

”
N ay s a i d t h e j a c ka l
”
o ff m y b a c k
“
o ur a ree
“
.
,
g ,

m en t wa s that I s h oul d feed n o t o ff y o ur b a c k b ut ,

*
o ff y o ur to n gue dear n e ph e w
, Th i s y o u di s t i n c t ly
.

p ro m i s ed if I w o ul d t a ke yo u to w a ter
,
V e ry w e ll .
“

b ac k
l v
“
’
“
S ore in P an jab i b ei n g clzz l
z
g , an d to n gue ji b, there
was s uffi c ie n t s i m i ari ty o f s o un d to s ugges t p re arica tion .
 S HOR T HO US EHOLD TA LE S . 1 89

re pl i ed th e c a m el p ro duc e a wi tn es s to p ro v e y o ur
,

w o rds an d yo u c an h a v e it s o
, A wi t n e ss I h a ve .
”
,
”
a n d wi ll b ri n g h i m p re s en t ly re pli e d th e j ac k al , So .

h e w e n t to th e w o lf an d s t a t i n g t h e c as e p ers uade d
, , ,

hi m t o w it n e s s fa l e ly
s
“
Yo u s e e w o lf if I eat the
.
, ,

t o n gue th e c a m e l wi l l c ert a i n ly die an d t h en we sh a l l ,

b o th h a v e a gran d fee d t o whic h we c a n i n vite all o ur

,

fri en ds Th e t wo re turn e d t o t h e c am e l an d th e
”
. ,

j ac ka l a pp ea li n g to th e w o l f as ked D id n o t I en , ,
“

t o sh o w t h e c a m e l t o w a t er o n c o n diti o n th a t
g g a e
”
h e w o ul d giv e m e h is t o n gue O f c o urs e yo u did “
, ,

s ai d the w o l f c o n fi de n t ly a n d the c am e l a greed ,

“
.

“
Be it s o s a i d th e c a m e ] a s yo u b o th de li ght “
“

i n li e s a n d h a v e n o c o n s ci e n c e c o m e an d eat s o m e o f ,

my t o n gue an d h e l o w ered his h e ad withi n reach o f

,

th e j a c k a l But th e l a tter s a i d to th e w o lf
. Fri en d ,
“
,

o u s ee wh at a di m i n ut iv e a n i m a l I a m I a m to o w ea k
y
.

t o drag o ut th a t e n o rm o us t o n gue D o yo u s e i z e i t .

Th e n th e w o lf v en t ured his
”
a n d h o l d it fo r m e .

h ead i n to the c a m e l s m o uth to p ul l fo rward the ’

t o n gue b ut th e c a m e l i n s ta n t ly cl o sed his p o w erful

,

j aw s an d c rushi n g th e s kul l o f his e n e my h e sh o o k

,
,

M whil th j c k l d n c e d an d
hi m to d e a th e a n .
e e a a a ,

sk ipp ed with gl ee c ryi n g o ut Be h o l d the fate o f the

“
, ,

* ”
fa ls e wit n e ss b e h o l d th e fat e o f th e fa ls e wit n ss l e

l
This s tor y i s i n t e n d e d a
v
s a s a ti re o n th e prac ti ce whic h pre ai s s o
s o f I n dia of ge tti n g u f
v ll
l
f ll a se
wide y am on g th e n a ti es o a
p ar t p
rin g fa se wi tn es s m c ourts o f l aw.
c ases an d pro c u
1 90 LE GE N DS OF TH E P A N /A B .

S TO RY XXXV .

TH E FOU R A SSO C IA TES .

c ro w
O
N C E up on a ti m e a ,
a j a c ka l ,
a hye n a, an d
a c am e l s w o re a fri e n ds h ip a n d agree d to s e e k ,

th e i r foo d in c o mm o n S a i d the c am e l to th e c ro w
.
,

Frien d yo u c a n fly
,
G o fo rth an d re c o n n o i t re th e
.

c o un try fo r us S o the c ro w fl e w a way fro m tree to t re e

.
”

un t il he c a m e to a fi n e fi e l d o f m us k m e l o n s a n d t h e n -
,

h e re turn e d a n d re po rte d th e fa c t to h is c o m p a n i o n s .

Yo u s a i d h e to th e c a m e l
”
eat t he l ea v e s
“
, c an , ,

b ut th e frui t m us t b e th e s h a re o f th e j a c ka l th e ,

hy e n a an d mys elf
, W h e n it was n i ght a ll fo ur
.

vi s i ted th e fi e l d an d b ega n to m a ke a h ea rty s upp er

, .

S udde n ly t he o w n e r w o k e up a n d rus h e d to th e
res c ue . Th e c ro w th e j a c ka l a n d the hy e n a e a s ily
, ,

e s c a p e d b ut t h e c am e l was
, c a ugh t a n d dri ven o ut
wi th c rue l bl o ws O ve rta k i n g his c o m ra de s h e s a i d
.
, ,

Pre t ty p artn ers yo u a re to l e av e y o ur fri e n d in th e ,

l urc h S ai d the j a c ka l W e w ere s urp ri s e d b ut

, ,

c h e er up to n i gh t w e ll s ta n d by yo u an d w o n t a l l o w
,
-
’

,
’

yo ut o b e th rash e d aga i n
”
.

Th e n e x t day th e o w n e r as a p re c auti o n c o v ered , ,

h is fi e l d with n e ts an d n o o s e s .

A t m i dn i ght the fo ur fri en ds ret urn ed a a i n an d

,
g ,

b ega n devo uri n g as b efo re The c ro w the j ac ka l .

,
19 2 LEGENDS OF TH E P A N /A B .

Som e fte rwa rds th e c a m e l s a i d J a c ka l

ti m e a ,
“

’
I m go i n g o ut fo r a w a l k I f yo u wi ll ge t o n my .

b a c k I wi ll giv e yo u a ri de a n d yo u c a n s ee t he ,

w o rl d . The j a c k a l a gree d a n d s to o pi n g do wn , ,

t h e c a m e l a ll o w e d h i m to m o un t o n h is b a c k
A s th e y w ere go i n g a l o n g t he y c a m e t o a vil l a ge ,

w h e re up o n a ll t he do gs rus hed o ut a n d b ega n b ark

i n g furi o us ly a t th e j a c ka l w h o m t h ey e y e d o n t h e
c a m e l s b a ck Th e n s a i d th e c am e l to th e j a c k a l
’
.
,

“
J a c ka l I feel a s tro n g i n cl i n a t i o n to ro ll “
Fo r .

”
H ea v en s s a k e do n t pl ea de d th e j a c ka l I s h a ll
’ “
, , ,

b e w o rri ed Ro l l I m us t
.
“
re pli e d t h e c am e l an d, ,

h e ro ll e d w h il e th e vill age do gs fe ll o n t he j a c k al
,

b e fo re h e c o ul d es c a p e a n d to re h im to pi ec es Th e n
, .

th e c a m e l re turn e d a n d re p o rt e d t h e t ra i to r s de ath to
’

h is fri en ds wh o mi gh t i ly a pp ro v ed th e de e d
, .

S TO RY XXXV I .

TH E C ROW A N D I TS YO U N G .

N ol
dm o th er c ro w was on c e e n ga ged i n givi n g
-

s o un d advic e to h er n e wly fl e dge d y o un g o n e s -

.

R e m em b e r s a i d s h e
”
,
y o ur p ri n cip a l e n e m y wil l
,
“

b e m an W h e n ev e r y o u de t e ct a m a n i n th e ac t o f
.

e v e n s t o o pi n g t o w ards th e gro un d as if fo r a sto n e ,

 S H OR T HO US E H OLD TA LE S . 1 93

at o n c e t ake wi n g a n d fly V ery go o d an s w ered

.
,

o f h e r p re c o c i o us y o un b ut wh at i f t h e
“
on e
gs te rs ,

m an h a pp e n s to h a v e a s to n e a l re ady in h is h an d ?
”
Can yo u a dvi s e us as to h o w we s h a ll p ro c ee d th en ?

S TO RY X XXVI I .

TH E F RO G A N D TH E FA RRI ER .

E
F A R R I R wa s o n c e e n gaged i n s h o e i n g a fi n e
A A ra b h o rs e a t t h e do o r o f h is s m i thy J us t t h e n .

a fro g c a m e h o pp i n g up a n d t h rus t i n g o ut o n e o f
, ,

h is fe e t wi t h a c o n s e q uen ti a l a i r h e c ri e d Ho , , ,

fa rri e r S h o e m e t o o ! s h o e m e to o
, ,

S T O RY X XXVI I I .

TH E F RO G A ND TH E BU FFA LO .

N E day, fte r ra i n a fro g wa s s itt i n g i n the de ep

O
a ,

fo o t p ri n t o f a b ul l o c k by th e ro a d s i de wh en a
-
-

b ufl a lo a pp ro a ch e d To h i m th e fro g c ri e d o ut wi t h
'

a l o o k o f di s da i n
“
0 yo u gre at b e l li e d l o n g ti tte d
,
-
,
-
,

b ea s t h e re s a h o uri s itti n g i n th e way Ta ke c are

,
'
.

”
w h ere yo u t read !
1 94 LE GE N D S OF TH E P A N/A B .

p ooh a n s w ere d th e b uffa lo “ h o w c o ul d

Po o h , ,

yo u e xp e ct m e to s ee a lit tle s n ub n o se d urchi n li ke

-

yo u sq uatti n g i n th at bit o f a h o l e
,

STO RY XXX I X .

TH E FRO G A ND KA S H MI R .

C E R TA I N fro g a fter s e v erali n

,
ctua l a tt e mpts
e ffe ,

m an aged to cli m b t o th e to p o f a cl o d o f ea rt h
cl o s e to the p uddl e i n w h ich h e wa s s p aw n ed A h .

c ri ed he c as ti n g o n e eye a t s o m e c a tt l e w h ich w ere

,

g ra z i n g n e ar
“
w
,
h a t a gra n d s i ght h a v e I l I s ee

K ashmi r ! I s ee K as h m i r

S TO RY X L .

THE CA M EL A ND T HE RA T .

C ER T A I N c a m e l h a v i n g s t ray ed fro m h is o w n er
, ,

was w a l k i n g i n un fre quen te d w ays with his n o s e

st ri n g t ra ili n g up o n th e gro un d A s h e w en t sl o wly
.

a l o n g a rat pick e d up th e e n d o f th e st ri n g i n
,
his
m o uth an d tro tted o n in fro n t o f th e h uge a n i m al,
,

thi n ki n gallthe t i m e to h i m s e lf W h a t st ren gth I m ust

,

h av e to b e l eadi n g a c a m e l A ft e r a littl e ti m e th ey
196 L EGEND S OF TH E P A N /A B .

c a ll ed a t th e h o us e h e fo un d th at h e wa s a b s e n t .

W h e re h as h e go n e e n q ui re d h e o f h i s wi fe N ow .
,

t h e s a i n t s wife wa s a h ard w o m an bi tt er a n d p ee
’

vi s h i n s p e e c h a n d i n s tea d o f a n s w e ri n g th e q ues ti o n
, ,

s h e b e ga n t o a b us e h e r h us b a n d wi th un m eas ure d

vi o l e n c e s o th a t h e a ri n g h e r w o rds th e p i l gri m l o s t
, , ,

al l fa i th i n t h e h o li n e s s o f t h e p e rs o n h e h a d t ra v e l
le d s o fa r to s e e A s h e l e ft th e h o us e h e s a i d to
.

som e o f th e n e i gh b o urs Th i s s a i n t o f y o urs

.
“

w h ere is h e P Th e y an s w e red H e h as go n e to th e
”
,

h ill s to ga th e r s t ic k s Th o ugh I n o l o n ge r b e li e v e
.
“

i n h im s a i d t h e pi l gri m
, t o h i m s e lf I w i ll at l e as t ,

l o o k up o n h is fa c e b e fo re I re turn .
”

S o h e s e t o ut fo rth wi th fo r t h e j un gl e b ut h e h a d n o t ,

p ro c ee ded fa r wh e n h e m et th e h o ly m an fac e t o fa c e .

H is w o o d wa s b o rn e b e fo re him by a t i ge r an d i n h is ,

h an d i n s tead o f a w h ip h e c a rri e d a s n a ke
, , Th e n .

t h e pil gri m fe ll a t h is fe e t a n d s a i d “ A t t h e re p ro a ch
, ,

ful wo rds o f y o ur wi fe m y fa i th de c re a s e d b ut I n o w ,

p e rc e ive th a t v e ri ly yo u a re a s a i n t i n de e d Pray .

fo rgiv e m e 1 ”

H e wh o wi ll e x e rci s e i n vi n cibl e p at i en c e
“
an ,

s we re d t h e s a i n t e s p e ci a lly wi t h a s h re w o f wife
“
, ,

sh a ll c o m m an d th e v e ry t i e rs an d th e y will o b e y
g
hi m fo r p a t i en c e i s re w a rde d o f G o d
, But a s c o l d .

i n g wife c an n o m a n t a m e
y e a s h e i s p as t e v e n
, ,
"
p rayi n g fo r .
 S HOR T HO US E H OLD T A LE S . 19 7

S TO RY X L I I .

TH E T H I EF A N D TH E POO R M A N .

E
T H I F b ro ke i n t o a h o us e in th e h o p e o f fi n di n g
s o m e thi n g w o rth s t ea li n g, b ut un fo rtun ate ly fo r ,

h im th e h o us e wa s t h e h o m e o f a m a n wh o wa s m i s e r
,

a bly p o o r W h e n t h e thi e f en te red the o w n er wa s

.
,

lyi n g a w ak e s adly w o n deri n g wh e re i n t he w o rl d h i s

,

n e xt m ea l was to c o m e fro m H e n e i th e r m o v e d n o r
.

sp o k e b ut q ui e tly l o o ked o n whil e th e thi e f was fee l

,

i n g a l o n g th e b a re w a lls a n d rum m a gi n g h is sl e n de r
,

p ro p erty tryi n g h a rd t o di s c o v er s o m ethi n g to c a rry

,

a wa y . A t l as t th e fe ll o w was l e avi n g th e ro o m
e mp t y h a n de d w h e n
-
th e p oo r m a n
, gri n n e d a l o ud
wi t h m o c k i n g l a ught er Turn i n g ro un d in a ra ge
.
,

t h e st art l e d thi e f e xcl a i m e d W h a t ! yo u are l augh

,

i n g are yo u? A n d do yo u c a ll y o urs e l f the o w n er

,

”
o f a h o us e P

S TO RY X LI I I .

TH E K I N G A N D HI S DA U GH TERS .

ERE w c e a ki n g wh o h ad s ev era l daught ers

T H as o n .

fi rst h e s a i d H ow do yo u l o v e m e P
”
I
“
To th e ,

l o v e yo u as s ugar s a i d s h e To the n ex t h e s ai d
"
,
. ,
1 98 LE G E N D S OF THE P A N/A B .

A nd h o w do yo u l o v e m e P
”
I l o ve y o u as h o n ey ,

s a i d s he To t h e t hi rd h e
.
sa i d, “
A d h o w do y o u
n

l ove m e I l o ve yo u as s h e rb et
i ’” “
, s a i d s he To th e .

la s t a n d y oun ge st h e s a i d A n d h o w do y o u l o v e

m e I l o ve yo u as s a l t s a i d s he , .

O n h ea ri n g th e a n s w er o f h is y o un ges t da ugh te r
t h e k i n g fro w n e d an d a s s h e p e rs i s t e d i n re p e a t i n g i t
, , ,

h e dro v e h e r o ut i n t o t h e fo re st Th e re w hen wan .

,

deri n g s a dly a l o n g s h e h eard t h e t ra m pi n g o f a h o rs e

, ,

a n d s h e h id h e rs e lf i n a h o ll o w t re e But the fl utter .

i n g o f h er dre ss b e t ray e d h er t o t h e ri de r wh o wa s a ,

p ri n c e a n d who i n s tan t ly fe l l i n l o v e wi t h h e r a n d
, ,

m a rri e d h e r .

S o m e ti m e a ft er t h e k i n g h e r fat h e r wh o did n o t
, , ,

k n o w w h at h a d b e c o m e o f h e r p a i d h er h us b an d a ,

visi t W h e n h e s at do w n t o m ea t th e p ri n c es s to o k
.
,

c are th a t a ll th e di s h es p res e n t e d to hi m sh o ul d b e
m ade up s w e e t s w h ich h e e ith e r p a s s e d by a l to ge th e r
-
, ,

o r m ere ly t as te d H e was v e ry h un gry a n d wa s

.
,

l o n gi n g so re ly fo r s o m e th i n g w h ic h h e c o ul d e at ,

wh en the p ri n ces s s e n t hi m a di s h o f c o m m o n s pi n a c h
s eas o n ed wi th s a lt s uc h as t he fa rm ers e at a n d the
, ,

k i n g si gn ifi e d his pl eas ure by e at i n g i t wi t h re l i s h .

Th en th e p ri n c e ss t h rew o ff h e r v e il an d re v e al , ,

i n g h ers e lf to h e r fa t her s ai d O my fa th er I l o v e
, , ,

yo u as s a lt M y l o v e m ay b e h o m e ly b ut i t i s t rue
.
, ,

ge n ui n e an d l asti n g an d I en t reat y o ur fo rgiv en e ss

”
, , .
z oo L EGEND S O F TH E P A N/A B .

Th e n e xt i n g th e w o m a n to o k s o m e gra i n to
m o rn

t h e h o us e o f a n e i gh b o ur i n o rde r t o h a v e i t gro un d

i n to fl o ur I n h e r a b s e n c e the b arb e r e n te re d an d
.
,

s a i d to t h e h us b an d H o w i s i t y o u a re s i tt i n g h e re
,

al l a l on e Th e fa rm e r a n s w ere d n e v e r a w o rd Th e .

b a rb er th e n s h av ed h is h ead b ut s t i ll h e did n o t ,

s p ea k t h e n h e s h a v e d o ff h a lf h i s b ea rd a n d h a lf hi s

m o us t a c h e b ut e v en t h en t h e m an re fra i n e d fro m utte r

,

i n g a s yll a bl e Th en t h e b a rb e r c o v e re d h i m a ll o v e r
.

wi th a h i deo us c oa t i n g o f l a m pbl a c k b ut th e s to li d far ,

m e r re m a i n e d as dum b a s a m ute Th e m a n i s b e .
“

wi tc h ed c ri ed th e b arb e r a n d h e h as ti ly q ui tte d
,

t h e h o us e .

H e h a d h a rdly go n e w h en t h e wi fe re turn e d fro m

th e m il l S h e , s ee i n g h e r h us b an d i n
. su ch a gh a s t ly
pli gh t b e gan to t re m bl e an d e xcl a i m ed
, A h,

wre tc h w h a t h a v e yo u b e e n do i n g
,

Y o uh a v e s p o ken t h e fi rs t w o rd s a i d the farm e r

“ ”
, ,

s o b ego n e w o m an an d S h ut t h e do o r
”
, , .

S TO RY X LV .

TH E T R A VE LLER A N D H IS C A M EL .

N GE up o n a ti m e a t ra v e ll er,
c o m i n g a l o n g th e
desert ro ad wi th his l ade n c am e l s to pp e d t o re s t
,

duri n g th e n oo n ti de
-
h ea t un der a s h ady t ree Th ere .
 S HOR T HO US EHOLD T A LE S . 20 1

he fe l l as l ee p W h en h e a w o ke h e lo o ked a t th e
.

c a m e l a n d fi n di n g to h is s o rro w th at th e fa i thful
, ,

c o m p an i o n o f a ll h is j o urn ey s wa s dead he th us ,

a p os t ro phi z e d h i m

W h ere i s th e s pi rit fl ed, a h, wh ere,

l
Th e i fe th a t ch e e re d th e we ary wa ys ?
d’
l
C o u s t t h o u n o t wa i t on e h o ur, n or s pare
Fo r m e, th y Fri e n d, o n e p a rtin g gaze

mfi fm fi firw a m q
'

re a t :

W fi m m ffi fi wr fl‘

fi w m m fi

ll W he re l
i s th e spiri t f ed wh ic h b o re th e l oad P W hen
le a v Li tera y
i n g, i t s aw n ot m e ll
i ts we kn o wn r en
- f i d 1
”
 H I S EA RLY L FE I

M gal var i n ib bia,

an

Jam m ia c hh an c hh an var,

A kra ra éj
am j . m ia,
N am rakh a i '

. Rasal .

O n Tuesday h e en tered the wo m b ,

H e wasborn o n Saturday
The m i ghty k i n g was b orn ,

The n am e given him was R as al .

Tho ra, thora tu

n di ss en , s un ea Rasal
Raj tia,

Te bauhti dis di dh ii r
A n dar kappia katian l o h e c hhin n ian , sun R ajeé
,

J h ulka pi ya tan dii r 3

.

ji n an de b ete chakari m usafari

j
,

U n an di an m awan i wan kti r .

 A P P END IX . 20 5

li ttl e s ee I o f yo u H ear R a a R asal u

Li ttl e , , , j
A n d m uch see I o f dus t
I n wardly I am out an d pi erc ed wi th kn ive s o f i ron
H ear,
I amb urn i n g fue l thro wn i n to th e oven
as

Wh o s e s o n s are i n s ervic e o r travelli n g ,

Th e i r m o th ers lives are vai n

’
.

3 .

K ehre R aj e da tu
n betra
K ya tum ara n am
K eh ri tum ari n agr i ,

K ehrétum ara gam P

.

j
W hat Ra as s o n are yo uP
' ’

W h at is your n am e
Wh ere is yo ur c o un try ?
W h ere i s yo ur to wn

4 .

j
R a a Sulwan da m a n i
R as al u m am
’

era n.
,

S ialkOt h am ari n agr i ,

Wob i ham ara gam

'

. ,

Raj a S ulw an
’
s so n am I .

R asal u is m y n am e

S ialké
t is m yco un try ,

Th e s am e is m y to w n .
20 6 A P PENDIX .

R A SA LU A N D M I RS H I K A RI
’

M i
a n b an j am ian b an palian ,

Ban h am ara ghar vas

Brikh jo ban n a rutthra

A ya b am are pets .

I was born in th e fo res t, I was reared in the forest ,

Th e fores t is y ho m e
m

A tree, wh ic h i s o ffen ded wi th the fores t ,

H as c om e to us .

6 .

M ani b an j am ian b an palian

Ban m era ghar vas

A i sa z ulam n a dekhea
K e pairin turan palas .

I was born in th e fores t, I was reared i n th e fores t,

The fores t is m y h om e ;
S uc h tyran n y I h ave n o t s een ,

That upo n feet a tree s hou d l wal k .

7 .

M i
a n b an j am i an b an pal lan
Ban m era ghar vas

H ai wisht ka b h ukha
n a

Tab aya ham are pas .

20 8 A P PE N D I X .

H atti te gosb at tu lan die ,

Tu n ka i n de karan tul a?

J is karan tri lao n die ,

O ra a
vel g iya viha .

O th ou at the s tall h avi n g m eat wei ghed o ut,

For whose s ake are yo u havi n git we i gh ed
For wh ose sake yo u are h avi n g i t wei ghed,
That ti m e is pas s ed .

1k m aran dian do m oe

Do m aran dian c har

C har m aran dian c hh e m o e,

C har purakh do n ar .

On bei n gkill e d two di ed

e , ,

Two be i n g kill ed fo ur di ed , ,

Fo ur bei n g kill ed s ix di ed , ,

Fo ur m al es two fe m al es, .

j
C harla Raa Dharth ali
K uj
h n akharia s ath,
Eh jag aiwen c hh aps i,

Jin n tari an khilli rat .

Raj a D h arth ali. This is an o th er n am e fo r Raa Bh arti li, or j

Bhartari , th e fam ous ki n g wh o a b dic ated his kin gdom an d b ecam e a
l
faki r, a disci p e o f GuruGo rakh n ath .
 A PP EN DI X 20 9

j
Ra a D h arthali di ed,
N o th i n g too k h e wi th h im
Th us th i s wo rl d will di s app ear
Li ke a s tar -
bl o o m i n g n igh t .

S TO RY O F TH E SN A K E A N D R A V EN .

N il e gh ore wallea Rasalu a,

Mu n h dahri s ir p agg

N adi ro h re n h aia
da j
N am R ab de kadh .

O f th e grey h o rse the o wn er, Rasa l u,

’

O n yo ur fac e a b e ard, o n yo ur h ead a tur

b an ,

On th e i
r ve r fl o a ts a h e dge ho g,
n am e ta ke h im ou
’
I n God s t

S app an te j ro n du
haia m dhu rai
' '
-
g s an

M era ]1 c h h o rde tu
n kh a i r Kh uda t hin m an g .

Sn akes an d h e dge h o gs fro m th e fi rs t were re ated

l
My li fe vo uc hs afe an d as k a bl es s i n g fro m G o d .

haian du
S appan te j ron dti rai wai r '

Gafal ko hara m ari a tudh apo ap n e p ai r

.
2 10 A PP END IX .

Sn akes an d h e dgeh o gs fro m th e fi rs t were at

en m i ty
O foo li s h o n e, yo u have s tru ck th e ax e up on your
o wn foo t .

R A SA LU A N D SI R I K A P .

I 6 .

Blab an wic h ai ratri ,

M kuran ge pas
oe

J e m oe kuran ge Rabba ]1 pam

Tan batan kari e c h ar .

I n th e des ert has com e n i ght ,

n ear the dead
body ;
If to th e dead b o dy G o d will gran t li fe ,

Th en fo ur wo rds we s h all sp eak .

I 7 .

Is n agr i ik m an is yat a
'
’

Oh m ar kare n da m ar
U s patu lan l k attiam ,
’
‘ '

M ai n gir pari J hudhal,

A tth tote ho i un gali ,
m

Te n aun to te gh ari al

N as tu babla '

n m e re ,

Tere m arn di aie war

lll v l
.

K uran gg i s a s k e e t on I t a s o m ean s a deer

.
N ear Ra wal .

Pi n di too th ere i s a s m a ri e r s o n am ed
1 Patu
.

lan does n ot m ean th e rop es , b ut th e bar or pla n k on wh ic h

l l l
'

th e s wi n ger s i ts fi an cé
. A yo uth afte r b et ro th a a ways s up i es his
an d h er fri en ds wi th b o th ro pes an d

l l
p
patulag o n fe as t days The pa t
e

is gen erally gai y pai n ted I t i s a so n am ed b i n da, an d, if n o t ain ted,

. ul
p
.

<i an da
.
 A P PENDIX .

pas s i a dhalwez m
'

Dhal ve ,

Is b ass an t”r di 10 ;
S i ran gh arrz m dian
'

b a ian 1 j ,
“

J o Sirikap ka re so ho .

Turn , 0 gam e c h an geabl e ,

I n th e ligh t o f th s i l am p;
H eads an d h o us es are at s ta ke ,

What S iri kap do es , s o s h ou d l

2 1.

D hal ve pas s i a dhalwe an

I s b as s an t di lo
S i ran gh arrau z di an b a d/z,
’

n
J o A llah kare s o h o .

Turn , 0 gam e c h an geabl e,

In th e li gh t o f th i s l am p

H eads an d h o us es are at s take,

W hat G od do es , so le t i t b e .

TH E S TORY O F ! U EE N K O K LA N .

2 2.

j
Ra e Bhatti ( la m a n i b e trei ,
H o di m e ra n am
U dh e ham ari n a ri,
g
A tak h am ara gam .

C f b asan tar, fi re
' '
.

—
l O the rwi se S irdh aré
g di é
.

ié
g b aj g —p a v
ro e rb —H eads an d b odies
are at s tak e
.
 A PPENDIX . 2 13

j
Ra a Bhatti s
’
s on am I,
H o di is m y n am e ;
U dh e is m y c o un try ,

A tak is m y town .

2 3
Tun k eh re ra e di b e trl j
K ehre ra e di j n ar
Ta in un uch e m ehlin c hh or ke
K i ddhar gia gawar

Wh at Té
jas daugh ter are yo u
’

j
,

W h at ra as wi fe ’

Le avi n g yo u i n h i gh p al ac es P
Whi ther h as go n e th e b o or ?

24 .

R aj e S irikap di m a n i betri ,

j
Ra e Rasalti di m ai n n ar

M aim i n uch e m ehlin c hh or ke

j
R a a h un gia i
. s akar .

R aj a Si ik p d ugh I
’
r a s a te r am ,

R aj a R ai u wi f I
’
as s e am ,

Le avi n g m e in hi gh p a l a c es,
j
Th e ra a h as us t go n e h un ti n g
'

. j .

2 5 .

Du
r th i n ayan i n ch al ke dhauke m a ,

M ain u
n kh ab ar n a ran i ka
'

D askidhro n laghdian paurian ,

Te kidhron m eh l darah
2 14 A P P ENDI X .

Fro m afar I have co m e wal ki n g an d run n in g,

0 q uee n , I kn o wn o t an yth i n g
S ay to wh i c h
i de go th e s teps
s ,

A n d wh ich s i de i s th e p al ac e road

26 .

Ti ln du
r th i n a a h ai n l ke
’

c ha dhauke, s un
y

Tai m i n kh ab ar n a ka,
S aj
eo n l agh ah p aurlan , s un Raj
ea,

Te kh ab b eo n m eh da rah l
J e tu bh ukha i s ha q
dat, s un Rajea,
’

M eh l an te c h arh a .

Fro m afar yo u h ave c om e wal ki n g an d run n in g

j
,

H ear O R a a,
Yo u kn o wn
yth i n g
o t an

O n th e ri gh t go the s teps h ear ! O Ra a ,

j ,

A n d o n th e l eft i s th e pal ac e ro ad -

I f yo u are h un gry o f l ove b ear ! 0 Ra a ,

j ,

U p to th e p al ac e c o m e .

S un ve t o tea

Is n agr n i a vas s i e,
I e du
ro n i
n a s s e,

N a ko i bhai n a vir,
A i s a z ulam n a dekhed,

J o kutta khave kh i r .
2 16 A PP E N D I X .

S ari ghari kam agre ,

Phal gh ari a l o har
’

j
.

Dh an ul athi eth har di

n

Kan di jin ki n ar .

C hh i k c hh i k lawan c hhikie ,

M at m an da rahe az ar.

T he arro w is m ade b y th e fl etc h er,

Th e bl ade is m ade b y th e s m i th ,

The b o w re l axed s i n c e M ay an d J un e
, ,

Whos e h o rn (tips ) are h ooked

-
,

I s p ull ed a s to th e s tri n gagai n a n d agai n ,

S o th at n o heart tro ub l e m ay rem ai n -

.

31 .

N aun han n al c hawal m i

an c h h illné ,

Dudh pakawan kh ir
M ur a tu n m eri s ejte

j
Ti i n R an ha m ai n H ir .

Wi th m y il
n a s I h usk rice fo r yo u,
M il k a n d rice c o ok ;
I
Return yo u to m y c o uc h

j
,

You are Ran h a, I am H ir .

32 .

Pan i charia c hul te

Baith e m al- m al n aha,

A s an pan dhian m i n pan dh

Tu
n t ake ser bi ka .
 A PPE N DIX .
2 17

Water has b een put o n the fi re pl ac e -

,

S it down an d rubbi n g bath e o ursel f

y ;
U s trave ll ers put on th e ro a d ,

Yo u fo r two pic e th e s eer have s o l d yo urs e l f .

33~
M a n i -
tan han s
*
karke m
’

an ia ,

Tti n i klia b agl a kh a s 3

’

]e m a n i j an a b aglam L ’

Taim i n m ti l n a bh eran pas .

I th o ugh t yo u were li ke a s wan ,

Yo u have turn e d o ut a very c ran e

If I h ad kn o wn yo u were a c ran e ,

Yo u n e erv had to uc hed m e .

M a n i to khadi khan d khi r, -

R i hai m an a phog
’

. n

P ia p uran a kap ra ,

Te m an gtian s an og !
dalj -

I h ave eate n of dai n ty fo o d [

s ugar ric e - -
an dm
-
il k]
Th ere re m ai n s m y p o o r re fus e

Th e cl o th h as b ec o m e o ld ,

A n dfit for b eggar fo l k -

.

lv
*
H an s , n o t rea ll l w
y a s an , b ut a
H i s b ea k i s thi c k , an d so h o o k
l a rge l
wh i te fab u o us b i rd, whi c h
i es o n th e sh o res o f akes a n d s e as
l l
.

e d th a t h e i s ab le to p ic k up o n y p e ar s , o n e a t a ti m e , whic h h e fi n ds

i n ab un dan c e , ( fl a m i n go ? )
TBagla, a 101127 : c ran e fro m b agga, whi te
v — é
The Pun a b s h a e a
j i
.

l l I vl
p ro e rb Bharon b agl , an daro ukau, O utwa rd y a b ag a , n ward y a
‘

c ro w .
2 18 A PP E

35
j
Raa pain i pive b ail van g
N il n a b here hat h
'

K iss e s an wari n e m am a
Te pti rn ia s ari rat
'

Us c hh is pti n jitia
hi a ,
Tab ka l a i n ke b ath j .

The ki n g dri n ks water li ke ab ull oc k ,

Les t h e sh o ul d to uc h th e bl ack o n h is han ds,

So m b eauty h as en o ye d h im
e j ,

A n d p as s e d th e wh o l e n i gh t

She wep t he wip ed [h er tears ]

,

Then th e l am p blac k [s tai n ed]h is -

b a n ds .

36 .

A kk r urt ki j e dan d m
’
ll a
'
-
a ,

Te sa pp n it kh aiye m as ,
'

Puttar paraizi n a c hah i e,

Te lalztn b h arie
' '

n a
t vat .

Dah in bagan a n zi b alo rie

an

j
,

U s da p an i i ha s uad ,

Sejparn i n a m an i c ,

O h kadi n a h o n di ti p -

j
,

H ath m aro ri ka l a S li t pé -
,

Te b uk bh ar 1 p i wen ab -
.

Chli tia—
i
v
w pt fe hhi t , ro m c
’
n zr to s p ri n k l e, to wet .

1:Buk b h — d ub l h dful l
1 Th
'
f
e n am e o y id pl a er ac r an t .

-
ar a o e an , th e han ds b e in g aid togethe r .
220 A PPEN DIX .

E i gh t preys n i n e water fo wl s
os ,
-
,

A n d fi ve p eac o c ks h ave b e en i
s ta t on ed

The re b ei n g s o m an y guards
Whi ther c am e th e thi eves to

Je gh aran a gh ar m are ,

J e pa li ara* j aun c hare,

Te rti khha kya kare

'

I f th e h o us e h o l de r ro b the ho use,
A n d fac e to fac e fi x i t [o n o th ers ]
I t th e fe n c e eat the b arl ey c ro p -
,

What th e n c an th e guards do ?

P et n a taro r i a ddi an | ,

kam ch i la
'

Te ta n n z
t
"
Ji n n a n agar b allian r taro rlan te khadi an
-
.
,

O h s ir desan c ha .

My s i de yo ur h eel s
go re n ot wi th ,

A n d m y b o dy to uc h n o t wi th yo ur wh i p ;
Th o s e wh o break an d eat p o i s on ous c reep ers ,

They will gi ve up th ei r heads .

l ll l ll u
A ppa ren t y a ied to p a ta, a bo
rder .

l wo rd
13211 is a c ree pin g p a n t also va zl I n th e C h ac h p the
l
‘

. ai n

N agar b al is a c re eper un de r whi c h sn akes urk

'

allz - .
.
 A PP E N DI X . 2 2,

41
M eh l m era kain lat o rra,

M ehlin h o i a pai r asar .

Kaun bai tha m ere palan ggh te

K e dh illi ho i n awar
Kis m ari m eri s harak ,

K is taroria l alan da hai r

'

,
.

Who broke i n to m y p al ac e ,
p al ac e
I n th e are foot m arks -
.

Wh o s at up on m y b ed ,

S i n c e the n awar i is l oo se .

W ho kill ed m y m i n a ,

W ho b roke yo ur n ec kl ac e o f rubi es ?
42 .

Sharak to ta lar m o e,

déhar ;
'

taro rizt m e ra l al an
'

I s to te .

M a n i jgai ,
kh aui khake b h aj
M eh lin h o ia p ai r as ar
M a nap b a ith i han palan ggh te,
i
Tan dh illi ho i n awar .

The i n a fi gh ti n g th e parro t died

m , , ,

That parro t bro ke m y n ec kl e t of rubi es

I b e in g fri gh ten ed ran away ,

M y fo o t m arks c am e in th e pal ac e
-
,

I have sat upo n yo ur b ed ,

SO th e n awar 1 is l o os e .

S larak a m I n a , i s th e loc a lp ron un c i a ti on of Sé

’
,
rak

N awé the b road co tto n tape s tre tc hed from Si de to side an d

.

r.

d t d f b ed t o s upp o rt th e m attress
from e n o a .
e n o
 “

222 A PPEN DIX .

—
Thori , thorai gh an n i wen
bauhti i wen kam
'

Te n an ,

Mu
rakh da kya n i wen
’

n am .
,

N iu
n du s ughars uan j .

Li ttl e,
li ttl e ben ds the s tri n g ,

A n d greatly b en ds the b o w;
What s en sel ess foo l wo ul d b en d ?
The s hrewd an d wi s e m an ben ds .

44

Thora th orat tu
n di ss en s un Rasaltia,
'

Te b auh ti dis di dhu

r

A n dar kappia kati an l ohe c hhin m an , sun

J hulka piya tan n ti r .

[ For tran sl ati o n see

ki j e ladli lat b a wan ri,*

'

N ai r n a -

ja
.

J o has h as kare p an s,

J ion de tti n m au an jan i an ,

,
m
’

H un m oe an da khztda m as
-
.

l
La t m ean s a cur l .

Bawan ri m ean s a se n se ess on e l

The re i s a sec t o f b eggars dis tin guis hed b
y

l l
th e ir c ur s
.

l
c ur ed foo , a perso n rec k ess of a pp earan c e s
Lat-b awan rf, th en , a .

.
 J[
A P PE N D I X .

RA s A L uA N D T H E SWA N S .

48 .

Eh m aria j
ham b ar jhai kkh dei ai b an
K auwa m ganan l agga jé
j
.

aghatan di tti é
'

A s am ,

I s pai izi n é
m kh uda
’

t .

Eh gun ki ttiafz m aim m au hora

’
'
gm
Faj g ar b ai tha 151
re ha r j ’

c ro w struck b y rai n s torm an d stron gs n ow

Th i s -

Began to as k a pl ac e o f us .

We th en gave h im a pl ac e ,

A s h e us ed the n am e o f God .

Thi s ki n dn ess do i n g I rec eived evil ,

I n th e m orn i n g he b egan a quarrel .

49 .

Ek di n n add i de dhae
M a n i
ph irdafi karda s ail s afa,
-
T
Ret ph alorde an da m illié ,

M ai n am u c hé
id chin yj ,

Dhar s i n e h eth m ain palli é

,

M si n a hoa khuar
era
’
,
,

J e n i kal parda n ar h an sal a

’

.
,

M ai n kardai b an d kh allas ,

g win d
o r m o re
J ham b ar i s
l l
proper y h ai l
( i ri vh zg rai n

.
.
J hakkh is
l
s tron . A ib a n sn o w

1
‘
Sai -safé
,
= Saun terin ab out for easure.
g p
 A PPE N DIX . 225

Ek n i kal p arri h an s m ,
’

M ai n ki ti gh ar di n ar,
Ek b an s m ari a j h am b ar j
h akk
S ei tho n m an gan l agga ja,
A san j agh an tan dittia,
I n pai an am K huda,
.

H an s zat apn i pac h han ke

Faj
re j h agra baith a 151 .

On day o n th e b an ks o f a river
e

I was taki n g a wal k,

Turn i n g up th e s an d I fo un d an egg,
A n d to o k i t i n m y bill ,
K eepi n g it un der m y breas t I hatc hed it,
A d m y b reas t b ec am e rui n ed
n .

If it had c om e o ut a m al e s wan ,
I woul d have give n h im liberty .

I t c am e o ut a fe m al e swan ,
I m ade h er m y h ouse wi fe -
.

Thi s s wan s truc k by rai n s to rm an d s tron g sn

-
w
o

Began to as k s h el ter fro m us,

We th e n gave hi m a pl ac e ,

A he used th e n am e o f G od,
s

Th e swan , fi n di n g h er h is c as te fell o w, -

I n the m orn i n g b egan a quarrel .

50 .

H or Raj e m urgaian , s un Ra ei , j
Tu
’

n Ra j a sh ahb aiz
A dli n iaun tu n karefl , s un Raj
ea,

Teri um ar h o v e daraz .
2 26 A PP E N D I X .

O ther ki n gs are water fo wl , hear, O Raj a , -

You are the ki n g falc o n -

j
True udgm en t yo u do , hear, O Raj a ,
M ay your li fe b e lo n g .

RA J A R A SA LU A ND R AJ A BH O].

5r .

Dhi gan ji n tih lo ko b ari,

H arat m i n di n gi l ath
M an di n ar gh ar c hic kw m,
h u éc h ur—
c h o p at,
J gg a

Rah wic h t ab di rai n gri ,

j
Pan e p ai an b hatth .

A daugh ter bal d, a daughter in —

law -
hum p backed,
-

To thewell wheel a crooked axl e

-
,

A worth l ess wi fe expell ed the house

So th at the h o use is c o m pl etely destroyed,
I n the road a sown fi eld -
,

Thes e fi ve th i n gs are m ost c ursed .

Rah m usafar trai wal,

C han , din , darya
In m en kaun tum ara bap hai,
A ur kaun tum ari m a .

Fit on l y fo r the o en v or ki n l .
22 8 A P P E /VDI X .

55
G anga eha j j
a ln ah i n ,

Te c han n e ehi j o t, j
A m be j ha ph l
e a n ah n i
Te n ari j ehi sot .

Li ke the Gan ges th ere is n o water

A n d li ke th e m o o n is n o li gh t,
Li ke the m an go e th ere is frui t
n o ,

A n dn l p li ke a
o s ee wom an s ’
.

56 .

H ar j an gal wich m ai n ph iran sun

Aj az ph iré z fa ki r,
r

Tu
n n ah i n b hullia, s un R aj ei ,
Tera akl oub hullzi wazir .

In e er j
v y un gl e I wal k h ear O Raj a , , ,

I wal k a poor fakir, ,

Youh ave n ot m i s take n b ear 0 Raj a

Y
, , ,

our waz i r is wi th out wit .

S7 ~
K achc hh e j eha Raj
’

jal n ah irz, s un e a,

j
.

Te akhirz ehi j
ot

j haph l
,

Puttran e a n ah n i , s un Raj ei ,
Te s ukhe j
eh i s o t,
 A P P EN D IX .
229

Li ke the water in yourfl ask th ere is n water b ear

j
o ,
O Ra a,

Li ke ( th e li ght o f the e e y s there is n light

o ,
Li ke s on s there is n o frui t ,

Li ke (the s l eep o f o n ten

)c tm en t there is n o s l eep .

RA JA RA SA LU A N D TH E G I A NTS .

58
j
.

M aim i n Ra akarkar n zi ari o , b halle

m m an so ,
M ai n faki r, kadar A ll ah ,

Tu
n s akki b h ain in n an di, b halle m an so ,

Tu
n i n ah n llfl s am
jha .

[fell ows
j
,
Thi n ki n g m e a ra a do n ot kill m e, m y goo d
A faki r am I es teem ed o f God
, ,

Yo u are o wn sis ter to them 0 oo d fell o ws

g , ,

Do yo ui n s truc t them .

59
M ehri b halli tan s am li

Kapar b hallzi safed ,

M ac hhi b halli s o c hho ppali ,

Gh o ra b hallai kom ed .

N agri bhall i so c hhattri ,

Raj a bhalla s oc he t
.
,

O n ar m ti rakh an i e j ,

‘
J o n ar m i n den da bhetJ

l ll
K ac hc hhe is ite ra y th e arm pi t, the fl as k or water b o tt e bein g
- -
l
c arri ed b ’ s he lhe rds u n der th e arm
g i
.

N ev r c orr m it a s ecret, s ay the Pa n jab is, to a wom an or a b arb er,

‘

for n ei ther c an keep it.

 230 A PP EN D I X .

A wo m an dark o t b o dy is go od
'

Wh i te cl oth is goo d ,

S c aly fi sh are go o d ,

A b ay c o l oured hors e is goo d

-
,

A c oun try o f warri o rs is go o d ,

A n ac tive ki n g is go o d ,

That m an as a foo l s ho ul d b e hel d ,

Who c om m i ts a s ec ret to his wi fe .

60 .

Sar te kap ardhon di a

J am a dho ti pagg
te ,

*
N aun var gh at o li m ai n bh ari ,

Tu
n bat n a puchh i th ag

O at the washi n gcl o thes

tan k ,

H avi n g a c oat a l o i n cl o th an d a turban

,
-

, ,

N i n e ti m es m y pi tc her I fi ll ed ,

You aske d m e n o t a wo rd vo udec eiver , .

61 .

D esbagan a b ho n opari ,

Tudh bagan i dhi ,

Tere karan m ai n m ari a ” ,

M era kai n dharawe j i .

ll Gharoli, a kin d o f pitc h er The Pa n jab i s h a e a n uptia s on g

.

i son g A t weddi n gs th e yo un g gi r s o f the i age

v l lv ll
c a ed th e G h aro l .

ll
b rin g up. a gh aro li o f water fro m the we , an d, s ayi n g the ghar
oli s o n g,
thro w it over the b ridegroom .
232 A PPE N D I X
.

S tran ge is Thy n ature,

Tho u art the great c herisher o f the p o or ,

To n on -
isten ce Th o u givest exi sten ce
ex ,

A n d existen c e Th o u m akes t n ough t .

M y b o at is drifti n g on the s torm y river ,

N o ddi n g (wi th sl eep) are the sail o rs .

A zrail the A n gel

The well pac ked bo at l oad is pass i n g over
- -
,

What kn ow I what is wri tten

( A gai n st m e)i n th e presen c e o f the Go d of truth ?

64 .

Dushm an m am a te z er karn a,
Eh b h alli an da kam ,

M al m i n m an th in dii r kar,
M uj
h wich had n a c h am .

A fo e to s tri ke an d to s ubdue h im ,

Th i s is th e work o f m i ghty m en ,

M e from your m i n d di sm i ss ,

I have n or b on e n or ski n .

A
'
til
zra , the an gel of death , who b ears way
a

dyi n g
.
 A P PE N DI X . 233

TH E PU N J A BI VE RSES WH I C H O CC U R I N J U M A ’S
V E RSI O N O F R A SA LU .

j
.

U bi vas an
arkh ere

M o i a n a ive ko j
M o e kura n ge Rabb a ji pawai
G all am bi kari e do
'

A de serted ho use i be in habi ted,

'

m ay aga n

A i on
m ar ce
lives n ot aga i n dead
O G o d if the de a d bo dy ri s e aga i n
, ,

I will speak two words wi th him .

2 .

Bh atth * th uhadi n an kari

'

A r b h atth o di c h o h a
t,

U ch e n akk e c h arke

Tuk khas an dan dan gha .

C urs ed b e yo ur servic e ,

C urse b e yo ur m eas ure o f grai n

O n h i gh p eak cli m bi n g ,

N ibbli n g I will eat grass wi th m y te eth .

3 .

D um kan n m era tu
n kattea

l aizi ullan g
’

A te m ai m in
Tad harn i da aea j
m eh l an l an wan c h o r.
Te re

Bhat th , a ki l n an d so ti t on l y fo r the ki l n o env .

234 A P P E N DI X.

M y tail an d m y e ars yo u h ave c ut,

A n d do n e m e a di s h o n o ur
If ever I was b o rn fro m ade er
To yo ur pl ac e I will bri n g thi eves .

4
To te b en dhe upar m ari a ”
A b en dh e c hhaj
r
'
jan vic h ké r

K eh i ph irn i upar s o n e di j
h alkar
Eh m ard h ai ke n ar P

Th e parrots s it o n th e h o us es
A n d th ey s it o n th e eave s .

W hat is th at go l den l us tre wal ki n g o n the house

I s it a m an or a wo m an

Eh h ai j
ra e di n ar,
O h h un gia h ai s h i kar .

She is th e wi fe of th e ki n g,
Who i s ju st n o w go n e o ut h un ti n g
.

6 .

M eh lan h eth b h awan dea

S hadh h ai n ke ch or

O, wal ki n g ab o ut b en eath th e p al ace ,

A re yo u a true m an or th i ef ?
236 A PPE N DI X
.

Wh ere have yo u l o s t
your deer
A n d wh ere h ave yo u l o s t yo ur c attl e ?
By l os i n g yo ur road yo uh ave bec o m e
j
,

Ra a Rasalus th i e f
’
.

S ai rak m er i ti i n m é
ri , u ar j
A te m aim i a ki to i u ar;
’

j
j
.

Tad to te da aea,
j
-

Ra e kol J an wan ghari n al .

Yo u h ave kill ed in a m y m ,

A n d m ade m e wretch ed
I f eve r I was b orn o f a p arro t ,

I will go to the ki n g i m m edi ately .

Sarak m er rani i n e m ari

Te i i n kito b e ghor
m a m -

U rh kh al o ra a s uttea j
Tere m eh e m l ’

l agge ch or .

The queen has kill ed ym m in a,

A n d m e she n egl ec ted

A i
r se, O l
s eep n i g ki n g,
Th i eves h ave forc e d your p al ac e .

”
f G hari , an in ter vl a of tim e. There a re two an l
d-a-ha f Gha n
’

s
'

an h our
.
 A PPE N D I X . 23,

C hh e te as s i
- -
m er i s arkan

A te as s i m ere m o r

ltn e rakh e h o n dian

K i kar l agge c h o r
My i gh ty s ix m i n as
e -

A n d e i gh ty parro ts are th ere

Th e re b e i n g so m an y guards ,

H o w bro ke i n th e th i eve s

r3 .

N a m ari n tan kam ch i

A te n a m ari n a ddi pet 5
Tad gh o re da j a ea
c h all an m e h l an h e th
’

Le .

N e i th e r s tri ke m e wi th wh ip ,

N o r s tri ke h e e l on m
y fl an k
I f I was b o rn of a ho rse ,
I will take yo u be n eath yo ur pal ace .

1 4 .

Ben dh ian desen tan a m e h n a

A r uth dian des en gal

J en dha tan a m ehn é, rajea,

V es an us de i
n a l .

Wh en do wn you gi ve m e taun ts ,
I s it

A n d w h en I s tan d yo u give m e ab us e

W h os e repro ac h ( I bear), 0 Ra a, j ’

I will go wi th h im .
238 A P P E N DI X .

Ji un de m au an j m an i a”
’

M oe a m da kh ada m as .

W h en h e was a li ve yo u en oyed h im j ,

Wh en h e was dead yo u ate his fl esh .

RA SA LU A N D T H E G IA N TS .

1 6
j
.

T1171 h a n u a dal k a ,
’

J e Ra b rakh e te ra
'

b ac hra ,

M i
a n s ir des am
’

c ha .

Do n o t s h ed t e ars ,

I f G o d ke e p yo ur s o n ,

M y h ead will I give .

U c h ch e m an dal di s s an m ari a”
D is san h at—
pattan bazar ,

Sab dar di s s an s akh n e

K yavarti s an s ar .

H i gh do m es a n d p al ac es are s ee n ,

T h ere are s een s h o ps an d baz ars ,

Th at every doo r is s een vac an t

What h as h app e n ed to th e worl d i ‘

2 40 A PP E N DI X
PA N J A BI V E RSES W H IC H OCCU R
G H A Z I V ER S I O N O F R A SA LU
‘ ’
.

r .

K ai n m era b ukka piv1a ?

K ai n s atth e kh an gar P
K ai n m eri khii i geri a,

Ie s i n n i pai n i sar

W ho s m o ked m y h oo kah P
Who s pat o ut his ph l egm
‘

W ho turn ed m y well ,

Si n ce the c h an n e l i s we t

J iuan de m a u an j m am a,

M un ian da kh ada m as ,
Bh atth un an da j
iviat,
’

Ji n a b igan i as .

Wh en h e was ali ve yOu en oyed , j

Wh en h e was dead yo u ate hi s ,

C urs ed b e th e i r li fe ,
W h ose h o pe I S In o th ers .

3 .

U thian den a m en a raij a,

Th e b e n dha de n a gal
Ji uan di den a badi an ,
fi rst m arn un an de i
n a l .
 A P P E N DI X 24 !

Wh en I get up, yo u give m e taun ts, Ra a, j

A n d when I s it do wn , yo u give m e abus e
Fo r wh o m yo u give m e repro ach,
M y death will b e wi th h im .

L EN VOY
’
.

S ada n a b aigin bulb ul bo le ,

Sa da n a b ag b ahararz ,

Sada n a rajkh ush i de ho n de,

S ada n a m aj li s yaran .

Th e b ulb ul s i n l ways in the garden ,

gs n ot a

The garden is n o t a l ways bl oom i n g ,

Ki n gdo m s a re n o t al wa ys rul ed in happi n ess ,

Fri en ds are n o t al ways toge the r .

24 2 A P PE N D IX .

A DD I TI ON A L N O TES .

J
RA A VI K R A M AJ IT, OR BI K R A M AJ IT, a great H i n du war
i
r o r, s a n i t, an d l egi s l ato r . H is i i
o r g n al capi tal was ain
Uj
in the Dakkan , b ut h e e x te n de d h is arm s as far wes t as

K ab ul ( Wil s on H is ill o h
’
. s A ri a n a A n tigua era, st

served by the H i n dus begi n s 56 B C A cco rdi n g to

l j
. . .
,

Bri ggs h e was attac ke d an d s ai n b y R a a Shali vhan

J
.

RA A S H A LIVH AN , or S A LI VA H AN A , the S ulwan o f the

Pan abij bards —El phi n s to n e is o f O pi n i o n that the expl oi t

.

ab ove m en ti o n ed c o ul d n ot h ave been p erfo rm ed by

Salivah an wh os e era o n l y b egi n s A D 7 7

,
Be th i s as i t . . .

m ay h is ki n gdo m was al so t h e D akkan ; h e was pro babl y a

,

n ear c o n n ec ti o n o f Vi kra m aj i t a n d h is e m pi re ac c ordi n g

j
, ,

to tradi ti o n c om p ri s e d t h e U ppe r Pa n ab his c api tal ci ty

, ,

b ei n g Si al ko t .

G URU G O RA K H N AT H th e gre a t s a i n t o f Tillah fo un ded

, ,

a s ec t i n th e Pan ja b abo ut A D 1400 H e m ai n tai n ed

. . .

t he e q uali z i n g e ffec ts o f re li gi o us p e n a n c e s b ut c h o s e S iva ,

( C un n i n gh am s H is tory of
’
as th e m an i fe s tati o n o f D e i ty .

the S ikh s p ,
. Th at i n th e lege n ds Rasal u is s ai d to
h ave be en c o n tem po ran e o us wi th h im sh o ws h o w th e b ards ,

h ave l oved to gath er ro un d th e m em o ry o f the ir favo uri te

h ero th e po p ul ar s to ri es o f wi de l y di fferen t ti m es a pro c es s ,

wh ich is n o t wi th o ut its an a o gue e l s ewhe re l .

H A Z R A T A M A M A L i L itre — H azrat is a ti tl e o f
m ea n i n g H i gh n e s s A m ara A li i e th e
‘ ’

di s ti n c ti o n ,
.
, . .
,

Patri arch Ali is th e n am e o f th e fam o us s o n i n law o f th e

- -

pro ph et M uham m ad Lak ap pears to b e an addi ti on al ti tl e

. ,

p os s ibly a corrupti o n o f th e Pers i an A l— lza qq The True ,

‘
.
’
2 44 A PPE N D IX .

h as til y m o un te d hi s m are , wh i c h, gui ded by h er m atern a l

i n s ti n c ts carri ed him
, safe l y o ut o f t he l abyri n th .

But the s u e rs t t on
p ii is n ot so m uc h Greek or M uh am
m ada n as H i n du i n
i gi n The vill agers b e li eve that th e i r
or .

river go d keeps s tate b en ea th th e dee

p bl ue waters o f th e
-

I n dus wh ere h is atten dan ts la b o ur wi th s pade an d m a tto c k

,
'

i n diverti n gthe rus hi n g waters n o w in o n e di rec ti on an d n o w

i n an o th er H e is pro pi ti ate d b y i ttl e rafts beari n g s m all
. l
earth e n clum gs o r l am
ps wh i c h the c re dul o us c o un try fo l k
'

l
ligh t up an d aun ch a t n igh t upo n th e bo s o m o f th e s tr am
e
j
,

to b e c arri ed wh i thers o ever Fa th er I n dus o f wh i c h K wa a ,

K hi zar is rea ll y the pe rs o n i fi c ati o n m ay b e pl ease d to di rec t , . .

BH A U N RA I R A K i ~
.
-
Bhaun ra is th e n am e of th e l arge
bl ack i d to b e e n am o ured o f th e l o tus I raki is
b ee sa .

th e te rm wh i ch di s ti n gui sh ed a fam o us breed o f h o rses

fro m C e n tral A s i a pro babl y Parth i a I rak A rabi i s stric tl y
, .
-

th e c oun try l yi n g betwee n th e Ti gri s an d E uph rate s .

BA IK A LBA TTH — A cc o rdi n g to

. th e bard J u
m a , it was h e
wh o was the c h i ef o f th e gi an ts . S hara f n am e d th i s gia n t
Bhagarb hatth .

J
RA A S i R tK A P —Gh ul am an i n telli gen t vill ager o f K u
.
, n dt ,

i n M o un t G an dgarh ab out fi ve m il es fro m S i ri ko t i n fo rm ed

j j
, ,

m e th at R a a S iri kap wa s a so n o f th e fam o us R a a Bhakhiri,

a b rother o f Raa Dh arthili j ,
-
an d th at h e used to live in San

g thi
o t- -
G hari, or th e Fo rt of S an go t, h al f a m il e from S i ri ko t
i ts el f o n th e top o f th e ri dge o f G an dgarh , an buil t
d th at h e
S i ri ko t o f m en s s kull s as th e n am e ac c o rdi n g to h im reall y
’
,

i m pli es tho ugh h e adm i ts that it m

,
ay al s o m ean th e c h i ef
 A P PE N D I X . 24 ;

*
fo rt . He l
a so s tated th at th e pri n cip al gi an t had on ly
o n e eye.

RA J A H OD I .
—A c c o rd n ig to th e s a m e authori ty, rep t e
s e n ti n
g prob abl y th e o p i n i o n o f m an y o th ers i n th e l o c ali ty,

j
Ra a H o di s c api ta l
’
was O n d, o n the wes tern ban k o f th e
In dus, an d the pl a c e of his death M o h at, as referred to
in th e In
ci But H o di a l s o ha d a seat at A tak
tro du t o n .
,

an d h is te rri to ry wa s n am ed app aren tly fro m as s o ci ati o n

wi th h i m self—U dh e n agri o f U di— n a ri a n d i n th i s c o n n ec

g
-

, ,

ti dn it s h o ul d b e o b s e rve d th at th e n a m e U di o r ! odi as ,

it is spe l t i n th e m aps s till s urvives i n m ore than on e spo t

,

i n the n ei gh bo urh o o d o f A tak o n th e eas tern s i de o f the

I n dus i
But H o di appe ars to h ave bee n s om ethi n g m o re than a
m ere p etty Ch i efta i n fo r we fi n d his m em o ry l argely p res erve d
,
‘

as far wes t as J al al abad i n A fgh an i s tan Wh en en c am ped at .

th at pl ac e duri n g S ir S Bro wn s o c c upati o n o f the vall ey I

’
.
,

l earn t from c ertai n o f th e c o un try fo lk th at he was o n e of th ree -

,
j
b ro th ers all s o n s o f Ra a A frass a evi de n tly the A fras i ab o f ,
'

h i s tory ( Bri gg s M a lzom ea a n P ower i n In di a p lxx) H e i s

’ '
, . .

th ere c all ed H ti di or U di an d h is bro thers are n am ed ,

A ian pos h an d D aran ta allthre e o f th em be i n g c o m m em ora

,

te d irr ( 1 ) H e
,
i di fi ve m il es s o uth o f J al alabad whic h is
, ,

n am ed as H o di s c api ta l h is s um m er p al a c e c o n s i s ti n g o f
’

j
,

vas t h alls excavated in th e c o n gl o m erate o f the ad o i n i n g

l The re i s a S i rk a p ké-
ko t un de r th e h i , two
“ v ll an d a ha f l
i es from S hin ki ari , i n H a i t i , wh e re c oi n s are fo un d
v l
m .

i m p ortan t to rem em b e r tha t th ere was an c ien t y a dis

+ I t is , h owe
tri c t in these parts n am ed U d i
er,
an a , so th a t U
vl
di Rni a
”
m ay b e m ere
y l
the kin g o f U di ( Tra e s of H wen Ths an g, an d o ther authorities )
. .
2 46 A P PE N D I X .

h ill s , in ( 2 ) th e A ian pos h To pe , on an em in en c e l ess tha n a

m il e to t h e s o uth o f J al al ab ad a n d ( 3) i n th e c harm i n g ,

s p o t D arah ta ab o ut fi ve m il e s wes t o f J a l a l ab ad fa m o us fo r
’

l
, ,

i ts gra n d c ave s a n d b e a uti fu to pe s A fras s a s ki n gdo m s ay .

’

th e peo pl e e x ten de d fro m J a m rti d to K a b ul a n d i t was

, ,

k n o wn as Bakta Lan d fro m t h e n a m e o f th e Waz i r o f a

prec e di n g G i a n t ki n g th e grea t N a us hi rwan o f Pe rs i a

“
, ,

( wh o fl o uri s he d fro m A I) 53I to A D s7 p l a n d who fi rs t

. . . .
,

b uil t the fo rtres s o f J am rti d o r rather perhaps th e to pe , , ,

th e re o f th e e x i s ti n g rem ai n s o f the an c i e n t m as o n r e x h i
y
l
,

bi ti n g all t h e c harac te ri s ti c s o f th e Buddh i s t s ty e .

T he s e m eagre t ra di ti o n s are p re s erve d b y th e vill agers

o f Ha i da wh o al s o s ta te th at th e th r e b ro th ers were s l ai n
,
e

by A m iham za t ha t is the I m am A li H am z a th e so n
“
, , ,

in la w o f M uh am m a d th a t m an y o f th e Buddhi s t to pes
-

j
,

were buil t b y Ra a U di th at A ia n po s h wo re as h is n am e , ,

i m pli es a c o a t o f i ro n a n d th at Bara uta rul e d at Barabat

’

l
. .
, ,

I n the Pes ha wur Val e y the fo ll o wi n g tra di ti o n s urvi ves

j
re s p ec ti n g Ra a H o di an d h is bre th ren

A t th e ti m e o f th e s ettl em e n t o f th e Pathan rac es in

“

th e Pes h awur V a ll ey a fo rt h a d b ee n
,
buil t at Ran igat
b y a H i n duq uee n two O f wh o s e b ro th e rs al s o li ve d at

l j
,

C hars adda an d Pes h awur wh i e U di Ra a lived in his fo rt , ,

o ve rl o o ki n g K ha i rab a d o pp os i te A tto c k I t was arran ged .

_

th at wh e n da n ger th reate n e d an y o n e o f the m h e o r sh e ,

s h o ul d li gh t a fi re wh e n th e s m o ke c urli n g up to th e s ky

j
,

wo ul d bri n g the o th ers to th e res c ue Th e H as h tn aggar ra a .

,

to te s t h is re l ati o n s lit a fi re ; t h e y s e ei n gs m oke we n t to his

, , ,

ass i s tan c e o n l y to fi n d i t wa s a fa l s e al arm

, So m e ti m e .
248 A PPE N DI X .

fo r acc o rdi n g to hi m th e quee n th ough b rui s ed an d ,

b roken s till s urvived an d h er h usban d threw her i n to a

, ,

s ac k an d h er l over i n to a n o th er an d l ai d th em o n H o di s
'
,

ho rse sayi n g
,
j
G o ! te ll Ra a Bh atti that h is so n is com i n g
h o m e to h im m arri e d
”
a n d so s tarted the h ors e for A tak
,
-
.

O n the way th i th er h e was s to ppe db y a s c aven ger who o h

servi n g K o kl an s be a uty an d p erc e ivi n g that s he was n o t
’
,

qui te dead to ok h er an d c ure d h er o f her wo un ds after

, ,

wh ich he m arri ed h er S h e b ore h er s c ave n ger h usb an d

.

four so n s, Tehti , K eh ti , K reh ti , an d S eh u

, an d fro m th es e

fo ur des c en d fo ur cl an ib es s ti l dwe lli n g i n th e h ill s of

s or tr l
H azara A n d s ay th e p eo p e yo u c an eas ily s ee thei r l
l
.
, ,

des c e n dan ts are o f a ro ya rac e b ec aus e th ey di spl ay ,

c ertai n royal ch arac teri s tics , as i n n ate arrogan c e an d pri de ,

wh il e at th e sam e ti m e they poss ess q uali ti es of a m ore

i gn obl e sort as m ean n es s an d greed be i n g proofs s till
, ,

exi sti n g o f the i r exal te d an d o f th e i r vill ai n o us o ri gi n .

TH E G A M E O F C H A U PA T —A gam e o f very h igh an tiqui ty

.

i n I n di a A s i n c h ess o f wh ic h it m ay have b een the

.
,

ori gi n it i s pl ayed o n s q uares b ut th e m en

,
wh ich are s ixteen
, ,

i n n um ber in s ets o f fo ur eac h s et di s ti n guis hed by its own

, ,

c ol our are all pa wn s an d th e board wh ich is usually com

, , ,

pos ed of em bro idered c l o th is n o t square buti n the form o f

j
, ,

a c ro ss O n e Ra a N all is tradi ti o n a lly sai d to have been the

j
.

i n ven tor of it I t is s till in great favo ur all over the Pan ab

.

j j
.

The gam e pl ayed by Ra a Ras al u an d Ra a Sirikap

h as m an y p o i n ts in c o m m on wi th th e fam ous gam bli n g m atch
b etween Duryodh an a a n d Yudish th ira in the ven erabl e epic
o f the M ahab harata B C 1 50 0 ( S ee Talb oys Wheel er s
’
. .
, .
 A P P E N DI X . 2 49

Ta les from I n dza n H is tory , p . 1 1 ; an d Dr. H un ter s T/ze

’

I n dia n E m p i re, p .

The fo ll o wi n g rude c ut is fro m i s erably de fe c tiv e

a m

c h ap b ook vers i o n
-
j
o f R a a R as al u p ubli s h e d i n
'

Pan ab i j
a t Lah o re . I t rep resen ts th e t wo ki n gs a t th e m o m e n t
when Ras al u is fi n ally vic tori o us Th e ac ti o n o f th e c o n
.

ten ders th e c al m a tti tude o f th e q ueen

, th e wo ful c o n c e rn ,

o f th e p ri n c es s th e c o m pl ac e n c y
, o f th e bl ac k wh i s ke re d

c at as s he m um bl es th e un res i s ti n
g rat th e atten tive c o m ,

po sure o f th e sp ec tato rs drag ge d i n b y the h ead an d th e ,

graph ic deli n eati o n o f th e fatal gam e are all wo n derfully ,

reali s tic
,
whil e th e m eth o d o f repre s en ti n g th e c ro wde d
even ts o f th e e pi s o de i n a s i n gl e s c en e a fter th e m an n er o f
,

the rude arti s ts o f A n gl o Saxo n an d m e di aeval ti m es i s we l l

-
,

calcul ated to arrest th e s tray fan c y an d to aro us e th e

i n teres t o f the b uc o lic Pan abi j .
2 50 A P PE N DI X
.

to press have se e n

of C a p tai n R C
. .

Tem pl e, a n d fi n d that Ge n era l A bb o tt was th e fi rs t wri te r to

p ub li s h i n En gli sh a s to ry o f Rasal u .H is vers i o n is to b e

1 8 54 , pp .
—1 6 3
1 23 .
 N EW M A N
L I M ITE D ,

0 A L C U T T A
PU BLI S H ERS .

IM PERI A L I N DI A .

INDEX GEOGRA PHICUS I NDI CUS

IN A LIST A L PH A T I CA LL A RR AN D P RIN C I P A L IN
I M P RI A L MA S T S M P IR ACC O M P A NI D NO T S A ND S T A T M N TS
BE G BE Y GE ,
O F T HE PLA C ES HE R

S TA T IST I CA L POLI T I CAL A ND P RO IN C S

’
E JE Y I N D IA N E E, E BY E E E ,

A ND A D M INIS T R A T IONS M P IR N AT I STAT S

, ,
D ES C RI PT I V E , O F TH E S EV E RA L V E

D N T A ND D A TOR ATT AC H D A ND IN P OLI TI CAL R LA

O F TH E E E, T HE VE E ,
I N D EPE N

I TH AC H AND O TH R IN OR MA T ION R LAT IN

E FE U Y, E TO E

INDI A A ND AS T
T I O N S H IP W E ,
E F E G

TO THE E .

Bv J . FR E D E RI C K BA N ES S , F S SC
. . .
( Lan da u)

W ith ei gh t co o ured l M aps .

N am es s p elt in accordan ce wi t]
: th e recen t a uth ori s ed Ort/zography .

I n o n e V o lum e , S up e r - ro ya l8 vo .
, h a lf b -
o un d R o a n .

Tw e lv e R up e e s .

wo rk s its kin d tha t we

v ha s p ro duc ed o n e of the m os t co m p lete of
M r . Ba n es s

I n dian geo gra p h y an d s ta tis t ic s i t s ta n ds wi tho ut

vl v
ha e s ee n . A s a c o m p en dium of

words m us t b e t aken i n the ir wide s t s en s e to c on ey a co rre c t ide a

ri a , an d th es e
W he th e r a a c om pan i o n to s uch olum in ous works v
o f th e i n fo rm a t io n it c o n ta in s
l v ll v l l
.

H un t er o r as a s ub s ti tute fo r th e m , i t wi l p ro e eq ua y a ua b e ,
l
as th os e of Dr . ,

v l
an d n o I n dian o fii c e or s tudy s ho u d b e with o ut it .

we ha b ee n ab e t o t es t it , is b e yon d p ra is e ,

l
Th e ac c ura cy o f th e work , as fa r as e

ogra p h y is b e a uti fuly n ea t an d c le ar

”
—C al
c ut ta R e vi ew
d th e typ
.

W . N E WM A N Co .
, LD . , l
Pub is hers , C a c utta l .
 l wh e th e r we l work, its wide usefu l
l l l
On the who e, re ga rd th e c o m p e ten ess o f th is

v
n es s , o r its han din es s , we ca n n o t b ut c o m e t o t he c o n c us ion th at it is ike y to fi n d
yt
v
i ts wa o t he de s k of e e ry m a n wh o wis h es fo r i n fo rm a ti o n a b out I n dia To our .

ki n d ye t b ro ught ”
kin g, it s upers edes wo rk o f t he out. ln dzan Da il
'

t h in e e ry -
y

vl v
l l l
Th e wo rk is a m ar e a t o n ce of c om p reh en si e n e ss an d com pre ss ion . So far

l l l l
from i ts b ein g a m ere is t o f n a m e s , th e re i s h a rd y an y s ubje c t, ge ogra ph ica , s ta tis

ll
t ica , p o i tica , e th n ic a l or so c i a , co n n ec t e d with o ur I n dian Em p i re , in res pect o f

wh ich i t wi n ot b e fo un d a m in e of i n form a tion .

v
l l v
A fte r an e x am in a t oni o f th e b oo k, we b elie e we ca n safel
y s ay that there is n o

v l
fac t o f im po rta n ce wh ic h c an fa ir y b e h e d to b e in clude d in th e ab o e c om prehe n

v fi l v l v
si e ti t e wh ich t he s tude n t ca n n ot fi n d in a m o m en t, as s o on a he has un ders to od
work
v v
th e pla n of the E e ry I n di an o f c ia e e ry I n dian pub ic is t, e e ry
. ,
pe rso n

l— l v l
wh o de s ires to kn ow I n dia , an d to ha e at h an d a re a dy m ea n s o f erifyin g, c orrec t
i n g, or co m p e t in g h is k n o wle dge , s h o u d h a s te n to p ro ide him se f wi th M r. Ban ess
’
I n dex . S ta term an .

v
ll v l
M r. I . F Ba n
. ess , o f th e S ur ey D e p art m en t , h as put togeth er, in

l— l
m o derat ely sm a o um e , an e n o rm o us a m o un t o f in form a t ion ab o ut the
geography

v v l
of I n dia . I t is to all in te n t s a n d p urp o s es an I n dia Ga zet teer a n d A t as ; an d wi l
us eful, if n o t a n ec e s s i ty , t o p e op le wh o k n o w e ry li t t e of In dia s uch as n ew
p ro e

c om ers an d S e c re ta rie s of S t a te as we ll a s t o t ho s e who are b ett er i n form e d

P i on eer .

Th e wo rk , t h e fi rs t o f i ts kin d e ver p ub lis h e d, willb e fo un d of the greates t use

to I n dia n o fli c ia ls , an d in dee d t o lwho m ake t h e
al I n di a n em p ire a s ubjec t of S ‘ U dyc

Cfo il a n d [Mili ta ry Ga z ette .

fi
l v
The b oo k willh e fo un d o f th e grea te s t us e to o f c ia l
s an dn on of
-
fi c als i who wish

ll
to o b ta in acc urate i n form a tio n ab o ut I n dia M ay be sa id to c on ta in
.
n ea r y e ery

th in g th a t is req uire d to b e kn o wn a b out I n dia , an d th e m a t t er is we arra n ged .

w _ 3a n a lore S ec ta tor
g fi .

fi
l ll l
A s a h an dy b oo k o f re fere n c e , b o th h e re an d i n I n dia , this in dex , the rs t of its

l
k in d re a ti n g to m o dern I n dia n ge ogra p h y , wi b e fo un d of m uch prac tic a con

ien
l l
pres s i n g a s i t do es i n a s i n g e h a n dy v c lum e t he c hief geographical,
v
ven ce , co m

p o lit ica , an d s t at is t ic a po in ts o f o ur a s t I n dia n E m p ire , fe r wh ich sea rc h has

fi l l v
h ithe rto had to b e m ade in th e old ge n e ra l ga ze t te e r of Thorn ton o r the m ore
,

wo rks
l l l
m odern s e para t e o f c ia of a s m i i a r n a t ure re fe rr n i g to s o m e o f the
pro in ces

The lon g is t o f c lo s e y p rin te d n a m es in do ub e c o lum n a t th e e n d o f b ook, eac h

with b ri e f re fere n ce to i ts dis tric t a n d p ro i n c e, is i ts elf p rac tic a y a m o dern v ll
P roceedi n g s of the R oy a l G eograpfi gm lS oci ety
"

gaze tte e r o f I n dia .

-
.

W . N E WM A N Co .
, LD .
, l
Pub is hers , C a l cutta.
 T H E I N D IA N
.

A M A TEUR G A R D EN ER .

Practical H i n ts o n th e C ul tivati o n of Garden Flowers

an d i m p orte d V e etabl e S ee ds , adap ted fo r th e Pl ai n s o f
g
Ben gal, the N orth We s t Pro vi n c es , an d H ill Stati o n s
- .

Fro m s c om pil ed duri n g eighteen years exp erien ce

n o te
‘

of Garde n i n g in I n di a .

Bv LA N D OLI CU S I ll ustrated cl oth Rs 5

.
, . .

TH E I N D IA N

A M A TE U R R O S E G A R D E N E R .

P RA C TI C A L D I RE CTIO N S FO R TH E C U LTI V A TI O N
A N D PROP O GA TI O N O F RO S E S ,

IN TH E P A I L NS A ND HI LL S TA TI O NS OF I N DI A .

BY LA N D O LI CU S,

A utlzor of The I n di a n A m a teur G a rden er

.

I ull
s trated with Four Plates an d Twen ty-n in e W oodcuts .

C l o th . Rs 3 .

DA I N TY D IS H ES

I N D I A N TA BLES .

c om pl ete M an ual o f C ookery for

A the A n gl o I n di an
-

H ous eho l d S ec on d E di ti on
. Rs 6 . .

W . N EWM A N Co LD .
, l
Pub ishers , C a cutta l .
 N EW M A N S
’

T A RG E T R E G I S T E R .

W I TH A FE W P R A C TI C A L H I N TS FO R
S H OO TI N G M EN .

C O M P I L ED BY A N O LD V O LU N TEER .

P ocket B ook , 5 % by 4 i n cites .

N ew edi ti o n . R I .

T A RG E T P R A C T I C E .

TH E S O LD I ER S VO LU N TE E R S H A N D BO O K
’ ’
.

H OW TO S H O OT STR A I G HT .

Wi th D i agram s. By I H WE BS TER
. . . Rs 2 .

T H E S TA FF O FFIC E R S
’

FIELD M EM ORA NDUM A ND NOTE BOOK .

S ize 7 x i n di es .

IN L I M P L EA TH E R W ITH TW O POC K ETS ,

Be mc il C arbo n Paper an d E l as tic Ban d Rs

,
.
3 .

T H E RE C O N N O I TE R E R S
’

GU I D E A N D FI E L D BO O K .

A D A P TE D FO R I N DI A
j
.

BY M .
J . K I N G H A RM A N , M a
-
o r,

Ben gal S taff C o r

ps .

Po cket Bo o k form , 7 by 5 i n ch es lim p l eath er

,
. Rs

W . N E WM A N Co .
, LD .
, l
Pub ishers , Ca c utta l .
 M I X E D P I C K LE S
J O TTI N G S FRO M A S U R EYO R
’
S FIELD BOO K I NV -

M YS O RE, TH E H I M A LA YA S , A N D A S S A M .

BY TH E PI LGR IM .

I n C ro wn 8 v0, ill us trated boards . Rs 2 .

T H E H E A RT S E A S E ;
O R, D A I LY TH O U G H TS .

A N E W A N N IV E R S A R Y G I FT BO O K .

C O M PI LED BY M RS . H .
J R EY N O L D S
. .

C o n tain i n g a Vers e fro m Sc rip ture an d a H ym n

ev ery day o f th e year, wi th pl ac es for A utographs ,

S p eci al Se l e c ti o n s for the pri n c i p al C h urch Fe s tival s .

In cl o th b evell ed bo ards
, , gil t, red edges , Rs z -o

G il t e dge s , RS 2 - 8.

TH E N E W I M PR O V ED

LAWN TENNI S SCORI NG BOOK .

C on i n i n g 30 Form s arran
ta ged fo r R egi s teri n g Sc ore s
at com p etiti on s Price Re 1
. . .

W . N EW M A N Co .
, LD l
Pub ish ers , C a l c utta.
 E S S A Y S

O N TH E

HI N DU FA M ILY I N BENGA L .

BU LLO R A M M U LLI C K, B A . .
,

judge of th e Court f
o Sm al
l Ca m e; for M e S uburbs o f Ca lcutta .

In s ti ff h o a rds , Rs 2 in l
c o th, gi t ll e ttered, RS 3 .

A se t o f S ke tc hes whic h wi ll be rec o gn i se d as an i m portan t co n

t rib uti on fi rs t to th e c a us e O f soc ia l an d do m es ti c refo rm an d in ci

ll v l
, ,

de n ta y to th e s eries o f p ic ture s of a ery n o tab e ra c e pai n ted b y

th e m lv M of th es e ha v b een for l g tim e b e fore the
l l l l l
se es . an y e a on

pub ic The n ew b ook , whi e i t to uc h es o n th e his tori c a , ega , an d

l l
.

B
’
phi os o ph ic a po i n ts e m b rac e d in S i J
r Ph ea s treati s e
r on th e

V ll l l l
. .

i a ge , is o f a m o re de tai ed, hom e y, an d fam i i ar type t reati n g fi rs t

Of th e fam i y s ys te ml i n I n dia , i ts o rigi n d hi s to ry, d th en v

gi i n g a
l
an an
"
c h a p te r o f de tai ed desc ri pti on to ea c h o f i ts m ost i m po rtan t m em b ers .

Ci vi l a n d M ili tary Gazette .

We l
gra tu ate th e a uth o r o n th e pro duc tion of a vl o um e

l l l
-
m ay c o n

a t on c e usefu an d terta i n i n g By desc ri b in g th e H in du fam i y ife

ll l
en .

”
i m partia y, he h as prob ab y don e so m e th i n g to h as ten i ts decay .

The b oo k b e fo re us
'

b o dies th e auth or s
’
v i e ws on wo rki n g
th e

l l
em

of o i n t fam i y s ys tem i n Ben ga

the j m a tured as the y b yh i s o wn
l v l l
,
are

readi n hi s ex ten s i kn w e dge g ean ed th rough

l l l
m an
g as a so e o y years
e x pe rien ce O f Law I t is written in a fam i i ar, p e as an t s ty e, wi th n o

l v l
.

p rete n s i on s to pro fo un dn ess , o r origi n a tho ugh t, b ut gi i n g a p eas an t

l
s k etch o f the fam i ys ys tem as i t s trike s an O b se r er a t th e fi rs t v v ie w .

—Li ber a l.

W . N EW M A N dt C o .
, LD .
, l
Pub ishers , Ca c utta l .