A VIRTOUS QUEEN DOD GEHALI/ GAILOVAT IN THE ANNALS OF LORD PABUJI RATHORE - IMMORTAL RAJPUTS

पेट फाड़ पटकै सिसू ,

रण खेतां खूंखार |

बगसै माफ़ी बिरियाँ ,

सरणाई साधार ||१६६||

माता ने अपना पेट चीर कर जो पुत्र उत्पन्न किया ,वह युद्ध क्षेत्र में खूंखार सिद्ध हुआ | वह शरण में आए शत्रुओं को क्षमा प्रदान कर क्षात्र धर्म की मर्यादा निभाता है |

बुझियोड़ी सिलगै भलै,

इण धरती आ काण |

सौ बरसां नह बीसरै,

बैर चुकावण बाण ||१६७||

इस धरती की यह परम्परा है कि यह बुझी हुई सी प्रतीत होने वाली सुलगती रहती है | इसीलिए ही मरुधरा की यह परम्परा है कि यहाँ के लोग प्रतिशोध लेने की बात सौ वर्ष तक भी नहीं भूलते है |

सुरग भोग सुख लोक रौ,

चाहूं नी करतार |

बदलौ लेवण बैरियां,

जलमूं बारम्बार ||१६८||

हे ईश्वर ! मुझे इस लोक व स्वर्ग के भोगों की तनिक भी कामना नहीं है , किन्तु मैं चाहता हूँ कि शत्रुओं से बदला लेने के लिए बार-बार जन्म लेता रहूँ |

माथां हाथां लोथडां,

बैठै नह गिरजांह |

सुणी बात, ले बैर नित,

ओ प्रण रजपुतांह ||१६९||

युद्ध क्षेत्र में वीर गति प्राप्त हुए शूरवीर का शव पड़ा हुआ है | उसके सिर,हाथ व शरीर के मृत अंगों पर गीद्ध नहीं बैठ रहे है ,क्योंकि उन्होंने यह बात सुन रखी है कि राजपूतों का यह प्रण होता है कि वे सदैव अपना बदला (बैर) अवश्य लेते है | अर्थात उनको (गिद्धों को) यह भय है कि इनके मृत अंगों को खाने पर यह हमसे भी बदला लेगा |

माल उड़ाणा मौज सूं,

मांडै नह रण पग्ग |

माथा वे ही देवसी ,

जाँ दीधा अब लग्ग ||१७०||

मौज से माल उड़ाने (खाने) वाले लोग कभी रण क्षेत्र में कदम नहीं रखते | युद्ध क्षेत्र में मस्तक कटाने तो वे ही लोग जायेंगे जो अब तक युद्ध क्षेत्र में अपना बलिदान देते आये है |

दीधाँ भासण नह सरै,

कीधां सड़कां सोर |

सिर रण में भिड़ सूंपणों,

आ रण नीती और ||१७१||

सड़कों पर नारे लगाने व भाषण देने से कोई कार्य सिद्ध नहीं होता | युद्ध में भिड़ कर सिर देने की परम्परा तो शूरवीर ही निभाते है |

The extreme case is perhaps that of the scenes depicting the birth and childhood of Rūpnāth, the avenger of the Rāṭhoṛe heroes is son of King Būṛo (brother of Lord Pabu Ji Rathore) Queen Dod Gehali/Gailovat (wife of King buro and daughter of Dod Ruler of Didwana).

Following are a translation of the Vāta Pābūjī rī occurring in the seventeenth-century Chronicle (Khyāta) of Mũhato Naiṇasī (Sākariyā 1964, pp. 58–79). A synopsis of this Vāta was published by L. P. Tessitori (1916, pp. 110–14)

the beginning of a sequence. Dhā̃dhal lived in Mahevo. He left Mahevo and came and halted by the lake in Pāṭaṇ.Now nymphs (apsarases) used to come down to the lake. When Dhā̃dhal’s tents were set up, the nymphs came down. Then Dhā̃dhal saw the nymphs, and caught one of them and kept her. The nymph said,‘O great Rajpūt! You have done wrong. You should not have caught me, for I am a nymph.’ Then Dhā̃dhal said, ‘You live with me.’ The nymph replied, ‘If you spy on me I shall go.’ Then Dhā̃dhal said, ‘I shall not spy on you.’ On this stipulation she remained. And they left Pāṭaṇ and came to Koḷū. Pamo Ghorandhār was the ruler in Koḷū. Dhā̃dhal did not go to see Pamo. He came to Koḷū and stayed where he had parked his wagons. In the course of time two children were born of the nymph’s womb, one a daughter, one a son. The daughter’s name was Sonā̃, the son’s name was Pābūjī. Then a private dwelling was made for the nymph. There the nymph lived. Dhā̃dhal went daily to the nymph’s house. Now there were two sons, Pābūjī and Būṛo. Būṛo ascended the throne. Subjects and servants, all went to Būṛo. None stayed with Pābūjī. Dhā̃dhal had had two daughters: Pemā̃ was married to Jindrāv Khī̃cī and Sonā̃ was married to the Devaṛo ruler of Sirohī. Now Būṛo was the ruler. Pābūjī was (only) about five years old, but he was a miracle-worker. Alone he would ride out to hunt on his single she-camel and bring back game. This was how things stood. Now there were seven Thorī brothers, born of one mother: Cā̃do, Devo, Khāpū, Pemalo, Khalmal, Khaṅghāro and Cāsaḷ. These seven brothers were the servants of Āno Vāghelo. Now famine struck Āno’s land. Then the Thorīs killed an animal. Āno’s son came to hear that the Thorīs had killed the animal. Then he came. He challenged the Thorīs. A quarrel broke out between the Thorīs and Āno’s son. Āno’s son was killed. Then the Thorīs, after killing Āno’s son, yoked (beasts to) their wagons, took their children and fled. Āno came to hear that the Thorīs had killed his son and were fleeing. Then he mounted and caught up with them. They fought. The Thorīs’ father was killed. When Āno had killed their father he returned. From then on, to whose so ever house the Thorīs went, no-one would take them in. They said, ‘We are no match for Āno Vāghelo.’ Then the Thorīs travelled and travelled, and came to Pamo Ghorandhār’s house. Pamo took the Thorīs in. Then his advisers and ministers said, ‘Sir! These Thorīs have come after killing Āno’s son. If you take them in, hostility will arise between you and Āno. We are no match for Āno.’ Then Pamo too, fearing Āno, bade the Thorīs farewell. He said, ‘Go to the descendants of Dhā̃dhal. They will take you in.’ Then the Thorīs took their wagons and came before Būṛo. They came, paid their respects to Būṛo, and said, ‘Sir! If you will take us in, we shall stay.’ Then Būṛo refused. He said, ‘I have no need of you. But my brother Pābūjī has no servants: he will take you in.’ Then the Thorīs parked their wagons and came to Pābūjī’s house. They asked, ‘Where is Pābūjī?’ The nurse said, ‘Pābūjī has gone to hunt.’ Then the Thorīs too went to hunt behind him. Before them Pābūjī aimed an arrow at a deer. His she-camel was seated. At this point the Thorīs asked, ‘Hey, lad! Where is Pābūjī?’ Then Pābūjī answered, ‘Pābūjī is gone ahead to hunt.’ Then the Thorīs decided thus: ‘This lad is standing here; let us take the she-camel and have our today’s meal.’ So the Thorīs thought. Now Pābūjī was wise and brave. He perceived what they had in mind. Pābūjī said, ‘Hey, Thorīs! You take this she-camel and have your today’s meal. When Pābūjī comes I shall tell you.’ Then the Thoris took the she-camel and came to their tent. There they killed the she-camel and had it for their meal in the tent. Now in the last watch (of the day) Pābūjī came to his tent bringing a deer. And during the last watch the Thorīs too came to pay their respects to Pābūjī. Before them Pābūjī was seated. Then the Thorīs thought. They said (to themselves), ‘Hey! This is the same one who gave us the she-camel.’ Then the Thoris asked the nurse, ‘Madam! Where is pabuji?’ The nurse replied, ‘Hey, brother! He is seated here; do you not recognise him?’ They paid their respects to Pābūjī. Then Pābūjī said to Cā̃do, ‘Hey, Cā̃do! Where is my she-camel that I entrusted to you?’ Cā̃do replied, ‘Sir! You gave it us for our meal, so we have eaten it.’ Then Pābūjī said, ‘What? What do you mean ,you ate the she-camel?I shall have food given you for your meal. But how could  one eat a she-camel?’ Then he added, ‘You did not eat the she-camel.’ Then the Thorīs answered, ‘We did eat the she-camel; we can hardly bring it back to you now.’ Then Pābūjī appointed a man(togo) with them, and said, ‘Go to their tent, and find out.’ The Thorīs went with the man to the tent, and what did they see?

Where bones had been lying, there was that same she-camel, fettered and chewing the cud. They went, and what did they see? The she-camel was seated there. Then the Thorīs asked their wives, ‘How did this she-camel get here?’ Their wives like wise replied, ‘Sirs! It was not there before. We too have only just seen it.’ Then the Thorīs thought, 

This Rajpūt is a great miracle-worker. He will take us in.’ They came before Pābūjī, bringing the she-camel with them. Then Pābūjī said, ‘Hey! You told me you had eaten the she-camel.’ The Thorīs replied, ‘Sir! We understand(now). You have shown us your power, sir.’ Then Pābūjī said, ‘Then you will stay?’ The Thorīs answered, ‘Sir! We shall stay.’ Then the Thorīs stayed with Pābūjī as his servants. This was how things stood. Then Būṛo’s daughter(Kelaṇ) was married to Gogo(Cauhāṇ). When the time came to give wedding gifts to the girl, how will you bring his she-camel and said answered when gogo laughed then gogo set out and went to his own place. afterwards these days dodo sister jmaro maro is called a second said="" said to hariyo shall bring the she-camels.shall fetch dodo herds of she-camels to give you. some promised cows some promised other things. then the Thorī, ‘Hey, Hariyo! Go and look for Dodo’s she-camels, so that we may bring them and give them to him, hariyo went to look for the she-camels. when will your uncle bring the she-camels to give your daughter the people in her husband home will laugh they will say, Meanwhile, Cā̃do kept saying to Pābūjī, ‘Iowe Āno Vāghelo a debt of vengeance; help me to pay it off, sir.’ Then Pābūjī replied, ‘Indeed, I shall help you.’ At this time Pābūj’s sister Sonā̃ and Sonā̃’s Vāghelī co-wifewere(once) playing caupaṛ. Now Vāghelī’s father(ĀnoVāghelo) had given her many ornaments, and Vāghelī made much of her orna-ments and praised them greatly. Then they began to quarrel with each other. Then Vāghelī taunted Sonā̃. She said, ‘Your brother eats in the company of Thorīs.’ Sonā̃ grew angry. Then the king of Sirohī, her husband,) said, ‘O Rāṭhoṛ woman! Why are you angry? She speaks the truth, in that Pābūjī does sit in the company of Thorīs.’ Then Sonā̃ answered, ‘What you say is true; but you have no ministers like my brother’s Thorīs.’ Thus spoke Sonā̃, where upon the king became enraged. In the king’s hand was a whip, and he dealt her three lashes with it. Then Sonā̃ wrote a letter and sent it to Pābūjī. She wrote thus: ‘At Vāghelī’s word the king struck me.’ A man took the letter and gave it into Pābūjī’s hand. Pābūjī read the letter and summoned Cā̃do, and said, ‘Make ready. We shall ride against the king of Sirohī. A letter has come from my sister.’ Then the seven Thorīs mounted for Pābūjī to ride there was the mare Kāḷamī. The Kāchelo Cāraṇs had gone to these a to load a cargo and they took with them a mare. With it they came to the edge of the sea they halted. then a tejala horse came out and mounted the mare. the folk asked them. then they having made this promise he took the mare.  but still they would not give her.  Then the loss for the mare have given the mare to you if ever you should have need when they said if ever we have need we asked them of the sea put on my shoes. said she gave the mare to shall not stop to would not give her. and then come to our aid. was born to her. jindrav were angry with the Cāraṇs.

EPISODE OF PABUJI RATHORE AND DODS OF DIDWANO

Then Pābūjī mounted and came to Būṛo’s house. He paid his respects to Būṛo. Then he voiced his respects to his sister-in-law, who was inside. A servant-girl went inside and said to Ḍoḍ-Gehalī, ‘Madam! Pābūjī has sent you his respects.’ Then Ḍoḍ-Gehalī said to the servant-girl, ‘Go and tell my brother-in-law that his sister-in-law summons him inside.’ The servant-girl went and told him. Then Pābūjī went inside. Ḍoḍ-Gehalī said, ‘Pābūjī! You should not have taken the mare from the Cāraṇs. Your brother had asked for the mare, so you should not have taken her.’ Then Pābūjī replied, ‘If my brother is to take the mare, here she is.’ His sister-in-law answered, ‘For what purpose should he take her now? But what will you do with the mare? Plough your fields and sit down to eat? Rather it seems that now you have taken the mare you will go on plundering expeditions.’ Then Pābūjī said, ‘If Būṛo is to take the mare, take her. You taunt me, but I too am a Rajpūt; I too need the mare. And since you speak of plunder, I shall fetch the mares of Ḍīḍvāṇo itself.’ Thus spoke Pābūjī. Then Ḍoḍ-Gehalī replied, ‘Sir, my brothers are not such men as would allow you to bring back plunder. Why, they would catch up with you on the road and arrest you, and know that you were the brother of their brother-in-law, and so not kill you but (bind your arms) behind your back and make you weep bitterly.’ Then Pābūjī said, ‘I am a Rāṭhoṛ. Have you ever heard of a Ḍoḍ beating a Rāṭhoṛ?’ The Ḍoḍs ruled in Ḍīḍvāṇo; there Būṛo had been married. Then Pābūjī, after quarrelling with his sister-in-law, came back to the tent. Then he summoned Cā̃do, and said, ‘Cā̃do! We shall go to the Devaṛos (of Sirohī) afterwards; first we shall plunder Ḍīḍvāṇo.’ Then Pābūjī mounted. The seven Thorī brothers mounted. They travelled and travelled, and came near to Ḍīḍvāṇo. Then Pābūjī threw down his quiver at a certain spot, and sat down. He left his mare nearby. And the Thorīs took a herd of she-camels, and drove them to that place. Then the camel-herd went before the Ḍoḍs and cried, ‘Sirs! They have taken the she-camels; ride in pursuit.’ The Ḍoḍs asked, ‘About how many riders are there?’ He replied, ‘Sirs! There are seven Thorīs on foot making away with their spoils.’ Then they rode in pursuit, until the Thorīs with the she-camels appeared in front of them. The riders, pursuing from behind, came level with the spot where Pābūjī was seated. Then Pābūjī loosed some arrows. As a result, ten men of the Ḍoḍs were killed. Then Pābūjī called to Cā̃do, and to theother Thorīs too, ‘Comeback!’

The Thorīs turned back. They took their horses and mounted. Meanwhile, the leader of the Ḍoḍs caught up with them from behind. Then the Thorīs who were with Pābūjī captured the Ḍoḍ leader. Then the remainder of the Ḍoḍs’ company turned back. Pābūjī said, ‘Release the she-camels. Our business was with these Ḍoḍs, so take them with us.’ Then, taking the Ḍoḍs with them, they travelled through the night until they came to Koḷū. They placed the Ḍoḍs in the assembly-hall. And they themselves went into the palace and slept. Then dawn came, and Pābūjī awoke. Hesaidtothenurse, ‘Nurse! You go to Ḍoḍ-Gehali and summon her here. Tell her that Pābūjī said, Come, sister-in-law, and see my palace; I have had it made anew.’ Then the nurse went to summon Būṛo’s wife. And Pābūjī said to the Thorīs, ‘Cā̃do! Bind the Ḍoḍs’ arms behind their backs with their turbans, make them weep by pinching them with your fingers, and place them standing beneath the window.’ Then Cā̃do took the Ḍoḍs and brought them beneath Pābūjī’s window, and stood there. Meanwhile, the nurse went to Ḍoḍ-Gehalī and said, ‘Mistress! Pābūjī summons you. He says, I have had my palace made anew; pray come and see it.’ Then Ḍoḍ-Gehalī sat in her ox-carriage and came to see Pābūjī’s palace. Before her was seated Pābūjī; he rose and paid his respects to her. He said, ‘Mistress sister-in-law! Beneath the window is a show: behold it.’ She began to look through the wind Rajpūts; taunts should be addressed to wicked sons.' Then Ḍoḍ-Gehalī said, ‘You have done well. Now release them.

Then at his sister-in-law’s word Pābūjī released the Ḍoḍs. 

EPISODE OF KING BURO AND KHICHI  RULERS OF JAYAL

King Būṛo was seated in his court at Koḷū; as he sat there Būṛo raised the matter of hunting. Būṛo in his court at Koḷū Būṛosits on the left; facing him are two anonymous ‘courtier’ figures, who will later represent visitors such as Cā̃do. Below are Būṛo’s two mares, the brown Phūl-Vacherī and the red Ḍhel. On the right stands Deval, who will arrive later to demand Būṛo’s help after the theft of her cattle — though this sequence also has a scene to itself. ‘Fasten saddles on the horses, my knights! Būṛo is setting off to hunt pig.’ King Būṛo put a wooden saddle on his mare Ḍhel; Olord, he set out and went to hunt pig. OBūṛo, pale dawn came in the land; at the break of day Būṛo urged on his mare Ḍhel. King Būṛo went into the wild; instead of pig a hare appeared in front of him. King Būṛo gave up pig; he pressed his mare Ḍhel in pursuit of the hare. Būṛo whipped up his mare Ḍhel in pursuit of the hare; he galloped his mare in pursuit of the hare for twelve kos, King Būṛo struck at the hare with his sword; the wounded hare set out and arrived at the assembly of (Sārãgde) Khī̃cī in Jāyal. Olord, the courtiers of Sārãgde Khī̃cī were seated proudly;

the hare arrived at the seated assembly and fled beneath a rug. Khī̃cī thrust the hare beneath a rug; Būṛo arrived from his pursuit and called out a greeting. Khī̃cī’s courtiers were seated proudly; in the crowded assembly-room Būṛo, mounted on his mare, paid his respects.

The Khī̃cī court at Jāyal The Khī̃cī ruler sits on the right; two male figures face him. In the present context the ruler is Sārãgde Khī̃cī and one of the male figures is Būṛo; later the same figures will represent Sārãgde’s son Jindrāv Khī̃cī and his courtiers. The proud king (Sārãgde Khī̃cī) asked Būṛo what was on his mind: ‘King Būṛo, tell me what is on your mind! On what great business have you come today to my assembly’s session?’ (Būṛo answered,) ‘O Sārãgde Khī̃cī, the (Sun-)god with his rising rays disposes of (serious) business; I have come to your assembly, Khī̃cī, on a (minor) domestic matter. I whipped up my mare Ḍhel for twelve kos; I mounted to hunt pig; instead of pig a hare appeared in front of my mare. The wounded hare, Khī̃cī, arrived at the edge of your rug; give me the hare that arrived here!’ Then Sārãgde Khī̃cī considered, and what did he say? ‘King Būṛo, you have formed a foolish idea in your mind; I shall keep the hare that arrived here in my protection. OBūṛo, either give up your claim to the hare, or take the hare’s body to your court in Koḷū; I shall not give you the head today, nor tomorrow.’ King Būṛo considered, and what did he say? ‘(To offer me) the body insults me, a Rāṭhoṛ. I shall not take the hare’s headless body today, nor tomorrow. Listen, O Khī̃cī of Jāyal! In retaliation for this hare there will be a great war; in the hare’s name swords will ring between the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs.'

 Būṛo and Sārãgde Khī̃cī dispute over the hare Būṛo, riding his mare Ḍhel and accompanied by a courtier, does battle with Sārãgde Khī̃cī, who rides behind the mahout of his elephant; above is the hare, being chased under a shield by a dog (JCM). The paṛ thus depicts an armed conflict where the epic narrative has a mere verbal exchange. King Būṛo mounted his mare Ḍhel; he set out and came straight to Koḷū. King Būṛo went and sat in his palace (lofty as) a hovering cloud; Būṛo sat there disconsolate in mind. OBūṛo, Queen Gailovat asked you what simple matter was on your mind: ‘O Rāṭhoṛ, why are you sitting disconsolate in mind?’ (Būṛo answered,) ‘Queen Gailovat, do not ask me what simple matter is on my mind! The words of Sārãgde Khī̃cī are striking at my vital organs. I went to hunt pig; instead of pig a hare appeared in front of my mare. The hare went into Khī̃cī’s court; it went and expired under a rug. I went into the session of Khī̃cī’s assembly; I went and spoke out to Khī̃cī; but Khī̃cī did not give me the hare. Khī̃cī considered, and what did he say? “Either you take the body (or give up your claim to the hare); and you will not get the head today, nor tomorrow.” Khī̃cī spoke sarcastic words to me; his words are striking at my delicate internal vital organs. Khī̃cī (said that he) would employ Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo to oversee his granaries; he (said that he) would employ Pābūjī to serve in his bedchamber.’ At this point what did Gailovat say? ‘King Būṛo, today you have become afraid of this Khī̃cī, or else, O Būṛo, you have acknowledged misgivings about Khī̃cī. If you had met your end in battle I should have gone and become a satī at the well of Gū̃javo; but you returned home through fear of fighting!’ Pābūjī was seated in his court at Koḷū;


as he sat there he raised the matter of Būṛo. ‘Cā̃do my chieftain, yesterday at dawn Būṛo went to hunt pig; go and bring news of the great hero Būṛo!’ So let us see whether Cā̃do came to Būṛo’s place, and whether he asked him about the hunt. O chieftain Cā̃do, anger arose in your mind; (Cā̃do) returned to Lord Pābūjī’s glorious assembly. Pābūjī was seated on a tasselled rug which he had spread out; the great lord Pābūjī raised with Cā̃do the matter of his brother’s hunt of the previous day. ‘Cā̃do my chieftain, you went to Būṛo’s great fort; how did Būṛo describe his hunt of yesterday?’ (Cā̃do answered,) ‘Pābūjī, King Būṛo went to hunt pig; instead of pig Būṛo drove his mare Ḍhel in pursuit of a hare. Olord, the hare ran away and fled, and went into the Khī̃cīs’ camp; Sārãgde Khī̃cī had let loose his cattle within (our) borders; The weary hare went and found a place in Khī̃cī’s assembly. King Būṛo asked for the hare; Sārãgde Khī̃cī spoke a painful speech. What did he say to Būṛo? “You take the body, and I shall not give you the head today, nor tomorrow.” OPābūjī, Sārãgde Khī̃cī spoke words to us; his words are striking at my delicate vital organs. He (said that he) would employ Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo to oversee his granaries; he (said that he) would employ you, Pābūjī, to serve in his bedchamber.’ The great lord Pābūjī considered, and spoke out: ‘Cā̃do, mount your horse; travel to Khī̃cī’s glorious assembly! Cā̃do my chieftain, go yourself to Khī̃cī’s rug; go and remonstrate directly with Khī̃cī!’ Cā̃do the chieftain took his shield and his tasselled sword; with (the weight of his shield he stepped like a frightened wild peacock. Cā̃do mounted his horse; he set out and went to Sārãgde Khī̃cī’s glorious assembly. The courtiers of Sārãgde Khī̃cī were seated proudly; in the crowded assembly-room Cā̃do went and paid his respects. Now before him Sārãgde Khī̃cī’s stone-carver was seated; let me tell you, he was carving boundarystones, and setting them up himself within the borders of the Rāṭhoṛs. So Cā̃do went and said to the stone-carver, ‘O stone-carver, do not strike with the chisel you have in your hand!’ Then the stone-carver considered, and said, ‘O Cā̃do, you have formed a foolish idea in your mind; Sārãgde Khī̃cī’s army rides hundreds of thousands of horses; OCā̃do, today in the army of the Khī̃cīs they will kill you painfully!’ Ochieftain Cā̃do, anger arose in your mind against the stone-carver; Cā̃do flared up and cut off the stone-carver’s head. Sārãgde was sitting waiting for Cā̃do; he flared up and brandished his spear at Cā̃do.

EPISODE OF PABUJI AND SARANGDE

The lady Deval stood there holding the trident of Mother Karṇī; she came and spoke out to Cā̃do and Khī̃nci. ‘O chieftain Cā̃do, do not strike at Sārãgde Khī̃cī with your sword! (Otherwise) ill-repute will attach to Lakṣmaṇa, the ascetic deity of the sand-desert.’ So Cā̃do considered, and what did he say? ‘Lady Deval, may your family today go to the bad! You have come and struck up an alliance between me and Khī̃cī in the midst of a battle. OKhī̃cī, stay alert in your mind! I did not bring the command of Lakṣmaṇa, the ascetic deity of the sand-desert.’ Then what did Sārãgde say? ‘O Cā̃do, do not be so very proud of your Lord Pābūjī! I shall employ Pābūjī to serve in my bedchamber.’ OCā̃do, great anger arose in your mind; Cā̃do flared up and set off back to Koḷū. Lord Pābūjī’s courtiers were seated proudly; in the crowded assembly-room Cā̃do went and paid his respects.  OCā̃do, Pābūjī asked you what you had to say: ‘In what kind of mood did Sārãgde discuss matters with you?’ (Cā̃do answered,) ‘O great lord Pābūjī, how could matters be discussed? Sārãgde (said that he) would employ Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo to oversee his granaries; he (said that he) would employ Pābūjī to serve in his bedchamber.’ (Pābūjī said,) ‘Cā̃do my chieftain, speak a little more softly and sweetly; Pābūjī’s warrior Ḍhẽbo is listening nearly, Pābūjī (and his companions) mounted their five horses; O lord, they set out and went to Khī̃cī’s glorious assembly. In (Pābūjī’s) army the war-drums were beating rhythmically; in Pābūjī’s splendid army the kettledrum was beating with a roar. The teams of horses of (Pābūjī’s) chieftains ran on at great speed; in front of them all Ḍhẽbo urged on his horse Haraṇāgar. Pābūjī came near to Khī̃cī; Cā̃do arrived and called out a greeting: ‘O Sārãgde Khī̃cī, you are seated on the edge of your rug; today you will come to your senses when the swords of Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo ring!’ Sārãgde Khī̃cī gazed forth and saw: the splendid army of Lakṣmaṇa, the ascetic deity of the sand-desert, had arrived. Sārãgde Khī̃cī put saddles on his excellent horses; Straightway he began the battle between the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs. In the battle Ḍhẽbo the opium-drinker bent his knee, OḌhẽbo, she-vultures were circling above you. (Ḍhẽbo said,) ‘O she-vultures, wait a little while; today Ḍhẽbo will satiate you with the fresh vital organs of the Khī̃cīs!’ OḌhẽbo, arrows shot forth from your fingers, as if (the monsoon months) Sāvaṇ and Bhādavo were pouring down. Ḍhẽbo the opium-drinker slew Khī̃cī’s excellent army; he left only Sārãgde Khī̃cī alive. As Sārãgde Khī̃cī ran away and fled, (Ḍhẽbo) seized his left hand; Ḍhẽbo cut out Sārãgde Khī̃cī’s vital organs from behind. Ḍhẽbo the opium-drinker killed Sārãgde Khī̃cī; Ḍhẽbo won the first battle before Pābūjī.

SISTER PREMA MARRIAGEE WITH JINDRAV KHICHI

(Pābūjī said,) ‘Cā̃do my chieftain, we have made our name truly immortal in the land; we have taken on a feud against (Sārãgde’s son Jindrāv) Khī̃cī of Jāyal!’ Pābūjī set out as starry midnight passed; he came straight to Koḷū. (Cā̃do said,) ‘O Pābūjī, you have formed a foolish idea in your mind; we shall not leave any Khī̃cīs alive within the borders of the Rāṭhoṛs.’ (Pābūjī said,) ‘Cā̃do my chieftain, we have done ill in the land; today we have begun a feud against Khī̃cī. But Cā̃do my chieftain, Khī̃cī is known as a knight equal in strength to us; let us marry our sister Pemā̃ to Khī̃cī. Cā̃do my chieftain, go to Būṛo’s great fort; go and raise the matter of the betrothal of our sister Pemā̃!’ Cā̃do the chieftain took his shield and sword in his hand; he set out and went (to become) Būṛo’s beloved guest. King Būṛo was seated amongst his courtiers; Cā̃do went and paid his respects.  (Būṛo said,) ‘O chieftain Cā̃do, tell me what is on your mind! On what great business have you come to my glorious assembly?’ (Cā̃do answered,) ‘King Būṛo, the (Sun)-god with his rising rays disposes of (serious) business; Lakṣmaṇa, the ascetic deity of the sand-desert, summons you!’ King Būṛo tied on his genuine sloping Rāṭhoṛ turban; on his feet Būṛo fastened his velvet shoes. Lord Pābūjī’s courtiers were seated proudly; his elder brother Būṛo came and paid his respects. Bowing low Pābūjī made obeisance to Būṛo: ‘Please be seated at the front of Pābūjī’s glorious assembly!’ (Būṛo answered,) ‘Pābūjī, tell me what is on your mind! On what great business did you send a chieftain to my house?’ (Pābūjī said,) ‘King Būṛo, among the Rāṭhoṛs you are called a great hero; undertake a task for me today! The swords of the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs rang in battle; we have taken on a first feud against Khī̃cī. OBūṛo, Khī̃cī is equal in strength to us. If you accept what I say then marry our sister Pemā̃ to Jindrāv Khī̃cī!’ King Būṛo considered, and what did he say? ‘Pābūjī, Jindrāv Khī̃cī is a very proud king, who will perhaps accept our sister, perhaps not. O great lord, Jindrāv Khī̃cī will certainly give up this feud. Ochieftain Cā̃do, make swift speed; take garlands for a bridegroom on the ancient road to Jāyal!’ Cā̃do the chieftain took garlands for a bridegroom in his hand; he set out and went on the ancient road to Khī̃cī’s place. Once or twice he halted overnight on the road; at the third halt he went and removed the stirrups from his feet in Jāyal. Cā̃do the chieftain mounted his horse; mounted on his horse, he set off for the court-room.

EPISODE OF PABUJI AND JINDRAV KHICHI

Olord, Jindrāv Khī̃cī himself was seated on his rug; Cā̃do went and paid his respects.  (Jindrāv Khī̃cī said,) ‘O Pābūjī’s chieftain, tell me what is on your mind! On what great business did you come on the ancient road to Jāyal? First you killed Sārãgde Khī̃cī my father; now you have come to Jāyal to kill me!’ (Cā̃do answered,) ‘O Khī̃cī of Jāyal, do not speak such sarcastic words! I have brought garlands for a bridegroom in your name.’ Khī̃cī took them, reflecting in his mind: ‘Today I shall cause Pābūjī’s sister to grieve her marriage!’ As Khī̃cī sat there (Cā̃do) put on him the garland of flowers; as he turned round he tied on him the bridal threads dyed with turmeric. Cā̃do placed the garland for a bridegroom round Khī̃cī’s neck and set off back from there. Cā̃do set out as starry midnight passed; he arrived at Pābūjī’s glorious assembly. Pābūjī’s courtiers were seated proudly; in the crowded assembly-room Cā̃do bowed and paid his respects. Pabu jī said,) ‘Cā̃do my chieftain, tell me what is on your mind; In what kind of mood did Khī̃cī discuss matters with you?’ (Cā̃do answered,) ‘O Pābūjī, Jindrāv Khī̃cī’s gaze seemed to me stern; Olord, he bowed low and took from me the garlands for a bridegroom. First he asked about Sārãgde Khī̃cī; afterwards he raised the matter of the wedding. Ogreat lord Pābūjī, by all means marry your sister (to him), but Jindrāv Khī̃cī himself will not give up the feud.’ Then the great lord Pābūjī said, ‘Cā̃do, by marrying our sister he will certainly become our brother-in-law.’ On this reckoning they had sent him the garland for the bridegroom; and Jindrāv Khī̃cī himself came to Koḷū with a wedding-procession, wedded Pemā̃, and set off with her. So it was in this feud, the feud over the hare, that Pābūjī married his sister to Jindrāv Khī̃cī.

KING BURO LAST STAND AGAINST JINDRAV KHICHI AND BHATI RULER

King buro was left completely alone in the battle with Bhati and Jayal Khinchi. King Būṛo gazed forth and saw: Pābūjī had passed on to heaven in the palanquin. Then Būṛo considered, and what did he say? ‘O Khī̃cī of Jāyal, stay well alert in your mind! Today you will come to your senses when Būṛo’s sword rings!’ Khī̃cī of Jāyal flared up and drew his sword with a jerk; he cut off the head of the knight Būṛo. As the head fell a camel-rider took it in his hand; the camel-rider took the head and set off to Koḷū.

Queen Gehali/Gailovat was sleeping in her palace (lofty as) a hovering cloud;
OQueen, as you slept, Yama at your bedhead showed you the battle in a dream. As she slept, the Queen said to Yama in her dream:
‘O son of Jamaṛī, go back hence;

Pābūjī will come and kill you painfully with the point of his spear!’ Then what did King Yama say? ‘Queen Gailovat, do not be so very proud of Lord Pābūjī! Pābūjī has passed on to the court of the innocent (god) Rāma.’ (Gailovat replied,) ‘O son of Jamaṛī, I curse your tender, soft tongue;

you have spoken such evil of my husband’s brother! Oson of Jamaṛī, go back hence;

Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo will come and kill you painfully!’ (Yama said,) ‘Queen Gailovat, do not be so very proud of Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo! In the battle memorials were erected to Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo. The swords of the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs rang in battle;

Queen Gailovat, in the battle memorials were erected to Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo.’ (Gailovat answered,) ‘O son of Jamaṛī, I curse your tender, soft tongue;

may a black snake cling to your tongue! Oson of Jamaṛī, may your family die, may they go to the bad; you have spoken such evil of my husband!’ Queen Gailovat, pale dawn came in the land; at the break of day you opened your eyes from slumber. Queen Gailovat sat in her palace (lofty as) a hovering cloud;

She sat there disconsolate in mind. Queen Gailovat sat in her lattice window;

Queen Gailovat cleaned her teeth at pale dawn. OGailovat, your thirty-two teeth would not come clean;
The five fingertips of your hands could not be washed. (Gailovat said,) ‘O royal maidservant, take this water-vessel in your hand;

Today the five fingertips of Gailovat’s hand cannot be washed.’ Queen Gailovat adorned herself sixteen-fold and thirty-two-fold;

she went to her mother-in-law’s glorious assembly.

OGailovat, as you came down from the palace the necklace of nine strings round your throat broke;

pearls scattered in your mother-in-law’s fine

courtyard. Queen Gailovat went and stood at her mother-in-law’s Sun-gate;

Gailovat stood there disconsolate in mind. Queen Gailovat, Kamaḷāde asked you:

‘O daughter-in-law, why are you standing disconsolate in mind? OBūṛo’s queen, your eyes appear to me wan;

your face is withered like an unripe lotus-flower.’ Then Queen Gailovat considered, and what did she say?

‘O mother-in-law, at night I slept in my palace (lofty as) a hovering cloud;

In a dream I saw the memorial of my husband in battle. The swords of the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs rang in battle;


in the battle memorials were erected to Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo. Omother-in-law, Pābūjī passed on to the court of the innocent (god) Rāma.’ Then what did (Gailovat’s) mother-in-law say?  ‘O daughter-in-law, may this dream come true in your own father’s home; otherwise may it come true in an unpeopled place!309 OGailovat, I curse your tender, soft tongue; you have spoken evil of my sons!’ (Gailovat replied,) ‘O my mother-in-law, you have formed a foolish idea in your mind; it was written in our fate that we(should haveonly)ashort(time in) our father’s home andfather-in-law’s home.’ Queen Gailovat climbed up into her palace (lofty as) a hovering cloud; at pale dawn she saw a camel-rider approaching. (Gailovat said,) ‘O tījaṇīs of the Rāṭhoṛs, examine this camel-rider; the camel-rider is whipping his bull-camel as it travels along. The camel-rider is whipping his young camel; the camel-rider is whipping his bull-camel as it travels along.’ The camel-rider arrived at the court of Koḷū; he arrived and couched his bull-camel low in Koḷū. Queen Gailovat was seated in her palace (lofty as) a hovering cloud; the camel-rider went and paid his respects to Gailovat.

The camel-rider delivers Būṛo’s turban to Queen Gailovat (Gailovat said,) ‘O camel-rider, tell me what is on your mind! Which men were defeated, which men triumphed?’ (The camel-rider replied,) ‘Queen Gailovat, Jindrāv Khī̃cī the ruler of Jāyal triumphed with the sword; (but) Lakṣmaṇa the ascetic deity of the sand-desert triumphed with magnanimity.’ (Gailovat said,) ‘O handsome camel-rider, tell me what is on your mind! Which men lived, which men journeyed to the lord of heaven?’ (The camel-rider answered,) ‘Queen Gailovat, the swords of the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs rang; Pābūjī passed on to the court of the innocent (god) Rāma; in the battle memorials were erected to Cā̃do and Ḍhẽbo. Queen Gailovat, take up the turban of King Būṛo! Būṛo passed on to the court of the innocent (god) Rāma.’ Queen Gailovat’s eyes filled and she shed tears; Queen Gailovat scattered tears like a frightened wild peacock. Queen Gailovat came down from her palace and went and paid her respects to her mother-in-law.

‘O mother-in-law, hear about my dream: Gailovat’s dream has come true! The swords of the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs rang in battle; in the battle memorials were erected to the Rāṭhoṛs. Omother-in-law, give me your blessing! With your blessing I shall set off to (join) the satīs.’ So Queen Gailovat asks for leave from her mother-in-law. Meanwhile, let me tell you, the Soḍhī princess’s parrot dies in her hand. Now the Soḍhī princess says what the parrot has told her, and weeping and wailing she asks for leave from her parents, and travels to Koḷū. The lady Phulvantī was seated in her lattice window; as she sat there she discussed matters with her parrot. ‘O parrot of my husband, today your eyes appear to me wan; Oparrot, your face is withered like a tender, soft flower.’ Then what did the parrot say as it died? ‘O Soḍhī princess, today ill has befallen in the land; OSoḍhī princess, Pābūjī has passed on to the court of the innocent god (Rāma).’ (Phulvantī said,) ‘O parrot, tell me what is on your mind! Which men triumphed and which men were defeated?’ (The parrot replied,) ‘O Soḍhī princess, Jindrāv Khī̃cī of Jāyal triumphed with the sword; (but) Lakṣmaṇa the ascetic deity of the sand-desert triumphed with magnanimity. OSoḍhī, place your trust in me; Pābūjī has passed on to the court of the innocent (god) Rāma. OSoḍhī, now make swift speed; OSoḍhī, become a satī in the name of Pābūjī!’ The girl Phulvantī shed tears from her eyes; Phulvantī scattered tears like a frightened wild peacock. Phulvantī went and stood at the house and home of her father and father’s brother; she went and discussed matters with her father’s brother. Ofather’s brother, my kinsman, give me your leave! I shall go straight to Koḷū!’ (Phulvantī’s father’s brother said,) ‘Lady, do you (really) have so much business with Koḷū? Whyare you setting off to Koḷū?’ (Phulvantī replied,) ‘O father and father’s brother, ill has befallen in the land; the swords of the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs rang in battle; myhusband has passed on to the court of the innocent (god) Rāma.’ (Phulvantī’s father’s brother said,) ‘Lady Phulvantī, if you tell me to I shall fit out the horse-carriage; Olady, I shall send you to Koḷū to the tramp of an army!’ (Phulvantī answered,) ‘O father’s brother, my kinsman, I have no business with an army; I shall go straight to Koḷū alone! I (must have) committed a sin at the (very) gate of the blessed Lord; Ofather’s brother, it was written in heaven (that I should have only) a short (time in) my father’s home and father-in-law’s home.’ Ofather’s brother, my kinsman, give me your blessing! With your blessing Phulvantī will become a satī.’ Phulvantī sat in the carriage; close in front of her on the pole sat the old carriage-driver. Phulvantī the virgin set out as starry midnight passed; she came straight to Koḷū. Once or twice she halted overnight on the road; on the fifth or fifteenth (day) she removed the stirrups from her feet in Koḷū. Queen Gailovat was seated in her mother-in-law’s courtyard; Phulvantī went and paid her respects. ‘O mother-in-law, accept my respects! It was written in heaven (that I should have only) a short (time) in my father’s home and father-in-law’s home.’

Phulvantī meets the camel-rider carrying Pābūjī’s turban According to some versions of the epic narrative (but not that of Parbū Bhopo), as Phulvantī travelled towards Koḷū she met the camel-rider bringing Pābūjī’s turban to her. Phulvantī is depicted with her parrot in her hand.

Phulvantī inspects Pābūjī’s empty palace This detail did not occur in Parbū Bhopo’s performance of the epic, but is known from other performances. Phulvantī, parrot in hand, looks into a private chamber over the Koḷū court; inside it are two cushions and a royal canopy. Phulvantī shed tears from her eyes; she scattered tears like a frightened wild peacock. (Phulvantī said,) ‘O mother-in-law, give me your blessing! With your blessing I shall set off to (join) the satīs.’ (Phulvantī addressed Gailovat:) ‘Queen Gailovat, Būṛo’s queen, adorn yourself sixteen-fold and thirtytwo-fold; we two shall go to the steps of Gū̃javo well to become satīs!’ Queen Gailovat adorned herself sixteen-fold and thirty-two-fold; now the satīs came forth. In Koḷū the war-drums were beating rhythmically;

Phulvantī goes to Gū̃javo well to become a satī According to the epic narrative Gailovat and Phulvantī made this journey on foot, but on the paṛ Phulvantī is shown, parrot in hand, riding in an ox-carriage.  to the beat of drums the satīs came forth. The other satīs toyed with tufted coconuts, (but) Gailovat toyed with a fine dagger. The other satīs mounted horses, (but) the two sisters-in-law set off on foot. At Gū̃javo well the war-drums were beating; the satīs assembled at Pābūjī’s well Gū̃javo. (Gailovat said,) ‘O midwife of the Rāṭhoṛs, take this fine dagger in your hand; cut open my belly and deliver my child!’ Then the midwife considered, and what did she say? ‘Queen Gailovat, you have formed a foolish idea in your mind; Osatī queen, I cannot lay hands on your body!’ (Gailovat replied,) ‘O midwife of the Rāṭhoṛs, may your family go to the bad! You have answered me back when the matter had been decided.’ The satī queen, Būṛo’s queen, took the fine dagger in her hand; she cut open her belly and delivered the child. Olord, she laid the child down on the wellhead-stone to sleep; then the little boy, just born, spoke out to his mother: ‘O mymother, who will rock the little boy’s cradle? Whowill wash the little boy’s nappies?’ Then his mother considered, and what did she say? ‘Little boy, I myself am going to become a satī. But little boy, the Wind-god will rock your cradle; Oson, the Rain-god will wash your nappies!’ (Gailovat addressed the midwife:) ‘O midwife, take this child in your hand; go and hand the child over to his grandmother Sonagarī!’ (The midwife replied,) ‘Queen Gailovat, these days a feud is in progress between the Rāṭhoṛs and the Khī̃cīs; if a Khī̃cī should see the child he will kill him painfully


The widows’ pyre In a pyre over the well the widows of the Rāṭhoṛ heroes immolate themselves: among them is Phulvantī, still holding her parrot. At bottom left of the pyre Gailovat, after cutting open her womb, delivers her own child and hands him over to the midwife to carry to Girnār. The midwife stands beneath a tree in which the same child sleeps in a cradle: this part of the scene will later represent his new home in Girnār ((Gailovat said,) ‘O midwife, the Lord will look after the child; Lakṣmaṇa the ascetic deity of the sand-desert will protect him.’

Rest part of story will share in future post