Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/147

 III. ] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. I 17 expression. In this country a blind Providence joins the hands of a mute pair who promise fidelity, often without knowing each other. When the situation grows monotonous, losing colour and poetry, both men and women are treated to lectures on the purity of the nuptial vow, and to promises of rewards in the next world. They fully believe in the sanctity of marriage, and are ready to sacrifice sentiment to stern duty. But human passion cannot be altogether repressed, and where it over-rides the ordinances of the Castras, it rushes forward with extraordinary strength, all the greater for the attempt at forcible sup pression. The Parakiya presents insurmountable difficulties The feelings in this country. Those who love have scarcely a approach spiritu= chance of meeting; they may long for the sight ality. of one another's faces, yet this good fortune not be theirs for days and weeks together. There are numerous descriptions of the romantic feelings which this peculiar situation creates, in the Vaisnava songs. Here are a few short extracts :- " If he happens to see a single letter that forms my name, he pores over it in an ecstasy of joy." Raiçekhar. + '' পদ চিহ্ন চুম্বয়ে কাণ।” Govinda Dās.
 * He wanders about like a mad man and kisses the prints of my feet.'t
 * ** আমার নামের একটি আখ্যার পাইলে হািরসে লেয় ।”