Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 2.djvu/379

 LEGEND OF THE RANI TIJNK. 341 December, 1873.] Rani Jalkn’s wealth beautiful buildings were constructed, and good cultivators were at¬ tracted to Dharapura. Here they lived undis¬ turbed for ten years, and the village grew rich and populous. Maru, Jalku’s daughter, grew up during these years to womanhood, and was supremely beautiful. Both Viramji and Devr.Vj were desperately enamoured of her, but Mara's heart inclined to Viramji. Although Mlru was a queen’s daughter, still as Rani Jalku had run away with a sutdr she feared that they would be unable to contract an alliance for her with any kingly house: Rani Jalku therefore mar¬ ried Maru to Viramji Solankhi. But Devraj Rabiri was deeply grieved at this, for he too loved Maru passionately, and on the day when she was married to Viramji Solankhi he left Dhi- r&pura in anger, and travelled until he reached Amarkot (Omerkote), where Soda Sumra reign¬ ed. When Sumra held a darbdr Devraj made obeisance, and said that he knew of a most beautiful damsel fit only to be Sumra's queen. He then recited this duho :— «v«3t >11% ilfcTHilHl || 1 y=Hl Hna n hi The mould in which Maru was framed is such that none other in the whole world has been framed in it. Either that mould has been broken, or the artificer thereof hath forgotten how to 60 fashion another. Thus Devraj acted, out of jealousy to Viramji Solankhi. Raja Sumra on hearing this praise of Maru said to the Rabari: “ Search through my town and see if there be in it any damsel fit to compare with Maru." The Rabari after much search discovered a beautiful lohuran, and pre¬ senting himself before Raja Sumra recited this duho:— ■nidi i ^flit ii ilil iiiji ^tl >11% || HI Soda ! in thy city is a luhur of graceful form, Her bracelet # hangs loosely on her arm, sho is perhaps something liko Maru. Soda Sumra now directed the lohdran to be brought before him, and was so impressed with her charms that he determined to espouse her; he, however, perceived from what Devraj said that Maru must bo still more beautiful, and accordingly sent his brother Hamir Soda with five hundred horse to Dharapura together with Devraj to carry off Maru. They marched night and day until they reached Dharapura, and concealed themselves in the jungle near the Dharasar tank. Devraj said to Hamir: “ Maru comes hither daily to draw water; when she comes we will seize her and carry her off.” That night, however, heavy rain fell, and every one had their wrater-vessels filled by the rain. No one therefore came to the tank. Maru also did not come. Hamir then recited this duho:— >1 fllj (4-il >lti%fcf>ifcTt/k-tX <n<l ii hi Rain, do not act (to others) as thou hast done to me; Maru has not come to the tank, but has gone and filled (her vessel) at the waterfall. Hamir then said to Devraj : “ What shall we do ?** Devraj replied : Rani Jalku and her daughter Maru are churning milk in their chok and no attendants are near them.” Hamir and Devraj taking two horses and a camel went there. Whilst the two were churning, Maru’s scarf fell on her shoulder, disclosing her beau¬ tiful face. She, however, continued churning, and with her foot restored her scarf to its posi¬ tion. Devraj on seeing this feat of agility uttered the following duho:— S|»ft HitiSi ai44tl >ti%fcfii Mi aMil MWil || HI Maru was standing erect holding the churn- rope ; With the agility of her foot she picked up and restored to its place the woollen scarf. Hamir, from seeing her face and from witness¬ ing this act of agility as well as from Devraj’s couplet, recognized that this could be no other than Maru ; he accordingly seized her and tied her behind him on his horse; afterwards alight¬ ing he placed her on the camel, and he and DevrVj fled with Maru to Amarkot. On their arrival there, a palace was assigned for her use, and Sumra Sodi sent her a message to say that next day he would visit her at the palace. In reply Maru sent a message that she had taken tho untio vrut, or camel-vow, viz. that for six months she must stay in the palace without seeing a man; that when the six months were over, she would sit on a camel and go for a ride, and that then her vow would bo • Tho bracelet hanging loosely is supposed to show she wae of graceful form, i.e. not fat.