Soirindri. My aunt-in-law, while I was a girl I made a celebration of a certain religions observance; and placing my hands on the Alpana[1] (the white-washing prepared for the festival) prayed for these blessings: that my husband be like Rama, my mother-in-law like Kousalya, my father-in-law like Dasaratha, my brother-in-law like Lakshman. My aunt! God gave me more than I prayed for. My husband is as Raghunath (Rama) brave and a provider of his dependants; my mother-in-law is as Kousalya, having a sweet speech and an earnest love for her sons' wives; my father-in-law is always happy in saying Badhumata, Badhumata,[2] and is the brightener of the ten sides.[3] Bindu Madhab, who surpasses the autumnal moon in purity, is dearer to me than was Lakshman-deva to Sita-devi. My aunt, all has taken place according to my desire; only there is one in which I find some disagreement—I am still alive. Rama is making preparations for going to the forests, but there is no preparation for Sita's going with him.[4] Ah! he was so much grieved on the abstinence of his father; again, he took the cacha for the celebration of his funeral ceremony; but before that was done he is preparing to go up to heaven (to die.) (Looking on his face with a steady sight) Ah! his lips are dry. Oh! my friends and companions, call my Bipin at once from the school; I shall once more (with weeping eyes) through his hands pour a little water of the Ganges into his dry mouth. (Places her mouth on that of his.)
- ↑ It is a general custom in this country to apply the alpana on the floor nearly in all religious observances.
- ↑ This term signifies the wife of one's son.
- ↑ This expression, "the brightener of the ten sides" signifies that he did good wherever he went. The ten sides are the north, south, east, west, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west, the top, and the under sides.
- ↑ The reference here is to the wanderings of Rama in the wilderness of the Deccan. The signification of the original is that while the husband Nobin is he on the point of death, there is no preparation for his wife to die with him.
