Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/160

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152
FOUR LEGENDS OF KING RASALU OF SIALKOT.

It is certain that Rjá Hodi had a castle on the Indus just opposite to Attock; it is still called by his name: and the legend states that he was slain by Rájá Rasálu.

Of Aiánposh, the villagers about Jelálábád tell that he wore a coat of iron; and of the third brother, Dárantá, that he lived at Bárábát.

Kôt Bhitaur.—A careful description of this fine old fortress of Sirikap the Beheader was contributed by me to the Pioneer, and will be found in the number of May 1, 1882. The high white ridge of Chittáh, on which stands Ránithrod, is visible from Kôt Bhitaur to the south.

The Giants of Gangar.—Some legends state that there was only one giant of enormous strength and stature, and that Rájá Rasálu imprisoned him under the mountain.

The Punjábi Verses, which occur in Legend No. IV. are these:

1.Kain merá hukká piviá?
Kain satthe Khangár?
Kain meri Khui geriá?
Je thinni paii nisár.

Who did smoke my hookah?
Who did spit out his phlegm?
Who did turn round my well?
Since the trough is wet.

2.Jiwandhe mauján mániá,
Muniánh dhá Khádhá más.
Bhat unándhá jiviá,
Jiná bigáni ás.

Alive he was your pleasure,
Dead, his flesh you did eat,
As an oven may that life be,
That sets its hopes in another.

3.Uthán dhená mená Rájá
The bendhá dhená gál;
Jinándhi dhená bádhiánh
Sárá marn unándhe nál.

When getting up you taunt me,
When sitting down you abuse me;
After whom you give me the bad name
With him my death shall be.

Charles Swynnerton,
Bengal Chaplain.