beholding their fruitless efforts, uttered the following hymn in the Suhi measure entitled Kuchajji, or the woman of bad character:—
I am a worthless woman; in me are faults; how can I go to enjoy my Spouse?
My Spouse's wives are one better than the other; O my life, who careth for me?[1]
My female friends who have enjoyed their Spouse are in the shade of the mango.[2]
I do not possess their virtues; to whom can I attribute blame?[3]
What attributes of Thine, O Lord, shall I blazon abroad? What names of Thine shall I repeat?
I cannot even attain one of Thy many excellences: I am ever a sacrifice unto Thee.
Gold, silver, pearls, and rubies which gladden the heart—
These things the Bridegroom hath given me, and I have fixed my heart on them.[4]
I had palaces of brick fashioned with marble.
In these luxuries I forgot the Bridegroom and sat not near Him.
The kulangs cry in the heavens,[5] and the cranes have come to roost.[6]
The woman goeth to her father-in-law's;[7] how shall she show her face as she proceedeth?
As morning dawned she soundly slept, and forgot her journey.
She separated from Thee, O Spouse, and therefore stored up grief for herself.
- ↑ Literally—who knoweth my name?
- ↑ That is, they are fortunate. The mango is an evergreen, and its leaves always afford shelter.
- ↑ It is my own fault that I possess not virtue.
- ↑ And forgotten the Giver.
- ↑ The Orientals believe that very old men hear noises in their heads. The kulang is a large stately Indian bird.
- ↑ Grey hair has come.
- ↑ In the Granth Sāhib the present world is called one's father's house, and the next world one's father-in-law's.
