The Slave Girl of Agra/Book 4/Chapter 6
VI. THE GOLDEN TEMPLE
"This is the Golden Temple of Mathura, sister Saibalini; thou seest how the gilt dome glistens in the light of the full moon. Did not the minstrel boy tell us, sister, that we would meet a long-lost friend here this festive night?"
"He did, sister Hemlata. And a strange boy was that Jamshid, for he told us of many things which have come true. Did he not tell us of dear Noren, whom we have not seen these nine years?"
"He did," quietly replied Hemlata.
"He said also that he had seen the Eastern Chief who had come to Agra and had read his life on his face. He said that Noren was unhappy at home, but would be happy abroad; that he had lost estate and rank in Bengal, but would win honour and fame in Agra."
"High honour has he won in Agra, Saibalini, and the favour of the great Badshah himself."
"He said a shadow had crossed his path at Agra, but the shadow had passed away. He said Noren's future was unclouded, and he would be restored to his own in his Eastern land."
"That, too, has come to pass, sister Saibalini, for the great Badshah has passed his royal orders."
"Ay, but we must induce him, Hemlata, to return with us. My brother has inquired far and near and has heard that Noren is expected here every day. May be, when the minstrel boy spoke of our meeting a long-lost friend to-night, he spoke of Noren."
Hemlata was silent.
"He has wandered long from home and has gone through much trouble since he lost his father's estate. But now his estate is restored to him, and he must not be a wanderer any more. Wilt thou speak to him, Hemlata, if we meet him to-night, and ask him to come back with us?"
"My husband will speak to him, no doubt," softly replied Hemlata.
"That he will, but thou too shalt speak, wilt thou not? For thou wert his playmate since childhood, long before my brother knew him, and he loved thee as he could not have loved his own sister. Dost remember how you used to stroll in the Birnagar woods together in the darkness of the evening, and thy mother used to anxiously wait for your return?"
"I remember, sister."
"Dost remember how my brother and Noren used to row their boat with thee on the Ganges, and sometimes the boat was lost to view and thy father used to get alarmed?"
"I remember, sister. But speak not of those days. The past returns not."
"Nay, but the memory of the past lingers till our death. Maybe, thou hast forgotten much, sister, for thou wert but a child then."
"I have not forgotten, sister. But speak not of those days."
"Nay, but those days are coming back to my mind to-night. This river, this moonlight night, this boat of ours, all recall the past. I can almost think we are at Birnagar again, and that Noren is waiting on those sand-banks for my brother, and for thee, Hemlata. Dost remember how you used to play on the sand-banks together on moonlight nights like this?"
"I remember, sister, but we are children no longer, and it is useless to think of the past."
"May be the past will be repeated, Hemlata. Noren will return to Birnagar, and we may sometimes come there from Debipur to visit him. And we shall cull flowers in the same garden, worship in the same temple, and stroll on the same sand-banks as we did in our childhood. And the stars of the sky will shine upon us, united once more."
"The past is never repeated, sister Saibalini."
"We live in hopes, sister, and we must do our ordained task under all circumstances. I feel for thee, sweet Hemlata, for thy home will never be the same as when thy father was alive and thy mother was near. But let us pray to the Great Being for those that are left. Promise me, Hemlata, that thou shalt persuade Noren to return with us; Noren will not refuse thee, for he has ever loved thee as a sister."
"I will do what I can, sister. But hush! I hear the sound of oars."
Both listened, and both looked out into the moonlight.
Far in the dim light they could see a light skiff rowed by stalwart rowers, and coming swiftly over the waters. One tall figure stood on the prow in a soldier's dress, and the light of the moon fell full on his face. Hemlata trembled. She looked again through the window of her boat.
"It is he," she cried, and pressed her heart with her hand.
The boat came nearer and nearer, and slowed down. Before it had reached the Golden Temple the soldier leaped out on the steps and walked into the temple.
"Thinkest thou, Hemlata, it is really Noren? I could hardly see his face as he went into the temple."
"It is he!" repeated Hemlata, and hid her eyes.
"Go quietly, sister, and if it be Noren, wait with him inside the temple till I have finished my evening prayers and come to meet you both."
"Go thyself, Saibalini, and accost him. I—I dare not meet him alone after these nine years."
"Dare not see him alone? Why, he was the dearest friend of thy childhood, and is like a brother to thee. Does a sister fear to meet her brother alone?"
"Thou too art like a sister to him, go and accost him. I dare not meet him alone."
"What childish bashfulness is this, Hemlata? But thou shalt go, my dear, for he has come to meet us. And thou shalt tell him we are returning to Bengal, and he must come with us to his estate, which has been restored to him."
"Pardon me, pardon me, sister, I may not meet him alone. I beg thee, sister, to go and meet him first. I—I will follow if thou wilt."
"Why, Hemlata, I have never seen thee like this. Thou hast ever been sensible and reasonable. Thou knowest very well a widow may not enter a temple at night till she has said her prayers, and my devotions will not take me an hour."
"Then we will go together after an hour, sister."
" Nay, he will not wait after the service is over; he will leave the temple if he sees us not. Listen to me, dear sister, as thou hast ever listened to me. Go and meet him, and I will come as soon as my prayers are over."
Hemlata placed her hand once more on her beating bosom, and in the silent light of the moon stepped out of the boat and walked to the temple. The sacred image, far in the inmost recess of the temple, and lighted by a dim light, came to view as she entered the portal. Hemlata paused, knelt on the well-worn stone floor, and bowed to the image. And a silent prayer rose from her heart for the help of the All-Merciful in the trials and temptations of this earth.
The bells of the temple sounded, and the Arati service of the first watch of the night commenced. Noren and a few other worshippers stood near the image, and a priest chanted the sacred Mantras and sprinkled the holy water on the worshippers. Then rose a holy lay, recited by another priest, and the verses chosen were those sublime lines of the ancient poet, Bharavi, which are but an echo of the aspirations of the human heart which have found expression in all tongues and in all ages.
I
"Lord of Grace! The World's Asylum!
Whom by worship we attain,
Saints have conquered death's destruction,
Shewed Thy path to gods and men!
Whoso seeks Thee not in worship,
Shunned by dearest kith and kin,
Lives a life of vain illusion,
Dies a death of woe and sin;
Whoso seeks Thee in affection
Breaks through ills that wait our birth,
Finds in Thee his true salvation—
Peace and bliss unknown on Earth!
II
Some are lured by earthly passions,
Some for heaven's enjoyment sigh—
Save in Thee no true salvation
Is there in the earth or sky!
For in Thee alone is refuge—
Whoso leaves Thee dies in woe,
This is law and not Thy anger,
Wrath nor anger dost Thou know!
Thee we serve with tainted worship,
And Thy form we darkly guess—
Even thus our soul's blind longings
Have the power to heal and bless!
III
Vain illusions mock our vision,
Shadow-like our actions flee—
He sees true who sees Thy image,
He acts true who acts in Thee!
Divers teachers often teach us
Divers precepts wise and great,
But Thy grace and blessing only
From our bonds can liberate!
And to rid the earth of troubles,
Sin and sorrow, stress and storm,
Varied forms at will Thou wearest,
Thou art Mercy, void of form!"
The service had ended, the light was extinguished, the worshippers had left the temple. Hemlata stood in the shadow of a pillar, brave and strong, and a holy calm filled her bosom.