পাতা:Vanga Sahitya Parichaya Part 1.djvu/৮৪

76 INTRODUCTION. longer bear the burden of your head ' “ Says the poet, Phakira Rāma “The words of the princess made the lad tremble.” ( 2 ) The Kotowāl's son: “In the gallery of the school-room your seat is above mine. You were joking with me and let fall your pen on the ground—not once, but thrice you did so. And thrice did I pick it up from the ground for you. Each time you smiled and promised that you would give me whatever I might seek as a reward for my pains. Encouraged thus by you, I made my plain proposal. If I have done you wrong, pray pardon me. I will not offend this way again. Because you have not fulfilled your promise you will be henceforward but untrustworthy and degraded in my eyes.” Says the poet Phakira Rāma “Even if one has to forfeit life he cannot escape the obligations of a promise thus solemnly made.” ( 3 ) “King Dasharatha was bound by a promise and had to banish his dearest son Rāma to the forest that he might fulfil the promise he gave. The shock was too great for him, and the old king died of grief. Yet did he not violate his promise. And even Rāma, the pure hearted, killed Vali in a questionable manner, only that he might fulfil the promise he had given to Sugriva. Rāma was again promise-bound to Bibhişana and true to his word gave him the kingdom of Lankä after slaying Rāvana.” Says the poet, Phakira Rāma, “One who gives a promise and fulfils it not, creates within himself a hell—the hell of remorse.” ( 4 ) The princess —“In what an evil moment did I come to School to-day! Unknowingly I find myself entrapped by a pledge. And is this then so inviolable 2 I have drunk poison with my own hand and hurled a thunderbolt on my own head. I am a princess and sole heir am I to this vast kingdom. How shall I leave the palace and all this wealth and pomp 2 A hundred queens in the Zenana cherish me as the apple of their eye. How can I leave them all and go 2 In this the dawn of my youth how shall I go to a strange land Oh what a reward have I reaped after studying so many books all these years The single boat of hope—the treasure of a hundred queens, my mothers, I have unwittingly sunk in the depth of the sea of despair.” Says the poet Phakira Rāma. “What is the good of remorse after you have taken poison of your own making * ( 5 ) The queens: “Why this delay, fair daughter, in returning from school to-day 7 You look agitated and sad. A moment of separation seems like an