Queen of Shah Abdul Latif - SORATH RAI DIYACH

would bring the head of Rai Diyach would be entitled to that plate full of Jewels and Gems”.
Hearing this proclamation, Beejal’s wife accepted the plate being confident that her husband,
being an unsurpassed and accomplished artist, would be able to get the head of Rai Diyach
who was renowned as great lover of music. When Beejal came to know of this he refused to
carry out such an ignoble deed and demean his art. He soon realized that he was in an
unenviable situation. On the one hand if he was to refuse to do the bidding of Annirai, who was
a ruler and all powerful, his entire family would be wiped off. On the other hand he will have to
perform the most despicable deed and have blood of such a generous,music lover and true to
his word King Rai Diyach. He found no option but to follow the inevitable. Reluctantly he went to
Junagadh. At the gate of the Fort he started playing his instrument for full night.
To the palace has come seeker, with his instrument,
Would ask for the boon of the head by his enchanting music. (Shah Latif)
When Rai Diyach heard the musical notes from the strings of the instrument he was quite
impressed. From the window of his palace he told Beejal to ask anything. Beejal replied, “I have
to reveal a secret to you, allow me to come to you and meet you personally.” King sent the
palanquin to bring him up to the palace. When Beejal reached in a palace and was face to face
with the King he did not utter a word. He simply played his instrument. The king was so pleased
with his music and offered him gems, jewels, wealth but Beejal refused everything and
continued to play his instrument. The music was so uplifting that King felt transcendented into a
state where he could have spiritual and soulful experience, he was in a trance and enthralled to
be one with the Divine. In this state Beejal told him that;
I have left all the door and sought yours,
Oh Gracious husband of Sorath, help me,
Fill the empty bag of this seeker. (Shah Latif )
King was so enamored of his divine music and instrument that he told him your wish will be
granted that is my promise. On this Beejal told him that I would be satisfied only by having your
head in my bag. On hearing this strange demand king tried to reason with him. His courtiers and
even his wife Sorath pleaded tearfully with him to desist from this demand but Beejal remained
unmoved and insisted that king should fulfill his promise. King also kept his word and gave his
head to Beejal. Before giving his head he told him:
If I had millions of heads on my shoulder,
I would behead my self millions of times over,
That also be not measure to the ecstasy of your string! (Shah Latif)
Would sacrifice thousands of heads
At your feet,