One day Sohini came into buffalo shed where Mehar was busy milking a buffalo. On the
pretext of having milk she came to Mehar. Taking this opportunity Mehar confided his
feeling to her and she was also equally attracted to him. Thus they used to meet in the
buffalo shed to share some precious moments of intimacy. It is said that the love and
scent of musk cannot be confined. Sohini’s mother came to know of this affair. She tried
to prevail upon her about the dangers and futility of such a move but Sohini turned a
deaf ear to her mothers’ advice as well as her threats and the mother had to share
these going ons with her husband. Tula Kumbhar immediately sacked Mehar and got
his daughter married to Damma.
On her being forced to marry Damma she prayed to god that she should remain
virtuous.
Miraculously every night Damma would immediately fall into a deep slumber and she
remained untouched. All the time she would pine for her Mehar and would think of
meeting him.
Similarly, Meher also all the time was absorbed in her thoughts. He could not bear the
separation from his beloved and renounced the world to become a fakir (a medicant).In
search of Sohini one day he reached outside the home of Sohini. He loudly asked for
alms to be fed. On the pretext of giving food to a fakir Sohini came out to meet him. She
immediately assured him that she was pure and very much wanted to meet him. She
told him that she was pining for him all this while. It is said about lovers that they can be
identified by six signs, i.e. cold breath, yellow color, tearful eyes, anxiety, restlessness
and unceasing quest.
Mehar was happy to see his beloved but looking to reality he was overcome with
sadness and went into Jungle. There he came upon the abode of guru Gorakhnath. He
announced his presence there. One of the followers of guru came out and told him, ‘If
you are Jogi you may enter.’ His appearance and good manners immediately impressed
the guru and he was admitted into their fold. He sincerely served his guru who was very
pleased with him and granted him a boon. He said that he should be able to meet his
beloved. He blessed him and said, ‘your wish will soon be granted.’
Whatever wish you have nursed in your heart,
Your desire will be met, you will meet beloved.
Thereafter Mehar came and settled as a Jogi, on the banks of Chenab River on the
opposite side of the river from Sohini’s house. Soon his fame as a holy person spread
and fisher folk would give him food consisting of fish, butter and curd. His fame reached
Sohini also and from the description of Jogi she was sure that he must be Mehar. Once
she came to meet him. They both were very happy at the turn of events. It was decided
that Mehar would every night cross the river and the lovers would meet. This way both
continued to meet oblivious to any thing happening around them. Every night Mehar
would bring a fish, they would eat it and pass their time in each others company. When
Sohini’s friends came to know of this they tried to dissuade her from such a dangerous
behavior. Sohini replied to them:
No comments:
Post a Comment