Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s5.t1.47

v2.c27.s5.t1.47

But cowardice and cruelty always accompany each other, nor could all the speeches of the brothers “ screw his courage to the sticking place.” Parmal went to his queen, and gave fresh vent to his lamentation. She upbraided his unmanly spirit, and bid him head his troops and go forth to the fight. The heroes embraced their wives for the last time, and with the dawn performed their pious rites. The Bannaphar offered oblations to the nine planets, and having adored the image of his tutelary god, he again put the chain round his neck;¹ then calling his son Indal, and Udala his brother, he once more poured forth his vows to the universal mother “ that he would illustrate the name of Jasraj, and evince the pure blood derived from Dewaldai, whene’er he met the foe.”—“ Nobly have you resolved,” said Udala, “ and shall not my *kirwan*² also dazzle the eyes of Sambhar’s lord? shall he not retire from before me ?”—“ Farewell, my children,” said Dewaldai, “ be true to your salt, and should you lose your heads for your prince, doubt not you will obtain the celestial crown.” Having ceased, the wives of both exclaimed, “ What virtuous wife survives her lord? for thus says Gauriji,³ ‘ the woman, who survives her husband who falls in the field of battle, will never obtain bliss, but wander a discontented ghost in the region of unhallowed spirits.’ ”