Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s5.t1.86

v2.c27.s5.t1.86

The fray thus begun, single combats and actions of equal parties followed, the [629] rivals looking on. At length Sadhu mounted : twice he charged the Rathor ranks, carrying death on his lance ; each time he returned for the applause of his bride, who beheld the battle from her car. Six hundred of his foes had fallen, and nearly half his own warriors. He bade her a last adieu, while she exhorted him to the fight, saying, “ she would witness his deeds, and if he fell, would follow him even in death.” Now he singled out his rival Arankanwal,¹ who was alike eager to end the strife, and blot out his disgrace in his blood. They met : some seconds were lost in a courteous contention, each yielding to his rival the first blow, at length dealt out by Sadhu on the neck of the disappointed Rathor. It was returned with the rapidity of lightning, and the daughter of the Mohil saw the steel descend on the head of her lover. Both fell prostrate to the earth : but Sadhu’s soul had sped ; the Rathor had only swooned. With the fall of the leaders the battle ceased ; and the fair cause of strife, Karamdevi, at once a virgin, a wife, and a widow, prepared to follow her affianced. Calling for a sword, with one arm she dissevered the other, desiring it might be conveyed to the father of her lord—“ tell him such was his daughter.” The other she commanded to be struck off, and given, with her marriage jewels thereon, to the bard of the Mohils. The pile was prepared on the field of battle ; and taking her lord in her embrace, she gave herself up to the devouring flames. The dissevered limbs were disposed of as commanded ; the old Rao of Pugal caused the one to be burnt, and a tank was excavated on the spot, which is still called after the heroine, “ the lake of Karamdevi.”