The Kidnapping of Indal
Translation of Indal haran (All-India Radio Recording)
NARRATOR: To the virgin goddess Sharada, the lord Ganapati, and the feet of the guru I bow my head, and having composed it, I tell the legend of the kidnapping of young Indal. Having composed it, I'll tell the legend. Uday Chand [Udal] arrived at the Ganges to bathe [on a festival day]. With him came his brother Alha's wife, Machhla, in order to have the ritual tonsure of her son Indal performed. They came to Bithur fort [in Kannauj] together with the brave Talan Saiyyad. Udal's brother was the paternal uncle of Lakhan of Kannauj [and thus they were cousins and were dissuaded from fighting]. Please quiet the noise and listen attentively now: this is the story. The queen Machhla, daughter of the Raghavas, spoke to the warrior Udal.
MACHHLA: Where are the tents of the Chauhans [the heroes' enemies], and where shall we encamp? [I.e., We should establish our camp where their tents are already set up.] Let the pride of the king of Delhi [Prith-viraj Chauhan] be destroyed; I have decided.
NARRATOR: Hearing his sister-in-law's order, he waited not even an instant. Brave Udal drew his sword against the Chauhans. There was a terrible battle between the Chauhans and the men of Mahoba. Then the king of Delhi surrendered to Udal.
MACHHLA My lord, Prithviraj has fled. The drums of victory have sounded. My lord, we rested at night. The morning star has appeared twinkling. My lord, go to the bank of the Ganges. Young Indal must get his head shaved. My lord, take Indal into your lap and bathe him in the river Ganges.
NARRATOR: Now from Balakh Bukhara came Abhinandan's daughter dear, wandering in search of a husband: Chittarrekha, disguised as a madwoman. When she saw Indal in Udal's arms, she lost her heart to him. Having turned him into a parrot by magic, this beautiful woman left [taking him]. When he didn't see Indal, Udal became very sad. Machhla stood there and became upset, saying "Where has my little Indal gone?" and repeating "Alas, alas!"
MACHHLA: Alas, alas, what has happened? Why has Fate burst the clouds? A terrible deed has occurred. Has someone drowned my dear little boy?
UDAL: Where has he flown from my lap? My dear child, the support of my life, the star of my eyes! Will I ever see the boy anywhere again?
MACHHLA: Oh king, without my son, I will expire. He is my eldest boy. Why has my home been laid waste?
UDAL: Without Indal, we cannot go back to Mahoba now. We can never return. Let's cross to the other side [of life], and die by stabbing ourselves in the milk-giving breast.
MACHHLA: Oh king, what are you doing? What kinds of thoughts are you thinking? Have patience, our dear Indal will not return [as a result of behaving] like this.
UDAL: How can I be patient? There is a stone on my heart, a weighty stone. My face has been blackened. In every way my fate has been destroyed.
TALAN: Udal, it won't do to cry like this. Have patience, Udal, within your heart. Come, let's go back to Mahoba and explain it. Let's go there and describe to Alha everything that happened. The parrot flew from our laps. We were left wringing our hands. What is destined to happen happens, oh warrior!
NARRATOR: With sad hearts, Udal, Machhla, and the rest set off toward Mahoba. Mahil arrived first and incited the anger of Alha, chief of the [Banaphar] clan. When Udal reached Mahoba and touched Alha's feet, Alha sternly spoke these words to Udal.
ALHA: Aren't you ashamed to come in front of me? Speak, where did you leave my son? Oh shameless one, the branch whose shade you enjoyed you have cut down with your own hands.
UDAL: The lad fell from my lap and drowned in the Ganges. Even as I watched, Death [Time] swallowed him up. The Creator is angry with me. What can one say? This is all the course of Fate.
ALHA: Tie him to a pillar and beat him with bamboos! Skin off all his hide. Just as he murdered my son, so let him be beaten unconscious.
NARRATOR: Everyone persuaded him greatly, but Alha would not change his mind. He turned Udal over to the hands of the executioners. When
he turned Udal over, Machhla came to save Udal. Secretly she bribed the executioners, giving them her nine-lakh necklace. [A lakh is 100,000 rupees.] Through alleys and byways, Uday Chand [escaped and] came to Narvar fort. There Udal told the whole story to Makarandi [Udai's wife's brother]. Makarandi's mother prayed to the Mother Goddess. The Goddess herself appeared and revealed the whereabouts of Indal. Disguised as ascetics, Makarandi and Udal set out. They made their way to Bukhara, crying out "Om" and "Alakh, alakh" [begging alms] at every house.
When the queen heard that two enlightened ascetics had arrived, she sent a maidservant to invite them into the palace. Having entered the palace, the two sang the raga Mohani [a melody of enchantment]. They enchanted everyone and bewitched their hearts.
Chittarrekha invited both of them for dinner. Suddenly she changed Indal into a man and said to him, "You are not the only handsome one. This yogi is also under the sway of Maya [is beautiful]."
Indal said, "What do you mean? Whom are you calling a yogi? That is my maternal uncle Makarandi carrying the sitar, and this is my paternal uncle Udal, who makes the enemy tremble with fear." Indal embraced both Udal and Makarandi. Then Chittarrekha told [the visitors] the whole story of Indal [how she had captured him].
Having promised Chittarrekha [that he would return Indal to her], Udal took Indal and sent him back to Alha in Mahoba with Malkhan. "Here is your son Indal. Now bring back my Udal." In this way spoke Malkhan. Hearing these bitter words from Malkhan, Alha touched the ground [prostrated himself].
ALHA: Oh brother Malkhan, cut off my head! I was treacherous to Udal. From where shall I fetch Udal? He has gone to a terrible place. In exchange for Udal, you finish me off [kill me]. My life is torment, brother. I was treacherous to Udal.
MALKHAN: Why are you filled with remorse now, Alha? Listen closely to me. I've come from Balakh Bukhara where I gave my word, brother. Indal is to be married to Chittarrekha. Prepare Indal's wedding party— listen closely to me.
ALHA: O brother Malkhan, cut off my head! I was treacherous to Udal.
MALKHAN: Prepare Indal's wedding party—listen closely to me.
NARRATOR: Having said this much, Malkhan departed and didn't look back. The chief of the clan [Alha] performed his brother Udal's purificatory rites and lamented. Standing there, Alha thought about Indal's marriage and how it should be done. "Let Malkhan, Talan, Dheba, and Jagan come at my invitation and take the groom's procession to Narbar, stopping at my garden in Delhi." Udal spoke to Makarandi and he organized the procession. He sent Indal to Malkhan, because it wasn't
in the paternal uncle's power [to take charge of a nephew's marriage].
[Indal said to Malkhan,] "Only you can get me married to Chittarrekha." When Malkhan heard this, he understood what was needed. He sent word to all the kings to come with their armies. Makarandi distributed the provisions and foodstuffs. They procured Udal's horse, who was called Bendil. They crossed place after place and finally reached Balakh Bukhara. Makarandi and Udal's army was spread out over three kos [six miles] of territory.
When Abhinandan got word he was incensed. "Oh father of Hamsa and Chhatrapal, what is. troubling you?" He [Abhinandan] made Hamsa and Chhatrapal wage war [against the Mahobans]. Khatmal Khan captured the two brothers in battle, having raised his fist. When Abhinandan heard this, he was greatly angered. He climbed onto an elephant and rushed to do fierce battle. Abhinandan fought so brilliantly that his glory cannot be described. The Mahoba army got frightened and released his two sons. When Udal heard this, he was filled with rage. He quickly jumped onto Bendil's back and rode the horse through the sky. Brave Udal was a great fighter, and he fought fiercely. Whenever Udal went near other men, he broke several heads. He captured Chhatrapal and fought with Hamsa. Taking his sword in hand, Udal charged at Abhinandan.
[break on tape ]
Leave this matter now and hear what happened next. When Alha saw this deed, he immediately recognized Udal. Approaching him swiftly, Alha embraced Uday Chand. Meanwhile, Abhinandan joined his palms and pleaded with Alha.
ABHINANDAN: Alha, my lord, listen to my plea, you are the chief of the clan. I am ready to marry my daughter to Indal. I am ready to marry her. Oh in-law, forgive me and release me together with my sons. Listen to my plea. I am happy to have the marriage performed between Indal and my daughter. Let the bridegroom and marriage party all enter my city. I'll entertain you with great hospitality. My daughter is ignorant, take her into your service.
NARRATOR: Alha released all three—Abhinandan, Chhatrapal, and Hamsa. Having embraced them, he respectfully bade them farewell. Chittarrekha and Indal were then married with the complete rites. Having obtained the life force from Guru Bichitra, Azad has sung this tale.
CHORUS: Hail to the mother Ganges!
Indal haran (All-India Radio Recording)
Transcription prepared by Tara Sinha and Kathryn Hansen
KAVI: kumari sarada ganapati gurupad sis navay,
indal kumvar ki haran. ki gatha kahum banay.
gatha kahum banay, uday chand pahumche ganga nhane,
sang mem ai machhla bhavaj indal sut mumrvane.
garh bithur aye sang mem talan saiyyad mardane,
kanvajiya lakhan se tau udal ke bhaiya rahe.
band kar shorgul ab dhyan se suniye kahani hai,
subhatt udal se boli raghav putri machhla rani hai.
MACHHLA: kaham tambu haim chauhanom ke, kaham dera lage apna,
man mardan ho dilli pat ka, maim ne man mem thani hai.
KAVI: suni agya jo bhabhi ki nahim pal ki kari deri,
bali udal ne chauhanom pe apni teg tani hai.
hua ghamsan chauhanom mahobiyom mem bara bhari,
phir udal se dilli pat ne apni har mani hai.
MACHHLA: mere svamiji, bhago prithviraj, vijay ko bajo nagaro hai,
mere svamiji, rat kiyo bisram, bhor ko chamko taro hai.
mere svamiji, ja ganga ke tir, kumvar indal mumrvayo hai.
mere svamiji, indal ko le god, gang bhatt udal nhayo hai.
KAVI: ab balakh bukhare se ai abhinandan ki beti pyari,
var ki talash mem ghum rahi chittarrekha ban matvari.
udal ki god se indal ko dekha to jiyarva hari,
jadu se sua banay chali indal ko sundar ye nari.
nahim jab dikhai indal,
dukhi bhayo bhari udal.
khari machhla ghabarave,
kaham gayo indal chhauna kahe hay hay dat ave.
MACHHLA: hay hay kaham bhayo, kaham ye bidh ne badar pharo hai,
julam hai gujaro, ka dubakayo chhauna pyaro hai.
UDAL: godi se ur gayo kaham sut indal prani, pran adharo hai,
nainan taro, kumar kau mem kahum niharo hai.
MACHHLA: iday [uday] raj, sut bina rahe na tan mem pran, hamaro hai
chhauna baro, kaham mere ghar ko ujiyaro hai.
UDAL: bin indal ke ab na mohabe jano hoy, jano hoy na hamaro hai,
karem kinaro, marem ur apne mar dudharo hai.
MACHHLA: uday raj, kaham karom, kaham ye tum ne mato bicharo hai,
dhiraj dharo, na aise ave indal pyaro hai.
UDAL: kaise dharum dhir, para hirday par bajar, bajar bharo hai,
mukh bhayo karo, har tarah phuto bhagya hamaro hai.
TALAN: [spoken ] udal, is tarah tone se kam nahim chalega.
[sung ] dhir dhar udal dil daramyan,
chalo mohabe ko karem bahan.
alha ko ja karem vaham samjhamem sab bat,
godi se tota uro, ham malte rah gaye hath.
hot hai honhär balvan.
KAVI: ho dukhi hirday udal machhla adik mohabe ko dhaye haim,
a mahil ne pahle hi alha mandalik bharkaye haim.
mohabe akar udal ne jab alha ke charan. dabaye haim,
hokar kathor alha ne yom udal ko vachan sunaye haim.
ALHA: sharam ai nahim, a gaya samne.
kah kaham chhor aya mera lal hai.
jiski chhaya mem baitha, are besharam,
apne hathom se kati vahi dal hai.
UDAL: chhauna ganga mem duba meri god se,
dekhte hi dekhte kha gaya kal hai.
ruth ham se vidhata hamara gaya,
kya kahem ye sabhi bhagya ki chal hai.
ALHA: bandh khambe se bamsom se maro ise,
iske tan ki ura do sabhi khal hai.
jaise isne kiya qatl, aur qatl dal mera
vaise hi iska ho hal behal hal.
KAVI: sab ne samjhäyo bahut, alha mano nay,
jalladan ke hath mem udal diyo gahay.
udal diyo gahay, aye machhla nom tay bachayo,
gupchup jalladan ko yane nau lakh har gahayo.
dar manzil dar kunch uday chand narvar garh mem ayo,
ye makarandi ko udal ne saro ahval sunayo.
mat debi ko makarandi ki mata ne manaya hai,
pata indal ka devi ne pragat ho kh ud bataya hai.
bana kar bhes jogi ka chale makarand aur udal
bukhare alakh om jakar alakh ghar ghar jagaya hai.
suna rani ne jab aye haim do pahumche hue jogi
bhej bandi ko maharani ne mahalom mem bulaya hai.
mahalom mem akar donom ne mohani rag ko gaya hai, sab ko mohit kar dala hai,
sab ke man ko bharmaya hai. chittarrekha ne donom ko bhojan ke liye bulaya hai,
indal ko jhat admi bana kar aise bachan sunaya hai.
turn hi ho nahim ik rupvan, jogi par bhi yah maya hai,
bola indal kya kahti ho, jogi kisko batlaya hai.
o mama makarandi mere jin hath sitar suhaya hai,
ye chacha udal haim jinke dar se dushman tharraya hai.
udal makarandi donom ne indal ko gate lagaya hai,
phir chittarrekha indal ko sara ahval sunaya hai.
chittarrekha se bachan har indal ko udal laya hai,
malkhe ke sang indal ko alha ke dhig mohabe pahumchaya hai.
lyo sut apna indal,
la ab mero udal,
is tarah malkhe bole,
malkhe ke katu bachan sune aur alha jamim tatole.
ALHA: kat sar mero malkhe bhrat,
maim ne udal sang kini ghat.
udal laum kaham se, vo pahumcho durdham,
udal ke badle mero tu kar de kam tamam.
vritha hai mero jivan tat,
maim ne udal sang kini ghat.
MALKHAN: kahe ko ab alha pachhtat,
dhyan se sun lo meri bat.
de ayo hum bachan maim balakh bukhare bhai,
chittarrekha sang mem indal lijo byay.
sajao indal ki barat,
dhyan se sun lo meri bat.
ALHA: kat sar mero malkhe bhrat,
maim ne udal sang kini ghat.
MALKHAN : sajao indal ki barat,
dhyan se sun lo meri bat.
KAVI: itni kah malkhe gayo, phir mukh debo nay,
sudhi kar udal bhrat ki mandalik bilakhay.
khara khara ye alha soche kaise ho indal ko byah,
malkhe talan dheba jagan mere bulaye ane ay.
le barat narbar mem ayo, bagiya mere dilli thahray,
udal ne makarandi se kah sab barat lini jutvay.
indal bhejo malkhe ke dhig, chacha kahum ke bas ki nay,
chittarrekha ke sang mero tum hi karay sakyo ho byah.
ye itni bat suni malkhe ne ho vake man mem gai hai samay,
kh abar bhej dai sab rajan pe, aye apni fauj sajay.
makarandi ne mal lut ko rasad sahit dini pahumchay,
udal ko ghora rakh lino jako bendil nam kahay.
manjil dar manjil dekh li pahumche balakh bukhare jay,
tin kos pe hai makarande udal ko rahyo lashkar chhay.
abhinandan ko kh abar pari to man mem gayo sanakom khay,
hamsa chhatrapal ke babul, tum ko kaun pari parvay.
hamsa chhatrapal ko unhomne dino hai ghamsan machay,
khatmal
itni kh abar suni abhinandan gussa gayo badan mem chhay,
hathi charhke larve ayo dini maramar machay.
aiso yuddh kiyo abhinandan jake shobha varan na jay,
fauj dar gai ab mohabe ki line haim dou putra chhuray.
itni kh abar suni nar udal gussa gayo badan mem chhay,
jhat asavar bhayo bendul pe gayo bendula gagan
uray. baro laraiya hai bhatt udal dini maramar machay,
jiske nikat jat nar udal bhaiya kai sire phat jay.
chhatrapal ko qaid kiyo phir hamsa ki lari musk charhay,
gend lal ke hath teg le abhinandan se bhir gayo jay. [break ]
yaham ki bat yahim par chhoro, ab age ki suno bayan,
ye kartab jab dekha alha, jhat udal lino pahchan.
age barh ke jhat alha ne liyo uday chand gale lagay,
it abhinandan hath jorkar alha se yom bolo ay.
ABHINANDAN: vinay meri sun lijiye tu mandalik sardar,
indal sang nij suta maim byahan ko taiyar.
taiyar hum maim byah ko, samadhi kshama kar dijiye,
chhoro mujhe putrom sahit, binati meri sun lijiye.
indal ke sang mam suta ko kh ush hai ki byah rachaiye,
dulha sahit barat sab mere nagar mem aiye.
jay jay bari khatir karum, sirdar rajan kijiyo,
nadan hai beti meri, seva mem apni lijiyo.
KAVI: abhinandan chhatrapal hamsa tinom alha ne chhor diye,
milkar ke gale sanman sahit tinom phir vaham se bida kiye.
chittarrekha indal ka phir vidhipurvak byah rachaya hai,
guruvar bichitra ka ayus pa azad ne ye kath gaya hai.
CHORUS: bol ganga maiya ki jay!