Ritual songs and folksongs of the Hindus of Surinam

37 [Leiding 8A, 1962]
Giving away the bride³

ką̄pai hātha gaṛüā o are ką̄pai kusā käi ḍārī
maṛaye mę ką̄paį kavana rāmā käise deve käinā maį dāna re

3 Cp. R. Tripāṭhī ('29: 143); V. Prasāda ('62: 172); Jain (H.S.B.I. Baghelī: 255). The ritual but without the motif of trembling: (H.S.B.I. Ḍogrī '57: 558); (Ibid. Kuluī: 708).

[p. 88]

III.

aba käise ką̄po re bābā e ā̈i gäile dharamavā ke jūni re

IV.

barisäu barisäu re bābā jäisäi udaka bų̄da

V.

baṭoro baṭoro samadhi rāmā jäisai ghǫghiyā sevāra

The water-vessel trembles in the hand; O, the blade of kuśa (grass) trembles;
N.N. Rāma trembles - ‘how shall I give the girl away?’
- How would you tremble now, oh father; the hour of duty¹ has arrived.
Rain, rain,² oh father, like the water drops.
- Gather, gather, oh samadhi³ Rāma, as a snail (gathers) the waterweeds.

1 Dharma.

2 The sentiment expressed is also most appropriate as the water is being poured into the joined hands. Rain: give freely like the waterdrops falling when it rains.

3 The bride's father and the bridegroom's father are samadhis to each other. The bridegroom's father is addressed in this line.