Ritual songs and folksongs of the Hindus of Surinam

[p. 104]

51 Phagwā iii [Party from Meerzorg, 1967]
Cäitā¹

rājā gaye kauna desa köiliyā kųhųkata bana mę
ika to köiliyā (hāy) dusare savatiyā
tisare piyā ho paradesa -

köiliyā kųhųkata... rājā gaye...

ąkhiyą ke kājara dhumila höi gäile
jobana ubhare baṛa jor -

rājā gaye...

yāda karau mohi bhūlo to nāhį̄
nayana bahāve (dekho) nīra -

rājā gaye...

dayā karo jagadīsa more svāmī
tuhį to dharäiho mohe dhīra -

rājā gaye...

To what land has (my) king² gone? The koyal³ bird sings in the woods.
On the one hand the (singing of) koil, on the other a co-wife;
Third, the beloved (being) abroad -

The koil... To what land...

The collyrium in the eyes has gone faint;
The (signs of) youth⁴ are swollen with great force -

To what land...

Remember me; do not forget me (would you?)
(See! how) the water flows from (my) eyes⁵ -

To what land...

Have mercy, ruler of the world, my master;
You alone will (be able to) console me.⁶

1 Cp. Archer and Prasād ('43: 194).

2 One of the usual epithets of the beloved, used by women.

3 A black bird in India known for singing in the spring. Not seen in Surinam.

4 Jobanā, the breasts, as the signs of youth.

5 Lit. ‘the eyes make the waters flow’.

6 ‘Give me patience’.