232 B. Bandyopadhyaya — Hamir Rasa, [No. 3, 



of thunder, were taken with the Chohan army. The drivers could not control 

 them but by charms. At first they went to their feet, bowed to them, and 

 then unloosened their chains, but all their endeavours could not make them 

 move. Then they amused them in various ways. They bathed them and 

 rubbed their bodies with oil and vermilion. The moon was painted upon 

 their foreheads. The red streaks of vermilion looked like flashes of light- 

 ning, dancing amidst the clouds of the wet season. Haudas were mounted 

 upon them. When they, fierce and frantic with rage, rushed out, it seemed 

 as if large masses of dark clouds came on rolling in the air and striking 

 each other. Their huge tusks looked like herons flying about on a rainy 

 day against sombre clouds. The exudation from their temples was like 

 drops of rain. Massive shields were fastened to their heads. With an 

 impetuous rush they marched as if the grim monarch of death ran forward 

 to seize his victim. Men with discuses, arrows and pointed sticks ran all 

 about them. They were spurred on by the pricking of goads. Sometimes 

 they would stop in the way, and nothing could move them. Little drums 

 were then sounded, and their sweet and soft strains induced them to pro- 

 ceed. The cMinars, fanned on the riders, glittered in the sun. 



All the chief Bajput warriors bowed down to Hamir, who instructed 

 them in various ways. 



The heroes as well as celestial nymphs became elated with joy. The 

 former put on their breastplates, while the latter their corsets. The former 

 wore helmets, while the latter drew their veils on their heads. The former 

 wore weapons of attack and defence, while the latter ornaments of diamonds. 

 The former took their swords, while the latter applied unction to their eyes. 

 The former put on their shields, while the latter their earrings. The former 

 took their daggers, while the latter pressed the tilah on their fore- 

 heads. The former took betel, while the latter applied chup (a kind of 

 golden teeth-ornaments) to their teeth. The former bent their bows and 

 pulled the strings, while the latter darted sidelong glances. The former 

 took knives in their hands, while the latter coloured theirs with myrtle. 

 The former took up their spears, while the latter wreaths of flowers. The 

 former bound their turbans tight with pieces of rich silk, while the latter 

 pinned jewelled lockets (shishfid) on their foreheads. The former pranced 

 and leaped with exultation, while the latter displayed their fascinating 

 manners. The former wore slieli (silken threads worn on the neck like the 

 sacred thread of investiture), the latter their necklaces. The former 

 smeared their foreheads with streaks of the sandal, while the latter combed 

 their hair. The former took in their hand the tulsi rosaries, while the 

 latter handled garlands of flowers. The former spurred their horses, while 

 the latter drove their cars on the aerial way. 



