1890.] 
A Grammar of the Chhattisgarin dialect. 
137 
Thus wandering in the forest, and meeting holy men, they ar- 
rived at a very distant forest. Thither came Rawana’s sister and 
Lachh’man-ji cut off her nose and ears. Then Rawana’s three 
brothers came with very great armies to fight, but Ram-Chand-ji 
killed all of them. There Rawana heard of this, and came with 
his guru Marich, who took the form of an imitation deer after which 
Ram ran with his arrows. Thereupon, while Lachh’man also was 
absent, Rawana (came there) disguised as an ascetic, and carried 
off Chhita to his own home at Lanka. Then Ram-Chand-ji 
and Lachh’man-ji wandered about searching for Chhita, and 
there, in the forest, made friends with Sugrihw and Hanuman. 
Tlien Ram and Lachh’man, the two brothers, took an army of 
monkeys and bears to fight Rawana, built a bridge across the sea, 
and, having crossed by it, descended upon Lanka. Then there was 
a terrible fight, and Rawana and his brother, and his huge sons, and 
all his armies of demons were killed. His kingdom was given to 
Bibhikhan, and Rdm-Chand-ji taking with him Chhita and 
Lachh’man-ji and his monkeys and bears, on the completion of 
the fourteen years, returned to his Ajoddha, and began to reign. 
2. The Story of DhoeX. 
This and the following story are very popular in Chhattisgarh and 
are sung in greatly extended versions. As told here they are much con- 
densed. 
In the land of the Fort of Naraul ruled Raja Nal. His son’s 
name was Dhola and his daughtei’-in-law’s Marti. Prince Dhola 
and Princess Marii were very beautiful, more than can be told. 
Before their marriage the two performed austerities in honour of 
Mahadev and Par’bati for twelve years, and obtained the boon 
that their wedding should be fortunate, and that they should pass 
their days in happiness. Raja Nal gave his kingdom to his son 
Prince Dhola and said, “ Go into all lands, and visit all the four 
quarters of the earth, but go not to the land of Fort Pingala, 
where Rewa Malin, whom they also call Harewii, dwells with her 
sister Parewa.” Now what should happen, but Prince Dhola went 
into all lands, and all the four quarters of the earth, and as he 
wandered, made up his mind to go towards Fort Pingala. So 
Prince Dhola wont and went, and on the road met seven sisters 
husking rice and asked them thus — 
“ O damsels husking paddy, with pestles hung with flowers. 
I ask ye, damsels husking rice, to tell where is the Malin’s house. 
Ah, I am the fair Prince Dhola.” 
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