SUNDRI by Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh

Translation by Bimal Kaur

PART I
In a remote corner of Punjab, there was a small village, surrounded by rich green fields. At a short distance, there was a thick forest, which had a large pool in it. This was used as a watering hole by the wild animals. So it had become a favorite hunting ground, and a lot of people used to come there looking for prey.

On the out skirts of the village along the main road lived a rich farmer called Sharma. His married daughter was to go to her in-laws place and the whole house was full of people and the smell of delicacies being prepared. The shadows grew long as evening approached and a slight breeze began to blow.

The young girl, whose name was Saraswati went into the open yard behind her house when her friends were playing.

Like a flock of birds they chattered, sometimes bursting into song while they clapped and danced. Saraswati was the most beautiful of all of them, and when they saw her they made a circle around her, and began to sing. Nearby was a grinding stone with a wooden pole, in which some women had put rice to de-husk it. The 'Thump! Thump!' of the pole became like a drum – beat to the song and they were soon lost in the beauty and poignancy of the words relating the closeness between mothers and daughters.

When the song ended, the girls were horrified to see a young Mughal soldier on a horse. He had probably been attracted by the singing. Now he sat astride his horse and stand unblinkingly at Saraswati. The girls were completely unnerved and looked as if turned to stone.

The young Mughal moved forward suddenly, and grabbing Saraswati's tender wrist pulled her forward and lifting her on to the horse, rode off and soon vanished from sight.

Hearing Saraswati’s agonized screams and the shrieks of her friends, the family members and other villagers rushed to the spot. Everyone heard the shocking story. But no one came forward to go to the young girls rescue. No one had the courage.

After a lot of discussion, it was decided that the girl's father, brother and husband should go to the Mughal's camp and beg him to let the girl go. Maybe he would take pity and give in to their pleadings.

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