हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

46

utter exhaustion threw himself on his bed. But his eyes were strangers to sleep that dreadful night. It was too much for him to bear the sight of those whom he had treated with more than a brother's affection, one by one, abjure themselves and leave him alone to his fate. When the morning came, he performed his devotions, and came and sat in the darbâr hall, sadly musing on the critical situation. He thought that, as his own Râjputs had left him, no faith could be placed in M a h i m a ś â h i, at once a Muhammadan and an alien. While in this mood, he sent for M a h i m a ś â h i, and said to him that, as a true Râjput, it was his duty to die in the defence of his kingdom; but he was of opinion it was improper that people who were not of his race should also lose their lives for him in this struggle, and therefore now it was his wish that M a h i m a ś â h i should name to him some place of safety where he could retire with his family, and thither he would see him escorted safely. Struck by the king's generosity, M a h i m a ś â h i, without giving any reply, went back to his house, and there put to the sword all the inmates of his zanâna, and returning to H a m m î r a said that his wife and children were ready to start off, but that the former insisted on once more looking upon the face of the king, to whose favour and kindness the family had owed so long their protection and happiness. The king acceded to this request, and, accompanied by his brother V î r a m a, went to M a h i m a- ś â h i's house. But what was his sorrow and surprise when he saw the slaughter in the house! The king embraced M a h i m a- ś â h i and began to weep like a child. He blamed himself for having asked him to go away, and knew not how to repay such extraordinary devotion. Slowly, therefore, he came back to the palace, and, giving up everything for lost, told his people that they were free to act as they should think proper. As for himself, he was prepared to die charging the enemy. In preparation for this, the females of his family, headed by R a ṅ g a D ê v î, perished