Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/307

a jolly holiday nevertheless. It is the season of free love and free language, not only among the Vaishnavas, but the lower castes of Gujarát, the Saturnalia of indecent song, the high carnival of mad carousal. It is the season of rang and rág, which two innocent-looking monosyllables the High Court Translator may translate as "red paint and music," but which, in reality, mean the luxuries of love's embrace, the sporting of Káma^[1] and Rati.^[2] The origin of Holi has been a subject of ardent speculation by philosophers and theosophists. It ought to be credited with divine beginning, if Hindu antiquaries are to be believed. But as Hindu antiquaries are far too mystic and imaginative for this age, it would be better to be content with a more rational genesis. It is this: Once upon a time, when civilisation was not, there lived in a certain nagri^[3] a great Barna sowcár—a merchant prince more opulent than Crœsus. This great sowcár, we are told, had an immense lot of goods and chattels, an immense lot of servants and slaves, an immense lot of wives and handmaids. But he had no heir to perpetuate his name. By dint of prayers and penances he, however, prevailed upon the gods to give him

1. Cupid.
2. His wife.
3. Great town.