Heer Waris Shah

Heer Waris Shah Verse 70 - Ranjha seeks assurances

Not completel convinced that Heer won't neglect him, Ranjha cautions her that the path of love is difficult. He asks for her commitment until the end of time.

Verse 71 - Heer takes Ranjha to her father

Heer pledges herself to Ranjha, waxing eloquent as she declares that she has wagered her very life in the game of love, which she has willingly lost to Ranjha. She then takes him to her father, Chuchak, the mighty chief of Jhang Sial.

Verse 72 - Heer takes Ranjha to her father

Heer respectfully addresses her father, first reiterating that she is an obedient daughter, who is in awe of his wealth and power. She gratefully acknowledges her life of ease and luxury, which has been provided by him. She paints a picture of an idyllic life, spent at play with her friends as they enjoy swings with ropes of silk, suspended form trees in verdant orchards. She then declares that she has found an excellent herder to look after their herd of cows and buffaloes. In the lands of Sandal Bar, that le between the Chenab and the Ravi rivers, where Heer lived, cattle were a significant source of wealth. She first declares that her father is the lord of large herds, which include the legendary Dhaul, the mythical bull on whose horns the earth rests. The the role of a cattle herder is an important one and by presenting Ranjha as a talented herder, Heer is contriving to influence her father to retain him, so that he will remain close to her.

Verse 73 - Heer advocates for Ranjha

Chuchak takes in Ranjha’s beauty, and prpbably suspecting that he might have designs on his daughter, tries to dismiss him. Laughingly he says that the lad looks delicate and questions if he can be a herder, and he also emphasizes that Ranjha is a stranger, implying that he is not to be trusted. Heer responds with a torrent of praise for the lad, protesting that he is clever, diligent and virtuous and has a calm demeanor, which tells her that he will tend to their cattle gently, without ever abusing them. Waxing eloquent, she points to his glowing face and declares that he surely must be deeply attached to God!

Verse 74 - Chuchak questions Ranjha

Intensely suspicious of Ranjha, Chuchak unleashes a barrage of questions about his antecedents and the reason for his leaving home and wandering. He sarcastically compares Ranjha to a chief at the head of a rampaging army, marching to the sound of kettledrums! He is particularly interested in learning about Ranjha’s clan and wants to know his intentions, suspecting that the lad has designs on his daughter.

Verse 75 - Heer pleads Ranjha's case

Heer continues to advocate for Ranjha, telling her father of his pedigree, his origins and his virtues, perhaps appearing to present a suitor rather than a potential servant!

Verse 76 - Chuchak's misgivings

Chuchak continues to express his misgivings, musing if the lad kows anything about the ways of the Dogar Jatts, who claim noble descent and are a proud people. Using Chuchak as his mouthpiece, Waris Shah is commenting on the fractious nature of the somewhat haughty Jatt clans, who are often embroiled in disputes about the ownership of cattle that have strayed or have been stolen, which are resolved by the village council. Chuchak is questioning if the callow Ranjha will be able to represent his master in the village council if any doubts arise about the ownership of the herds he is being asked to tend. Then Chuchak proceeds to express further misgivings; clearly news has traveled of Ranjha’s quarrel with his brothers and sisters-in-law and he wonders if the lad is at fault. Finally, he expresses his biggest fear; does the handsome lad, who has left his home and is now living like a vagabond, have his eyes on the Sial lasses, whose beauty is legendary.

Verse 78 - Chuchak retains Ranjha

Chuchak agrees to engage Ranjha and commands Heer to turn over his herds to him. At the same time he admoinishes Ranjha, reminding him to stay vigilant and maintain tight control over the herd, which tends to wander. Observing that Ranjha is new at herding, Chuchak cautions him against getting engrossed in play, indirectly reiterating his suspicions about Ranjha’s amorous intentions towards Heer, for neglecting  the herd and letting it run wild would invite serious consequences.

Verse 77 - Heer presses her father

Heer ptotests to her father that Ranjha, wise and fair, will be a huge asset to him when disputes relating to cattle straying, or being stolen are brought to the village council. She declares that he is also adept at measuring and marking land, implying that he will be useful if there are any disputes over land. He is fearless and vigilant she says, and will oversee the herd with an eagle eye, taking care that cattle that stray from the herd are not lost and fearlessly recovering them if they are rustled. By focusing on all the worries of a man of property who owns cattle, she is craftily building a case that Ranjha should be taken into her father’s employ.

Verse 79 - Heer goes to her mother

Heer excitedly goes to her mother and tells her that she has engaged a sikful cowherd, who will keep their cattle from straying. While she extols Ranjha’s virtues as a cowherd, she hides the fact that she is attracted to him, yet, she lets slip that he is from a noble Jatt clan, inadvertently showing her real intent.