If poets are unacknowledged legislators of the society, Kirpa Ram the poet of Rajasthan language, who is better known as author of "Rajiya Ra Duha" or couplets of Rajiya, is a true legislator. Legislators enact law that governs the society. So do the poets. Their poetic compositions govern the minds and hearts of the people. Their words are quoted like maxims and proverbs. Shakespeare, Ved Vyas and Tulsidas are aptly quoted by English, Sanskrit and Hindi speaking elite and commoner of the society. Like wise Kirpa Ram's Rajiya Ra Duha are not only on the lips of the Rajasthani speaking people but they are in their hearts. There is hardly any Rajasthani speaking person who has not come across these Duhas or couplets.
That brevity is the soul of wit, has been exemplified in the essays of Bacon and couplets of poet Bihari. And in this race Kirpa Ram is not far behind.
The poet has written on various aspects of life: bravery, patience, courage, company, anarchy, greed, ingratitude, flattery, backbiting, eloquence, selfishness, brevity, beneficence etc. Whatever aspect of life he has touched. he has dealt with them with confidence and authority.
He has given great importance to company of a man. It is company that makes or mars a man. He narrates allegorically that sandal tree fills fragrance in nearby trees and lion starts chewing dry bones in the undesirable company of jackals. He pens on the power of tone of expression. In his view Cuckoo's sweet coo endears the heart but crow's bitter caw gives bad taste to the ears.
In his mind wounds made by sword can be healed by applying ointment but no medicine has been invented that my cure the wounds caused by harsh words. He hates double-tounged people. He condemns the people who observe courtesy on meeting but once it is over start backbiting. He warns not to make relation with the people who verbally are honey-tongued but heartily plan to cause damage. He has no love for ungrateful and liars. He advises to throw dust on those ungrateful persons who do not appreciate the beneficence showered upon them by generous people.
Though satirically, he narrates the power of money. He writes that there is nothing like money, which can get a prisoner released and make all desires fulfilled. He has no love for fickleness of mind. He advises to keep distance from people who love in a jiffy but takes a U turn at the next moment. He has high respect for true friendship. A true friend always cares for his friend. He does not mind doing any job, be it small or big. His only concern is good of the friend. He mentions the case of Lord Krishna, who drove the chariot of Arjun, because of friendship. Courage and patience find high esteem in his poetry. He opines that one should have courage and patience because God supports a fighter and not a deserter or an escapist. He gives credit of victory of Lanka by monkeys and bears to good intention, bravery, courage and patience.
The couplets of the poet though look ethical but when analysed in depth, they prove to be filled with prudence and practical wisdom. They serve like the torch-bearer, who throws light when one is confused or at wit's end. These path-showing couplets should have been brought to the notice of Non-Rajasthani speaking people. We are happy that Prakrit Bharati Jaipur has taken lead for this great task. I am heartily grateful to Sh. DR Mehta chairman Prakrit Bharat who gave me an opportunity to be a part of this project. I am humbly thankful to Rajasthani Granthagar, Sojti Gate, Jodhpur, whose published book, which has been authored by Shri Narottam Das Swami has been my base book for this work. I pay my gratitude to Sh. SS Bissa CEO Bhagwan Mahaveer Vikalang Seva Samiti and Prof. Mohan Shrotriya who gave me valuable guidance in accomplishing the task. I am also grateful to Sh. Ram Chandra Agrawal chairman Triveni Chambers, who provided me all infrastructural facilities to accomplish this job. I will be doing no justice, if I do not pay my thanks to my P.A. Shri Mukesh Kumar Mali without whose assistance I could not have actualized the project.
Couplets of Rajiya- popularly known as Rajiya Ra Duha -occupies a place of bride in Rajasthani literature. It is niti-kavya or a kind of verse which deals with the social and interpersonal norms of behaviour. Since ancient times, we now have a great tradition of niti-kavya in almost all languages - classical as well as modern ones. An epic like Mahabharata contains in it many kinds of nitis like that of Vidura, Bhishma, Kunika etc. In south, the great text Tirukkurul does still play the role of a guide book of life in the Tamil society. Verses of medieval poets including Tulsi and Rahim still provide directives for a harmonious and happy personal and social life. The same is true of Rajiya couplets with special reference to Rajasthani society.
These couplets were composed by poet Kirpa Ram mostly in Soratha meter but are known as Duhas because both are couplet forms, though opposite in its vowel counting. These couplets are known, therefore as 'Sorathiya duhas'. These couplets are addressed to poet's servant Rajiya, so are popularly known as Rajiya Ra Duha - actually meaning couplets not of Rajiya but for Rajiya or addressed to Rajiya. The poet Kirpa Ram does not really deal with any philosophical norms but talks of day-to-day practical directions for human behaviour. He talks of valour, bravery, courage, honesty, loyalty, generosity etc. as well as all kinds of deceit and meanness too. He has all the praise for commendable human qualities and at the same time he also does not mince words in criticizing the evil behaviour or expressing satirical remarks about the same.
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