Mirza–Sahiban, a love-lore is a treasure of Punjabi literature. It is a

romantic tragedy. Sahiban was another love-lorn soul. Shayer Pillo

raves about her beauty and says," As Sahiban stepped out with a

lungi tied around her waist, the nine angels died on seeing her

beauty and God started counting his last breath…"

Mirza and Sahiban who were cousins and childhood playmates, fell

in love with each other. But when this beauty is about to be wedded

forcibly to Tahar Khan by her parents, without any hesitation she

sends a taunting message to Mirza, whom she loves, to his village

Danabad, through a Brahmin called Kammu.

"You must come and decorate Sahiban’s hand with the marriage

henna."

This is the time you have to protect your self respect and love, keep

your promises, and sacrifice your life for truth. Mirza who was a

young full-blooded man, makes Sahiba sit on his horse and rides

away with her. But on the way, as he lies under the shade of a tree

to rest for a few moments, the people who were following them on

horseback with swords in their hands catch up with them.

Sahiba was a virtuous and a beautiful soul who did not desire any

bloodshed to mar the one she loved. She did not want her hands

drenched in blood instead of henna. She thinks Mirza cannot miss

his target, and if he strikes, her brothers would surely die. Before

waking up Mirza, Sahiban puts away his quiver on the tree. She

presumes on seeing her, her brothers would feel sorry and forgive

Mirza and take him in their arms. But the brothers attack Mirza and

kill him. Sahiban takes a sword and slaughters herself and thus bids

farewell to this world.

Innumerable folk songs of Punjab narrate the love tale of Sassi and

Punnu. The women sing these songs with great emotion and feeling,

as though they are paying homage to Sassi with lighted on her

tomb. It is not the tragedy of the lovers. It is the conviction of the

heart of the lovers. It is firmly believed that the soil of the Punjab

has been blessed. God has blessed these lovers to. Though there

love ended in death, death was a blessing in disguise, for this

blessing is immortalized.

Waris shah who sings the tale of Heer elevates mortal love to the

same pedestal as spiritual love for God saying," When you start the

subject of love, first offer your invocation to God". This has always

been the custom in Punjab, where mortal love has been

immortalized and enshrined as spirit of love.