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Part 10 · VIDEHA MITHILA MAITHILI DISCUSSION CRITICISM SERIES PART 10

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asr-draft

Human verified

No

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not-reviewed

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small

Detected language

en (0.995754)

Duration

57:27

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Open preserved recording

Timestamped machine output

1. 0:00–0:05After the benediction, the stage manager enters.
2. 0:05–0:15My undertaking has three purposes, fame spread through learning, wealth for honoring good people, and, through their pleasure, religious merit.
3. 0:15–0:20Therefore, to delight those assembled here, we should perform a play.
4. 0:20–0:25Come, let us sing something that gladdens the heart in this rainy season-a-season that
5. 0:25–0:29deepens the pleasure of the rich but increases the grief of the unfortunate poor tormented
6. 0:29–0:31by youth.
7. 0:31–0:37It is adorned with woodland stretches of commuda, blue water lily, white lotus, red lotus,
8. 0:37–0:41nichola, ketoki, koutaja and plantin.
9. 0:41–0:46At such a time the rains look like a gallant, anointed with the blue cosmetic of cloud,
10. 0:46–0:52body trembling in flashes of lightning and dressed in the flowering garment of Kutajah.
11. 0:52–0:53Going out
12. 0:53–0:57Thus the introduction
13. 0:57–1:00The gallant enters
14. 1:00–1:02Well said
15. 1:02–1:07The cloud pours down torrents upon the rich man's house like an accomplished drummer.
16. 1:07–1:10Lightning flashes like the arched brow of an angry woman.
17. 1:10–1:13The cool rainy wind blows in a close embrace.
18. 1:13–1:18Karma draws his bow to the ear and shoots firm arrows into lovers' hearts.
19. 1:18–1:20And further.
20. 1:20–1:25Senseless are those who travel abroad, or, having gone away, do not return in the rainy season
21. 1:25–1:27even when driven by desire.
22. 1:27–1:33Naive are those who do not appease an offended beloved, or who remain angry for too long.
23. 1:33–1:38Blessed are those who are ruled by their beloved, or whose beloved is ruled by them.
24. 1:38–1:42With the drum of cloud, the rainy season seems to proclaim this to the whole world.
25. 1:42–1:48Ah, how can one describe the countless things in the rains that sees a connoisseur's heart?
26. 1:48–1:52The sun's rays are hidden by water-laden clouds, courtyards are wet, the day has faded like
27. 1:52–1:55a story from the distant past.
28. 1:55–2:00Bees, drawn by the scent of coutage blossoms, hover, peacocks begin to dance, and fields
29. 2:00–2:03drenched with cool water become fit for wandering.
30. 2:03–2:07The forest floor, covered with crawling red velvet mites and new green shoots of
31. 2:07–2:11derver grass, is suitable for young women whose feet are painted with lac.
32. 2:11–2:16Rivers, filled with muddy water and offering no ford, have become hard to cross like the
33. 2:16–2:20secret approaches of a cunning woman, difficult to discover during her menses.
34. 2:20–2:22And further.
35. 2:22–2:26The wind comes out from within the forest, carrying the fragrance of Kadamba and cooled
36. 2:26–2:30by rainwater, as though bringing a gift.
37. 2:30–2:35This is a most delightful time, desire must surely become restless in it.
38. 2:35–2:39When the wind blows, the forest is fragrant with Kadamba, and the day is dark beneath
39. 2:39–2:44massed clouds, even the mind of a happy man becomes restless for love.
40. 2:44–2:47Longing is of two kinds, with a cause and without one.
41. 2:47–2:51Longing born from a cause can be treated, but when causeless longing arises, it is as
42. 2:51–2:55helpless as the counterfeit weeping of a maid servant A. Kambardasi.
43. 2:55–2:59I too am deeply dispirited today because the rain has kept me from going here and
44. 2:59–3:00there.
45. 3:00–3:04Though satisfied by the sweet notes of my wife's voice, I now feel like roaming
46. 3:04–3:06about.
47. 3:06–3:13When the song stopped, the clouds thundercieced like a drum falling silent.
48. 3:13–3:18The household peacock, frightened by the rain, now spreads both wings in joy, climbs to the
49. 3:18–3:20mansion's summit, and cries aloud.
50. 3:20–3:24A lute whose strings have slipped apart because the bridge has left its central groove lies
51. 3:24–3:28warming itself in the sun like a woman tormented by an icy wind.
52. 3:28–3:32The mansion roof spits out the rainwater remaining upon it through the mouths of
53. 3:32–3:35its gutters, as if pouring strings of pearls.
54. 3:35–3:38Dimmed by the damp are being wiped clean. And further.
55. 3:40–3:44Women made languid by the misery of confinement in great houses peer from windows.
56. 3:45–3:49Gold girdles, they're hard not stiffened by damp, untied and fastened again.
57. 3:50–3:53Lovers coax courtesans into going to the pleasure gardens.
58. 3:54–3:57Women paint their feet with passion-stirring lack before walking upon the new grass.
59. 3:59–4:03Where shall I divert this restless mind in the gambling hall or in the courtesans' quarter?
60. 4:03–4:12thinking. My respects to gambling. Apart from one loincloth, it has left me no second garment.
61. 4:12–4:19Dice, like a wealthy man born in a low family, do not always keep an honest face. Then I shall
62. 4:19–4:24go to the courtesan's quarter, for there. Beautiful half-closed eyes, pecan't, sweet
63. 4:24–4:28conversation sharpened by laughter, a soft seat beside a woman whose full hips press
64. 4:28–4:33close, and the graceful movement of a hand-displaying affection one who knows the manners of the
65. 4:33–4:37Courtesan's quarter receives all these delightful pleasures without even falling in love with
66. 4:37–4:39a courtesan.
67. 4:39–4:43Seeing something, he speaks to his wife.
68. 4:43–4:45Shut the doors of the house.
69. 4:45–4:49What did I say your house has as many doors as an anthill?
70. 4:49–4:53The city officials may indeed have a separate route by which to come, but because they
71. 4:53–4:57are accustomed to intruding into other people's houses, they have chosen your own door
72. 4:57–4:58as their target.
73. 4:58–5:00Enough questions and answers.
74. 5:00–5:04Alas, I see disaster approaching my own head.
75. 5:04–5:06Walking
76. 5:06–5:10Kusumapura's incomparable fame has spread across the whole earth.
77. 5:10–5:15That is why the word, city, by itself is generally understood to mean this city.
78. 5:15–5:18It contains many lofty buildings.
79. 5:18–5:24People marvel at its varied prosperity, born from the abundance of goods for sale and the crowds who come to buy them.
80. 5:24–5:26But why marvel at that?
81. 5:26–5:29There are many other prosperous cities.
82. 5:29–5:32Let me tell you what makes this one extraordinary.
83. 5:32–5:34For instance,
84. 5:34–5:49There are many generous people here, the arts are honored, men associate agreeably with women, the rich, though intoxicated by wealth, are free from jealousy, men are made modest by learning, everyone is courteous in conversation, appreciative of one another's virtues, and grateful.
85. 5:49–5:54Even the gods could abandon their heaven and live happily here in Patalipitra.
86. 5:54–5:56Walking.
87. 5:56–6:02Ah, that is surely Krishnalaka, the merchant's son, who has made his youth fruitful through
88. 6:02–6:07association with the Kortisansk Water and has become dear to people like me. Fearing the
89. 6:07–6:11ruin of the family, his father has tried hard to restrain him, nevertheless, he has somehow
90. 6:11–6:16gone to the Kortisansk Water, beautified his body through the enjoyment of his beloved,
91. 6:16–6:23and now comes rapidly this way. I must greet him. Let me approach.
92. 6:23–6:29Krishnalaka, continue to enjoy your youth to the full in this fashion.
93. 6:29–6:32You are surely coming from Madhabhaseena's house.
94. 6:32–6:34What do you say how did you know?
95. 6:34–6:36What is there to know?
96. 6:36–6:39Lord Karma joins people of like nature.
97. 6:39–6:43I am hardly different from people engaged in your pursuits.
98. 6:43–6:47Or where else could you be going after leaving a woman forever thirsty for love?
99. 6:47–6:50What did you say how did you know even that?
100. 6:50–6:52There is no great subtlety in it.
101. 6:52–6:544.
102. 6:54–6:58The Calyrium from her eyes is visible upon your hand, where you wiped her face, and when
103. 6:58–7:03you fell at her feet, the arrangement of the hair on your head became scattered and uneven.
104. 7:03–7:07It seems you left your mind with her and managed to bring away only your body.
105. 7:07–7:13That is why you walk the road with such difficulty, like a ship reeling beneath gusts of wind.
106. 7:13–7:16What do you say now I must certainly meet my father?
107. 7:16–7:18Dress like this?
108. 7:18–7:20He will fall upon you.
109. 7:20–7:24If father sees me in this condition, he may give up his very life.
110. 7:24–7:27What would he not do to separate from you a woman of insatiable desire?
111. 7:27–7:31A living father is a headache embodied for young men.
112. 7:31–7:37So long as one's father lives, a man never even glimpses the kind of gambling.
113. 7:37–7:41In which mutual challenges and scolding heighten the colour of the wager, abuse, and quarrelling
114. 7:41–7:45create the proper atmosphere, and brave men are put to the test.
115. 7:45–7:49Nor can he even smell wine, fragrant as lotus-scented water and sweet as nectar,
116. 7:49–7:54Bottled by mango oil, its surface rippling beneath a woman's breath, poured into a cup
117. 7:54–7:56shaped like a dancing peacock.
118. 7:56–8:02When, in a contest of factions, the company divides into two camps and forms its circles,
119. 8:02–8:06courtesans press close beside their friends, and no one worries about raising the stakes
120. 8:06–8:10while seated with a woman then a man burdened with a father has no chance to play, or
121. 8:10–8:12even to act as umpire.
122. 8:12–8:15Nor can he run behind a drunken elephant while young women lean their full breasts
123. 8:15–8:20from windows, dance their fingers in excitement and watch him with admiration.
124. 8:20–8:24It is not in his destiny to rush down the royal road at night, yellow in the blaze of
125. 8:24–8:29torches, wearing only a loincloth, naked sword in hand, heroically prepare to break a friend's
126. 8:29–8:32bonds that is, to free him from prison.
127. 8:32–8:37Intoxicated by the wish to repay a favour, he cannot dare to act rather than boast,
128. 8:37–8:42grieve at the mere mention of repayment, and sacrifice everything for a friend.
129. 8:42–8:44All that might still be endured.
130. 8:44–8:48But these fathers, like sons of slave women, never enjoyed youth themselves, and now wish
131. 8:48–8:53to keep their sons away from the courtesans' quarter merely to protect their wealth.
132. 8:53–8:57I feel like Parashurama, who took up the axe and made the earth without kshatriyas, I too
133. 8:57–9:00would make the world fatherless.
134. 9:00–9:04Or perhaps these old men remain hungry throughout their own youth.
135. 9:04–9:08The poor creatures do not know that the nectar of a courtesans' mouth, fragrant
136. 9:08–9:13as water scented by blooming lotuses and sweet as ambrosia, can restore even a dead
137. 9:13–9:15man to life.
138. 9:15–9:16And further.
139. 9:16–9:21The jingling girdle, the exposed, full thighs, the kiss given in trust, the slopes of breasts
140. 9:21–9:26trembling and moving with breath, the oblique gaze beneath contracted brows, the strange thrill
141. 9:26–9:31awakened by cries of pleasure, and sudden flashes of anger who, having once become intoxicated
142. 9:31–9:35by a courtesan's love-making conducted according to his desire and filled with all
143. 9:35–9:38these things, could ever forget it.
144. 9:38–9:41What do you say let me tell you my other trouble?
145. 9:41–9:42What is it?
146. 9:42–9:49my father has decided to arrange my marriage. Occurs upon me. May such a calamity fall upon
147. 9:49–9:55no one's head. Alas, I have had to hear even this. It is enough to make one raise both
148. 9:55–9:58hands and weep, a servant of the courtesan's quarter will now leave the royal road and
149. 9:58–10:04enter the narrow lane of a respectable wife. Look! Never devote your heart to serving
150. 10:04–10:08and worshipping an innocent housewife, tied like an animal to a post one who becomes
151. 10:08–10:13utterly blind during lovemaking, keeps a miserable face, swallows every word before it leaves
152. 10:13–10:18her mouth, makes even a cheerful man sad, is veiled by shame, and in her innocence has
153. 10:18–10:21perhaps never even looked at her own thighs.
154. 10:21–10:24What did you say that is my own resolve?
155. 10:24–10:29If that is truly your resolve, I am pleased, it accords with my company.
156. 10:29–10:30Go now.
157. 10:30–10:34When you reach home, I shall instruct you again.
158. 10:34–10:36Walking.
159. 10:36–10:40The Royal Road of Kusumapura, packed with a vast crowd, is like an ocean covered with
160. 10:40–10:44spreading circles of waves terrifying to look at and difficult to cross.
161. 10:44–10:46Here.
162. 10:46–10:51Anyone who sees me, however great his haste, will not pass without speaking.
163. 10:51–10:55Even in the crowd everyone smilingly makes way for me.
164. 10:55–10:58No one detains me long, for fear of obstructing my business.
165. 10:58–11:02From the people here and their skill in conduct, I can understand how enduring the
166. 11:02–11:05fame of this excellent city must be.
167. 11:05–11:13Ah, here is the lane leading to the Cortezan's quarter, as winding as a gallant's intelligence.
168. 11:13–11:15I shall take this road.
169. 11:15–11:22Here I fought, here I carried off a Cortezan, here, frightened, I closed my eyes and fled.
170. 11:22–11:25Remembering the pleasures I enjoyed here in Rising Youth, I go eagerly toward the Cortezan's
171. 11:25–11:28quarter.
172. 11:28–11:29Walking
173. 11:29–11:32Ah, life has returned to me.
174. 11:32–11:35I have reached the Cortezan's quarter.
175. 11:35–11:39imitating a metrical recitation.
176. 11:39–11:43This breeze comes after enjoying the faces of courtesans with half-closed eyes and waving
177. 11:43–11:47locks, it is filled with the fragrance of garlands and wine, as though it were the very breath
178. 11:47–11:50of the courtesans' quarter.
179. 11:50–11:51Ah.
180. 11:51–11:56What incomparable beauty belongs to this courtesans' quarter, the office of karma, mansions with
181. 11:56–12:01summits high as the peak of kailasa, windows brushed by the slopes of courtesans' breasts,
182. 12:01–12:05buildings made rain cloud dark by smoke from allows and incense, side doors laughing
183. 12:05–12:09with offerings of flowers, girdles whose jingling awakens longing in lovers,
184. 12:09–12:11anklets that seem to speak in a voice choked with emotion.
185. 12:12–12:17Here maid servants move back and forth like banners of karma's victory ready with side-long glances,
186. 12:17–12:22their rows of teeth revealed by blossoming smiles, shaping speech with dancing brows,
187. 12:22–12:26little wraps fluttering over full breasts, strutting windows, wraps slip open in haste,
188. 12:26–12:30graceful and quick in movement. And young courtesans appear everywhere,
189. 12:30–12:35especially striking in their affectation, faces always adorned by laughter, eyes made white with
190. 12:35–12:41fame surprised though they are never surprised, hair glossy, delicate, curling, fine, long, and black,
191. 12:41–12:46steps slowed by the burden of hips, gate like a drunken elephant, pausing here and there like
192. 12:46–12:52drinking stations that quench thirst with the water of love. And rows of mansions seem to thunder,
193. 12:52–12:56filled with the constant sound of drums and startled pairs of pigeons. Doorways,
194. 12:56–13:02dawned by crowds of famous craftsmen and filled with flower offerings cast by distinguished patrons,
195. 13:02–13:07compete with one another. Fragrant oils are being prepared to relieve the exhaustion of the battle
196. 13:07–13:13of love. Cosmetic paste for full breasts is being ground. Delicate garlands, tender as the hearts
197. 13:13–13:19of high-spirited women, being carried away. The lute sounds, pleasing to the ear like the words
198. 13:19–13:24of a beloved. Wine circulates, eager to serve as the relish for tasting a lover's lips.
199. 13:24–13:30With half-opened eyes, breasts uncovered under some pretext, shy laughter, witty remarks pleasing
200. 13:30–13:35to the ear, soft breathing, and songs naturally sweet in rhythm, the courtesans compel karma
201. 13:35–13:38to keep his bow forever strong.
202. 13:38–13:39Walking
203. 13:39–13:44Ah, this is Sholiva Runika, attendant of Madan Asina.
204. 13:44–13:48Drunk with youth, she pays no attention to the band across her breasts, she wears a
205. 13:48–13:52gauze thin muslin garment, she has used her hip ornament, her girdle, as the knot
206. 13:52–13:57of her lower cloth, and in effected play has removed the ornament from one ear.
207. 13:57–14:01Her eyes are restless as a frightened fawn's, her swollen lips are well used, her naturally
208. 14:01–14:05laughing face could shake even a sage's mind.
209. 14:05–14:09Making scissors at the fingers of her left hand, she touches the flower at her ear, raises
210. 14:09–14:13one brow slightly, sees me, laughs, and comes forward.
211. 14:13–14:17A thrill has risen on the cheek of this broad-hit woman, as though the flower at
212. 14:17–14:20her ear had secretly struck her with a kiss.
213. 14:20–14:23How dare she pass without speaking to me?
214. 14:23–14:24Let me address her.
215. 14:24–14:27Dear Varunika, stop a moment.
216. 14:27–14:30Why keep walking and waste my words?
217. 14:30–14:33Fair woman, even your neglect delights me.
218. 14:33–14:36Why have you stopped laughing?
219. 14:36–14:38Coming close.
220. 14:38–14:40Do not fold your hands.
221. 14:40–14:46May I ask, slender-wasted girl, who received the first delight of these breasts?
222. 14:46–14:51Why say only, yes, look shyly at me, tell half the story, and run away so quickly?
223. 14:51–14:54All this is the magic of desire.
224. 14:54–14:55Walking
225. 14:55–15:01Ah, at her own doorway band Humatica sits beside Chaturica, talking, brushing hair from her
226. 15:01–15:06brow, making her eyes languid as evening lotuses, and stringing her own girdle.
227. 15:06–15:09Ah, a task worthy of youth.
228. 15:09–15:12What delicate work she has undertaken.
229. 15:12–15:15How alluring is her concentration.
230. 15:15–15:18This effort to arrange the girdle reveals the firmness of her body.
231. 15:18–15:22What has she not said by proudly stringing that dual belt?
232. 15:22–15:26Her skill in the arts of pleasure must certainly be worthy of worship.
233. 15:26–15:29I should approach her.
234. 15:29–15:30Approaching
235. 15:30–15:33Dear woman, may your task succeed.
236. 15:33–15:35I need no seat.
237. 15:35–15:38I wish to ask you something.
238. 15:38–15:41Proud lady, how did this girdle break?
239. 15:41–15:44It is the intimate friend of a lover's fingers, a bright stream flowing from the
240. 15:44–15:48lake of your naval, lightning flashing at the edge of the cloud of your blue silk garment,
241. 15:48–15:52the mother of the exercise called woman on top lovemaking with the wrestler called man,
242. 15:52–15:57the boasting of karma, the delicate voice of your hips, furnished with tiny bells, and almost
243. 15:57–16:01a rosary for counting the pleasures of love repeatedly received.
244. 16:01–16:04But what is there to discover?
245. 16:04–16:08Red-eyed woman, your broken girdle, like a lute with snapped strings, must have
246. 16:08–16:11made tasteless those hips of yours spread like the forehead and massive flanks
247. 16:11–16:15of a drunken elephant, eager for touch and moving with an elephant's gate-hips whose
248. 16:15–16:20scores garment your beloved trustingly removed upon the bed and gazed upon with love.
249. 16:20–16:27Why have you bowed your head and sat silent? Why do you not answer? I am going.
250. 16:27–16:33What do you say you must not go? Then see, I stand still like a snake fixed by a spell.
251. 16:33–16:38Shall I go? Very well, I am going.
252. 16:38–16:39and listening.
253. 16:39–16:44Ah, from Ramadas' house comes a sound like a woman weeping.
254. 16:44–16:46It may have many causes.
255. 16:46–16:50Why, then, is she crying?
256. 16:50–16:55Weeping caused by anger is sharp in tone, by helplessness, soft, by love, broken and
257. 16:55–16:59intermittent, by fear, flat, and by joy, choked with emotion.
258. 16:59–17:03This woman's crying seems filled with both offended love and misery, for at first
259. 17:03–17:08she cries at the top of her voice, then sobs slowly in broken intervals.
260. 17:08–17:12My heart tells me it is Ramadasi herself.
261. 17:12–17:14Then let me go inside.
262. 17:14–17:16Entry
263. 17:16–17:18It is she.
264. 17:18–17:22On seeing me, she begins to cry even louder.
265. 17:22–17:25The tears falling from the corners of her eyes like heaps of anger seem to be counting her
266. 17:25–17:28beloved's offenses.
267. 17:28–17:30Approaching
268. 17:30–17:33Proud lady, what is the matter?
269. 17:33–17:39tears first fill eyes that steal the beauty of fresh lotuses, then fall upon her lips.
270. 17:39–17:43From there they slide onto the hard slopes of her breasts, finding no resting place even
271. 17:43–17:47there, they flow onward in grief, scatter through the line of down upon her belly, and
272. 17:47–17:51finally fill that deep navel into which her beloved sometimes inserts the tip of a finger
273. 17:51–17:53for pleasure.
274. 17:53–17:55Konjara has not behaved as he should.
275. 17:55–18:00What do you say he came to me bearing lips marked by another young woman's teeth?
276. 18:00–18:04When I approached him, he pretended to take a fence and walked out, many days have passed,
277. 18:04–18:06and he has still not returned.
278. 18:06–18:09Ha, ha, ha.
279. 18:09–18:11What a mountain of crimes!
280. 18:11–18:15A man deserves the severe punishment of expulsion from the house for any one of them, what shall
281. 18:15–18:17we say of the whole collection?
282. 18:17–18:22Yet, seeing the rainy season wrapped in clouds, I shall tolerate that villain's arrogance,
283. 18:22–18:26for at this time even hostile kings abandon their quarrels how much more a woman whose
284. 18:26–18:29heart is soft as a shirisha flower.
285. 18:29–18:35If you accept my advice, consider the season and go to your beloved on an assignation tonight.
286. 18:35–18:38At night descend from the upper story of the mansion whose summit is touched by hanging
287. 18:38–18:43clouds, and enter the path where the splashing sound of water pouring from the palace gutters
288. 18:43–18:44echoes.
289. 18:44–18:49Then reach your beloved and, trembling in the cool rainy wind, embrace him.
290. 18:49–18:53Kiss his face, and when you have warmed the chill from your lips, speak your mind
291. 18:53–18:56to him clearly in the midst of love.
292. 18:56–18:59How do your thrilled cheeks signal acceptance of my words?
293. 18:59–19:02I shall go now.
294. 19:02–19:03Walking
295. 19:03–19:06Ah, this is Raticina.
296. 19:06–19:10Sweating from remaining in the inner chamber, rolling her beautiful half-glozed eyes, with
297. 19:10–19:14hair spread across her cheeks and a faint glow of intoxication upon her face, she
298. 19:14–19:17has only just awakened.
299. 19:17–19:19She has opened a window and is taking the air.
300. 19:19–19:22Her condition is wonderfully attractive.
301. 19:22–19:25Let me speak to her.
302. 19:25–19:32Dear woman, may you be fortunate. With the intoxication still lingering in you, you look
303. 19:32–19:37lovely as the western sky wearing the red glow of evening. Even karma, having laid down his
304. 19:37–19:43bow, would grow restless again at the sight of you what need to speak of others. Your consciousness
305. 19:43–19:48is not lost, your voice retains its softness, the redness has not left your lotus eyes,
306. 19:48–19:52your modesty has not departed, and when you remember what has passed, your face
307. 19:52–19:57still fills with delight. Thus intoxication has shed its faults and remains in you as a virtue.
308. 19:58–20:03Ratacena, you wish to dismiss me, but I do not wish to leave and finish the conversation I began
309. 20:03–20:08with you. Why did you laugh and close the window? There she has dismissed me.
310. 20:10–20:17Walking. Having been cheated like this, I am naturally a little dejected. Ah, here is Pradyum
311. 20:17–20:22Nadase. Her cheeks are faded by lovemaking, her eyes are wide, a special tilaka has made
312. 20:22–20:28her brow pale yellow, loose curls beautify her, and the weariness of passion seems to fill her face.
313. 20:28–20:33Fresh nail marks showing through a thin garment upon her hips look like the reflection of Ashoka
314. 20:33–20:38blossoms blooming in clear water. The friction of love has erased her cosmetics, as battle leads
315. 20:38–20:43the decorations of a female elephant disordered. She covers her lips with her hand as a
316. 20:43–20:48lattice shields a lamp from the wind. Pacing like a filly that has been exercised, she
317. 20:48–20:56enhances the beauty of the quarters and street. I like this. Let me jest with her.
318. 20:56–20:57Approaching
319. 20:57–21:01Dear woman, why uselessly hide the beauty of lips bitten by your beloved's teeth, as
320. 21:01–21:08though concealing the lovely body of a wounded warrior? Why did she laugh? Ah, my remark
321. 21:08–21:12has turned her mistake into a joke. Yet even her gentle laughter has increased the
322. 21:12–21:19beauty of the tooth mark. 4. At her sharp intake of breath, her breasts trembled upward,
323. 21:19–21:24as their edges rose, her belly drew farther inward, when her brows tightened, her gaze
324. 21:24–21:28became oblique, and from the pain of the bite, the fingers of her lotus hand grew restless
325. 21:28–21:32to soothe it. If by laughing in this way a woman can agitate another's heart, then
326. 21:32–21:37a beauty whose lips are pained by tooth marks certainly ought to laugh.
327. 21:37–21:42What do you say you have appeared after many days? The sin of these rains kept me
328. 21:42–21:47imprisoned at home. Now tell me, with whom are you infatuated? What did you say I am coming
329. 21:47–21:55from Ramalaka's house? May this pair of matching natures endure. Bravo! Ramalaka alone has received
330. 21:55–22:02Kama's tax-free estate. 4. Slender-bellied woman, fruitful are his youth and expansive
331. 22:02–22:06laughter, since he drinks from your face beautiful with a crescent-shaped tooth mark as from
332. 22:06–22:08crescent-shaped cup.
333. 22:08–22:11Dear woman, protect your lips from that wicked bird.
334. 22:11–22:15Go, I too shall go.
335. 22:15–22:16Walking
336. 22:16–22:22Ah, hear the rope Vishvalaka and Sunanda always keep their house door closed like Kumbhakarna's
337. 22:22–22:24mouth, for fear of travellers.
338. 22:24–22:28Vishvalaka has eaten and drunk away everything he owned and preserved only his body, like
339. 22:28–22:33a naked ascetic, yet because he loves courtesans, he will not leave Sunanda even though
340. 22:33–22:37he has no money just as a crow will not leave the boundary of its village.
341. 22:37–22:42Sonando too, a youth gone and therefore unwanted by others, follows Vishvalaka like a river dried
342. 22:42–22:44up in the forest.
343. 22:44–22:47I should not pass without speaking to this pair.
344. 22:47–22:51I must call loudly, who lives here?
345. 22:51–22:52Listening.
346. 22:52–22:57Ah, I hear the clatter of wooden sandals striking the ground like the hoof bits of
347. 22:57–22:58a running horse.
348. 22:58–23:00Vishvalaka must be coming.
349. 23:00–23:03Yes, he is the one shouting.
350. 23:03–23:06What do you say who is praying like a donkey?
351. 23:06–23:09I am the messenger of death come for Sunandor.
352. 23:09–23:13Why did you fall silent when you recognized my voice?
353. 23:13–23:15Why do you not open the door?
354. 23:15–23:19Prepare yourself, I release the water of this curse.
355. 23:19–23:23May the left foot of a lovely woman playfully raised in a lover's quarrel and made musical
356. 23:23–23:26by the jingling of her anklet never reach your head.
357. 23:26–23:28The door has opened.
358. 23:28–23:31Then let me enter.
359. 23:31–23:33ENTERING
360. 23:33–23:35What did you say am I not dear to you?
361. 23:35–23:37Is such a curse proper?
362. 23:37–23:38Well said.
363. 23:38–23:43A curse like this would make even Brahma's world tremble, what need to speak of you?
364. 23:43–23:46Here is the penance that will counteract it.
365. 23:46–23:48You must.
366. 23:48–23:52Give your heart's companion, whose tilaka is shaped like a newly opened lotus and
367. 23:52–23:56whose gate is made lightly by pausing steps, whine in which fresh lotus leaves float,
368. 23:56–24:02flavour is enhanced by a relish of tilaka and whose surface rises in restless waves when spilled in haste.
369. 24:03–24:04Then sit a little.
370. 24:05–24:06Sitting.
371. 24:07–24:13Ah, my feet have been washed. The royal road of Kusumapura is cleaner than the roof of a palace.
372. 24:14–24:19Do not pamper my feet unnecessarily. What did you say at Ramalaka's gathering,
373. 24:19–24:22during an entertaining debate among Vishnudasa and the other members,
374. 24:22–24:27certain doubts concerning the science of love arose. When they could not resolve them properly,
375. 24:27–24:33they urged me to state my opinion, and I did. I now want Baba Devilaka to hear the same matter.
376. 24:34–24:39Whatever you say afterward will be accepted as authoritative. I intended to visit your house
377. 24:39–24:43to present the question, but you have graciously appeared yourself. If you have time,
378. 24:45–24:50I shall speak. You have my permission. I am attentive and shall answer to the best of
379. 24:50–24:55my ability. The wind refuses to leave this cottage, like a child spoiled by affection,
380. 24:55–25:01so I cannot remain seated long. If you agree, we can talk while walking, the assembly hall is long
381. 25:01–25:10and spacious enough. What do you say there is no obstacle? Rising. Now speak. What if a
382. 25:10–25:15quarterzan's relationship with a man exists only for money, how can one distinguish among the
383. 25:15–25:18best, middling, and lowest kinds of courtesan.
384. 25:18–25:21Ah, gifts.
385. 25:21–25:25Gifts bring everyone in the world under control, especially courtesans.
386. 25:25–25:30Nevertheless, distinctions exist among them, as those who understand higher and lower qualities
387. 25:30–25:32say.
388. 25:32–25:36The lowest courtesan loves for gifts, all loves without any cause.
389. 25:36–25:41The middling courtesan is pleased by full youth and beauty, or by gifts.
390. 25:41–25:46But the highest woman serves a man who is generous, unattached, young, handsome, agreeable,
391. 25:46–25:48and well adorned.
392. 25:48–25:52What do you say how can one recognize a courtesan tormented by desire?
393. 25:52–25:53I shall tell you.
394. 25:53–25:59Listen, a lovely half-open gaze, smiling eyes that enhance the beauty of the face, brief
395. 25:59–26:03remarks filled with movements of the brows, signals, and expressive gestures, speaking
396. 26:03–26:06while clapping the hands from time to time.
397. 26:06–26:10A smile that vanishes the moment it appears, the exposure of navel, armpit, and breasts,
398. 26:10–26:15repeatedly touching the girdle and panting, difficult breath these signs reveal a woman
399. 26:15–26:18struck by karma's arrows.
400. 26:18–26:22What do you say courtesans display many signs of desire in order to deceive or through their
401. 26:22–26:24skill in acting?
402. 26:24–26:26How can such signs be trusted?
403. 26:26–26:30How can one recognize a woman whose desire is genuine?
404. 26:30–26:32Listen.
405. 26:32–26:36Size filled with tears, a gaze soaked in affection, emaciation, drops of sweat, and pleading
406. 26:36–26:42even after the money is gone by these one knows the purity of feeling in a loving woman.
407. 26:42–26:44Walking
408. 26:44–26:48What do you say why does a first union create hesitation?
409. 26:48–26:49Listen.
410. 26:49–26:53A first union is full of shyness for a woman, at such a time even an experienced rogue becomes
411. 26:53–26:55confused.
412. 26:55–26:56And further.
413. 26:56–27:01At first, merely joining the thread of conversation is difficult.
414. 27:01–27:06Once the conversation has begun, obtaining a reply is difficult.
415. 27:06–27:11When familiarity produces much talk, establishing mutual trust is difficult.
416. 27:11–27:16Once there is trust, obtaining love-making according to one's desire is difficult.
417. 27:16–27:21And even after perfect love-making is obtained, whether the courtesan will love or not remains
418. 27:21–27:23uncertain.
419. 27:23–27:27Before a king, in an assembly of scholars, and at a first meeting with a young woman,
420. 27:27–27:31the heart trembles with fear and even brilliant eloquence stumbles.
421. 27:31–27:36What do you say why does love arise merely at sight, even where there is no virtue?
422. 27:36–27:39And how should one deal with a troublesome woman?
423. 27:39–27:43It is pointless to argue about the cause of an observed fact.
424. 27:43–27:47The great advantage in the realm of love is that, even if one falls in love with a person
425. 27:47–27:51without virtue, one may at once abandon her if she becomes neglectful.
426. 27:51–27:534.
427. 27:53–27:57The sorrow of separation from a beloved may be born when that beloved is noble, but
428. 27:57–28:01a heart broken by the beloved's contempt cannot be joined again.
429. 28:01–28:05What did you say if a woman desires a man but he cares little for her, should such
430. 28:05–28:11a woman be abandoned? No, no, no. While protecting one's love for another woman and preserving
431. 28:11–28:17one's own graciousness, one should from time to time show affection toward her as well.
432. 28:17–28:21For a man who neglects a virtuous, youthful, loving woman should be yoked to a heather-cloud
433. 28:21–28:25field like an ox scorched by a farmer's abuse.
434. 28:25–28:27Walking
435. 28:27–28:31What do you say how should a man who has truly offended a woman appease her? Doubt
436. 28:31–28:36is reasonable here. The anger of a loving woman is difficult to treat, like an irregular
437. 28:36–28:42fever, yet her anger must be removed. Young men today consider falling at her feet a remedy,
438. 28:42–28:47but I do not regard it as especially excellent. Since we touch even the feet of an elderly
439. 28:47–28:51Vedic scholar hard and shriveled like old pebbles, roughened by wooden sandals, and
440. 28:51–28:54stinking from massage with rancid giewat heroism is there in falling at the feet
441. 28:54–29:00of a woman tender as a young leaf. Yet even this method has a fault.
442. 29:00–29:05her feet will make tears flow, when the beloved weeps, humility and wretchedness will arise,
443. 29:05–29:11and once wretchedness arises, where will desire remain? Others say, peas her by swearing an oath.
444. 29:12–29:18That too does not produce reconciliation. Even a respectable wife does not trust a lover's oath
445. 29:18–29:22what needs to speak of a courtesan. If she does trust it, why is appeasement needed?
446. 29:23–29:27It is said that residents in a village, instruction from a Vedic scholar,
447. 29:27–29:31dependence upon others, myselinas, and an innocent wife these put an end to a man's desire.
448. 29:33–29:38Some say, make her laugh by some means. Once laughter reveals the depth of her resolve,
449. 29:38–29:42she can be crossed easily like a river. I say that even if this succeeds,
450. 29:42–29:45one loses the pleasure of a beloved's offended pride.
451. 29:46–29:524. When the beloved slightly draws aside her hanging, fine garment, moves her lower lip,
452. 29:52–29:56sweetly utters bitter words that are delightful at such a moment, and places upon the
453. 29:56–30:00the lover's head her left foot, tender as a fresh lotus, rogues regarded as the fruit
454. 30:00–30:04of an amorous quarrel and the savory offering of youth.
455. 30:04–30:08Therefore a woman's anger may also be removed through laughter and jest.
456. 30:08–30:09Very good.
457. 30:09–30:13Considering remedies for a woman's anger, I think a kiss taken by force yields immediate
458. 30:13–30:15results.
459. 30:15–30:174.
460. 30:17–30:21Holding with the left hand hair strongly fragrant with incense, restraining both her hands
461. 30:21–30:25for a moment in one's right, and drinking from the beloved's moon-like face produces
462. 30:25–30:30such delight that a lover satisfied by it does not weaken even in old age.
463. 30:30–30:33What do you say what remedy do you prescribe for a man who carelessly speaks another woman's
464. 30:33–30:38name by mistake in his beloved's presence? For a lover, uttering another woman's name
465. 30:38–30:43is a great calamity, like a snake bite, it is difficult to treat. Let me think for
466. 30:43–30:46a moment.
467. 30:46–30:47Thinking
468. 30:47–30:50Yes, I understand.
469. 30:50–30:55Brazenly deny the whole matter as a plain lie, or become still as though terrified, or
470. 30:55–30:58build a bridge of praise for the woman before you, or dissolve the matter in laughter and
471. 30:58–31:03jest, or turn the conversation elsewhere and draw a new subject from it, or, along with
472. 31:03–31:06the one name, utter many other names.
473. 31:06–31:11These are the remedies for the disease of accidentally speaking the wrong name.
474. 31:11–31:15What do you say why do nail marks and tooth marks give pleasure though they cause pain?
475. 31:15–31:17Ha, ha, ha.
476. 31:17–31:20You have asked a very innocent question.
477. 31:20–31:24Though nail marks and tooth marks are painful, they produce delight in lovers.
478. 31:24–31:314. Just as a horse gains speed when the charioteer drives it with a whip, so during love making
479. 31:31–31:35tooth marks and nail marks bring both hearts into a single rhythm.
480. 31:35–31:37Walking.
481. 31:37–31:42What do you say how can one tell from a courtesan's behaviour whether she is detached or attached?
482. 31:42–31:44What doubt is there?
483. 31:44–31:47Here is the teaching on this matter.
484. 31:47–31:51One may petition a loving woman for love.
485. 31:51–31:55As it is said, even great souls cannot conceal the form of their inner feeling.
486. 31:55–31:58How much less an inexperienced woman with a tender heart.
487. 31:58–32:01Close attention should be paid to her gestures.
488. 32:01–32:03What do you say how?
489. 32:03–32:08A woman who bursts into loud laughter for no reason, speaks without cause, rises abruptly,
490. 32:08–32:13fails to understand when spoken to, displays none of the graceful crookedness of women,
491. 32:13–32:17embraces tightly and then suddenly releases, and grows restless when the man begins love-making
492. 32:17–32:21however clever she may appear when passion is ending, she is like a barren vine that
493. 32:21–32:24produces flowers but no fruit.
494. 32:24–32:29What do you say if a version arises, can it be treated, or is there no remedy?
495. 32:29–32:31Listen.
496. 32:31–32:34Love arises in two ways, with a cause and without one.
497. 32:34–32:38Love born from a cause may turn to a version through that very cause, causeless love may
498. 32:38–32:41turn to a version without cause.
499. 32:41–32:45treatment is possible amid the difficulty of attraction and aversion. I shall tell
500. 32:45–32:49you the methods appropriate when love has grown slack.
501. 32:49–32:53The enjoyment of another woman, an interruption of love-making for some reason, firmness that
502. 32:53–32:58is, advancing first in desire or a quarrel, delay an evasion at the time of love, sitting
503. 32:58–33:03together, skill in conversation, honouring or praising her relatives, a journey abroad
504. 33:03–33:07under the pretext of a courtesan, travel to a great city, a daring exploit involving
505. 33:07–33:12risk to life and gifts all these revive a woman's weakened passion.
506. 33:12–33:14And listen further.
507. 33:14–33:19A young girl is one by treatment suited to a child, a woman greedy for wealth, by gifts,
508. 33:19–33:25clever woman, by cleverness, an angry woman, by consolation, a proud woman, by service,
509. 33:25–33:28and an agreeable woman, by agreeableness.
510. 33:28–33:32One should deal with each woman according to her nature.
511. 33:32–33:34Walking
512. 33:34–33:36What do you say?
513. 33:36–33:40How can one bring under control a woman who displays signs of desire on one side, yet does
514. 33:40–33:45not speak, who says backslash, enough, enough backslash, and will not come close, and who
515. 33:45–33:49withdraws at exactly the proper moment?
516. 33:49–33:50Well asked.
517. 33:50–33:56A lover must first understand a woman's nature, perhaps this is simply her disposition.
518. 33:56–34:00But a proud woman can never be brought under control throughout life without strategy.
519. 34:00–34:03Let me reveal the secret of women.
520. 34:03–34:07A man who gets a woman alone and carries her off as an elephant crushes a creeper, or, taking
521. 34:07–34:13her to be intoxicated, gains mastery over her with sweet words, or spreads many nets and
522. 34:13–34:17deceives her, or conceals what is in his own heart none of these efforts is fruitless,
523. 34:17–34:20for women move like storms.
524. 34:20–34:22Walking
525. 34:22–34:24What do you say?
526. 34:24–34:29Lovers recognize four kinds of union, after anger has been calmed, at a first meeting,
527. 34:29–34:36time of departure on a journey, and after return. Which do you value most? In my opinion, lovemaking
528. 34:36–34:40at a first union, before one knows the depth of a woman's trust, is full of danger like
529. 34:40–34:48a bottomless pond. Nor do I find union at the time of departure pleasing. Then grief
530. 34:48–34:52overwhelms the woman and diminishes her passion, tears fill her eyes, anxiety fills her
531. 34:52–34:58heart, and lovemaking becomes flavourless and pathetic, like the moon under eclipse.
532. 34:58–35:02after return from a journey resembles an assembly in the rainy season, for the beloved is unadorned
533. 35:02–35:08and modesty makes her display passion only faintly. But love-making after offended pride has been
534. 35:08–35:12appeased is superior even to the elixir of immortality squeezed from the ocean and ocean
535. 35:12–35:16churned violently by Mount Mandara in the hands of gods and demons and made potent by the
536. 35:16–35:23juices of countless herbs. It stabilizes life and strength. Love-making with a woman who,
537. 35:23–35:27though her anger is outwardly calmed, has not abandoned it in her heart becomes extremely
538. 35:27–35:31fiercely pierced through rapidly inflicted nail and tooth marks.
539. 35:31–35:34Walking
540. 35:34–35:37What do you say rogues laugh at a man deceived by a courtesan?
541. 35:37–35:41How can a lover protect himself from a courtesan's fraud?
542. 35:41–35:45A courtesan and a clerk are alike in striking wherever they see an opening.
543. 35:45–35:49The clerk, like the courtesan, demands that his fist be warmed, but then allows one
544. 35:49–35:51to sit in peace for a while.
545. 35:51–35:55A courtesan, like a disease of wind, makes one spend greatly and does not even allow
546. 35:55–36:00one to sit in peace. Only a man who knows how to maneuver as I do should set foot in
547. 36:00–36:04the courtesan's quarter. I?
548. 36:04–36:08Never trusted a woman whose youth had declined, I tested a young girl thoroughly before staying
549. 36:08–36:12with her, I kept far away from a courtesan ruled by her mother, as from a river full
550. 36:12–36:17of crocodiles, when insulted, I did not grow angry, and when begged, I did not swell
551. 36:17–36:21with pride at the respect shown me. I have grown old in the courtesan's quarter
552. 36:21–36:24without wasting even a little money.
553. 36:24–36:30What do you say if a man has two beloveds and both arrive at once, whom should he honour
554. 36:30–36:33and whom abandon their old beloved all the new?
555. 36:33–36:35You answer.
556. 36:35–36:38This is a crooked question, the answer seems difficult.
557. 36:38–36:40What is your own opinion?
558. 36:40–36:45What did you say I understand nothing, the question is very tangled.
559. 36:45–36:46You answer.
560. 36:46–36:48Then listen.
561. 36:48–36:53One should not abandon a first beloved out of greater passion for a new young woman.
562. 36:53–36:57should one abandon merely to please the first, new, and desiring woman who has come of her
563. 36:57–37:03own accord. If the old beloved, neglected and angry, goes away, then in private one should
564. 37:03–37:08obtain the new woman's consent and use her advice to appease the first.
565. 37:08–37:10Walking
566. 37:10–37:13What do you say while roaming in the quarters unsquartered, how can one judge a woman's
567. 37:13–37:19mastery of desire merely by looking? Nothing is unknown to the clever. At the very sight
568. 37:19–37:23of a woman, a man should first understand her gaze.
569. 37:23–37:26For every emotion is contained in the eyes.
570. 37:26–37:28Look.
571. 37:28–37:33Rolling the eyes, lightly blinking, looking sideways, filling the gaze with passion, widening
572. 37:33–37:37the eyes, boldness in the look, and restlessness at the pupils such forms of vision reveal
573. 37:37–37:40that a woman is skilled in desire.
574. 37:40–37:44Love making is difficult with a woman whose cheeks are slightly turned and thin, whose
575. 37:44–37:47brows are restless, and whose gaze is a bleak.
576. 37:47–37:51one whose lip corners contract, whose body is covered with nail and tooth marks, and who
577. 37:51–37:55smiles gently, one may make love without fear.
578. 37:55–37:59Trust also a woman whose left hand rests upon her hip, whose right hands beside her in the
579. 37:59–38:03vine hand gesture, and whose hips are drawn to one side and lifted though such a woman
580. 38:03–38:05is never without pride.
581. 38:05–38:09A woman who covers one breast with the end of her wrap, places one foot effectively
582. 38:09–38:13upon her threshold, and looks out while concealing her body beside the doorway is
583. 38:13–38:15not a woman but a complete snare.
584. 38:15–38:19The condition is revealed by how affectation.
585. 38:19–38:23One who grasps the upper cat-shaped bracket of the door that cows other raises both arms
586. 38:23–38:27in a stretching pose, loosens the knot of her lower garment, and displays her navel, her
587. 38:27–38:32behaviour makes the prelude to lovemaking so clear that nothing remains to be inferred.
588. 38:32–38:36Much may be said on this subject, but I shall speak briefly.
589. 38:36–38:40Red palms and fingers, clean nails, a hand placed upon the cheek, speaking with
590. 38:40–38:46with lightly hand gestures, a beautiful gait, a smile upon trembling lips, a restless glance,
591. 38:46–38:50a confident expression, and the knot of the lower garment tied beneath the navel understand
592. 38:50–38:53a woman with these signs to be either a net for trapping men or a supreme heroine in the
593. 38:53–38:56battle of love.
594. 38:56–38:58WALKING
595. 38:58–39:04What do you say a woman's desire is of two kinds, open and concealed, which is superior.
596. 39:04–39:09Open desire is suitable only for a courtesan, and even then may be counterfeit.
597. 39:09–39:14Concealed desire occurs in both courtesans and respectable wives.
598. 39:14–39:19Feeling born solely from affection, being less flawed, is especially attractive in a courtesan.
599. 39:19–39:23Because men are scarce to her, respectable wife may desire one man or another, but a
600. 39:23–39:26courtesan does not desire everyone.
601. 39:26–39:30Some hold that a courtesan incurs no fault by making love with anyone, so why should
602. 39:30–39:33she need concealed desire?
603. 39:33–39:37I say, old acquaintances, the king's brothers-in-law, men who give a little money, devoted
604. 39:37–39:42admirers, and flatterers who bear their teeth even when angry all these hover around a courtesan's
605. 39:42–39:47mother with praise. The courtesan may not desire them, yet she must make herself attainable to them,
606. 39:47–39:54even without desire, she must act the part of love with such men. Why? For self-interest.
607. 39:55–39:59Therefore, if a courtesan would conceal desire truly loves someone, that man receives the
608. 39:59–40:05full fruit of birth and life. And when, in separation from someone, the courtesan herself
609. 40:05–40:09comes as her own messenger and speaks in a voice choked with feeling, is that a small
610. 40:09–40:12piece of good fortune for the man.
611. 40:12–40:16Imagine further the state in which, absorbed in thoughts of her lover, she grows pale like
612. 40:16–40:20an invalid, weeps for him at moonrise, wakes night after night until her eyes redden, becomes
613. 40:20–40:25thin with desire on his account, lays aside her ornaments, and keeps speaking words of
614. 40:25–40:27reproach, cruel man, may all be well with you.
615. 40:27–40:32It is because of you that my body has come to this condition.
616. 40:32–40:35Or imagine the moment when a man hears words full of sighs,
617. 40:35–40:39Beloved, I ask only this that you have mercy on my body.
618. 40:39–40:43Or the condition beyond that, when the courtesan embraces her lover and says at one moment,
619. 40:43–40:47Lord, be quick, and at another, enough, do not do that, while rising again and again
620. 40:47–40:50to make tooth, and nail marks.
621. 40:50–40:54Then the man gains the fortune of hearing words that surpass even the use of elixirs,
622. 40:54–40:57Beloved, I have become like this for your sake.
623. 40:57–40:58Believe me.
624. 40:58–41:00I swear by you.
625. 41:00–41:04When he hears such words from a messenger, or learns her condition from visible signs and
626. 41:04–41:09thinks, truly she has come to this state because of me, the compassion-soaked joy that arises
627. 41:09–41:11in his heart has no equal.
628. 41:11–41:15If you can name another pleasure like it, I shall abandon roguery and become a Brahmin
629. 41:15–41:17reciter of the Vedas.
630. 41:17–41:19And further.
631. 41:19–41:23The fortunate man who, according to a secret signal, gains for a moment at night a private
632. 41:23–41:28meeting with his beloved slender wasted, walking slowly with a hand upon her girdle,
633. 41:28–41:32stricken, frightened, and restless-eyed and kisses her while both remain standing, I am
634. 41:32–41:37ready to hold a lotus parasol over his head with my own hands.
635. 41:37–41:41And for the woman who, flustered, says, beloved, hurry for a woman who surrenders herself in
636. 41:41–41:46this way a man becomes her purchased slave even at the price of his life.
637. 41:46–41:48Walking
638. 41:48–41:53What do you say between a beautiful woman and an agreeable one, which do you value more?
639. 41:53–41:56Both qualities adorn a woman.
640. 41:56–42:01If an ugly woman is agreeable, it is useless like dancing in darkness, and without agreeableness,
641. 42:01–42:05what pleasure can beauty give, like moonlight in a forest with no one to see it?
642. 42:05–42:09Yet I consider agreeableness more important than beauty.
643. 42:09–42:10Why?
644. 42:10–42:15Agreeableness adorns even an ugly woman, whereas arrogant spoils even a beauty.
645. 42:15–42:20Men are seen to leave a beautiful woman and delight in one who is ugly but agreeable.
646. 42:20–42:23Beauty breeds pride, and pride is the enemy of desire.
647. 42:23–42:28The root of desire is mutual responsiveness, and that becomes possible through graciousness
648. 42:28–42:29and compliance.
649. 42:29–42:35If beauty alone caused satisfaction, painted woman would fulfill the purpose.
650. 42:35–42:39Agreeableness contains every virtue except beauty, such a woman is sensitive, does not
651. 42:39–42:43remain angry long, is free from greed, and is obedient.
652. 42:43–42:47What did you say it is said that a courtesan, because her courtesy is artificial, is not
653. 42:47–42:49fit for the company of gentlemen?
654. 42:49–42:50Why?
655. 42:50–42:55A special mode of conduct used to accomplish a purpose is called an expedient.
656. 42:55–42:58In women, expedients are both natural and artificial.
657. 42:58–43:03The very purpose of a courtesan's expedient is to achieve her own end.
658. 43:03–43:07Some say that conduct accompanied by cunning is artificial, but even such conduct may be
659. 43:07–43:08faultless.
660. 43:08–43:10How?
661. 43:10–43:14Proper hospitality offered cunningly still pleases the heart, hospitality offered sincerely
662. 43:14–43:17but in the wrong way pleases no one.
663. 43:17–43:21Conning is simply special skill in accomplishing a task.
664. 43:21–43:25A woman seeking her own purpose must certainly find a man especially suited to it.
665. 43:25–43:30Men remain pleased only with a woman who recognizes the exceptional man.
666. 43:30–43:31And further.
667. 43:31–43:36Modesty, sweet speech, patience, and labor by day and night if all these virtues can
668. 43:36–43:41remain together with cunning, who will call such cunning base.
669. 43:41–43:44What do you say the essence of cunning is acting against one's desire?
670. 43:44–43:50A lover suffers when he receives behavior contrary to his heart, there is no remedy.
671. 43:50–43:53Anyone may become hostile when a cause arises.
672. 43:53–43:57The fault belongs to the person who cannot remove that cause.
673. 43:57–44:02Mutual opposition is a defect only where two people cannot unite for one purpose.
674. 44:02–44:06Many couples are seen who, though opposed in some matters, remain delighted through
675. 44:06–44:08close harmony in others.
676. 44:08–44:13Trembling breasts, tear-filled glance revealing the heart's secret, and whispered conversation
677. 44:13–44:17full of beautiful words even if produced through cunning, all these are still counted as virtues.
678. 44:19–44:23What do you say many people say that all money given to a quarter's an should be considered lost?
679. 44:23–44:27Dataka too said that desire is the total destruction of a man's wealth.
680. 44:28–44:29What is your view?
681. 44:30–44:33Wealth has only three uses, giving, enjoyment, and burying it.
682. 44:34–44:37Giving and enjoyment are excellent, burying is blameworthy.
683. 44:38–44:414. Buried wealth produces no fruit.
684. 44:41–44:47When it is fruitless, it creates discontent. Money, changing place like the gate of a
685. 44:47–44:53prancing horse, is not meant merely for accumulation. Wealth and virtue give pleasure to the body.
686. 44:53–44:58Pleasure is the attainment of desired objects' sound, form, touch, and the rest and the company
687. 44:58–45:04of courtesans supplies these abundantly. Among all sounds, sweet speech gives special pleasure.
688. 45:04–45:08Only courtesans know how to speak sweetly, others do not.
689. 45:08–45:114.
690. 45:11–45:15Only courtesans know how to say pleasant things pleasantly, or even to express something bitter,
691. 45:15–45:19at the proper moment and in few words, in a pleasing manner.
692. 45:19–45:23Filled with graciousness, they can never speak harshly, nor do they utter a pleasant thing
693. 45:23–45:25in an unpleasant way.
694. 45:25–45:29A man who delights in touching the hips of a courtesan with full-rounded thighs and
695. 45:29–45:33buttocks, loose and gauze garment, and a fastened girdle would give even his life
696. 45:33–45:35for her, not merely money.
697. 45:35–45:39Among all tastes, drinking wine is greatly censured, yet in a courtesan's company even
698. 45:39–45:41that gives joy.
699. 45:41–45:43Look!
700. 45:43–45:47The man who drinks wine that has foamed in the cup because it was poured in haste, that
701. 45:47–45:51remains after she has drunk, or that she has sipped and rinsed from her mouth, and that
702. 45:51–45:54between draughts gives him the relish of drinking from her lips he alone receives the true
703. 45:54–45:57pleasure of the courtesan's quarter.
704. 45:57–46:02The man who has seen the face of a courtesan with half-opened eyes, trembling lips, long-drawn
705. 46:02–46:07brows and cheeks beaded with sweat has obtained the full fruit of his eyes.
706. 46:07–46:09And further.
707. 46:09–46:14The dry ends of Akortizan's hair after bathing, her heavy coiffure adorned with flowers, the
708. 46:14–46:18garment she has worn and cast aside, red lips fragrant with her breath, a face opened
709. 46:18–46:23by white, or a body moist with sandal paste once a man has breathed these scents, karma
710. 46:23–46:26surely enters through his nostrils.
711. 46:26–46:30I possess no special authority in religion, yet I shall say how religious merit is
712. 46:30–46:31gained.
713. 46:31–46:35And this world in gratitude is heavier than every sin.
714. 46:35–46:40More ungrateful still is the man who receives incomparable, desired pleasure from a courtesan
715. 46:40–46:42and does not benefit her in return.
716. 46:42–46:45If he is grateful, heaven lies in his fist.
717. 46:45–46:51Therefore, to obtain heavenly pleasure, one should fearlessly give wealth to courtesans.
718. 46:51–46:56What do you say why does a compliant respectable wife not give pleasure equal to a courtesan?
719. 46:56–46:57Listen.
720. 46:57–47:01The compliance of a wife is one thing, that of a courtesan another.
721. 47:01–47:05If a wife is simple, she first says a pleasant thing at the wrong time, then, regarding her
722. 47:05–47:10husband as exceedingly dear, she also says unpleasant things.
723. 47:10–47:12This is seen everywhere.
724. 47:12–47:16Desire is a special longing, and petition too is a form of longing.
725. 47:16–47:19Petition arises from not obtaining something.
726. 47:19–47:23Even when a courtesan has been won, the longing for her remains filled with jealousy,
727. 47:23–47:26because everyone has a claim upon her.
728. 47:26–47:31Jealousy produces greed, therefore desire for a courtesan does not fade.
729. 47:31–47:37is the root of passion. And further. What conscious being, once mounted upon the chariot
730. 47:37–47:43of a courtesan's hips, would care for a respectable wife. No man abandons a chariot to ride in
731. 47:43–47:48an ox cart. What do you say a man devoted to courtesans is not honoured by society, and
732. 47:48–47:55people do not like even his opinions? If there is virtue in visiting courtesans. Why
733. 47:55–47:57Why is it not openly accepted?
734. 47:57–48:00You have asked a very cunning question.
735. 48:00–48:02Give me a moment.
736. 48:02–48:04Thinking.
737. 48:04–48:08Worship is of two kinds, fruitful and fruitless.
738. 48:08–48:12Fruitless worship is laughable, like the efforts of a naked ascetic.
739. 48:12–48:16What fruit has been gained by one who never attached himself to a courtesan?
740. 48:16–48:21Someone may say, association with courtesans causes disgrace.
741. 48:21–48:25This is not worthy of belief, everyone envies a happy man.
742. 48:25–48:30People say, another man's wife is forbidden, but no such rule is spoken of courtesans.
743. 48:30–48:35Someone may say, association with women is not beneficial, and courtesans are women.
744. 48:35–48:40My answer is this, a man whose own mind is attached to women should not blame another.
745. 48:40–48:43And further.
746. 48:43–48:46Expanding the preceding statement.
747. 48:46–48:50Boldness of nature, courage in one's own place, ready wit, refined taste, brilliance
748. 48:50–48:55of temperament, the ability to read another's mind, laughter and good cheer, knowledge of
749. 48:55–48:59the best methods of love-making, the delight of a loving woman, the acquisition of art such
750. 48:59–49:04as painting, and excellent comfort if a lover obtains all these in the courtesan's quarter,
751. 49:04–49:07why do people condemn that quarter?
752. 49:07–49:08Why indeed?
753. 49:08–49:09Walking.
754. 49:09–49:15What do you say Brihaspati, Ushanars, and other lawgivers say that one should not
755. 49:15–49:17associate with women?
756. 49:17–49:19What is your opinion?
757. 49:19–49:21This is empty instruction.
758. 49:21–49:24I see no one who does not associate with women.
759. 49:24–49:29We hear that Indra and others themselves had dealings with Ahalya and other women.
760. 49:29–49:34Sensual enjoyment is superior to virtue and wealth, because it fulfills the mind's desire.
761. 49:34–49:37Sensual enjoyment is especially embodied in women.
762. 49:37–49:41I consider cheated the man who abandons courtesans in the hope of divine sexual
763. 49:41–49:43pleasure in heaven.
764. 49:43–49:48But this life and the next, this life is superior because its fruit is visible.
765. 49:48–49:51What pleasure do you see in another body, whose attainment is uncertain and comes only
766. 49:51–49:54with great difficulty after austerities?
767. 49:54–49:59Look, on a rainy, mooless night when cloud dims the lamp of the moon, double darkness
768. 49:59–50:03makes the world terrifying, an intensely cold wind blows, and water, and wind make
769. 50:03–50:07movement difficult A man awakened by the jingling anklets of a solitary woman, tormented
770. 50:07–50:11by karma's arrows and coming secretly to him, receives the full fruit of his life
771. 50:11–50:13and birth.
772. 50:13–50:17What did you say wearing anklets greatly assists a woman on an asignation?
773. 50:17–50:19Yes, exactly.
774. 50:19–50:23For how could a flustered man at a first union surrender himself if the anklets did not ring
775. 50:23–50:25with the movement of her feet?
776. 50:25–50:30If, awakened by that sound, he receives for kissing a face whose cosmetic mark has been
777. 50:30–50:34washed away by rain, whose callirium has run, whose lips tremble, and whose breath
778. 50:34–50:38is fragrant with wine, then even the suffering of hell-hanging head downward for many cosmic
779. 50:38–50:42ages would seem dear to the man whose heart has joined with that young woman.
780. 50:42–50:46Or in autumn, when the veil of cloud has lifted, the moon rests like a tilaka upon
781. 50:46–50:51the sky, the storm has ceased, and the directions are fragrant with dripping asana blossoms what
782. 50:51–50:55need has the man for heaven who sports in a lotus-filled tank with his beloved, whose
783. 50:55–50:59girdle imitates the call of cranes, whose cosmetic mark glows like the red band who
784. 50:59–51:04flower, and who has learned the secrets of love from the chakravaka birds.
785. 51:04–51:08Or in winter, when the wind is filled with the scent of flowering lodra mingled
786. 51:08–51:12with jasmine, and women swagger with sprays of pre-angu in their hair, no comparison
787. 51:12–51:16can be given for the pleasure of a man who lovingly insists on drinking from the mouth
788. 51:16–51:19of a beloved whose lip is cracked by the violence of cold and who, even while trying
789. 51:19–51:23to protect it, challenges him to kiss.
790. 51:23–51:26Or in a private chamber where burning black aloes cover the room in clouds of smoke
791. 51:26–51:30and pearl-like flowers are spread upon the floor, while a sharp wind blows droplets like
792. 51:30–51:35frost in such a dark cold season night, or has a man not obtained if he lies upon
793. 51:35–51:39a beautiful bed, his chest pressed by the full breasts of his love-absorbed beloved,
794. 51:39–51:43body fragrant with drops of sweat born from a tight embrace, and at the end of passion
795. 51:43–51:46falls into a sweet dose.
796. 51:46–51:48And further.
797. 51:48–51:51One must thirstily drink from the sighing face of a beloved who tries to protect her cracked
798. 51:51–51:55lower lip from kisses and casts a side-long glance when her hair is seized and drawn
799. 51:55–51:57upward.
800. 51:57–52:01Where in heaven, where there is no censure, can such pleasure be found.
801. 52:01–52:06Or on a spring day when drops of sweat erase the tilaka, cuckoos fill the gardens,
802. 52:06–52:11string-jolt girdles, mango trees show new blossom, and the wind is fragrant when a beloved,
803. 52:11–52:15abandoning pride and coming of her own accord through love, forgets that she had to be appeased
804. 52:15–52:19and begins instead to appease the man, he should desire no other pleasure.
805. 52:19–52:23Or in summer, when a shirisha flower warns that the beloved's ear darkens her cheek,
806. 52:23–52:28water vessels, pearl necklaces, sandal paste, and breezes from vet of the fan's bring
807. 52:28–52:32delight, and the sun's rays blaze fiercely the man who lies on a flower bed in an
808. 52:32–52:36airy pavilion, rests a hand upon the beloved's coiffure dawned with fresh jasmine, enjoys
809. 52:36–52:41the breeze of a palm leaf fan beside her breasts moist with sandal paste, and passes the afternoon
810. 52:41–52:47there or who is detained by his beloved in a ventilated room whose floor has been sprinkled
811. 52:47–52:51with scented water and stream with peculiar jasmine, and blue lotuses has taken the
812. 52:51–52:53full delight of youth.
813. 52:53–52:55And further.
814. 52:55–52:58The savor found in the lotus surpassing face of a beloved whose lips tremble from
815. 52:58–53:02on tooth marks, the pleasure of removing the garment from hips shining in the light of
816. 53:02–53:06the girdle, or the beauty made upon full cheeks by nail marks a mind trapped in such pleasures
817. 53:06–53:10does not wish to become detached even in another birth.
818. 53:10–53:14Poor people follow one another like ants on the road to death, repeating the false cry,
819. 53:14–53:18there is heaven, there is heaven, about something they have never seen, fixing their minds
820. 53:18–53:22upon a mirage, and seeking heaven through pretenses such as living on air, throwing
821. 53:22–53:29themselves from mountains, entering fire, severe recitation, sacrifice, vows, and observances.
822. 53:29–53:34They do not even wish to test what the truth is. We hear that in heaven a woman assigned
823. 53:34–53:40to each man stands ready. If so, amid so many mutual contradictions, what pleasure will a man
824. 53:40–53:45obtain with that celestial nymph? Since she is always attached and separation never occurs,
825. 53:45–53:49how can she give delight? Because they remain strangers to one another,
826. 53:49–53:52even the manifest pleasure of love cannot be found with such a woman.
827. 53:54–53:56We hear of golden houses and golden trees in heaven.
828. 53:57–54:01The gods must have accumulated this capital through their natural miserliness.
829. 54:02–54:05If houses and trees are both gold, with what is a woman adorned?
830. 54:06–54:07Where is distinction?
831. 54:08–54:11Is a piece of gold to be broken from the building to enhance her beauty?
832. 54:12–54:16Where in a hard golden tree is the delight a woman receives from a young tree in her
833. 54:16–54:20household garden raised and honoured by her own hands like a son, and giving flowers to
834. 54:20–54:22adorn her hair.
835. 54:22–54:26Where in heaven, where women are always frightened by the threat of curses, is the pleasure
836. 54:26–54:30of lovers ruled by youthful desire, eager to see one another, thirsty to hear the cuckoo's
837. 54:30–54:34call, reproaching each other, and wishing to obtain the fruit of love.
838. 54:34–54:37Where in jealousy free heaven is the equal of the pleasure of a man whose long day
839. 54:37–54:42passes with friends devising lovely ways, suited to her desire, to appease a beloved
840. 54:42–54:45who has taken offense.
841. 54:45–54:48Where in sleepless heaven is the pleasure of sleep into which a beloved with expressive
842. 54:48–54:53limbs sinks a man while lying upon his chest and satisfying his very life breath with exhalations
843. 54:53–54:55fragrant with peculiar flowers.
844. 54:55–54:59Where in whineless heaven are the broken, deceitful, sweet words spoken to a lover by
845. 54:59–55:02a woman drunk on Vahyuni.
846. 55:02–55:06Where is kept in heaven the sexual pleasure gained from the embrace of a new bride,
847. 55:06–55:09accompanied by delightful cries and the three rhythms of breath.
848. 55:09–55:13I would rather sit with an old Vedic scholar than with an absurer.
849. 55:13–55:18I hear those crooked old celestial women pompously pour out Sanskrit.
850. 55:18–55:21What trust can one place in women from whom great sages such as Varsishtha and Agastya
851. 55:21–55:22were born?
852. 55:22–55:23Look!
853. 55:23–55:30Cunning, lies, intoxication, jealousy, insult, and offended love all these awakened desire,
854. 55:30–55:32and heaven contains not one of them.
855. 55:32–55:36Therefore, anyone who wants unobstructed experience of love should enjoy it here,
856. 55:36–55:39especially with causes ands.
857. 55:39–55:43A luckless man whose procurus must follow him a long way with tears in her eyes
858. 55:43–55:46to win him back, or who must seize the end of a beloved's garment and drag her back as
859. 55:46–55:50she runs away in feigned anger, or who can appease only with difficulty a woman who is
860. 55:50–55:55genuinely angry if such a man remains angry with his beloved, he crushes with his own
861. 55:55–55:58hands the chariot that bears the banner of karma.
862. 55:58–56:01Ah, there is Sunanda.
863. 56:01–56:03What do you say we have heard everything?
864. 56:03–56:06See, I have sold my merchandise.
865. 56:06–56:09Dear woman, you must not deceive me.
866. 56:09–56:11What darkness does not drip from the moon?
867. 56:11–56:16Sonando, that saying suits you, therefore you have spoken it.
868. 56:16–56:18Now let us go inside.
869. 56:18–56:20Entering.
870. 56:20–56:23I now ask leave to depart.
871. 56:23–56:28The sun, like a golden tortoise, slowly withdraws its feet and sets.
872. 56:28–56:32Women fasten loose and girdles, drink one cup of vayunit, decorate with flowers hair
873. 56:32–56:36eager for the touch of a lover's hand, and, resting a hand upon the girdle in the
874. 56:36–56:40carava-lambita pose, look at him from the corner of the eye.
875. 56:40–56:43What do you say you cannot move even half a step from here?
876. 56:43–56:45But I must go.
877. 56:45–56:49Otherwise my wife will welcome this garment in another fashion.
878. 56:49–56:50You.
879. 56:50–56:53What did you say I shall appease her?
880. 56:53–56:56She is impossible to appease, like a villain who knows the king's secret and yields to
881. 56:56–56:58know in treaty.
882. 56:58–57:01Why are you and Vishvalaka both clinging to my feet?
883. 57:01–57:04Alas, these two have made me lame.
884. 57:04–57:06Sunanda.
885. 57:06–57:11the great ocean never abandons the shore, so I shall not abandon you. May the king protect
886. 57:11–57:15this earth adorned with the ocean as her girdle.
887. 57:15–57:23The gallant exits. Thus ends Durdavida Sambhada, the one actor play, Bana, by Ishvera Dada.

Plain text

After the benediction, the stage manager enters. My undertaking has three purposes, fame spread through learning, wealth for honoring good people, and, through their pleasure, religious merit. Therefore, to delight those assembled here, we should perform a play. Come, let us sing something that gladdens the heart in this rainy season-a-season that deepens the pleasure of the rich but increases the grief of the unfortunate poor tormented by youth. It is adorned with woodland stretches of commuda, blue water lily, white lotus, red lotus, nichola, ketoki, koutaja and plantin. At such a time the rains look like a gallant, anointed with the blue cosmetic of cloud, body trembling in flashes of lightning and dressed in the flowering garment of Kutajah. Going out Thus the introduction The gallant enters Well said The cloud pours down torrents upon the rich man's house like an accomplished drummer. Lightning flashes like the arched brow of an angry woman. The cool rainy wind blows in a close embrace. Karma draws his bow to the ear and shoots firm arrows into lovers' hearts. And further. Senseless are those who travel abroad, or, having gone away, do not return in the rainy season even when driven by desire. Naive are those who do not appease an offended beloved, or who remain angry for too long. Blessed are those who are ruled by their beloved, or whose beloved is ruled by them. With the drum of cloud, the rainy season seems to proclaim this to the whole world. Ah, how can one describe the countless things in the rains that sees a connoisseur's heart? The sun's rays are hidden by water-laden clouds, courtyards are wet, the day has faded like a story from the distant past. Bees, drawn by the scent of coutage blossoms, hover, peacocks begin to dance, and fields drenched with cool water become fit for wandering. The forest floor, covered with crawling red velvet mites and new green shoots of derver grass, is suitable for young women whose feet are painted with lac. Rivers, filled with muddy water and offering no ford, have become hard to cross like the secret approaches of a cunning woman, difficult to discover during her menses. And further. The wind comes out from within the forest, carrying the fragrance of Kadamba and cooled by rainwater, as though bringing a gift. This is a most delightful time, desire must surely become restless in it. When the wind blows, the forest is fragrant with Kadamba, and the day is dark beneath massed clouds, even the mind of a happy man becomes restless for love. Longing is of two kinds, with a cause and without one. Longing born from a cause can be treated, but when causeless longing arises, it is as helpless as the counterfeit weeping of a maid servant A. Kambardasi. I too am deeply dispirited today because the rain has kept me from going here and there. Though satisfied by the sweet notes of my wife's voice, I now feel like roaming about. When the song stopped, the clouds thundercieced like a drum falling silent. The household peacock, frightened by the rain, now spreads both wings in joy, climbs to the mansion's summit, and cries aloud. A lute whose strings have slipped apart because the bridge has left its central groove lies warming itself in the sun like a woman tormented by an icy wind. The mansion roof spits out the rainwater remaining upon it through the mouths of its gutters, as if pouring strings of pearls. Dimmed by the damp are being wiped clean. And further. Women made languid by the misery of confinement in great houses peer from windows. Gold girdles, they're hard not stiffened by damp, untied and fastened again. Lovers coax courtesans into going to the pleasure gardens. Women paint their feet with passion-stirring lack before walking upon the new grass. Where shall I divert this restless mind in the gambling hall or in the courtesans' quarter? thinking. My respects to gambling. Apart from one loincloth, it has left me no second garment. Dice, like a wealthy man born in a low family, do not always keep an honest face. Then I shall go to the courtesan's quarter, for there. Beautiful half-closed eyes, pecan't, sweet conversation sharpened by laughter, a soft seat beside a woman whose full hips press close, and the graceful movement of a hand-displaying affection one who knows the manners of the Courtesan's quarter receives all these delightful pleasures without even falling in love with a courtesan. Seeing something, he speaks to his wife. Shut the doors of the house. What did I say your house has as many doors as an anthill? The city officials may indeed have a separate route by which to come, but because they are accustomed to intruding into other people's houses, they have chosen your own door as their target. Enough questions and answers. Alas, I see disaster approaching my own head. Walking Kusumapura's incomparable fame has spread across the whole earth. That is why the word, city, by itself is generally understood to mean this city. It contains many lofty buildings. People marvel at its varied prosperity, born from the abundance of goods for sale and the crowds who come to buy them. But why marvel at that? There are many other prosperous cities. Let me tell you what makes this one extraordinary. For instance, There are many generous people here, the arts are honored, men associate agreeably with women, the rich, though intoxicated by wealth, are free from jealousy, men are made modest by learning, everyone is courteous in conversation, appreciative of one another's virtues, and grateful. Even the gods could abandon their heaven and live happily here in Patalipitra. Walking. Ah, that is surely Krishnalaka, the merchant's son, who has made his youth fruitful through association with the Kortisansk Water and has become dear to people like me. Fearing the ruin of the family, his father has tried hard to restrain him, nevertheless, he has somehow gone to the Kortisansk Water, beautified his body through the enjoyment of his beloved, and now comes rapidly this way. I must greet him. Let me approach. Krishnalaka, continue to enjoy your youth to the full in this fashion. You are surely coming from Madhabhaseena's house. What do you say how did you know? What is there to know? Lord Karma joins people of like nature. I am hardly different from people engaged in your pursuits. Or where else could you be going after leaving a woman forever thirsty for love? What did you say how did you know even that? There is no great subtlety in it. 4. The Calyrium from her eyes is visible upon your hand, where you wiped her face, and when you fell at her feet, the arrangement of the hair on your head became scattered and uneven. It seems you left your mind with her and managed to bring away only your body. That is why you walk the road with such difficulty, like a ship reeling beneath gusts of wind. What do you say now I must certainly meet my father? Dress like this? He will fall upon you. If father sees me in this condition, he may give up his very life. What would he not do to separate from you a woman of insatiable desire? A living father is a headache embodied for young men. So long as one's father lives, a man never even glimpses the kind of gambling. In which mutual challenges and scolding heighten the colour of the wager, abuse, and quarrelling create the proper atmosphere, and brave men are put to the test. Nor can he even smell wine, fragrant as lotus-scented water and sweet as nectar, Bottled by mango oil, its surface rippling beneath a woman's breath, poured into a cup shaped like a dancing peacock. When, in a contest of factions, the company divides into two camps and forms its circles, courtesans press close beside their friends, and no one worries about raising the stakes while seated with a woman then a man burdened with a father has no chance to play, or even to act as umpire. Nor can he run behind a drunken elephant while young women lean their full breasts from windows, dance their fingers in excitement and watch him with admiration. It is not in his destiny to rush down the royal road at night, yellow in the blaze of torches, wearing only a loincloth, naked sword in hand, heroically prepare to break a friend's bonds that is, to free him from prison. Intoxicated by the wish to repay a favour, he cannot dare to act rather than boast, grieve at the mere mention of repayment, and sacrifice everything for a friend. All that might still be endured. But these fathers, like sons of slave women, never enjoyed youth themselves, and now wish to keep their sons away from the courtesans' quarter merely to protect their wealth. I feel like Parashurama, who took up the axe and made the earth without kshatriyas, I too would make the world fatherless. Or perhaps these old men remain hungry throughout their own youth. The poor creatures do not know that the nectar of a courtesans' mouth, fragrant as water scented by blooming lotuses and sweet as ambrosia, can restore even a dead man to life. And further. The jingling girdle, the exposed, full thighs, the kiss given in trust, the slopes of breasts trembling and moving with breath, the oblique gaze beneath contracted brows, the strange thrill awakened by cries of pleasure, and sudden flashes of anger who, having once become intoxicated by a courtesan's love-making conducted according to his desire and filled with all these things, could ever forget it. What do you say let me tell you my other trouble? What is it? my father has decided to arrange my marriage. Occurs upon me. May such a calamity fall upon no one's head. Alas, I have had to hear even this. It is enough to make one raise both hands and weep, a servant of the courtesan's quarter will now leave the royal road and enter the narrow lane of a respectable wife. Look! Never devote your heart to serving and worshipping an innocent housewife, tied like an animal to a post one who becomes utterly blind during lovemaking, keeps a miserable face, swallows every word before it leaves her mouth, makes even a cheerful man sad, is veiled by shame, and in her innocence has perhaps never even looked at her own thighs. What did you say that is my own resolve? If that is truly your resolve, I am pleased, it accords with my company. Go now. When you reach home, I shall instruct you again. Walking. The Royal Road of Kusumapura, packed with a vast crowd, is like an ocean covered with spreading circles of waves terrifying to look at and difficult to cross. Here. Anyone who sees me, however great his haste, will not pass without speaking. Even in the crowd everyone smilingly makes way for me. No one detains me long, for fear of obstructing my business. From the people here and their skill in conduct, I can understand how enduring the fame of this excellent city must be. Ah, here is the lane leading to the Cortezan's quarter, as winding as a gallant's intelligence. I shall take this road. Here I fought, here I carried off a Cortezan, here, frightened, I closed my eyes and fled. Remembering the pleasures I enjoyed here in Rising Youth, I go eagerly toward the Cortezan's quarter. Walking Ah, life has returned to me. I have reached the Cortezan's quarter. imitating a metrical recitation. This breeze comes after enjoying the faces of courtesans with half-closed eyes and waving locks, it is filled with the fragrance of garlands and wine, as though it were the very breath of the courtesans' quarter. Ah. What incomparable beauty belongs to this courtesans' quarter, the office of karma, mansions with summits high as the peak of kailasa, windows brushed by the slopes of courtesans' breasts, buildings made rain cloud dark by smoke from allows and incense, side doors laughing with offerings of flowers, girdles whose jingling awakens longing in lovers, anklets that seem to speak in a voice choked with emotion. Here maid servants move back and forth like banners of karma's victory ready with side-long glances, their rows of teeth revealed by blossoming smiles, shaping speech with dancing brows, little wraps fluttering over full breasts, strutting windows, wraps slip open in haste, graceful and quick in movement. And young courtesans appear everywhere, especially striking in their affectation, faces always adorned by laughter, eyes made white with fame surprised though they are never surprised, hair glossy, delicate, curling, fine, long, and black, steps slowed by the burden of hips, gate like a drunken elephant, pausing here and there like drinking stations that quench thirst with the water of love. And rows of mansions seem to thunder, filled with the constant sound of drums and startled pairs of pigeons. Doorways, dawned by crowds of famous craftsmen and filled with flower offerings cast by distinguished patrons, compete with one another. Fragrant oils are being prepared to relieve the exhaustion of the battle of love. Cosmetic paste for full breasts is being ground. Delicate garlands, tender as the hearts of high-spirited women, being carried away. The lute sounds, pleasing to the ear like the words of a beloved. Wine circulates, eager to serve as the relish for tasting a lover's lips. With half-opened eyes, breasts uncovered under some pretext, shy laughter, witty remarks pleasing to the ear, soft breathing, and songs naturally sweet in rhythm, the courtesans compel karma to keep his bow forever strong. Walking Ah, this is Sholiva Runika, attendant of Madan Asina. Drunk with youth, she pays no attention to the band across her breasts, she wears a gauze thin muslin garment, she has used her hip ornament, her girdle, as the knot of her lower cloth, and in effected play has removed the ornament from one ear. Her eyes are restless as a frightened fawn's, her swollen lips are well used, her naturally laughing face could shake even a sage's mind. Making scissors at the fingers of her left hand, she touches the flower at her ear, raises one brow slightly, sees me, laughs, and comes forward. A thrill has risen on the cheek of this broad-hit woman, as though the flower at her ear had secretly struck her with a kiss. How dare she pass without speaking to me? Let me address her. Dear Varunika, stop a moment. Why keep walking and waste my words? Fair woman, even your neglect delights me. Why have you stopped laughing? Coming close. Do not fold your hands. May I ask, slender-wasted girl, who received the first delight of these breasts? Why say only, yes, look shyly at me, tell half the story, and run away so quickly? All this is the magic of desire. Walking Ah, at her own doorway band Humatica sits beside Chaturica, talking, brushing hair from her brow, making her eyes languid as evening lotuses, and stringing her own girdle. Ah, a task worthy of youth. What delicate work she has undertaken. How alluring is her concentration. This effort to arrange the girdle reveals the firmness of her body. What has she not said by proudly stringing that dual belt? Her skill in the arts of pleasure must certainly be worthy of worship. I should approach her. Approaching Dear woman, may your task succeed. I need no seat. I wish to ask you something. Proud lady, how did this girdle break? It is the intimate friend of a lover's fingers, a bright stream flowing from the lake of your naval, lightning flashing at the edge of the cloud of your blue silk garment, the mother of the exercise called woman on top lovemaking with the wrestler called man, the boasting of karma, the delicate voice of your hips, furnished with tiny bells, and almost a rosary for counting the pleasures of love repeatedly received. But what is there to discover? Red-eyed woman, your broken girdle, like a lute with snapped strings, must have made tasteless those hips of yours spread like the forehead and massive flanks of a drunken elephant, eager for touch and moving with an elephant's gate-hips whose scores garment your beloved trustingly removed upon the bed and gazed upon with love. Why have you bowed your head and sat silent? Why do you not answer? I am going. What do you say you must not go? Then see, I stand still like a snake fixed by a spell. Shall I go? Very well, I am going. and listening. Ah, from Ramadas' house comes a sound like a woman weeping. It may have many causes. Why, then, is she crying? Weeping caused by anger is sharp in tone, by helplessness, soft, by love, broken and intermittent, by fear, flat, and by joy, choked with emotion. This woman's crying seems filled with both offended love and misery, for at first she cries at the top of her voice, then sobs slowly in broken intervals. My heart tells me it is Ramadasi herself. Then let me go inside. Entry It is she. On seeing me, she begins to cry even louder. The tears falling from the corners of her eyes like heaps of anger seem to be counting her beloved's offenses. Approaching Proud lady, what is the matter? tears first fill eyes that steal the beauty of fresh lotuses, then fall upon her lips. From there they slide onto the hard slopes of her breasts, finding no resting place even there, they flow onward in grief, scatter through the line of down upon her belly, and finally fill that deep navel into which her beloved sometimes inserts the tip of a finger for pleasure. Konjara has not behaved as he should. What do you say he came to me bearing lips marked by another young woman's teeth? When I approached him, he pretended to take a fence and walked out, many days have passed, and he has still not returned. Ha, ha, ha. What a mountain of crimes! A man deserves the severe punishment of expulsion from the house for any one of them, what shall we say of the whole collection? Yet, seeing the rainy season wrapped in clouds, I shall tolerate that villain's arrogance, for at this time even hostile kings abandon their quarrels how much more a woman whose heart is soft as a shirisha flower. If you accept my advice, consider the season and go to your beloved on an assignation tonight. At night descend from the upper story of the mansion whose summit is touched by hanging clouds, and enter the path where the splashing sound of water pouring from the palace gutters echoes. Then reach your beloved and, trembling in the cool rainy wind, embrace him. Kiss his face, and when you have warmed the chill from your lips, speak your mind to him clearly in the midst of love. How do your thrilled cheeks signal acceptance of my words? I shall go now. Walking Ah, this is Raticina. Sweating from remaining in the inner chamber, rolling her beautiful half-glozed eyes, with hair spread across her cheeks and a faint glow of intoxication upon her face, she has only just awakened. She has opened a window and is taking the air. Her condition is wonderfully attractive. Let me speak to her. Dear woman, may you be fortunate. With the intoxication still lingering in you, you look lovely as the western sky wearing the red glow of evening. Even karma, having laid down his bow, would grow restless again at the sight of you what need to speak of others. Your consciousness is not lost, your voice retains its softness, the redness has not left your lotus eyes, your modesty has not departed, and when you remember what has passed, your face still fills with delight. Thus intoxication has shed its faults and remains in you as a virtue. Ratacena, you wish to dismiss me, but I do not wish to leave and finish the conversation I began with you. Why did you laugh and close the window? There she has dismissed me. Walking. Having been cheated like this, I am naturally a little dejected. Ah, here is Pradyum Nadase. Her cheeks are faded by lovemaking, her eyes are wide, a special tilaka has made her brow pale yellow, loose curls beautify her, and the weariness of passion seems to fill her face. Fresh nail marks showing through a thin garment upon her hips look like the reflection of Ashoka blossoms blooming in clear water. The friction of love has erased her cosmetics, as battle leads the decorations of a female elephant disordered. She covers her lips with her hand as a lattice shields a lamp from the wind. Pacing like a filly that has been exercised, she enhances the beauty of the quarters and street. I like this. Let me jest with her. Approaching Dear woman, why uselessly hide the beauty of lips bitten by your beloved's teeth, as though concealing the lovely body of a wounded warrior? Why did she laugh? Ah, my remark has turned her mistake into a joke. Yet even her gentle laughter has increased the beauty of the tooth mark. 4. At her sharp intake of breath, her breasts trembled upward, as their edges rose, her belly drew farther inward, when her brows tightened, her gaze became oblique, and from the pain of the bite, the fingers of her lotus hand grew restless to soothe it. If by laughing in this way a woman can agitate another's heart, then a beauty whose lips are pained by tooth marks certainly ought to laugh. What do you say you have appeared after many days? The sin of these rains kept me imprisoned at home. Now tell me, with whom are you infatuated? What did you say I am coming from Ramalaka's house? May this pair of matching natures endure. Bravo! Ramalaka alone has received Kama's tax-free estate. 4. Slender-bellied woman, fruitful are his youth and expansive laughter, since he drinks from your face beautiful with a crescent-shaped tooth mark as from crescent-shaped cup. Dear woman, protect your lips from that wicked bird. Go, I too shall go. Walking Ah, hear the rope Vishvalaka and Sunanda always keep their house door closed like Kumbhakarna's mouth, for fear of travellers. Vishvalaka has eaten and drunk away everything he owned and preserved only his body, like a naked ascetic, yet because he loves courtesans, he will not leave Sunanda even though he has no money just as a crow will not leave the boundary of its village. Sonando too, a youth gone and therefore unwanted by others, follows Vishvalaka like a river dried up in the forest. I should not pass without speaking to this pair. I must call loudly, who lives here? Listening. Ah, I hear the clatter of wooden sandals striking the ground like the hoof bits of a running horse. Vishvalaka must be coming. Yes, he is the one shouting. What do you say who is praying like a donkey? I am the messenger of death come for Sunandor. Why did you fall silent when you recognized my voice? Why do you not open the door? Prepare yourself, I release the water of this curse. May the left foot of a lovely woman playfully raised in a lover's quarrel and made musical by the jingling of her anklet never reach your head. The door has opened. Then let me enter. ENTERING What did you say am I not dear to you? Is such a curse proper? Well said. A curse like this would make even Brahma's world tremble, what need to speak of you? Here is the penance that will counteract it. You must. Give your heart's companion, whose tilaka is shaped like a newly opened lotus and whose gate is made lightly by pausing steps, whine in which fresh lotus leaves float, flavour is enhanced by a relish of tilaka and whose surface rises in restless waves when spilled in haste. Then sit a little. Sitting. Ah, my feet have been washed. The royal road of Kusumapura is cleaner than the roof of a palace. Do not pamper my feet unnecessarily. What did you say at Ramalaka's gathering, during an entertaining debate among Vishnudasa and the other members, certain doubts concerning the science of love arose. When they could not resolve them properly, they urged me to state my opinion, and I did. I now want Baba Devilaka to hear the same matter. Whatever you say afterward will be accepted as authoritative. I intended to visit your house to present the question, but you have graciously appeared yourself. If you have time, I shall speak. You have my permission. I am attentive and shall answer to the best of my ability. The wind refuses to leave this cottage, like a child spoiled by affection, so I cannot remain seated long. If you agree, we can talk while walking, the assembly hall is long and spacious enough. What do you say there is no obstacle? Rising. Now speak. What if a quarterzan's relationship with a man exists only for money, how can one distinguish among the best, middling, and lowest kinds of courtesan. Ah, gifts. Gifts bring everyone in the world under control, especially courtesans. Nevertheless, distinctions exist among them, as those who understand higher and lower qualities say. The lowest courtesan loves for gifts, all loves without any cause. The middling courtesan is pleased by full youth and beauty, or by gifts. But the highest woman serves a man who is generous, unattached, young, handsome, agreeable, and well adorned. What do you say how can one recognize a courtesan tormented by desire? I shall tell you. Listen, a lovely half-open gaze, smiling eyes that enhance the beauty of the face, brief remarks filled with movements of the brows, signals, and expressive gestures, speaking while clapping the hands from time to time. A smile that vanishes the moment it appears, the exposure of navel, armpit, and breasts, repeatedly touching the girdle and panting, difficult breath these signs reveal a woman struck by karma's arrows. What do you say courtesans display many signs of desire in order to deceive or through their skill in acting? How can such signs be trusted? How can one recognize a woman whose desire is genuine? Listen. Size filled with tears, a gaze soaked in affection, emaciation, drops of sweat, and pleading even after the money is gone by these one knows the purity of feeling in a loving woman. Walking What do you say why does a first union create hesitation? Listen. A first union is full of shyness for a woman, at such a time even an experienced rogue becomes confused. And further. At first, merely joining the thread of conversation is difficult. Once the conversation has begun, obtaining a reply is difficult. When familiarity produces much talk, establishing mutual trust is difficult. Once there is trust, obtaining love-making according to one's desire is difficult. And even after perfect love-making is obtained, whether the courtesan will love or not remains uncertain. Before a king, in an assembly of scholars, and at a first meeting with a young woman, the heart trembles with fear and even brilliant eloquence stumbles. What do you say why does love arise merely at sight, even where there is no virtue? And how should one deal with a troublesome woman? It is pointless to argue about the cause of an observed fact. The great advantage in the realm of love is that, even if one falls in love with a person without virtue, one may at once abandon her if she becomes neglectful. 4. The sorrow of separation from a beloved may be born when that beloved is noble, but a heart broken by the beloved's contempt cannot be joined again. What did you say if a woman desires a man but he cares little for her, should such a woman be abandoned? No, no, no. While protecting one's love for another woman and preserving one's own graciousness, one should from time to time show affection toward her as well. For a man who neglects a virtuous, youthful, loving woman should be yoked to a heather-cloud field like an ox scorched by a farmer's abuse. Walking What do you say how should a man who has truly offended a woman appease her? Doubt is reasonable here. The anger of a loving woman is difficult to treat, like an irregular fever, yet her anger must be removed. Young men today consider falling at her feet a remedy, but I do not regard it as especially excellent. Since we touch even the feet of an elderly Vedic scholar hard and shriveled like old pebbles, roughened by wooden sandals, and stinking from massage with rancid giewat heroism is there in falling at the feet of a woman tender as a young leaf. Yet even this method has a fault. her feet will make tears flow, when the beloved weeps, humility and wretchedness will arise, and once wretchedness arises, where will desire remain? Others say, peas her by swearing an oath. That too does not produce reconciliation. Even a respectable wife does not trust a lover's oath what needs to speak of a courtesan. If she does trust it, why is appeasement needed? It is said that residents in a village, instruction from a Vedic scholar, dependence upon others, myselinas, and an innocent wife these put an end to a man's desire. Some say, make her laugh by some means. Once laughter reveals the depth of her resolve, she can be crossed easily like a river. I say that even if this succeeds, one loses the pleasure of a beloved's offended pride. 4. When the beloved slightly draws aside her hanging, fine garment, moves her lower lip, sweetly utters bitter words that are delightful at such a moment, and places upon the the lover's head her left foot, tender as a fresh lotus, rogues regarded as the fruit of an amorous quarrel and the savory offering of youth. Therefore a woman's anger may also be removed through laughter and jest. Very good. Considering remedies for a woman's anger, I think a kiss taken by force yields immediate results. 4. Holding with the left hand hair strongly fragrant with incense, restraining both her hands for a moment in one's right, and drinking from the beloved's moon-like face produces such delight that a lover satisfied by it does not weaken even in old age. What do you say what remedy do you prescribe for a man who carelessly speaks another woman's name by mistake in his beloved's presence? For a lover, uttering another woman's name is a great calamity, like a snake bite, it is difficult to treat. Let me think for a moment. Thinking Yes, I understand. Brazenly deny the whole matter as a plain lie, or become still as though terrified, or build a bridge of praise for the woman before you, or dissolve the matter in laughter and jest, or turn the conversation elsewhere and draw a new subject from it, or, along with the one name, utter many other names. These are the remedies for the disease of accidentally speaking the wrong name. What do you say why do nail marks and tooth marks give pleasure though they cause pain? Ha, ha, ha. You have asked a very innocent question. Though nail marks and tooth marks are painful, they produce delight in lovers. 4. Just as a horse gains speed when the charioteer drives it with a whip, so during love making tooth marks and nail marks bring both hearts into a single rhythm. Walking. What do you say how can one tell from a courtesan's behaviour whether she is detached or attached? What doubt is there? Here is the teaching on this matter. One may petition a loving woman for love. As it is said, even great souls cannot conceal the form of their inner feeling. How much less an inexperienced woman with a tender heart. Close attention should be paid to her gestures. What do you say how? A woman who bursts into loud laughter for no reason, speaks without cause, rises abruptly, fails to understand when spoken to, displays none of the graceful crookedness of women, embraces tightly and then suddenly releases, and grows restless when the man begins love-making however clever she may appear when passion is ending, she is like a barren vine that produces flowers but no fruit. What do you say if a version arises, can it be treated, or is there no remedy? Listen. Love arises in two ways, with a cause and without one. Love born from a cause may turn to a version through that very cause, causeless love may turn to a version without cause. treatment is possible amid the difficulty of attraction and aversion. I shall tell you the methods appropriate when love has grown slack. The enjoyment of another woman, an interruption of love-making for some reason, firmness that is, advancing first in desire or a quarrel, delay an evasion at the time of love, sitting together, skill in conversation, honouring or praising her relatives, a journey abroad under the pretext of a courtesan, travel to a great city, a daring exploit involving risk to life and gifts all these revive a woman's weakened passion. And listen further. A young girl is one by treatment suited to a child, a woman greedy for wealth, by gifts, clever woman, by cleverness, an angry woman, by consolation, a proud woman, by service, and an agreeable woman, by agreeableness. One should deal with each woman according to her nature. Walking What do you say? How can one bring under control a woman who displays signs of desire on one side, yet does not speak, who says backslash, enough, enough backslash, and will not come close, and who withdraws at exactly the proper moment? Well asked. A lover must first understand a woman's nature, perhaps this is simply her disposition. But a proud woman can never be brought under control throughout life without strategy. Let me reveal the secret of women. A man who gets a woman alone and carries her off as an elephant crushes a creeper, or, taking her to be intoxicated, gains mastery over her with sweet words, or spreads many nets and deceives her, or conceals what is in his own heart none of these efforts is fruitless, for women move like storms. Walking What do you say? Lovers recognize four kinds of union, after anger has been calmed, at a first meeting, time of departure on a journey, and after return. Which do you value most? In my opinion, lovemaking at a first union, before one knows the depth of a woman's trust, is full of danger like a bottomless pond. Nor do I find union at the time of departure pleasing. Then grief overwhelms the woman and diminishes her passion, tears fill her eyes, anxiety fills her heart, and lovemaking becomes flavourless and pathetic, like the moon under eclipse. after return from a journey resembles an assembly in the rainy season, for the beloved is unadorned and modesty makes her display passion only faintly. But love-making after offended pride has been appeased is superior even to the elixir of immortality squeezed from the ocean and ocean churned violently by Mount Mandara in the hands of gods and demons and made potent by the juices of countless herbs. It stabilizes life and strength. Love-making with a woman who, though her anger is outwardly calmed, has not abandoned it in her heart becomes extremely fiercely pierced through rapidly inflicted nail and tooth marks. Walking What do you say rogues laugh at a man deceived by a courtesan? How can a lover protect himself from a courtesan's fraud? A courtesan and a clerk are alike in striking wherever they see an opening. The clerk, like the courtesan, demands that his fist be warmed, but then allows one to sit in peace for a while. A courtesan, like a disease of wind, makes one spend greatly and does not even allow one to sit in peace. Only a man who knows how to maneuver as I do should set foot in the courtesan's quarter. I? Never trusted a woman whose youth had declined, I tested a young girl thoroughly before staying with her, I kept far away from a courtesan ruled by her mother, as from a river full of crocodiles, when insulted, I did not grow angry, and when begged, I did not swell with pride at the respect shown me. I have grown old in the courtesan's quarter without wasting even a little money. What do you say if a man has two beloveds and both arrive at once, whom should he honour and whom abandon their old beloved all the new? You answer. This is a crooked question, the answer seems difficult. What is your own opinion? What did you say I understand nothing, the question is very tangled. You answer. Then listen. One should not abandon a first beloved out of greater passion for a new young woman. should one abandon merely to please the first, new, and desiring woman who has come of her own accord. If the old beloved, neglected and angry, goes away, then in private one should obtain the new woman's consent and use her advice to appease the first. Walking What do you say while roaming in the quarters unsquartered, how can one judge a woman's mastery of desire merely by looking? Nothing is unknown to the clever. At the very sight of a woman, a man should first understand her gaze. For every emotion is contained in the eyes. Look. Rolling the eyes, lightly blinking, looking sideways, filling the gaze with passion, widening the eyes, boldness in the look, and restlessness at the pupils such forms of vision reveal that a woman is skilled in desire. Love making is difficult with a woman whose cheeks are slightly turned and thin, whose brows are restless, and whose gaze is a bleak. one whose lip corners contract, whose body is covered with nail and tooth marks, and who smiles gently, one may make love without fear. Trust also a woman whose left hand rests upon her hip, whose right hands beside her in the vine hand gesture, and whose hips are drawn to one side and lifted though such a woman is never without pride. A woman who covers one breast with the end of her wrap, places one foot effectively upon her threshold, and looks out while concealing her body beside the doorway is not a woman but a complete snare. The condition is revealed by how affectation. One who grasps the upper cat-shaped bracket of the door that cows other raises both arms in a stretching pose, loosens the knot of her lower garment, and displays her navel, her behaviour makes the prelude to lovemaking so clear that nothing remains to be inferred. Much may be said on this subject, but I shall speak briefly. Red palms and fingers, clean nails, a hand placed upon the cheek, speaking with with lightly hand gestures, a beautiful gait, a smile upon trembling lips, a restless glance, a confident expression, and the knot of the lower garment tied beneath the navel understand a woman with these signs to be either a net for trapping men or a supreme heroine in the battle of love. WALKING What do you say a woman's desire is of two kinds, open and concealed, which is superior. Open desire is suitable only for a courtesan, and even then may be counterfeit. Concealed desire occurs in both courtesans and respectable wives. Feeling born solely from affection, being less flawed, is especially attractive in a courtesan. Because men are scarce to her, respectable wife may desire one man or another, but a courtesan does not desire everyone. Some hold that a courtesan incurs no fault by making love with anyone, so why should she need concealed desire? I say, old acquaintances, the king's brothers-in-law, men who give a little money, devoted admirers, and flatterers who bear their teeth even when angry all these hover around a courtesan's mother with praise. The courtesan may not desire them, yet she must make herself attainable to them, even without desire, she must act the part of love with such men. Why? For self-interest. Therefore, if a courtesan would conceal desire truly loves someone, that man receives the full fruit of birth and life. And when, in separation from someone, the courtesan herself comes as her own messenger and speaks in a voice choked with feeling, is that a small piece of good fortune for the man. Imagine further the state in which, absorbed in thoughts of her lover, she grows pale like an invalid, weeps for him at moonrise, wakes night after night until her eyes redden, becomes thin with desire on his account, lays aside her ornaments, and keeps speaking words of reproach, cruel man, may all be well with you. It is because of you that my body has come to this condition. Or imagine the moment when a man hears words full of sighs, Beloved, I ask only this that you have mercy on my body. Or the condition beyond that, when the courtesan embraces her lover and says at one moment, Lord, be quick, and at another, enough, do not do that, while rising again and again to make tooth, and nail marks. Then the man gains the fortune of hearing words that surpass even the use of elixirs, Beloved, I have become like this for your sake. Believe me. I swear by you. When he hears such words from a messenger, or learns her condition from visible signs and thinks, truly she has come to this state because of me, the compassion-soaked joy that arises in his heart has no equal. If you can name another pleasure like it, I shall abandon roguery and become a Brahmin reciter of the Vedas. And further. The fortunate man who, according to a secret signal, gains for a moment at night a private meeting with his beloved slender wasted, walking slowly with a hand upon her girdle, stricken, frightened, and restless-eyed and kisses her while both remain standing, I am ready to hold a lotus parasol over his head with my own hands. And for the woman who, flustered, says, beloved, hurry for a woman who surrenders herself in this way a man becomes her purchased slave even at the price of his life. Walking What do you say between a beautiful woman and an agreeable one, which do you value more? Both qualities adorn a woman. If an ugly woman is agreeable, it is useless like dancing in darkness, and without agreeableness, what pleasure can beauty give, like moonlight in a forest with no one to see it? Yet I consider agreeableness more important than beauty. Why? Agreeableness adorns even an ugly woman, whereas arrogant spoils even a beauty. Men are seen to leave a beautiful woman and delight in one who is ugly but agreeable. Beauty breeds pride, and pride is the enemy of desire. The root of desire is mutual responsiveness, and that becomes possible through graciousness and compliance. If beauty alone caused satisfaction, painted woman would fulfill the purpose. Agreeableness contains every virtue except beauty, such a woman is sensitive, does not remain angry long, is free from greed, and is obedient. What did you say it is said that a courtesan, because her courtesy is artificial, is not fit for the company of gentlemen? Why? A special mode of conduct used to accomplish a purpose is called an expedient. In women, expedients are both natural and artificial. The very purpose of a courtesan's expedient is to achieve her own end. Some say that conduct accompanied by cunning is artificial, but even such conduct may be faultless. How? Proper hospitality offered cunningly still pleases the heart, hospitality offered sincerely but in the wrong way pleases no one. Conning is simply special skill in accomplishing a task. A woman seeking her own purpose must certainly find a man especially suited to it. Men remain pleased only with a woman who recognizes the exceptional man. And further. Modesty, sweet speech, patience, and labor by day and night if all these virtues can remain together with cunning, who will call such cunning base. What do you say the essence of cunning is acting against one's desire? A lover suffers when he receives behavior contrary to his heart, there is no remedy. Anyone may become hostile when a cause arises. The fault belongs to the person who cannot remove that cause. Mutual opposition is a defect only where two people cannot unite for one purpose. Many couples are seen who, though opposed in some matters, remain delighted through close harmony in others. Trembling breasts, tear-filled glance revealing the heart's secret, and whispered conversation full of beautiful words even if produced through cunning, all these are still counted as virtues. What do you say many people say that all money given to a quarter's an should be considered lost? Dataka too said that desire is the total destruction of a man's wealth. What is your view? Wealth has only three uses, giving, enjoyment, and burying it. Giving and enjoyment are excellent, burying is blameworthy. 4. Buried wealth produces no fruit. When it is fruitless, it creates discontent. Money, changing place like the gate of a prancing horse, is not meant merely for accumulation. Wealth and virtue give pleasure to the body. Pleasure is the attainment of desired objects' sound, form, touch, and the rest and the company of courtesans supplies these abundantly. Among all sounds, sweet speech gives special pleasure. Only courtesans know how to speak sweetly, others do not. 4. Only courtesans know how to say pleasant things pleasantly, or even to express something bitter, at the proper moment and in few words, in a pleasing manner. Filled with graciousness, they can never speak harshly, nor do they utter a pleasant thing in an unpleasant way. A man who delights in touching the hips of a courtesan with full-rounded thighs and buttocks, loose and gauze garment, and a fastened girdle would give even his life for her, not merely money. Among all tastes, drinking wine is greatly censured, yet in a courtesan's company even that gives joy. Look! The man who drinks wine that has foamed in the cup because it was poured in haste, that remains after she has drunk, or that she has sipped and rinsed from her mouth, and that between draughts gives him the relish of drinking from her lips he alone receives the true pleasure of the courtesan's quarter. The man who has seen the face of a courtesan with half-opened eyes, trembling lips, long-drawn brows and cheeks beaded with sweat has obtained the full fruit of his eyes. And further. The dry ends of Akortizan's hair after bathing, her heavy coiffure adorned with flowers, the garment she has worn and cast aside, red lips fragrant with her breath, a face opened by white, or a body moist with sandal paste once a man has breathed these scents, karma surely enters through his nostrils. I possess no special authority in religion, yet I shall say how religious merit is gained. And this world in gratitude is heavier than every sin. More ungrateful still is the man who receives incomparable, desired pleasure from a courtesan and does not benefit her in return. If he is grateful, heaven lies in his fist. Therefore, to obtain heavenly pleasure, one should fearlessly give wealth to courtesans. What do you say why does a compliant respectable wife not give pleasure equal to a courtesan? Listen. The compliance of a wife is one thing, that of a courtesan another. If a wife is simple, she first says a pleasant thing at the wrong time, then, regarding her husband as exceedingly dear, she also says unpleasant things. This is seen everywhere. Desire is a special longing, and petition too is a form of longing. Petition arises from not obtaining something. Even when a courtesan has been won, the longing for her remains filled with jealousy, because everyone has a claim upon her. Jealousy produces greed, therefore desire for a courtesan does not fade. is the root of passion. And further. What conscious being, once mounted upon the chariot of a courtesan's hips, would care for a respectable wife. No man abandons a chariot to ride in an ox cart. What do you say a man devoted to courtesans is not honoured by society, and people do not like even his opinions? If there is virtue in visiting courtesans. Why Why is it not openly accepted? You have asked a very cunning question. Give me a moment. Thinking. Worship is of two kinds, fruitful and fruitless. Fruitless worship is laughable, like the efforts of a naked ascetic. What fruit has been gained by one who never attached himself to a courtesan? Someone may say, association with courtesans causes disgrace. This is not worthy of belief, everyone envies a happy man. People say, another man's wife is forbidden, but no such rule is spoken of courtesans. Someone may say, association with women is not beneficial, and courtesans are women. My answer is this, a man whose own mind is attached to women should not blame another. And further. Expanding the preceding statement. Boldness of nature, courage in one's own place, ready wit, refined taste, brilliance of temperament, the ability to read another's mind, laughter and good cheer, knowledge of the best methods of love-making, the delight of a loving woman, the acquisition of art such as painting, and excellent comfort if a lover obtains all these in the courtesan's quarter, why do people condemn that quarter? Why indeed? Walking. What do you say Brihaspati, Ushanars, and other lawgivers say that one should not associate with women? What is your opinion? This is empty instruction. I see no one who does not associate with women. We hear that Indra and others themselves had dealings with Ahalya and other women. Sensual enjoyment is superior to virtue and wealth, because it fulfills the mind's desire. Sensual enjoyment is especially embodied in women. I consider cheated the man who abandons courtesans in the hope of divine sexual pleasure in heaven. But this life and the next, this life is superior because its fruit is visible. What pleasure do you see in another body, whose attainment is uncertain and comes only with great difficulty after austerities? Look, on a rainy, mooless night when cloud dims the lamp of the moon, double darkness makes the world terrifying, an intensely cold wind blows, and water, and wind make movement difficult A man awakened by the jingling anklets of a solitary woman, tormented by karma's arrows and coming secretly to him, receives the full fruit of his life and birth. What did you say wearing anklets greatly assists a woman on an asignation? Yes, exactly. For how could a flustered man at a first union surrender himself if the anklets did not ring with the movement of her feet? If, awakened by that sound, he receives for kissing a face whose cosmetic mark has been washed away by rain, whose callirium has run, whose lips tremble, and whose breath is fragrant with wine, then even the suffering of hell-hanging head downward for many cosmic ages would seem dear to the man whose heart has joined with that young woman. Or in autumn, when the veil of cloud has lifted, the moon rests like a tilaka upon the sky, the storm has ceased, and the directions are fragrant with dripping asana blossoms what need has the man for heaven who sports in a lotus-filled tank with his beloved, whose girdle imitates the call of cranes, whose cosmetic mark glows like the red band who flower, and who has learned the secrets of love from the chakravaka birds. Or in winter, when the wind is filled with the scent of flowering lodra mingled with jasmine, and women swagger with sprays of pre-angu in their hair, no comparison can be given for the pleasure of a man who lovingly insists on drinking from the mouth of a beloved whose lip is cracked by the violence of cold and who, even while trying to protect it, challenges him to kiss. Or in a private chamber where burning black aloes cover the room in clouds of smoke and pearl-like flowers are spread upon the floor, while a sharp wind blows droplets like frost in such a dark cold season night, or has a man not obtained if he lies upon a beautiful bed, his chest pressed by the full breasts of his love-absorbed beloved, body fragrant with drops of sweat born from a tight embrace, and at the end of passion falls into a sweet dose. And further. One must thirstily drink from the sighing face of a beloved who tries to protect her cracked lower lip from kisses and casts a side-long glance when her hair is seized and drawn upward. Where in heaven, where there is no censure, can such pleasure be found. Or on a spring day when drops of sweat erase the tilaka, cuckoos fill the gardens, string-jolt girdles, mango trees show new blossom, and the wind is fragrant when a beloved, abandoning pride and coming of her own accord through love, forgets that she had to be appeased and begins instead to appease the man, he should desire no other pleasure. Or in summer, when a shirisha flower warns that the beloved's ear darkens her cheek, water vessels, pearl necklaces, sandal paste, and breezes from vet of the fan's bring delight, and the sun's rays blaze fiercely the man who lies on a flower bed in an airy pavilion, rests a hand upon the beloved's coiffure dawned with fresh jasmine, enjoys the breeze of a palm leaf fan beside her breasts moist with sandal paste, and passes the afternoon there or who is detained by his beloved in a ventilated room whose floor has been sprinkled with scented water and stream with peculiar jasmine, and blue lotuses has taken the full delight of youth. And further. The savor found in the lotus surpassing face of a beloved whose lips tremble from on tooth marks, the pleasure of removing the garment from hips shining in the light of the girdle, or the beauty made upon full cheeks by nail marks a mind trapped in such pleasures does not wish to become detached even in another birth. Poor people follow one another like ants on the road to death, repeating the false cry, there is heaven, there is heaven, about something they have never seen, fixing their minds upon a mirage, and seeking heaven through pretenses such as living on air, throwing themselves from mountains, entering fire, severe recitation, sacrifice, vows, and observances. They do not even wish to test what the truth is. We hear that in heaven a woman assigned to each man stands ready. If so, amid so many mutual contradictions, what pleasure will a man obtain with that celestial nymph? Since she is always attached and separation never occurs, how can she give delight? Because they remain strangers to one another, even the manifest pleasure of love cannot be found with such a woman. We hear of golden houses and golden trees in heaven. The gods must have accumulated this capital through their natural miserliness. If houses and trees are both gold, with what is a woman adorned? Where is distinction? Is a piece of gold to be broken from the building to enhance her beauty? Where in a hard golden tree is the delight a woman receives from a young tree in her household garden raised and honoured by her own hands like a son, and giving flowers to adorn her hair. Where in heaven, where women are always frightened by the threat of curses, is the pleasure of lovers ruled by youthful desire, eager to see one another, thirsty to hear the cuckoo's call, reproaching each other, and wishing to obtain the fruit of love. Where in jealousy free heaven is the equal of the pleasure of a man whose long day passes with friends devising lovely ways, suited to her desire, to appease a beloved who has taken offense. Where in sleepless heaven is the pleasure of sleep into which a beloved with expressive limbs sinks a man while lying upon his chest and satisfying his very life breath with exhalations fragrant with peculiar flowers. Where in whineless heaven are the broken, deceitful, sweet words spoken to a lover by a woman drunk on Vahyuni. Where is kept in heaven the sexual pleasure gained from the embrace of a new bride, accompanied by delightful cries and the three rhythms of breath. I would rather sit with an old Vedic scholar than with an absurer. I hear those crooked old celestial women pompously pour out Sanskrit. What trust can one place in women from whom great sages such as Varsishtha and Agastya were born? Look! Cunning, lies, intoxication, jealousy, insult, and offended love all these awakened desire, and heaven contains not one of them. Therefore, anyone who wants unobstructed experience of love should enjoy it here, especially with causes ands. A luckless man whose procurus must follow him a long way with tears in her eyes to win him back, or who must seize the end of a beloved's garment and drag her back as she runs away in feigned anger, or who can appease only with difficulty a woman who is genuinely angry if such a man remains angry with his beloved, he crushes with his own hands the chariot that bears the banner of karma. Ah, there is Sunanda. What do you say we have heard everything? See, I have sold my merchandise. Dear woman, you must not deceive me. What darkness does not drip from the moon? Sonando, that saying suits you, therefore you have spoken it. Now let us go inside. Entering. I now ask leave to depart. The sun, like a golden tortoise, slowly withdraws its feet and sets. Women fasten loose and girdles, drink one cup of vayunit, decorate with flowers hair eager for the touch of a lover's hand, and, resting a hand upon the girdle in the carava-lambita pose, look at him from the corner of the eye. What do you say you cannot move even half a step from here? But I must go. Otherwise my wife will welcome this garment in another fashion. You. What did you say I shall appease her? She is impossible to appease, like a villain who knows the king's secret and yields to know in treaty. Why are you and Vishvalaka both clinging to my feet? Alas, these two have made me lame. Sunanda. the great ocean never abandons the shore, so I shall not abandon you. May the king protect this earth adorned with the ocean as her girdle. The gallant exits. Thus ends Durdavida Sambhada, the one actor play, Bana, by Ishvera Dada.

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