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Collection: Part 10 · VIDEHA MITHILA MAITHILI DISCUSSION CRITICISM SERIES PART 10
Status: asr-draft
Human verified: No
Editorial review: not-reviewed
ASR model: small
Detected language: en (0.996848)
Duration: 33:41
Source: Open preserved recording

Timestamped machine output

0:00–0:08After the benediction, the stage manager enters.
0:08–0:12Who are you to me? Who am I to you?
0:12–0:18You rogue, let go of my hem. Why are you staring at my face?
0:18–0:22Handsome sir, I am not pining for you.
0:22–0:24Laughing loudly.
0:24–0:28I recognise those lips marked by your beloved's teeth.
0:28–0:31Away, you fickle man!
0:31–0:35The woman who is sulking belongs to you, or not I.
0:35–0:38Go and appease the woman who dwells in your heart.
0:38–0:43May other men's wives, tormented by desire and angered by lovers' quarrels, speak to
0:43–0:46you gentlemen in just this fashion.
0:46–0:50That is what I say to you, honoured spectators.
0:50–0:54Ah, I am eager to begin, but what is that sound?
0:54–0:56Splendid!
0:56–0:58Let me see.
0:58–1:01From behind the scenes.
1:01–1:05At the beginning of spring, the withered lodra tree stands like a wretched gallant made
1:05–1:10anxious by a friend's errand.
1:10–1:12Then the gallant enters.
1:12–1:13Ah!
1:13–1:16What splendour spring displays!
1:16–1:22The beauty fashion from cacus, mango blossom, ashokar, swarms of bees, excellent wine,
1:22–1:28moonlight and all the special graces of spring could disturb even the mind of the God of
1:28–1:29love.
1:29–1:30Ah!
1:30–1:33Lovers are now forgiving one another's faults.
1:33–1:34Ah!
1:34–1:38Go-betweens come and go with unchallenged authority.
1:38–1:39Ah!
1:39–1:43Spring has reached the height of its magnificence.
1:43–1:50Girdles strung with coral, pearls and gems, fine silk, gauzy garments, necklaces and
1:50–1:57green sandalwood paste now yield riddable delight. In this blossoming spring, which awakens desire
1:57–2:04in everyone and pleases the whole world, Kuber Datta, son of the merchant Sagradatta, has
2:04–2:10had a disagreement with Narayana Datta. Kuber Datta therefore sent his servant Sahkarka
2:10–2:16to me with this message, at the temple of Lord Narayana Vishnu, Madnaseena was performing
2:16–2:23the musical drama the worship of love in accordance with its proper sentiment. I neglected Narayana
2:23–2:30Dutta and praised Madnaseena. Suspecting that I was in love with her, Narayana Dutta became
2:30–2:38angry, ignored me though I fell at her feet and went home. Because of her, one night passes
2:38–2:44like a thousand to my love-stricken heart. I therefore beg you, who stand firm in the
2:44–2:50court since quarter, this city's perpetual spring to reconcile me with her. The moment
2:50–2:57I heard him, partly from acquaintance and partly because I know the torments of love to be unbearable,
2:57–3:05I set out this very evening. But my wife, trusting neither my declining age nor anything
3:05–3:11except her own sense of my remaining youth, suspected another motive and tried to stop
3:11–3:19me. Yet I have vowed to remove Narayana Dutta's anger, so I must go. But why should I need
3:19–3:26a vow for such a task? And further beauty, playful youth, generosity, and obliging nature,
3:26–3:33patience, and conciliatory speech when a man possesses all these virtues, what other help does he
3:33–3:36We need to win a woman?
3:36–3:37Walking.
3:37–3:43Ah! The incomparable splendor of Kusumpura's Royal Highway.
3:43–3:50Its lanes, sprinkled with scented water, swept clean, and bordered on every side by heaps
3:50–3:55of flowers look like bridal chambers prepared before neighbouring houses.
3:55–4:00The fronts of the shops shine with crowds of customers buying and selling all kinds
4:00–4:02of goods.
4:02–4:09resounding with Vedic recitation, music, and the twang of bow strings seen like Ravana's
4:09–4:16many mouths to be conversing with one another. Here and there, at the open windows of cloud-like
4:16–4:22mansions, young women glitter like lightning curious to look down upon the street celestial
4:22–4:29nymphs upon kalas. How magnificent, two are the chief officers riding this way and that
4:29–4:36on great elephants, horses, and chariots. Young maid servants, coquettish enough to
4:36–4:42steal the eyes of youths, and adorned with ornaments suited to every limb, come and go, mocking
4:42–4:49the beauty of heaven's maidens. Quote since whose lotus faces are drunk in by the be-like
4:49–4:56eyes of all men seem to favour the street merely by strolling upon it. In brief fearless,
4:56–5:01Jauful, forever absorbed in festival, adorned with costly gems and ornaments,
5:01–5:07resplendent with garlands, perfumes and garments, immersed in sport and pleasure,
5:07–5:11and filled with citizens renowned for manifold accomplishments,
5:11–5:15the ground of Pataliputra has become heaven itself.
5:20–5:24Why? Here comes Anandadatta, Charanadasa's daughter.
5:24–5:31Place each soft foot with the measured langer of exhaustion after love play, she approaches
5:31–5:34as though she were naked are for every eye.
5:34–5:39Surely her lover has plundered her pleasure without mercy.
5:39–5:46For her lips bear the marks of teeth, her restless eyes are heavy with sleep, and her broad
5:46–5:51hips are encircled by the loosened strands of a girdle disordered in love play.
5:51–5:55Ah! The very sight of her will accomplish my errand.
5:55–5:57What?
5:57–6:00She has passed without even looking at me.
6:00–6:03I shall speak to her.
6:03–6:07Ah! She has turned back of her own accord.
6:07–6:10My dear, why do you not greet me?
6:10–6:12What do you say?
6:12–6:15I recognized you only after a moment.
6:15–6:18I offer my respects.
6:18–6:30Then here my blessing may you obtain a lover who is young, independent, generous, handsome, wealthy, honourable, accomplished, and devoted to the arts of love.
6:30–6:44My dear, let us leave all that aside the God of love himself is his attendant, and only that man's life is fulfilled who has spent one night with the fortune of the court-sins embodied in you.
6:44–6:46What do you say?
6:46–6:50I am coming from the house of Nagdatta, son of a high minister.
6:51–6:55My dear, his magnificence is already an old tale.
6:56–6:59Plainly you joined him against your mother's wishes.
7:00–7:03Why does she hide her face and smile in embarrassment?
7:04–7:06Excellent, my guess was right.
7:07–7:09Beautiful one, do not be ashamed.
7:10–7:15For defying your mother's greed, you fixed your heart on the pleasure of love.
7:16–7:28You abandoned the highly profitable law of the courts in Squatter, a law difficult for any courtson to forsake, went to your lover's house and rebelled there with him in genuine delight.
7:28–7:33By these virtues you have placed every courtson beneath your feet.
7:33–7:36Your modesty is indeed fitting.
7:36–7:39What need is there to swear it?
7:39–7:43I shall go to your house and pacify your mother.
7:43–7:52mother. You have acted contraryly to the ordinary nature of a courtson. You may go now. What
7:52–7:54do you say?
7:54–7:57I offer my respects.
7:57–8:03Fortunate girl, hear my blessing your qualities, because they dwell in you, have themselves
8:03–8:10become virtues, what praise can add to them. May your youth, which enchants the world,
8:10–8:17remain unchanging. She has gone. I too shall proceed.
8:17–8:25Why? Here is Madhavasena, Vishnudatta's daughter. Ignoring the attendants who follow behind
8:25–8:32her, she hurries this way like a doe pursued by a tiger. Clearly she is miserable because
8:32–8:39her mother's greed has forced her to meet a man she does not desire. For her face
8:39–8:45is not faded, nor have the flowers fallen from her coiffure, the tender beauty of her lips
8:45–8:52has not been marred by bites. The sandal powder upon her breasts remains undisturbed by any
8:52–8:59close embrace. The girdle at her hips has neither loosened nor fallen ory through passionate
8:59–9:06love play. Ah, terrified by union with an unwanted man, she has passed without even
9:06–9:14seeing me. I shall approach and learn the cause of her distress. Splendid, she has turned
9:14–9:18back herself. What do you say?
9:18–9:21I did not see you.
9:21–9:28My dear, the fault is not yours. The mind of one shaken by misery is itself confused. What
9:28–9:31do you say?
9:31–9:34I offer my respects.
9:34–9:40Accept this blessing may the man you love be rich and the man you dislike be poor.
9:40–9:46May your mother's greed never again compel you to unite with an unwelcome man.
9:46–9:50My dear, where are you coming from?
9:50–9:52What do you say?
9:52–9:57From the house of Samudradatta, son of the caravan master Dhandatta.
9:57–10:00Ah, well done.
10:00–10:03These days he is Kuber himself.
10:03–10:09Why does she sigh deeply, make the tender bud of her lip tremble and turn away a face whose
10:09–10:11eyes glare beneath crooked brows?
10:11–10:15Alas, my suspicion was correct young girl.
10:15–10:20It is plain that you went sorrowfully to his bed last night, performed an imitation of
10:20–10:24love and waited only for daybreak.
10:24–10:28Every movement of yours was without feeling.
10:28–10:34With difficulty you offered your lips for a kiss, there were no sweet words, no laughter
10:34–10:41or play, you yawned and breathed hot sighs, even the embrace of your arms was slack, and
10:41–10:44passion was nowhere to be found.
10:44–10:46My dear, do not despair.
10:46–10:53The texts declare that even a rich man without duty may be accepted.
10:53–10:59Whether a man is unwanted or beloved, a courtesan must awaken in him the fullest passion and
10:59–11:06acquire his wealth. Such is the role of the science. What do you say?
11:06–11:13You think exactly as my mother does. No, that is not what I mean. There is a
11:13–11:20reason behind the rule. Go now. I shall come to your house and explain the true meaning
11:20–11:29of the science. Ah, she has departed without greeting me. Either her education is defective,
11:29–11:37or perhaps the poor girl's agitation is to blame. I too shall attend to my errand.
11:37–11:38Walking
11:38–11:42Why? Here approaches the wandering nun Will
11:50–11:58Maddened by the scent of her perfumed robe, have abandoned the mango tops and hover around her.
11:58–12:04I shall speak to her and satisfy the curiosity of my eyes and ears.
12:04–12:09Reverend Lady, I salute you upon the mountain of courtesans.
12:09–12:11What do you say?
12:11–12:16I have no business with one firmly established in the courtesans' quarter.
12:16–12:20I delight in one firmly established in the Vaisheshika philosophy.
12:21–12:29There is good reason for that. For your great and lovely eyes never remain fixed upon one object,
12:29–12:36your face, made more beautiful by langur, has swollen lips worn by love's exertion,
12:36–12:39and your varied gait proclaims a festival of passion.
12:40–12:44Fortunate woman, plainly your lover has taught you the doctor in that.
12:46–12:49Sexual delight alone is a nettonal substance.
12:50–12:51What do you say?
12:52–12:54Slave of desire.
12:54–12:57You have spoken only according to your own taste.
12:58–13:02Blessed is the man-granted servitude at your lotus feet.
13:03–13:04Slender beauty.
13:04–13:08How could such grace ever be attainable by a sinner like me?
13:08–13:09What do you say?
13:11–13:15My teacher has forbidden me to converse with anyone who does not
13:15–13:18understand the six categories.
13:18–13:26Reverent Lady, Quite Right. For there is quality, your youth is universal, that is, open to all,
13:26–13:34young men praise your motion, that is, your gate. Noble Lady, everyone desires an eternal
13:34–13:40inheritance, that is, union with you because you possess a particularity and everlasting
13:40–13:47distinction from all others. You enter conjunction with a young man of your choice and obtain
13:47–13:54liberation i.e. separation from one you do not desire. Ah! she answers my speech only
13:54–14:01with laughter. My conjecture was right. What do you say?
14:01–14:08The Sankhya teaches that Purusha is untouched, without qualities and the noore of the field.
14:08–14:15Excellent. You have silenced me completely. My chatter seems to have made you impatient.
14:16–14:20It is improper to obstruct a woman's love play with a young man.
14:21–14:27Go now about your business. She has gone. Then I too shall move on.
14:29–14:29Walking.
14:33–14:39Why? Here is Ram Sena, mother of Charanadasi. Though old, she approaches
14:39–14:47imitating a young woman with amorous glances, gait, and laughter. What a marvel she is having
14:47–14:53enjoyed every desired pleasure, squeezed the essence from lovers by means of her talents,
14:53–15:00and become the cause of rivalry and conflict among young men, Prindatta Ram Sena herself
15:00–15:06now surely goes to milk her daughter's lover dry. Alas, let me savor the cockatry of
15:06–15:10this old age that summons death to lustful men.
15:10–15:15I bow to this mighty thunderbolt hurled at the amorous.
15:15–15:20Young Ram Sinha, having given your youth and good fortune to your daughter, whose lover's
15:20–15:23house are you now going to ruin?
15:23–15:28Ah, in her science and oath is answer enough.
15:28–15:30What do you say?
15:30–15:34Your own character condemns you.
15:34–15:35Enough talk.
15:35–15:38Tell me what business takes you out?
15:38–15:40What do you say?
15:40–15:45My daughter Sharon Adasi went yesterday to a rich man's house.
15:45–15:51I am going to remove her from there under the pretext of a musical gathering.
15:51–15:55Ah! Then Sharon Adasi has been careless.
15:55–15:57How so?
15:57–16:00Though she is the daughter of a woman like you,
16:00–16:06And in seizing every con of a lover, drinking out his essence and casting him away like
16:06–16:12an empty whistle, the poor girl remains pitiable for want of instruction in the science.
16:12–16:19For having once accepted him as a suitable patron and drawn ample wealth from him, she
16:19–16:25now knows that he is penniless, yet remains ensnared by affection and cannot bring herself
16:25–16:27to leave him.
16:27–16:32Being in the true doctrine is wasted upon such a woman.
16:32–16:34What do you say?
16:34–16:39I shall bring her home on the pretext of a musical gathering.
16:39–16:44On your return, come there and teach her the science.
16:44–16:45Very well.
16:45–16:50But I must first perform my friend's urgent errand.
16:50–16:54When that is done, I shall attend to yours.
16:54–16:55Go now.
16:55–16:58I too shall continue on my way.
16:58–16:59Ah!
16:59–17:02A courtesan's heart is not to be trusted.
17:02–17:08For displaying affection through soft, clinging play, courtesans strip a lover of all his
17:08–17:09wealth.
17:09–17:15Then, cruel and greedy, they turn to another for pleasure, lose all attachment to the
17:15–17:19first, and abandon him as the soul abandons the body.
17:19–17:20Ah!
17:20–17:26The courtesan's mother is a calamity for lovers for which there is no remedy.
17:26–17:30May the Lord protect amorous men from such women.
17:30–17:36Ruin upon the mothers of courtesans, skilled in plundering a lover's entire fortune and
17:36–17:41expert in wielding the courtesan as an unerring weapon.
17:41–17:42Walking
17:42–17:46Why?
17:46–17:51Here comes Sukumarika, that eunuch and disgrace of the royal road.
17:51–17:54No good can come of meeting him.
17:54–18:00I shall cover myself with my robe and slip past without speaking.
18:00–18:02He does so.
18:02–18:03What?
18:03–18:06He is running after me.
18:06–18:09What will become of me now?
18:09–18:11Fate is very powerful.
18:11–18:16I must use sweet words to free myself from the tiger's jaws.
18:16–18:19What do you say?
18:19–18:21I offer my respects.
18:21–18:27My dear, may you never be widowed, and may you bear many sons.
18:27–18:34And further with arched brows, dancing eyes, quivering lips, swinging arms, a graceful gate,
18:34–18:39and coquettish laughter, you have surpassed the mannerisms of women.
18:39–18:45Your girdle hangs loose and low across your broad, generous hips.
18:45–18:50Tell me, unsatisfied by love play, from whose house are you coming?
18:50–18:52What do you say?
18:52–18:56From the house of Ramasena, the king's brother-in-law.
18:56–18:58His life is blessed.
18:58–19:04Fortunate one, are you now separated from him like a pair of Chakravaka birds?
19:04–19:06What do you say?
19:06–19:10As he was leaving for court, Ratilataka, an attendant of the courtisans, watered his
19:10–19:15His heart would clever, sweet laughter, amorous gestures, and tender glances.
19:15–19:20His body thrilled with desire, he lowered his head and accepted her invitation.
19:20–19:23Unable to bear it, I rebuked him, and he fell at my feet.
19:23–19:26Yet, overcome by jealousy, I would not forgive him.
19:26–19:31Then he carried me by force to his house, seated me on the bed, and sat beside me.
19:31–19:35Later, intoxicated with passion, he left me asleep at night, went to her house in
19:35–19:39the torment of desire, and has not returned for several days.
19:39–19:42I rejected his attempts to appease me and now burn with regret.
19:42–19:47I have come to you so that you may reconcile me with that man dearer than life.
19:47–19:51My dear, Ram Sena has made a mistake.
19:51–19:57For when you clasp him tightly in love play, no breasts stand between you.
19:57–20:03Fortunate one, each month you suffer no season that cools passion, that is, no menstruation,
20:03–20:09nor can pregnancy, enemy of beauty, splendor and youth overtake you.
20:09–20:16If he abandons a woman of your qualities, he must abandon the festival of love itself.
20:16–20:18Wait now.
20:18–20:22Proud beauty, go to his house and await me there.
20:22–20:26I must first complete my friend's urgent business.
20:26–20:32After that, I shall make that man, swollen with pride in the good fortune of his sister
20:32–20:39the queen yet too dull to understand the feelings of a delicate young woman like you bow at
20:39–20:48your feet in your own house. Go now. He has gone. I too shall proceed. Ah! Only with
20:48–20:54great difficulty have I escaped alive from this authentic specimen of a woman that is to
20:54–20:59say a eunuch. Now to my own business.
20:59–21:06Who is this greeting me?
21:06–21:08Blessings upon you.
21:08–21:11You appear after many days.
21:11–21:15Are you not Dhanamitra, son of Partha the caravan master?
21:15–21:21You were the full moon in the sky of Kusumpura, dispelling the darkness of poverty for servants,
21:21–21:28supplicants, relations and friends and opening the lotus hearts of young women.
21:28–21:32How have you fallen under this eclipse of disaster?
21:32–21:38Did you buy merchandise with your family's entire fortune and in greed for great profit,
21:38–21:41lose it all to thieves on the road abroad?
21:41–21:46Or did the king confiscate everything because you spoke against him?
21:46–21:52Or has gambling, which can strip even Kuber in the blink of an eye, destroyed you?
21:52–21:58brief with overgrown nails and hair, a body caked in dirt, a face yellow and withered
21:58–22:05from anxiety and rough, old, filthy, tone clothing, you look like a divine sage afflicted by a
22:05–22:09curse. What do you say?
22:09–22:15I fell deeply in love with Radhasena, daughter of Ramasena, and she with me. You know all
22:15–22:21this. Believing that she would not abandon me despite her mother's greed, I ignored my
22:21–22:27friends' warnings and carried all my wealth to her house at once. After some days, when they had
22:27–22:32taken everything, she dressed me in a bathing cloth on the pretext of a bath and led me to the tank
22:32–22:38in the Ashoka Grove. Once the gate was shut, the keeper understood the truth and let me out
22:38–22:43through a hidden door. Unable to imagine how I could remain in this city with honor and
22:43–22:48endure prolonged poverty, I was taking the forest road when I unexpectedly met you.
22:48–22:55you. I have confided the whole secret to you. Now I shall consider my welfare as you advise."
22:55–23:04Ah! How fiercely greed grits the court since quarter. How crooked is the nature of court
23:04–23:12since. Come first let me clasp you to my chest. I rejoice to see you alive. For the
23:12–23:18venom of a serpent may slowly be subdued by a powerful antidote. One may escape from
23:18–23:23beneath the head of a rutting elephant in the forest, even from a sea monster's jaws
23:23–23:27in the ocean one might somehow be freed.
23:27–23:33But no man is ever seen to rise again after falling into the submarine fire that is a
23:33–23:34courtson.
23:34–23:40Good man, is Ratisena herself the cause of your misery, or her mother?
23:40–23:42What do you say?
23:42–23:44Why should I lie?
23:44–23:49That has seen it truly loves me, this happened through the wickedness of her mother.
23:49–23:56If, without letting the mother know, you can drive a meeting between us, my life will return.
23:56–24:01I know of her love for you, I have heard of it from others too.
24:01–24:04Ah, he is weeping.
24:04–24:07Stop recounting your sorrow.
24:07–24:12I must first complete a small, urgent errand for my friend.
24:12–24:16When I return, I shall also undertake yours.
24:16–24:17Go now.
24:17–24:20Ah, the cunning of a court-sign.
24:20–24:27For just as a crooked king lays the blame for his own wrongdoing upon his minister, so deceitful
24:27–24:33and artful court-signs lay the blame for their wickedness upon their mothers.
24:33–24:37This hypocrite, a master among rogues, has gone.
24:37–24:41I too shall attend to my business.
24:41–24:50Who calls my name in a voice as smooth and sweet as the forest cuckoo of spring?
24:50–24:52Looking.
24:52–24:59Why? It is Priyambu Sena. I am coming. What do you say?
24:59–25:02I offer my respects.
25:02–25:09My dear, receive my blessing on the bed, pushing your lover away with the soft blows of your
25:09–25:15left hand, and then being crushed beneath the powerful surge of passion, may you live
25:15–25:18happily with your magnificent hips.
25:18–25:24My dear, by whose gracious hands have you had your limbs massaged with fragrant oils
25:24–25:29of many sense, oils that restore your hips exhausted by love play.
25:29–25:36Here faced one, whoever has not seen your delightful natural beauty when all ornaments are removed
25:36–25:42like the king's special elephant with bell chain and harness taken off must count himself
25:42–25:49cheated. For a dawned with pearl ornaments, covered with scratches of nails, anointed
25:49–25:54with fragrant oil and cosmetics, red-eyed, smiling, with breasts swollen by the heat
25:54–26:01of youth, wearing a fine lower garment, the girdle removed, and broad of hip, a beauty
26:01–26:05like you could unsteady the mind of love himself.
26:05–26:07What do you say?
26:07–26:09Your words please me.
26:09–26:12Ah, do you call that flattery?
26:12–26:14Do not be shy.
26:14–26:17Tell me why you called me.
26:17–26:20What do you say?
26:20–26:22Listen.
26:22–26:24My dear, I am a tenter.
26:24–26:27What do you say?
26:27–26:29Together with Devadatta.
26:29–26:34I have received an advance invitation to perform the musical drama The Victory of Purandara,
26:34–26:37according to its proper sentiment in the palace of the unconquered Lord.
26:37–26:40The King who is the Indra of Kusumapura.
26:40–26:43I owe this advancement to you.
26:43–26:45No, not so.
26:45–26:52A moonlit night radiant beneath the full moon needs no lamp, the powerful need no others
26:52–26:53aid.
26:53–26:56You yourself are the cause of this honour.
26:56–27:03That is why Ram Sena, whose heart cherishes love for you, now flatters me.
27:03–27:09Raising her brows, narrowing her eyes and cheeks, turning away a face whose lips tremble
27:09–27:14with inward delight, Priyangusena glances at her attendance and laughs.
27:14–27:20There, Ram Sena has received the reward of her service.
27:20–27:27Folly in Devdatta to compete with you. Riches of beauty, grace, fresh youth, radiance, and
27:27–27:34every other excellence, mastery of all four modes of acting, the 32 hand gestures, the
27:34–27:4018 kinds of glance, the six vocal registers, three tempos, eight sentiments, and the three
27:40–27:46rhythms of song and instrumental music, all these limbs of dance find refuge in you
27:46–27:54and shine through you. Indeed, in this very costume I see you capable of surpassing the celestial nymphs
27:54–28:01who steal the minds and eyes of gods, demons and great sages. And further with your artful
28:01–28:08movements you will forever make the minds and eyes of men dance. Fortunate woman,
28:08–28:15what need have you to dance? Your graceful play alone is enough. Ah, she is embarrassed.
28:15–28:21Splendid, she has dismissed me with the gift of modesty as her ornament.
28:21–28:23I shall go.
28:23–28:25Walking.
28:25–28:33Why? This must be Kankalta Narayana Datta's maid.
28:33–28:38She approaches happily, sending her firm breasts with powder,
28:38–28:42decking her coffee with many flowers and placing her feet
28:42–28:45unsteadyly through the intoxication of pleasure.
28:45–28:51I shall speak to her. Why do you greet me as soon as you approach?
28:51–28:54My dear, what do you say?
28:54–28:57I offer my respects.
28:57–29:01My dear, may you be beloved by your beloved.
29:01–29:05Why do you favor the road with the arrangement of your lotus feet?
29:05–29:08What do you say?
29:08–29:10I am honored.
29:10–29:12Leave all that.
29:12–29:16How came the pair of Chakravaka birds to be separated?
29:16–29:25What do you say, my mistress, filled with jealousy, had abandoned bathing, sleep, food, and a dormant?
29:25–29:30She sat upon a stone beneath a young Ashoka tree in the Ashoka Grove.
29:30–29:39The sight of the new moon, the humming of bees, and the southern wind made harsh by the fragrance of spring flowers tormented her,
29:39–29:43while her friends consoled her with gentle words.
29:43–29:47Then a man, passing before the grove as though bitten by love,
29:47–29:53played a melodic progression upon the lute and sang this song in an indistinct,
29:53–29:57high register, using curved and reverse curved meters the beauty,
29:57–30:04youth, and wealth of the man who does not sport with his beloved in spring are all in vain.
30:04–30:15And further the life of one who does not appease the beloved at the sight of the spotless moon or the sound of the cuckoo's dear voice is wasted in this world.
30:15–30:18The song loosened my mistress's pride.
30:18–30:24Without even waiting for the honoured gentleman to come, she summoned me and set out on foot for her lover's house.
30:24–30:32In the same way, my master, made restless by spring, went to the door of the lootmaster Vishwa Vasidata, hoping somehow to appease her.
30:32–30:40The two met there unexpectedly when neither one's stratagem succeeded and Vishpa Vasudada, suddenly emerging, took them into his house.
30:40–30:44This morning my mistress said, Bring the gallant of the courtesan's quarter.
30:44–30:47Therefore, please come with me.
30:47–30:52Splendid! You have spoken words delightful to the ear.
30:52–30:55What further kindness can I do you?
30:55–31:00Receive this blessing may the splendor of your youth remain forever.
31:00–31:09May you always be dear to your beloved. May you continually enjoy pleasures proper to you and desired by your heart.
31:09–31:11Lead the way.
31:11–31:13Walking
31:13–31:16What does kankalta say?
31:16–31:19Come inside this house.
31:19–31:22Very well. I am coming.
31:22–31:24Entering
31:24–31:33Do not be alarmed. May this loving pair remain forever united. Just as Spring, by its own
31:33–31:39virtues, brought you two together, so may every season reconcile lovers whenever quarrels
31:39–31:46arise. Spring, proud of its powers, has cheated even me, for you were reunited without my
31:46–31:53my aid. What am I to do now? Yet spring is not at fault.
31:53–32:004. Elaborating on the preceding thought.
32:00–32:07A beautiful garden, a moonlit night, melodious lute music, a gathering, a go-between, ingenious
32:07–32:13conversation, and the changing seasons, none of these is the true cause of lovers' union.
32:13–32:20The true cause is the growth of love born from recognizing one another's genuine qualities.
32:20–32:26Thus your love rare in others, nourished by the abundance of each other's virtues, born
32:26–32:32from your own excellence, the essence of the science of love, and celebrated throughout
32:32–32:38Kusumpura, has cheated me, it has united you without requiring my assistance.
32:38–32:43What do you say our love itself arose through your efforts?
32:43–32:50you are indeed the cause of our union. How can lovers speechfully proclaim the glory of one whose
32:50–32:56deeds now delight all Patliputra one should not impede the meeting of a love-thirsty couple with
32:56–33:05excessive conversation? Grant me leave, I wish to depart. As you rejoice today upon seeing the face
33:05–33:11of your young beloved radiant as a blooming lotus, speaking sweet words heavy with love
33:11–33:16and lovely with shimmering beauty, so made a king rejoice while protecting the whole earth,
33:16–33:24abundant in grain, girdled by the oceans, beautiful with Mount Meru and the Vindhyas as her breasts,
33:24–33:26and rich in every excellence.
33:29–33:34Thus ends Varuchi's one-actor play, Ubhadrasarika, The Mutual Assignation.

Plain text

After the benediction, the stage manager enters. Who are you to me? Who am I to you? You rogue, let go of my hem. Why are you staring at my face? Handsome sir, I am not pining for you. Laughing loudly. I recognise those lips marked by your beloved's teeth. Away, you fickle man! The woman who is sulking belongs to you, or not I. Go and appease the woman who dwells in your heart. May other men's wives, tormented by desire and angered by lovers' quarrels, speak to you gentlemen in just this fashion. That is what I say to you, honoured spectators. Ah, I am eager to begin, but what is that sound? Splendid! Let me see. From behind the scenes. At the beginning of spring, the withered lodra tree stands like a wretched gallant made anxious by a friend's errand. Then the gallant enters. Ah! What splendour spring displays! The beauty fashion from cacus, mango blossom, ashokar, swarms of bees, excellent wine, moonlight and all the special graces of spring could disturb even the mind of the God of love. Ah! Lovers are now forgiving one another's faults. Ah! Go-betweens come and go with unchallenged authority. Ah! Spring has reached the height of its magnificence. Girdles strung with coral, pearls and gems, fine silk, gauzy garments, necklaces and green sandalwood paste now yield riddable delight. In this blossoming spring, which awakens desire in everyone and pleases the whole world, Kuber Datta, son of the merchant Sagradatta, has had a disagreement with Narayana Datta. Kuber Datta therefore sent his servant Sahkarka to me with this message, at the temple of Lord Narayana Vishnu, Madnaseena was performing the musical drama the worship of love in accordance with its proper sentiment. I neglected Narayana Dutta and praised Madnaseena. Suspecting that I was in love with her, Narayana Dutta became angry, ignored me though I fell at her feet and went home. Because of her, one night passes like a thousand to my love-stricken heart. I therefore beg you, who stand firm in the court since quarter, this city's perpetual spring to reconcile me with her. The moment I heard him, partly from acquaintance and partly because I know the torments of love to be unbearable, I set out this very evening. But my wife, trusting neither my declining age nor anything except her own sense of my remaining youth, suspected another motive and tried to stop me. Yet I have vowed to remove Narayana Dutta's anger, so I must go. But why should I need a vow for such a task? And further beauty, playful youth, generosity, and obliging nature, patience, and conciliatory speech when a man possesses all these virtues, what other help does he We need to win a woman? Walking. Ah! The incomparable splendor of Kusumpura's Royal Highway. Its lanes, sprinkled with scented water, swept clean, and bordered on every side by heaps of flowers look like bridal chambers prepared before neighbouring houses. The fronts of the shops shine with crowds of customers buying and selling all kinds of goods. resounding with Vedic recitation, music, and the twang of bow strings seen like Ravana's many mouths to be conversing with one another. Here and there, at the open windows of cloud-like mansions, young women glitter like lightning curious to look down upon the street celestial nymphs upon kalas. How magnificent, two are the chief officers riding this way and that on great elephants, horses, and chariots. Young maid servants, coquettish enough to steal the eyes of youths, and adorned with ornaments suited to every limb, come and go, mocking the beauty of heaven's maidens. Quote since whose lotus faces are drunk in by the be-like eyes of all men seem to favour the street merely by strolling upon it. In brief fearless, Jauful, forever absorbed in festival, adorned with costly gems and ornaments, resplendent with garlands, perfumes and garments, immersed in sport and pleasure, and filled with citizens renowned for manifold accomplishments, the ground of Pataliputra has become heaven itself. Why? Here comes Anandadatta, Charanadasa's daughter. Place each soft foot with the measured langer of exhaustion after love play, she approaches as though she were naked are for every eye. Surely her lover has plundered her pleasure without mercy. For her lips bear the marks of teeth, her restless eyes are heavy with sleep, and her broad hips are encircled by the loosened strands of a girdle disordered in love play. Ah! The very sight of her will accomplish my errand. What? She has passed without even looking at me. I shall speak to her. Ah! She has turned back of her own accord. My dear, why do you not greet me? What do you say? I recognized you only after a moment. I offer my respects. Then here my blessing may you obtain a lover who is young, independent, generous, handsome, wealthy, honourable, accomplished, and devoted to the arts of love. My dear, let us leave all that aside the God of love himself is his attendant, and only that man's life is fulfilled who has spent one night with the fortune of the court-sins embodied in you. What do you say? I am coming from the house of Nagdatta, son of a high minister. My dear, his magnificence is already an old tale. Plainly you joined him against your mother's wishes. Why does she hide her face and smile in embarrassment? Excellent, my guess was right. Beautiful one, do not be ashamed. For defying your mother's greed, you fixed your heart on the pleasure of love. You abandoned the highly profitable law of the courts in Squatter, a law difficult for any courtson to forsake, went to your lover's house and rebelled there with him in genuine delight. By these virtues you have placed every courtson beneath your feet. Your modesty is indeed fitting. What need is there to swear it? I shall go to your house and pacify your mother. mother. You have acted contraryly to the ordinary nature of a courtson. You may go now. What do you say? I offer my respects. Fortunate girl, hear my blessing your qualities, because they dwell in you, have themselves become virtues, what praise can add to them. May your youth, which enchants the world, remain unchanging. She has gone. I too shall proceed. Why? Here is Madhavasena, Vishnudatta's daughter. Ignoring the attendants who follow behind her, she hurries this way like a doe pursued by a tiger. Clearly she is miserable because her mother's greed has forced her to meet a man she does not desire. For her face is not faded, nor have the flowers fallen from her coiffure, the tender beauty of her lips has not been marred by bites. The sandal powder upon her breasts remains undisturbed by any close embrace. The girdle at her hips has neither loosened nor fallen ory through passionate love play. Ah, terrified by union with an unwanted man, she has passed without even seeing me. I shall approach and learn the cause of her distress. Splendid, she has turned back herself. What do you say? I did not see you. My dear, the fault is not yours. The mind of one shaken by misery is itself confused. What do you say? I offer my respects. Accept this blessing may the man you love be rich and the man you dislike be poor. May your mother's greed never again compel you to unite with an unwelcome man. My dear, where are you coming from? What do you say? From the house of Samudradatta, son of the caravan master Dhandatta. Ah, well done. These days he is Kuber himself. Why does she sigh deeply, make the tender bud of her lip tremble and turn away a face whose eyes glare beneath crooked brows? Alas, my suspicion was correct young girl. It is plain that you went sorrowfully to his bed last night, performed an imitation of love and waited only for daybreak. Every movement of yours was without feeling. With difficulty you offered your lips for a kiss, there were no sweet words, no laughter or play, you yawned and breathed hot sighs, even the embrace of your arms was slack, and passion was nowhere to be found. My dear, do not despair. The texts declare that even a rich man without duty may be accepted. Whether a man is unwanted or beloved, a courtesan must awaken in him the fullest passion and acquire his wealth. Such is the role of the science. What do you say? You think exactly as my mother does. No, that is not what I mean. There is a reason behind the rule. Go now. I shall come to your house and explain the true meaning of the science. Ah, she has departed without greeting me. Either her education is defective, or perhaps the poor girl's agitation is to blame. I too shall attend to my errand. Walking Why? Here approaches the wandering nun Will Maddened by the scent of her perfumed robe, have abandoned the mango tops and hover around her. I shall speak to her and satisfy the curiosity of my eyes and ears. Reverend Lady, I salute you upon the mountain of courtesans. What do you say? I have no business with one firmly established in the courtesans' quarter. I delight in one firmly established in the Vaisheshika philosophy. There is good reason for that. For your great and lovely eyes never remain fixed upon one object, your face, made more beautiful by langur, has swollen lips worn by love's exertion, and your varied gait proclaims a festival of passion. Fortunate woman, plainly your lover has taught you the doctor in that. Sexual delight alone is a nettonal substance. What do you say? Slave of desire. You have spoken only according to your own taste. Blessed is the man-granted servitude at your lotus feet. Slender beauty. How could such grace ever be attainable by a sinner like me? What do you say? My teacher has forbidden me to converse with anyone who does not understand the six categories. Reverent Lady, Quite Right. For there is quality, your youth is universal, that is, open to all, young men praise your motion, that is, your gate. Noble Lady, everyone desires an eternal inheritance, that is, union with you because you possess a particularity and everlasting distinction from all others. You enter conjunction with a young man of your choice and obtain liberation i.e. separation from one you do not desire. Ah! she answers my speech only with laughter. My conjecture was right. What do you say? The Sankhya teaches that Purusha is untouched, without qualities and the noore of the field. Excellent. You have silenced me completely. My chatter seems to have made you impatient. It is improper to obstruct a woman's love play with a young man. Go now about your business. She has gone. Then I too shall move on. Walking. Why? Here is Ram Sena, mother of Charanadasi. Though old, she approaches imitating a young woman with amorous glances, gait, and laughter. What a marvel she is having enjoyed every desired pleasure, squeezed the essence from lovers by means of her talents, and become the cause of rivalry and conflict among young men, Prindatta Ram Sena herself now surely goes to milk her daughter's lover dry. Alas, let me savor the cockatry of this old age that summons death to lustful men. I bow to this mighty thunderbolt hurled at the amorous. Young Ram Sinha, having given your youth and good fortune to your daughter, whose lover's house are you now going to ruin? Ah, in her science and oath is answer enough. What do you say? Your own character condemns you. Enough talk. Tell me what business takes you out? What do you say? My daughter Sharon Adasi went yesterday to a rich man's house. I am going to remove her from there under the pretext of a musical gathering. Ah! Then Sharon Adasi has been careless. How so? Though she is the daughter of a woman like you, And in seizing every con of a lover, drinking out his essence and casting him away like an empty whistle, the poor girl remains pitiable for want of instruction in the science. For having once accepted him as a suitable patron and drawn ample wealth from him, she now knows that he is penniless, yet remains ensnared by affection and cannot bring herself to leave him. Being in the true doctrine is wasted upon such a woman. What do you say? I shall bring her home on the pretext of a musical gathering. On your return, come there and teach her the science. Very well. But I must first perform my friend's urgent errand. When that is done, I shall attend to yours. Go now. I too shall continue on my way. Ah! A courtesan's heart is not to be trusted. For displaying affection through soft, clinging play, courtesans strip a lover of all his wealth. Then, cruel and greedy, they turn to another for pleasure, lose all attachment to the first, and abandon him as the soul abandons the body. Ah! The courtesan's mother is a calamity for lovers for which there is no remedy. May the Lord protect amorous men from such women. Ruin upon the mothers of courtesans, skilled in plundering a lover's entire fortune and expert in wielding the courtesan as an unerring weapon. Walking Why? Here comes Sukumarika, that eunuch and disgrace of the royal road. No good can come of meeting him. I shall cover myself with my robe and slip past without speaking. He does so. What? He is running after me. What will become of me now? Fate is very powerful. I must use sweet words to free myself from the tiger's jaws. What do you say? I offer my respects. My dear, may you never be widowed, and may you bear many sons. And further with arched brows, dancing eyes, quivering lips, swinging arms, a graceful gate, and coquettish laughter, you have surpassed the mannerisms of women. Your girdle hangs loose and low across your broad, generous hips. Tell me, unsatisfied by love play, from whose house are you coming? What do you say? From the house of Ramasena, the king's brother-in-law. His life is blessed. Fortunate one, are you now separated from him like a pair of Chakravaka birds? What do you say? As he was leaving for court, Ratilataka, an attendant of the courtisans, watered his His heart would clever, sweet laughter, amorous gestures, and tender glances. His body thrilled with desire, he lowered his head and accepted her invitation. Unable to bear it, I rebuked him, and he fell at my feet. Yet, overcome by jealousy, I would not forgive him. Then he carried me by force to his house, seated me on the bed, and sat beside me. Later, intoxicated with passion, he left me asleep at night, went to her house in the torment of desire, and has not returned for several days. I rejected his attempts to appease me and now burn with regret. I have come to you so that you may reconcile me with that man dearer than life. My dear, Ram Sena has made a mistake. For when you clasp him tightly in love play, no breasts stand between you. Fortunate one, each month you suffer no season that cools passion, that is, no menstruation, nor can pregnancy, enemy of beauty, splendor and youth overtake you. If he abandons a woman of your qualities, he must abandon the festival of love itself. Wait now. Proud beauty, go to his house and await me there. I must first complete my friend's urgent business. After that, I shall make that man, swollen with pride in the good fortune of his sister the queen yet too dull to understand the feelings of a delicate young woman like you bow at your feet in your own house. Go now. He has gone. I too shall proceed. Ah! Only with great difficulty have I escaped alive from this authentic specimen of a woman that is to say a eunuch. Now to my own business. Who is this greeting me? Blessings upon you. You appear after many days. Are you not Dhanamitra, son of Partha the caravan master? You were the full moon in the sky of Kusumpura, dispelling the darkness of poverty for servants, supplicants, relations and friends and opening the lotus hearts of young women. How have you fallen under this eclipse of disaster? Did you buy merchandise with your family's entire fortune and in greed for great profit, lose it all to thieves on the road abroad? Or did the king confiscate everything because you spoke against him? Or has gambling, which can strip even Kuber in the blink of an eye, destroyed you? brief with overgrown nails and hair, a body caked in dirt, a face yellow and withered from anxiety and rough, old, filthy, tone clothing, you look like a divine sage afflicted by a curse. What do you say? I fell deeply in love with Radhasena, daughter of Ramasena, and she with me. You know all this. Believing that she would not abandon me despite her mother's greed, I ignored my friends' warnings and carried all my wealth to her house at once. After some days, when they had taken everything, she dressed me in a bathing cloth on the pretext of a bath and led me to the tank in the Ashoka Grove. Once the gate was shut, the keeper understood the truth and let me out through a hidden door. Unable to imagine how I could remain in this city with honor and endure prolonged poverty, I was taking the forest road when I unexpectedly met you. you. I have confided the whole secret to you. Now I shall consider my welfare as you advise." Ah! How fiercely greed grits the court since quarter. How crooked is the nature of court since. Come first let me clasp you to my chest. I rejoice to see you alive. For the venom of a serpent may slowly be subdued by a powerful antidote. One may escape from beneath the head of a rutting elephant in the forest, even from a sea monster's jaws in the ocean one might somehow be freed. But no man is ever seen to rise again after falling into the submarine fire that is a courtson. Good man, is Ratisena herself the cause of your misery, or her mother? What do you say? Why should I lie? That has seen it truly loves me, this happened through the wickedness of her mother. If, without letting the mother know, you can drive a meeting between us, my life will return. I know of her love for you, I have heard of it from others too. Ah, he is weeping. Stop recounting your sorrow. I must first complete a small, urgent errand for my friend. When I return, I shall also undertake yours. Go now. Ah, the cunning of a court-sign. For just as a crooked king lays the blame for his own wrongdoing upon his minister, so deceitful and artful court-signs lay the blame for their wickedness upon their mothers. This hypocrite, a master among rogues, has gone. I too shall attend to my business. Who calls my name in a voice as smooth and sweet as the forest cuckoo of spring? Looking. Why? It is Priyambu Sena. I am coming. What do you say? I offer my respects. My dear, receive my blessing on the bed, pushing your lover away with the soft blows of your left hand, and then being crushed beneath the powerful surge of passion, may you live happily with your magnificent hips. My dear, by whose gracious hands have you had your limbs massaged with fragrant oils of many sense, oils that restore your hips exhausted by love play. Here faced one, whoever has not seen your delightful natural beauty when all ornaments are removed like the king's special elephant with bell chain and harness taken off must count himself cheated. For a dawned with pearl ornaments, covered with scratches of nails, anointed with fragrant oil and cosmetics, red-eyed, smiling, with breasts swollen by the heat of youth, wearing a fine lower garment, the girdle removed, and broad of hip, a beauty like you could unsteady the mind of love himself. What do you say? Your words please me. Ah, do you call that flattery? Do not be shy. Tell me why you called me. What do you say? Listen. My dear, I am a tenter. What do you say? Together with Devadatta. I have received an advance invitation to perform the musical drama The Victory of Purandara, according to its proper sentiment in the palace of the unconquered Lord. The King who is the Indra of Kusumapura. I owe this advancement to you. No, not so. A moonlit night radiant beneath the full moon needs no lamp, the powerful need no others aid. You yourself are the cause of this honour. That is why Ram Sena, whose heart cherishes love for you, now flatters me. Raising her brows, narrowing her eyes and cheeks, turning away a face whose lips tremble with inward delight, Priyangusena glances at her attendance and laughs. There, Ram Sena has received the reward of her service. Folly in Devdatta to compete with you. Riches of beauty, grace, fresh youth, radiance, and every other excellence, mastery of all four modes of acting, the 32 hand gestures, the 18 kinds of glance, the six vocal registers, three tempos, eight sentiments, and the three rhythms of song and instrumental music, all these limbs of dance find refuge in you and shine through you. Indeed, in this very costume I see you capable of surpassing the celestial nymphs who steal the minds and eyes of gods, demons and great sages. And further with your artful movements you will forever make the minds and eyes of men dance. Fortunate woman, what need have you to dance? Your graceful play alone is enough. Ah, she is embarrassed. Splendid, she has dismissed me with the gift of modesty as her ornament. I shall go. Walking. Why? This must be Kankalta Narayana Datta's maid. She approaches happily, sending her firm breasts with powder, decking her coffee with many flowers and placing her feet unsteadyly through the intoxication of pleasure. I shall speak to her. Why do you greet me as soon as you approach? My dear, what do you say? I offer my respects. My dear, may you be beloved by your beloved. Why do you favor the road with the arrangement of your lotus feet? What do you say? I am honored. Leave all that. How came the pair of Chakravaka birds to be separated? What do you say, my mistress, filled with jealousy, had abandoned bathing, sleep, food, and a dormant? She sat upon a stone beneath a young Ashoka tree in the Ashoka Grove. The sight of the new moon, the humming of bees, and the southern wind made harsh by the fragrance of spring flowers tormented her, while her friends consoled her with gentle words. Then a man, passing before the grove as though bitten by love, played a melodic progression upon the lute and sang this song in an indistinct, high register, using curved and reverse curved meters the beauty, youth, and wealth of the man who does not sport with his beloved in spring are all in vain. And further the life of one who does not appease the beloved at the sight of the spotless moon or the sound of the cuckoo's dear voice is wasted in this world. The song loosened my mistress's pride. Without even waiting for the honoured gentleman to come, she summoned me and set out on foot for her lover's house. In the same way, my master, made restless by spring, went to the door of the lootmaster Vishwa Vasidata, hoping somehow to appease her. The two met there unexpectedly when neither one's stratagem succeeded and Vishpa Vasudada, suddenly emerging, took them into his house. This morning my mistress said, Bring the gallant of the courtesan's quarter. Therefore, please come with me. Splendid! You have spoken words delightful to the ear. What further kindness can I do you? Receive this blessing may the splendor of your youth remain forever. May you always be dear to your beloved. May you continually enjoy pleasures proper to you and desired by your heart. Lead the way. Walking What does kankalta say? Come inside this house. Very well. I am coming. Entering Do not be alarmed. May this loving pair remain forever united. Just as Spring, by its own virtues, brought you two together, so may every season reconcile lovers whenever quarrels arise. Spring, proud of its powers, has cheated even me, for you were reunited without my my aid. What am I to do now? Yet spring is not at fault. 4. Elaborating on the preceding thought. A beautiful garden, a moonlit night, melodious lute music, a gathering, a go-between, ingenious conversation, and the changing seasons, none of these is the true cause of lovers' union. The true cause is the growth of love born from recognizing one another's genuine qualities. Thus your love rare in others, nourished by the abundance of each other's virtues, born from your own excellence, the essence of the science of love, and celebrated throughout Kusumpura, has cheated me, it has united you without requiring my assistance. What do you say our love itself arose through your efforts? you are indeed the cause of our union. How can lovers speechfully proclaim the glory of one whose deeds now delight all Patliputra one should not impede the meeting of a love-thirsty couple with excessive conversation? Grant me leave, I wish to depart. As you rejoice today upon seeing the face of your young beloved radiant as a blooming lotus, speaking sweet words heavy with love and lovely with shimmering beauty, so made a king rejoice while protecting the whole earth, abundant in grain, girdled by the oceans, beautiful with Mount Meru and the Vindhyas as her breasts, and rich in every excellence. Thus ends Varuchi's one-actor play, Ubhadrasarika, The Mutual Assignation.

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