The Anecdote of a chasle Lady

1. On hearing the words of Dharmangada, Rukmangada became delighted and said: It is true, О son, your new mother has been obtained by me on the Mandara mountain.

2. She is the daughter of Vedasraya (support of the Vedas i.e. Brahma). Formerly, О dear son, she had been performing a terrible penance on the divine mountain Mandara, with the determination of attaining me.

3. Some fifteen days before I started from here, riding on the horse I reached the Mandara, the most excellent of the mountains, containing many metals and minerals.

4. This damsel of comely appearance was seen by me seated on the top of the mountain, propitiating Mahesvara and engaged in singing.

5. Hit by the arrows of Ananga (the God of Love), I became unconscious and fell on the ground like the deer hit by a hunter.

6. Thereafter, I had been shaken (and revived into) consciousness)by this gentlelady of charming eyes; with some importunity I have been chosen as her husband.

7. I too have taken the pledge with offering of my right hand. This lady of large eyes has been made my wife by me on the top of the mountain.

8. Descending to the ground level (at that foot of the mountain), we got up on to the horse. Hurried (travelling therefrom) we have come to you within three days.

9. -11. On my way I had the pleasure of seeing mountains, different lands, lakes and rivers. О son, she is your mother. She would heighten your pleasure. Make obeisance to this lady of charming limbs as though to your own natural mother. On hearing the words of his father, the son, the suppressor of his enemies, bent down his head as far as the ground level and spoke these words: — О gentle lady, О dear mother, favour me. I am your son, servant and slave.

12-13. Accompanied by many kings I make obeisance to my mother. On seeing the son prostrating on the ground and thanks to the chivalry of her husband, the king, Mohini got down from the horse, raised up the son and embraced him with her hands.

14-16a. Embraced by his mother, he saluted her once again. He adorned her with nice clothes and charming ornaments. Dharmangada, the son with eyes like lotus, requested her to place her legs on his back and mount the horse. In the same manner, he made his father too mount the horse.

16b-17a. He himself walked on foot surrounded by the vassal kings. On looking at his step-mother he was delighted and had his hair standing on their ends. Praising himself in a resonant voice like the rumbling sound of the cloud he said.

17b-21a. Blessed is the son who has many mothers in the world, new, fresh and charming beloved wives of his father. If one has only one mother, one’s father is miserable. If the father is miserable what happiness can the son have in the heart? By saluting one mother the son has only the merit of bowing to one earth. By saluting many mothers I will have greater benefit day by day.

2lb-22. Saying thus he entered the city surrounded by the vassal kings. He entered the beautiful city ofVaidiia endowed with (i.e. abounding in) all prosperity. Seated on the horse alongwith Mohini the king too followed instantaneously.

23. Then he entered the excellent mansion. On being greeted and honoured by the people, the king got down from the horse and spoke these words to Mohini.

24. О charming one, go to the house of Dharmangada our son. In accordance with his attributes, he will render service to you as befitting an elderly person.

25. Neither a chaperon nor a servant can render such a willing service! On being thus advised by her husband, she started for the mansion of their son.

26-27. She was seen entering the mansion by Dharmangada, at the instance of her husband’s words. He thereupon left the vassal kings saying — “All of you stay here. At the behest of my father, I shall render personal service unto her. On saying this he entered the mansion an^ grasped the hands of his step-mother. After walking fifteen steps, they reached the cot. He made Mohini sit there.

28-29. It was made of gold with silk cloth spread over. It was soft and firm. A soft bed-sheet was spread over it. It was bedecked in gems and jewels. Many jewelled lamps having the refulgence of the sun, were fitted on to it. Thereafter, the prince who had virtue as his ornament (i.e. Dharmangada) offered water for washing the feet of Mohini.

30-31. The prince considered her even elderly to Sandhyavali. His mind did not have any ignoble feelings towards Mohini. Though he was beautiful and graceful and she a charming lady with plump and stout thighs, buttocks and breasts, he considered her a lady ten thousand years old and himself a boy of three years.

32. After washing her feet, he applied (sprinkled) that watet on his head. With the head bent down in humility he said: Mother, I am meritorious (with you as my mother).

33. After saying this, he dispelled her fatigue by his own efforts and by those of men and women (servants). With great joy he placed all means of pleasures at her disposal.

34-35a. At the time of the churning of the milk ocean two earrings were produced. They used to emit nectarine juice. These were acquired by Dharmamurti.1 After conquering Danavas in the Pa tala (nether worlds). Vrsarigada (i.e. Dharmangada) himself put these in the ears of Mohini.

35b-36a. A necklace of a thousand and eight auspicious white pearls each like the fruit of the embylic myrobalan was put on the bosom of the gentle lady.

36b-37. Then the prince offered her a subsidiary light necklace of gold coins of a hundred Palas inset with ten thousand diamonds to his mothers. He gave her twice eight bangles (i.e. sixteen) studded with diamonds for both the hands.

1. W. 34-46 contain reference to the history of some rare ornaments acquired by Dharmangada and gifted to Mohini. I could not trace it in other purana.

38-43a. They were made by men who knew their value. For each of the hands, a crore of gold coins was spent. The prince gave invaluable armlets and anklets to the beloved wife of his father as ornament. They had the refulgence of the sun. The girdle of fiery refulgence that SarvanI (Parvatl) had, fell off as she was extremely terrified in the course of the fight called Tarakamaya (pertaining to the demon Taraka) while Kalanemi was ruling over the kingdom. It then fell into Mulapacana (original fire). Thereafter, it was picked up by the demon Maya who wielded his power of illusion over the whole world. Dharmangada had killed that Daitya on Mount Malaya although he had been surrounded by a crore of Daityas. At the instance of his father, he had killed him in the course of a terrible war that lasted for a year (on the mountain Malaya). He got the girdle that the beloved of the king of the Daityas had on her person. The king gave that to his father’s beloved great queen with his hair standing on their ends out of delight.

43b-46. Formerly, HiranyakaSipu’s queen who was an outstanding beauty in the world, had a crest jewel that had the refulgence of lightning. She immolated herself in her husband’s funeral pyre. Before dying, the extremely distressed lady had cast her crest-jewel into the sea. The sea collected the excellent jewel and presented it to Dharmangada on being delighted at his prowess. The delighted prince now gave that jewel which had the brilliance of a crore of suns to his stepmother.

47. He gave MohinI two auspicious clothes sanctified in fire and two charming bodices, a thousand crores in value.

48-49. Dharmangada then gave the gentle lady Mohini, the divine garland and the sweet-smelling divine unguent that was very rare and had been acquired from the accomplished hands of the preceptor of all the Devas by the heroic Dharman- gada in the course of his conquest of all the continents. He gave her the unguent that enhanced her love.

50. After embellishing her with great devotion, he fed her with meals consisting of dishes of six tastes and brought by his natural mother herself

51. Even before this, he had addressed his natural mother and enlightened her by means of many words. There is no doubt about this that the behest of the king must be carried out by me as well as by you.

52-53a. О gentle lady, she who is the king’s beloved is a highly respectable woman for us. The wife who acts wickedly against the lady-love of the king, her husband, falls into hell and stays there till fourteen Indras reign.

53b-54. She who nurses feelings of enmity against the lady-love of her husband and tries to separate them in their love, is fried in Tamrabhrasfa hell (the frying pan made of copper.) Everything that is conducive to the happiness of her husband, should be done by the wife.

55. О fair-complexioned lady, she must view her as she views her husband. She must do what is favourable and beneficent to the lady-love of her husband.

56a. Even if she (the husband’s lady-love) happens to be of a lower caste, the wife who renders service to her, goes to heaven.

56b. Afterwards she will occupy the same loving place in the mind of her husband.

57. After acceding to the wish of her husband she derives all worldly pleasures. By eschewing the feelings of malice and jealousy, she attains the region of the Lord of every one.

58. On seeing a cowife to be the most beloved of her husband, if a woman renders service to her, she will attain an eternal place in heaven.

59-60. There was a very wicked man of the Shudra caste. He had abandoned all holy rites.1 He had a wife and also a beloved lady, a prostitute whom he kept in his house. The wife who wanted to please her husband served him as well as the prostitute. She washed the feet of both of them. She partook only of the leavings of the food of both of them.

1. W. 59-89 give an illustration of a chaste Sfldra lady who served her depraved husband and his keep who when he was affected by fistula left him penniless. Thu chaste lady borrowed money from father, gave medical treatment to him, personally nursed his wound. When he died» she immolated herself on his funeral pyre and washed off her husband’s sins by her merits; both of them went to heaven.

61. Though she was prevented from doing this by the prostitute, she continued her activities of service. She ever remained in the path of the good. She was engaged in what was beneficent for both of them; while both of them lay on the cot, she used to lie down beneath on the bare ground.

62. Thus she served her husband alongwith the prostitute for a long time, wading through the ocean of misery.

63-64. Without caring for the advice of the chaste wife the man committed many blunders in the matter of his diet etc. He drank the milk of the buffalo alongwith radish. The foolish fellow ate the winnowings (of corn) mixed with oil. As a result of this he had a terrible fistula in the anus.

65-66a. He was extremely distressed by day and night. The prostitute took everything valuable that the house contained and went over to another young man. The lustful woman gave him all the wealth.

66b-67. Now the Shudra man became much ashamed. With distress evident in his face, he lamented and spoke thus to his wife: О gentle lady, save me though I had been very cruel to you and much attached to a prostitute.

68. О beautiful lady, the sinner that I am, I have never done a good thing to you. О lady of slender waist, for many years I sported about alongwith the prostitute.

69. The sinful haughty man who does not console his wife who bows down to him, attains all inauspicious things in the course of fifteen rebirths.

70. О gentle lady, since I had disrespected you, I shall attain the despicable birth in the house of a Canglala. But your mind has not been turbid despite insults.

71. On hearing these words of her husband, the wife spoke to the husband. It is the sins committed in the previous births that yield miseries. A learned man who bears them with fortitude, should be known as the most excellent ^among men.

72. I had been sinful in the previous births. Now I experienced the fruits thereofin this birth. Hence, I have neither sorrow nor misery.

73. By saying this she consoled and cautioned her husband. The fair-complexioned lady brought some money from her father and other kinsmen.

74-75. The chaste lady considered her husband a Vishnu, the resident of the milk ocean. She cleaned his anus and other private parts assiduously by day as well as by night, by means of turmeric juice and water. She scraped the germs and worms in the body of her husband, by means of her nail.

76. She fanned him with peacock feathers. О gentle lady, ihe fair-faced lady slept neither during the day nor at night.

77-78. Distressed by the misery of her husband, she felt that the whole universe was blazing (?). She said — If there is goddess of earth, if there are manes, if there are deities, may they make my husband free from ailments. May he be free from sins. I shall give unto Goddess Gandika blood mixed with flesh.

79. I shall offer the flesh of goats, buffaloes and even human beings for the well being of my husband. With great respect I shall observe ten fasts.

80. I shall place my body on a bed of sharp-pointed thorns. I shall not take sweet things. I shall not take ghee.

81. I shall remain for days together without anointing the body externally with oil. May my husband live for a hundred years without any ailment.

82-83a. As day followed day, she blurted out like this in her agony. Within a short while, all the three humours in his system were upset. With great effort she gave her husband the three astringent medicines (black and long pepper and dry ginger).

83b-84. Once due to chilliness the man was quaking and shivering. His jaws suddenly came together and the finger of the wife was bitten off by the teeth coming^ together. О queen of the Lord of men, the piece of finger remained within the rigid mouth.

85. She sold off her bangle and brought a great deal of fuel. She prepared the funeral pyre. After placing her dead husband on it, she poured ghee over the pyre (fuel).

86-89. She too climbed on the funeral pyre joining her face to his face, her heart near his heart and О gentle lady, her buttocks near his buttocks. With her foot she dragged the fire. The auspicious lady of charming limbs set fire to the ailing body of the husband alongwith her body. As the fire blazed brightly, she cast off her body and went to the world of the Devas taking her husband with her after annihilating many of his sins by means of her holy rites very difficult to be performed.

1. Hence, О Mother, eschew jealousy and feed Mohini. A holy rite (dharma) like this cannot be attained in the three worlds.

2-3. The wife who, with her own hands, feeds the beloved lady love of her husband, the co-wife who gives a little quantity of cooked rice to the co-wife shall, О gentle lady, О dear mother, become immortal — So says god Brahma. О Mistress (of the Mansion) be favourable to me carry out what has been related by me.

4. О fair-complexioned lady, what is conducive to the happiness of my dear father must be performed by both of us. The sins shall be exterminated perfectly. Similarly, the attainment of heaven shall be everlasting.

5-6. On hearing the words of her son then, the queen Sandhyavali invited her son and embraced him again and again. She sniffed at his head and spoke these words: “O son I shall carry out your words pregnant with dharma (virtues).

7. Eschewing jealousy and false prestige I shall feed Mohini. I have the pleasure of being the mother of a hundred sons, О son, with you as my only son.

8. It was after observing many holy rites and restraints causing bodily exertion, that you were born. Since I observed the holiest of holy rites, the ‘king of holy rites, you were attained by me as my son.

9. In this world there is no other holy rite that is seen to be yielding benefits like this. This gives convincing proofs immediately. This is destructive of great sins.

10. Of what avail is it if many sons who cause sorrow and distress are born? It is better to have one son, as the main prop of the family, where the entire family takes comfortable rest.

11. On attaining you as one stationed in my womb, I have reached the top of the three worlds (I am above the three worlds). О sinless one, blessed are those pains of labour whereby you are born as my son.

12. You are the son who delight both father and mother you are the heroic son who have become the Lord of seven continents; you have carried out the words of your father.

13-15. Poets (Learned Philosophers) call only that person real son — the person who delights both the father and the mother. Others are only ‘so-called’ sons.

After saying these words, queen Sandhyavali just glanced at the pots and utensils for the purpose of a meal consisting of dishes of all the six tastes. By her very glance the utensils were full of dishes that would be pleasantly warm and that would be as tasty as Nectar, which she wished that Mohini should partake of.

A better emendation: abhinandya ‘‘praised”, ‘approved of in stead of abhi-mantrya in the text.

16. She took a golden ladle studded with jewels. Smiling sweetly, she served food to Mohini without any perturbation.

17. She slowly ate the desired and well cooked food in a polished excellent vessel, all round which beverages and edible dishes had been placed.

18-19. The gentle lady, the daughter of Brahma, sat on an auspicious golden seat and took food that was comparable to nectar. While taking food, the fair lady was fanned with a fan of peacock feathers held by Dharmangada, in accompaniment of music.

20-21. After washing with cool water (her hands and mouth gurgling four times), she accepted the fragrant Tambula (chewing betel leaves) given by her (step)-son. The fair-com- plexioned lady took it with her hand over which excellent sandal paste had been applied. Then О king, she laughed and said slowly to Sandhyavali.

22. “O gentle lady, are you the mother of king Vrshan- gada (i.e. Dharmangada)? О auspicious lady, due to perspiring tiredness you cauld not be recognised by me.”

23. О king, while the daughter of Brahma was speaking thus to Sandhyavali, the son of the king bowed to her and spoke these words.

24. “I had been held in her belly (womb) by this gentle lady for three years. I flourished thanks to the favour of your husband.

25. О Beautiful lady, I have hundreds of mothers. But much milk flowing out from the breasts of this lady out of (motherly) affection has been drunk by me.

26. That severe pain which more or less amounts to old age has been endured by her. It was after giving birth to me that she had become disjointed in her limbs.

27. A son has nothing in possession in all the three worlds by giving which he can be free from the indebtedness to his mother. О lady of sweet limbs, this is the truth that has been pronounced by me.

28. I am the most blessed one in the world. No man is superior to me. Everyday I sit on the lap of groups of mothers.

29. If anywhere the son does not sit on the lap of his mother, he does not become aware of the happiness of motherly affection like a virgin who remains unaware of the love of a husband.

30. A son who has climbed on to the lap of his mother may become very proud, and wish to snatch the necklace from the excellent body of his mother, with his hand.

31. Maternal milk is so powerful that even if any body is bereft of his father, he desires to seize the whole world on being duly reared and brought up by his mother.

32-33. (?) My love toward this lady is due to the contact of the belly. My love towards the other mothers is due to the contact of the lap. If it be true that I do not cherish any difference (or partiality) between this (mother) and (my) other mothers may my father live for hundred years, thanks to that truth.” When her (step) son said thus Mohini was wonder- struck.

34-37. ‘‘Ruthless as I am by nature, how can I strike him who is so humble and sinless. This would have been proper in the house of a tinner (?) If a boy is regularly rendering service to his father, there is no one on Earth on a par with him. It is for perpetrating a despicable act with regard to such a boy so superb in virtue (as compared with others) and by nature so virtuous and inclined to religion that I have become a stepmother unto him, in this world.” After reflecting like this in various ways, Mohini the most beautiful woman in the world spoke to her step-son: “Fetch my husband quickly. Without him I cannot stay even for a Muhiirta (i.e. 48 minutes).

38-39. Then, О king (?), he hastened to his father and bowed to him. He said — О dear father, the younger mother desires to see you immediately. Be favourably disposed towards her. May Brahma’s daughter be greeted and honoured” At the instance of the son the king got ready to go instantaneously.

40-42a. With pleasure evident in his face, the king entered the apartment of Sandhyavail and saw Mohini the enchanting lady having the luster of molted gold lying on the bed and being served slowly by his beloved Sandhyayali eschewing at the advice of her son the natural anger and jealousy felt towards a co-wife.

42b-43. On seeing Rukmangada come, the beautiful lady on the bed, Mohini, delightedly said to the king who had a great deal of chivalry — ” О husband, be pleased to sit here on the cot spread with soft cotton (cloth).

44. О king, the affairs of the kingdom have been looked after by you for a long time and in their entirety. Still your desire for the administration of kingdom does not cease.

45. О king, I consider you the most sinful one on the surface of the Earth since you yourself look after the royal glory (affairs of the state) although you have been aware that your son is efficient.

46-47a. Hence, there is no one more miserable than you in all the worlds. О king, the time of those fathers who have good sons passes happily and that of the experiencers of the fruits of sins, whose mind is drawn towards worldly pleasures passes in misery.

(or subjects), О king, are fond of you. This is the result of your full meritoriousness.

48. When Dharmangada is protecting this kingdom and the subjects, why should you also see to it now after eschewing the pleasure of your beloved wife like a weak niggardly fellow.

49. If you are going to look after the kingdom, of what use am I to you? In vain have I been brought from the head Mandara, the churning rod of the ocean of milk (?)

50b-52a. If any foolish person, too much interested in carrying out his duties, does not take to his wife endowed with blooming youth, whence can he expect to have the beloved? If the wife is not enjoyed, she may go away; if the wealth is not given in charity, it may go (disappear); if the kingdom is not protected well it may go (to ruins); if the learning is not recited and revised, it may (be forgotten and vanished).

52b-54a. Learning is not acquired by idle persons; a wife is not acquired by persons always observing holy vows; good fortune is not obtained without regular and assiduous performance (of good deeds); glory is not attained by persons who are not devotees, an industrious man does not get happiness; a person who has no wife cannot obtain children, an impure person does not attain virtue (dharma) and a Brahmana of unpleasant words does not attain wealth.

54b-56. Without asking no one understands things; without walking (i.e. moving forward) no one reaches destination; a person who is not a disciple does not understand the holy rite; a wakeful person knows no fear. Why should you, О king, leave me alone in the splendid house of Dharmahgada and look after the affairs of your kingdom, О lord, when your son is competent (to do it himself)?

57. When the daughter of Brahma, who was fond of sexual intercourse and who had large charming eyes spoke thus, the king who was standing by the side of his son became ashamed. He spoke thus to his beloved.

1-3. “O timid lady, I did not assume authority to take up the duties of the king. Since I was very tired, I was overpowered by a pleasing slumber. I told Dharmahgada thus: “Take Mohinito your apartment that is bedecked in all jewels, that could be ventilated or controlled (and protected from) wind (at will) and that is pleasing in all the seasons. О son of beautiful eyes resembling the petals of a lotus, worship her duly. She is my most beloved wife.”

4. After commanding my son thus, I went to sleep after reaching the bed with great difficulty like a man of ill-luck attaining wealth.

5. The moment I woke up I have hastened to your presence at once. О gentle lady, there is no doubt about this that I shall carry out whatever you say.”

6. О leading king, appease these wives of yours who are very miserable. They are dejected by your marrying me. They have lost all hopes of satisfying their passionate desire for worldly pleasures.

7-8. О king, О Lord of the subjects, If any one were to strike and pierce into the heads of the Senior wives of comely appearance, the wedge known as the younger wife, he will not have salvation nor will she attain the final beatitude. What peace can I have when I have been burnt in the scalding tears of chaste women?

9. О king, the gentle and chaste ladies may reduce even my procreator (Brahma) to ashes. What then about an ordinary persons like you or me?

10. О king, there is no woman like Sandhyavall in all the three worlds. With all her limbs bound by love towards you, she had been feeding me with food-stuffs having all the six tastes.

11-12. Thanks to the honour and weightage given to you, she spoke pleasing and coaxing words to me. There are hundreds of women like these in your abode and О king, I am not even equal to the dust of their feet.”

13. The king was then standing near the eldest wife who was accompanied by her son. The son who was a person understanding the inner feelings of other persons, knew that the king had gone through all the ten states of love-lorn persons.

14. He understood that his father was overwhelmed by passionate love and was fascinated by Mohini. He called together all the mothers, (i.e. the queens of Rukmangada) beginning with Sandhyavall.

15. With palms joined in reverence, he spoke to them these pleasing words — Mohini, the daughter of Brahmi and the newly wedded wife (of my father) is my (step)1 mother.

16. О gentle ladies, she yearns for a secret meeting with the king for dalliance with him. Hence delightfully approve of it.

17. О son, who will approve of and encourage the swallowing of oneself by a serpent? О foremost one among embodied beings, who will place fire over himself and kindle it?

18. Who will swallow the terrible poison? Who will cut off one’s own head? Who will tie a terrible stone round one’s neck and try to cross the sea?

19. Who will enter the jaws of leopards. Who will try to pluck hairs from the manes of a fierce lion? Who will sit over the sharp edge of a sword that dazzles in the sky.

20. Which lady will approve of the dalliance of her cowife with her husband (?) One would rather give everything that one has than entertain thoughts about this in the mind.

21. Which woman will see with her own eyes her husband respected (and openly loved) by another woman? It would be by far the better that her head is cut off with an excellent sharp-edged sword.

22. Who is that lady, if at all any one is like that anywhere, who will be able to bear that her husband whom she considers her own vital breath is pressing and caressing the breasts of another lady?

23-25a. Much less who will be able to see it with her own eyes. This is the most miserable of all miseries bringing in endless grief if a woman is compelled to see with her own eyes her husband enamoured of another woman. О son, it is even better if all your mothers die simultaneously; but the king, our husband, should not be seen united with Mohinl.

25b-26a. О ladies of splendid faces, If you are not prepared to accord happiness to my father, I will mix poison and drink it. After I die you can have the happiness.

26b-27a. If any lady were to carry out anything mentally, verbally or physically causing misery to my father, she is my enemy, she deserves to be killed by me even if she were Sandhyavali.

27b-28a. That gentle lady MohinI is superior to all. She is the most beloved of my father. The maiden has come from her abode on the mountain Mandara for the purpose of dalliance.

28b-29. On hearing these words of their step-son, the mother-queens trembled with grief In a faltering tone they spoke wishing for the benefit of their step-son.

30-32. But your father may approach MohinI after giving gifts duly to his other wives. If any husband wishes to marry a second or a subsequent wife, he must give the eldest wife twice the amount (ofdowry received from her?) Otherwise he is a debtor. If the husband takes the permission of the eldest wife and marries another lady, he must give what the eldest wife desires and demands — so opine the persons who know the traditional customs and manners. The excellent man must perform Istapurta (i.e. sacrifices, digging of wells and charitable rites) in the company of the eldest wife.

33a. This is the Dharina (religious practice). Otherrwise it will be injustice and there will be complete destruction of Dharma as well.

33b-34. On hearing the words of the mothers the son (i.e. Dharmangada) gave with a delightful heart each of them many presents. The prince gave them more than a crore each. He gave away a thousand cities and a thousand villages to them as well.

35. To each of them he gave eight chariots fitted with garlands of gold and yoked to four female mules.

36-37. He gave them ten thousand garments the price of each of which was more than a hundred coins. To each of his mothers the prince gave a hundred thousand pure gold pieces of everlasting (lustre) excavated from Mount Meru. The son of the king gave each of them more than a hundred men servants and women slaves.

38. To each of them he gave ten thousand cows, each of which yielded a big potfull of milk (at a time). He gave them a thousand good poles to which the yokes are to be fixed, severally.

39. The son of the king gave each of them ten kinds of grains. Laughingly he gave a hundred thousand gardens.

40. He gave ten thousand pots of ghee and oil separately. To each of them he offered inumerable goats and ewes.

41. The highly devoted son presented them (the queen- mothers) thousands of gold ornaments studded with diamonds (and precious stones).

42. He gave them necklaces made of brilliant pearls of the size of embylic myrobalan fruits. He gave them five and seven (a dozen) bangles each.

43. Sandhyavali was already wearing on her person two hundred and fifty pearls resembling the moon.

44. The son presented each of them two necklaces that captivated the mind. He gave them Prastha measures of Saffron, sandal paste and camphor.

45-46. The son gave them huge quantity of musk. Desirous of the happiness of his father he impartially distributed to them different kinds of vessels, water pots, ghee pots, milk pots, and pots for different kinds of beverages.

47. The prince gave them gold plates, pots and vessels one thousand and fourteen hundred in number (?)

48. To each of them he gave three hundred to five hundred she-elephants of great speed with muscular and fleshy shoulders.

49. He gave them twenty she-camels each and hundred palanquins with brawny men with excellent dress (uniform).

50-51. To the mothers he gave seventy horses of happy pleasing trot. After giving thus to them much wealth, the blessed prince who had the affluence and brilliance of Kubera circumambulated them. With palms joined in reverence he addressed these words.

52-53. I bow down to you with my head bent low. It is my importunity to you all that all of you should say thus to my father. — О king, enjoy Mohini freely. We have no trace of malice towards you nor should you be malicious towards us. Sport with Mohini the good natured daughter of Brahma, with hundreds of secret pleasures from her.

54. On hearing the statement of the son, all of them were thrilled with delight..They spoke to their husband the king. “Sport with the daughter of the self-bom deity for a long time like the leading scion of the family of Raghu, (Rama) with the daughter of the king of Videha (i.e. Sita).

55. There is no doubt about it that the daughter of Brahma cannot be a cause of poignant grief to us because of her sexual connection with you. Know that these words are uttered by us without any heart-burning misery. Thanks to the brilliance of your son.

1. The king who was passionately fond of his ladylove, on being permitted by his wives, derived incomparable delight. He spoke to Dharmangada thus: —

2. “O son, protect this Earth consisting of seven island-continents after slaying the wicked at the outset. Be ever vigilant and alert and active.

3. Always make use of the best opportunites. Be a supervisor of good conduct. Be always conscious of everything and alert, be favourable to good business transactions.

4. Be moving continuously; always be interested in charitable gifts; always eschew crookedness, be always engaged in the disciplined life of the good.

5. О son, listen to another thing which should be pursued by you now. Lack of trust and confidence in everything and everyone is recommended in the case of kings.

6. О popularly loved one, (you must possess) the accurate knowledge of the treasure and of the (assets of the) people.

You should elicit money (taxation) like the (absorption of) flowery juice by a bee gathering honey (fnjm flowers).

8. After delightfully entrusting you with the burden of the earth with its seven oceans and continents and having obtained this moon-faced wife of excellent and rare beauty and seductive charms, I shall enjoy myself in dalliance.

9. In the human world, a father overcome with wrinkles, shaking old teeth and white greying hairs becomes a cause of shame and (derisive laughter) if he is desirous of sexual intercourse, when the son has attained muturity and is competent.

10. Though aged, I am not weak and infirm; I am flourishing in happiness, I desire this fair lady the most beautiful in the world, who for my sake has forsaken even the Devas; this lady of sweet and charming eyes, who has been smitten by the arrows of Cupid, has come to me (of her own accord).

11. I will engage myself at will in sexual dalliance with this lady of the lustre of molten gold, my mind shall then be full (thanks to the realisation of my cherished desires). After hiding myself on the banks of rivers of divine beauty as well as sylvan fountains and rivulets (I shall enjoy myself with this lady).

12. This lady is dearer to me than my life. She is the sole lady of heaven who can easily be held by me. For her sake even the Devas lost their sense like groups of kings over Rama (goddess Lakshmi).

13. On hearing these words of his father, the prince of fine intelligence devoutly bowed down to the excellent king who was in the company of his step-mother and gave him much wealth for the sake of enjoying pleasures.

14. For the happiness of his father who was distressed, thanks to the activities of the fish-bannered deity (i.e. Cupid), he engaged men-servants who would comply with the commands and women-servants who had gold necklaces.

15. Dharmavibhusana (i.e. Dharmangada) was eulogised by the kings who surrounded him. He moved about in the whole of the Earth consisting of many continents. At that time,

16. The trees were never devoid of fruits and flowers; the fields were never devoid of barley and rice grains. Cows yielded potfulls of milk sweet like sugar and productive of ghee.

17. Under his rule Milk was a good beverage, destructive of all distress, dispelling sins and increasing the development of the body. No man saved and hoarded wealth (for his selfish purpose); no wife spoke harsh or bitter words.

18. The son was humble (all sons were humble) engaged in carying out the behests of his father; the daughter-in-law remained perfectly obedient and submissive to the mother-in- law; the common people abided by the advice of Brahmanas; excellent Brahmanas performed holy rites mentioned in the Vedas.

19. People never took food on the day of Madhava (Vishnu) i.e. on the Ekadashi day; the rivers never went dry; riches did not get exhausted although they were enjoyed by men in the course of their enjoyment of pleasures.

20. When Dharmangada engaged himself in the protection of his kingdom, the people were contented, as the Durva grass flourishes when watered well and a fine grassy plain is evolved, so people flourished.

21. By observing fast etc. on the day ofHari, men enjoyed pleasures and attained the region of Hari. People, not being afraid of robbers (due to security measures and police protection prevalent then), did not bolt their doors even in dark nights.

22. Cows did not give extra trouble to the cowherds in looking after them; they went to graze according to their own wish and returned to the abodes as usual. They yielded potful of milk in plenty. They were fond of their calves and they spread peace everywhere.

23. The Earth grew plenty of grains etc. without being ploughed. All plants and trees grew up without the use of ploughshare. Infants were nourished by the breast-milk of their mothers. Young damsels were developed and nourished thanks to the activities of their husbands.

24. The people well protected by the king, were fully developed. Virtue in the company of truth was fully developed; when the people who were endowed with devotion to Hari and who had the great interest in virtue were being protected by the king's son, time passed on causing happiness to all.

25. The king was free from ailment. He was endowed with riches; showering much (i.e. spending a great deal) he celebrated great festivals; he was much enamoured of Mohini and all her activities gave him happiness.

26. Neither of the day nor of the night was he aware. He was not conscious of the fortnights and months that passed by; even years went by unnoticed; he was so enamoured of the sexual dalliance of the daughter of Brahma of auspicious activities.

27. The king’s virility increased with the loving union with Mohini; the more he resorted to her with the backing of Kama (God of Love), the sexual potency increased all the more like the moon in the bright half of the month; it never got exhausted by the frequent indulgence in sex.

28. Just as the Devas become stronger and stronger by imbibing the nectar juice, so also the more he touched her the fresher he became. Drinking charming beverages and listening to sweet songs consisting of melodious tone (he increased in virility and strength).

29-32. Even while glancing at the beauty of the (attendant) women, he touched and caressed the moon-like face of Mohinl. With delight he pressed and caressed her stout breasts resembling gold pots and covered with necklaces and other ornaments. The three curly lines of hair that grew round her navel appeared splendid and charming. On seeing the allround beauty of the breasts of the fair-limbed lady of splendid eyes, the king thought thus (?) “No other women has a beauty like this. It is charming and pleasing to mind. The way in which the features of Mohini have been created by Brahma (is not found elsewhere). It is very fascinating to look at her calves that have the lustre of molten gold, that resemble the paws of a lion and that have no hair on them.”

33-34. The row of her teeth had the lustre of the moon. Her hidden ankles had been created for fascinating the people. After seeing the beautiful form, from hea<l to foot of the lady of large charming eyes, the king considered himself superior to the Devas. He was delighted and considered him self blessed much — О! whatever this lady of slender frame and large eyes may request me should be given to her.

35-36. For the sweet and charming sexual intercourse with this splendid lady, I will give her in the end all the wealth I possess. Even rare things should be given to her, those things which cannot be given by others, I will give her even those things which should not be given. For example, my life should not be given. But if the gold-complexioned lady requests for it, I will definitely give it to her. I will never think over it hesitatingly. Excepting my son, there is nothing which should not be given to her.

Система охраняемых территорий в США Изучение особо охраняемых природных территорий(ООПТ) США представляет особый интерес по многим причинам...

Что делает отдел по эксплуатации и сопровождению ИС? Отвечает за сохранность данных (расписания копирования, копирование и пр.)...

Что вызывает тренды на фондовых и товарных рынках Объяснение теории грузового поезда Первые 17 лет моих рыночных исследований сводились к попыткам вычислить, когда этот...

ЧТО И КАК ПИСАЛИ О МОДЕ В ЖУРНАЛАХ НАЧАЛА XX ВЕКА Первый номер журнала «Аполлон» за 1909 г. начинался, по сути, с программного заявления редакции журнала...

Не нашли то, что искали? Воспользуйтесь поиском гугл на сайте: