________________
174
Prakrit Verses in Sanskrit Works on Poetics
walks about proudly in the moonlit nights, establishes, as it were, his sovereign
rule over the entire world. 23. Even though brushed away by the heart that feels tormented by it, the necklace,
being of pure breed, does not desert its friends, the breasts. 24. The God of Love has, as it were, regained his handsome body in the form of
the black and lovely tresses of the damsel and receiving strength from her
shoulders he wins the battle of sex. 25. O, charming one, tell me the truth about your relation with the newly risen moon
on the full moon night, and also who your beloved lady is - possessed of perfect
beauty -- as the Early Evening (Pradosa-rajani) of the moon ? 26. O, friend, in the very first encounter of your battle of sex, your friend, the close
hug, snapped the intruding necklace; tell me now how did the rest of the love-game then go on.
27. O, friend, as you were almost on your door-step, you turned your face and
looked towards the road and placed the pitcher on your shoulder and started weeping saying - "alas ! alas ! the pitcher is smashed." How did it happen?
28. The (earthen) pitcher, finding that you were distressed and that your eyes were
tremulous thought itself to be too heavy for you and broke by itself under the pretext of being struck against the door.
29. Alas ! that married lady although elderly fascinates your heart like a young bride
- that lady who is fired by the youthful desire for pleasure, is aroused by
moonlight and wine. 30. For translation vide ŚP S. No. (20.23) supra. 31. I am born in a village; and live also in a village; and I do not (at all) know the
ways of the city. Whatever I may be, I do fascinate the husbands of city - women. 32. O, my charming one, thus end those appreciations of merits, those ardent
longings, that love and those beautiful expressions ! 33. For translation vide ŚP S. No. (50.16) supra. 34. For translation vide ŚP S. No. (30.12) supra. 35. For translation vide ŚP S. No. (5.7) supra.