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JAIN JOURNAL
Sunita :
Her head is drawn in like a tortoise, and her eyes are drooping low.
Trishala :
She should not look down to the ground, but high up to the palaces. [Picks up another painting] Let that go. This other is the Princess of Malava.
Sunita :
She is all set for a wrestling bout. If she enters our harems, she will convert them into fighting arenas.
Trishala :
My son always talks of renunciation. What possible interest can he have in wrestling. It is a different matter, that he tamed a wild elephant. Now look at this third painting—the Princess from Avanti.
Sunita :
Quite pretty. But her beauty is only skin-deep. It does not bring out her real self. She may be propitious for her kingdom, but may bring the downfall of ours.
Trishala :
Out of the three, she is best. Alright, have a look at this fourth one. She is the daughter of the king of Kukkuta.
Sunita :
Kukkuta is a cock. She is in search of Cockerel-seed. She better be a courtezan.
Trishala :
Sunita, be discreet in your expression. Talking of courtezan in an ensemble of princesses of royal blood. Alright, I take you to a fifth one from Champa.
Sunita :
This is the right stuff. Her nose is aquiline. There is modesty in her eyes and honey-dew on her lips.
Trishala :
Alright, I keep this port. But how about this Princess from Mandaleshvar.
Sunita :
She is also good. You may sort her out also. The halo round her face puts her at par with Jayanti, the daughter of Indra. She is verily a goddess among mankind.
Trishala :
Here goes she among the select. But I would like you to consider also the Princess from Kalinga, the daughter of Shatrujit.
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