Gahakoso Part 2

Author(s): Madhav Vasudev Patvardhan, Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology

Page 53

186. Sad recollections :
I tell the truth : I am (indeed) standing on the brink of death on the holy bank of the river Tāpi. But even now my eyes turn towards the bower of creepers just in the same way (as they did formerly when I was eager to meet my lover secretly in the delirium of youthful passion).
187. Elation with joy :
See how the farmer's daughter-in-law, having put on a new saffron-coloured (or gaudy-coloured) garment (saree), the like of which she had never got before, is not, though slender-bodied, contained in the village-streets though wide enough.
188. You have wonderful presence of mind :
Oh dear, if their is sufficient time (at one's disposal) every body can find pleasing words which give delight to the heart of one's beloved. But very rare are the persons who know how to speak the right thing on the spur of the moment.
189. Propriety :
Gaiety (free indulgence in one's desires) behoves a master; jealous anger (sulkiness) behoves a woman who is dear to her lover; forbearance lends charm to one who is mighty (enough to do harm); discourse (conversation) behoves a wise person; and silence (reserve) is proper for one who is ignorant.
190. First love-letter:
Even the opening word of the proposed letter, viz). svasti (God bless you or my greetings to you) cannot be completed i.e. written), because the line drawn with the pen wobbles as the pen is held between trembling and perspiring fingers. Dear friend, (tell me) what can I write in the body of the letter itself?
191. At the bathing place :
Oh friend, that young man while drinking the water flowing down-stream and aromatic because of the turmeric powder used (by me for decoration of my body and washed away) in bathing, as it were drank up my heart (i.e, completely ravished me) as I was taking a plunge in the water (of the same stream).
192. Adverse fate :
When fate is adverse, know that even that which has been carefully planned and commenced comes to nought (fails). The task undertaken does not in any way get consolidated (i.e. does not take shape as expected) like a sand-wall (i.e. bund made of sand).
193. Why are you so unkind to me?
Life is of course transitory. When youthful age has gone it does not return. The days (of man's life) do not resemble one another (i.e. if some days bring happiness, others bring misery). Why (then) are people hard-hearted ?