Gahakoso Part 2

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

Page 61

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249. First impressions count:
It is not (merely) by (a cool reflection on) the good qualities (in others) that people are attracted (towards them), but by whatever they are haunted with (at first sight). The Pulindas do not desire to have pearls, but clutch at the (gaudy-coloured) Gunja berries.
250. Palasa-flowers and Raksasas:
Oh young boy, people dread the sight of the yellowish (-red) Palāśa flowers which make their appearance in the spring-month and which grow on the branches, just as they dread the blood-drinking Raksasas, who go out in search of fat, intestines and flesh (in order to feast on them) and live in Lanka.
251. Thwarted joke :
As she, beaming with a broad smile (or thrilled with joy) and trembling (with excitement), took a handful of (camphor-or sandal-) powder, with the intention of besmearing (or besprinkling) her beloved consort (with it), it turned in her hand into scented water (because of perspiration due to surging emotion).
252. Warning:
Oh slender one, wipe off your back which has become soiled (or tinged) with the (crushed) leaves of the Ankotha tree in the back-yard of the house (during your tryst with your paramour) so that, oh simple one, you may not be detected (and branded as an unchaste woman) by the shrewd wives of your brothers-in-law.
253. Betrayal :
Well may I cover my eyes with both my hands on seeing him. But how can I conceal my (entire) body, when its cilia become ruffled up (with ecstasy) like a Kadamba
flower?
254. Miserable plight :
The lightning flashes of the clouds light up (or illumine) as it were the poor woman, whose husband has departed on a journey and who is sitting, exhausted by weeping, in her house, whose grass roof has been blown away by the strong wind.
255. Meretritious beauty lacks real love :
Enjoy whatever is within (your) easy reach. How indeed can there be meretritious beauty in a thing brought up in a village? Oh charming one, what is the use of even that dazzling beauty, which is devoid of (genuine) love? (Also: What is the use of that salted. dish which is not seasoned with cooking oil?)
256. Sweetened medicine :
The farmer quaffs the medicine (decoction) though by nature bitter (in its taste) in such a way that nothing of it remains behind, because it has been cooled by the fragrant breath from the lotus-like mouth of the damsel, who was inquiring about his health (or well-being).