Gahakoso Part 2

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

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265. Cupid's arrows :
They pierce the body, bring torment (to their victims) (and) there are no visible wounds caused by them. Alas, the power of the arrows of Cupid is such that the like of it has not been seen (or experienced) before.
266. Cupid's arrows :
The arrows of Cupid are manifold (or diverse) in their effect (or working) : Although they consist of flowers they are very sharp; although they do not (directly) touch (the body of their victim) they are unbearably fiery i.e. they cause unbearable pain); and although they pierce (or split up) (their victim) they give delight.
267. Versatility of the lover's amiable qualities :
They excite jealousy, intensify passion, make one endure (even) what is disagreeable (and) they do not allow one to die in separation (because of the hope of eventual union). Oh, his virtues (enviable qualities) are diverse (in their operation) (i.e. they are versatile).
268. Hoping to see you by chance :
Oh merciless one, today the poor woman, wearing a new coloured garment (saree), carried about (here and there), from house to house, the presents (of fruits and sweets) in the hope of catching a glimpse of you.
269. Poverty :
In winter a poverty-stricken person is tormented by his old garment, which smells of dung-fire, which has turned brown because of smoke (issuing from the dung-fire) and whose threads are very sparse (because of long use and consequent decay).
270. Hardships of a journey in winter :
In the morning in winter, the wandering traveller finds his limbs bruised by the sharp points of the blades of the grass (straw) (used at night by him as his bed) and he smoothens them by (gently) rubbing them with his hand moist with the water to be used for rinsing his mouth,
271. Captive woman's rescuers :
The mango-blossom, plucked with the finger-nails and carried (worn) by a farmer on his head, like a captive woman, is being pursued by bees, comparable to young men (wishing to rescue a captive woman).
272. Proved remedy against summer-heat :
Even sandal-paste does not soothe the burning sensation of loving couples so much as the pleasure of mutual embraces even in the unbearably hot summer.