Gahakoso Part 2

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

Page 91

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488. Once bitten, twice shy :
Through fear of getting a burning itch, the monkey in the leafy shrubbery, does not touch with his hand the hand of his mate because it resembles a slightly pendulous cluster of a stinging nettle.
489. Camouflage :
You will (indeed) get near him, oh fair one. Do not (however, make such haste. Let the moon wax still further (i.e. rise higher up in the sky). Who can discern your face in the moon-light, any more than milk poured into milk?
490, In spite of that, or rather just because of that :
On being separated from you the poor damsel has dried up (i.e. withered) although so full of sap (i.e. youthful vigour) (also, because she is full of affection); she has undergone sufferings although her heart has become insensitive (also, because she is innocent in her heart); she has become white (also, pale) though she is red (also, because she is full of love).
491. Fragrant autumn and wine :
Behold, it is the fault of the autumn pervaded by the fragrance of blue lotuses, if the cucumber (gherkin) creeper climbs up any tree (that comes its way) whether fresh or withered. [Side meaning: Behold, it is the fault of wine (saraya-saraka) pervaded by the fragrance of blue lotuses, if a drunkan woman encircles (embraces, literally mounts) any man, whether young or old ).
492. Agonising absence :
Indeed, without him (i.e. in his absence) the (spring) festival, wherein gay people are running about at random even over trackless regions (because of eagerness to participate in the public festival), wherein there is all around) the uproar of the jubilant crowds) constantly on the increase and wherein the musical instruments (drums etc.) are being lustily played upon, has become for us i.e. for me) agonising like a village-drum, which (when beaten to alert the people in case of calamities like outbreak of fire, assault by bandits etc.), sends people running pell-mell even over trackless regions in a bid to escape), which is accompanied by the ever-growing uproar (of the panic-stricken people) and by lustily blown musical instruments (like bugles, horns, trumpets etc.),
493. Frightful :
Who is not frightened by the speech (harangue) of an obstinate miscreant, (suddenly) appearing by one's side, as by a thief hanged by the neck, stiff and stark, by means of a noose, on a tree in a cemetery ?
494. Ridicule by the rainy season :
Oh aunt, on seeing the way-farers coming home without having accomplished their important tasks, the newly commenced rainy season as it were laughs with its (white) Kutaja flowers (at their failure to accomplish the tasks uudertaken by them).