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The Class of Misers
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any charity (niacūe ); nor, strangely enough, is there any feeling of shame even.
920. Their wealth (Laksmi), like a newly married girl, is slow (and hesitating) for the first coition, though able to bear (the strain of) a fuller enjoyment (with them); for this reason, others also cannot indulge in love-sports with their wealth, even after having secured access to her (wealth ).
921. The misers stay away without even touching Lakşmi, although within reach by their side, looking upon her as their beloved (in menses) to be avoided (parihāravaim), having an unclean appearance (person ).
922. Men, who have acquired (in themselves ) great merits, look down upon great ( Lakşmi) as most insignificant (and of no consequence ); hence is Lakşmi's (hatred and ) hostility towards merits, not without reason, of course.
923. That Laksmī does not hasten to meet the good man' although commanded by him with (the signal of) his knitted eyebrows, is, I think, due to the fact that she stumbles over (in the act of) rushing towards him in her impetuousity ( to meet him ).
924. She, too, in the absence of a good man, would face extinction, having no support left (for her). This, unfortunately, is a painful bereavement for Lakşmī, never wished for ( by her ).
925. Born of Dharma (Righteousness ), how could Laksmī be the hater of good men ? Those are Alaksmīs (opposites of Lakşmi), looking very much like Laksmi, who abide with the ignoble.
926. Lakşmis that are ample, are lasting and have brightened in their constant use for enjoyment, belong only to men of piety, and never to others (of bad behaviour ).
927. She takes away (man's ) faults and confers merits ( on him); covers up his defects and gives him prominence (in the public eye). Such peculiar dispensation ( viņņāso ), apparently contradictory, is to be observed in the case of Laksmi.
928. Those ( warriors), who on the battlefield (successfully) confront the sharp blades of the swords of enemies, are blessed with the touch of Lakşmi (who is ) forced to stay there.
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