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132
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JULY, 1926
Decorated women came, knowing it to be a house of rejoicing. Came the blacksmith's wife, chuckling over the box of iron lamp-black in her hand.
3. The cowherd's wife brought in her hand the vessel full of curd of good omen. The king (Dasrath] was happy to see her breasts waving. 50 The charming 61 betel-seller's wife came with her packet of betel. Whoever she looked at was bewitched. The fair tailor's wife had brought a suit (of clothes), Dyed with saffron and thoroughly perfumed. The shoemaker's wife came hesitatingly 68 with diamonds in her hair-parting, She entered the courtyard with a pair of pretty shoes
The beautiful sweet-tongued florist's wife came with the golden crowns; As she brought it studded with gems she smiled. The leaf-dishmaker's wife came with the calico umbrella : 53 She had a slim waist 4, a moon-face and the eyes of a doe. The barber's wife made use of her large eyes. 55 She was chaffing the chief ladies and singing joyfully, When a lady older than Kausalya gave her an order : “Go and perform the ceremony of Nabachhu on him that sits on the throne."
5. Kausalya sat with Rama in her lap. She cast her veil pleasantly round Rama's head. She called the barber's wife to come quickly, And the latter came smiling and charmingly decorated. She held the nail-parer studded with small gems. She could hardly hold herself for joy at the sight of Rama. She had a laruana in her ears and a besari 57 in her nose, And round her neck was a bewitching garland of large pearls.
6. On her wrist the kankan, round her waist the kinkin, and round her ankles the nápur 58
were tinkling. She wore the garment given her by the Rani [Kausalya]. She asked (in joke): "Why is Rama dark and Lakshman fair! Perhaps Rani Kausalya has made some blunder. 50
60 This shows Talasi Das's powers of observation. Ahiriņis do not confine their breasts like most Indian women, and they are usually pendulous and wave out. 61 The term used is saloni, salty.
62 Because of her low status in society. 58 The bart is the maker of dishes and cups out of leaves which are held sacred. Both the bari and his wife the bdrini work as monials in high-caste Hindu families.
54 This is a good omen.
56 To a Hindu, eyes to be beautiful must be large. The sense is that the woman used her eyes to attract attention.
56 Among high-casto Hindus it is not customary for the givers of the foast at marriages, investment with the sacrd throad and similar ceremonies, to give orders to their servants. That is done by close rele. tives, male or female, while the givers do nothing beyond being civil to their guests. This explains the statement in the text.
87 These are special omaments. 68 Those are all tinkling omamonts : kankan, is a bracelet : kinkin, a bell: ndpur, an anklet. Bo This is the kind of chaff that is usual ou such occasions.
