Lilavaikaha

Author(s): K R Chandra, Ramniklal M Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 32

Lilavai-Kaha of Kouhala
93. "Dear Candralekha", (he said) "don't you see? The entire circle of ten quarters has been made his abode by Cupid, as it is full of the pollen of flowers scattered by Malayabreezes.
the
94. So how is it? you, O Moon-face, are adorned all over body today with great enthusiasm by some relation of the arrows of Cupid?
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95. By whom has been painted on your forehead, this life-like bee, deeply engrossed in sucking nectar, dipping his mouth in the fresh Campaka flower?
96. And by whom have been drawn on your cheeks, these decorative patterns with the expensive musk-paste, which look like scars left by Cupid's arrows?
97. And by whom, O slender girl, has been arranged this mangosprout at the fringe of your cheek, which has flowers dropping down at the touch of hand (or flowers felt by the touch of the hand?
98. By whom, O my beauty! (lit. one who has obtained beauty or one who has small, thin eyes) has been achieved the position of being known through his Rata, by drawing decorative leaf-designs on your breasts glowing yellow like a heap of gold?
99. By whom have been painted on your delicate feet, these two swan-couples, with their necks slightly bent in exchanging lotus-stalks in each other's beak ?
100. Thus, with a desire to show off his skill (in decoration of body), who, not knowing right and wrong, has done (this improper thing, which is) like feeding milk to a
serpent ?" 101. Hearing that from the king, Candralekha spoke with her eyes blooming (in delight) and with her face slightly bent in bashfulness, (thus) :
102. "O my lord! that painter, experienced and skilful (or expert in the Viddha-paintings) who, at your gate, had painted your picture on a leaf at that time
103. That same (painter) has now come here again from Simhaladvipa, and in the Madana-festival he has painted all this."