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Prakrit Verses in Sanskrit Works on Poetics
23. The demons first set their hearts only on snatching from Vişņu his Kaustubha
jewel. Then the God of Love diverted them to the crescent of their beloveds' lips (lit. beloveds' bimba like lower lips).
24. When the fruit depends on fate what can be done? Yet we say this much:
Although the Aśoka tree does not bear any fruit (according to poetic convention the Aśoka tree does not bear any fruits) its leaves are incomparably beautiful (lit. There are no other leaves comparable with the [red and tender) leaves of the Asoka tree.) [The red Asoka's leaves are not the same as other leaves).
25. Although I have suppressed my anger in my heart and although I have not shown
any sign of it on my face, yet you are trying to win my favour. It is not possible for me to get angry with you, O clever man, even though you are guilty of love's offence against me.
26. I would rather be a dwarfish tree in the woods bereft of leaves than one in human
society who is keen on giving in charity but suffers from poverty/lacks the means.
27. Today at last the moon has achieved similarity with your face that has been
spoilt by jealousy though. He therefore cannot contain himself i.e. the full moon's delight is unbounded (or he has flooded all the (ten) directions with his bright moon-light).
28. O,bee, you may die in your search for a flower lovelier than Mālatī in the Ketaki
bowers filled with thorns; but however much you may wander, you shall never find anything like the Mālati flower.
29. The lotus - beds have not been crushed; nor have the swans been frightened
away, O, friend (or aunt)! Some one has thrown into the village - pond the sky with its face up.
30. The limbs of the daughter-in-law, who was busy with her household work all
of a sudden become limp and sink as she hears the twitter of birds flying away
from the shrubs of cane/water - reeds. 31. Collect the flowers that have already fallen. Do not anymore shake the Sephālika
plant, you farmer's daughter-in-law. For the jingle of your bangles may reach the ears of your father-in-law and something dreadful may happen.
32. For translation vide DHV S.No. (5.1) supra.
