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85
Struck by Cupid's weapon, I cannot speak at length but do tell him everything concerning this plight of mine : boredom resulting from the aching limbs, keeping awake through nights, ruffled gait owing to langour, hair unbraided and without flowers and collyrium trickling down on the cheeks. The flesh that my body puts on at the hope of being united with the loved one, is again lost, tormented by the fire of separation (105-6). Sprinkled by the waters of hope on the one hand, and tormented by the heat of separation on the other, I am neither living, nor dying but am just remaining inflamed". At this juncture, she, wiping her eyes, said a Phullaka (107): "My heart like a goldsmith longs for the dear one. It burns my body in the fire of separation and then sprinkles it with the water of hope" (108).
SUMMARY
The traveller said: "As I am due to start, please check your tears so that no inauspiciousness may arise". The lady said: "Let your going be accomplished according to your wish. In fact, I did not weep. Only my eyes dripped due to the smoke of separation-fire" (109). The traveller said: "As the sun is about to set, finish your message quickly and allow me to depart". The lady said: "Let you, O traveller, set out in all auspiciousness. Further say to my loved one a Maḍilla and a Cuḍillaka (110). Due to hot, prolonged sighings the body has languished, but not so the flood of tears. Released, my heart landed on a foreign soil, just as a moth falls into a light (111). It is ordained of yore that only days grow longer in the Summer Solstice, while only nights do the same in the Winter Solstice. But this is indeed a third type, the 'Separation Solstice', wherein both days and nights grow longer' (112). O traveller, the day has come to a close. So postpone your leaving, and spending the night here, start at daybreak". The traveller said: "O fair-lipped dame, sunshine blazes during the day-time and my task is urgent. So I must set out immediately. The lady said: "If you are not to stay, then tell my loved one a Cuḍillaka and a Khaḍahaḍaka with Gāthā (118): We have profited by your going abroad. We have got a boon to live for ever. For, due to your separation, one day has assumed the proportions of an year (114). Since the heart is deranged through separation, since I am out and out afflicted with Cupid's arrows, since the eyes are engaged
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