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SAÚDESARĀSAKA
in pouring tears down the cheeks and since the passion is constantly blooming in the mind, how can I get relief and sleep even at night? It is surprising that though separated from their loved one, ladies can live even for some days?" (115–116).
The traveller said: “O fair lady, I shall convey whatever you did say and in addition to that, what I have myself seen. You now return to your residence and I shall take to the road. The sun has set. Darkness has parvaded the east. Because of a difficult and perillous path, the night-journey is troublesome" (117). Hearing the traveller's words she heaved a hot, prolonged sigh. The tear-particles on her cheeks appeared like pearls on coral heaps. Crying and bewailing she said: “Tell my husband a Skandhaka and a Dvipadi (118): "My heart is a jewel-treasuring ocean. It is always churned by the great Mandara mountain in the form of Separation and thus all the jewells in the form of happiness are taken out (119). The fire of separation, fanned by Cupid is incessantly blazing within my heart giving forth ashes in the form of restlessness. It scorches and terrifies. It makes me sigh longingly (120)'."
On hearing these words the traveller was touched. He said: “Patiently enlighten me on the questions I am just putting to you (121). Since when has your face, conquering in beauty even the serene-rayed and nectareous autumnal moon, has been enveloped in the smoke of the separation-fire? (122). Since when are you like this, with your lovely, penetrating eyes pining, with your plaintain-delicate body withering, with your swan-like sportive gait vanishing ? (123). Why do you thus give yourself up to grief and get the body cut through with the saw of separation? Since when has your husband gone abroad so that your mind is pierced with the shafts of Cupid ? (124)". At this she recited four Gāthās (125): "O traveller, what is the use of asking the day of separation whenceforth my happiness vanished and misery began? (126). What is the use of recalling that day which ignited the fire of separation? Away even with its mention! (127). I am restless since the day of his leaving. The time is felt as painful as death. Let that summer when my husband left me, be consumed by its own fire and let he who has sapped ue, be himself sapped by the Malaya wind. (128-129).
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