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NUMMARY
87
THIRD STRIDB
Summer. It was at the advent of summer, O traveller, thạt my husband left, and gone with him was all my happiness. As I returned after seeing him off, I was much agitated (130). Torn by restlessness, yearning and misery, lovelorn, I found the Malaya wind unbearable. The scorching sun-rays blazed piercingly. They burnt the wild grass on the earth (131). Flames darted in the sky like Death's tongues. The surface of the earth became parched. The hot blast that was blowing scorched the bodies of women in separation (132). Cātakas cried for fresh clouds. Rivers carried a slender stream. Parrots swung on the leaves of gorgeous mango-trees, bent down with fruits and fluttering like the ears of an elephant. Their ahirpings made me feel helpless (133-134). The sandal paşte besmeared on the bosom for coolness, contrarily heated the breasts, as previously it had contact with serpents. The neoklaces and garlands that were put on, were felt flaming-hot (135). The lotus-petals spread on the bed for comfort rather doubled my agony. Thus restless in the bed, I falteringly recited a Vastu and a Dohā (136): "The lotuses blooming under the sun-rays are naturally heat-emitting. The moon being a cognate of poison would not give pleasure. Sandal-paste bearing snake bites wears down the body. The necklace also throws salt as it were in the wounds made by Cupid's shafts. Lotuses, moon, sandal-paste and jewels are praised in the world as cooling anodynes. But none of them can extinguish the fire of separation. Instead, they prove more tormenting to the body (137). People apply camphor and sandal-paste on the body. But it is futile. Only the loved one can put down the fire caused by his separation (138).'
The Rains. ... Somehow I passed the hot summer. The rains came, but not my shameless husband. The four quarters were overcast with thick-lying darkness. Clouds thundered with rage in the sky (139). Roads were descerned only by terrific flashes of lightning. Cātakas satiated with the water cried gaily. The row of cranes passing below the fresh clouds appeared charming (140.). Heated by the summer rays the
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