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SETUBANDHA
111 it, did laugh at him; but having laughed, could not help pitying him.
22. Placing one of his hands evenly between two of his contiguous faces, he began to think as he covered it with his sighs coming on both sides.
23. 'I have put up with the host of apes that is close at hand, because I am afraid to disturb the pleasures of the night. That is to the advantage of some one else; while deprived of the joys of love, it is my heart that grows restless.5
24. Shall I crush the horde of apes as they draw near unawares, and move about and chatter in vain, and wriggle out of my arms and flee in confusion, and lie still when seized and dragged by me?
25. 'Or, shall I enjoy Sītā, her silent face turned upwards as I seize her by the hair, while ripples of tears well up in her eyes opening in contact with the moonbeams?
26. 'Hostile to me even in her husband's absence, how will she be friendly now that her lord hath come? Does the day lily that is averse to the moon, even in the absence of the sun, ever desire it, when the sun comes into view?
27. 'Sītā doth not accept entreaties, nor can she be tempted even with the riches of the three worlds, nor is she afraid of any danger to her life. How could she, I wonder, be favourable to me?
28. 'Relying on the greatness of her consort, she despises the valour of all other brave men. She might perhaps yield only if she saw the severed head of Rāma.
29. 'People dare violate their cherished principle, out of fear, when they are helpless and humble for lack of friends, and see no cause for shame, with all hope gone owing to loss of protec
tion.'
4. Lit. (the hand) struck by his sighs etc.
5. The second line of the verse is variously explained. Trans. follows Krsna. The idea is, he has refrained from attacking the apes at night to allow the demons to enjoy their amorous sports undisturbed. This has benefited Rāma; while he suffers frustrated in his passion for Sītā.
6. The day lily closes at nightfall.
Know the demiile he suffers at nightfall.
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