________________
8&C
:
Śramana/April-June/1999
welfare to those at whose door stands even a small mango tree. For in spring the sprouts come out like an evil, from its top.35 These sprouts and bunches of Cūta and Asoka, though they are tender in nature are causing acute pains to the tender limbs of ladies through the caprices of Cupid. Any reader of this gāhā will estimate with least doubt that this nice piece of poetry is from the pen of an outstanding poet who is second to none.
Some heroines loose heart for the severe pains advanced by the spring when they see the Madhavi (Vasanti) creeper blooming slowly, for, it indicates Vasanta. Hāla says -- some wives of travellers in their indignant state of separation were in the habit of looking at the doors awaiting their husbands to derive a sort of consolation from that, but, when the bunches of Mādhavi at the courtyard adjacent to doors, have appeared even that bit of consolation is entirely lost; because Madhavi bunches agitate these women a great deal when they cast their glances at doors lest giving consolation.36 It is clear here that the ladies are trying to get rid of this anguish in the form of Cupid's chastise.
Another heroine of Hāla partly excoriating her billious plaints solemnly assures her wholehearted love to her husband thus -- "I am speaking veracious words Oh! young boy! I have not the least gone to unchastity eventhough the smell of Kurabaka flowers has reached my nose. For, nothing is impossible for this spring to perform.37 She is divulging her words in despair, and pinning plaints anent her husband who has not returned though the spring has broken out. In first place she calls the hero a 'dullard', because he has not come back even though the spring has started causing mental harassment. This is like a love-letter to her husband. She warns that this spring can very well bring any kind of disgrace to her chastity, any time thus disheartening her. She is doubtful about her wrong step that she may take in his prolonged absence. She plaints that the functionings of the spring are disincentive enough
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
