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CHAPTER FOUR
repeatedly signs of falling, and have considered them, they cling together and say, 'Where shall we fall ?' Fresh garlands coming from the trees of heaven fade together with the lotus-faces of the gods. Kalpa-trees, unshakable even by storms, shake, their ligaments relaxing completely together with the heart. The gods are deserted by Beauty and Modesty, wives won at the right time and at the same time, as if they were criminals. The spotless beauty of their clothing becomes soiled instantly by the impure, gross collections of sins suddenly spreading. Though not poor, they are attended by Poverty, and by Sleep, though not sleepy, like ants by wings at the time of death."46
They are attracted by sense-objects to a high degree with injury to propriety and religion. About to die, they touch food with effort. Though they are free from disease, the joints of their bodies and limbs separate, as if helpless from pain arising from the impending fall into an evil state of existence. Their eyes suddenly become dim for perceiving objects, as if unable to look at the increase in others' wealth. They terrify others, also, by their limbs trembling as if from fear of the coming of pain arising from dwelling in the womb. When they know by signs that falling is certain, they take no pleasure at all in palace, grove, tank, as if they were embraced by charcoal.
“Oh! beloved ; Oh! palaces; Oh! tanks; Oh! trees of the gods, separated from the ill-starred, where will you be seen again ? Alas for the smile that is a rain of nectar; Alas for red lips that are nectar; alas for speech that rains nectar ; alas for beauty that is composed of nectar. Oh! pillars wrought of jewels; Oh! beautiful pavements of gems; Oh! terraces made of jewels, of whom will you be the resort? Oh! who will have constant enjoyment of these full tanks with jeweled flights of steps and wreaths of red and blue lotuses ? O pārijāta ! O mandāra ! O santāna! O haricandana ! O
441 160. See I, n. 85.
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