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VAJJĀLAGGAM
[ 236
26. The Section on the Bee 236) Oh bee, oh hexaped, oh bumble-bee, oh vagrant, you have roamed the whole of the forest. If you have seen any flower comparable with the Mālati, why do you not say which it is (why do you not mention it )?
237) Somewhere there is beauty of petals but no (pleasing) fragrance; somewhere there is (pleasing) fragrance but not copious honey (floral juice). Oh bee, two, three virtues do not occur (at once) in a single flower.
238) The bee has only one heart and that is already occupied (captivated) by the Mālati. Let all the other trees blossom and bear fruit, who can stop them? (They cannot attract the bee, which has a fascination only for the Mālatī).
239) The disconsolate bee moves about roaming through all the lines (rows) of trees, wailing“oh Mälati” and again "oh Mālati, alas, oh Mālati."
240) The bee, due to separation from the Mālatī bud drones and moans, turns (this way and that) and twists and tosses its wings and droops, standing almost on the threshold of death.
241) Oh young bee, do not lament with excessive longing under separation from the Mālati. (That will not give you any relief). The sorrow caused by separation from one's beloved is not forgotten except by death.
242) Even before the Mālatī bad bloomed fully and even before she, full of vital juice (sap) (also: full of passion, Thi), had chosen her lord (consort), the rude (unmannerly) bees began to suck her.
243) On bee, you who are poised on the fresh (juicy) bloom. ing red lotus, you should pass your days somewhere or other and somehow or other until the Malatī blooms fully.
244) Oh hexaped, pass your time (patiently), do not abandon the Vasava flowers just now. I think, if you continue to live, you will be able to witness the abundant luxuriance of the spring season.
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