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322
VAJJÄLAGGAM
[372
if you do not stay at home (but persist in going away) though being restrained (by me), then you should go after having poured that which is the abode of the residence of Lakṣmi (i. e. after having offered to me the funeral libations of water).
373) The lady, whose husband had gone away on a journey (leaving her behind), said stretching her arms: "Oh traveller, please do not go by this way. For by your walking, the impressions of my dear consort's feet (i. e. my dear consort's foot-prints) would be rubbed and spoiled".
39. The Section on Separation
374) Only today he has departed. Only from today the people (in the neighbourhood) will have to observe vigil at night (for fear of robbers who would be emboldened to attack them in his absence). Just to-day the banks of the river Goda will become yellow with turmeric powder (washed away by women from their bodies, as they do not see any purpose in having their bodies decorated with turmeric powder, in his absence).
375) Just today he has departed and just today the points of junction where lanes open into streets, temples and public squares have become vacant-and so our hearts too!
376) Just today in his absence (i. e. due to his separation), the eyes of this lady, reddish, white and black, are rolling in the quarters (i. e. are scanning the quarters) (surrounding space), like pearls which are born blind (?).
377) A damsel, during the very first half-day (of her consort's departure), covered the wall of her house with lines to show "today (one day) is gone," "today (another day) is over", "today (a third day) is past."
378) While she (the lady in separation) was drawing lines (on the wall of her apartment) (in order to keep a count of the days which must pass before her consort's return from the journey on the stipulated day), her friends, fearing (thinking) that the (stipulated) day marking the end of the period of separation was drawing near, stealthily rubbed off (erased) two or three (out of the
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