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7. YAŚASTILAKA AS AN ANTHOLOGY OF SANSKRIT VERSE
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chariots, and its topmost layer was dispersed by the extensive flappings of the ears of the roving elephants ( 3. 437).
II. SCENES OF NATURE Nature poetry is adequately represented in Yasastilaka, some of the descriptions being put in the mouth of the bards of Yasodhara's court and addressed to the king. While Somadeva's portrayal of natural scenery will not bear comparison with the classic descriptions of the earlier poets, it is not wanting in genuine touches which reveal the poet's sympathy with Nature and his accurate powers of observation. There are elaborate pictures of the seasons and morning and evening scenery as well as glimpses of animal life; and it may be said, on the whole, that the poet's verses on the subject often have rapidity of movement and show a comprehensive grasp of details,
A large number of verses is devoted to the seasons (1. 53-68; 3. 376-387, 389-401, 425-435, 442-446).
भास्वद्भास्वति दाहवाहिमरुति ज्वालोल्बणाशाकृति शुष्यद्भूभृति दीप्यमानवियति प्रेङ्खन्मुखाम्भोद्युति ।
संशुष्यत्सरिति क्वथत्तनुमति स्वान्तोद्भवोर्जाहृति ग्रीष्मेऽस्मिन् महति क्षयामयचिति प्राञ्चन् मृतिं गच्छति ॥ In the summer the sun shines bright, the winds radiate heat, the regions of the sky are made fierce like flames, the mountains wither, the sky is ablaze, and perspiration gleams on the visage of men. The rivers dry up, the creatures are scorched, Love loses its force, and the disease of consumption prevails. A wanderer at the height of summer meets with death (3. 377). मार्तण्डचण्डतापस्तपति मरुभुवामग्निसावं दधानः कामं व्योमान्तराणि स्थगयति किमपि योति धावत् पुरस्तात् । उर्व निर्ध्यामवीचीचयमिव विसृजत्येतदाशान्तरालं मनाङ्गान निम्नगानां पयसि च करिणः क्वाथयन वाति वातः॥ Fierce with heat, the sun doth shine, setting the deserts on fire. A mysterious luminosity, moving before the eyes, intensely pervades the regions of the sky. Yonder horizon seems to belch forth waves of vapour. The wind blows, scorching the elephants, immersed in the waters of rivers (1. 60).
The king is asked to resort to the refreshing shade of the gardens in the summer:
कृतकिसलयशय्याः प्रान्तचूतप्रतानाः स्तबकरचितकुड्यास्तत्प्रसूमोपहाराः।
जलसरणिसमीरासारसाराः प्रियाणां कुचकलशविकासैनिर्विशोद्यानभूमीः॥ Enjoy the gardens, delightful with breezes from the rivulets, accompanied by the graceful movements of the plump bosoms of thy mistresses. Beds of leaves are made in them, and mango groves are on the borders. The garden walls are made of clusters of flowers, and blossoms are strewn on the ground.” (3. 378).
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