2.4.13. Baseness
1071 The base resemble men in outward form, I ween; But counterpart exact to them I’ve never seen. The base resemble men perfectly (as regards form); and we have not seen such (exact) resemblance (among any other species).
1072 Than those of grateful heart the base must luckier be, Their minds from every anxious thought are free! The low enjoy more felicity than those who know what is good; for the former are not troubled with anxiety (as to the good).
1073 The base are as the Gods; they too Do ever what they list to do! The base resemble the Gods; for the base act as they like.
1074 When base men those behold of conduct vile, They straight surpass them, and exulting smile. The base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own.
1075 Fear is the base man’s virtue; if that fail, Intense desire some little may avail. (The principle of) behaviour in the mean is chiefly fear; if not, hope of gain, to some extent.
1076 The base are like the beaten drum; for, when they hear The sound the secret out in every neighbour’s ear. The base are like a drum that is beaten, for they unburden to others the secrets they have heard.
1077 From off their moistened hands no clinging grain they shake, Unless to those with clenched fist their jaws who break. The mean will not (even) shake off (what sticks to) their hands (soon after a meal) to any but those who would break their jaws with their clenched fists.
1078 The good to those will profit yield fair words who use; The base, like sugar-cane, will profit those who bruise. The great bestow (their alms) as soon as they are informed; (but) the mean, like the sugar-cane, only when they are tortured to death.
1079 If neighbours clothed and fed he see, the base Is mighty man some hidden fault to trace? 130 The base will bring an evil (accusation) against others, as soon as he sees them (enjoying) good food and clothing.
1080 For what is base man fit, if griefs assail? Himself to offer, there and then, for sale! The base will hasten to sell themselves as soon as a calamity has befallen them. For what else are they fitted ? 131
LOVE 3.1 . The Pre-marital love 3.1. 1 Mental Disturbance caused by the Beauty of the Princess
1081 Goddess? or peafowl rare? She whose ears rich jewels wear, Is she a maid of human kind? All wildered is my mind! Is this jewelled female a celestial, a choice peahen, or a human being ? My mind is perplexed.
1082 She of the beaming eyes, To my rash look her glance replies, As if the matchless goddess’ hand Led forth an armed band. This female beauty returning my looks is like a celestial maiden coming with an army to contend against me.
1083 Death’s form I formerly Knew not; but now ’tis plain to me; He comes in lovely maiden’s guise, With soul-subduing eyes. I never knew before what is called Yama; I see it now; it is the eyes that carry on a great fight with (the help of) female qualities.
1084 In sweet simplicity, A woman’s gracious form hath she; But yet those eyes, that drink my life, Are with the form at strife! These eyes that seem to kill those who look at them are as it were in hostilities with this feminine simplicity.
1085 The light that on me gleams, Is it death’s dart? or eye’s bright beams? Or fawn’s shy glance? All three appear In form of maiden here. Is it Yama, (a pair of) eyes or a hind ?- Are not all these three in the looks of this maid ?
1086 If cruel eye-brow’s bow, Unbent, would veil those glances now; The shafts that wound this trembling heart Her eyes no more would dart. Her eyes will cause (me) no trembling sorrow, if they are properly hidden by her cruel arched eyebrows.
1087 As veil o’er angry eyes Of raging elephant that lies, The silken cincture’s folds invest This maiden’s panting breast. The cloth that covers the firm bosom of this maiden is (like) that which covers the eyes of a rutting elephant.
1088 Ah! woe is me! my might, That awed my foemen in the fight, By lustre of that beaming brow Borne down, lies broken now! 132 On her bright brow alone is destroyed even that power of mine that used to terrify the most fearless foes in the battlefield.
1089 Like tender fawn’s her eye; Clothed on is she with modesty; What added beauty can be lent; By alien ornament? Of what use are other jewels to her who is adorned with modesty, and the meek looks of a hind ?
1090 The palm-tree’s fragrant wine, To those who taste yields joys divine; But love hath rare felicity For those that only see! Unlike boiled honey which yields delight only when it is drunk, love gives pleasure even when looked at.
3.1.2. Recognition of the Signs (of Mutual Love) 1091 A double witchery have glances of her liquid eye; One glance is glance that brings me pain; the other heals again. There are two looks in the dyed eyes of this (fair one); one causes pain, and the other is the cure thereof.
1092 The furtive glance, that gleams one instant bright, Is more than half of love’s supreme delight. A single stolen glance of her eyes is more than half the pleasure (of sexual embrace).
1093 She looked, and looking drooped her head: On springing shoot of love ‘its water shed! She has looked (at men) and stooped (her head); and that (sign) waters as it were (the corn of) our love.
1094 I look on her: her eyes are on the ground the while: I look away: she looks on me with timid smile. When I look, she looks down; when I do not, she looks and smiles gently.
1095 She seemed to see me not; but yet the maid Her love, by smiling side-long glance, betrayed. She not only avoids a direct look at me, but looks as it were with a half-closed eye and smiles.
1096 Though with their lips affection they disown, Yet, when they hate us not, ’tis quickly known. Though they may speak harshly as if they were strangers, the words of the friendly are soon understood. 133
1097 The slighting words that anger feign, while eyes their love reveal. Are signs of those that love, but would their love conceal. Little words that are harsh and looks that are hateful are (but) the expressions of lovers who wish to act like strangers.
1098 I gaze, the tender maid relents the while; And, oh the matchless grace of that soft smile! When I look, the pitying maid looks in return and smiles gently; and that is a comforting sign for me.
1099 The look indifferent, that would its love disguise, Is only read aright by lovers’ eyes. Both the lovers are capable of looking at each other in an ordinary way, as if they were perfect strangers.
1100 When eye to answering eye reveals the tale of love, All words that lips can say must useless prove. The words of the mouths are of no use whatever, when there is perfect agreement between the eyes (of lovers).