नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

488 THE NATYASASTRA [ XXV. 43-

The four stages of woman's youth

43. The youth of women when they have tasted love's pleasures is manifested in four stages through dresses, limbs and their movements as well as [inner] qualities¹.

The primary youth

44. The primary (prathama) youth which has an enthusiasm for sexual acts, is characterised by plump thighs, cheeks, hips, lips and firm breasts which are conducive to (lit. charming in) love's pleasures¹.

The secondary youth

45. The secondary (dvitiya) youth which affords the best pleasure of love is characterised by full and round limbs, plump breasts and slender waist¹.

The tertiary Youth

46. The tertiary (tṛtīya) youth which creats the utmost brilliance [in women] is full of all kinds of beauty, exciting sexual desire and is maddening and rich in various qualities¹.

The quartenary youth

47-48. The quartenary (caturtha) youth which is the enemey of love's pleasure, comes when the primary, the secondary and the tertiary youths have gone by [one after another]. It is characterised by reduced physical charm due to sunken (lit. pale) cheeks, hips, lips, breasts as well as lack of enthusiasm for sexual acts¹.

Behaviour in the primary youth

49. A woman in her first youth is to be known as one who cannot take much pains, is neither pleased or displeased with her rivals (females), and is attached to persons of mild qualities¹.

Behaviour in the secondary youth

50. A woman in her secondary youth takes offence lightly,

---

43 (C. 43; K.XXIII.41). ¹ Cf. BhP. p. 103, l. 10.
44 (C.44; K.XXIII.42). ¹ Cf. BhP. p. 103, l. 11-16.
45 (C.45; K.XXIII.43). ¹ Cf. BhP. p. 104, l. 2-11.
46 (C.46; K.XXIII.44). ¹ Cf. BhP. p. 104, l. 13-14.
47-48 (C.47-48; K.XXIII.45-46). ¹ Cf. BhP. 105, l. 1-6.
49 (C.49; K.XXIII.47). ¹ Cf. BhP. p. 104, l. 2-6.
50 (C.50; K.XXIII.48).