वासवदत्ता (महाकवि सुबन्धु - श्लेष-प्रधान शास्त्रीय गद्यकाव्य सान्वय सटीक)

A SANSKRIT ROMANCE 129 adorned with ⟨lotuses, chowries, and the Matsyas⟩¹; the refuge of ⟨mountains⟩ as a good man is the refuge of his ⟨family⟩²; charming in that it was the ⟨abode of Viṣṇu⟩ as a noble man is charming because of his ⟨unshaken firmness⟩; with ⟨crocodiles and dolphins ready⟩ as an upright prince ⟨promotes the affairs of good folk⟩; with its ⟨surface overflowed by the Karatōyā⟩ as a wrathful man has his ⟨face covered with water from his hands⟩; [271] sprinkled with the water of the ⟨Candanā⟩ as one separated (from his beloved) is sprinkled with ⟨sandal⟩ water; followed by the ⟨Narmadā⟩ as a voluptuary is followed by ⟨jesters⟩³; though it had ⟨cast forth its venom⟩,⁴ it showed an abundance of «poison», for it ⟨raised aloft a mass of dark blue⟩ and showed an abundance of «water»; though it was very ⟨old⟩, «fair women clung about its neck», for it was very ⟨great⟩ and its «vicinity was filled with Madagascar potatoes»; though it was the place of origin of ⟨the gods⟩, it was «not ruled by the gods», for it was the place of origin of ⟨Surā⟩⁴ and was «ruled by the demons». [272] And he thought: ‘Ah, me! Kindness hath been shown by Fate even though it hath wrought injury, since this ocean hath been brought⁵ within the range of mine eyes! Therefore, abandoning my body here, I shall quench the fire of separation from my love.⁶ Even though desertion of the body⁷ is not permitted one free from disease, yet it must be done.⁸ Doth not every one do deeds which ought to be done or ought not to be done? Thus, what is not done by each one in vain life⁹? [273] As for example¹⁰: ⟨the Lord of the Twice-Born⟩ ravished ¹ Tel. ed. and Srirangam text, ‘adorned with ⟨lotuses and beautiful fish⟩ as the series of Viśvamitra’s sons was adorned with ⟨Ambhōja, Cāru, and Matsya⟩.’ ² Tel. ed., ‘with superiority in ⟨mountains⟩ as a good man has superiority in ⟨family⟩.’ ³ Tel. ed. and Srirangam text, ‘with ⟨fishes and crabs⟩ as the zodiacal signs have ⟨Pisces and Cancer⟩; adorned with many ⟨pearls⟩ as a voluptuary is adorned with many ⟨courtesans⟩.’ ⁴ Namely, at the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons. ⁵ Tel. ed. and Srirangam text, ‘hath come.’ ⁶ Tel. ed. and Srirangam text, ‘therefore I abandon my body here.’ ⁷ Tel. ed. and Srirangam text, ‘of life.’ ⁸ Tel. ed. adds ‘by us.’ ⁹ Tel. ed., ‘every one doth not do everything he should in vain life. What, indeed, is not done by whom?’; similarly the Srirangam text. ¹⁰ A similar list of misdeeds of divine and amous personages is given in the Daśa- K