Canto LXV - About the Svārociṣa Manvantara (continued)

Svarocis lived in pleasure with his wives till aroused byaconversation between two birds, and by a deer’s remarks.

Mārkaṇḍeya spoke:

Then he, lustrous as the immortals, accompanied by his wives, lived in pleasure on that high mountain where were charming woods and cascades. The Nidhis,^[1] being subject through the knowledge Padminī, brought gems for every kind of enjoyment, sweets and melodies, garlands, raiment, ornaments, richly scented unguent, most brilliant golden seats according to his desire, golden things (illustrious Sir!), pots and vessels, and also beds of divers kinds arrayed with heavenly coverings. Thus accompanied by them, he lived in pleasure at his own liking on that fine mountain, perfumed with heavenly odours and other fragrance, and illuminated with his lustre. And they enjoyed supreme delight, for that they were with him, sporting on that high mountain even as in Svarga.

A grey lag-goose^[2] said to a hen-cakravāka who was in some water, being moved to desire at the dalliance and union between him and those two wives —“Happy is this man, exceeding merit has he, who in the heyday of youth enjoys eagerly-desired delights with these darling wives. Young men are worthy of praise, their wives are not of exceeding beauty; few are the wives and husbands of exceeding beauty in the world! A man dearly longs for the women he loves; a woman desires to obtain a lover; most rare is it to find a wedded pair rich in mutual affection. Happy is this man whom his darlings long for; these women are indeed very dear to him; verily, it is among the happy that mutual affection exists!” Hearing this speech uttered by the grey lag-goose, the hen-cakravāka scarcely surprised in mind spoke to her— “This man is not happy, because modesty springs not from proximity with other women; he is enjoying one or other of the women, his mind does not dwell on all of them. Since the heart’s affection has only one basis, my friend, how then will this man be affectionate to several wives? These women are not beloved by their husband, nor is this husband beloved by them; these women are only just an amusement as any other attendant might he. And if he is desired by these w omen, why then does he not quit his life? He embraces some loved woman, the while he is in the thoughts of some other loving woman. He is bartered at the price of the bestowal of knowledge, as if he were a servant. Because of the excitements,^[3] affection verily exists not equally towards many women. O grey lag-goose! my husband is happy, and I indeed am happy; he, for his mind is fixed steadfastly on me alone, and I, for mine is on him alone.”

Mārkaṇḍeya spoke:

Svarocis the unconquered, understanding the speech of all living creatures, on hearing this was ashamed and pondered, “it is indeed true, without any falsehood.”

After a hundred years had passed from that time, while sporting on the great mountain, while sporting with his wives around him, he saw a buck in front of him, with very glossy and plump limbs, playing among a herd of does, and surrounded with does shaped like lie was, which were in the rutting time.^[4] The buck tlien said to the does who were sniffing with outstretched nostrils, “O ye charming does, one should behave without bashfulness; hut lam not Svarocis, nor am I like him in disposition, O pretty-eyed does! Many have no modesty; do ye, who are such, go to him. Now as one female who follows after many males is a laughing-stock among mankind, just so is one male, who is gazed on by many females with lustful glances. He suffers loss from day to day in his deeds of righteousness; and he is always attached to some other wife, and addicted to other loves. Do ye love some other, who is like that, who has that disposition, who turns away from the future world; it will be well for you; I am not a rival of Svarocis.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

See canto lxviii.

[2]:

Kala-haṃsī; see page 30 note §.

[3]:

Pravartato.

[4]:

Vāsitābhiḥ; this appears to refer to the rutting season.