Malavikagnimitram by Kalidasa Read Free Book Online Page A

dear, you’ve been appointed by the queen because of your beauty. 57 Give me your foot so I can decorate it with an anklet and red lac.
    MALAVIKA
(
to herself
): O heart, don’t get excited by such praise. How do I get out of this? I could just die! 58
    BAKULAVALIKA : Why do you hesitate? The queen is very worried that the golden ashoka won’t bloom.
    AGNIMITRA : So this is all about the ashoka tree!
    GAUTAMA : What?! Don’t you know that the queen only makes her dress up for a reason?
    MALAVIKA
(
extending her foot
): Forgive me, my friend.
    BAKULAVALIKA : My dear, you are like my own body. (
Decorates her foot with gestures
.)
    AGNIMITRA : Look, my friend, at the fresh red streak
smeared on my beloved’s toes,
like the first blooming blossoms
on the tree of Love that Hara burnt. 59 //11//
    GAUTAMA : A fine foot fit for the job.
    AGNIMITRA : Well said!
    With her bright nails,
and red toes like tender new sprouts
this young beauty is ready to strike two things—
the unflowered ashoka waiting to bloom
and a lover, his head lowered
because of a recent offence. //12//
    GAUTAMA : You’ll soon get a chance to give offence.
    AGNIMITRA : I’ll take a brahmin’s prediction.
    Enter an excited Iravati with a servant.
    IRAVATI : Hey, Nipunika! I often hear ‘Infatuation is a fine ornament for a woman’. Any truth to this proverb?
    NIPUNIKA : It was a proverb, but now it’s the truth!
    IRAVATI : Forget your affection for me. How did you know that my lord went to the swing pavilion?
    NIPUNIKA : By my unfailing love for you, my lady.
    IRAVATI : Stop being so gracious! Speak plainly. 60
    NIPUNIKA : Noble Gautama, eager for spring’s gifts, told me. Truly, my lady.
    IRAVATI (
fidgeting
61 ): Oh, I’m wasting away with this obsession. My heart pushes me to find my husband, but my feet won’t move.
    NIPUNIKA : You must go to the swing pavilion.
    IRAVATI : Oh, Nipunika, I don’t see my lord.
    NIPUNIKA : Look around, my lady. The king could be hiding somewhere for a laugh. Let’s sit on the stone seat under this ashoka tree wrapped in priyangu vines.
    Iravati does so.
    NIPUNIKA
(
moving around and keeping an eye out
): Look out, my lady. While thinking about mango shoots we’ve been bitten by ants!
    IRAVATI : What do you mean?
    NIPUNIKA : There’s Bakulavalika adorning Malavika’s foot in the shade of the ashoka tree.
    IRAVATI
(
expressing doubt
): Malavika isn’t allowed here. 62 What do you make of this?
    NIPUNIKA : The queen fell from her swing and injured her foot so I guess she asked Malavika to look after the ashoka tree. Why else would the queen allow a servant to wear her own pair of anklets?
    IRAVATI : She’s been greatly honoured indeed.
    NIPUNIKA : But why shouldn’t we look for the king?
    IRAVATI : Well, dear, my mind races but my feet won’t budge from this spot. I must put an end to this anxiety. (
To herself, looking at Malavika
) Though it’s only natural that my heart is worried.
    BAKULAVALIKA
(
pointing to Malavika’s foot
): Malavika, my dear, how do you like the design I painted on your foot?
    MALAVIKA : I’m embarrassed to admire my own foot. Tell me, who taught you this art?
    BAKULAVALIKA : Actually, I’m the king’s student.
    GAUTAMA : Get ready for the rewards of teaching! 63
    MALAVIKA : Luckily you’re not vain.
    BAKULAVALIKA : But I’m proud now, having found feet worthy of my skill.
(
To herself
) Oh, my job is done!
(
Aloud, looking down at the paint
) I’ve just finished decorating one foot, my friend. Now it just needs someone to blow on it, 64 although this place is fairly breezy.
    AGNIMITRA : Look, my friend, look!
    The perfect opportunity presents itself—
to dry her foot, wet with lac, with my breath. //13//
    GAUTAMA : Don’t worry. You’re in line to savour this for a long time!
    BAKULAVALIKA : My friend, your foot is as beautiful as a red lotus. In every way, you have the king’s heart! 65
    Iravati looks to Nipunika.
    AGNIMITRA : It’s a blessing!
    MALAVIKA : Oh, such