Malavikagnimitram by Kalidasa Read Free Book Online Page B

naughty talk!
    BAKULAVALIKA : I only said what needed to be said.
    MALAVIKA : I know you love me.
    BAKULAVALIKA : It’s not just me.
    MALAVIKA : Then who else?
    BAKULAVALIKA : The king loves beautiful things too.
    MALAVIKA : You’re lying. That doesn’t mean me.
    BAKULAVALIKA : You may not agree, but you can see it in the king’s strong arms, now pale and thin.
    NIPUNIKA : Conniving people have calculated replies.
    BAKULAVALIKA : Trust in the words of the wise, love is tested by love.
    MALAVIKA : How do you just say whatever you like?
    BAKULAVALIKA : No, no! These words express the king’s honest affections.
    MALAVIKA : Oh, my heart loses faith when I think of the queen.
    BAKULAVALIKA : Silly girl, bees hover all around a mango blossom in early spring, but it’s still the perfect ornament.
    MALAVIKA : You’re truly my best friend in this sad situation.
    BAKULAVALIKA : Well, my name is Bakulavalika—a bouquet of flowers, providing fragrance when touched.
    AGNIMITRA : Excellent, Bakulavalika! Excellent!
    Speaking after understanding 66 her feelings
and offering perfect responses,
she is committed to her mission—
a messenger truly sustains a lover’s life. //14//
    IRAVATI : Look, dear, look how Bakulavalika encourages Malavika.
    NIPUNIKA : With such counsel, my lady, even the emotionless become desirous.
    IRAVATI : My heart was right to be anxious. I’ll figure out what to do after getting the facts.
    BAKULAVALIKA : I’ve finished decorating your other foot as well. Now I’ll put on the two anklets.
(
Makes the gesture of unfastening a pair of anklets
.) Stand up, my friend, make the ashoka bloom as the queen asked.
(
Both rise.
)
    IRAVATI : Now we know it’s the queen’s bidding!
    BAKULAVALIKA : There’s a ripe red one right in front of you, ready to be enjoyed.
    MALAVIKA
(
with joy
): Who? The king?
    BAKULAVALIKA
(
smiling
): Not the king, but a cluster of blossoms hanging down from a branch of that ashoka. It’s a perfect ornament for your ear.
    GAUTAMA : Did you hear that, my lord?
    AGNIMITRA : That’s enough for lovers, my friend!
    I find no pleasure in the union of lovers 67
when one is passionate and the other indifferent.
It is better when bodies waste away
in a hopeless coming together,
for at least the two have equal affections. //15//
    After weaving the blossoms into an ornament for her ear, Malavika gently raises her foot towards the ashoka tree.
    AGNIMITRA : Look, friend. . .
    Taking a blossom for her ear from this tree,
she offers it her foot
and so this equal exchange deprives me of both! //16//
    MALAVIKA : Will our gesture bear fruit?
    BAKULAVALIKA : It won’t be your fault, dear. If this ashoka is slow to bloom even after being honoured by your foot, then it’s an unhealthy 68 tree.
    AGNIMITRA : Oh, ashoka, if you don’t immediately burst into bloom
when honoured by the one with a slender waist
whose foot, soft like a fresh lotus, jingles her anklet
then you receive in vain the want of every passionate lover. //17//
    Friend, I should reveal myself before missing a chance to say something.
    GAUTAMA : Come, I’ll make her laugh.
    Both enter.
    NIPUNIKA : My lady, the king is coming this way.
    IRAVATI : This is what my heart anticipated.
    GAUTAMA
(
approaching
): My lady, is it proper for you to use your left foot to kick this ashoka tree which is a dear companion of the king?
    MALAVIKA and BAKULAVALIKA
(
with surprise
): Oh, the king!
    GAUTAMA : Bakulavalika! You knew about this. Why didn’t you stop your friend from committing such a crime?
    Malavika appears fearful.
    NIPUNIKA : My lady, see what noble Gautama has started.
    IRAVATI : This is how that so-called brahmin makes a living!
    BAKULAVALIKA : Sir, she’s not guilty of overstepping, she’s merely doing the queen’s bidding. May the king be forgiving.
    She makes Malavika bow along with herself.
    AGNIMITRA : If it is so, you are blameless. Rise, my lady.
    Takes Malavika by the hand and helps her get up.
    GAUTAMA : Very well, we