चन्द्रशृङ्गारमाश्लेषमालापममृताधिकम्
The embrace of the moon, the delight of love, sweet conversation surpassing nectar—
तिलोत्तमावचः श्रुत्वा जहास बलिनन्दनः
Hearing Tilottama's words, the son of Bali laughed.
साहसिक उवाच अतो वरा चाप्सरसां विदग्धरसिकेश्वरी
Sāhasika said: Thus, among the Apsarases, you are the most skillful and lordly in the enjoyment of pleasures.
सुन्दोपसुन्दयोर्नाशः निमित्तेन प्रयत्नतः
The destruction of Sunda and Upasunda was carefully arranged for this reason.
सर्वं जानासि सर्वज्ञे विज्ञा सुरतकर्मणि 4.23.
You know everything, O all-knowing one, and are wise in the acts of love.
अतिप्रियश्च को वा च कः स्वभावो वरानने
Who, O beautiful-faced one, is exceedingly dear, and what is their nature?
गन्धर्वाणां सुराणां च राज्ञां पुण्यवतामपि
Among Gandharvas, gods, kings, and even the virtuous—
असुरस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य सा तिलोत्तमा
Hearing the words of the Asura, Tilottama laughed.
सत्यं सारमन्तरस्थमव्यक्तमतिगोपनम्
Truth is the essence within, unmanifest and deeply concealed.
स्त्रीजातीनां च सर्वासामुपहासकरं परम्
And for all women, it is the highest cause of laughter.
सर्वेषामपि दुर्ज्ञेयं चरितं योषितामपि
The conduct of women is difficult for all to comprehend.
वेदवेदाङ्गशास्त्रान्तं सर्वं जानाति पंडितः
A learned person knows the entirety of the Vedas, the Vedāṅgas, and the end of the scriptures.
विषादप्यप्रियो वृद्धो रत्नादपि च योषिताम्
An old man is disagreeable even more than poison, while a woman values jewels above all.
युवानं सुन्दरं दृष्ट्वा ह्यार्ता भवति पुंश्चली
When a woman of loose morals sees a young and handsome man, she becomes distressed.
निमेषरहिता तस्य लोचनाभ्यां पिबेन्मुखम् 4.23.
Without blinking, she drinks in his face with her eyes.
मनोऽतिलोलमस्थैर्यं सर्वाङ्गानि चकम्पिरे
Her mind becomes exceedingly restless and unstable, and her whole body trembles.
संप्राप्य तं चेद्रहसि साऽऽलापं कुरुते स्फुटम्
If she meets him in private, she speaks to him openly.
तथा यदि वशं कर्तुं न शशाक जितेन्द्रियम्
If she cannot bring under her control one who has mastered his senses,
दुःसाध्ये नायके दुःखं भवेदाजन्मजन्मनि
Then, with such a difficult man, sorrow arises for her in every birth.
पुंश्चलीनामप्रियः कः कः प्रियो वा महीतले
Who is disliked by women of loose morals, and who is dear to them on earth?
पूर्वजारं पतिं पुत्रं भ्रातरं पितरं प्रसूम्
Her former lover, husband, son, brother, father, and mother—
न दानेन न मानेन सत्येन स्तवनेन वा
Not by gifts, not by respect, not by truth, nor by praise,
शयने भोजने चापि स्वप्ने ज्ञाने दिवानिशम्
Whether in bed, at meals, in dreams, in knowledge, day and night,
शृङ्गारनिपुणानां च ध्यानसाध्या चिरं परम्
For those skilled in love, meditation upon them is accomplished only after a long time.
सर्वासां कुलटानां च चरित्रं कथितं मया 4.23.
I have described the conduct of all women of loose morals.
मम सन्ति प्रियतरा गन्धर्वेषु सुरेषु च
Among Gandharvas and gods, I have those who are dearer to me.
विशेषतः शशधरे स्नेहो मे विद्यते परः
Especially, my highest affection is found in the moon.
प्रियो मे कामसदृशो न भूतो न भविष्यति
My beloved is like Kāma; there has never been, nor will there ever be, one like him.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वमात्मनो योषितामपि
Thus, everything about myself and women has been spoken.
चन्द्रस्थानात्तव स्थानं समागत्य सुनिश्चितम्
Certainly, your place has come together from the location of the moon.