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.
श्रुत्वैवं बलिपुत्रश्च जहासोच्चैः पुनः पुनः
Hearing this, the son of Bali laughed loudly again and again.
छलेन दर्शयामास कठिनं स्तनयोर्युगम्
With guile, she revealed her firm pair of breasts.
श्रोणीं सुकठिनां रम्यां रम्भास्तम्भविनिन्दिनीम्
Her hips were beautifully firm, putting the plantain pillars to shame.
तस्य रूपं च वेषं च दर्शंदर्शं पुनःपुनः 4.23.
Again and again he gazed at her form and attire.
अतिकामातुरां दृष्ट्वा सुप्राज्ञो बलिनन्दनः
Seeing her overwhelmed by desire, the wise son of Bali—
साहसिक उवाच कार्यान्तरं करिष्यामि सुचिरं स्थातुमक्षमः
The bold one spoke: 'I will attend to other matters; I cannot remain here long.'
कामिनीषु बलात्कारो न धर्मो धर्मिणां प्रिये
Force upon women is not the way of the righteous, dear one.
शृङ्गारं देहि वा गच्छ रतिं कर्तुं सुरान्तिके
Either grant me love, or go and seek pleasure before the gods.
दानवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुका
Hearing the demon's words, her throat, lips, and palate went dry.
तिलोत्तमोवाच कथमेवं ब्रूहि त्वं मे कान्तः प्राणाधिकः प्रियः
Tilottama said: 'How can you speak so to me, your beloved, dearer than life?'