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?'
त्वामेवं विमुखं कृत्वा यामि चन्द्रान्तिकं यदि
If I turn away from you like this and go to Chandra—
अवमन्य स्त्रियं मूढो यो याति पुरुषाधमः
The fool who disregards a woman and goes away is the lowest of men.
तिलोत्तमावचः श्रुत्वा जहास बलिनन्दनः 4.23.
Hearing Tilottama's words, the son of Bali laughed.
भावं विज्ञाय भावज्ञः कामशास्त्रविशारदः
Understanding her feelings, he, wise in the knowledge of love, perceived her intent.
जगाम च तया सार्धं गन्धमादनगह्ररम्
He went together with her to the cave of Gandhamadana.
संस्थाप्य रत्नदीपांश्च धूपं च सुमनोहरम्
He arranged jeweled lamps and most delightful incense.
नानाप्रकारशृङ्गारं चकार काममोहितः
Overcome by passion, he engaged in various kinds of amorous play.
विपरीतरतौ तुष्टा बभूव रसिकेश्वरी
In their reversed union, the mistress of delight was satisfied.
तिलोत्तमा कामभावाद्बलिपुत्रमुवाच ह
Tilottama, moved by desire, spoke to the son of Bali.
तिलोत्तमोवाच एवंभूतं शुभदिनं कदा मे भविता पुनः
Tilottama said: When will such an auspicious day come again for me?