मणीन्द्रमुख्यखचितक्वणन्मञ्जीररञ्जिताम्
She was adorned with anklets set with foremost jewels, their tinkling sound coloring her presence.
दधतीं कबरीभारं मालतीमाल्यसंयुतम्
She wore a mass of hair, decorated with a garland of jasmine flowers.
चित्रकुण्डलयुग्मश्रीसुषुमापरिशोभिताम्
Her beauty was enhanced by a pair of ornate earrings and exquisite ornaments.
रत्नकंकणकेयूरशंखभूषणभूषिताम्
She was adorned with bracelets, armlets, and conch ornaments made of jewels.
दृष्ट्वा तां ललितां रम्यां सुशीलां सुदतीं सतीम्
Seeing her—graceful, lovely, virtuous, with beautiful teeth, and pure—
शंखचूड उवाच का त्वं कामिनि कल्याणि सर्वकल्याणदायिनि
Shankhachuda spoke: Who are you, O beautiful and auspicious lady, giver of all blessings?
स्वर्गभोगादिसरितिविहारे हाररूपिणि
You who delight in heavenly pleasures and rivers, and whose form is adorned with necklaces.
इत्येवं वचनं श्रुत्वा सकामा वामलोचना 2.16.
Hearing these words, the desirous woman with lovely eyes—
तुलस्युवाच तपस्विनीह तिष्ठामि कस्त्वं गच्छ यथासुखम्
Tulasi spoke: I am an ascetic, staying here; who are you? Go as you please.
कामिनीं कुलजातां च रहस्येकाकिनीं सतीम्
A woman, born in a noble family, alone in a secluded place, and virtuous.
लम्पटोऽसत्कुले जातो धर्मशास्त्रार्थवर्जितः
He is lustful, born in a low family, devoid of understanding the meaning of the scriptures of dharma.
आपात मधुरामन्ते चान्तकां पुरुषस्य ताम्
She appears sweet at first, but ultimately brings ruin to the man.
हृदये क्षुरधाराभां शश्वन्मधुरभाषिणीम्
In the heart, she is like the edge of a razor, yet always speaks sweetly.
कार्य्यार्थे स्वामिवशगामन्यथैवावशां सदा
For her own purposes, she is always submissive to her master, otherwise she is always unyielding.
श्रुतौ पुराणे यासां च चरित्रमनिरूपितम्
In the Purāṇas, their conduct is described as indeterminate.
तासां को वा रिपुर्मित्रं प्रार्थयन्तीं नवं नवम्
Who is enemy or friend to those who constantly seek something new?
बाह्ये स्वात्मसतीत्वं च ज्ञापयन्तीं प्रयत्नतः
Outwardly, she diligently claims to be devoted to her own self.
बाह्ये छलाच्छादयन्तीं स्वान्तर्मैथुनलालसाम् 2.16.
Outwardly, she covers herself with deceit, while inwardly she longs for sexual union.
मानिनीं मैथुनाभावे कोपिनीं कलहांकुराम्
She is proud, angry when deprived of intercourse, and the root of quarrels.
सुमृष्टान्नं शीततोयमाकांक्षन्तीं च मानसे
She desires well-cooked food and cool water in her mind.
सुतात्परमतिस्नेहं कुर्वन्तीं रतिकर्तरि
She shows utmost affection for her son, but only when engaged in pleasure.
पश्यन्तीं रिपुतुल्यं च वृद्धं वा मैथुनाक्षमम्
She regards as an enemy the old man who is incapable of intercourse.
चर्चया भक्षयन्तीं तं कीनाश इव गोरजः
She consumes him through her actions, like a worm eats cow dung.
शश्वत्कपटरूपां च सर्वदोषाश्रयां सदा
She is always deceitful in form, and ever the abode of all faults.
तपोमार्गार्गलां शश्वन्मुक्तिद्वारकपाटिकाम्
She is ever a barrier on the path of austerity, always the lock on the door to liberation.
हरेर्भक्तिव्यवहितां सर्वमाया करण्डिकाम्
She obstructs devotion to Hari, and is the basket of all illusion.
इन्द्रजालस्वरूपां च मिथ्यावादिस्वरूपिणीम्
She is of the nature of illusion, and embodies false speech.
नानाविण्मूत्रपूयानामाधारं मलसंयुतम् ।।।2.16.
She is the receptacle of various kinds of excrement, urine, and pus, always mixed with filth.
मायारूपं मायिनां च विधिना निर्मितं पुरा
The form of illusion, and those who are illusionists, were fashioned by the Creator in ancient times.
इत्युक्त्वा तुलसी तं च विरराम च नारद
Having spoken thus, Tulasī and Nārada both became silent.