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18 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
I
that of a man, said to him, “You who are conquered by a woman, go and conquer this earth !”
Then another with rolling eyes, smelling a blue lotus, thus addressed the prince with words slightly indistinct in her excitement :
“See, my lord, this mango covered with its honey-scented flowers, where the bird kokila sings, as if imprisoned in a golden cage.
“Come and see this Asoka tree, which augments lovers’ sorrows, where the bees make a noise as if they were scorched by fire.
“Come and see this Tilaka tree, embraced by a slender mango branch, like a man in a white garment by a woman decked with yellow ungents.
“Behold the kurubaka in flower, bright like fresh resin-juice, which bends down as if it felt reproached by the colour of women’s nails.
“Come and see this young Asoka, covered all over with new shoots, which stands as if it were ashamed at the beauty of our hands.
“See this lake surrounded by the Sinduvara shrubs growing on its banks, like a fair woman reclining, clad in fine white cloth.
“See the imperial power of females, yonder Ruddygoose in the water, goes behind, his mate following her like a slave.
“Come and listen to the notes of the intoxicated Cuckoo as he sings, while another cuckoo sings as if consenting wholly without care.
“Would that thine was the intoxication of the birds which the spring produces, and not the thought of a thinking man, ever pondering how wise he is !”
Thus these young women, their souls carried away by love, assailed the prince with all kinds of stratagems.
But although thus attacked, he, having his sense guarded by self-control; neither rejoiced nor smiled.
Having seen them in their real condition, the Prince pondered with an undisturbed and steadfast mind.