z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 02.indd MK SJ+YS 4 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 19
FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA
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“What is it that these women lack that they perceive not that youth is fickle ? For old age will destroy whatever beauty has.”
This round of blandishment went on for months and years with no results.
§ 11. The Prime Minister’s Admonition to the Prince
Udayin realized that the girls had failed and that the Prince had shown no interest in them.
Udayin, well skilled in the rules of policy, thought of talking to the prince.
Meeting the prince all alone, Udayin said : “Since I was appointed by the king as a fitting friend for thee, therefore, I wish to speak to thee in the friendliness of my heart.” So began Udayin.
“To hinder from what is disadvantageous, to urge to do what is advantageous and not to forsake in misfortune, these are the three marks of a friend.
“If I, after having promised my friendship, were not to heed when thou turnest away from the great end of man, there would be no friendship in me.
“It is right to woo a woman even by guile, this is useful both for getting rid of shame and for one’s own enjoyment.
“Reverential behaviour and compliance with her wishes are what bind a woman’s heart; good qualities truly are a cause of love, and women love respect.
“Wilt thou not then, O large-eyed prince, even if thy heart is unwilling, seek to please them with a courtesy worthy of this beauty of thine?
“Courtesy is the balm of women, courtesy is the best ornament; beauty without courtesy is like a grove without flowers.
“But of what use is courtesy by itself ? Let it be assisted by the heart’s feelings ; surely, when worldly objects so hard to attain are in the grasp, thou wilt not despise them.
“Knowing that pleasure was the best of
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