19 - The love-making of Mohini

Vasishtha continued:

 1. The king who was passionately fond of his lady­love, on being permitted by his wives, derived incomparable delight. He spoke to Dharmangada thus: -

2. “O son, protect this Earth consisting of seven island-continents after slaying the wicked at the outset. Be ever vigilant and alert and active.

3. Always make use of the best opportunities. Be a super­ visor of good conduct. Be always conscious of everything and alert, be favourable to good business transactions.

4. Be moving continuously; always be interested in charitable gifts; always eschew crookedness, be always engaged in the disciplined life of the good.

5. O son, listen to another thing which should be pursued by you now. Lack of trust and confidence in everything and everyone is recommended in the case of kings.

6. O popularly loved one, (you must possess) the accurate knowledge of the treasure and of the (assets of the) people. You should elicit money        (taxation) like the (absorption of) flowery juice by a bee gathering honey (from flowers).

7. Through you as my son, I feel that youth has been regained by me.

8. After delightfully  entrusting you with the burden of the earth with its seven       oceans and continents and having obtained this moon-faced wife of excellent and rare beauty and seductive charms, I shall enjoy myself in dalliance.

9. In the human world, a father overcome with wrinkles, shaking old teeth and white greying hairs becomes a cause of shame and (derisive laughter) if he is desirous of sexual intercourse, when the son has attained maturity and is competent.

10. Though aged, I am not weak and infirm; I am flourishing in happiness, I desire this fair lady the most beautiful in the world, who for my sake- has forsaken even the Devas; this lady of sweet and charming eyes, who has been smitten by the arrows of Cupid, has come to me (of her own accord).

11. I will engage myself at will in sexual dalliance with this lady of the lustre of molten gold, my mind shall then be full (thanks to the realisation of my cherished desires). After hiding myself on the banks of rivers of divine beauty as well as sylvan fountains and rivulets (I shall enjoy myself with this lady).

12. This lady is dearer to me than my life. She is the sole lady of heaven who can easily be held by me. For her sake even the Devas lost their sense like groups of kings over Rama (goddess Lakshmi).

13. On hearing these words of his father, the prince of fine intelligence devoutly bowed down to the excellent king who was in the company of his step-mother and gave him much wealth for the sake of enjoying pleasures.

14. For the happiness of his father who was distressed, thanks to the activities of the fish-bannered deity (i.e. Cupid), he engaged men-servants who would comply with the commands and women-servants who had gold necklaces.

Thereafter, the son protected the Earth.

15. Dharmavibhushana(i.e. Dharmangada) was eulogised by the kings who surrounded him. He moved about in the whole of the Earth consisting of many continents. At that time, O king, (?) the people had no inclination towards sins.

16. The trees were never devoid of fruits and flowers; the fields were never devoid of barley and rice grains. Cows yielded potful of milk sweet like sugar and productive of ghee.

17. Under his rule Milk was a good beverage, destructive of all distress, dispelling sins and increasing the development of the body. No man saved and hoarded wealth (for his selfish purpose); no wife spoke harsh or bitter words.

18. The son was humble (all sons were humble) engaged in carying out the behests of his father; the daughter-in-law remained perfectly obedient and submissive to the mother-in­ law; the common people abided by the advice of Brahmanas; excellent Brahmanas performed holy rites mentioned in the Vedas.

19. People never took food on the day of Madhava (Vishnu) i.e. on the Ekadashi day; the rivers never went dry; riches did not get exhausted although they were enjoyed by men in the course of their enjoyment of pleasures.

20. When Dharmangada engaged himself in the protection of his kingdom, the people were contented, as the Durva grass flourishes when watered well and a fine grassy plain is evolved, so people flourished.

21. By observing fast etc. on the day of Hari, men enjoyed pleasures        and attained the region of Hari. People, not being afraid of robbers (due to security measures and police protection prevalent then), did not   bolt  their doors even in dark nights.

22. Cows did not give extra trouble to the cowherds in looking after them; they went to graze according to their own wish and returned to the abodes as usual. They yielded potful of milk in plenty. They were fond of their calves and they spread peace everywhere.

23. The Earth grew plenty of grains etc. without being ploughed. All plants and trees grew up without the use of ploughshare. Infants were nourished by the breast-milk of their mothers. Young damsels were developed and nourished thanks to the activities of their husbands.

24. The people well protected by the king, were fully developed. Virtue in the company of truth was fully developed;

25. when the people who were endowed with devotion to Hari and who had the great interest in virtue were being protected by the king’s son, time passed on causing happiness to all.

25. The king was free from ailment. He was endowed with riches; showering much (i.e. spending a great deal) he celebrated great festivals; he was much enamoured of Mohini and all her activities gave him happiness.

26. Neither of the day nor of the night was he aware. He was not conscious of the fortnights and months that passed by; even years went by unnoticed; he was so enamoured of the sexual dalliance of the daughter of Brahma of auspicious activities.

27. The king’s virility increased with the loving union with Mohini; the more he resorted to her with the backing of Kama (God of Love), the sexual potency increased all the more like the moon in the bright half of the month; it never got exhausted by the frequent indulgence in sex.

28. Just as the Devas become stronger and stronger by imbibing the nectar juice, so also the more he touched her the fresher he became. Drinking charming beverages and listening to sweet songs consisting of melodious tone (he increased in virility and strength).

29-32. Even while glancing at the beauty of the (attendant) women, he touched and caressed the moon-like face of Mohini. With delight he pressed and caressed her stout breasts resembling gold pots and covered with necklaces and other ornaments. The three curly lines of hair that grew round her navel appeared splendid and charming. On seeing the all-round beauty of the breasts of the fair-limbed lady of splendid eyes, the king thought thus (?) “No other woman has a beauty like this. It is charming and pleasing to mind. The way in which the features of Mohini have been created by Brahma (is not found elsewhere). It is very fascinating to look at her calves that have the lustre of molten gold, that resemble the paws of a lion and that have no hair on them.”

33-34. The row of her teeth had the lustre of the moon. Her hidden ankles had been created for fascinating the people. After seeing the beautiful form, from head. to foot of the lady of large charming eyes, the king considered himself superior to the Devas. He was delighted and considered him­self blessed much- O! whatever this lady of slender frame and large eyes may request me should be given to her.

35-36. For the sweet and charming sexual intercourse with this splendid lady, I will give her in the end all the wealth I possess. Even rare things should be given to her, those things which cannot be given by others, I will give her even those things which should not be given. For example, my life should not be given. But if the gold-complexioned lady requests for it, I will definitely give it to her. I will never think over it hesitatingly. Excepting 1ny son, there is nothing which should not be given to her.