Doha 215

When Bharata beheld the sage’s hold, the realms of all the rulers of the spheres looked small in his eyes. The luxuries were more than one could describe; even the wise would become oblivious of their dispassion on seeing them. (1) There were seats and couches, drapery, canopies, groves and gardens, birds and beasts of different species, sweet-scented flowers and fruits tasting like ambrosia, many a lake and pond of limpid water; (2) Foods and drinks, pure and undefiled, which were more delicious than nectar and ambrosia, and which the guests, like ascetics, would be reluctant to accept. Every house was supplied with a celestial cow (the cow of plenty) and a tree of paradise; Indra (the king of gods) and his consort, Śaci, grew covetous at their sight. (3) It was the vernal season and a cool, fragrant and gentle breeze was blowing. Everyone had all the four prizes of life (viz., religious merit, worldly riches, sensuous enjoyment and final beatitude) within one’s easy reach. At the sight of luxuries like garlands, sandal-paste and women the guests were overcome by a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow (joy at the unique hospitality shown by the sage by dint of his Yogic powers and sorrow because at a time when they should abstain from luxuries of every kind, they were being offered the same). (4)

Affluence, like a female Cakravāka bird, and Bharata, as her mate, were caged together that night in the hermitage by the sage’s order, which may be compared here with a playful child. And they remained there till it was dawn.* (215) * The metaphor is intended to show that just as a Cakravāka pair would never unite even though caught in a cage and would spend the whole night turning their back upon each other, likewise Bharata did not even care to look at the luxuries in the midst of which he was constrained to remain overnight. He kept scrupulously aloof from them. [PAUSE 19 FOR A THIRTY-DAY RECITATION]