Markandeyapurana 65.8

65.8

dhanyo 'yamatipuṇyo 'yaṃ yo 'ya yauvanagocaraḥ /
dayitābhiḥ sahaitābhirbhuṅkte bhogānabhīpsitān //

A grey lag-goose[2] said to a hen-cakravāka who was in some water, being moved to desire at the dalliance and union between him and those two wives —“Happy is this man, exceeding merit has he, who in the heyday of youth enjoys eagerly-desired delights with these darling wives. Young men are worthy of praise, their wives are not of exceeding beauty; few are the wives and husbands of exceeding beauty in the world! A man dearly longs for the women he loves; a woman desires to obtain a lover; most rare is it to find a wedded pair rich in mutual affection. Happy is this man whom his darlings long for; these women are indeed very dear to him; verily, it is among the happy that mutual affection exists!” Hearing this speech uttered by the grey lag-goose, the hen-cakravāka scarcely surprised in mind spoke to her— “This man is not happy, because modesty springs not from proximity with other women; he is enjoying one or other of the women, his mind does not dwell on all of them. Since the heart’s affection has only one basis, my friend, how then will this man be affectionate to several wives? These women are not beloved by their husband, nor is this husband beloved by them; these women are only just an amusement as any other attendant might he. And if he is desired by these w omen, why then does he not quit his life? He embraces some loved woman, the while he is in the thoughts of some other loving woman. He is bartered at the price of the bestowal of knowledge, as if he were a servant. Because of the excitements,[3] affection verily exists not equally towards many women. O grey lag-goose! my husband is happy, and I indeed am happy; he, for his mind is fixed steadfastly on me alone, and I, for mine is on him alone.”