A History of Sanskrit Literature c15.20

c15.20

The poet dwells longest on the delights of spring, the last of the six seasons. It is then that maidens, with *karṇikāra* flowers on their ears, with red *açoka* blossoms and sprays of jasmine in their locks, go to meet their lovers. Then the hum of intoxicated bees is heard, and the note of the Indian cuckoo; then the blossoms of the mango-tree are seen: these are the sharp arrows wherewith the god of the flowery bow enflames the hearts of maidens to love.