Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c11.14.3

v2.c11.14.3

The fire that has been kindled by love, O lotus-eye, slake it for me with the life-giving water that comes with the union in joy. Thou kindly, thou glorious one, bring the god with the flowery dart, him so hard to overcome, armed with cruel arrow and bow, that has awakened at the sight of thee, and is drawing on me with arrows beyond bearing, bring him to rest by giving thyself to me. Come unto me after the wise of the Gandharva wedlock, thou all-excelling woman; for among marriages, O banana-thighed one, the Gandharva marriage is held for the highest.' Tapati spoke: 'I am not mistress of myself, O king, for I am a maiden that has a father. Dost thou harbour liking and love for me, then ask of my father. For as thy life-spirits have been taken and held by me, so by the very sight of thee have my life-spirits been borne headlong¹ away by thee. I am not now mistress of my person; therefore, O best of princes, I go not to thee; for women are not free. For what maiden in all the worlds must not wish for herself the renowned prince of the nobility as shield and tender-loving husband? Therefore, as things are thus, do thou ask of my father, the sun god, through humble showing of honour, through penance, and a vow of mortification. If he will give me to thee, O slayer of foes, then will I ever live, O king, after thy wishes.