26.03.2016 Views

Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha by Ven. Aśvaghoṣa

An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.

An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>Buddha</strong>-<strong>carita</strong>, <strong>or</strong> <strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buddha</strong> - 47<br />

9. ‘Ye are all skilled in all the graceful arts, pr<strong>of</strong>icients in<br />

understanding the language <strong>of</strong> am<strong>or</strong>ous sentiments, possessed <strong>of</strong><br />

beauty and gracefulness, th<strong>or</strong>ough masters in your own styles.<br />

10. ‘With these graces <strong>of</strong> yours ye may embellish even the N<strong>or</strong>thern<br />

Kurus, yea, even the dances <strong>of</strong> Kuvera, much m<strong>or</strong>e this little earth.<br />

11. ‘Ye are able to move even sages who have lost all their desires,<br />

and to ensnare even the gods who are charmed <strong>by</strong> heavenly nymphs.<br />

12. ‘By your skill in expressing the heart’s feelings, <strong>by</strong> your coquetry,<br />

your grace, and your perfect beauty, ye are able to enrapture even<br />

women, how much m<strong>or</strong>e easily men.<br />

13. ‘You thus skilled as ye are, each set in her own proper sphere, –<br />

such as this is your power, I am not satisfied with your simplicity<br />

[when you pr<strong>of</strong>ess to find him beyond your reach].<br />

14. ‘This timid action <strong>of</strong> yours would be fit f<strong>or</strong> new brides, their eyes<br />

closed through shame, – <strong>or</strong> it might be a blandishment w<strong>or</strong>thy even <strong>of</strong><br />

the wives <strong>of</strong> the cowherds.<br />

15. ‘What though this hero be great <strong>by</strong> his exalted gl<strong>or</strong>y, yet "great is<br />

the might <strong>of</strong> women," let this be your firm resolve.<br />

16. ‘In olden time a great seer, hard to be conquered even <strong>by</strong> the gods,<br />

was spurned <strong>by</strong> a harlot, the beauty <strong>of</strong> Kāśi, planting her feet upon<br />

him.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!