Page 270 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

English - II

Notes Arjuna does not like to go there that day. Chitra asks the reason for it. Arjuna replies that he has
heard that a band of robbers have occupied the plains nearby. Therefore he must necessarily go and
prepare his weapons in order to protect the frightened villagers. Chitra assures him that he need not
entertain such fears for the villagers since princess Chitra had made arrangements by setting strong
guards at all the frontier passes (border areas) before she had started on her pilgrimage.
But Arjuna requests her to permit him for a short time to perform the work of a Kshatriya. He assures
her that he will ennoble his idle arm with fresh glory and prepare out of it a pillow more worthy of
her head. Chitra asks him what he would do if she refused to give him permission to leave the place
and found him in her arms. She also asks him whether he would rudely snatch himself free and leave
her. If it were so, she asks him to go away. She makes it clear to him that when once the ‘liana’, is
broken into two parts, it will never join again. She demands him to go away, if his thirst (desire) for
her is quenched (satisfied). Otherwise, he should remember that the goddess of pleasure is momentary
and does not wait for any man. She addresses him as her lord and appeals to him to sit for some time.
She requests him to tell her all those unpleasant thoughts that trouble him. She enquires as to who
occupied his mind that day and whether it was Chitra.
Arjuna replies in the positive and states that it is Chitra, the warrior (that has occupied his mind). He
wonders why and for what fulfilment she has gone on a pilgrimage. He feels that she need not have
to entertain the need for anything. Chitra remarks that she is an unfortunate creature with all unfulfilled
needs. Her very qualities are like prison walls, shutting her woman’s heart in an open cell. She is
made dim and dull. Her womanly love must satisfy itself with ragged dress, since she is deprived of
beauty. She does not want to be enquired of her life, as it will never connote sweetness to any man’s
ear. She points out that Chitra is like the spirit of an unpleasant (unhappy) morning, sitting upon the
stony mountain top, all her brightness being covered by dark clouds.
Arjuna feels quite curious to learn everything about her. He feels himself as a traveller that has come
to a new city at midnight. Domes, towers, and garden-trees appear unclear and shadowy to him. He
hears the moaning sound of the sea coming through the silence of sleep. He anxiously awaits the
morning to reveal to him all the strange wonders. He asks her to tell him all details about her (story).
Chitra feels that there is nothing more to tell (about her).
Arjuna tells her that he is able to see her in his imagination, riding on a white horse, proudly holding
the reins in her left hand and a bow in her right hand. She goes about like the goddess of victory
scattering joyful hope all around her. She protects the litter like a watchful lioness. The hands of a
woman, possessing powerful strength, though unadorned, look beautiful. He informs her that his
heart is restless, like a snake rejuvenating from its long winter’s sleep. He expresses his desire that
both of them should ride on galloping horses, side by side, like twin orbs of light, fast moving through
space. He wants to get away from this dark, slumbrous prison which is quite suffocating.
Chitra asks him if he can endure the truth, if she reveals the reality to him. If she shakes herself free
from her arresting tenderness and timid bloom of beauty and throws her beauty like borrowed clothes,
he will not be able to bear it. She will be of no appeal to man’s aeye, if she holds her head like a tall
young mountain fire, and stand up straight and strong. She feels that it is better for her to scatter all
the beautiful features of her youth all around her body and wait for him in patience. As and when he
returns, she will be able to offer the essence of pleasure in the cup of her beautiful body. Soon alter he
gets satisfied, he can go back either to work or play. She too, after getting old, will humbly accept any
corner provided to her. She is afraid if the playmate of the night desires to be the helpmate of the day
and if the left arm learns to share the burden of the proud right arm.
Arjuna does not seem to place her correctly (to identify her properly). She appears to him, like a
hidden goddess within a golden image. He cannot touch her. He cannot pay her dues in return for
her priceless gifts. Thus his love is incomplete. At times, in the strange depth of her looks, he sees
glimpses of her grace and smiles. Illusion is the first appearance (look) of truth. He feels that she
advances towards her lover in disguise. But certainly a time comes when she throws aside her
ornaments and veils and reveals her true identity. He awaits such a time, that bare simplicity of truth.
Chitra is surprised to find tears in the eyes of Arjuna. She finds him covering his face with his hands.
She feels sorry if she has caused pain and troubled him. She requests him to forget all that has taken

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