The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana Translated From the Sanscrit...

[40] The fresh juice of the cocoa nut tree, the date tree, and other kinds of palm trees are drunk in India. It will not keep fresh very long, but ferments rapidly, and is then distilled into liquor.

[41] The characteristics of these three individuals have been given in Part I. page 31.

[42] A definition of the sixty-four parts, or divisions, is given in Chapter II., page 45.

[43] The flight of a blue jay on a person's left side is considered a lucky omen when one starts on any business; the appearance of a cat before anyone at such a time is looked on as a bad omen. There are many omens of the same kind.

[44] Such as the throbbing of the right eye of men and the left eye of women, etc.

[45] Before anything is begun it is a custom to go early in the morning to a neighbour's house, and overhear the first words that may be spoken in his family, and according as the words heard are of good or bad import, so draw an inference as to the success or failure of the undertaking.

[46] A disease consisting of any glandular enlargement in any part of the body.

[47] A woman, the palms of whose hands and the soles of whose feet are always perspiring.

[48] These last few lines have been exemplified in many ways in many novels of this century.

[49] There is a good deal of truth in the last few observations. Woman is a monogamous animal, and loves but one, and likes to feel herself alone in the affections of one man, and cannot bear rivals. It may also be taken as a general rule that women either married to, or kept by, rich men love them for their wealth, but not for themselves.

[50] These forms of marriage differ from the four kinds of marriage mentioned in Chapter I., and are only to be made use of when the girl is gained over in the way mentioned in Chapters III. and IV.

[51] About this, see a story on the fatal effects of love at page 114 of "Early Ideas; a Group of Hindoo Stories," collected and collated by Anaryan. W. H. Allen and Co., London, 1881.

[52] About the Gandharvavivaha form of marriage, see note to page 28 of Captain R. F. Burton's "Vickram and the Vampire; or Tales of Hindu Devilry." Longman, Green & Co., London, 1870. This form of matrimony was recognised by the ancient Hindus, and is frequent in books. It is a kind of Scotch Wedding—ultra-Caledonian—taking place by mutual consent without any form or ceremony. The Gandharvas are heavenly minstrels of Indra's court, who are supposed to be witnesses,

[53] This probably refers to a girl married in her infancy, or when very young, and whose husband had died before she arrived at the age of puberty. Infant marriages are still the common custom of the Hindoos.

[54] A name given to the maid servants of the zenana of the Kings in ancient times, on account of their always keeping their breasts covered with a cloth called Kanchuki. It was customary in the olden time for the maid servants to cover their breasts with a cloth, while the Queens kept their breasts uncovered. This custom is distinctly to be seen in the Ajunta cave paintings.

[55] The meaning of this word is a superior woman, so it would seem that a Mahallarika must be a person in authority over the maid servants of the house.

[56] This was also appertaining to the rank of women employed in the harem. In latter times this place was given to eunuchs.

[57] As Kings generally had many wives, it was usual for them to enjoy their wives by turns. But as it happened sometimes that some of them lost their turns owing to the King's absence, or to their being unwell, then in such cases the women whose turns had been passed over, and those whose turns had come, used to have a sort of lottery, and the ointment of all the claimants were sent to the King, who accepted the ointment of one of them, and thus settled the question.

[58] On peut tout attendre et tout supposer d'une femme amoureuse.—Balzac.

[59] The wife of the sage Gautama, she was seduced by Indra the king of the Gods.

[60] The heroine of one of the best, if not the best, of Hindoo plays, and the best known in Sanscrit dramatic literature. It was first brought to notice by Sir William Jones, and has been well and poetically translated by Dr. Monier Williams under the title of Sakoontala, or the lost ring, an Indian drama, translated into English prose and verse from the Sanscrit of Kalidasa.

[61] It is presumed that something like the following French verses are intended.

Quand on a juré le plus profond hommage Voulez-vous qu'infidè le on change de langage Vous seule captive mon esprit ou mon cœur Que je puisse dans vos bras seuls goûter le bonheur; Je voudrais, mais en vain, que mon cœur en délire Couche où ce papier n'oserait vous dire. Avec soin, de ces vers lisez leur premiers mots, Vous verrez quel remède il faut à tous mes maux.

Or these:

Quand on vous voit, on vous aime; Quand on vous aime, où vous voit-on.

[62] It is supposed that storms, earthquakes, famines and pestilent diseases are here alluded to.

[63] This is a phrase used for a man who does the work of everybody, and who is fed by the whole village.

[64] The exact date of the reign of these kings is not known. It is supposed to have been about the beginning of the Christian era.

[65] The modern country of Tailangam, which is to the South of Rajamundry.

[66] Supposed to be a tract of the country to the south of Malwa.

[67] Now known by the name of Berar. Its capital was Kundinpura, which has been identified with the modern Oomravati.

[68] Also called Aparantakas, being the northern and southern Concan.

[69] The modern provinces of Katteeawar. Its capital was called Girinaguda, or the modern Junagurh.

[70] These are Lust, Anger, Avarice, Spiritual Ignorance, Pride, and Envy.

[71] The way to make oneself invisible; the knowledge of the art of transmigration, or changing ourselves or others into any shape or form by the use of charms and spells; the power of being in two places at once, and other occult sciences are frequently referred to in all Oriental literature.

[72] This may be considered as meaning religious influence, and alludes to persons who may be gained over by that means.

[73] It may be noted from the above remarks that eunuchs do not appear to have been employed in the King's harem in those days, though they seem to have been employed for other purposes. See Part II., page 43.

[74] In England the lower classes of courtesans walk the streets; in India and other places in the East they sit at the windows, or at the doors of their houses.

[75] On the completion of a vow a festival takes place. Some trees such as the Peepul and Banyan trees, are invested with sacred threads like the Brahman's, and on the occasion of this ceremony a festival is given. In the same way when gardens are made, and tanks or temples built, then also festivals are observed.

[76] The souls of men who die with their desires unfulfilled are said to go to the world of the Manes, and not direct to the Supreme Spirit.