But
reaching the other side
the
sage, desire-tormented,
seized
Matsyagandha again
for
intercourse. Quivering,
annoyed,
she spoke to the sage before her:
“O
best of sages! My body stinks.
Can’t
you sense it? Making love
ought
to delight both equally.”
As
she spoke, in a flash she turned
1fragrant-for-a-yojana,
Yojanagandha,
lovely, beautiful.
Making
his beloved musk-fragrant
enchanting,
the sage, desire-tormented,
seized
her right hand.
Then,
auspicious Satyavati,
told
the sage bent on coitus,
“From the bank all people
and
my father can see us.
It
is daylight.
Such
beastly conduct
doesn’t
please me.
It
disgusts me.
Hence,
O best of sages,
wait
till nightfall.
Coitus
is prescribed for men
only
at night, not at daytime.
In
daylight
it’s
grievous sin;
If
seen
brings
great disrepute.
Grant
this desire of mine, wise one.”
Finding
her words logical,
the
generous sage at once
shrouded
all in mist by his powers.
As
the mist arose,
deep
darkness shrouded the bank.
Then
the desirable woman
spoke
to the sage in dulcet tones:
“I’m
a virgin, O tiger among twice-born.
Enjoying
me, you’ll depart where you will.
But
infallible is your seed, O Brahmana.
What
of me? If today I’m pregnant
What
shall I tell my father?
When,
enjoying me, you leave,
what
shall I do? Tell me!”
Parashara
said, “Beloved, today
having
delighted me,
you
shall again be virgin.
Yet,
woman, if you fear,
ask
what boon you will.”
Satyavati
said, “Best of twice-born,
you
ever honor others.
Act
that my father
nor
anyone knows anything.
Act
that my virgin status
is
not destroyed.
May
your son be like you,
wondrously
gifted.
May
my body be
forever
fragrant;
May
my youth be
forever
fresh, ever new.”
