Chapter Four — The Eight Heroines

Narma-priyaṃ rasāntarmaṃ narma-vākyaṃ narma-cāturam,
Narma-priyā-priyā-yuktaṃ bhajāmi Raghuvaṃśajam. (33)

I worship the descendant of Raghu, lover of tender jokes and inwardly immersed in rasa, clever in playful speech and united with beloved companions who delight in such loving sport.

Kācid viraha-santaptā nitāntaṃ kāntam uttamam,
Na jahāti priyaṃ tena yathā proṣita-bhartṛkā. (34)

One heroine, long scorched by separation, would not leave her most excellent beloved after regaining him. She embodied the proṣita-bhartṛkā, the faithful lover whose husband has been far away.

Kācid dṛṣṭvā priyaṃ kābhir bhuktaṃ lāñchana-lāñchitam,
Chalamānā cāṭu-vākyena khaṇḍitevācaraty aho. (35)

Another saw upon her beloved the telltale marks of pleasure enjoyed with someone else. Feigning anger despite his coaxing words, she behaved like the offended khaṇḍitā heroine.

Kācit priyaṃ praṇamati prāg uktvā cāpriyaṃ hriyā,
Punaḥ prasattaye satī kalahāntaritā yathā. (36)

Another, ashamed of the harsh words she had spoken earlier, bowed before her beloved to win back his favour. Thus the virtuous maiden became the kalahāntaritā, separated from him by a lovers’ quarrel.