Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 11 Oct 2011 10:59 and updated at 11 Oct 2011 10:59
TIRUKKURAL of Tiruvalluvar, the Tamil poet
BOOK 2
DIVISION 3
2.3 The Essentials of a State
ADHIKARAM 19
2.3.19. Wanton Women
911
Those that choice Armlets wear who seek not thee with Love,
But seek thy Wealth, their pleasant words will ruin prove.
The sweet words of elegant Braceleted (Prostitutes) who Desire (a man) not from affection but from avarice, will cause Sorrow.
912
Who weigh the gain, and utter virtuous words with vicious Heart,
Weighing such Women s worth, from their society depart.
One must ascertain the character of the ill natured Women who after ascertaining the Wealth (of a man) speak (as if they were) good natured ones, and avoid Intercourse (with them).
913
As one in darkened room, some stranger corpse inarms,
Is he who seeks delight in mercenary Women s charms!
The false embraces of Wealth loving Women are like (hired men) embracing a strange corpse in a dark room.
914
Their worthless charms, whose only weal is Wealth of gain,
From touch of these the wise, who seek the Wealth of grace, abstain.
The wise who seek the Wealth of grace will not Desire the base favours of those who regard Wealth (and not Pleasure) as (their) riches.
915
From contact with their worthless charms, whose charms to all are free,
The men with sense of good and lofty Wisdom blest will flee;
Those whose Knowledge is made excellent by their (natural) sense will not covet the trffling delights of those whose favours are common (to all).
916
From touch of those who worthless charms, with wanton arts, display,
The men who would their own true good maintain will turn away.
Those who would spread (the Fame of) their own Goodness will not Desire the shoulders of those,who rejoice in their accomplishments and bestow their despicable favours (on all who pay).
917
Who cherish Alien thoughts while folding in their feigned embrace,
These none approach save those devoid of Virtue s grace.
Those who are destitute of a perfectly (reformed) mind will covet the shoulders of those who embrace (them) while their Hearts covet other things.
918
As Demoness who lures to ruin Woman s treacHerous Love
To men devoid of Wisdom s searching power will prove.
The wise say that to such as are destitute of discerning sense the embraces of faithless Women are (as ruinous as those of) the celestail Female.
919
The wanton s tender arm, with gleaming Jewels decked,
Is Hell, where sink degraded Souls of men abject.
The delicate shoulders of Prostitutes with excellent Jewels are a Hell into which are plunged the ignorant base.
920
Women of double minds, strong drink, and Dice; to these giv n o er,
Are those on whom the light of Fortune shines no more.
TreacHerous Women, Liquor, and Gambling are the associates of such as have forsaken by Fortune.
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