Note 165 — Chapter V

G. de Tassy remarks that “a declaration of love on the part of a woman, and especially one so passionate, is not according to our manners, but it is so to those of the East; and the numerous Asiatic stories which have been translated into European languages have rendered it quite familiar to us.”—A very remarkable example is furnished in the immortal tale of Nala and Damayanti (Mahábhárata, section lvi of the “Vana Parva”), where the virtuous and beautiful daughter of Vidharba thus addresses Nala: “O King, love me with proper regard, and command me what I shall do for thee. Myself and what of wealth is mine are thine. Grant me, O exalted one, thy love in full trust. O giver of the proper honour, if thou forsake me who adore thee, for thy sake will I resort to poison, or fire, or water, or the rope!” Bakáwalí “spared her maiden blushes” (if she could blush) by expressing her love for our hero in writing; but Damayanti—all truth and innocence—made her avowal to the god-like king of the Nishadhas in words from her own sweet mouth: and who would not be enraptured to hear such a soft confession made to him by such a peerless Queen of Beauty?