Ashta-nayika -5, Khandita, Wounded lioness
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The heroine angry and disappointed,
confronts her beloved for being unfaithful.
Mood: despair, jealousy, and weariness-
mixed aggression of a wounded lioness.
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O my long-dreamt dreams’ only man,
I never could imagine a woman
Other than me in your love life,
Nor in my life such fateful strife,
Yet, even my wounded self-worth
Won’t let me get swallowed by Earth,
Thou hast made a mockery of my love,
But I’ll still be faithful to rise above,
And keep fire of love burning from within,
Nourishing it to remain green.
Rare a green leaf sprouts on a twig gone dry,
Nevertheless, with my love I will try.
Today in betrayal let your joy burn,
Mine shall, by the morrow when you return.
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Natya Shastra| 05.02.2025 | Rhyme,
Note: This is fifth of Ashta-Nayikas, eight heroine types, as classified in a Sanskrit treatise on performing arts in Bharata’s Natya-Shastra. The state (avastha) of the eight romantic heroines widely themed in Indian paintings, literature, sculpture, classical dance forms and music. Khandita is the fifth of the eight such heroines depicted here in poetic form.
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