Malavikagnimitram (6 page)

BAKULAVALIKA
: Actually, I'm the king's student.

GAUTAMA
: Get ready for the rewards of teaching!
⁶³

MALAVIKA
: Luckily you're not vain.

BAKULAVALIKA
: But I'm proud now, having found feet worthy of my skill.
(
To herself
) Oh, my job is done!
(
Aloud, looking down at the paint
) I've just finished decorating one foot, my friend. Now it just needs someone to blow on it,
⁶⁴
although this place is fairly breezy.

AGNIMITRA
: Look, my friend, look!

The perfect opportunity presents itself—
to dry her foot, wet with lac, with my breath. //13//

GAUTAMA
: Don't worry. You're in line to savour this for a long time!

BAKULAVALIKA
: My friend, your foot is as beautiful as a red lotus. In every way, you have the king's heart!
⁶⁵

Iravati looks to Nipunika.

AGNIMITRA
: It's a blessing!

MALAVIKA
: Oh, such naughty talk!

BAKULAVALIKA
: I only said what needed to be said.

MALAVIKA
: I know you love me.

BAKULAVALIKA
: It's not just me.

MALAVIKA
: Then who else?

BAKULAVALIKA
: The king loves beautiful things too.

MALAVIKA
: You're lying. That doesn't mean me.

BAKULAVALIKA
: You may not agree, but you can see it in the king's strong arms, now pale and thin.

NIPUNIKA
: Conniving people have calculated replies.

BAKULAVALIKA
: Trust in the words of the wise, love is tested by love.

MALAVIKA
: How do you just say whatever you like?

BAKULAVALIKA
: No, no! These words express the king's honest affections.

MALAVIKA
: Oh, my heart loses faith when I think of the queen.

BAKULAVALIKA
: Silly girl, bees hover all around a mango blossom in early spring, but it's still the perfect ornament.

MALAVIKA
: You're truly my best friend in this sad situation.

BAKULAVALIKA
: Well, my name is Bakulavalika—a bouquet of flowers, providing fragrance when touched.

AGNIMITRA
: Excellent, Bakulavalika! Excellent!

Speaking after understanding
⁶⁶
her feelings
and offering perfect responses,
she is committed to her mission—
a messenger truly sustains a lover's life. //14//

IRAVATI
: Look, dear, look how Bakulavalika encourages Malavika.

NIPUNIKA
: With such counsel, my lady, even the emotionless become desirous.

IRAVATI
: My heart was right to be anxious. I'll figure out what to do after getting the facts.

BAKULAVALIKA
: I've finished decorating your other foot as well. Now I'll put on the two anklets.
(
Makes the gesture of unfastening a pair of anklets
.) Stand up, my friend, make the ashoka bloom as the queen asked.
(
Both rise.
)

IRAVATI
: Now we know it's the queen's bidding!

BAKULAVALIKA
: There's a ripe red one right in front of you, ready to be enjoyed.

MALAVIKA
(
with joy
): Who? The king?

BAKULAVALIKA
(
smiling
): Not the king, but a cluster of blossoms hanging down from a branch of that ashoka. It's a perfect ornament for your ear.

GAUTAMA
: Did you hear that, my lord?

AGNIMITRA
: That's enough for lovers, my friend!

I find no pleasure in the union of lovers
⁶⁷
when one is passionate and the other indifferent.
It is better when bodies waste away
in a hopeless coming together,
for at least the two have equal affections. //15//

After weaving the blossoms into an ornament for her ear, Malavika gently raises her foot towards the ashoka tree.

AGNIMITRA
: Look, friend. . .

Taking a blossom for her ear from this tree,
she offers it her foot
and so this equal exchange deprives me of both! //16//

MALAVIKA
: Will our gesture bear fruit?

BAKULAVALIKA
: It won't be your fault, dear. If this ashoka is slow to bloom even after being honoured by your foot, then it's an unhealthy
⁶⁸
tree.

AGNIMITRA
:
Oh, ashoka, if you don't immediately burst into bloom
when honoured by the one with a slender waist
whose foot, soft like a fresh lotus, jingles her anklet
then you receive in vain the want of every passionate lover. //17//

Friend, I should reveal myself before missing a chance to say something.

GAUTAMA
: Come, I'll make her laugh.

Both enter.

NIPUNIKA
: My lady, the king is coming this way.

IRAVATI
: This is what my heart anticipated.

GAUTAMA
(
approaching
): My lady, is it proper for you to use your left foot to kick this ashoka tree which is a dear companion of the king?

MALAVIKA
and
BAKULAVALIKA
(
with surprise
): Oh, the king!

GAUTAMA
: Bakulavalika! You knew about this. Why didn't you stop your friend from committing such a crime?

Malavika appears fearful.

NIPUNIKA
: My lady, see what noble Gautama has started.

IRAVATI
: This is how that so-called brahmin makes a living!

BAKULAVALIKA
: Sir, she's not guilty of overstepping, she's merely doing the queen's bidding. May the king be forgiving.

She makes Malavika bow along with herself.

AGNIMITRA
: If it is so, you are blameless. Rise, my lady.

Takes Malavika by the hand and helps her get up.

GAUTAMA
: Very well, we must respect the queen.

AGNIMITRA
(
smiling
):
Beautiful
⁶⁹
lady, I hope your lovely foot,
soft as a blossom, is not in pain
after striking the rough tree trunk. //18//

Malavika gestures embarrassment.

IRAVATI
(
enviously
): Oh, the king's heart is shameless.

MALAVIKA
: Come, Bakulavalika, let's inform the queen that we've fulfilled her request.

BAKULAVALIKA
: Then take the king's leave.

AGNIMITRA
: You may go, my lady. But first listen to this request which suits the moment.

BAKULAVALIKA
(
to Malavika
): Listen carefully.
(
To the king
)
Please instruct us, your majesty.
⁷⁰

AGNIMITRA
:
I've not plucked the flower of pleasure
for such a long time.
With a sweet touch, satisfy the longing
of one with no other desires. //19//

IRAVATI
(
suddenly appearing
): Satisfy? Satisfy! The ashoka may or may not bloom, but this? This both flowers and gives fruit!

All are shocked to see Iravati.

AGNIMITRA
(
aside
): What's your plan now, my friend?

GAUTAMA
: What else but the strength of our legs!

IRAVATI
: Bakulavalika, you've managed this well. But Malavika, can you fulfil all my husband's wishes?

MALAVIKA
and
BAKULAVALIKA
: Take pity on us, my lady. Who are we to take requests from the king?

They exit.

IRAVATI
: Ugh, men just can't be trusted! Like an unsuspecting doe allured by a hunter's song, I didn't realize I was being tricked.

GAUTAMA
(
whispering
): Quick, make something up! What else can we do? A thief caught in the act of stealing must plead ‘I'm just learning!'

AGNIMITRA
: My darling, I had no intentions towards Malavika. You were late, so I was merely amusing myself.

IRAVATI
: I believe you. Unfortunately I didn't realize you were merely entertaining yourself, else I wouldn't have acted like this.

GAUTAMA
: Please don't reply to his majesty's politeness with such sarcasm. If even a passing conversation with one of the queen's attendants is considered a crime, then you ought to make the rules.

IRAVATI
: Even if it was just talk, why should I worry myself about it?
(
Turns away angrily.
)

AGNIMITRA
: My darling, it's not nice to be indifferent towards a lover.

IRAVATI
: Scoundrel! Your heart isn't worthy of trust.

AGNIMITRA:
Screaming scoundrel, my dear,
reveals the disdain you've built up for me.
But why not give in, my mistress,
like the enticing belt falling to your feet? //20//

IRAVATI
: Only this powerless man Gautama supports you.

Raising the girdle, as if to strike the king with it.

AGNIMITRA
: Friend, she is

A scornful mistress with a stream of tears
rising to strike me with the chain of her golden girdle
that slipped without a care from her curved hips,
like a streak of lightning striking Mount Vindhya
across a range of storm clouds. //21//

IRAVATI
: Why push me to offend you yet again?
(
Lowers the girdle
.)

AGNIMITRA
:
Why withdraw the whip, my lady,
⁷¹
raised against this guilty man?
For you only grow more charming
as you scold your humble slave. //22//

(
To himself
) Surely she'll forgive me now. (
Falls at her feet.
)

IRAVATI
: These aren't Malavika's feet, the ones you so want to touch!
(
Exits with her servant.
)

GAUTAMA
: Rise, you've been blessed.

AGNIMITRA
(
rising, not seeing Iravati
): Is my precious really gone?

GAUTAMA
: My friend, the gods have withdrawn their check on your indiscretion. Let's go quickly, before she circles back around like Mars in retrograde.
⁷²

AGNIMITRA
: Oh, love is cruel.

Seized as I am by my beloved,
it's only fair she ignored my proposition.
But still I must respect her,
for though angry, she truly loves me. //23//

All walk about and exit.

END ACT III

Enter the despairing king and a guard.

AGNIMITRA
(
to himself
):
When word of her reached me, I sheltered a desire
and the tree of love took root.
Then seeing her, my passion grew
like a new leaf,
and the touch of her hand a blossom
as my hair stood on end.
Weary now, let me taste the fruit. //1//

(
Aloud
) Gautama, my friend!

JAYASENA
: Long live the king! Gautama isn't here.

AGNIMITRA
: Oh yes, he was sent to get news about Malavika.

GAUTAMA
(
entering
): Victory to your grace.

AGNIMITRA
: Jayasena, find out where Queen Dharini is and how she amuses herself since her feet have been hurting.

JAYASENA
: As you command.
(
Exits.
)

AGNIMITRA
: Gautama, what news? How is our friend?

GAUTAMA
: She's a cuckoo caught by the cat.

AGNIMITRA
(
sadly
): How's that?

GAUTAMA
: The poor girl's in the pits,
⁷³
thrown into the jaws of death by the fiery-eyed queen.
⁷⁴

AGNIMITRA
: Was it because of our meeting?

GAUTAMA
: What else?

AGNIMITRA
: Gautama, who gets in our way by angering the queen?

GAUTAMA
: Listen, your majesty. The nun told me for sure that Lady Iravati went to the queen yesterday and inquired about her well-being since her feet were weak and hurting.

AGNIMITRA
: And then?

GAUTAMA
: Then the queen asked her, ‘Has he seen his lover again?' To which she replied, ‘Why be so formal? Why do you question me when you know how much he loves me, your servant.'

AGNIMITRA
: These indirect but suggestive comments will make her suspect Malavika.

GAUTAMA
: And when the queen pressed her, Iravati told her about your indiscretion.

AGNIMITRA
: Oh, now the queen will be really upset. Tell me what happened next.

GAUTAMA
: What happened next?! Malavika and Bakulavalika were chained, and like two snake maidens, they're suffering in the underworld where the sun doesn't shine.

AGNIMITRA
: Oh no!

Sweet-singing cuckoo and black bee
together in a blooming mango tree,
driven to a hollow by unseasonable rains,
ushered on by strong winds. //2//

My friend, there must be a way to make a plan.

GAUTAMA
: How can there be? The queen assigned Madhavika to guard the storehouse, and said, ‘Do not release the shameful Malavika and Bakulavalika unless you see my signet ring.'

AGNIMITRA
(
sighing pensively
): What should we do now, my friend?

GAUTAMA
(
thinking
): There is one option.

AGNIMITRA
: What is it?

GAUTAMA
(
looking around
): Someone may be watching and listening. I'll whisper it in your ear.
(
Leaning towards the king's ear
) It's like this . . .

AGNIMITRA
: Excellent. Do it! Make it happen.

JAYASENA
(
entering
): Lord, the queen is relaxing on a bed in a breezy spot. Her feet, covered with red sandalwood paste, rest in her attendant's hands, and she's being entertained with stories by Sister Kaushiki.

AGNIMITRA
: This is a perfect time for me to join her.

GAUTAMA
: You go ahead, my lord, I can't meet the queen empty-handed.

AGNIMITRA
: Tell Jayasena about the plan and then come.

GAUTAMA
: Very well. (
Whispering in her ear
) Lady, it's like this . . .

Exit Gautama.

AGNIMITRA
: Jayasena, show me the way to the open-air bed.

JAYASENA
: This way, this way, my lord.

Enter the queen resting on a bed surrounded by her attendants and the nun.

DHARINI
: Sister, the story is so very interesting. What happens next?

KAUSHIKI
(
looking around
): I'll tell you more later. Here comes our lord, the king.

DHARINI
: Oh, my lord!
(
Tries to get up.
)

AGNIMITRA
: Relax, dear queen, there's no need for any formality.

You mustn't trouble your aching foot
resting on a golden footstool,
ill-parted from an anklet.
It would hurt me too,
my dear with a soft voice. //3//

DHARINI
: Long live the noble king!

KAUSHIKI
: May you live long, my lord!

AGNIMITRA
(
bowing to Kaushiki and sitting
): My queen, is the pain bearable?

DHARINI
: It's better now.

Enter a flailing Gautama, his thumb tied with his sacred thread.

GAUTAMA
: Help, help! I've been bitten by a deadly snake!

All are distressed.

AGNIMITRA
: Oh no, no! Where were you walking around?

GAUTAMA
: I wanted to see the queen so I went to the royal garden to pick some flowers as a gift.
⁷⁵

DHARINI
: Oh, what a pity. Am I the one who put the brahmin's life in danger?

GAUTAMA
: As I stretched out my hand to grab a bunch of ashoka flowers, a deadly snake came out from a hollow in the tree and bit me. Here are the fang marks . . .
(
Shows them.
)

KAUSHIKI
: In that case, they say the first thing to do is amputate the bitten area. Let this be done.

The bitten area should be amputated,
burned or bled out.
These are life-saving procedures
for those who have been bitten. //4//

AGNIMITRA
: This is a job for a doctor skilled in poisons. Jayasena, go quickly and call Dhruvasiddhi.

JAYASENA
: As your majesty commands.
(
Exits.
)

GAUTAMA
: Oh, death has seized me for some sin.

AGNIMITRA
: Don't be scared. It may not be poisonous.

GAUTAMA
: How can I not be afraid? My arms and legs are tingling.
(
Gestures the effects of the poison.
)

DHARINI
: Oh no, the wound looks bad! Please, someone hold him.

Attendants rush to support him.

GAUTAMA
(
looking over at the king
): Oh, I've been your friend since childhood. You'll care for my ageing mother, won't you?

AGNIMITRA
: Fear not. The doctor of poisons will cure you in no time. Be strong.

JAYASENA
(
entering
): Your majesty, Dhruvasiddhi requests that Gautama be brought to him at once.

AGNIMITRA
: Then he should be carried to the doctor's chambers by the harem eunuchs.

JAYASENA
: It will be done.

GAUTAMA
(
turning to the queen
): I may or may not live, my queen. Please forgive me for any offences that I committed while serving the king.

DHARINI
: May you live long.

Gautama and Jayasena exit.

AGNIMITRA
: The poor man is a coward by nature. I hope Dhruvasiddhi, a sure-cure, proves his name worthy.

JAYASENA
(
entering
): Long live the king! Dhruvasiddhi requests that we find something bearing a serpent seal to use on the water pitcher.

DHARINI
: Here is my ring with a serpent seal. It should be returned directly
⁷⁶
to me later.
(
She offers the ring, Jayasena takes it.
)

AGNIMITRA
: Jayasena, inform us immediately after the deed is done.

JAYASENA
: As you command, my lord.
(
Exits.
)

KAUSHIKI
: Your majesty, my heart tells me that Gautama is cured.

AGNIMITRA
: May it be so.

JAYASENA
(
entering
): My lord, the effects of the poison have worn off, and with time noble Gautama appears to be his usual self again.

DHARINI
: Luckily, I'm free of any blame.

JAYASENA
: And now the minister Vahataka requests to be granted an audience to discuss several matters of state that require counsel.

DHARINI
: Dear husband, go and take care of your work.

AGNIMITRA
(
getting up
): My queen, this place is exposed to the sun, but the best place for your recovery is somewhere cool. The bed should be moved to another spot.

DHARINI
: Ladies, carry out my husband's suggestion.

ATTENDANTS
: Yes, your majesty.

Exit Dharini, Kaushiki and the attendants.

AGNIMITRA
: Jayasena, take me to the royal garden through a secret path.

JAYASENA
: This way, this way, my lord.

AGNIMITRA
(
pacing
): Gautama has completed both tasks, hasn't he?

JAYASENA
: Absolutely.

AGNIMITRA
: Though I know this is the perfect plan to get what I want my mind is doubtful and worried about its outcome. //5//

GAUTAMA
(
entering
): Long live your majesty! All the auspicious rites have been completed.

AGNIMITRA
: Jayasena, attend to your important duty.

JAYASENA
: As you command, my lord.
(
Exits.
)

AGNIMITRA
: Friend, Madhavika is an idiot. She didn't ask about anything, did she?

GAUTAMA
: Why would she question anything after seeing the queen's signet ring?

AGNIMITRA
: I'm not talking about the ring. But she must have asked why the two prisoners were being released, or why the queen sent
you
out of all her attendants?

GAUTAMA
: Actually she did ask, but I quickly replied with a clever remark.

AGNIMITRA
: Tell me.

GAUTAMA
: I said that the king was advised by his astrologers to release all the prisoners because his horoscope looked bad.

AGNIMITRA
(
happily
): And then?

GAUTAMA
: After hearing that the king wanted the prisoners released, and that the queen sent me because she didn't want to bother Iravati, she said it was all right and obliged.

AGNIMITRA
(
embracing Gautama
): My friend, you really love me.

A sharp intellect alone
doesn't look after a friend's interests,
it is affection
that truly leads to the narrow path of success. //6//

GAUTAMA
: Go quickly, your majesty. I've come here after taking Malavika and her best friend to the lake house.

AGNIMITRA
: I must pay my respects. Take the lead.

GAUTAMA
: Come, your majesty.
(
Moving about
) Here's the summer lake house.

AGNIMITRA
(
nervously
): My friend, here comes your friend Chandrika, Iravati's servant, with flowers in her hand. Let's hide behind this wall.

GAUTAMA
: Ha! Thieves and lovers must avoid the moonlight!
⁷⁷

Both do as planned.

AGNIMITRA
: Gautama, our friend must be waiting anxiously for me. Come, let's watch her from this window.

GAUTAMA
: Yes.

They stand watching. Enter Malavika and Bakulavalika.

BAKULAVALIKA
: Friend, greet the king.

AGNIMITRA
: She must be showing her a picture of me.

MALAVIKA
(
happily
): Greetings.
(
Looking at the door sadly
) Where's the king? You've tricked me, my friend.

AGNIMITRA
: Friend, I'm happy that my lady feels both joy and sadness . . .

For in a single moment, her beautiful face
⁷⁸
is like a lotus at both sunrise and sunset. //7//

BAKULAVALIKA
: But here's the king, in the painting.

MALAVIKA
and BAKULAVALIKA: Long live the king!

MALAVIKA
: But, friend, when I saw the king face-to-face, I wasn't as attracted to him as I am now, staring at his picture.

GAUTAMA
: Did you hear that, my lord? She says you don't look like your picture. You carry the pride of youth in vain, like a precious gem in a box.

AGNIMITRA
: Women are naturally shy, my friend, even when they're excited.

At first meeting,
they long to behold a person completely
yet their long eyes
never fall upon their beloved's body. //8//

MALAVIKA
: My friend, who is this lady with her face slightly turned? The king looks at her with a loving glance.

BAKULAVALIKA
: That must be Iravati standing next to the king.

MALAVIKA
: The king seems rather insensitive, my friend. He ignores all his queens and fixes his eyes on her face alone.

BAKULAVALIKA
(
to herself
): Taking the painting to be the real king she's become jealous. Let it be, I'll tease her a bit.
(
Aloud
) She's the king's favourite.