The Chaste Women Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

381. Even if She's Airani (Lord Indra's wife) with rare virtue
and high repute, should behave herself
to see that no one follows to obtain her.
Modest virgin maids will be elegant wives.

382. when there's potful water to drink, as dearth hits,
if a flock of guests come to drink ocean-ful
of water, a kind woman with a sweet tongue,
who treats the guests, suits best for domestic life.

383. A small ravaged house, with reigning penury,
seeping roof and doorways in all the sides,
is the house of houses where dwells the chaste spouse,
the town praised, adopting high domestic chores.

384. A good wife is sweet to see, decks herself,
as her spouse wants, fears the worst and blushes
at the folk ‘round, frowns on her spouse at times,
but relieves from the ire to please her husband.

385. Though my husband clasps me daily, I feel
shameful as he hugs me ‘fresh on any day.
How do the strumpets feel when they grasp chests
of many, daily with lust for wealth?

386. The wealth attained by a bounteous man serves all
as the learning got by the intelligent.
A modest woman's beauty is hard
to reach as the sharp sword of the wise hero.

387. Low and high qualities of horse gram one bought
six measures each for the same price. Alas! My hero,
mountain-chested clasped the whores low and fair
and came to grasp me without taking bath.

388. O, bard! Don't say harsh words to me. Whatever
you say, steal out, and tell the whore, used as
the right side of the tabor. As the left side,
I am of little avail to my hero.

389. Friend! I grieve if a fly sweeps around my lord
who owns wet lands, where water springs
as sedges are plucked. I keep cool when the whore
hits his sandal smeared chest with her fierce tits.

390. Don't tell lies, you bard, about my lord, wearing
garlands of bursting buds to grace me, the node
tasteless at the top of the sugarcane.
Take your tales to tell the whore, the mid node.