beauty of her smile was like a flower or a star. Gazing at her it seemed to Utonka that his brow had been cooled with dewdrops, and he was not able to take his eyes off her. He thought that the palace in which such a woman lived must indeed be a habitation fit for the gods.
Meanwhile the queen had come down from her seat and was making her obeisance to Utonka. Just as blossoms are shaken from the shal tree by passing breezes, so it seemed as if blessings were showered from Utonka’s heart. He said, “May eternal good fortune attend you. Mother, I request one gift from your generous hands. Give me your ear-rings.” Queen Shubashukla, laughing gently, removed the ear-rings with a graceful gesture, bending her head as she did so. Just then, a companion of the queen entered the room with a tray on which were honey, curds, sandal paste, paddy and a cluster of Bokul leaves.[1] The queen, taking this tray from her companion’s hands, placed the two ear-rings on it and laid it at the feet of Utonka, making an obeisance as she did so. Utonka, accepting the offering, lifted up the two ear-rings to look at them. Then the queen said in a sweet voice, “Brahmachari, take care of them, for the king
- ↑ These are given as a sign of respect to an honoured guest.
