(Ravana tells the moon to shine when he visits Sita. The moon obeys.)
Like the face of Lady East,
like the mirror of Lady Night.
like the golden earring of Lady East,
like the wedding locket of the goddess of love,
like the ceremonial seat of the god of love,
like the white parasol held up
to welcome the advent of the god of love,
rose the moon in slow motion.
Like powdered camphor sprinkled on nectar
like the benign smile of the universe,
like the sea of milk that spreads far and wide,
like white ashes scattered around,
like lustrous white paint sprayed everywhere,
like pearls strewn all over
sweet moonlight swelled in the cool expanse;
seeing its radiance the entire brood of demons
played the game of love, each with his beloved,
revelled themselves in drinking fresh wine,
engaged in the mock fight of lovers,
made loud shrieks of ecstatic delight,
tried out new techniques of entertainment,
plunging themselves headlong into an ocean of bliss.
Translated from the Malayalam by V. R. Prabodhchandran Nayar