attracting the heart
of thy husbands a way that is free from deceit. By adopting it duly,
dear friend, thou will be able to draw away thy lord from other females.
In all the worlds, including that of the celestials, there is no god
equal, O Satyabhama, unto the husband. When he is gratified with thee,
thou mayst have (from thy husband) every object of desire; when he is
angry, all these may be lost. It is from her husband that the wife
obtaineth offspring and various articles of enjoyment. It is from thy
husband that thou mayst have handsome beds and seats, and robes and
garlands, and perfumes, and great fame and heaven itself hereafter. One
cannot obtain happiness here by means that are easy. Indeed, the woman
that is chaste, obtains weal with woe. Always adore Krishna, therefore,
with friendship and love physical sufferings. And do thou also act in a
way, by offering handsome seats and excellent garlands and various
perfumes and prompt service, that he may be devoted to thee, thinking,
"_I am truly loved by her!_" Hearing the voice of thy lord at the gate,
rise thou up from thy seat and stay in readiness within the room. And as
soon as thou seest him enter thy chamber, worship him by promptly
offering him a seat and water to wash his feet. And even when he
commands a maidservant to do anything, get thou up and do it thyself.
Let Krishna understand this temper of thy mind and know that thou
adorest him with all thy heart. And, O Satyabhama, whatever thy lord
speaketh before thee, do not blab of it even if it may not deserve
concealment,--for if any of thy co-wives were to speak of it unto
Vasudeva, he might be irritated with thee. Feed thou by every means in
thy power those that are dear and devoted to thy lord and always seek
his good. Thou shouldst, however, always keep thyself aloof from those
that are hostile to and against thy lord and seek to do him injury, as
also from those that are addicted to deceit. Foregoing all excitement
and carelessness in the presence of men, conceal thy inclinations by
observing silence, and thou shouldst not stay or converse in private
even with thy sons, Pradyumna and Samva. Thou shouldst form attachments
with only such females as are high-born and sinless and devoted to their
lords, and thou shouldst always shun women that are wrathful, addicted
to drinks, gluttonous, thievish, wicked and fickle. Behaviour such as
this is reputable and productive of prosperity; and while it is capable