Chapter 244 - The characteristic features of Women (strī-lakṣaṇa)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Samudra said:

1-6. A woman that is beautiful in all her limbs, having the gait of an elephant in rut, having heavy thighs and hips and possessing a look like that of a longing pigeon is commendable. One that is having luxurious dark hair, slim, not having hairs on the body, beautiful, feet touching the ground evenly, and having a pair of breasts closely pressing each other (is also deemed to be lucky). The navel spiralling right to left, the private organ resembling the leaf of the fig (tree), ankles having a dip in the middle and (the dip in) the navel is of the measure of (the head of) a thumb (are also commendable). One that is not having an elongated abdomen (is also praiseworthy). One whose hairs are not soft is not good. One that is not having the name of an asterism, tree and river, one that is not fond of quarrels, one that is not greedy and one that does not speak harsh is auspicious and is honoured by the celestials. One that is having her cheeks of the colour of the madhūka flower, one that is not (having the body as) sinewy and abound with hairs, not having the eyebrows dose to one another (is also commended). Even if one is crooked if she bestows her affection on the husband (she is deemed to be) the life of the husband even if the good characteristics are not present. If the quality of attraction is present other qualities (would also be present). One whose little toe does not touch the earth is verily the death itself.