Shukasaptati, a Sanskrit anthology of 70 stories is an ancient Indian text, believed to be the collection of stories told to the wife of a wealthy merchant, one story each night, for 70 days, in a bid to prevent her from meeting her lover in the absence of her husband. The parrot narrated curious tales which ended in a lesson in morality for the wife, successfully keeping the wife within the limits of her household. This is one of the many Indian tales revolving around a woman and her pet parrot. As birds who can mimic human speech, parrots have always been closely attached to the everyday affairs of a home. They are the vahana (carriers) of the Kama, the Hindu god of Love and Desire, thus their association with a young woman can be seen as imagery of eroticism.
The lady stands on a beautifully inlaid platform, in a tasteful posture. Ornaments studded with precious gemstones of red and green, and a dhoti of red and green owing to the red and turquoise shades of inlay of work, add charm to the youthful figure of the lady. Her hips are shapely, her waist is narrow, her nose is sharp and her eyes speak volumes. She is the ideal woman, in every way. Her parrot sits on her left arm, the singular focus of the attention of the lady. With her right hand, she forms the Shuni Mudra- a gesture that signifies patience. Learning from the stories that her pet tells her, and waiting for her husband, the lady calls upon her inner strength, in order to restraint herself from crossing the threshold of her husband’s home.
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