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Large nails, which give grace to the hands, and attract the[53] hearts of women from their appearance, are possessed by the Bengalees.
Small nails, which can be used in various ways, and are to be applied only with the object of giving pleasure, are possessed by the people of the southern districts.
Middling nails, which contain the properties of both the above kinds, belong to the people of the Maharashtra.
(1). When a person presses the chin, the breasts, the lower lip, or the jaghana of another so softly that no scratch or mark is left, but only the hair on the body becomes erect from the touch of the nails, and the nails themselves make a sound, it is called a "sounding or pressing with the nails."
This pressing is used in the case of a young girl when her lover shampoos her, scratches her head, and wants to trouble or frighten her.
(2). The curved mark with the nails, which is impressed on the neck and the breasts, is called the "half moon."
(3). When the half moons are impressed opposite to each other, it is called a "circle." This mark with the nails is generally made on the navel, the small cavities about the buttocks, and on the joints of the thigh.
(4). A mark in the form of a small line, and which can be made on any part of the body, is called a "line."
(5). This same line, when it is curved, and made on the breast, is called a "tiger's nail."
(6). When a curved mark is made on the breast by means of the five nails, it is called a "peacock's foot." This mark is made with the object of being praised, for it requires a great deal of skill to make it properly.
(7). When five marks with the nails are made close to one another near the nipple of the breast, it is called "the jump of a hare."
(8). A mark made on the breast or on the hips in the form of a leaf of the blue lotus, is called the "leaf of a blue lotus."
When a person is going on a journey, and makes a mark on the thighs, or on the breast, it is called a "token of remembrance." On such an occasion three or four lines are impressed close to one another with the nails.
Here ends the marking with the nails. Marks of other kinds than the above may also be made with the nails, for the[54] ancient authors say, that as there are innumerable degrees of skill among men (the practice of this art being known to all), so there are innumerable ways of making these marks. And as pressing or marking with the nails is independent of love, no one can say with certainty how many different kinds of marks with the nails do actually exist. The reason of this is, Vatsyayana says, that as variety is necessary in love, so love is to be produced by means of variety. It is on this account that courtezans, who are well acquainted with various ways and means, become so desirable, for if variety is sought in all the arts and amusements, such as archery and others, how much more should it be sought after in the present case.
The marks of the nails should not be made on married women, but particular kinds of marks may be made on their private parts for the remembrance and increase of love.
There are also some verses on the subject, as follows:
"The love of a woman who sees the marks of nails on the private parts of her body, even though they are old and almost worn out, becomes again fresh and new. If there be no marks of nails to remind a person of the passages of love, then love is lessened in the same way as when no union takes place for a long time."
Even when a stranger sees at a distance a young woman with the marks of nails on her breast,[37] he is filled with love and respect for her.
A man, also, who carries the marks of nails and teeth on some parts of his body, influences the mind of a woman, even though it be ever so firm. In short, nothing tends to increase love so much as the effects of marking with the nails, and biting.
All the places that can be kissed, are also the places that can be bitten, except the upper lip, the interior of the mouth, and the eyes.
The qualities of good teeth are as follows: They should be equal, possessed of a pleasing brightness, capable of being coloured, of proper proportions, unbroken, and with sharp ends.
The defects of teeth on the other hand are, that they are blunt, protruding from the gums, rough, soft, large, and loosely set.
The following are the different kinds of biting, viz.:
(1). The biting which is shown only by the excessive redness of the skin that is bitten, is called the "hidden bite."
(2). When the skin is pressed down on both sides, it is called the "swollen bite."
(3). When a small portion of the skin is bitten with two teeth only, it is called the "point."
(4). When such small portions of the skin are bitten with all the teeth, it is called the "line of points."
(5). The biting which is done by bringing together the[56] teeth and the lips, is called the "coral and the jewel." The lip is the coral, and the teeth the jewel.
(6). When biting is done with all the teeth, it is called the "line of jewels."
(7). The biting which consists of unequal risings in a circle, and which comes from the space between the teeth, is called the "broken cloud." This is impressed on the breasts.
(8). The biting which consists of many broad rows of marks near to one another, and with red intervals, is called the "biting of a boar." This is impressed on the breasts and the shoulders; and these two last modes of biting are peculiar to persons of intense passion.
The lower lip is the place on which the "hidden bite," the "swollen bite," and the "point" are made; again the "swollen bite," and the "coral and the jewel" bite are done on the cheek. Kissing, pressing with the nails, and biting are the ornaments of the left cheek, and when the word cheek is used it is to be understood as the left cheek.
Both the "line of points" and the "line of jewels" are to be impressed on the throat, the arm pit, and the joints of the thighs; but the "line of points" alone is to be impressed on the forehead and the thighs.
The marking with the nails, and the biting of the following things, viz., an ornament of the forehead, an ear ornament, a bunch of flowers, a betel leaf, or a tamala leaf, which are worn by, or belong to the woman that is beloved, are signs of the desire of enjoyment.
Here end the different kinds of biting.
In the affairs of love a man should do such things as are agreeable to the women of different countries.
The women of the central countries (i.e., between the Ganges and the Jumna) are noble in their character, not accustomed to disgraceful practices, and dislike pressing the nails and biting.
The women of the Balhika country are gained over by striking.
The women of Avantika are fond of foul pleasures, and have not good manners.
[57]The women of the Maharashtra are fond of practising the sixty-four arts, they utter low and harsh words, and like to be spoken to in the same way, and have an impetuous desire of enjoyment.
