Dear Robert and Connie,

r> Just wondering how you get 'pleasurable perceptual forms' out
r> of 'Subhanimitta.m', wouldn't simply 'pleasant forms' do?

As I understand, it is to be translated as "perceptual image of
attractiveness/beauty", or "perceptual attunement to
attractiveness/beauty". This attunement causes to arise
covetousness (lobha).

"Pleasurable forms" is a strange expression. It occurs in
the Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/sn35-207.html
where one reads with amazement that 'the uninstructed run-of-the-mill
person is thrashed in the eye by charming & pleasurable forms'.

If they are pleasurable (giving pleasure), then how it happens that
they trash the person?

The forms are just 'piyaruupa', i.e. seemingly pleasant, and the
relevant translation for:

assutavaa puthujjano cakkhusmi.m haññati manaapaamanaapehi ruupehi

is "the uninstructed run-of-the-mill person is thrashed in the eye by
the forms causing like and dislike".

Best wishes,
Dimitry