History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.573.1

v4.c63.t2.573.1

Rāma who performed Aśvamedha accompanied by a golden image of Sītā; (11) Dhṛtarāṣṭra, though blind, performed sacrifices; (12) Vāsudeva and Arjuna are described as being drunk and as having married Rukmiṇī and Subhadrā respectively who were their maternal uncle's daughters (such marriages being forbidden). Kumārila, like a modern comparative mythologist. explains (Tantravārtika p. 208) that Prajāpati means 'the Sun' who approaches (i. e. rises after) the Dawn. This explanation is as old as the Ait. Br. 13. 9 where it is said that there are two views viz. it is either 'Heaven' or 'Uṣas' that is meant by the word 'daughter.' Similarly Indra and Ahalyā respectively mean the Sun and the Night and *jāra* means literally 'one who makes to disappear or wither away' (and not paramour) in that passage. Vide H. of Dh. vol. II. p. 1145 note 2550 for the epithet 'Ahalyāyai jāra' in the Veda and quotation from Tantravārtika. The story of Ahalyā and Indra varies in its details in the epics. Vide Rāmāyaṇa I. 48, Udyoga 12. 6. These two are instances of transgression of dharma (dharma-vyatikrama) and the next case of Vasiṣṭha is an example of *sāhasa* (through sorrow). Kumārila says that Viśvāmitra was prompted by his hatred of Vasiṣṭha and his pride, that the sin accruing from his act would be neutralized by his great austerities. So his actions cannot serve as a model for imitation by others.