Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c5.112

v1.c5.112

all the feats which Arjuna had just been the only one to do ; and when Arjuna flies into a rage, the unwelcome new-comer calmly challenges him to a duel with bow and arrow. The whole gathering, however, is very deeply roused. “The audience split into two, among the women two parties were formed ; but Kuntibhoja’s daughter swooned away, when she saw what was happening. As Kuntī thus lay in a swoon, Vidura, the knower of all duties, brought her to herself again through the servant-maids with sandal-water. When her life-spirits had now come back again, and she saw her two sons equipped for the fray, she was utterly bewildered, and knew not what to do.”¹ She has then to see how the noble splendid Karṇa is put to shame, first because of the darkness of his origin, then because of his supposed father, Adhiratha, the chariot-driver (i, 136 f.).