Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c5.45.4

v1.c5.45.4

The loving girl, however, made answer : “If thou dost scorn me for love for virtue, although I have asked thee with tears, then this magic knowledge will be nought in thine hands.” He told her that he was unwilling only because he would not offend against the old holy laws, and since she had cursed him so unjustly and unfoundedly, her wish would not be fulfilled : no son of a Rishi would take her with him as wife.¹ So he went back to the gods, taught them the magic, and they were now made happy. They then exhorted Indra to show his valour. He set forth, but saw maidens bathing in the forest and playing in the water. Then he changed himself into a wind, and tossed their clothes about. When they came out of the water, they took the wrong clothes. The bathing girls were Devayānī and Çarmishṭhā, the daughter of the Daitya prince Vṛishaparvan, together with the princess’s followers. Çarmishṭhā happened to lay hold of the clothes of her friend, Devayānī; the latter rebuked Çarmishṭhā : “Why art thou, my disciple, taking my clothes? Wicked girl, it will not go well with thee.” Çarmishṭhā answered : “Whether my father is sitting or lying down, thy father as a court singer ever praises him, and stands humbly far below. For thou art the daughter of him that begs, that praises, that takes; I am the daughter of him that is praised, that grants, that never takes.² Burn away, hurt thyself, be abusive, be angered, thou beggar!