Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c5.82

v1.c5.82

Kuntī spoke : "I will, O king, honourably serve the Brahman with all heed, according to the promise, O lord of kings, and I speak no untruth. And that is my character, that I honour the Brahmans. And I must do what is dear to thee, and my greatest happiness. Whether the holy one comes at evening or in the early morning or in the night or at midnight, he will arouse no anger in me. It is a gain for me, O lord of kings, to bring salvation to myself, O best of men, through honouring the Brahmans and faithfully carrying out thy bidding. Thou canst have a calm trust, O lord of kings; the best among the twice-born shall suffer nothing unpleasing while he dwells in thy house; that I swear unto thee. What is pleasing to this Brahman and for thy good, O blameless one, for that will I strive, O king. Let the fever in thy soul leave thee. For the Brahmans, they marked out by destiny, can save if they are honoured; and if not, then they can destroy. Since I know this, I shall rejoice the best among Brahmans. Through me, O king, thou wilt suffer no harm from the most excellent of Brahmans. In case of a mistake, O prince of kings, the Brahmans become a destruction to kings, as did Cyavana formerly to King Ṣaryāti, because of Sukanyā. With the greatest zeal will I serve the Brahman as thou didst say unto the Brahman." While the king clasped her in his arms and exhorted her, as he repeatedly spoke thus, he told her of all that was to be done in this way and that. The king spoke : "Thus must thou do it, without hesitation, dear one, for the sake of my happiness, of thyself, and of the family, O stainless one."