Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c6.130

v1.c6.130

The already mentioned Brahman who is to bring the cart-load of rice as tribute to the evil Rākshasa, and then be eaten together with the steers by the monster, bewails his wife and children (i, 157.26 ff.) : “ Thou knowest, O Brahman woman, once I did strive to go away elsewhere, where there is peace and plenty, but thou didst not hearken unto me. ‘ Here I was born and grew up, and my father likewise.’ So didst thou speak in thy foolishness, when more than once I besought thee. Thy old father has gone into heaven, and thy mother, too, long ago ; thy kinsfolk have been and are gone ; what joy hast thou then in dwelling here? Filled with loving yearning for thy family thou wast, and since thou didst not hearken to my words, thy family now perishes, which brings great sorrow on me, or I now lose my life. For I cannot yield up any of mine, remaining myself alive like one without pity. Thou hast carried out the holy duties with me, thou art kind, always to me as a mother, thou art the friend whom the gods have appointed unto me, always my surest refuge, robbed of father and mother,¹ ever busied with household cares. Thee I did woo in prescribed fashion, and thee I then led round the fire with holy prayers. Thou comest of good family, art endowed with virtuous ways, and hast borne me children. Thee, my good wife, who never dost hurt me, and art ever obedient to me, I could not yield up to save my own life.—How could I myself give up my daughter, a child, who has not yet come to the flower of youth, and whose form does not yet bear the marks of sex, who has been entrusted me by the high-souled Maker, like a pledge for her future husband. How could I forsake her, from whom I together with my forefathers hope for the worlds made ready by the daughters' sons, her whom I myself begot? Many there are who hold that the father's love for the son is the greater, others the love for the daughter; for me both are alike.² Even though I give myself up, I shall suffer torment in the other world too, for left behind by me, these (my family) it is evident, cannot live here. To yield up one of them is cruel and reprobated by the wise ones ; and if I give myself up, then without me they will die.” See especially also xiv, 90.24 ff.