Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c6.40

v1.c6.40

Nay, just as in the old Upanishad, life itself with its pains and sorrows is called tapas (asceticism), so the Mahābh. proclaims the condition of father of the family, family life, to be tapas ³ (xii, 66.23 ; 269.7 ; and especially 11) : “ Here they tell this old tale, the words of Indra with the penitents. . . Some Brahmans left their house and went into the forest ; before their moustache had grown, the foolish ones, who sprang from good families, became ascetics. This is the ‘good’ (dharma), they thought, who were rich and practised chastity, and left brother and father. On them Indra took pity. The sublime one spoke to them, having changed himself into a golden bird : ‘ Hard unto men is that which is done by the devourers of the remains of food. It is a holy deed, and a praiseworthy life. They have reached their goal, having come onto the most excellent path, they, given up to virtue.’ The Rishis spoke : ‘ Listen now ! This bird is praising the devourers of the remains of food. He is, of a surety, praising us ; we too are devourers of the remains of food.’ The bird spoke : ‘ It is not ye, the fools that devour dirt-coated, dusty¹ refuse that I praise ; of a truth the devourers of the remains of food are others.’ The Rishis spoke : ‘ This is the highest good (çreyas), so we think, and give ourselves up to it. Speak, O bird, what is the “good”, we have great trust in thee.’ The bird spoke : ‘ If ye do not split yourselves up into yourselves, and put doubt into me, I will speak to you according to the truth, wholesome words.’ The Rishis spoke : ‘ We hearken to thy words, the paths are known unto thee. And we will cling to thy precept, thou that art informed by virtue ; teach us.’ The bird spoke :