Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c7.36

v1.c7.36

In the eyes of the law, of course, and also in practice, so far as the rule was not weakened or altogether annulled through more than ordinary strength in the woman or for some other reason, the patriarchal system prevailed in India then as now, and, to the aforesaid high position of the mother, was opposed her, in many respects, lower valuation as a woman. But the Epic gives us glimpses enough to show us that in those times the woman held in general a more important position than she did later.² We shall speak of that below. And again, in the narrative parts themselves are to be found plenty of indications not only of that loving and pious attitude towards the two parents, but also of the attitude towards the mother in particular. When his house-priest or Purohita has given Yudhishṭhira a long lecture on the proper behaviour which the brothers must observe as servants to the prince, he that is thus preached to says: "Now we are instructed, and I beg leave to say, that none can set this forth but our mother Kuntī and the high-souled Vidura" (iv, 4.52). Together with his brothers he shows over and over again throughout the long narrative the same attitude of mind towards his mother; and Bhīma, the man of deep feelings, by far the most human and attractive of the Pāṇḍavas, stands out, too, through a tender regard towards Kuntī. The visit paid by the Pāṇḍavas to their old mother in the hermitage, their farewell of the aged woman, and their sorrow at learning that she has been burned in the forest, are likewise affectingly drawn for us (xv, 21 ff. ; 36.27, 28, 35 ff. ; 37.18 ff.). We hear, too, the note of the heart’s true feeling in Yudhiṣṭhira’s words about Kuntī’s womanly virtues, motherly tenderness, and bitter lot (v, 83.37 ff.). For her is the first and far the most urgent greeting sent by him through Vidura to Hāstinapura. And so for other cases.