Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c7.47

v1.c7.47

¹ The Indian mother listens with greedy ears to the predictions uttered of her little son by the wise Brahmans, and hopes for their fulfilment later, even when he seems to show no promise whatever (v, 134.8, 9). And even of Kuntī we read at that test of her sons in doctrine : “But since K. in the master of the Aṅgas (in Karṇa) had recognized her son, betrayed by his divine marks, a secret joy glowed in her” (i, 137.23). A woman has truly lived when she with her husband has practised the duties of religion, has enjoyed companionship with him, and has had children from him (i, 158.33). Parents and daughter are saddened beyond measure in this tale, because the father must be the food of the Rākshasa. Then the little son runs up to all these as they weep, tries to comfort them, takes a hay-straw, and shouts : “I will kill the monster with it!” And joy shines into the darkness of their souls (i, 159.20 f.).