Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c8.13

v1.c8.13

That the disturbance of the enjoyment of sex was felt as especially inhuman can be easily understood. King Kalmāshapāda (“Pied Foot”),² who had had the curse of man-eating laid on him, comes upon a Brahman and his wife in the forest, engaged in the joys of love. They flee in terror before the business is brought to its end. But the man-eater runs after them and falls on the Brahman. The wife beseeches him with tears to have pity on his victim, for she is not yet satisfied, has her ritu, and wishes for a child. But the king’s mind is shaken by the curse, and he eats the Brahman. Angry tears run down from the poor wife’s face, and turn to fire which sets the whole neighbourhood alight. Then she curses him: “Since thou before my very eyes, before my business was done, hast eaten my husband, thou wilt leave thy life when thou drawest nigh to thy wife during the ṛtu. But Vasiṣṭha will beget thee an heir.” Then she throws herself into the fire and is burned. Kalmāṣapāda’s wife is with him, and later she keeps him away, when he has got his wits back again, but not the memory of this event, and now wishes to approach her during the ṛtu. In his fear of dying he stands aside, and gives Vasiṣṭha the commission (i, 182).¹