[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915) › v1.c8.35 # Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c8.35 Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c8.35 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c8.35](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v1.c8.35) ¹ We are told by Nil.: The women in Bengal (Vaṅgeshu) are known for beginning with their mouth the business of the vulva to excite the man's desires, owing to their excessive craving for the joys of love. Such a thing is, of course, strongly condemned by the law books. Whoso has unnatural intercourse with his wife, his forefathers have to live the month through in his seed (Vasiṣṭha, xii, 22 f.); according to Mahānirvāṇat., xi, 44 he is even to be punished with death. For unnatural desires, of whatever kind, the law writings and the Purāṇas lay down various purifications and penances (and expulsion from the caste). Anyone practising such lewdness or other forbidden sexual intercourse is, according to Baudhāyana, iii, 7.2, the same as a Brahman-murderer. - [Previous: v1.c8.34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v1.c8.34) - [Next: v1.c8.36](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v1.c8.36) - [Up: v1.c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v1.c8) ## Linked texts (3) - [Mahānirvāṇatantra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.sampradaya.general.sakta.mahanirvana) — Sanskrit - [Baudhāyanadharmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.dharma.baudhayana) — Baudhāyana, Sanskrit - [Vasiṣṭhadharmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.dharma.vasistha) — Vasiṣṭha, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v1.c8.35](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v1.c8.35) · Pramāṇa