Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c11.129

v2.c11.129

And thus much more evidence could be brought forward showing the delight in woman and woman's love which is part of the Epic heroes' life. And as in the later and the erotic literature, the public gardens and pleasure-groves are a chosen place for tender adventure. There in the evening men and women seek their pleasure, and attend the joys of love in the shelter of the trees and bushes (Rām., ii, 71.22, 25, 26).¹ In swift carriages the upper world of love, too, drives out, modish and dashing, to the tangled forest (Rām., ii, 67.19). Picnics in the forest and park are often found in the Epic. All kinds of choice foods are taken, but above all intoxicating drinks, for just as the Hindus in the narrative parts of the Epic know nothing of the Brahmanic horror of flesh—indeed that most strict Brahman, the pious Rāma, is a very great connoisseur in this matter (Rām., ii, 91.1 ff.)—so also they show themselves to be very fond of intoxicating drinks, particularly of the surā which is so heavily condemned by the law books and the ascetic writings. And the women, the noblest among them, too, are quite a match for them. Bacchus and Venus as elsewhere in India, so also in the Epic, show themselves as brother and sister.² We have already been told how the haughty and high daughter of a Brahman, Devayānī, and the royal princess Çarmishṭhā with their girl-friends and serving-women make a merry forest picnic, and how they there quaff sweet intoxicating drink (madhumādhavī) (i, 81.1 ff.). A quite classic description of such a river and forest outing is given in i, 222.14 ff. : Some days later Arjuna said to Kṛishṇa : “ It is now the hot days ; let us go to the Yamunā. When we have taken our pleasure there together with our friends, we will come home again in the evening ; be pleased to do this, O Janārdana.” Kṛishṇa spoke : “ O son of Kuntī, it is also pleasing to me that we should take our pleasure together with our friends by the water to our heart’s desire.” When they had taken leave of Yudhishṭhira, and had got his consent, the two, the son of Pṛithā, and Govinda, then went, accompanied by their friends. Speedily the women’s band (antaḥpura) of Kṛishṇa and Arjuna, in all their manifold shining jewels came upon the scene, when they had reached the incomparable pleasure spot. This was covered with all kinds of trees, furnished with all kinds of houses, comparable with Indra’s city, provided with many kinds of well-tasting and rare meats and drinks, as too with wreaths and manifold perfumes. And all did make merry after their desire. And the broad-hipped women with enticing, swelling breasts, and lovely eyes did sport around, with drunken, stumbling gait. Some of the lovely ones of Kṛishṇa and Arjuna sported in the forest, others in the water, others again in the houses, according as the place disposed, as their pleasure urged them. Draupadī and Subhadrā, both merry with drink, bestowed clothing and ornaments on the women. Some danced in unbridled gladness,¹ others shrieked and screamed with joy ; some among the glorious women were laughing, and the others drinking the best of rum (āsava). Here some were clutching hold of one another,² and striking each other, others again were talking their secrets over among themselves. Houses and forest were filled everywhere with the sound of the sweet flutes, lutes, and tambourines, in glorious splendour beyond words. Arjuna, too, had just received as a wedding-gift from Kṛishṇa a full thousand of most delightful girls of still tender years, to wait on him at bathing and drinking entertainments (i, 221.49-50).