Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c12.30

v2.c12.30

and purified soul,¹ of the Munis, whose fiery anger is still to-day unquenched in the Daṇḍaka forest ²—by their anger was the sea made undrinkable and salt-watered. Because the very evil-minded Vātāpi harmed the Brahmans, the cruel and huge Asura, when he came to the Ṛishi Agastya, was eaten up and destroyed. We are told of many mighty doings of the Brahmans, the high and glorious ones. Full of power is the anger of the high-souled ones, and their favour, O Brahman. But this offence, O Brahman, thou without fault, do thou forgive unto me. The virtue arising out of obedience to the husband is pleasing to me, O twice-born one. Among even all the divinities my husband is the highest for me. In all circumstances I would fain fulfil my duty to him. See, O Brahman, what the fruit is of faithful service to the husband: Thou didst burn up the hen-crane out of anger; that I know. Anger is a foe to man that dwells in his (own) body, O best of Brahmans. He that puts anger and blindness behind him is known by the gods as a Brahman. He on this earth that always speaks the truth, and makes those worthy of respect content, and, if he is harmed, does no harm, him the gods know as a Brahman. He that has overcome the senses, is given up to virtue, finds his delight in holy study, is pure, and has love and anger under his sway, him the gods know as a Brahman. He to whom the world is as his own self, he that knows the good, and is wise, and finds his joy in all the virtues, him the gods know as a Brahman.””” She then explains still further to him what virtue is, and how little he understands about it, and sends him to Mithilā to the pious butcher that the Brahman may learn it from him (iii, 205, 206).³ Cp. especially MBh., K, xiii, 249.16 ff., a kind of Martha and Mary tale.