[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) › v2.c13.65 # Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c13.65 Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c13.65 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c13.65](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c13.65) A like change of sex is related in Mahābhārata, xiii, 12 (K., 34). “Yudhiṣṭhira spoke: ‘Which of the two has the more glorious feeling from the touch, when a woman and man unite? As to this doubt, do thou, O king, give me right instruction.’ Bhīṣma spoke: ‘Of this too, this old tale is told, how, once before, Indra bore an enmity against Bhaṅgāsvana. Once upon a time there was an exceedingly pious Ṛiṣi king called Bhaṅgāsvana; as he had no sons, O tiger among men, that he might get a son he made the Agniṣṭut sacrifice so hateful to Indra, he, the most mighty Ṛiṣi king. This is prescribed for atonements, and if a man wants a son for himself. But when Indra, the most excellent ruler of the gods, learned of this sacrifice, he sought an opportunity to lay hold of this royal Ṛiṣi, who ever kept himself in check. And he could see no weak spot in this high-minded one, O king. Some time after, the herdsman of men went out hunting. ‘This is a chance,’ thought Indra, and he perplexed the king: then the royal Ṛiṣi did nothing but wander about with his one horse, and, tormented by hunger and thirst, the prince could not find his way in the quarters of the heavens. And as he was galloping this way and that,¹ he saw a gloriously shining lake full of splendid water. He rode to the lake,² my friend, and watered his steed. When his horse had drunk, - [Previous: v2.c13.64](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c13.64) - [Next: v2.c13.66](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c13.66) - [Up: v2.c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c13) ## Linked texts (1) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa.13.12) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c13.65](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c13.65) · Pramāṇa