Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c13.78

v2.c13.78

The most celebrated case of change of sex is that of Çikhaṇḍin, and the Mahābh. often returns to the subject of this transformation. The fullest account is found in v, 173 ff., and the tale throws much light on woman in the Epic. As has been already mentioned, Bhīshma went to Kāçi, carried off the three daughters of the king there, who were just holding their Svayaṃvara (self-choice), and brought them to Hāstinapura to marry them to his half-brother. He tells us of this himself in our passage, and thus goes on (v, 174.4 ff.): “When now with Satyavatī’s consent the wedding had drawn nigh, the eldest daughter of the king of Kāçi spoke these words shamefacedly: ‘Bhīshma, thou knowest the law, thou art well versed in all the books of instruction. And when thou hast heard my law-abiding words, do thou act accordingly. I have already chosen the king of the Çalvas in my heart as my bridegroom, and I have already been chosen by him in secret, without my father