Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c13.80.1

v2.c13.80.1

knowing of it. How couldst thou, then, go beyond thy kingly duty, and make me, O Bhīshma, who love another, dwell in the house here, especially as thou art a Kaurava? When thou hast decided this thing in thy heart by means of thy mind, then do thou take those steps here which seem to thee fitting. The king of the Çālvas assuredly awaits me. Therefore, O best of the Kurus, give me leave to go. Show pity on me, strong-armed one, best of the upholders of the law. For on earth thou art held to be the soul of truth, so we have been told.' Then I won the leave of Kālī Gandhavatī (Satyavatī), and that of the ministers and the high priests, and that of the house priests, and released Ambā, the eldest maiden. When the girl had received permission, she went to the city of the king of the Çālvas in the care of old Brahmans, and accompanied by her nurse.¹ When she had made the journey, she reached the prince.² When she had come to the king of the Çālvas, she spoke unto him the words: 'I have come for thy sake, O long-armed great-souled one.' To her spoke the lord of the Çālvas, smiling somewhat: 'I desire thee not as wife, that hast first belonged to another, O thou of the lovely face. Go, my good friend, back again to thy sweetheart Bhīshma. I will not have thee after Bhīshma has taken thee by force. For thou wast carried off by Bhīshma, and taken by him as a woman rejoicing in her love, after he had taken hold of thee, and overcome the kings in a great battle.