Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c18.83

v2.c18.83

And yet they all five have divine fathers, and what is still better, an excellent and truly human mother. Kuntī also is an heroic woman, who not only nobly and steadfastly bears all the misery that comes upon her through her foes and her own sons, but who also, like Draupadī, strives to urge on her sons, above all their head, and to work them up to deeds. When Kṛishṇa, as a messenger of the Pāṇḍavas comes to Hāstinapura to treat with the foe, she is overwhelmed with sorrow and with joy ; now she sees someone that has come from her beloved sons and the daughter-in-law just as well beloved, and can give her news of the far ones. But alas ! they are in misery, and the poor mother herself has not seen her dear ones for the last thirteen years or more; and she has to bear a heavy burden, quite alone as she is among hostile men and forces. With a voice choked with tears, and a “ parched mouth ” she makes searching inquiries after them all, is filled with the tenderest anxiety as to how they are faring in the wilds, and bewails her own lot : in reality, she says, she is dead, and dead for her are her children. But then the Kshattriyā comes out in her. She charges Kṛishṇa to tell her sons : “ Do not act wrongly, so that your great duty may not suffer harm. Shame on the woman who lives, like me, in dependence on strangers ! Let not time go by. Do not act so basely, else will I turn my back