Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.37

v2.c19.37

the eye; campaka-trees and aṣoka-trees spread their leaves and flowers; handsome seats of gold, silver, and ivory invited one to rest; cakes and the most various dishes and beverages enticed the palate; and all was decked out as the gods' own heaven. The soft luxury, the pomp and splendour of the palaces, the mighty army of servants and hangers-on, the debauchery in eating and drinking, the bestowal of gifts on the Brahmans and supplicants, and their feeding; the sacrificial festivals, and so on—in short, the whole Eastern court of the rulers is very often touched on or drawn by the Epic. It is, however, true that the later a certain piece seems to be, the more the poet also intoxicates himself with this overflowing luxury; while where older conditions are reflected there often can be seen an extraordinary simplicity in the life of the Kshattriyas.