Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.40

v2.c19.40

For the guarding of the women’s apartments there are the often-mentioned “wardens”: old men and eunuchs; and the need and duty of a strict watch on the harem and women in general is often emphasized; for the woman has an insatiable sexual appetite—on this something will be said later—and she can never be trusted. On the other hand the Epic is always declaring that all watching over women is useless. Indeed, he who watches over them not only beats the air with his fist, but goes to hell (v, 37.1-6). Bhīṣma speaks (xiii, 40.13 ff.): “Love of scandal and the lust of sex did the Maker give to women. The man can in no wise preserve them—even were he the All-Maker, and how much less earthly men. Whether it be by words or blows or bonds or pain of various kinds—women cannot be preserved by anything; for they are always unbridled. And yet I was once told of the following case, how in times gone by, the safe-keeping of his teacher’s wife was really brought about by Vipula. There was a most excellent Ṛiṣi, famous under the name of Devaçarman. His wife was called Ruci, and in beauty had not her like on earth. Gods, Gandharvas, and Dānavas were intoxicated by her beauty, but particularly Indra, the slayer of Vṛitra. Now the great Muni Devaçarman knew the ways of women, and looked after his wife to the best of his powers; and he knew full well that Indra, breaker of strongholds, gives free play to his lusts with other men’s wives. Therefore did he keep watch on his wife with a strong hand. Now one day the Ṛiṣi wished to make a sacrifice (for someone), and thought