Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.60

v2.c19.60

But the woman can well look after herself, and good women do so also, as the Epic in agreement with the rest of the literature often declares, and proves it in beautiful tales. On the other hand it is the man's duty, stressed over and over again, to shelter the woman, to cherish and care for her, and whoever does not or cannot do it, comes to shame in this world, and to hell in the other (e.g. iv, 21.40-43; xiv, 90.45 ff.). Especially must she be well provided with food and drink. Only then has the man's life any worth (v, 39.83). "Let not a man resort with empty hands to the king, a Brahman, or a woman" (vii, 174.43), refers, however, probably to other ladies than his own wife. A gentle loving treatment of the woman is repeatedly enjoined; he that is a hero towards her falls from the stalk like ripe fruit (v, 36.61).¹ "Towards women a man shall be without jealousy, but shall ward his wife, and to her be generous and kindly-spoken, uttering tender, sweet words, but not be under her thumb (vaçaga). Women are called the worshipful, most glorious, holy lights of the house, the goddesses of happiness and beauty in the home; therefore they must most particularly be sheltered" (v, 38.10, 11). He that upbraids his wife over-severely goes to hell (v, 37.5). To this place of torment he, too, goes who eats before, or without, his wife (xiii, 23.71; cf. 23.82); and the precept that the wife, and the children and servants also must be first satisfied is often found in the Mahābhārata, as we have already been told, but has, anyhow in the actual life of Epic India, indeed, no foundation; for a good wife here does as for instance Draupadī, and as the Hindu wife still does to-day.