Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.62

v2.c19.62

Draupadī, too, only eats after the servants even (e.g. ii, 52.48 ; iii, 233.24). On the other hand, it was always repugnant to the Indian’s feelings that the husband should let himself be supported by his wife; a word for husband is, indeed, bhartar (the nourisher, protector), and for wife bhāryā (she that is to be nourished, or protected). He that lives on his wife comes, after death, into dreadful worlds (vii, 73.33). In xiii, 130.38, 39 he is on the same level with the Brahman-murderer, the cow-slayer, him who visits another’s wife, and the unbeliever; he goes like them to hell; has to nourish himself there on matter and blood; and is roasted like a fish (cp. e.g. xiii, 93.125; 94.22; xiv, 90.46, 47).¹ So they also are among the most shameful beings, heavily punished in the other world, who stand under the rule of their servants, wives, children, and of such as depend on them (āçrita), and let themselves be ordered about by them (samḍiçyamāna, vii, 73.33).² The incapable man that does not give his wife fitting care goes to hell (xiv, 90.48 f.). It is a dreadful thing for Bhīma that Draupadī begs him and his brothers out of slavery (ii, 72.1 ff.; cp. v, 160.112 f.=161.30 f.).