[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915) › v2.c19.82 # Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.82 Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.82 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.82](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.82) deliberate with woman; here she belongs to the company of fools, madmen, and so forth (iii, 150.44). A man may ask women, but only if he wants to hear not the salutary but the pleasing (ii, 64.15). They are no good for matters of business, and here bring danger (v, 38.42 f.). But that in reality the women of the Epic even in the most important matters at any rate have their say, urge on, arouse, and so on we have already seen; as also this, that they read the men a lesson, when they are wanting in any way. Cp. here also Rām., ii, 48; 82.25, 26. Moreover where there is a close and intimate relation between the husband and the wife, where the two are one heart and one soul, and their love but grows, as we are particularly told of Rāma and Sītā (e.g. Rām., i, 77.25-28)—how could a far-reaching share but be taken in all as a matter of course by the woman? And when in Old India she did not get what she wanted, then she naturally had there, too, her very efficacious means, above all her tears. Women of rank, or at least of princely rank, had their sulking-room (krodhāgāra), and understood this art very well indeed. A splendid example of this is Kaikeyī (Rām., ii, 9 and 10). With eyebrows furrowed in anger she rushes into her “room of wrath”, flings her wreaths and all her finery on the ground, ties her hair in a plait as a sign of sorrow, throws herself on the bare ground, and declares to her serving-maid she means to die there, if her wish is not fulfilled. Anxious and sorrow-stricken, the woman door-keeper tells the king, who has come there, that the gracious lady is very wrathful, and is in her sulking-room. The poor husband and lover strokes her as she lies on the ground, coaxes her, promises heaven and earth. For a long time she will not look at him, nor speak to him, only weeps and sighs, and at last comes out with what she wants. Daçaratha, indeed, has not pondered on the reminder in Mahābh., ii, 64.11: “If a bad woman is treated too well, she turns her back on you.” 1 - [Previous: v2.c19.81](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.81) - [Next: v2.c19.83](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.83) - [Up: v2.c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19) ## Linked texts (2) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa.3.150) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.2.9) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.82](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.82) · Pramāṇa