[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.c19.85 # Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.85 Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.85 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.85](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.85) BUT it is not the good women who are referred to in such words as these. Their praises are sung by the Epic in fiery tones. “Honour women” we hear again and again. “Women must always be honoured and cherished, and where women are honoured the gods are gladdened. And where they are not honoured all religious deeds are barren. A family goes to ruin where the women are sad. Houses on which the woman’s curse rests are as though destroyed by an evil spell, they are without light, and thrive not, for they are forsaken by good fortune. When Manu wished to go to heaven, he entrusted men with women, as their weak, easily led away, in truth victorious friends.¹ But if they have to live in jealousy, in a yearning after regard, and in anger, then they are unwise friends. But women deserve regard; give them your regard, O men. For of a truth it is from women that the good (dharma), and all the pleasures of love come. They shall always have at their disposal service, homage, and worship from you.² Look! bound up with women is the raising of offspring, the care of the child, and the wealth of joys on the earthly pilgrimage. . .³ As goddesses of happiness and beauty, women, indeed, are always to be held in honour by him that would thrive ; if watched over, and held in check woman becomes the goddess of happiness and beauty ” (xiii, 46.5 ff.).¹ The Rāmāyaṇa tells us that at first all beings were alike in stature, sex, speech, etc. Then the Maker made a distinction, took the best from all beings, and from this shaped the woman-wonder Ahalyā (vii, 30.17 ff.).² The man may take a treasure of a wife out of a bad or lowly famiy, too; for : “ a woman, a pearl, and water cannot be spoiled (hurt) (are adūshya, xii, 165.32).³ - [Previous: v2.c19.84](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.84) - [Next: v2.c19.86](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.86) - [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.13.46.5) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.7.30.17) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.85](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c19.85) · Pramāṇa