Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c20.13.3

v2.c20.13.3

When the son of fire had now gone out to fetch firewood, there spoke as a guest to Oghavatī a glorious Brahman : ‘I would have thee, O thou of the lovely face, show me hospitality to-day, if indeed the law laid down for the estate of father of the house is unto thee a guiding rule.’ Thus addressed by the Brahman, the glorious daughter of the king welcomed him according to the precept made known in the Veda. When Oghavatī had given him a seat and water for the feet, she spoke to the Brahman : ‘What is thy business? What shall I give thee?’ To the lovely daughter of the king then spoke the Brahman : ‘It is with thee I have business, O lovely one. Do thou carry it out without hesitation or thought. If unto thee the law laid down for the estate of father of the house is a rule of conduct, then show me an act of love, O princess, by giving thyself to me.’ The royal maiden offered him anything else he might wish, but the Brahman wanted nothing of her but that she should give herself. The princess, however, bethought herself from the very first of the words of her husband, and filled with shame said ‘Yes’ to the Brahman bull. Then laughed the Brahman Rishi, and he and she sat themselves down,¹ she remembering her husband’s bidding, who as he strove was ever mindful of his headship of the household. Then the son of fire came there with the firewood, on whom followed always, as on a kinsman, Death in dreadful shape.