Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c20.13.4

v2.c20.13.4

When he begotten by the fire god had come into the hermitage he called out repeatedly to Oghavatī: ‘Whither art thou gone?’ But she made no answer, because she had been touched by the Brahman with his hands, and was a faithful wife. She thought to herself: ‘I am only what another man has left over,’ and was ashamed before her husband; the good woman kept silent, and spoke no word in answer. Then spoke Sudarçana again to her²: ‘Where is the good one? Where has she gone? What is there dearer to me than she? Why does she not come to meet me smiling to-day as before, the faithful wife, the truthful one, ever joyfully given to perfect honesty?’ But the Brahman in the hut made answer to Sudarçana: ‘Know, O son of fire, that I am come as a guest, and am a Brahman. This wife of thine, O best one, offered me every kind of honour for guests, but I wished for her for myself. In this wise did the lovely-faced one come to me. Whatever else is fitting here, do thou do it.’ But Death followed him, with an iron pick in his hand, and thought: ‘If he is untrue now to his pledge, I shall slay him.’ But Sudarçana, who in thought, deed, eye, and speech had put aside jealousy, had put aside anger, smilingly spoke these words: