Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c20.38

v2.c20.38

¹ The cynical, it is true, preponderates : women cannot help it, “ every woman is at heart a rake,” as Pope holds; so that we must be indulgent (Jāt., 120, 220, 224). They are like the well, the bathing-place, the street—all have access to her (Jāt., No. 195; Divyāvad., p. 257, lines 12–20; Rājatar., iii, 514, and the whole tale from 496 on). So that we must not on account of them think of losing a man who is clever, or useful or dear to us, and has broken through our fence; beautiful women can easily be replaced by others, but a wise man, a good counsellor, a friend is seldom to be found (Jāt., No. 224; Cukasapt., text. simpl., No. 57). Cp. MBh., xii, 168.22. King Pradyota sees from clear evidence that women cannot be kept from going wrong, and he therefore gives his whole harem leave to go roving about by night for adventures until a drum is beaten, then they must all come back to the palace (Lacôte, *Gunādhya et la Brihatkathā*, Paris, 1908, p. 242 ff.).