[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.c20.45 # Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c20.45 Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c20.45 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c20.45.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c20.45.1) When this hero has overcome and slain Rāvaṇa, and dedicated Vibhīṣaṇa in Laṅkā as king, the Rākṣhasa minister Avindhya brings Sītā to him, who with weeping eyes, pining, in black, filthy garb, her hair plaited in the fashion of mourners,¹ gazes on him. But he speaks and says : “Go, princess of Videha, I have restored² thee ; that which was to be done I have done. I have slain that spirit of the night, for I thought : ‘After having won me for a husband, thou shalt not enter into old age in the house of the Rākṣhasas. How could ever one like me, one that knows the decision of things of law, keep even for a moment a woman that had fallen into the hands of another ? Be thy way of life pure or not, I cannot have thee any more for the joys of love, since thou art like unto a sacrificial offering polluted by a dog.’ Then did the young woman, the queen, when she heard these awful words, reeling in anguish, fall suddenly to the ground, like a banana-tree that is hewn down. And the redness brought to her countenance by joy vanished in an instant again, like breath on a looking-glass. When all the monkeys had now heard these words of Rāma, they stood like Lakṣhmaṇa, too, without stirring, almost robbed of life.” Sītā now takes a solemn oath : “In beings dwells the ever moving wind ; may he take life away from me, if I have done any evil. Let fire, water, ether, earth, and wind take my life, if I have done any evil. ### [v2.c20.45.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c20.45.2) As truly as I, O hero, have thought of none other even in my sleep, so truly be thou, the one ordained for me by the gods, be thou my husband.” The gods bear loud witness to the innocence of the noble woman (MBh., iii, 291.6 ff.). It is not so unfeeling as in the very compressed account of the Mahābh.³ that Rāma comes before us in the beautiful description in the Rāmāyaṇa (vi, 112.22 to 118). Hanumant speaks to Rāma : “Let the princess of Mithilā be pleased to see the queen that is afire with pain, her that is the cause of these deeds, the fruit that is their reward.” Rāma’s eyes fill with tears, he falls to thinking, sighs deeply, looks on the ground, and then gives orders for her to be brought, and to be brought " with her head bathed ", and in most splendid array. She would but hasten to him at once, as she is, but must obey, and is then carried there in a litter. Anger, joy, and gloom fill Rāma as she approaches. Vibhīṣaṇa has all the people driven back by men in chamberlain's jackets, and with cane staves and drums in their hands. But Rāma upbraids him for thus harassing the folk : " Neither house nor garb, neither wall nor hiding-place, nor such royal honour, but virtue is a woman's covering. In misfortune, in pain and distress, in the fight, at the choosing of a husband, at a sacrifice, and at a wedding—in any of these to look on a (strange) woman is not held to be sinful. ### [v2.c20.45.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c20.45.3) Sītā is to leave the litter, and come hither on foot." Lakshmaṇa and the monkeys are very disconcerted, and Sītā draws nigh to her husband, almost ready to hide away in her own limbs for shame, and gazing, full of admiration, joy, and love, into Rāma's face. But he says : " The insult is atoned for, I have shown my manhood, and fulfilled my promise, and am now once more my own lord : our undertaking was crowned with success." The eyes of the poor woman open wide, and fill with tears at these remarkable words of welcome. Seeing his heart's beloved thus standing before him, and with his heart in dissension ¹ through fear of what the people say, he goes on : " That which a man has to do to wash away an insult I have done in my yearning after honour, but not for thy sake. But the sight of thee is to me as little pleasing as is a light to one with sick eyes, since thou standest before me with the cast of suspicion as to thy good way of life. Therefore go—I give thee leave—wherever thou wilt. Here are the ten quarters of the heavens, my dear one ; I have nothing more to do with thee. For what man born in a good family and of any worth would take back a wife again out of friendly yearning, a wife that has dwelt in the house of another man ? Rāvaṇa's bosom has hurt and soiled thee, his eyes aflame with sin have gazed on thee ; how could I take thee back again, who can point to high descent ? Turn thy purpose to Lakshmaṇa or Bharata, Ṣatrughna, Sugrīva, or Vibhīṣaṇa, the Rākshasa, --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c20.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c20.45) · Pramāṇa