Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c21.86

v2.c21.86

My translation on p. 542, ll. 15-16, is not the most obvious one. This would be: "There respectful greeting is no right of mine." This is also how the passage is understood, indeed, by the following çloka (iii, 12), an interpolated one, however. In spite of all the unsuspecting simplicity of heart in the youth, however, the hetæra could not help being afraid of betraying herself. Or is his stupidity to be stressed? That would be too clumsy. Rishyaçṛinga, indeed, has asked pressingly about the newcomer's particular form of ascetic piety (vrata). The fair one would say: So much in earnest do I take my self-denial that I decline the honourable show of politeness which other penitents are glad to accept. Rishyaçṛiṅga understands her, indeed, far better than the foolish interpolator (112.13).