Section CXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by his loving wife, king Pandu, well-acquainted with all rules of morality, replied in these words of virtuous import,

'O Kunti, what you have said is quite true. Vyushitasva of old did even as you have said. Indeed he was equal unto the celestials themselves. But I shall now tell you about the practices of old indicated by illustrious Rishis, fully acquainted with every rule of morality.

O you of handsome face and sweet smiles, women formerly were not immured within houses and dependent on husbands and other relatives. They used to go about freely, enjoying themselves as best as they liked.

O you of excellent qualities, they did not then adhere to their husbands faithfully, and yet, O handsome one, they were not regarded sinful, for that was the sanctioned usage of the times. That very usage is followed to this day by birds and beasts without any (exhibition of) jealousy. That practice, sanctioned by precedent, is applauded by great Rishis.

O you of taper thighs, the practice is yet regarded with respect amongst the Northern Kurus. Indeed, that usage, so lenient to women, has the sanction of antiquity. The present practice, however (of women’s being confined to one husband for life) has been established but lately. I shall tell you in detail who established it and why.

"It has been heard by us that there was a great Rishi of the name of Uddalaka, who had a son named Svetaketu who also was an ascetic of merit.

O you of eyes like lotus-petals, the present virtuous practice has been established by that Svetaketu from anger. Hear you the reason. One day, in the presence of Svetaketu’s father a Brahmana came and catching Svetaketu’s mother by the hand, told her, 'Let us go.'

Beholding his mother seized by the hand and taken away apparently by force, the son was greatly moved by wrath. Seeing his son indignant, Uddalaka addressed him and said,

'Be not angry. O son! This is the practice sanctioned by antiquity. The women of all orders in this world are free, O son; men in this matter, as regards their respective orders, act as kine.'

The Rishi’s son, Svetaketu, however, disapproved of the usage and established in the world the present practice as regards men and women.

It has been heard by us, O you of great virtue, that the existing practice dates from that period among human beings but not among beings of other classes. Accordingly, since the establishment of the present usage, it is sinful for women not to adhere to their husbands.

Women transgressing the limits assigned by the Rishi became guilty of slaying the embryo.

And, men, too, viol ting a chaste and loving wife who has from her maidenhood observed the vow of purity, became guilty of the same sin. The woman also who, being commanded by her husband to raise offspring, refuses to do his bidding, becomes equally sinful.

"Thus, O timid one, was the existing usage established of old by Svetaketu, the son of Uddalaka, in defiance of antiquity.

O you of taper thighs, it has also been heard by us that Madayanti, the wife of Saudasa, commanded by her husband to raise offspring went unto Rishi Vasishtha. And on going in unto him, the handsome Madayanti obtained a son named Asmaka. She did this, moved by the desire of doing good to her husband.

O you of lotus-eyes, you knowest, O timid girl, how we ourselves, for the perpetuation of the Kuru race, were begotten by Krishna-Dvaipayana.

O faultless one, beholding all these precedents it behoves you to do my bidding, which is not inconsistent with virtue, O princess, who is devoted to her husband, it has also been said by those acquainted with the rules of morality that a wife, when her monthly season comes, must ever seek her husband, though at other times she deserves liberty.

The wise have declared this to be the ancient practice. But, be the act sinful or sinless, those acquainted with the Vedas have declared that it is the duty of wives to do what their husbands bid them do.

Especially, O you of faultless features, I, who am deprived of the power of procreation, having yet become desirous of beholding offspring, deserve the more to be obeyed by you.

O amiable one, joining my palms furnished with rosy fingers, and making of them a cup as of lotus leaves, I place them on my head to propitiate you.

O you of lair looks, it behoves you to raise offspring, at my command, through some Brahmana possessed of high ascetic merit. For then, owing to you, O you of fair hips, I may go the way that is reserved for those that are blessed with children.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Pandu, that subjugator of hostile cities, the handsome Kunti, ever attentive to what was agreeable and beneficial to her lord, then replied unto him, saying,

'In my girlhood, O lord, I was in my father’s house engaged in attending upon all guests. I used to wait respectfully upon Brahmanas of rigid vows and great ascetic merit.

One day I gratified with my attentions that Brahmana whom people call Durvasa, of mind under full control and possessing knowledge of all the mysteries of religion. Pleased with my services, that Brahmana gave me a boon in the form of a mantra (formula of invocation) for calling into my presence any one of the celestials I liked.

And the Rishi, addressing me, said,

'Anyone among the celestials whom you callest by this shall, O girl, approach you and be obedient to your will, whether he likes it or not. And, O princess, you shall also have offspring through his grace.'

O Bharata, that Brahmana told me this when I lived in my father’s house. The words uttered by the Brahmana can never be false. The time also has come when they may yield fruit. Commanded by you, O royal sage, I can by that mantra summon any of the celestials, so that we may have good children.

O foremost of all truthful men, tell me which of the celestials I shall summon. Know that, as regards this matter, I await your commands.'

"Hearing this, Pandu replied,

'O handsome one, strive duly this very day to gratify our wishes. Fortunate one, summon you the god of justice. He is the most virtuous of the celestials.

The god of justice and virtue will never be able to pollute us with sin. The world also, O beautiful princess, will then think that what we do can never be unholy. The son also that we shall obtain from him shall in virtue be certainly the foremost among the Kurus. Begotten by the god of justice and morality, he would never set his heart upon anything that is sinful or unholy.

Therefore, O you of sweet smiles, steadily keeping virtue before your eyes, and duly observing holy vows, summon you the god of justice and virtue by the help of your solicitations and incantations.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Kunti, that best of women, thus addressed by her lord, said, ’so be it.' And bowing down to him and reverently circumambulating his person, she resolved to do his bidding.'"