'"
SECTION CXXII
(Sambhava Parva continued)
"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 thou hast said is quite true. Vyushitaswa of old
did even as thou hast said. Indeed he was equal unto the celestials
themselves. But I shall now tell thee about the practices of old indicated
by illustrious Rishis, fully acquainted with every rule of morality. O
thou 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 thou 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 thou of taper
thighs, the practice is yet regarded with respect amongst the Northern
Kurus. Indeed, that usage, so lenient to women, hath the sanction of
antiquity. The present practice, however (of women's being confined to one
husband for life) hath been established but lately. I shall tell thee in
detail who established it and why.
"It hath been heard by us that there was a great Rishi of the name of
Uddalaka, who had a son named Swetaketu who also was an ascetic of merit.
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