And if I bestow not upon
them this girl possessing thy blood and qualities, they may even take her
away by force, like crows carrying away the sacrificial butter. And
beholding thy son become so unlike to thee, and thy daughter placed under
the control of some unworthy persons, I shall be despised in the world by
even persons that are dishonourable, and I will certainly die. These
children also, bereft of me and thee, their father, will, I doubt not,
perish like fish when the water drieth up. There is no doubt that bereft
of thee the three will perish: therefore it behoveth thee to sacrifice me.
O Brahmana, persons conversant with morals have said that for women that
have borne children, to predecease their lords is an act of the highest
merit. Ready am I to abandon this son and this daughter, these my
relations, and life itself, for thee. For a woman to be ever employed in
doing agreeable offices to her lord is a higher duty than sacrifices,
asceticism, vows, and charities of every description. The act, therefore,
which I intend to perform is consonant with the highest virtue and is for
thy good and that of thy race. The wise have declared that children and
relatives and wife and all things held dear are cherished for the purpose
of liberating one's self from danger and distress. One must guard one's
wealth for freeing one's self from danger, and it is by his wealth that he
should cherish and protect his wife. But he must protect his own self both
by (means of) his wife and his wealth.
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