SRIMAD MAHABHARATA - AADI PARVA - SAMBHAVA (UPA) PARVA - PART 122

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Thus addressed by his loving wife, king Pandu, well-familiar with all rules of Dharma, replied in these words of meaning of Dharma, ‘O Kunti, what you have said is quite true. Vyushitaashwa of old did as you have said. Indeed he was equal to Devas themselves. But I shall now tell you about the ancient practices indicated by illustrious Rishis, fully knowledgeable with every rule of Dharma. O you of handsome face and sweet smiles, women formerly were not confined 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 (Kunti), they did not then stay to their husbands faithfully, and yet, O beautiful 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 animals without any (exhibition of) jealousy. That practice, sanctioned by previous cases, is applauded by Maharishis. O you of narrow thighs (Kunti), the practice is yet regarded with respect amongst the Northern Kurus. Indeed, that usage, so lenient to women, has the sanction of ancient times. 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 Maharishi of the name of Uddaalaka, who had a son named Shwetaketu who also was an Rishi of merit. O you of eyes like lotus-petals (Kunti), the present practice of Dharma (of women being confined to one husband for life) has been established by that Shwetaketu from anger. You hear the reason. One day, in the presence of Shwetaketu's father (Maharishi Uddaalaka) a Brahmana came and catching Shwetaketu's mother by the hand, told her, ‘Let us go.’ Seeing his mother grabbed by the hand and taken away apparently by force, the son (Rishi Shwetaketu) was greatly moved by anger. Seeing his son angry, Uddaalaka addressed him and said, ‘Be not angry, O son! This is the practice sanctioned by ancient times. The women of all varnas in this world are free, O son; men in this matter, as regards their respective varnas, act as cows.’

“The Rishi's son, Shwetaketu, however, disapproved of the usage and established in the world the present practice as regards men and women. O you of great Dharma (Kunti), it has been heard by us that the existing practice dates from that period among human beings but not among beings of other (animal) classes. Accordingly, since the establishment of the present usage, it is sinful for women not to stay to their husbands. Women crossing the limits assigned by the Rishi (Shwetaketu) became guilty of slaying the (unborn) embryo. Men, too, violating a chaste (Patni in Sanskrit) and loving wife who has from her unwed times 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 command, becomes equally sinful.

"Thus, O faint-hearted one (Kunti), was the existing usage established of old by (Rishi) Shwetaketu, the son of (Maharishi) Uddalaka, in opposition of ancient practice. O you of narrow thighs (Kunti), it has also been heard by us that Madayanti, the wife of Saudaasa, commanded by her husband to raise offspring went to Rishi Vasishtha. On going in to him, the beautiful Madayanti obtained a son named Ashmaka. She did this, moved by the desire of doing good to her husband. O you of lotus-eyes (Kunti), O faint-hearted girl, you know how we (Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura) ourselves, for the preservation of the Kuru race, were fathered by Krishna-Dwaipayana (Maharishi Veda Vyasa). O faultless one (Kunti), seeing all these previous cases, it is your duty to do my bidding, which is not inconsistent with Dharma, O princess (Kunti), who is devoted to her husband, it has also been said by those familiar 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 knowledgeable with the Vedas have declared that it is the duty of wives to do what their husbands ask them do. Especially, O you of faultless features (Kunti), I, who am deprived of the power of procreation, having yet become desirous of seeing offspring, deserve the more to be obeyed by you. O friendly one (Kunti), joining my palms furnished with rosy fingers, and making of them a cup as of lotus leaves, I place them on my head to salute you. O you of flashy looks, it is your duty to raise offspring, at my command, through some Brahmana possessed of high merit of Tapas. For then, owing to you, O you of fair hips (Kunti), I may go the way that is reserved for those that are blessed with children.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Thus addressed by Pandu, that subjugator of hostile cities, the beautiful Kunti, ever attentive to what was agreeable and beneficial to her lord, then replied to him, saying, ‘In my girlhood, O lord (Pandu), I was in my father's house engaged in attending upon all guests. I used to wait respectfully upon Brahmanas of rigid vows (Vrata in Sanskrit) and great merit of Tapas. One day, I pleased with my attentions that Brahmana whom people call Durvasa, of mind under full control and possessing knowledge of all the mysteries of Dharma. Pleased with my services, that Brahmana gave me a boon in the form of a mantra for calling into my presence any one of the Devas I liked. The Rishi (Durvasa), addressing me, said, ‘Anyone among Devas whom you call by this shall, O girl (Kunti), approach you and be obedient to your will, whether he likes it or not. O princess (Kunti), you shall also have offspring through his grace.’ O Bharata (Pandu), that Brahmana (Durvasa) 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 Rajarishi (Pandu), I can by that mantra call any of the Devas, so that we may have good children. O foremost of all truthful men (Pandu), tell me which of the Devas I shall summon. Know that, as regards this matter, I await your commands.’

“Hearing this, Pandu replied, ‘O beautiful one (Kunti), strive duly this very day to satisfy our wishes. Fortunate one (Kunti), you call Dharmadeva. He is the most Dharmic of Devas. Dharmadeva and Dharma will never be able to pollute us with sin. O beautiful princess (Kunti), the world also will then think that what we do can never be unholy. The son also that we shall obtain from him shall in Dharma be certainly the foremost among the Kurus. Fathered by Dharmadeva and morality, he would never set his heart upon anything that is sinful or unholy. Therefore, O you of sweet smiles (Kunti), steadily keeping Dharma before your eyes, and duly observing holy vows (Vrata in Sanskrit), you call Dharmadeva and virtue by the help of your request and mantras.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Then Kunti, that best of women, thus addressed by her lord, said, ‘So be it.’ Bowing down to him and respectfully circumambulating his person, she resolved to do his bidding.’”