Chapter 39

“Yudhishthira said, ‘All men, O king, in this world, are seen to attachthemselves to women, overcome by the illusion that is created by thedivine Being. Similarly, women too are seen to attach themselves to men.All this is seen taking place everywhere in the world. On this subject adoubt exists in my mind. Why, O delighter of the Kurus, do men (whenwomen are stained with so many faults) still attach themselves to women?Who, again, are those men with whom women are highly pleased and who arethey with whom they are displeased? It behoveth thee, O chief of men, toexplain to me how men are capable of protecting women? While men takepleasure in women and sport with them, women, it seems, are engaged indeceiving men. Then, again, if a man once falls into their hands, it isdifficult for him to escape from them. Like kine ever seeking pasturesnew women seek new men one after another. That illusion which the AsuraSamvara possessed, that illusion which the Asura Namuchi possessed, thatillusion which Vali or Kumbbinasi had, the sum total thereof is possessedby women. If man laughs, women laugh. If man weeps, they weep. If theopportunity requires, they receive the man that is disagreeable to themwith agreeable words. That science of policy which the preceptor of theAsuras knew, that science of policy which the preceptor of thecelestials, Vrihaspati, knew, cannot be regarded to be deeper or moredistinguished for subtility than what woman’s intelligence naturallybrings forth. Verily how can women, therefore, be restrained by men? Theymake a lie appear as truth, and a truth appear as a lie. They who can dothis,–I ask, O hero,–how can they be ruled by persons of the oppositesex? It seems to me that Vrihaspati and other great thinkers, O slayer offoes, evolved the science of policy from observation of theunderstandings of women. Whether treated by men with respect or withdisdain, women are seen to turn the heads and agitate the hearts ofmen.[272] Living creatures, O thou of mighty arms, are virtuous. Eventhis is what has been heard by us. (How then, can this be consistent withfact)? For treated with affection and respect or otherwise, women(forming a fair portion of living creatures) are seen to deserve censurefor their conduct towards men.[273] This great doubt fills my mind, viz.,when their behaviour is such, what man is there that can restrain themwithin the bounds of righteousness? Do thou explain this to me, O highlyblessed scion of Kuru’s race! It behoves thee to tell me, O chief ofKuru’s race, whether women are truly capable of being restrained withinthe bonds prescribed by the scriptures or whether any one before our timedid really succeed in so restraining them.'”