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THE PHILOSOPHY OF DUTY
accompanied by my retinue, I will greet the sage Soma and provide him with food and drink; only then will I eat."
But between the city and the forest there was a river; and in the night there was a freshet; and the river rose and swept along, both strong and deep. Disturbed by this, when morning camne, the qucen asked her beloved husband, “How can I fulfill this my desire today?"
Said the king, "O) queen, be not thus distressed, for this is simple to do. Go, casy in mind, with your retinue, to the hither bank; and, standing there, first invoke the goddess of the river, and then, with hands both joined, and with a pure heart, utter these words: O river-goddess, if from the day my husband's brother took his vow, my husband has lived chaste, then straightway give me passage.'"
Hearing this, the queen was astonished, and thought, "What manner of thing is this? The king speaks incoherently. That from the day of his brother's vow the king has begotten progeny of sons on ine, all this signifies that I have performed to him my low as a wise. But after all, why doubt? Is physical contact in this case the meaning intended? Besides, women who are loyal to their husbands should not doubt their husbands' words. For it is said: A wife who hesitates to obey her husband's command, a soldier who hesitates at his king's command, a pupil who hesi. tatos at his father's command, such a one breaks his own vow."
Pleased at this thought, the queen, accompanied by her retinuc in ceremonial attire, went to the bank of the river, and standing on the shore did worship, and with a pure heart uttered distinctly thc proclamation of truth recited by her husband.
And of a sudden the river, tossing its waters to the left and to the right, became shallow and gave passage. The queen went to the farther shore, and there, bowing before the sage according to form. received his blessing, deeming herself a happy woman. The sage then asked the woman how she had been able to cross the river, and she related the whole story. Having so done, she
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| SR No. | 007309 |
| Book Title | Philosophies of India |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Heinrich Zimmer, Joseph Campbell |
| Publisher | Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd |
| Publication Year | 1953 |
| Total Pages | 709 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 34 MB |