THE ANCIENT REGIME : THE STATE OF THE ARYAN SOCIETY 155
That the drinking of intoxicating liquor was indulged in by Brahmin women, not to speak of women of the lower Varnas, as late as the seventh and eighth centuries- A.D. in the Central region of Aryavarta, is clear from Kumarila Bhatta’s Tantra- Vartika I (iii). 4, which states, “Among the people of modern days we find the Brahmin women of the countries of Ahicchatra and Mathura to be addicted to drinking”. Kumarila condemned the practice in the case of Brahmins only, but not of Kshatriyas and Vaishyas men and women, if the liquor was distilled from fruits or flowers (Madhavi), and Molasses (Gaudi) and not from grains (Sura).
The sexual immorality of the Aryan Society must shock their present day descendants. The Aryans of pre-Buddhist days had no such rule of prohibited degrees as we have today to govern their sexual or matrimonial relationship.
According to the Aryan Mythology, Brahma is the creator. Brahma had three sons and a daughter. His one son Daksha married his sister. The daughters born of this marriage between brother and sister were married some to Kashyapa the son of Marichi the son of Brahma and some to Dharma the third son of Brahma. [1]
In the Rig-Veda there is an episode related of Yama and Yami brother and sister. According to this episode Yami the sister invites her brother Yama to cohabit with her and becomes angry when he refuses to do so. [2]
A father could marry his daughter. Vashishta married his own daughter Shatrupa when she came of age. [3] Manu married his daughter Ila. [4] Janhu married his daughter Janhavi. [5] Surya married his daughter Usha. [6]
There was polyandri not of the ordinary type. The polyandri prevalent among the Aryans was a polyandri when kinsmen cohabited with one woman. Dhahaprachetani and his son Soma cohabited with Marisha the daughter of Soma. [7]
Instances of grandfather marrying his grand-daughter are not wanting. Daksha gave his daughter in marriage to his father Brahma [8 ] and from that marriage was born the famous Narada. Dauhitra gave his 27 daughters to his father Soma for cohabitation and procreation. [9]
The Aryans did not mind co-habiting with women in the open and within sight of people. The Rishis used to perform certain religious
1 Mahabharat Adiparva. Adh. 66.
2 Rig. Veda.
3 Hari Vansha Adh. II.
4 Ibid. Adh. X.
5 Ibid Adh. XXVII.
6 Yask Nirutta Adh. V. Khanda VI.
7 Harivansha Adh. II.
8 Ibid. Adh. III.
9 Ibid.