Let me recount to you the ancient principle of righteousness, as revealed by the sages of old, those who truly understood dharma. In times long past, women lived unconfined and free, able to go wherever they wished and act independently. When they reached maturity, it was not considered unrighteous for them to choose their husbands; this was the accepted dharma of those days. Even now, among animal creatures who are free from desire and anger, that ancient dharma prevails. This law, established by wise authority, continues to be honored by great sages, and is still revered among the northern Kurus. It is an eternal law that brings favor to women. Just as fire is never sated with wood, nor the vast ocean with rivers, and Death is never satisfied with all beings, so too are women never fully satisfied with men. Their desire, naturally, is directed toward all men, and for them, there was no such thing as forbidden union. Whether the man was a son, a grandson, or even a brother, when a woman saw him in private, her womb was stirred. This was simply the nature of women, not caused by any external reason. Yet, this custom did not endure for long in the world. Let me explain in detail how and by whom this custom was changed. There was a great sage named Uddālaka, and his son was Śvetaketu, himself a wise and renowned ascetic. It was Śvetaketu who, out of anger, established a new righteous custom. Uddālaka, Śvetaketu’s father, was deeply engaged in severe austerities. In the summer, he practiced the five-fire vow; during the rainy season, he remained under the open sky; and in winter, he stood in water with his wife, all the while maintaining strict discipline and concentration. Śvetaketu served his father faithfully. One day, while they were engaged in these penances, an aged and gray-haired brahmin arrived. The sage Uddālaka, pleased by his guest, honored him as prescribed by the scriptures—with welcoming words, water for washing his feet, gentle speech, and offerings of wild greens, roots, fruits, and other forest fare. The brahmin, weary from hunger, thirst, and hardship, was thus received by Uddālaka. After resting, the brahmin approached Uddālaka and asked him directly, “O great sage, tell me the truth, do not speak falsely. This boy, son of a sage, is especially handsome; I think he is your son—tell me, have you accomplished your purpose?” Uddālaka replied, “My wife is the daughter of Kuśika, devoted to me alone and always faithful. Like Arundhatī among wives, her austerities have made her thin-breasted. From her was born Śvetaketu, my son, a great ascetic—learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, wise, renowned, truthful, and compassionate.” The brahmin then revealed his own plight: “I am old, weak of sight, seeking wealth with a wife but no son; I am not yet freed from ancestral debts, nor have I taken a second wife before. Your wife, with noble conduct and fitting lineage, is suitable for producing offspring; I wish to take her—please forgive me.” Having spoken thus, the intelligent, weak-eyed elder, his limbs slack and leaning on a staff, approached the deer-eyed woman clad in bark and antelope skin. Intent on his own purpose, he considered her the best, though her mind was elsewhere. This happened in the presence of Śvetaketu, his mother, and father. The brahmin took the woman by the hand, saying, “Let us go,” and at that moment Śvetaketu, whose austerity blazed with power, became angry and indignant. Seeing his mother thus being led away as if by force, Śvetaketu could not endure it. He grasped his mother by the hand and spoke fiercely: “Wicked brahmin, release my mother, who is devoted to her husband! My own father is a brahmarṣi, patient and learned in the Veda, capable of both cursing and blessing, steadfast in great vows, yet he remains silent. His wife, my mother, is especially endowed with self-restraint, devoted to her husband, strong in austerity, and virtuous. O brahmin, with care, release my mother, who is as a mother to you.” Though Śvetaketu repeatedly begged, “Release her,” the brahmin replied with humility: “Śvetaketu, I am old, weak of sight, and seeking offspring; your father is freed from debt by you, his son, O Kāśyapa. But I am not yet freed from debt, old and without desire; who will give me a daughter, a maiden come of age? Release this wife of yours, fit for producing offspring, O great ascetic; with a single son I will be satisfied, and then I will return your mother to you.” Hearing this, Śvetaketu, out of shame, restrained his anger. Seeing his son’s distress, Uddālaka spoke to Śvetaketu: “Do not be angry, my son; this is the eternal law. For women of all castes on earth were unrestrained. Just as cows are kept among their own kind, so too are women kept among their families; and so, in families, they never act carelessly. But when the proper season arrives, they do not abandon their husbands.” Yet, Śvetaketu could not accept this law. Thus, through Śvetaketu’s indignation and resolve, the ancient custom was changed, and a new righteous code for women was established.