Page:Love in Hindu Literature.djvu/79

LOVE IN HINDU LITERATURE. 65 again expatiate on the metaphysics of the soul before we have done some laboratory work in experimental psycholo^.

The Bastille of Love also is being similarly bom- barded by the advance guard of conquering positivism. The mystery and romance of Love are fast disappear- ing before our eyes. Even six decades ago Whitman was misunderstood when he published the following lines in Tke Leaves of Grass :

" A woman waits for me, she contains all, noth- ing is lacking, Yet all were lacking, if sex were lacking, or if the moisture of the right man were lacking. Sex contains all, bodies, souls. Meanings, proofs, purities, delicacies, results, pro- niulgations, Songs,, commands, health, pride, the maternal mystery, the seminal milk, All hopes, benefactions, bestowals, all the passions, loves, beauties, delights of the earth. All the governments, judges, gods, follow'd per- sons of the earth, These are contained in sex as parts of itself, and justifications of itself."

This was certainly mystical, vague, " mere words,", if not the prelude to a shamelessly outspoken glorification of sex-life. It was in truth a profanation, because love was then sacred and sex a mystery.

But today sex is not so great a mystery. Sex is already a problem among problems. Sex has entered the industrial arena. Sex is a political shibboleth. Sex is encroaching on the University Campus. And with