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The people depicted in the Gāthās have in common that they need to work in order to make a living, which leaves them little time and energy for love. Their women suffer accordingly. A case in point is Gāthā 324:
cikkhillakhuttahalamuha
appattamohagasuha
145
kaddhanasudhie paimmi päsutte ghapasamaan pamar
savai.
The poor farmer's wife who failed to reach her climax
as her husband had fallen asleep exhausted from drawing the ploughshare through the thick mud, cursed the rainy-season.9
On this theme several variations occur. For instance, the hunter, having married recently, discovers that he is no longer able to draw his bow, weak from making love with his wife. He has to shave the bow thinner. See, for instance, Gāthā 120:
ukkhippai mandalina- ruega gehangatahi vähTe sohaggadhaavaḍāa v- va uaha dhanurufparicho1T.
Look at that! From the courtyard of the hunter's house a whirlwind throws up a line of shavings from his bow, which looks like a banner advertising his wife's (conjugal) happiness.
ekkallamao dīvaapiajaassa jaha dhanush
As a result the arrows will, of course, lose much of the required force. Furthermore, love has made him weak-hearted. He comes to lack ruthlessness which is necessary in order to kill. Compare Gāthā 620:
mate taha lalio saanhãe padiah vahassa hatthão.
10
The stag wandering alone was fondled by the deer in heat, used as a decoy, in such a way that the hunter, who had a loving wife himself, dropped his bow.
As a result the hunter's family is threatened by poverty and starvation.
