Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c12.s13.t7: Kāma-Śāstra

c12.s13.t7.1

While the Dharma, Śrauta and Gṛhya Sūtras are concerned with one side of life as a round of sacramental rites, performance of rituals and sacrifices, and observance of social, religious and spiritual codes of conduct, quite another side of it, the gaiety and joy of life, is represented by the numerous references to the courtezan and her milieu in the *Arthaśāstra*. The courtezans were so popular that they could be effectively employed in the machinery of state. Śilpakārikās and śilpavatyaḥ striyaḥ (I. 12), veśyās (II. 6), gaṇikas who served the king with their kuśilavakarman, singing, (II, 27); raṅgopajivinis (II. 27), kauśikastriyaḥ, gāyanas, and nartakis (XI. 1)—all formed such a vital part of the polity that a special superintendent was appointed to look after their organized management (Gaṇikādhyaksha). Not only was their life regulated by a government department, but the art of love was also codified by an eminent authority on erotics. The Mauryan capital, Pāṭaliputra, was renowned for its courtezans and Vātsyāyana tells us in his *Kāma Sūtra* (II. i. 11) that at the request of the courtezans of Pāṭaliputra, Dattaka who must have lived at this time codified the courtezan's art, Vaiśika. Kauṭilya also mentions the Vaiśikakalā (II. 27). The gay side of life is to be seen also in the dictum of Kauṭilya that one ought not to deny oneself pleasures (na nissukhaḥ syāt, I. 7) and by his allotment to the king of the sixth part of the day for enjoyment (svaira-vihāra, I. 19). The cities had halls and gardens intended for recreation (vihārārthāḥ śālāḥ ārāmāḥ, II. 1) ; gambling was in vogue especially in the republican communities to a dangerous extent (VIII. 3) ; gambling and drinking halls were provided for (II. 26, 36) ; people went to the festivals and gatherings for entertainment, utsavas, samājas and yātrās (II, 26. XIII. 2. 3), and water-sports and sylvan games were also indulged in (XIII. 2, V. 2).