The World of Courtesans c10.112

c10.112

''In bird-fights the *goshthi* divides itself into two parties and each forms itself one circle. Then the courtesans take their seats by the side of their lovers, and in their company no one minds increasing the bets. At such a time a young man with a father hardly has the freedom to lay a bet, then why speak of his acting as a juror (*prashnika*)? He cannot pursue an elephant and win the admiration of girls watching him from windows and gesticulating wildly as he displays his prowess. He is not destined to force his way on the royal road on a night made yellow by burning torches, and armed with a sword, rescue with courage his imprisoned friend. It is not possible for him to give up everything for the sake of a friend, yet all this can be borne. But these bastard fathers act as though they themselves had never tasted the pleasures of youth, and try to save their wealth by keeping their sons away from courtesans. I am tempted to make the world a place without fathers and act like Parashurama who armed himself with an axe to exterminate the Kshatriyas. Perhaps these old duffers remained unsatiated even in their youth. Poor idiots! They do not know that fragrant as the lotus-perfumed water and as delicious as ambrosia is the taste of the courtesan's mouth. It is even capable of restoring the dead to life. Uncovered thighs, confident kisses, heaving breasts, oblique glances accompanying knitted eyebrows, a display of anger at certain intervals—all this goes with the love of a courtesan. Who is stupid enough to forget this?"