The World of Courtesans c10.184

c10.184

The Vita then meets the overdressed Bhattīmaghavarman, who resembled a well-caparisoned pony heading a marriage procession. He was the son of a commander and hailed from northern Gujarat He had ordered the arrest of vagabonds (*dindis*) from Gujarat. They keep on pleading their innocence. When he sees the Vita, Maghavarman calls out to him: "Friend, I am waited upon by a host of chamberlains—do you regard me as a king even now? Please stop for a moment I am coming. Look, here comes Bhattī! He is like a ponderous bull and takes measured steps on the sand. He is an old hand The *vesha* is a place for fun and therefore his make-up is right for the occasion."