The World of Courtesans c10.66

c10.66

After leaving the grammarian the Vita meets another interesting character named Pavitraka, a Vaishnava, by faith. ''Here is Pavitraka, the son of Dharmasanika. He hides his . licentiousness. He professes the Vaishnava (Chauksha) faith yet he is impure of heart. He avoids the touch of strangers, holds his moist clothes close to his body, and contracts his limbs He closes his nostrils with his fingers and stands at the crossroads leaning against the pedestal of a Shiva-linga. The fellow deserves to be ridiculed. It is rumoured that he is in love with Varunika, the daughter of Mattakashini, a slave girl (*bandhaki*). Why is he agitated thus? Now let me bring to light the book of his vagabondage. Well Pavitraka, why are you standing there? You resemble a sunning tortoise putting out and withdrawing its neck."