The World of Courtesans c10.98

c10.98

After meeting Vanarajika, the Viṭa reaches the house of the courtesan Tambulasena and calls out to her. Her behaviour indicates that she is not too happy to see him and wants to be rid of him. She had been in the company of her lover Irima and her countenance bore the marks of recent love-making. He teases her and her lover Irima and then proceeds further to meet the courtesan Kumudvati, the daughter of Bhandirasena. He sees her offering a sacrifice to the gods. She is near the outer gate feeding the crows. She is emaciated and looks tired. Her body is unadorned. Her conduct is like that of a wife praying for the safe return of her husband. He recollects that her lover has been sent out on a punitive expedition to suppress the revolt of some feudal chiefs. The Viṭa admires her devotion. He leaves without disturbing her.