The World of Courtesans c11.102

c11.102

After this she started a goat-breeding ranch in a remote district and soon became very prosperous. But heavy rains caused the destruction of the flock and she was forced to abandon the ranch and go to Avantipura. She had with her just one rough blanket. Finding herself in greatly reduced circumstances, she began to think of ways of making a living. She began buying up cakes offered to Ganesha. She warmed them and sold them in the streets. She bought paddy from housewives tempting them with very high profits. They soon discovered that even their capital was lost. She also begged for money from house to house. Her plea was that she wanted to marry off her daughter. She used to sit outside gambling halls and sell false dice to the gamblers. She posed as a florist and received advance payments from temple clerks. Then she disappeared from the spot that very night. In the village festivals she did the work of distributing water and usually stole the bracelets of those who came to witness the theatrical performances. She pretended that she was an astrologer who could arrange marriages and detect thieves. She put on an act and people thought she was possessed by a goddess. She would forecast nothing but that did not prevent her from asking for gifts. She showed herself naked in the streets and dogs came and surrounded her. She pretended to be mad and called herself Kumbhadevi.