The World of Courtesans c11.4

c11.4

Morality in eleventh century Kashmir was no better and rulers like Kalasha (1063-1089) spent their time in the company of immoral men and women. According to the *Rājataranginī* Kalasha after the death of his revered *guru* Amarakantha became the pupil of his son Pramadakantha. This new teacher instructed him in wicked practices, and made him ignore the distinction between women who were approachable and those who were not. Kalasha also made fearless and honourable pandits fall at the feet of a merchant who posed as a physician and a teacher of dyers and other craftsmen These *gurus* and worthless characters taught Kalasha to lead a life of evil and ill-doing. There was a strolling flute-player named Chamaka who was a persistent corrupter of women At night he was employed along with musicians who kept late hours, enjoyed sumptuous dinners and always exhaled fetid odours. They vomited undigested food In a drunken state, one Kanaka had him bound to a post and had his nose cut off by his servants. This parasite gradually acquired the new king's attachment by acting as a procurer.