The World of Courtesans c11.78

c11.78

The story begins with the son of a ruler named Simhabhaṭa He is visiting the temple of Shiva at Varanasi accompanied by some friends and attendants. A silken strip covers one-third of his forehead and fixes his hair in place His body is smeared with saffron paste. On his forehead there is an irregular *tilaka* of mustard seed; he munches betel leaves and wears earrings and a necklace; on his arm is tied a talisman set in lac and gold and on his wrist he wears a bracelet of coral and gold. He holds a cane and round his waist there is a sword and a knife. His body is draped in a soft cotton garment and his shoes crack as he walks