The World of Courtesans c11.94

c11.94

In the Second Chapter of this *Samayamatrika*, Kshemendra describes the life history of the bawd Kankali. She was an inn-keeper's daughter. She was born at Parihasapura (now Paraspor). She was worshipped on festival days by citizens but she repaid them for the respect they showed her by stealing their ceremonial utensils. When she was barely seven she was sold as a slave at the market place (*hattatorane*). She wore conchshell bracelets and provided herself with false breasts (*sakuta-kucha-kanchuka*) and she carried on her profession. By her blandishments she ensnared a rich merchant who dealt in saffron. Once while he was in a drunken state, she robbed him of his gold earrings She then raised a false alarm and declared that she had been robbed. The lover was afraid of a scandal. He covered his head and fled from there.