The World of Courtesans c12.49

c12.49

In course of time Ratnadatta reached Manyakheta and he and Lavanyasundari resided in the house of a courtesan named Chitralekha. One day while he was away hunting for a job, the king of Manyakheta happened to notice Lavanyasundari and fell in love with her. He sent a messenger to her house and asked him to bring her to him. He was told that if he failed in the task he would lose his nose and ears and even his life. Lavanyasundari heard the threat and went to the king of her own accord The king enjoyed her company and sent her on the next day with a hundred thousand coins. She accepted the gift on one condition that she should be allowed to leave at her own will. The king accepted the condition.