The World of Courtesans c12.88

c12.88

The so-called sacred prostitution in the institution of devadasi has been referred to by Alberuni. It was a very ancient Indian institution and has been referred to in the previous Chapters Mediaeval Indian literature, both Sanskrit and Prakrit, refers to the institution of devadasi, but these sources scarcely attach any sacred character to the *devadasi* system It is mentioned in the *Kuvalayamala* that to the temples of Avanti were attached courtesans (*vilasini*) who gave musical concerts and plied *morchhals* and held umbrellas. In another place, it is said that at eventide the temples resounded to the sound of music of beautiful girls accompanied by drums beaten. A third interesting reference to temple dancers is found in a passage describing the congregation in heaven, based on the crowd in a contemporary temple. The passage is translated below: