The World of Courtesans c4.11

c4.11

That a certain ritual significance was attached to courtesans is evident from the elaborate ritual described in the *Sankhayana Aranyaka*. In the ceremony of *Mahavrata* which marked the commencement of the year in the winter solstice, the *hotri* was provided with a swing with two forked poles, a cross-bar and a strong cord of *munja* grass. The *udgatri* sat on a seat of *munja* grass and the *adhvaryu* stood on a *munja* bundle. The other priests sat on small mats. There was a lute and a variety of other musical instruments, including drums, and the maidens who were to dance were provided with water jugs. A horn and a chariot were kept ready and a bow and three arrows were reserved for use by a king or a distinguished archer. The target was a round skin. Behind the *agnidhra* was a hole covered with the skin of the sacrificial animal and it was beaten with the tail of the sacrificial animal. After due ceremony the swing was erected and the *hotri* mounted it.