[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The World of Courtesans](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973) › c4.11 # The World of Courtesans c4.11 The World of Courtesans c4.11 - **Language:** English ### [c4.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.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. - [Previous: c4.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.10) - [Next: c4.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.12) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4) ## Linked texts (1) - [Śāṅkhāyanāraṇyaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.aranyaka.kausitaki) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.11) · Pramāṇa