The World of Courtesans c4.22

c4.22

In the epics and *Puranas*, the institution of the courtesan is described as having a legal status and many a story is told of its origin. It is related in the *Shambhava Upaparvan* of the *Adi Parva* of the *Mahabharata* that the blind seer Dirghatamas, a passionate lover, made love to his wife in any manner he chose. The other sages were incensed by his behaviour. As Dirghatamas's wife wanted to leave him, he laid down the following law about the relationship between man and woman. "From this day on, the course of law in the world is laid down by me. One husband is for the woman the first thing and the last (*parayana*) as long as she lives. Whether he be dead or alive, she shall have no other man. But if a wife goes to another man, then unfailingly she sinks out of her caste. And for unwedded women, too, it is from today a crime leading to loss of caste. But if copulation does come about, then all men must give money; the women withal are not to have any profit from the pleasure, but it shall ever be dishonour and shame for them."