The World of Courtesans c4.27

c4.27

The *Vasudeva Hindi* records another version of the same legend. It is said that in former times Mandalapati Bharata decided to have for himself another woman besides his wife. The feudatories, therefore, sent their daughters to him for selection, but as ill-luck would have it, all the girls came to him at the same time. The queen, seated in the palace with the king, asked him who they were. On being told the truth, the wily queen thought out a plan for warding off this calamity. She was certain that the king was bound to select one or two of them, so she threatened to leave the palace. It was then agreed that those women could serve the king in the outer court (*bahyopasthana*). From that day they waited upon him, holding his umbrellas and the *chauris*. Later they were handed over to the *ganas* and thus the institution of *ganikas* came into being.