The World of Courtesans c4.48

c4.48

*Narada*, XVIII, 10 expresses a more sympathetic attitude towards prostitutes. Their ornaments, being the tools of their profession, could not be confiscated. Since a prostitute's rights were protected, she was also expected to act honourably towards her clients. *Narada*, 18 states that if a public woman after receiving her fees, refused to grant favours to her client, she was liable to pay thrice the amount she had received (*Yaj.* II. 292; *Narada*, 18; *Matsya*, 227, 144-45). According to the *Agni Purana*, 227, 44-45, in addition to the above mentioned damages, she was forced to pay a fine to the royal treasury as well. If, however, a dispute arose between courtesans and their lovers it was settled by joint parleys between the head courtesan and the lovers. Since concubinage was a recognized social institution, the *Smritis* provided for the maintenance of mistresses and concubines. If the property of a dead patron was escheated to the king, the state was expected to provide for the maintenance of concubines, slaves and for the performance of the *shraddhas* of the deceased. This rule held good only in the case of *avaruddha* (mistresses).