The World of Courtesans c4.5

c4.5

In spite of the rural bias of Vedic culture there is evidence which clearly points to the fact that prostitution existed in Rig Vedic times. The extent and form in which it was practised are disputed. It is related that girls without brothers were frequently reduced to prostitution. *Pumshchali* and *mahanagni* were probably harlots. *Kumariputra* or the son of an unmarried woman, and *agru*, the son of an unmarried girl, are exposed and attacked by animals. These instances indicate loose morals, but offer no convincing proof of the existence of prostitution. The *Vaj. Sam.*[^asterisk] recognizes prostitution as a profession by the use of such terms as *atishkadvari*, *apaskadvari*, *atitvari*, *vijarjara*. Pischel sees many references to *hetairai* in the *Rig Veda*, but his opinion has been questioned by some scholars.