[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) › c4.9 # The World of Courtesans c4.9 The World of Courtesans c4.9 - **Language:** English ### [c4.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.9) \[^asterisk\]: \*Vajasaneya Samhita\* \*Pumshchali\* was a whore who enticed men. In this connection the opinion of J. W. Hauer is worth noting. The central point of his thesis is that in the conception of the \*Vratyas\* in A.V. XV, the ascetic element of Yoga is emphasized. He maintains that they were not outcastes or one of the robber tribes. A \*Vratya\* was connected in ancient lists with \*pumshchali\* and \*magadha\*. \*Pumshchali\* according to Hauer is not an ordinary whore but a sacred prostitute. In the \*Vratya\* ceremony, music played an important part and, therefore, \*magadha\* would stand for a holy wandering musician and \*pumshchali\* is the forerunner of the later \*devadasi\*. The obscure dialogue in the \*Mahavrata\* ceremony between a prostitute and a Brahmacharin shows a religio-mythical tendency. The \*Jaimini Brahmana\* II, 404, ff., speaks of the pairing of a \*magadha\* and \*pumshchali\*. - [Previous: c4.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.8) - [Next: c4.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.10) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4) ## Linked texts (2) - [Jaiminīyabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.jaiminiya) — Sanskrit - [Atharvavedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.atharva) — Atharvan & Aṅgiras, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c4.9) · Pramāṇa