The World of Courtesans c5.13

c5.13

In the *Kanavera Jataka*, the love of a courtesan for a robber is recounted. It is said that once there lived a mighty robber in the city of Banaras. Enraged at his doings, the king ordered him to be seized and executed. He was arrested by the city governor, and while being led to the execution ground, Sama, a famous courtesan of Banaras saw him. Her price as usual was a thousand pieces a day. She was also the king's favourite and served by five hundred female slaves (*vannadasiyo*). The robber was handsome and she fell in love with him at first sight. In order to secure his release she sent a thousand pieces to the governor who was prepared to release him provided somebody else could be substituted for him. Sama persuaded one of her lovers to go to the governor with the bribe for the release of her so-called brother. The governor took the hint and after sending the robber in a closed carriage to Sama, he had the lover quietly executed.