[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) › c5.29 # The World of Courtesans c5.29 The World of Courtesans c5.29 - **Language:** English ### [c5.29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.29) \*Itthi\* in some \*Jatakas\* also denotes a prostitute (J. 1. 43) and at the time of a festival an \*itthi\* was hired by the sons of a \*setthi\*. She was supposed to be a mistress as opposed to a lawful wife. A girl of pleasure engaged for a short duration is called \*muhuttika\* (\*Vin.\* III. 138). The fees of prostitutes are known as \*bhati\* and \*paribbayam\*. It is not known how they were established in business, but it is possible to suggest from a reference (\*Vin.\* II. 267) that houses of ill-fame were run by some people to make profits. It is said that six degenerate nuns ran a brothel. The word \*kumbhadasi\* while standing for a slave woman, also indicated a woman with loose morals. She was an expert in dance and music. - [Previous: c5.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.28) - [Next: c5.30](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.30) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5) ## Cites (3) - [Mahāvibhaṅga](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.vp.suttavibhanga.maha.ss.5.1.5.12.1) — Pāli - [Cullavagga](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.vp.khandhaka.cullavagga.10.10.3.6) — Pāli - [Jātaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.jataka) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.29) · Pramāṇa