The World of Courtesans c5.38

c5.38

It so happened that one day Bimbisara was seated on the palace terrace talking to his ministers. In the course of their conversation he asked them to describe the courtesans they had seen. One of the ministers praised the beauty and youth of Amrapali and her accomplishment in the sixty-four arts. Bimbisara was warned that he would incur the hostility of the Lichchhavis if he cast his eyes on her. But he proceeded with his minister to Vesali. The minister stayed in the garden, but Bimbisara entered the mansion of Amrapali. Suddenly he heard a bell pealing. This was a warning to the citizens that an enemy was present in their midst. When she was questioned about this commotion, Amrapali informed him that they were bound to search her home and look for him. He said he wanted to leave but she asked him to stay on, for according to the agreement between her and the *Gana* they could search her house only after a week. The Lichchhavis, however, learnt of his presence and decided to leave the question of settling a score with Bimbisara to the future generation.