The World of Courtesans c5.8

c5.8

In the *Vattaka Jataka*, the function of a courtesan as a temptress is stressed. At the time of the Kattika festival, the friends of the son of an Over-Treasurer decided to employ a courtesan to divert him from the path of righteousness and self-abnegation. They did not keep their plan secret but informed their friend that they were planning to get a sweetheart for him. They picked up a charming girl and asked her to proceed to his chamber. She did so, but failed to evoke any response from him. Piqued at this slight she uses all her blandishments, smiling and flashing her lovely white teeth. Unmoved, he gave her money and asked her to leave him. As she was leaving his house, she met a nobleman in the street who asked her to accompany him and offered her money. This almost resulted in a debacle, for the courtesan's mother, finding that her daughter had not returned home after the festival, filed a complaint against the Over-Treasurer's son. The king, after hearing the case, ordered his execution, unless he was able to produce the girl. As the Over- Treasurer’s son was being led to the execution ground, the girl heard the commotion and saw him being led to death. She rushed out, revealed her identity to the officers and thus saved his life.