The World of Courtesans c5.9

c5.9

In the *Gamani Chanda Jataka*, it is related that in the course of his adventures Gamani Chanda reached a village where a courtesan (*ganika*) lived. When she found out that he intended to visit the king, she requested him to carry her message to him, "I used to make great gains before; now I don't get the worth of a betel-nut, and nobody courts me." He was requested to obtain an answer to this query. After Gamani met the king he conveyed to him the courtesan's message and received the following answer. "The woman used formerly to take a price from the hand of one, and not to go with another until she was off with him, and that is how she used to receive much. Now she has changed her manner, and without leave of the first she goes with the last, so that she receives nothing, and none seek after her. If she keeps to her old custom, it will be as it was before."