The World of Courtesans c6.13

c6.13

The *Sutrakritanga*, I. 4, 2 etc., gives a rather humorous picture of an infatuated monk in the clutches of a woman of ill repute. Taking advantage of the situation she scolded him and struck his head with her lifted foot. She teased him saying, "O, monk, if you do not want me to retain my hair, I shall get them plucked, but please do not leave me." After getting him in her clutches, she sent him on all kinds of petty errands. "Look for the bodkin to carve the bottle gourd, fetch some delicious fruit for me. Bring me wood to cook these vegetables and to light the fire at night. Paint my feet; come and rub my back; look at my clothes; bring me food and drink. Get me some perfume and a broom. Bring me a barber (to shave my head). Give me the collyrium, my ornaments, the lodhra powder (for dyeing), the lutes, and bring me the pill (to restore my youth) Bring to me *utpalakushtha* (*costus speciosus*), tagara powder (*tabernaemontana coronaria*) and aloes powdered with fragrant *ushira* (*andropogon muricatus*), oil for anointing and bamboo baskets to put my things in. Reach me the lip solve (*nandichunnugaim*). Fetch the umbrella and slippers, the knife to cut the thread, get my robes dyed blue. Give me the pot to cook the vegetables in and another to bring water in. Give me the stick with which I paint the mark on the forehead (*tilaka-karanimanjana salagam*), the pin to apply collyrium to the eyes and the fan that I use when it is hot. Fetch me the pincers (*samdasagam*) to pick the hair in my nose. Get me a comb and a ribbon to bind the hair. Reach me the looking glass; put the toothbrush near me. Fetch me the arecanut and betel, my needle and some thread, the winnowing basket and the pot for liquefying natron. Give me the vessel (for worshipping the gods) and the other water-pots. Friend, dig a privy. Buy a beaker, a drum and a ball of cloth (*chelagolam*) for the boy to play with. Shramana, the rainy season is at hand, look after the house and stores. Fetch the chair with woven twine (*asandiyam*) and wooden shoes to walk in."