The World of Courtesans c6.7

c6.7

In Jain literature we often meet with courtesans of a lofty character who belie the usual notions about the lust and greed of ordinary prostitutes. Kosa, a famous courtesan of Pataliputra loved Sthulabhadra, and after his retirement from worldly life she refused to consort with anybody. When Sthulabhadra (as a monk) returned to Pataliputra, she listened to his sermons and became a *shravika*. She, however, took the rather curious vow that she would not grant her favours to anyone except when forced to do so by the king. Similarly, Devadatta, a renowned courtesan of Ujjain, spurned the love of Achala, a rich merchant of the town because of her great love for the adventurous Muladeva. The protests of her mother were of no avail. She requested the king not to force anyone on her as she was determined to live with Muladeva alone. A *ganika's* position was respected by the king to such an extent that she was considered a jewel of his capital, and almost all big towns had a chief courtesan.