[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The World of Courtesans](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973) › c7.43 # The World of Courtesans c7.43 The World of Courtesans c7.43 - **Language:** English ### [c7.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.43) As we have pointed out in earlier Chapters, the institution of \*samaja\* and \*vihara yatras\* was closely connected with the courtesans and their activities. According to Kautilya even the rulers seem to have been regular visitors to the \*yatra\* (pleasure trips), \*samaja\* (festivals with animal sacrifice), \*utsava\* (feast) and \*pravahanas\* (processions). They used to be heavily guarded by selected soldiers. That the \*samaja\* was an important part of the Mauryan social life is proved by a reference on Rock Edict I of Asoka. As has been pointed out by M. M. Bose, the commentators have mostly discussed what is meant by \*samaja\*, the nature of the \*samajas\* disapproved by the king and those approved by him. The word \*samaja\* in Rock Edict I particularly refers to a sort of festive gathering usually held in connection with an animal sacrifice, the same as the \*sankhadi\* of the Jain literature. The aim of Asoka was to prohibit any gathering of this kind and he found many shortcomings in it (\*bahukam hi dosam samajshmi pasati\*). There was, however, a kind of \*samaja\* of Priyadarshin which is considered excellent (\*asti pi chu ekatiya samaja sadhumata devanam priyasa\*). - [Previous: c7.42](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.42) - [Next: c7.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.44) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c7.43) · Pramāṇa