[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) › c8.138 # The World of Courtesans c8.138 The World of Courtesans c8.138 - **Language:** English ### [c8.138](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.138) The \*nayaka\* was the pivot round which the wheel of the \*goshthi\* moved. He was, however, expected to observe a certain propriety in his sex relations. For instance, union with the following was totally forbidden: with a leper, a maniac, with a morally depraved person, a divulger of secrets, a flirt, a middle aged person, a very dark or a very fair or a foul smelling woman, a near relative, a friend, with the wife of a friend or of a Brahman or with a queen. Of course to gain his heart's desires the \*nayaka\* or \*nagaraka\* had to depend on his friends including childhood friends, school fellows, and he had often to seek the help of a nurse. True friendship was based on instinct and depended upon a congenial temperament, respect for truth, obedience, constancy, open-heartedness, firmness and respect for the secrets of friends. - [Previous: c8.137](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.137) - [Next: c8.139](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.139) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.138](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.138) · Pramāṇa