The World of Courtesans c8.139

c8.139

The friends of a *nagaraka* included such curious people as barbers, washermen, perfumers, florists, wine merchants, mendicants, cowherds, betel-leaf sellers, *pithamarda*, *vita*, jesters and their wives. These low characters naturally rendered him all kinds of service, carrying messages to the women of his choice. Messengers and go-betweens played an important part in the love affairs of the *nagaraka*, and they were clever, audacious, masters of sign languages, trustworthy and alert.