The World of Courtesans c8.156

c8.156

Such preliminaries helped to unite the hearts of lovers. But further manipulations on the part of the hero were required before she could be won over completely. In Chapter III. 4 of the *Kamasutra* such means are described at length. When the lover, reading the meaning of her gestures and behaviour, found out that she was deeply in love with him, he engaged her in some game that required skill and then slyly touched her hand and even stole a passing embrace. As he was adept in the game of love, he, in the process of cutting a decorative design, improvised a pair of geese or some such other design to symbolize his desire to unite with her. During watersport he dived away from her and swimming under the water came near her and touched her body. In *Navapatrika* and other festivals of the same nature he expressed his feeling for her by cutting out appropriate designs. He further related to her calamities which befell him and told her his dreams. To show the intensity of his desire for her he persisted in following her. During music performances (*prekshanaka*) and *goshthis* he managed to sit near her and touched her feet, and when she responded he was emboldened to touch her fingers and rub her toes. When she washed her feet, he pressed her toes; when he offered her betel and arecanut, his fingers brushed against her and he splashed water on her with his palms after meals. In the darkness of the night seated on the same bed, he carefully watched her reactions.