[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) › c8.173 # The World of Courtesans c8.173 The World of Courtesans c8.173 - **Language:** English ### [c8.173](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.173) In Chapter V, Section 2, the \*Kamasutra\* stresses the means employed by men to entice the wives of other men. In this connection, contradicting his earlier views, Vatsyayana emphatically states that in all cases it is one's own efforts that matter, and if they failed, the help of a \*duti\* could lead to the fulfilment of desire. If the \*parakiya\* responded to his overtures then nothing else mattered, but if the lover failed to evoke response from her, then the \*duti's\* help had to be sought. As a preliminary step in this game of love, he made the acquaintance of the woman he loved. After their friendship developed, they met at the house of a friend or of a state minister or of a physician. They encountered each other at weddings or sacrifices, festivals, or calamities, or at garden parties. The lover observed the movements of her body and tried to express his love for her through gestures or facial expressions; he displayed his liberality and made indirect proposals. Professing to love her child he came in direct contact with her and thus gained her confidence. In order to put her under obligation to him, he advanced her short and long term loans and arranged \*goshthis\* where she mingled with his own womenfolk. In order to arrange to meet her as often as possible he scrutinized her orders to her goldsmith, jeweller and dyer. He showed great resourcefulness in fulfilling all her requirements. - [Previous: c8.172](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.172) - [Next: c8.174](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.174) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8) ## Cites (1) - [Kāmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.kama.kamasutra-school.vatsyayana) — Vātsyāyana Mallanāga, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.173](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c8.173) · Pramāṇa