The World of Courtesans c8.207

c8.207

The courtesan with many lovers enjoyed the advantage of spurring them on into a kind of competition. In order of precedence, the gifts she received were gold, silver, copperware, bronze, iron, blankets, silk, perfumes, sandalwood, black pepper, furniture, *ghee*, oil, corn and cattle. The amount of the fees being fixed, she preferred to consort with clients from her own town; second preference was given to a person recommended by her friends. The older view was that a generous client was to be preferred to the one who was attached to her. But according to Vatsyayana generosity followed attachment. The older view was that if a choice had to be made between the lover who was ready to do any service for the courtesan and one who was generous, the former was to be accepted. But Vatsyayana argues that generosity was a virtue which ignored past gifts. The dignified lover from whom future benefits were expected was preferable. Between the lover recommended by a friend and a lover offering monetary gains, the older opinion gave preference to the latter. Vatsyayana preferred the former. His plea that it was true money did not materialize immediately from a friend. But if his wish was not complied with, he was likely to be hurt. In any case money could be obtained later from the client. The older opinion was that financial advantage was preferable to the possibility of warding off danger. Vatsyayana, however, preferred security to wealth.