The World of Courtesans c8.269

c8.269

Bharata also gives a word of advice to those who wish to contract a liaison with courtesans. The psychology of women is to be studied before they are approached. Knowledge of *ars amoris* (*kamatantra*) is likely to help them to understand this. In dealing with prostitutes, the methods of conciliation and dissension need to be employed. They were to be presented with gifts. Chastisement and indifference had also to be used. All this was to be worked out in accordance with the exigencies of the moment. While conciliating a woman such phrases as "I am yours," "you are mine" etc. were to be used. Gifts had to be given depending on the resources of the individual. Dissension meant pointing to the faults of the other by some device and chastisement meant restraining her movements or beating her.