The World of Courtesans c8.87

c8.87

These arts were not confined to courtesans alone, but they formed an integral part of a liberal education. Thus it is said that a musician, a princess or a daughter of a minister could, with the knowledge of these arts, control her husband in spite of hundreds of rivals in the harem Even if a woman was separated from her husband, even if he died or proceeded on a long journey outside the country, if she was accomplished in these arts, she could spend her days in comfort. A man well-versed in the arts, a good conversationalist and one proficient in the art of flattery could easily win the favours of a woman even if he did not know her. According to Vatsyayana the knowledge of arts and crafts meant the dawn of good fortune but their practice depended upon the factors of time and place.