The World of Courtesans c8.9

c8.9

But in spite of the high place which *Kama* occupied in the Hindu scheme of life, the elaborate directions given in the *Kamasutra* for its fulfilment were clearly out of bounds for the ordinary people and it became the privilege of a select body of citizens (*nagarakas*) who were rich enough to indulge in the luxuries afforded by arts and in the pleasures of sex. Naturally, for courtesans the arts of love were purely for money-making purposes. It is asserted that they even forced a Brahman in love to part with his money. But the art of love had to be taught. Courtesans and prostitutes, the high priestesses of the temple of love, and also young girls of respectable families, received training in the art of love from experienced nurses, confidantes, old maids, nuns and even maternal aunts of their own age *Angavidyas* describe the virtues which had to be cultivated and the behaviour of the body under the stress and strain of love They are named and grouped by Yashodhara, the commentator of the Kamasutra as follows