The World of Courtesans c9.17

c9.17

In the spring the women wear saffron-coloured garments. The earrings are of fresh *karnikara* flowers, ashoka and jasmine flowers are intertwined in their hair On their bosoms dangle pearl necklaces besmeared with sandal and they wear bracelets and armlets. Painted designs appear on their faces. Their eyes are red; their bodies are languid; their tongues lisp, their languorous glances betray ardent desires. They paint their breasts with the paste of *priyangu*, *agaru*, saffron, musk and sandal. They discard their heavy garments and wear lac-dyed clothes, fumigated with black *agaru*.