The World of Courtesans c9.21

c9.21

Here the road was paved with stones, and the shops lining it displayed garlands, ornaments, incense and perfumes. Gomukha went on further and saw a row of palatial garden houses. There he saw a group of intoxicated men and women behaving in a shameless way. A man who was following a young girl was reproached in strong yet tender words, "You boor, why do you touch me, the unfortunate one? Go and caress your village love, who has already been handled by many yokels.” He saw courtesans strumming the *vipanchi* lyre and at other places their plectrums strummed the lute. The chariot moved slowly. Gomukha found some girls studying sheets from a manuscript. The manuscript turned out to be *Vitashastra* or the “Breviary of Rakes”. Even in their sleep they refused to part with this manuscript. It was at this point that Gomukha discovered that the driver had, under false pretences, led him to the quarters where the courtesans lived. Gomukha was full of remorse and shame. He wanted to turn back, but the driver insisted on proceeding further. He stopped in front of a splendid mansion which was humming with activity. He saw beautiful women and polite men. Splendidly attired girls came out and surrounded the chariot and a middle-aged woman approached them with folded hands. She wanted to find out the purpose of their visit. Gomukha saw a beautiful girl engaged in her toilet She sat at the window and was trying to find out from her maids who Gomukha was. The driver knew that Gomukha's heart was drawn to the palace and he asked him to enter it.