The World of Courtesans c9.22

c9.22

As soon as Gomukha entered the palace, he found in the first apartment a girl reciting lessons in politeness and courtesy. In the second quadrangle he found curtained bullock carts and litters for women In the third quadrangle were tethered horses that had been brought from various foreign countries. In the fourth quadrangle there were peacocks, parrots and mynas, their cages were made of gold and copper and fashioned by expert artisans. In the next quadrangle he found perfumers sitting with containers, and saw different kinds of cloth, and watched jewellers. At the entrance of the house he was received by the courtesans who again wanted to know the purpose of his visit. They described the Palace of Wits as an old palace, beautifully decorated, and not easy to find. In quality it was like the Wishing jewel. It was sanctified by his arrival. Finally he entered the palace and met the woman in charge. Inside the palace Gomukha enjoyed every manner of comfort. The woman in charge urged a girl named Padmadevika to serve him. The girl shampooed his body, and his fatigue seemed to disappear. After shampooing his limbs, she wanted to employ her breasts to shampoo his arms and chest.