The World of Courtesans c9.30

c9.30

The Kamasutra has described *yatra* as one of the forms of amusements that the members of *goshthis* favoured. The *Brihatkathashlokasamgraha*, VIII. 1-53 has left us an elaborate description of such a *yatra*. It is said that the ruler of Kaushambi advised Naravahanadatta and his friends to go out and see for themselves the arrangement that was being made for a pleasure trip to Nagavana which was not far off from Kaushambi. They saw huge crowds pouring out of the city gate. They saw horses, elephants and litters (*sibika*). They saw Rumanvasuta mounted on an elephant and the queens Vasavadatta and Padmavati surrounded by chambermaids and palace attendants. There were also courtesans carrying *makarayoshtri* and red flags. Apparently those were symbols of their profession. Naturally their coquetry attracted the crowd