The World of Courtesans c9.75

c9.75

There are scant references to courtesans, to *goshthis* and to other vices such as gambling or drinking in the works of Bana. But Dandin's romance *Dashakumaracharita* reveals a pattern of Indian life in which adventurers, gamblers and *goshthis* play an important part. In the history of Apaharavarman's adventures the story of Kamamanjari sheds interesting light on the life of the courtesans and the means they employed to extort money from their victims. Kamamanjari was lauded as the brightest jewel of Champa. Once her mother followed her and saw her worshipping the sage Marichi. The mother prostrated herself before him When Marichi asked Kamamanjari the cause of her mother's distress she told him that he alone could help in her predicament At this point the mother lifted her hands and entreated his favour and asked him to listen to the wrong done to her. She was being accused of some wrongdoing.