Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c9.26.2

v1.c9.26.2

From the harlot the Brahman (or the father of a family) must not accept anything, nor eat any of her food. Vasishtha, xiv, 10; li, 14; Manu, iv, 209 (cp. 85, 86); Vishnu, li, 7 (otherwise fast seven days!); Yājñav., i, 161 (cp. 141); Agnipur., 168.3-9 (otherwise atonement by mortification). The man of the priestly caste must, of course, never visit her. If a Brahman goes to an hetæra, then he must carry out a heavy mortification so as to be cleansed. Jahn, Saurapurāṇa, p. 140. Intercourse with her is on a level with sodomy (Parāçara, x, 12; Mahānirvāṇatantra, xl, 43). The slaying of a woman that belongs to all is even free from punishment according to Gautama, xxii, 27. But the law writings also give them a somewhat more humane consideration. Their ornaments, being the tools of their craft, must not be confiscated, even though the rest of their property be taken from them. Nārada, xviii, 10 f. And this "public cheat" must also act honourably. If she has received her hire from a man, and then refuses, she must pay the double as a fine. Yājñav., ii, 292. According to Agnipur., 227.44b-45a, if she has promised herself to a man, and then goes to another, then she must restore to the injured one double the amount he has put down, and furthermore also pay a fine to the royal treasury. Kauṭilya under certain circumstances even condemns her to an eightfold restitution. See 195.8-14.