Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c9.9

v1.c9.9

¹ It is mentioned times beyond number that the “ city beauties ” dance on joyful occasions. So, too, Mārk.-Pur., cxxviii, 9. The very sight of them brings good luck, while, for instance, the sight of a pregnant woman foretells evil. Agnipur., 230.4, 11 ; v. Negelein, *Traumschlüssel d. Jagaddeva*, p. 132 f. ; Bloch, *Die Prostitution*, i, 474-476. Therefore the Vishṇusmṛiti (lxiii, 29) bids the father of a family : When he is on the journey—well known to be an undertaking under the threat of magic—he shall, as on Brahmans, filled water-pitchers, fire, and other things bringing blessings, so also look on harlots. Cp. Thurston, *Omens and Superstitions*, etc., pp. 23 ; 46 f. It is no wonder therefore that these women at public festivals