Vatsayana in his great artwork Kamasutra says that the courtesans attain physical pleasure as well as money by having intimate relation with men. If the courtesan is in love with the man she will act naturally but if she is for money only that sometimes everything seems to be unnatural. Men usually rely on the women who love them, so in this case if the woman is untrue she should act that her love is indeed natural. She should also show her abstinence from wealth and avariciousness for the sake of her future credit.
The courtesan should dress well and decorate herself with ornaments and should sit or stand at the door of her house. While doing so she should not expose too much and should look on the public road so as to be seen by the passers by. She should make friendship with such a person who would help her to get man attached with another woman, or to acquire wealth, and in many other ways. These persons can be: For the purpose of getting their money the following kinds of men may be taken up with. On the other hand, according to Kamasutra, those who possess excellent qualities are to be resorted to for the sake of love, and fame. Such men are as follows: These are the qualities of a man should possesses. The woman also should have the following characteristics: The faults of women are to be known by the absence of any of the above-mentioned good qualities. The following kinds of men are not fit to be resorted to by courtesans: According to ancient authors the reasons of courtesans living with men are love, fear, money, pleasure, returning some act of enmity, curiosity, sorrow, constant intercourse, Dharma, celebrity, compassion, the desire of having a friend, shame, the likeness of the man to some beloved person, the search after good fortune, the getting rid of the love of somebody else, the being of the same class as the man with respect to sexual union, living in the same place, constancy, and poverty. But Vatsayana in his Kamasutra, affirms that there are three causes, which affect the union of courtesans with men and the causes are desire of wealth, freedom from misfortune, and love. Kamasutra also offers suggestion to the courtesans. As because money is the chief thing to be attended to, a courtesan should not sacrifice this to her love. Moreover, even though she is invited by any man to join him, she should not at once consent to a union. On such occasions she should first send the shampooers, the singers, or the jesters, or in their absence the Pithamardas, or confidants, to find out the state of his feelings, and the condition of his mind. By means of these persons she should ascertain whether the man is pure or impure, affected, or the reverse, capable of attachment, or indifferent, liberal or miserly; and if she finds him to her liking, she should then employ the Vita and others to attach his mind to her. When the Pithamarda bring the man to her house, in excuse of seeing the fights of quails, cocks, and rams, or of seeing some other spectacle, or the practice of some art; or he may take the woman to the residence of the man. Like this when the man comes to her house the woman should give him some curios, and love in his heart, such as an affectionate present, telling him that it was specially designed for his use. She should also amuse him by telling him stories, and try to entertain her in different ways. When he goes away she should send him a female attendant or sometimes go to him herself in excuse of some business, and accompanied by the Pithamarda. Thus end the means of attaching to herself the man desired. A verse from Kamasutra further supports the subject 'When a lover comes to her abode, a courtesan should give him a mixture of betel leaves and betel nut, garlands of flowers, and perfumed ointments, and, showing her skill in arts, should entertain him with a long conversation. She should also give him some loving presents, and make an exchange of her own things with his, and at the same time should show him her skill in sexual enjoyment. When a courtesan is thus united with her lover she should always delight him by affectionate gifts, by conversation, and by the application of tender means of enjoyment.' |