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172
MAHẤVAGGA.
VIII, 1, 3.
hundred and seven storeyed buildings .... and the courtezan Ambapali, who was beautiful .... and through whom Vesali became more and more flourishing. And the Râgagaha merchant, after having done his business in Vesali, returned to Rägagaba and went to the place where the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra was. Having approached him, he said to the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra : *Vesalt, Your Majesty, is an opulent, prosperous town (&c., as in g 1, down to :) Through that person Vesali becomes more and more flourishing. May it please Your Majesty, let us also install a courtezan.'
(The king replied), “Well, my good Sir, look for such a girl whom you can install as courtezan.'
3. Now at that time there was at Rågagaha a girl Salavati by name, who was beautiful, graceful, pleasant, and gifted with the highest beauty of complexion. That girl Salavati the Rågagaha merchant installed as courtezan. And before long the courtezan Salavati was well versed in dancing, singing, and luteplaying, and much visited by desirous people, and she asked one hundred (kahâpanas) for one night. And before long the courtezan Salavat became pregnant. Now the courtezan Salavati thought: · Men do not like a pregnant woman. If anybody should find out regarding me that “The courtezan Salavatt is pregnant," my whole position will be lost. What if I were to have the people told that I am sick.'
And the courtezan Salavati gave orders to the door-keeper (saying), 'Let no man enter here, my good door-keeper, and if a man calls for me, tell him that I am sick.' The door-keeper accepted
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