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MAHAVAGGA.
VIII, 1, 3.
hundred and seven storeyed buildings... and the courtezan Ambapâli, who was beautiful. and through whom Vesâli became more and more flourishing. And the Râgagaha merchant, after having done his business in Vesâlf, returned to Ragagaha and went to the place where the Mâgadha king Seniya Bimbisâra was. Having approached him, he said to the Mâgadha king Seniya Bimbisâra : 'Vesâlt, Your Majesty, is an opulent, prosperous town (&c., as in § 1, down to :) Through that person Vesâlt becomes more and more flourishing. May it please Your Majesty, let us also install a cour
tezan.'
(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 Râgagaha a girl Sâlavati by name, who was beautiful, graceful, pleasant, and gifted with the highest beauty of complexion. That girl Sâlavati the Râgagaha merchant installed as courtezan. And before long the courtezan Sâlavati 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 Sâlavati became pregnant. Now the courtezan Sâlavati thought: 'Men do not like a pregnant woman. If anybody should find out regarding me that "The courtezan Sâlavatt is pregnant," my whole position will be lost. What if I were to have the people told that I am sick.'
172
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And the courtezan Sâlavati 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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| SR No. | 007684 |
| Book Title | Vinaya Texts |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | T W Rhys Davids, Hermann Oldenberg |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1881 |
| Total Pages | 2523 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 47 MB |