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SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Public Women:-Then there were the public women who (Vesa= Veśya 33. 06) used to entertain the willing citizens. Well-to-do persons. used to visit them aud spend lavishly on them. Sometimes the visitors turned peniless on account of this vice and did not hesitate in committing burglary for fulfilling the desires of their favourite prostitutes. These were the common harlots who would have been accessible to even ordinary citizens. Among them there were some who were called Gapikās (courtezans). They enjoyed higher status and respect in the society on account of their personal attainments. The PCV refers to a courtezan playing dice with a minister (5. 32). The context of the above reference indicates that they occasionally helped in detecting the cases of theft and reported them to the king. Two princes are mentioned to have fought a battle for the possession of a certain courtezan (15. 19). A Brahmin dhūrta (82.87) who was a veritable master of arts and sciences, who was the leader of all the crafty and knavish persons, who lived on royal favour and was invincible in the game of dice and was fabulously wealthy, had connections with two coutezans. Thus noble and highly accomplished persons were the visitors of these courtezans. Kautilya (11. 27) lays down rules for appointing a state Gaņikā, and mentions her rights and duties and the protection the state should give to her. It was her coveted beauty and high accomplishments which won for her such a great position. All harlots could not win the title of Gaņikā. It was conferred on one who was trained and educated in 64 arts and 64 fine manners of
pleasing a lover.1 The Natyasastra reveals that she was a person of great education and culture".
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Nurses: The profession of higher grade followed by the women was that of serving as foster mothers or nurses (Dhāīs). The noble and royal families used to engage them for the nourishment of their sons and daughters. We are told that five nurses were appointed for Lavana and Ankuśa (77.11). They were treated like mothers and were accorded high respect by the children fondled by them. They were highly educated persons and looked after the proper mental development of the children belonging to noble families. The 'savvatthasatthakusala' adjective used for a Dhai denotes that in one way they were the primary teachers of the children of the noble class (6.165). When the 'svayamvaras' were held they led the princesses in the assembly of the prospective candidates and introduced the latters
1. Chakladar, p. 198.
2. 17.37-38.
