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asokas of the first line are strange aśokas indeed as they do not show the usual reaction to the kick (charms) of the ladahavilaas.
In Hem. II 128 the word vilaa is mentioned as a Pkt substitute for Skt vanita. In Paiyal. 12 it is enumerated in a list of synonyms for 'woman', ranging from vahua to niyambint. In both Gatha *7 and 817 the women denoted by ladahavilaa are sexually extremely attractive. Most likely they are prostitutes as they are actively seducing men (see 817). It may be asked if these two connotations, attractive and prostitute, are conveyed by either ladaha or vilaa.
The word vilaa is relatively rare. In the Sattasat it occurs three more times and in the Gaugavaho only once (166 vāravilaa). It does not occur in the Setubandha. For instances in later texts, see PSM, s.v. The following discussion is restricted to the instances in the Sattasat.
195
In 156 and 890 the compounds vesa- and vesavilaa occur. The meaning 'prostitute' for. vilaa would lead to a redundancy; compare vesavilaa in 890 with Skt vesastri, -yoşit, etc., in which the final member denotes simply 'woman'. vesavilaa may be taken as a Karmadharaya; in theory it could also be a Dvandva or Tatpuruşa. However, the vesăvilaas are no common prostitutes. To the purely perfunctory performance of their profession they have added a special attraction by showing some sort of personal involvement or interest. The clients are fascinated by this as appears from the following two enraptured exclamations.
156 namdamtu suraasarahasa
vahumagganimmiāiṁ
taghapahari saalaloassa vesavila pa pemmih.
Long live the affectionate feelings which the vilaas who are prostitutes know how to show in so many ways, which (alone) are able to completely satisfy the vehement desires for love-making everybody has!
For the connotations of the word permai, see the expression premabandhura a prostitute who has, or is able to convince her client she has, a real affection for him', found in Kumarapalapratibodha (ed. Alsdorf), p. 109, verse 76.
