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SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
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9. HARLOTRY
Harlotry or Prostitution as a social evil has been illustrated on many an occasion during the course of his descriptions by Dhanapala. "He calls them Vilasinis living in Ayodhya rendering help to Cupid the ambitious conqueror of the triad of worlds, who were the lores on Kamasutra in corporeal form, who were skilled in the lore of harlots come to them. through heredity. They were the very bond of knowledge about the essence even of the world. They were not solely devoted to the riches. They were attracted by the virtues of best of men. They did not take to sexual sport with the dirty people, even when they were fond of all the nine modes of physical union etc. Their doors were always crowded with lovers having bristles growing on their bodies etc."
"The harlots have been described in the palace of Meghavahana having been pressed into service for serving edibles and drinks etc. They wore brilliant silken robes studded with variegated ornaments."
Kanel, the capital town of Kusumaśckhara has been described as abounding in prostitutes (Panyavanită) acting at will and attractive with wine. 2
' पण्यनारीगणेन" is another expression employed by Dhanapala meaning 'harlots' in the retinue of Tilakamañjarī.
10. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
As already observed Dhanapala flourished in the reign period of probably the three Paramāra kings viz. Väkpatirāja Muñja, his younger brother Sindhuraja and the latter's son Bhoja; We can easily presume that he ventures to illustrate in his prose-romance the economic conditions of the reign of the Paramāras, the period of history ranging between A.D. 10th century and first half of the eleventh century. He describes Bhoja as a scholar versed in whole of literature and yet curious to listen to the narratives sponsored by the Jain scriptures. For the regalement or entertainment of that very king of unblemished demeanour this Katha
1. रुणरणायमानैः कामिभिरशून्यद्वाराभिर्नवसुरतेषु बद्धरागाभिरपि नीचरतेष्वसक्तताभिः:... पुरुषोत्तमगुणहार्याभिः न पुनरेकान्ततोऽर्थानुरागिणीभिः संसारोऽपि सारताबुद्धिनिबन्धनभूताभिः कुलक्रमायातवैशिकलाकलापवैचक्षण्याभिः साक्षादिव कामसूत्रविद्याभिर्विलासिनीभिवितीर्णत्रिभुवनजिगीषुकुसुमसायकसाहायका.... TM. I p. 50
2. चित्ररत्नाभरणादिव्यांशुकघराभिर्वारमणीभिरु पनीयमानमनोभिलषित अनेकभक्ष्यपेयप्रकारो। etc. Ibid. Vol. II p. 170. and सुराभिरामभिरुचितकारिण्यः पण्डवनिता Ibid Vol. III p. 172.
3. Ibid. Sm. ed. p. 416.
