CHAPTER TWENTYFIVE

DEALINGS WITH COURTEZANS

The definition of a Gallant

1. One excelling (viśeṣayet)$^1$ in all the arts (kalā)$^2$ is called a Gallant (vaiśika) or one is so called because of his dealings with the courtezans (veśyopacāra)$^3$.

2. A man who has learnt all the arts (kalā)$^1$ and is an adept in all the crafts (śilpa)$^2$ and can [besides] captivate the heart of women, is called a Gallant$^3$.

Qualities of a Gallant

3. His thirtythree [characteristic] qualities are briefly of three classes : physical, extraneous (āhārya) and psychological (sahaja, lit. natural).

4-7. One who is well-versed in the Śāstras, skilled in arts and crafts, well-formed, pleasant-looking, powerful, possessing self-command, desireable age, dress and pedigree, is friendly (surabhi),

---

1 (C.1; K.XXIII.1). $^1$ This is an instance of folk-etymology. Vaiśeṣa the base of the participle viśeṣayet should have given rise to vaiśeṣika and not to vaiśika. See BhP. p. 106, 1-10.

$^2$ These are generally considered to be sixtyfour in number. See Vātsyāyana. KS. I. 3. 34. But the Jains have their number as seventytwo (See Amulya Chandra Sen, "Social Life in Jain Literature," Calcutta, 1933. pp. 12-15).

$^3$ This etymology is rather sensible. For veśa (residence of courtezans) is connected with veśyā (woman who is available for all the members of the tribe or the settlement).

2 (C.2; K.XXIII.2). $^1$ See above 1 note 2.

$^2$ The word kalā is usually synonymous with śilpa. For the most of the sixtyfour items included by Vātsyāyana (l.c.) are nothing but crafts. But when the two words are used together in a sentence śilpa may be taken in the sense of 'craft' only.

$^3$ Another name for vaiśika (Gallant) seems to be viṭa. See KS. I.4.16; SD.80 and also NŚ. XXXV.74.

3 (C.3; K.XXIII.3).

4-7 (C.4-7; K.XXIII.4-7). See BhP. p. 106, 1.2-9.