Arthashastra

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गणिका अध्यक्षो गणिका अन्वयाम् अगणिका अन्वयां वा रूप यौवन शिल्प सम्पन्नां सहस्रेण गणिकां कारयेत्, कुटुम्ब अर्धेन प्रतिगणिकाम् ॥

THE Superintendent of Prostitutes shall employ (at the king's court) on a salary of 1,000 panas (per annum) a prostitute (ganiká), whether born or not born of a prostitute's family, and noted for her beauty, youth, and accomplishments. A rival prostitute (pratiganiká) on half the above salary (kutumbárdhéna) shall also be appointed.

english translation

gaNikA adhyakSo gaNikA anvayAm agaNikA anvayAM vA rUpa yauvana zilpa sampannAM sahasreNa gaNikAM kArayet, kuTumba ardhena pratigaNikAm ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

निष्पतिता प्रेतयोर् दुहिता भगिनी वा कुटुम्बं भरेत, माता वा प्रतिगणिकां स्थापयेत् ॥

Whenever such a prostitute goes abroad or dies, her daughter or sister shall act for her and receive her property and salary. Or her mother may substitute another prostitute.

english translation

niSpatitA pretayor duhitA bhaginI vA kuTumbaM bhareta, mAtA vA pratigaNikAM sthApayet ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

तासाम् अभावे राजा हरेत् ॥

In the absence of any of these, the king himself shall take the property.

english translation

tAsAm abhAve rAjA haret ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

सौभाग्य अलंकार वृद्ध्या सहस्रेण वारं कनिष्ठं मध्यमम् उत्तमं वा आरोपयेत् छत्र भृङ्गार व्यजन शिबिका पीठिका रथेषु च विशेष अर्थम् ॥

With a view to add to the splendour of prostitutes holding the royal umbrella, golden pitcher, and fan, and attending upon the king seated on his royal litter, throne, or chariot, prostitutes shall be classified as of first, middle and highest rank according to their beauty and splendid jewellery.

english translation

saubhAgya alaMkAra vRddhyA sahasreNa vAraM kaniSThaM madhyamam uttamaM vA Aropayet chatra bhRGgAra vyajana zibikA pIThikA ratheSu ca vizeSa artham ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

सौभाग्य भङ्गे मातृकां कुर्यात् ॥

likewise their salary shall be fixed by thousands. She who has lost her beauty shall be appointed as a nurse (mátriká).

english translation

saubhAgya bhaGge mAtRkAM kuryAt ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript