Page:The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana.djvu/177

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CHAPTER III.
Of the Means of Getting Money. Of the Signs of the Change of a Lover's Feelings, and of the Way to Get Rid of Him.

Money is got out of a lover in two ways, viz.:

By natural or lawful means, and by artifices. Old authors are of opinion that when a courtezan can get as much money as she wants from her lover, she should not make use of artifice. But Vatsyayana lays down that though she may get some money from him by natural means, yet when she makes use of artifice he gives her doubly more, and therefore artifice should be resorted to for the purpose of extorting money from him at all events.

Now the artifices to be used for getting money from the lover are as follows:

1st. Taking money from him on different occasions, for the purpose of purchasing various articles, such as ornaments, food, drink, flowers, perfumes and clothes, and either not buying them, or getting from him more than their cost.

2nd. Praising his intelligence to his face.

3rd. Pretending to be obliged to make gifts on occasion of festivals connected with vows, trees, gardens, temples, or tanks.[1]

4th. Pretending that at the time of going to his house, her jewels have been stolen either by the King's guards, or by robbers.

5th. Alleging that her property has been destroyed by fire, by the falling of her house, or by the carelessness of the servants.

6th. Pretending to have lost the ornaments of her lover along with her own.

7th. Causing him to hear through other people of the expenses incurred by her in coming to see him.

8th. Contracting debts for the sake of her lover.

9th. Disputing with her mother on account of some ex-


  1. On the completion of a vow a festival takes place. Some trees such as the peepul and banyan trees are invested with sacred threads like the Brahmans, and on the occasion of this ceremony a festival is given. In the same way when gardens are made, and tanks or temples built, then also festivals are observed.