8. Institutionalization of Sexuality

The institutionalized phase of sexuality is one of the remarkable social as well as cultural proceedings in the history of India. Its development was witnessed through the story of Āmrapāli.

The renowned scholar and historian Rajan Gurukkal quotes a story about the legend:

“According to the story in a Buddhist work in Pāli language, Ambāpāli was a beautiful lady who appeared under a mango tree in the garden of the King. Gardener took Ambāpāli to the city and the young princes quarrelled to get possession of her. At last the assembly of the citizens named “Gaṇa” declared her as “Gaṇikā” and she became the property of the assembly. She entertained her admirers and was paid “fifty kāha” for one night from one customer. Step by step Ambāpāli became rich and through her the city Vaiśāli also prospered. There are many other stories also which are seen in the Buddhist literature like the story of Ambāpāli. The same story is seen with some changes in the Vinayavastu of the Sanskrit Buddhist work Mūlasarvāstivāja dated second or third century CE.; where Ambāpāli is transformed to the name of Āmrapāli and the story also underwent change. In one story, Āmrapāli was born from a plantain in the mango garden of Licchāvi King Mahānāma of Vaiśāli. The King made her the public property of Gaṇa.

Āmrapāli accepted King’s verdict with five sturdy conditions. They are;

1). A well furnished luxury house should be arranged for her living in the capital city of Vaiśāli,
2). Entry should be restricted if another customer is inside the house,
3). Lovers should pay an amount of five hundred kāha for spending one night,
4). The authorities of Gaṇa should inform her at least before seven days of their visit,
5). Gaṇa should not interfere in the personal as well as professional activities of Āmrapāli and shouldn’t question about the visitors or clients at her residence.

All of these conditions were accepted by Gaṇa and Āmrapāli became the chief courtesan of Vaiśāli” (2013: 99-100).

The above mentioned legends point to the transition of a society where courtesans were socially recognized. The basic thread of the stories is same but they differ in their elucidatory factors. Growth of material culture, emergence of new institutions, glorifications and modifications of material pleasure are some of them. The first story indicates that the courtesan enjoyed social status. The second story communicates the effort to make her status supreme she was considered equivalent to a very high position. The transitional tendency of society can also be traced in the stories. The stories point to a developing society where the economic base became more sound. Here, Āmrapāli becomes extravagant than Ambapāli; her remuneration increased to five hundred kāhas from fifty kāhas per night. This shows the economic strength of the citizens of Vaiśāli city.