เรื่องโสเภณีในวรรณคดีบาลีและสันสกฤต : การศึกษาเชิงวิเคราะห์ / อุดม สมพร = Prositution in Pali and Sanskrit literature : a critical study / Udom Somphorn
Since prostitution is often mentioned both in Pali and Sanskrit Literature, it is the purpose of this thesis to study the development of prostitution as recorded therein. The data collected and analyzed are from the Rigveda , the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Arthasastra , the Mrcchakatika, the Kamasutra, the Dasakumaracarita, the Kathasaritsagara, the Tripitaka , the Dhammapadatthakatha, and the Jatakatthakatha. The thesis consists of 5 chapters. The first chapter is the introduction in which the thesis title and research methods are discussed. The second deals with the general characteristics of Indian prostitutes. In the third chapter the prostitute’s roles are discussed. The fourth chapter describes lives of distinguished prostitutes as recorded in Sanskrit and Pali literature . The conclusion and suggestion are given in the fifth. This research reveals that prostitution has existed in ancient Indian society from the Vedic time. In Pail literature certain prostitutes are highly esteemed as patrons of Buddhism, or kings’ favorites. In Sanskrit literature prostitutes contribute to the kings ‘treasury and there are cases where they work as spies.
