Kama Sutra — Chapter 5 (Part 3 of 3)

These friends should possess the following qualities:

• They should tell the truth


• They should not be changed by time


• They should be favourable to your designs


• They should be firm


• They should be free from covetousness


• They should not be capable of being gained over by others


• They should not reveal your secrets

Charayana says that citizens form friendship with washermen, barbers, cowherds, florists, druggists, betel-leaf sellers, tavern keepers, beggars, Pithamardas, Vitas and Vidushekas, as also with the wives of all these people.

A messenger should possess the following qualities:

• Skilfulness


• Boldness


• Knowledge of the intention of men by their outward signs


• Absence of confusion, i.e. no shyness


• Knowledge of the exact meaning of what others do or say


• Good manners


• Knowledge of appropriate times and places for doing different things


• Ingenuity in business


• Quick comprehension


• Quick application of remedies, i.e. quick and ready resources

And this part ends with a verse:

`The man who is ingenious and wise, who is accompanied by a friend, and who knows the intentions of others, as also the proper time and place for doing everything, can gain over, very easily, even a woman who is very hard to be obtained.'