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As to why I was curious upon a question like this : given that ancient Hinduism has given world the popular literature work of kama sutra, so surely there must be some reference as to a thing like this in our religion, moreover this occupation/practice is as old as any other ancient puja or culture, so surely there must be a piece of script regarding this topic.

what I exactly seek to know : Are there any specific piece of literature discussing about this very topic ? Was this taboo practice considered a sin and why so ? Were there any instances where gods were directly involved in any such thing ?

N.B. : I don't wish to offend anyone.

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    Puranas do have stories of prostitutes where they got liberated after praying to Shiva or expiating their sins by visiting some Tirthas. – The Destroyer♦ Oct 31 '16 at 15:43
  • "why was it allowed to continue then..." - why do you see it even now? why do you see adharma consistently across all yugas? – sv. Oct 31 '16 at 16:50
  • @sv. I meant if such a practice was regarded as sin, why wasn't it abandoned legally, in other words anyone practicing those weren't punished, like thieves or burglars were. – Arnav Das Oct 31 '16 at 16:53
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    'why' is a difficult question, there cannot be a single correct answer. 'what' can be answered. why is prostitution still legal in some countries even today? what about gambling? consuming liquor? supply & demand. – sv. Oct 31 '16 at 17:10
  • @sv. i now see your point, asking in 'why' in that sense is a bit ambiguous too – Arnav Das Oct 31 '16 at 17:33
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Prostitution is always condemned in Hindu Scriptures.

Here are few verses from Parashara and the Manu Smritis:

66.By selling Wine and meat,by consuming prohibited foods,cohabiting with prostitutes a shoodra falls from his caste.(Parashara Smriti)

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  1. On carnal intercourse with a beast, or a prostitute and the like, or with a female buffalo, or with a female camel, or with a she monkey, or with a sow, or a female ass, one should perform the Prajapatya penance.

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Similarly, the Manu Smriti says:

4.84. Let him not accept presents from a king who is not descended from the Kshatriya race, nor from butchers, oil-manufacturers, and publicans, nor from those who subsist by the gain of prostitutes.

4.85. One oil-press is as (bad) as ten slaughter-houses, one tavern as (bad as) ten oil-presses, one brothel as (bad as) ten taverns, one king as (bad as) ten brothels

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Were there any instances where gods were directly involved in any such thing ?

I don't know of any such instances.

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    " a shoodra falls from his caste" -- so he becomes casteless? – sv. Dec 1 '16 at 19:30
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    Yeah probably that is what is meant..he becomes an outcaste.. – Rickross Dec 2 '16 at 5:18
  • @sv. That doesn't make any sense, the Manusmriti specifically says there is no loss of caste for shudras and that they can consume any food they like. – Ikshvaku Sep 26 '18 at 2:49
  • @Rickross That doesn't make any sense, the Manusmriti specifically says there is no loss of caste for shudras and that they can consume any food they like. – Ikshvaku Sep 26 '18 at 2:49
  • What does not make any sense? @Ikshvaku – Rickross Sep 26 '18 at 5:31

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