The Kama Sutra by Vatsyayana
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| The Kama Sutra - by Vatsyayana |
The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism, and emotional fulfilment.
Contents:
- The List of Illustrations with Notes ix
- Preface xvi
- Introduction xx The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
- Part I. Index, and General Consideration of the Subject.
- Part II. Of Sexual Union 29
- Part III. About the Acquisition of a Wife
- Part IV. About a Wife
- Part V. About the Wives of Other People
- Part VI. About Courtezans
- Part VII. On the Means of Attracting
- Others to Oneself
- Concluding Remarks
In the literature of all countries, there will be found a certain number of works treating especially love. Everywhere the subject is dealt with differently, and from various points of view. In the present publication, it is proposed to give a complete translation of what is considered the standard work on love in Sanscrit literature, which is called the "Vatsyayana Kama Sutra," or Aphorisms on Love, by Vatsyayana.
While the introduction will deal with the evidence concerning the date of the writing, and the commentaries written upon it, the chapters following the introduction will give a translation of the work itself. It is, however, advisable to furnish here a brief analysis of works of the same nature, prepared by authors who lived and wrote years after Vatsya had passed away, but who still considered him as the great authority, and always quoted him as the chief guide to Hindoo erotic literature. Besides the treatise of Vatsyayana the following works on the same subject are procurable in India:
- The Ratirahasya, or secrets of love.
- The Panchasakya, or the five arrows.
- The Smara Pradipa, or the light of love.
- The Ratimanjari, or the garland of love.
- The Rasmanjari, or the sprout of love.
- The Anunga Runga, or the stage of love also called Kamaledhiplava or a boat in the ocean of love.
The author of the "Secrets of Love" (No. i) was a poet named Kukkoka. He composed his work to please one Venu- Dutta, who was perhaps a king. When writing his own name at the end of each chapter he calls himself "Siddha patiya Pandita," i.e., an ingenious man among learned men. The work was translated into Hindi years ago, and in this, the author's name was written as Koka. And as the same name crept into all the translations into other languages in India, the book became generally known, and the subject was popularly called Koka Shastra, or doctrines of Koka, which is identical to the Kama Shastra, or doctrines of love, and the words Koka Shastra and Kama Shastra are used indiscriminately.
Book Published: 1925
Author: Vatsyayana
Publisher: Kama Shastra Society of London and Benares
Book Published: 1925
Author: Vatsyayana
Publisher: Kama Shastra Society of London and Benares