Kama Sutra, The

By Vatsyayana, Mallanaga

Book Id: WPLBN0002951657
Format Type:
File Size: 180.54 MB
Reproduction Date: 2010

Title:	Kama Sutra, The
Author:	Vatsyayana, Mallanaga
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non-fiction, Ancient Texts
Collections:	Audio Books Collection, Kama Sutra, The
Historic Publication Date:	1883
Publisher:	LibriVox Audio Books


Citation APA MLA Chicago Vatsyayana, B. M. (1883). Kama Sutra, The. Retrieved from http://www.self.gutenberg.org/

Description
The Kama Sutra, or Aphorisms on Love, has survived at least 1400 years as a dominant text on sexual relations between men and women. Vatsyayana claimed to have written the Kama Sutra while a religious student, “in contemplation of the Deity” - but references to older works, shrewd disputations by Vatsyayana of those authors' recommendations, and careful cataloging of practices in various of the Indian states indicate much more emphasis on kama, or sensual gratification. Part of the book discusses the 64 arts of love employed by masters of coitus. Learning each of these and when and how to practice them, Vatsyayana affirms, not only leads to the best gratification, but makes the artist a person of great desirability. Once the means of sexual congress are discussed, the many types of male-female relationships and their proper prosecution are covered. Some of these have small relevance to the modern world, such as how to sneak into the King's harem, but are interesting nonetheless. Others, such as how to get money from a lover, will probably remain useful as long as there are humans in the world. The translator's concluding remarks call the book primitive; so might also modern women who are told that if their name ends in “l” or “r” they should not be married, because they are worthless. But in tackling the subject of human sexuality, Vatsyayana nevertheless will always attract readers (or, in this case, listeners!). (Summary by Mark F Smith)

Summary
Electronic recorded live performance of a reading

Excerpt
Ancient Texts