KAMA : The Story of the Kama Sutra

by Jaya Misra

"Who was Vatsyayana? What motivated this intriguing personality in the third century to compile ancient erotic texts, replete with his witty aphorisms, into the Kama Sutra, the ultimate treatise on love and the art of lovemaking? Kama is a fictionalised account of the life and times of Vatsyayana. Seemingly, a manual for the hedonist about town, the Kama Sutra reveals another tale—written in blood—of broken hearts, lyrical violence, ageless love, and unbridled lust! Set in 273 AD, in a land fraught with war and unrest, Kama is the story of a catastrophic day in a writer-artist’s life that sets him off on a journey unto himself, beyond the boundaries of love, family and betrayal. This fast-paced story of tragedy and triumph beguiles and captivates as it flits seamlessly between an agonising past, an erotic present and a cataclysmic future."

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2018

Reviews

[Monika Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful layout of the life when sex was such a hidden topic. The story is written in a way that it will hold it’s readers captive, eager to know what happens next. Though, the story is more focused on the life of Vatsyayana and there are lesser parts of the origin of Kama Sutra.

[Rakhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

India has been called the land of Kamasutra and many Indians who went abroad have heard comments on the line that they will have exemplary carnal experiences since they have read the book. But little do we know the story of Vatsyayana who wrote the ultimate guide to fornication.


Vatsya's relationships with women have been depicted palpably. Nayantara's character has come out with most conviction. How she entices other men and got herself enchanted under the spell of Vatsya is the highlight of the whole book. Eventhough Vatsya's true love is said to be Kamli and later the Princess Ratnavati, for the readers, what completed Vatsyayana is his relationship with Nayantara.


Author has brilliantly conveyed the idea of feminism without prejudice. How the king Narasimha Gupta and his brother violated men and women alike and how shallow their relationship is portrayed without any undue drama. Often erotica is approached as a means of self pleasure but this book could not be tagged as a mere erotica. Author has used her satire in its most fierce form. The triangle between NarasimhaGupta, Ratnavati and Vatsyayana is spicy, touchy and timeless. The author has ensured a balanced narration and numerous subplots have not affected the overall book .

[Juhi Bansal · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often do you get to read books like this which make you cry even when you read it the second time? This is the story of Vatsyayana and Ratnavati and Nayantara ; each one of them responsible in their own ways for the creation of the Kama Sutra. Before you start judging this book as well to be about sex; let me go ahead and tell you it is about the lives of the aforementioned people and not about sex. It is about the love Vatsyayana and Ratnavati had for each other, about the sacrifice Ratnavati made to save Vatsyayana and last but not the least the ek tarfa pyaar and dedication Nayantara had for Vatsyayana. This story is a perfect example of what selfless love, devotion, dedication and loving someone till the end means. Thank You Jaya Misra for this masterpiece.
.
Umra Bhar Ka Saath De Jo
Kyun Wohi Pyaar Ho..
Kyun Na Mitt Ke Jo Fanaa Ho
Woh Bhi Pyaar Ho..
Na Adhoori Yeh Kahani
Na Adhoora Yeh Fasana
Mar Ke Bhi Na Hum Kahenge..Alvida… ❤️❤️❤️

[Meenal Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book as the name suggests is an erotica but entwined with a heart breaking love story.

Pleasure can lead to nirvana and the importance of sex not only for pleasure but overall sensuality has been beautifully described in the book. The connection of study of Kama and the Shastras helps understand the importance of this beautiful practice which is seen as a taboo in today’s society. It helps to embrace oneself completely.

However, the mourning and the heart breaks were a bit too dramatic for me. I don’t believe that art or greatness is born out of pain, hence, the latter chapters were a bit heavy for me. The book however, opens up every sensory nerve or pore of the reader and goes on to show that love and lust has no gender and it was never a taboo in the past Indian culture.

[Ananya Mandal · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started off ok... i mean language is better than most mythology writers that have come up in dozens. Then the lead character Vatsayana became a Bollywood hero.. and his research a joke and his women all besotted damsels-in-distress (despite starting out as strong and independent women) and too much of all forms of sex and nothing even remotely erotic and i finished it any how and did not like it... It had potential though... If Jaya Misra writes more Id buy her books... she has a nice style....

[-Bookish Gal- · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jaya Misra has a good command over the language and that’s the only reason why I didn’t leave this book midway through I couldn’t enjoy it. If anything, this book is like a cross between a fanfic and a Bollywood movie, just without the songs that doesn’t particularly make much sense.

[Rishabh Nigam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is very good. The story is very catchy and it will bind you till the end. It has everything. Crime,Love,Sex, Sacrifice and at the end, there is a message. Worth a read.

[Aesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Meghaa Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 15/52 in 2019. KAMA: The Story of the Kama Sutra by Jaya Misra.
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Intriguing, arousing, enlightening, exciting, entertaining and just unputdownable. For someone who got back to reading like she did as a kid this year and thought doing 100 forget 200 pages in 3 hours would be a mammoth challenge, imagine the joy of realising 200 pages were done in about 3 hours! And the reason that wasn't 201 that night? Because I just could not keep my eyes open any longer. I put that book down so so so grudgingly! In fact, my sister had to literally tell me to put it down and sleep!
What a book you have written Jaya Misra! Not just the story but the telling of it! The way you start and go back and forth in time, across places, from one character to another character and yet keep it so uninterrupted is just magic! The backstory that I did not see coming amongst all of those was that of Ajyut! Remarkable!
I have seen almost every word vividly, felt every word palpably and concurred with so many statements made here. That line you write about love and lust, how they are completely different "emotions", our voices are one when you say that! Being completely in love and yet desiring another intensely is so real and yet wanting to make a home with both those emotions in one person is so hopeful, human and maybe so conditioned in us? The lines about women in love and what they lose - they hit home and how. Vatsyayana's first love with Kamli, love with Ratnavati, lust with the others and what-would-you-call-it with Tara? I sure can't call it lust alone! God, there is just so much I want to sit down and talk to you about this book! And I hope to God that you are writing more ahead!
For those of you, who haven't already read this, pick it up. Do not make the mistake of missing this one!

[Rashmi Tulsyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non stop action filled page turner with every chapter a game of thrones type intrigue filled cliffhanger. But that said and done it is a book with intense thought about Indian women and their sexuality. Ideas viscerally felt through all of the characters detailed sexual exploits!!!!! Bold and daring it is the Kama Sutra made alive. It is also a poignant love story filled with many spiritual hints on the right way of living love, lust, desire, justice and revenge. Eagerly awaiting the sequel!

[Pinku Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vatsayana reborn in and as Jaya Mishra, the writer. It's really not so easy to write erotica that too going back to second or third century CE. It's also utter difficult to express the male concupiscence,so lively, as a female . Kudos 👍

[Sangeeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been intrigued by how Kama sutra came to life..this fiction story is nowhere close to what I was thinking of but a good tragic read. Every love story has to have a tragic ending otherwise it is not a love story.

[Varun Moka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. And to think that it's the first book by the author seems unreal as it's written so beautifully and elegantly. It's erotic, easy to read, page turner and the story line, everything was perfect. This was my first erotic novel ever and I had fun reading it.

[Mansi Khandelwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

[Polar Tribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely pick up adult erotic novels, but Kama by Jaya Misra intrigued me because it revolves around one of the most controversial figures in Indian history—Vātsyāyana, the author of the Kama Sutra. Going in, I wasn’t expecting much in terms of plot or depth; my curiosity was mostly about how the author would handle the explicit, sensual aspects of the narrative.

To my surprise, the book turned out to be far more engaging than anticipated. Misra doesn’t just focus on eroticism, she crafts a layered story with a well-structured plot that holds the reader’s attention. The characters feel alive, and the journey is both provocative and thought-provoking. While the erotic scenes are indeed descriptive, bold, and beautifully written, they never feel gratuitous; instead, they blend seamlessly with the narrative.

What stood out most is how the author manages to balance historical intrigue, cultural nuance, and sensual storytelling. It’s not just about sex, it’s about desire, power, relationships, and the timeless exploration of human intimacy.

Overall, Kama is much more than a light adult read—it’s an intoxicating mix of history and eroticism, making it a must-read for those interested in sensual literature that also has substance.

[Archana Kumari · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Kama, depicting the research and the journey of the making of the epic, is an emotional one. Of how I see it, based upon his experiences, courage, and being an exceptional lover and thinker that he was, one cannot help but fall for the richness of his character and the integrity towards his findings. As erotic as the book is, it turns you on on all levels- emotional, sexual and intellectual.

Generally considered as the book of love, vatsyayan, However, brings about a distinct demarcation between love and desire, binding them together into one, as well as separating them in situations and people he came across with passionate, endearing monologues after each of his encounters. All encapsulated together we'll enough by an author that takes you on a pulsating journey of his mind, his heart, a time set at the dawn of Mauryas and sexuality and society of those times.

Impeccable work, to say the least.
Who wouldn't dream of a lover as him... I doubt.

Cheerio! ❤️

[GenevieveAudrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Everyone knows what the Kama Sutra is.

Vatsyayana's life journey and his mission could well have been lived in the manner described in this book.

Although this book tells the origin story of the KS in a fictionalized manner, I really liked the theories and ideas put forward here. My own perception was that all the Kama Sutra ever was, was a sex manual. But reading this made me realise that it's so much more than that.

Sex vs Sensuality "...Men who behave like beasts, today run our society... Kama is a subject that teaches sensuality, an appreciation of fine things...".
It might be a simplistic view but it's a pretty one nonetheless.

Jaya Misra's prose made this a pleasure to read. The language straightforward and the pacing tight.

Love. Sex. Loyalty. Betrayal. Kama has all this and more. An entertaining..... and educating read. 

[Kanika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very superficial writing. It’s more about vatsya than actual story of Kama sutra.

[Ann Vo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s nice

[Ravi K. Avadhanula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a journalist the author knows how to catch the readers’ nerves. Explicit scenes explained vividly. Few moments of emotion at times. Kudos.

[Sbijapure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creates a good atmosphere. Readable.

[M.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING <333

[Ujan Dutta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect blend of facts and fiction, the way sensuality was handled by the author is commendable!

[Shivram Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kama.a wonderful background

Beautifully presented the background story on how the book came into being is a brilliant journey into the treatise itself.

[Lakshmi]

Loved reading it

[Sailee Hemmady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully researched, well written
keeps the readers engaged till the last page

[AYUSH KUMAR · Rating 3 out of 5]

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