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The Complete Kama Sutra: The First Unabridged Modern Translation of the Classic Indian Text
The world's oldest and most widely read guide to the pleasures and techniques of sex, the Kama Sutra was compiled in the fourth century A.D. by a Brahmin and religious scholar name Vatsyayana, who worked from texts dating back to the fourth century B.C. Until the present, the only English translation of his Hindu love classic was that of the famous English explorer Sir Richard Burton, published in 1883.
Unlike Burton's version, Alain Daniélou's new translation preserves the numbered verse divisions of the original and includes two essential the Fayamangala commentary, written in Sanskrit by Yashodhara during the Middle Ages, and a modern Hindi commentary by Devadatta Shastri. Whereas Burton's Victorian reluctance to translate certain terms obscured our understanding of the philosophy and techniques of the Kama Sutra , Daniélou has preserved the full explicitness of the original, dealing with everything from the art of scratching to relations with the wives of others.
Realistic and pragmatic in its approach, the Kama Sutra deals without ambiguity or hypocrisy with all aspects of sexual life--including marriage, adultery, prostitution, group sex, sadomasochism, male and female homosexuality, and transvestism. The text paints a fascinating portrait of an India whose openness to sexuality gave rise to a highly developed expression of the erotic.
Unlike Burton's version, Alain Daniélou's new translation preserves the numbered verse divisions of the original and includes two essential the Fayamangala commentary, written in Sanskrit by Yashodhara during the Middle Ages, and a modern Hindi commentary by Devadatta Shastri. Whereas Burton's Victorian reluctance to translate certain terms obscured our understanding of the philosophy and techniques of the Kama Sutra , Daniélou has preserved the full explicitness of the original, dealing with everything from the art of scratching to relations with the wives of others.
Realistic and pragmatic in its approach, the Kama Sutra deals without ambiguity or hypocrisy with all aspects of sexual life--including marriage, adultery, prostitution, group sex, sadomasochism, male and female homosexuality, and transvestism. The text paints a fascinating portrait of an India whose openness to sexuality gave rise to a highly developed expression of the erotic.
576 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 1993
About the author
Mallanaga Vātsyāyana
117 books160 followersVātsyāyana is the name of a Hindu philosopher in the Vedic tradition who is believed to have lived around 3rd century CE in India. His name appears as the author of the Kama Sutra and of Nyāya Sutra Bhāshya, the first commentary on Gotama's Nyāya Sutras.
Hardly anything is known about him, although it is believed that his disciples went on his instructions, on the request of the Hindu Kings in the Himalayan range to influence the hill tribals to give up the pagan cult of sacrifices. He is said to have created the legend of Tara among the hill tribes as a tantric goddess. Later as the worship spread to the east Garo hills,the goddess manifest of a 'yoni' goddess Kamakhya was created. His interest in human sexual behavior as a medium of attaining spirituality was recorded in his treatise Kama Sutra.
At the close of the Kama Sutra this is what he writes about himself:
"After reading and considering the works of Babhravya and other ancient authors, and thinking over the meaning of the rules given by them, this treatise was composed, according to the precepts of the Holy Writ, for the benefit of the world, by Vatsyayana, while leading the life of a religious student at Benares, and wholly engaged in the contemplation of the Deity. This work is not to be used merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires. A person acquainted with the true principles of this science, who preserves his Dharma (virtue or religious merit), his Artha (worldly wealth) and his Kama (pleasure or sensual gratification), and who has regard to the customs of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over his senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to Dharma and Artha and also to Kama, without becoming the slave of his passions, will obtain success in everything that he may do."
Hardly anything is known about him, although it is believed that his disciples went on his instructions, on the request of the Hindu Kings in the Himalayan range to influence the hill tribals to give up the pagan cult of sacrifices. He is said to have created the legend of Tara among the hill tribes as a tantric goddess. Later as the worship spread to the east Garo hills,the goddess manifest of a 'yoni' goddess Kamakhya was created. His interest in human sexual behavior as a medium of attaining spirituality was recorded in his treatise Kama Sutra.
At the close of the Kama Sutra this is what he writes about himself:
"After reading and considering the works of Babhravya and other ancient authors, and thinking over the meaning of the rules given by them, this treatise was composed, according to the precepts of the Holy Writ, for the benefit of the world, by Vatsyayana, while leading the life of a religious student at Benares, and wholly engaged in the contemplation of the Deity. This work is not to be used merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires. A person acquainted with the true principles of this science, who preserves his Dharma (virtue or religious merit), his Artha (worldly wealth) and his Kama (pleasure or sensual gratification), and who has regard to the customs of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over his senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to Dharma and Artha and also to Kama, without becoming the slave of his passions, will obtain success in everything that he may do."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
June 30, 2011
"Get a bigger flute!" "Increase ur Size! 6" "Don’t walk with tail between your legs." "V|agr.a, C|a.li5, and Phen.term.|ne CHeep!!"
Was the Kama Sutra the original idea for spam email?
"Take pomegranate and cucumber seeds, extract the juice of elabāluka (eluva, Gisekia pharmaceoides) and bhatakataiyā (Solanum indicum, eggplant). Cook in oil over a low heat. Use it to massage the penis. It will remain swollen for six months."
...It didn't sound so bad until I got to the last line...
"Ram's or he-goat's testicles boiled in sugared milk increase sexual prowess."
...Can I have some more Rocky Mountain Oyster Pudding, grandma?
"If a man anoints his penis with datura, black pepper [maricha], and long pepper [pippalī], crushed and mixed with honey, its use will allow him to bewitch and subjugate his partners."
...Or at least cause them to be doubled over in fiery pain.
Once you're done mucking about with spicy peppers, priapisms, and testes, why not try this ancient recipe:
"By rubbing one's hand with the excrements of a peacock, which has been made to take haritāla [yellow myrobalan] and manashilā [red arsenic], everything one touches becomes invisible."
...Infallable.
Okay, in an attempt to save you, Dear Reader, a ton of time may I present:
All You Will Ever Need To Know About the Kama Sutra*
1) There are no pictures in the original Kama Sutra, much to the chagrin of reviewers on Amazon.
2) For the naughtiest parts, go straight to Chapter Six
3) You aren't going to learn any new tricks unless you're a sweet, innocent teenager.
4) The Kama Sutra is extremely repetitive. (This explains my low-ish rating - I'd probably put it at a 2.5. And those stars are just there for the aforementioned chuckles at the insanity. Ancient people were batshitcrazy. It's a miracle we're still around.) There is a good reason for the repetitiveness - as a teaching text, a student is supposed to read the original with enlightened commentary. Unfortunately this translation includes 2 extra commentaries after every paragraph. The translator even apologizes in the intro for its "maladroitness." Even with good reason, doesn't make it fun to read.
5) A lot of the advice is violent - scratching, slapping, bleeding, etc.
6) The Kama Sutra wasn't exactly written by Vātsyāyana - he collected the "erotic science" sections of the Kama Shastra (which were becoming harder and harder to find).
7) The history of the Kama Sutra is interesting, as is the background of the three Shastras - go learn about them. Maybe I'm too dense, but I didn't learn much about history by reading the original text.
8) The Kama Sutra tries to explain all sexual practices, even those that are not recommended or are forbidden. Vātsyāyana felt it very important to be complete. Which I can get behind.
*(unless you are an ancient Indian scholar, of course.)
Was the Kama Sutra the original idea for spam email?
"Take pomegranate and cucumber seeds, extract the juice of elabāluka (eluva, Gisekia pharmaceoides) and bhatakataiyā (Solanum indicum, eggplant). Cook in oil over a low heat. Use it to massage the penis. It will remain swollen for six months."
...It didn't sound so bad until I got to the last line...
"Ram's or he-goat's testicles boiled in sugared milk increase sexual prowess."
...Can I have some more Rocky Mountain Oyster Pudding, grandma?
"If a man anoints his penis with datura, black pepper [maricha], and long pepper [pippalī], crushed and mixed with honey, its use will allow him to bewitch and subjugate his partners."
...Or at least cause them to be doubled over in fiery pain.
Once you're done mucking about with spicy peppers, priapisms, and testes, why not try this ancient recipe:
"By rubbing one's hand with the excrements of a peacock, which has been made to take haritāla [yellow myrobalan] and manashilā [red arsenic], everything one touches becomes invisible."
...Infallable.
Okay, in an attempt to save you, Dear Reader, a ton of time may I present:
All You Will Ever Need To Know About the Kama Sutra*
1) There are no pictures in the original Kama Sutra, much to the chagrin of reviewers on Amazon.
2) For the naughtiest parts, go straight to Chapter Six
3) You aren't going to learn any new tricks unless you're a sweet, innocent teenager.
4) The Kama Sutra is extremely repetitive. (This explains my low-ish rating - I'd probably put it at a 2.5. And those stars are just there for the aforementioned chuckles at the insanity. Ancient people were batshitcrazy. It's a miracle we're still around.) There is a good reason for the repetitiveness - as a teaching text, a student is supposed to read the original with enlightened commentary. Unfortunately this translation includes 2 extra commentaries after every paragraph. The translator even apologizes in the intro for its "maladroitness." Even with good reason, doesn't make it fun to read.
5) A lot of the advice is violent - scratching, slapping, bleeding, etc.
6) The Kama Sutra wasn't exactly written by Vātsyāyana - he collected the "erotic science" sections of the Kama Shastra (which were becoming harder and harder to find).
7) The history of the Kama Sutra is interesting, as is the background of the three Shastras - go learn about them. Maybe I'm too dense, but I didn't learn much about history by reading the original text.
8) The Kama Sutra tries to explain all sexual practices, even those that are not recommended or are forbidden. Vātsyāyana felt it very important to be complete. Which I can get behind.
*(unless you are an ancient Indian scholar, of course.)
June 18, 2010
Coming from a strong background in philosophy and the Classics, I found this book to be an invigorating read.
In general, nobody has any idea what Kama Sutra means, what the books is or what the author intended it to be. Simply put, dispel yourself of any preconceived notions before you read even the first paragraph of this opus or my review.
I was consistently intrigued by the exotic perspective and expansive scope of the Kama Sutra. In a sentence, the book is an exposition of the author's personal experience of and his well-read study of carnal enjoyment. I found this perspective to be particularly interesting because you must set the narrative within the context of a highly stratified caste society with little to no social/economic/spiritual/political mobility. This book forced me to recognize that this society elevated, at least theoretically, carnal pleasure to a spiritual and cultural (pseudo)-science whereby these stratifications may be bent, re-interpreted and, to use a word in its literal sense, humanized. Do not underestimate the empirical and scientific level at which the author has applied his mind. I am certain that Aristotle or Aquinas would have been enraptured. Surprisingly to me, the scope of the Kama Sutra did not extend to other aspects of carnal pleasure to include among other things the culinary sciences. Perhaps, this is because the arts of cooking and the enjoyment of taste were not within the purview of the audience of the Kama Sutra.
Speaking of Aristotle and the Greeks, the Kama Sutra contains an interesting comparative comment on the nature of prostitutes and their differing capacities in the Indian and Greek worlds. In the method of pre-Industrial revolution works, the author enjoys "scientific" proofs of his arguments by natural analogy. For example, the author supports his conclusions on that natural behaviors of mankind by analogies to his empirical observations of nature and animal life. This method, of course, will be immediately recognizable to any student of philosophy.
The books follows a logical plan, which comprises of small treatises regarding specific aspects of the topic including the opinions of previous scholars and the author's agreement or disagreement with them. The work starts with an exhortation to the study of Kama, its benefits and its general nature. The book also includes treatises on the nature of man and woman, the nature of desire, the nature of union both carnal and spiritual, the nature of a wife and, the most unusual part in my opinion, the nature of the prostitute. Unfortunately, a collection of only a handful of the thousand of verses of this work has received notice and attention by the modern world - namely the verses, which describe the 64 arts of Kama ranging from cooing and biting to sexual positions and the appropriate setting for such sexual union. I do not understand why people believe that they will discover some sexual awakening from a book, whose focus is spiritual and philosophical in nature; if you are looking for this, there are obviously more available sources of this information.
I conclude my review with a longing that the many works and authors, which are cited in this book, are unavailable and lost as far as I can tell. The book is a good foothold in Hindu culture and philosophy and has encouraged me to download the Rig Veda to my iPad/iPhone.
The Kama Sutra deserves a read by any curious mind and has earned a solid 5-star rating.
In general, nobody has any idea what Kama Sutra means, what the books is or what the author intended it to be. Simply put, dispel yourself of any preconceived notions before you read even the first paragraph of this opus or my review.
I was consistently intrigued by the exotic perspective and expansive scope of the Kama Sutra. In a sentence, the book is an exposition of the author's personal experience of and his well-read study of carnal enjoyment. I found this perspective to be particularly interesting because you must set the narrative within the context of a highly stratified caste society with little to no social/economic/spiritual/political mobility. This book forced me to recognize that this society elevated, at least theoretically, carnal pleasure to a spiritual and cultural (pseudo)-science whereby these stratifications may be bent, re-interpreted and, to use a word in its literal sense, humanized. Do not underestimate the empirical and scientific level at which the author has applied his mind. I am certain that Aristotle or Aquinas would have been enraptured. Surprisingly to me, the scope of the Kama Sutra did not extend to other aspects of carnal pleasure to include among other things the culinary sciences. Perhaps, this is because the arts of cooking and the enjoyment of taste were not within the purview of the audience of the Kama Sutra.
Speaking of Aristotle and the Greeks, the Kama Sutra contains an interesting comparative comment on the nature of prostitutes and their differing capacities in the Indian and Greek worlds. In the method of pre-Industrial revolution works, the author enjoys "scientific" proofs of his arguments by natural analogy. For example, the author supports his conclusions on that natural behaviors of mankind by analogies to his empirical observations of nature and animal life. This method, of course, will be immediately recognizable to any student of philosophy.
The books follows a logical plan, which comprises of small treatises regarding specific aspects of the topic including the opinions of previous scholars and the author's agreement or disagreement with them. The work starts with an exhortation to the study of Kama, its benefits and its general nature. The book also includes treatises on the nature of man and woman, the nature of desire, the nature of union both carnal and spiritual, the nature of a wife and, the most unusual part in my opinion, the nature of the prostitute. Unfortunately, a collection of only a handful of the thousand of verses of this work has received notice and attention by the modern world - namely the verses, which describe the 64 arts of Kama ranging from cooing and biting to sexual positions and the appropriate setting for such sexual union. I do not understand why people believe that they will discover some sexual awakening from a book, whose focus is spiritual and philosophical in nature; if you are looking for this, there are obviously more available sources of this information.
I conclude my review with a longing that the many works and authors, which are cited in this book, are unavailable and lost as far as I can tell. The book is a good foothold in Hindu culture and philosophy and has encouraged me to download the Rig Veda to my iPad/iPhone.
The Kama Sutra deserves a read by any curious mind and has earned a solid 5-star rating.
January 6, 2012
Arguably the hottest non-fiction book I've ever read - the translator has done a fantastic job of not only providing a translation of the original text, but also including translations of the commentaries by ancient Hindu authorities.
The book is less pornographic than you would think - I have seen countless "reproductions" that merely involve couples photographed in the positions. These detract from the content of the original, as does the reputation that proceeds this book.
This actually is more of a list of erotic behavior than it is a manual - anyone that reads this will never have a need to read an issue of 'Cosmo' again. (but then, anyone who has gone further than the missionary position probably doesn't need to read Cosmo either ;)
Instead of a "sex manual" it is more of an insight to the sexuality of middle-ages India - there are entire chapters on biting, scratching, sexual positions, courting, seduction, quarrels and fights, "emergency cures and potions," as well as whole sections on homosexual behavior. The commentary (which was originally written a century or so after the original text) gives further advice, stating that certain behavior is not "suitable" for people of certain castes, or that women of certain regions prefer certain behaviors but shun others, etc.
As someone interested in both anthropology and sexology, this volume is indispensable - but if you're someone looking for a quick, kinky read, I wouldn't recommend it.
The book is less pornographic than you would think - I have seen countless "reproductions" that merely involve couples photographed in the positions. These detract from the content of the original, as does the reputation that proceeds this book.
This actually is more of a list of erotic behavior than it is a manual - anyone that reads this will never have a need to read an issue of 'Cosmo' again. (but then, anyone who has gone further than the missionary position probably doesn't need to read Cosmo either ;)
Instead of a "sex manual" it is more of an insight to the sexuality of middle-ages India - there are entire chapters on biting, scratching, sexual positions, courting, seduction, quarrels and fights, "emergency cures and potions," as well as whole sections on homosexual behavior. The commentary (which was originally written a century or so after the original text) gives further advice, stating that certain behavior is not "suitable" for people of certain castes, or that women of certain regions prefer certain behaviors but shun others, etc.
As someone interested in both anthropology and sexology, this volume is indispensable - but if you're someone looking for a quick, kinky read, I wouldn't recommend it.
October 12, 2007
admittedly i did not read cover to cover, but i read enough to get a good sense. i was surprised to discover that much of it read like emily post's book of etiquette but for subjects such as kissing, scratching and biting (as in love play), how to behave toward the first wife if you are the second wife, personal adornment, and lying with courtesans.
May 10, 2012
The Kama Sutra is a very interesting book, and gives a very interesting view on ancient Indian Culture. However, I can not see it as this "Ultimate sex guide" people seem to give it credit for. the Majority of the book is about how to interact with people in ancient Hindu society, and of course it's Sexual advice is truly dated. Read it if you want to read a truly classic piece of literature and gain a higher understanding of how Ancient Hindu and Indian Culture works. However, if you are going to read it thinking you are going to find some crazy erotic imagery then you will be very disappointed.
March 29, 2012
Come on who hasn't at some point in their life picked this up and flicked through it. Turned it upside down, trying to figure out just what is going on. Honestly if you need a guide for this stuff you're not thinking hard enough.
July 4, 2013
بصراحة لا اجد اي تعليق مناسب للكتاب.. حاولت قرائته فقط لانه كتاب قديم يعود لاكثر من 2000 سنة يحمل الحياة الاجتماعية للهنود وطريقة عيشهم لكن خاب ظني عند قرائته اعتبره من اسوء الكتب التي اضعت وقتي فيها.. الكتاب غير اخلاقي بالمرة ومستفز في اغلب فصوله.. فيه باب كامل لاساليب احتيال النديمات على الرجال لسلب ثروثهم والتخلص منهم بعد ذلك, وطرق اجتذاب المراة المتزوجة! والاكثر استفزازا قيام زوجة الرجل بجذب النساء اللواتي اعجبن زوجها وتسهيل امر لقائهن به!! كما يتضمن وصفات من السحر لجذب الاخرين او لنفور الرجل من زوجته او تحسين المظهر او احداث تشوهات...
لعل الفصل الثاني هو الافضل في الكتاب -افضل السيئين- لكونه تطرق لـ"تشاتشاشتي" وهو عبارة عن الثقافة الجنسية للهنودس...
الكتاب يضفي بعد الضوء على تلك الحقبة وكيف كان يعيش الناس وقتها وخاصة العلاقة بين الجنسين.. وعكس ما كان عندنا فالمراة الحرة هي من تظهر صدرها بينما تخفيه الامة كما تمتعت النديمات بحرية كبيرة وكان زواج المتعة منتشرا عندهم لكنه محدد بسنة
الكتاب غير ممتع بالمجمل ففي ذلك العصر لم يعتني المؤلفون بجمالية النص الادبي ويقدم المؤلف المعلومات التي لديه بدون اي لمسة ادبية
لعل الفصل الثاني هو الافضل في الكتاب -افضل السيئين- لكونه تطرق لـ"تشاتشاشتي" وهو عبارة عن الثقافة الجنسية للهنودس...
الكتاب يضفي بعد الضوء على تلك الحقبة وكيف كان يعيش الناس وقتها وخاصة العلاقة بين الجنسين.. وعكس ما كان عندنا فالمراة الحرة هي من تظهر صدرها بينما تخفيه الامة كما تمتعت النديمات بحرية كبيرة وكان زواج المتعة منتشرا عندهم لكنه محدد بسنة
الكتاب غير ممتع بالمجمل ففي ذلك العصر لم يعتني المؤلفون بجمالية النص الادبي ويقدم المؤلف المعلومات التي لديه بدون اي لمسة ادبية
March 24, 2012
Great book on society and culture and sex...in that order. Not even 100 pages are explicitly dedicated to intercourse. More of the book is talking about what is acceptable in various cultures at that time.
This ancient survey of customs and relationships that were contemporary at the time the pieces were written (it is a compilation of works from various authors) offers unique insight, going beyond the popular conception of the book. It is interesting on many levels. If someone is just looking for the sexual positions and tips there are illustrated versions too, but I can't comment on those because I've never read them. There's a whole shelf full at Barnes and Nobel last time I checked.
This ancient survey of customs and relationships that were contemporary at the time the pieces were written (it is a compilation of works from various authors) offers unique insight, going beyond the popular conception of the book. It is interesting on many levels. If someone is just looking for the sexual positions and tips there are illustrated versions too, but I can't comment on those because I've never read them. There's a whole shelf full at Barnes and Nobel last time I checked.
February 29, 2008
I read the complete original text and I found it interesting in the fact that the content wasn't what I thought it would be. Most of the reading is outdated in the sense that it was written for the culture of that time. For example, I skipped the chapters about how to acquire a wife and what should be included in a dowry. I learned more about Chinese history and culture than anything else.
January 30, 2012
The translation is absolutely flawless. Not only does it provide the original Sutras, but the reader is also provided with descriptions and advice from other parties. It's not just a book to give to your friend at her bachelorette party. It's a fabulous and educational read.
January 30, 2025
Technically, I think the original English translation is just few hundred pages. But my copy included some commentaries, which I find very helpful, as it added a bit more context on where the texts and statements are coming from. I think that if you read the translation as is, you'd get confused about a lot of things.
Contrary to popular culture (brought about by some Western influences, maybe), the Kama Sutra book is not about the different sexual positions. Kama means love or desire (which can often translate to sex), while Sutra means thread or text. So if we take it as is, it means something like guidelines on love, desire.
In general, the book was like a manual. It teaches how one should act and behave to acquire a wife (or husband), how to incite the sexual desire, ways of courtship, dealing with courtesans, conducts when a man has one wife or multiple wives, renewing a relationship with former lovers, how "noble men" should act on their desires, and others. There were a lot more, and obviously it applies during that period when the text was written. But what I also like was that Vatsyayana often adds that even with these teachings, one should still be mindful of the situation, place (country) and culture one is in. Gaya nga ng sinasabi ni Zenaida Seva, "Meron tayong free will. Gamitin natin ito."
Overall, reading the book was very informative. It was still very patriarchal in a lot of its themes, but it doesn't necessarily look down on women. In a lot of things, Vātsyāyana asserts that women has as much choice (even power) as men does.
---
Contrary to popular culture (brought about by some Western influences, maybe), the Kama Sutra book is not about the different sexual positions. Kama means love or desire (which can often translate to sex), while Sutra means thread or text. So if we take it as is, it means something like guidelines on love, desire.
In general, the book was like a manual. It teaches how one should act and behave to acquire a wife (or husband), how to incite the sexual desire, ways of courtship, dealing with courtesans, conducts when a man has one wife or multiple wives, renewing a relationship with former lovers, how "noble men" should act on their desires, and others. There were a lot more, and obviously it applies during that period when the text was written. But what I also like was that Vatsyayana often adds that even with these teachings, one should still be mindful of the situation, place (country) and culture one is in. Gaya nga ng sinasabi ni Zenaida Seva, "Meron tayong free will. Gamitin natin ito."
Overall, reading the book was very informative. It was still very patriarchal in a lot of its themes, but it doesn't necessarily look down on women. In a lot of things, Vātsyāyana asserts that women has as much choice (even power) as men does.
---
The Kāma Sūtra is not a pornographic work. It is merely an impartial and systematic study of one of the essential aspects of existence. First and foremost, it is a picture of the art of living for the civilized and refined citizen, completing in the sphere of love, eroticism, and the pleasures of life, those parallel treatises of politics and economy and ethics, the Artha Shāstra and Dharma Shāstra, to which it makes constant reference.
Not everything described in the Kāma Sūtra is to be put into practice. Theory is general, while practice varies according to circumstance.
57 However, local custom must be attended to as regard the times for making love. Furthermore, the garments, behavior, and amusements of the place must be adopted.
This is why it should not be thought that the habits and behavior described in this book are valid everywhere.
In some cases, behavior that would be considered normal in one country is condemned in another.
A girl should find a husband whose character matches her own.
May 8, 2013
To be honest I feel a little ridiculous rating a book which belongs to an era and culture so removed from my own. I don't feel that any person born in the west in the twenty first century can truly grasp much of the Kama Sutra beyond its basic meaning, and we certainly cannot fathom its cultural significance in its own day and age.
That being said, the Kama Sutra has probably always been a hard book for any woman to appreciate- it is overtly sexist and makes multiple claims about women being primarily money-seeking individuals while men are primarily knowledge-seeking individuals. Although it may not have seemed so clearly sexist to women at the time it was written it would doubtless have offended the sensibilities of many due to its then-controversial subject material.
Let's make one thing clear though- in a post-modern context there is nothing particularly shocking and certainly nothing remotely sexy about the sage Vatsayana's work. The Kama Sutra is primarily a religious text and should only ever be approached as such. It is not meant to be a sexual guide and reference book, as it is so often purported to be, in fact only one seventh of the book discusses sex with any degree of explicity and that which it does discuss is marked by such outdated wisdom as to seem comical to the twenty-first century reader.
When read in the correct mindset (ie- one that considers the historical importance of the Kama Sutra, remembering that it is one of the most valuable and detailed Hindu religious texts regarding the methods of acquiring or enhancing ones Kama), the Kama Sutra provides valuable insight to the Hindu religion and is therefore a must read for all individuals fascinated by eastern spiritual practice.
That being said, the Kama Sutra has probably always been a hard book for any woman to appreciate- it is overtly sexist and makes multiple claims about women being primarily money-seeking individuals while men are primarily knowledge-seeking individuals. Although it may not have seemed so clearly sexist to women at the time it was written it would doubtless have offended the sensibilities of many due to its then-controversial subject material.
Let's make one thing clear though- in a post-modern context there is nothing particularly shocking and certainly nothing remotely sexy about the sage Vatsayana's work. The Kama Sutra is primarily a religious text and should only ever be approached as such. It is not meant to be a sexual guide and reference book, as it is so often purported to be, in fact only one seventh of the book discusses sex with any degree of explicity and that which it does discuss is marked by such outdated wisdom as to seem comical to the twenty-first century reader.
When read in the correct mindset (ie- one that considers the historical importance of the Kama Sutra, remembering that it is one of the most valuable and detailed Hindu religious texts regarding the methods of acquiring or enhancing ones Kama), the Kama Sutra provides valuable insight to the Hindu religion and is therefore a must read for all individuals fascinated by eastern spiritual practice.
April 22, 2019
This book is renowned among Westerners who have never read it, who imagine it to be full of erotic secrets and detailed pornographic descriptions of unusual positions. They will be disappointed, although it still has some interest for people who want to know a bit more about Indian culture and history. So far as I can see, it was written for a particular class of comfortably wealthy urban Indians, mostly for the purpose of educating their children. The class in question married young, and children needed to know the “facts of life” from an early age to be prepared for what was soon to be a reality for them. Thus, this book may represent the first Sex Ed textbook. For anyone who has had sex, there isn’t a lot new here, any more than there would be in a Sex Ed manual written for 8th graders in the USA.
But, reading such a textbook from the outside could teach a foreign student a great deal about the country that produced it. It is in that sense that the Kama Sutra has some value to us today. We learn a great deal about the relative positions of men and women in the society, about herbal remedies, about etiquette, about the design of houses, about the acceptance of legal prostitution, about marriage practices and even politics. It tends to demystify some romantic notions about the more “enlightened” East and demonstrate that people may really be people everywhere you go, but it also helps us to appreciate the differences that do matter. Probably there are better sources to achieve this (and visiting India might be the best of all, for those who can do it), but for some the titillation of the title will be the lure that sets them on the path.
But, reading such a textbook from the outside could teach a foreign student a great deal about the country that produced it. It is in that sense that the Kama Sutra has some value to us today. We learn a great deal about the relative positions of men and women in the society, about herbal remedies, about etiquette, about the design of houses, about the acceptance of legal prostitution, about marriage practices and even politics. It tends to demystify some romantic notions about the more “enlightened” East and demonstrate that people may really be people everywhere you go, but it also helps us to appreciate the differences that do matter. Probably there are better sources to achieve this (and visiting India might be the best of all, for those who can do it), but for some the titillation of the title will be the lure that sets them on the path.
February 24, 2012
I can't believe it took me so long to remember this one. Didn't everyone in the 50's & 60's read this? I mainly remember the part about how to enlarge the ole lingum. No idea what edition I had and the date read is a guess.
July 26, 2013
A little outdated & chauvanistic.
February 20, 2018
Please be warned, this book won't teach you everything that you want to know about sex, sexuality or intercourse.
May be you can use it as a cookbook or a tarot card deck. Cookbook approach may backfire imo, my mind weighs heavily in favour of the tarot card reading approach. You pick one for the day and you are good to go!
Perhaps a deep study will yield some results, but such an undertaking is truly sorts of an expedition. Sure, you are to have the tricks on the back of your hand (errr), but more than that, smatterings could be truly dangerous.
This book is a great conversation starter; may be will help you a bit with the praxis. But about the long term implications of owning a copy is something I am interested about, but can't comment. Would be delighted if someone can help.
The commentaries throw some light to the background of the work and is readable.
When I read this, I feel a (pointless) sense of loss that knowledge in this domain didn't survive from the paleolithic or even neolithic. Knowledge from 1,15,000 years of evolution sure would have helped...
May be you can use it as a cookbook or a tarot card deck. Cookbook approach may backfire imo, my mind weighs heavily in favour of the tarot card reading approach. You pick one for the day and you are good to go!
Perhaps a deep study will yield some results, but such an undertaking is truly sorts of an expedition. Sure, you are to have the tricks on the back of your hand (errr), but more than that, smatterings could be truly dangerous.
This book is a great conversation starter; may be will help you a bit with the praxis. But about the long term implications of owning a copy is something I am interested about, but can't comment. Would be delighted if someone can help.
The commentaries throw some light to the background of the work and is readable.
When I read this, I feel a (pointless) sense of loss that knowledge in this domain didn't survive from the paleolithic or even neolithic. Knowledge from 1,15,000 years of evolution sure would have helped...
April 19, 2010
My (wild?) guess is that probably less than 1% of the people who have heard of the book have actually taken a look at it. And of this already small minority, I do not think that more than again about 1% have read it completely. A shame, because it is an interesting treatise rather on being a well-rounded man in almost all social circumstances, and has much more recommendations than the ones usually highlighted in popularisations of the ancient classic. A bit tedious at parts, hence I cannot give it the highest ratings - but this edition here is indeed very nice, with quite a bit of background information, which proves often vital to even grasp some of the details (at least for me as a "modern day" Westerner).
June 20, 2012
I didn't know what I was getting into reading this. Very, very... er, well thought out and .. ah, specific. Those Indians really took care to make sure everyone who picked up this guide would pleasure her man or his lady (or his man or her lady) in bed with the skills of a master.
Everything from sexual positions to foreplay to erogenous zones to "match-ups" of the penis and vagina (some are "shallow" and some are "deep", I should say... .__. ) and all this other stuff you need to know.
This book is very old. Thousands of years old, if I'm not mistaken. The names may have changed, but these techniques and know-how have never been completely expunged from the population. It is what everyone "knows". Nothing new under the sun, in other words, lol.
Everything from sexual positions to foreplay to erogenous zones to "match-ups" of the penis and vagina (some are "shallow" and some are "deep", I should say... .__. ) and all this other stuff you need to know.
This book is very old. Thousands of years old, if I'm not mistaken. The names may have changed, but these techniques and know-how have never been completely expunged from the population. It is what everyone "knows". Nothing new under the sun, in other words, lol.
March 15, 2012
This book has nothing to do with being practical! It's almost as if someone decided to re-write the original gatherings of texts and added in 80% fiction into the mix.
Also no illustrations for the wild and impossible feats...
Almost as if it were put together by a virgin.
Also no illustrations for the wild and impossible feats...
Almost as if it were put together by a virgin.
April 3, 2012
I've had this particular translation on my bookshelf for a while: it's gone with me to Colorado and come back with me to San Francisco. However, there is a lot of notes to the translations in this text that make it seem scattered.
December 31, 2011
A complete manual for all those who wish to become better lovers. The book doesn't just focus only on sexual positions but the entire science of courtship, romance and lovemaking.
Read
September 16, 2012Weirdly enough, I can only download this in French ...
May 6, 2014
It may be unabridged, but compared to what? A Sanskrit-English edition would have been most helpful.
September 21, 2023
Some books develop a reputation that precedes them so thoroughly, the actual text is left behind. So if you're looking for a list of sex positions for equal parts education, inspiration, and titillation, this is not where you should look. There's no pictures, and you can get any one of dozens of modern volumes that offer what you're looking for, along with up-to-date sexual health information. Some of them even have "Kama Sutra" in the title. You don't need a lot of ancient Indian philosophy and sociology to go along with it.
On the other hand, if you are actually interested in ancient Indian philosophy and sociology (hopefully not in a creepy, fetishizing way), there is certainly something to catch your eyes (although again, I must warn you, there are no pictures). The original text was essentially a handbook for the wealthy male townsfolk in an India some two thousand years past (the exact date is not precisely known), and the advice it contains is geared toward experiencing eroticism from that rarified standpoint. The author and the accompanying commentators often note that different customs and opinions prevail in different times and places, but their own analyses are rooted in strict notions of caste, gender roles, and other aspects of the Hindu ethical tradition. Although they discuss nearly every erotic topic you can imagine, they don't have a lot of encouragement for hedonists and libertines.
Applied as a manual in a very different country and time period, the advice and analysis of the Kama Sutra ranges from sensible to eye-rollingly bizarre. You have your contradictory and vague, yet confidently pronounced, declarations on the essential natures of men and women. You have exotic and impractical recipes for aphrodisiacs and magic potions (to say nothing of the fixation on chewing betel leaves). But you also have a sense of genuine curiosity and fascination with the subject that goes beyond parochial concerns. It's an interesting window into another way of seeing one of the most eternally relevant topics in human history. But I wouldn't put too much stock in its practicality.
On the other hand, if you are actually interested in ancient Indian philosophy and sociology (hopefully not in a creepy, fetishizing way), there is certainly something to catch your eyes (although again, I must warn you, there are no pictures). The original text was essentially a handbook for the wealthy male townsfolk in an India some two thousand years past (the exact date is not precisely known), and the advice it contains is geared toward experiencing eroticism from that rarified standpoint. The author and the accompanying commentators often note that different customs and opinions prevail in different times and places, but their own analyses are rooted in strict notions of caste, gender roles, and other aspects of the Hindu ethical tradition. Although they discuss nearly every erotic topic you can imagine, they don't have a lot of encouragement for hedonists and libertines.
Applied as a manual in a very different country and time period, the advice and analysis of the Kama Sutra ranges from sensible to eye-rollingly bizarre. You have your contradictory and vague, yet confidently pronounced, declarations on the essential natures of men and women. You have exotic and impractical recipes for aphrodisiacs and magic potions (to say nothing of the fixation on chewing betel leaves). But you also have a sense of genuine curiosity and fascination with the subject that goes beyond parochial concerns. It's an interesting window into another way of seeing one of the most eternally relevant topics in human history. But I wouldn't put too much stock in its practicality.
May 27, 2013
The idea of someone documenting various forms of making love was intriguing and I started exploring further on the original work. Once I got past a few mindnumbing translations, I discovered this work. I saw my initial curiosity turning into fascination at first, but when I finished the work I had nothing but respect for this work ("Eroticism is firstly a search for pleasure, and the goal of the techniques of love is to attain a paroxysm considered by the Upanishads ( holy texts) as a perception of the divine state, which is infinite delight ").Alan Danielou's seems to have impressive credentials that bring an impeccable authenticity to this work.
There is hardly a subject the author has not dealt with. If the range of subjects dealt with fascinates you (marriage, adultery, prostitution, group sex, sadomasochism, male and female homosexuality, and transvestitism) the scientific approach and the depth of classification in dealing with those subjects might bewilder you. ("There are different types of men and women according to their sizes of the organs, their moment of sexual enjoyment, and the violence of their sexual impulse"). The part dealing with occult practices is a blast. These practices include ointments for the body, marks on the forehead, powders sprinkled over the woman and substances that she be made to ingest, the surprising things she must be shown, as well as the means and remedies for subjugating her. This section also manifest the thoroughness of the research done almost 2000 years back.
null The author emphasizes that this is not a pornographic work and is merely an impartial and systematic study of one of the essential aspects of existence. There is ample proof of that throughout the book.
There is hardly a subject the author has not dealt with. If the range of subjects dealt with fascinates you (marriage, adultery, prostitution, group sex, sadomasochism, male and female homosexuality, and transvestitism) the scientific approach and the depth of classification in dealing with those subjects might bewilder you. ("There are different types of men and women according to their sizes of the organs, their moment of sexual enjoyment, and the violence of their sexual impulse"). The part dealing with occult practices is a blast. These practices include ointments for the body, marks on the forehead, powders sprinkled over the woman and substances that she be made to ingest, the surprising things she must be shown, as well as the means and remedies for subjugating her. This section also manifest the thoroughness of the research done almost 2000 years back.
null The author emphasizes that this is not a pornographic work and is merely an impartial and systematic study of one of the essential aspects of existence. There is ample proof of that throughout the book.
December 10, 2018
I have been interested in reading this historical treatise by Vatsyayana for sometime now. Though often mistook as a pornographic book (Thank you Orientalism!), it is actually intended as a behavioral guide for a civilized and refined citizen who is expected to be trained in the ways of the erotics, the arts as well as the art of making money.
Unfortunately the translation by Alain Danielou isn't up to par and also because he takes too much liberty in translation of the original text.
Still it is a very eclectic text and does give you an idea of the social and cultural makeup of the period in which it was originally written. But it is also important to remember who the ideal audience for such a treatise would be. In the case of the Kamasutra, that would be almost always be an upper caste bourgeois male.
Unfortunately the translation by Alain Danielou isn't up to par and also because he takes too much liberty in translation of the original text.
Still it is a very eclectic text and does give you an idea of the social and cultural makeup of the period in which it was originally written. But it is also important to remember who the ideal audience for such a treatise would be. In the case of the Kamasutra, that would be almost always be an upper caste bourgeois male.
November 26, 2008
I actually just re-read this entire thing a few weeks back. I intended to read just a section for reference to something I was writing but got so immersed in it that I read the whole thing again. Sexy stuff at its best.
July 16, 2011
to the people who haven't actually read the 'book' part of this book (as in you just bothered with the positions), you should take a look at it. it is pretty brutal, especially towards women. as K.D. said, the sex is only about 1/7 of the book.
Want to Read
November 27, 2012Is this an English translation? All the comments I read are in English but when I click read and open the book it is not English, maybe Spanish idk, is there an English translation available as an ebook?
March 17, 2013
This book allegedly turns westerners on...
Are you kidding me? Yuck.
Only thing that speaks in its favor is the historic value it represents as far as the contemporary Vedic society was concerned....
Are you kidding me? Yuck.
Only thing that speaks in its favor is the historic value it represents as far as the contemporary Vedic society was concerned....
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