Illustrated Kama Sutra (The Illustrated Kama Sutra)

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As Venus is the epitome of feminine beauty in Greek literature, the Hindus describe the padmini, or the lotus woman, as the perfect representation of the same. There was also a couple chapters on sex, but they can be easily skipped if that's not your cup of tea. Especially the chapter on Eunuchs, just wierd.

This commentary was most useful in explaining the true meaning of Vatsyayana's work, for the commentator appears to have had considerable knowledge of the times of the older author, providing very detailed information in some places. 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.Sir Richard F. Burton’s translation of The Kama Sutra remains one of the best English interpretations of this early Indian treatise on politics, social customs, love, and intimacy. Its crisp style set a new standard for Sanskrit translation. Courtship was also very interesting with its formalities and what was permitted. Pressing with nails and biting were something that always came up in the book as something to communicate to others either by doing it to them, or by biting or pressing you nails on a gift for them like a flower.

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 ;) It handles things quite ”scientifically” and is in no way erotic. In fact, only one out of seven parts discusses ”Sexual Union” while the rest focuses on more cultural issues and etiquette. Most of which are clearly outdated, but hence I have a great general historical interest – I found it both fascinating and, at times, comical to read about how you were supposed to behave around, and treat a woman 2000 or so years ago – also how a woman herself is to treat males of various castes and social standing. A cave painting from the Vishvantara Jataka, 6th century, Ajanta, Northern Deccan. The nayaka is seen in a pleasure palace. Study of the shastras Shastrasangraha Prakarana

Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2023-07-01 02:15:07 Associated-names Dane, Lance Autocrop_version 0.0.15_books-20220331-0.2 Boxid IA41003104 Camera Sony Alpha-A6300 (Control) Collection_set printdisabled External-identifier

He cooks the heart of a mongoose, the fruits of a fenugreek plant and a long gourd, and snake eyes, over a fire that does not smoke. Then he rubs into this the same measure of the collegium used as eye make-up. When he has smeared his eyes with this, he can move about without a shadow or a body. The Kama Sutra, Aphorisms on Love, written by Nandikeshvara in one thousand parts, was reproduced in an abbreviated form in five hundred canons, by Shvetaketu, the son of Uddalaka. This work was again similarly reproduced in an abridged form, in one hundred and fifty canons, by Babhravya, an inhabitant of Panchala, south of Delhi. The aphorisms were then put together under seven heads: very country's literature has among its treasures of the written word a number of works dealing especially with love. Everywhere too, the subject is dealt with in a different manner and from various points of view. This book is a comprehensive translation of the most authoritative work on love in Sanskrit literature - the Kama Sutra, Aphorisms on Love by Vatsyayana. Divided into seven books and thirty-six parts, the evidence concerning the date of the writing and the commentaries written on it are examined in the Introduction. Before commencing the translation in the books, however, a brief mention is made about similar works written by authors who wrote years after Vatsyayana, but who still quoted him as the chief guide to Hindu erotic literature. 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. The Kama Sutra by Vatsyayana is a great book that gives a detailed description on several aspects on sex, love and marriage in Sanskriti culture. There's a lot of cultural information in this collection of tales and advice that is really interesting and rather surprising. These examples are made using the highest ideal/potential one can work towards. It's not the general standard that was actually lived by but the standards a person was meant to aim for.

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). The man is aroused by the thought, ‘I am taking her’, the young woman by the thought, ‘I am being taken by him.’ Kama is a handsome youth who, armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows, tipped with flowers, pursues his quarry of young loves. His thirst for love is shared and dispensed with his wife, Rati Devi. Book 1 General Principles Richard Schmidt, the German translator, would wax lyrical: 'The burning heat of the Indian sun, the fabulous luxuriance of the vegetation, the enchanted poetry of moonlit nights permeated by the perfume of lotus flowers and, not least, the distinctive role the Indian people have always played, the role of unworldly dreamers, philosophers, impractical romantics—all combine to make the Indian a real virtuoso in love.'