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The Kama Sutra of Vatsayayana

Subtitle Aphorisms on Love
Categories Sexuality, Philosophy
Language English
Published 1898
Notes

An ancient Indian text on human sexual behavior, widely considered to be the standard work on love in the Sanskrit literature. The text was written by Vatsyayana. The author is believed to have lived sometime between the 1st to 6th centuries A.D, probably during the Gupta period.

Approx. 57,883 words.

Excerpt

e of love, and appears to have borrowed largely from Vatsyayana on the subject. Now Virahamihira is said to have lived during the sixth century A.D., and as Vatsya must have written his works previously, therefore not earlier than the first century A.D., and not later than the sixth century A.D., must be considered as the approximate date of his existence.

On the text of the 'Aphorisms on Love', by Vatsyayana, only two commentaries have been found. One called 'Jayamangla' or 'Sutrabashya', and the other 'Sutra vritti'. The date of the 'Jayamangla' is fixed between the tenth and thirteenth century A.D., because while treating of the sixty-four arts an example is taken from the 'Kavyaprakasha' which was written about the tenth century A.D. Again, the copy of the commentary procured was evidently a transcript of a manuscript which once had a place in the library of a Chaulukyan king named Vishaladeva, a fact elicited from the following sentence at the end of it.

'Here ends the part relating to the

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Average Rating:

2008.04.26
Swami

Overwhelming !!! A fine blend of Dharma and Kama. Do read the book to undersatnd the nuances of SEDUCTION. No vulgarity but insightful.

NECTAR FROM OUR VEDAS

2008.04.20
sourav bhandari

this book is an must read for every person because in this world there is no one who does not like to have an sex. this is the book which not only teaches about sexuality but also about dharma, kama, and everything in this world that is necessary for an person in an day today life. so every person should learn this because without reading this no person can undestand the correct meaning of having an sex with an unknown person. this book is really very great...

2007.08.14
Bipolar Writer

The Kama Sutra--what can I say? Hm...OK. Remaining impartial, I call this one a classic. The Kama Sutra informs and (I speak personally) amuses the reader. As the 'notes' portion up there says (look), it's a "standard work on love in the Sanskrit literature"; I think that's what should entice everyone to read it. 3 stars. No hype.

2007.05.31
sudhakar

This is a must-read book.

2006.11.03
natasha

i longed 2 read this

2006.08.21
sakib

it could be helpfull for newly married and teens....

2006.01.24
Ahmad Shuja

The Kama Sutra of Vatsayayana, is a must-read!

2005.11.07
Chaz Teo

Just found this page to have a read. Thanks