Essay name: Kamashastra and Classical Sanskrit literature (study)
Author:
Vishwanath K. Hampiholi
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
This essay in English studies the influence of Kamashastra on classical Sanskrit literature by exploring the significance of Kama (sexual desire) within Indian philosophy and literature. It is highlighted tat ancient Indians valued both spiritual and worldly aspects of life. The treatise "Kamasutra" by Vatsyayana is highlighted as a pioneering erotic text, addressing sexual pleasure as an art form.
Chapter 1 - Introdcution to Kama and Kamashastra literature
10 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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10
The Vivahasukta (x.85) of the Rgveda is full of
proper advice and prayer. Vedic seers instruct the bride
thus "Unite thy person with this thy husband and both
growing old together govern your house-hold.
#24
Further
the seers pray in this way "Pūsan, inspire her who is
most auspicious, in whom men may sow seed. She who is
most affectionate, may be devoted to us and in whom
animated by desire we may be get progeny.
#25
Thus we see
many hymns referring to sex.
In the Atharvaveda, we come across many hymns, by
the chanting of which, long life, health and potentionality
In one of the hymns a seer requests the
are obtained.
26 }
God to remove the defect of sterility of a woman. He
desires that she should become pregnant and mother of sons.
27 24. एन� पन्य� तन्व� संसृजस्वाध� जिवी बिदथमा वदाय� तत्रैव. [enā panyā tanva� saṃsṛjasvādhā jivī bidathamā vadāya� tatraiva. ] 10-85.27
25. ता� पूर्षछिवतमामेरयस्व यस्यां बीजं मनुष्य� वपन्ति �
या � ऊर� उशती विश्तयात� यस्यामुशन्तः प्रहरा� रेषम� || [tā� pūrṣachivatamāmerayasva yasyā� bīja� manuṣyā vapanti |
yā na ūrū uśatī viśtayāte yasyāmuśanta� praharāma reṣam || ] 10 85.37
26. या� त्वा गन्धर्वो अखनवरुणा� मृतभजे |
ता� त्वा वय� खनामस्योषधिं शेोपहार्षणीम् || अथ [yā� tvā gandharvo akhanavaruṇāya mṛtabhaje |
tā� tvā vaya� khanāmasyoṣadhi� śeोpahārṣaṇīm || atha ] 4.4 1.6
27. ये� वेहद बभूविथ नाशयामसि तत्त्वत् �
इद� तदन्यत्र त्वद� दूरे नि दध्म� ति �
� ते योनि� गर्भ एन पुमान् बा� इवेषुधिम� �
� वीरोत्� जायतां पुत्रस्त� दशमास्यः � अथर्�. [yena vehada babhūvitha nāśayāmasi tattvat |
ida� tadanyatra tvadapa dūre ni dadhmā ti ||
ā te yoni� garbha ena pumān bāṇa iveṣudhim |
ā vīrotra jāyatā� putraste daśamāsya� || atharva. ] 3.23.1-2 �
