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
14 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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7 } 14 40
sacrifice to obtain a son. The Ramayana describes how
King Dasaratha performed sacrifice and obtained four sons.
King Drupada, in the Mahabharata gets a powerful son by
performing a sacrifice only. King Dilīpa obtains a son by
serving Nandini, the daughter of Kamadhenu in the Raghuvaṃsa.
1 I
41 In one mantra of the Rgveda we see that a widow
approaches her husband's brother for progeny. The birth
of Dhrtarastra, Pandu and Vidura took place in the same
manner. It was not at all an illegitimate act in that age.
But if a woman desired another man for her carnal desire,
she was treated as unchaste, If a man seduced other's wife
for his sexual desire he was looked down upon as immoral one.
Bhisma tells Yudhisthira that, if a pupil cohabited
with the wife of the teacher, with his consent, the pupil
was said to have committed no sin. He gives the example of
Uddalaka whose wife got a son named Svataketu from the pupil
of her husband.
42 40. मम लालप्यमानस्य पुत्रार्� नास्ति वै सुखम� �
तदर्थं हयमेधे� यक्ष्यामीति मतिर्म� � रामा. [mama lālapyamānasya putrārtha nāsti vai sukham |
tadartha� hayamedhena yakṣyāmīti matirmama || rāmā. ] 1.8.8
41. को वा� शयुत्र� विधवेव देवर� मर्य� � योषा ... [ko vā� śayutrā vidhaveva devara� marya� na yoṣ� ... ] 1 ऋग्वेद [ṛg岹 ] 10-40.2
42. गुरुतल्प� हि गुर्वर्थ� � दूषयति मानवम् �
उद्धालकः श्वेतकेतुं जनयामा� शिष्यत� � �.भा. [gurutalpa� hi gurvartha� na dūṣayati mānavam |
uddhālaka� śvetaketu� janayāmāsa śiṣyata� || ma.bhā. ] 12-34-22.
