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
19 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
19
A.B.Keith
The date of V膩tsy膩yana is also uncertain.
remarks that he might have flourished before 4th Cen. A. D.
53 H.R.Agrawala places him in 4th Cen. A. D.
Winternitz
54 considers V盲tsyayana's date to be the 4th Cen.A.D. H.C.
Chakladar opines that the Kamasutra was written in the
middle of 3rd Cen. A. D.
55 Benargi and Shastri examined
this problem and came to the conclusion that it was
56 I
written at the end of 3rd Cen. A. D.
says
Q
M. Krishnamachariar
"we may safely assign V盲tsyayana to the 4th or
#57
3rd Cen.B.C.
52 V盲tsyayana wrote Kamasutra in seven adhikaranas
running into thirty six adhyayas and sixty seven prakaranas.
The first six adhikara峁嘺s are discussed in the following
chapters as they are related to sexual matters. The last
adhikarana which is named as Aupanisadika deals with
1 special appliances and methods of use of aphrodisiacs,
52. A.B.Keith: History of Sanskrit Literature, p.461.
53. A Short History of Sanskrit Literature, p.59.
54. A History of Indian Literature, Vol.III, Part II,
p.623.
55. Social Life in Ancient India, p.24.
56. Journal of the Bihara and Orissa Research Society,
Vol. IX, Part-I, p.49.
57. History of Classical Sanskrit Literature, p.888.
