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 2 - Kamasutra part 1 (Sadharana-adhikarana)—Critical study
23 (of 48)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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54
"This is the politics of this minister of science of Love.
Makaranda in the Mālatīmādhava, Vasantaka in the Priya-
darŝikā, Gautama in the Malavikagnimitra, Madhavya in
the Abhijnana Sakuntala are good examples of jesters
characterised by the dramatists according to the dictates
of the Kāmasutra.
w54
The last and the fifth adhyaya of this adhikarana
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discusses the types of the hero and heroine and their
friends as well as their messengers. Vätsyāyana starts
this adhyāya as- "When kama is practised by men of the
four classes according to the rules of Sastra with virgins
of their own caste, it then becomes a means of acquiring
lawful progeny and good fame, which is not opposed to the
55 customs of the world. Vātsyāyana prohibits coition
with a woman of a higher caste and with those already
enjoyed by others, even though they may be of the same
caste. He allows the practice of kama with women of lower castes,
with women driven out from their own caste, with public
women and with women twice married for pleasure only.
56 54
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इयमस्य कामतंत्र - सचिवस्� नीति� � झा�. पृ. [iyamasya kāmataṃtra - sacivasya nīti� | jhāla. p�. ] 100
55. कामश्चतुर्षु वर्णेष� सवर्णत� शास्त्रतश्� अनन्यपूर्वायां
[kāmaścaturṣu varṇeṣu savarṇata� śāstrataśca ananyapūrvāyā�
] 56.
प्रयुज्यमानः पुत्रीयो यशस्यो लौकिकश्च भवति � का. सू. [prayujyamāna� putrīyo yaśasyo laukikaśca bhavati | kā. sū. ] 1.5.1.
अवरवर्णास्वनिरवसितास� वेश्यासु पुनर्भूष� � � शिष्�
� प्रतिषिद्ध� सुखार्थत्वात� � का. सू. [avaravarṇāsvaniravasitāsu veśyāsu punarbhūṣu ca na śiṣṭa
na pratiṣiddha� sukhārthatvāt | kā. sū. ] 1.5.3.
