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
7 (of 48)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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instructs not only young men but also young maids to learn Kamasutra with its subordinate arts and sciences before 19 marriage. Even after the marriage a lady may continue
20 to study with the permission of her husband. The Kama-
sutra, further says that a woman should learn this science
21 or at least a part of it from some confiding friend.
Her teacher may be a daughter of nurse brought up with
her,
and already married, or a female friend who is trust-
worthy, or the sister of her mother, or a woman of equal
age or an old female servant or a female beggar who may
have formerly lived in the family, or her own sister, who
22 can always be trusted.
39 Sanskrit literature refers to many heroes and
heroines who studied all the arts under their teachers.
Rājaśrī grew up in the harem with her friends.
19. प्रायोवनात्स्त्री � का. सू. [prāyovanātstrī | kā. sū. ] 1.3.2.
20. प्रत्त� � पत्युरभिप्रायात् � का. सू. [prattā ca patyurabhiprāyāt | kā. sū. ] 1.3.2.
23 21. तस्माद्वैश्व� सिकाज्जनाद्रहत� प्रयोगांछास्त्रमेकदेशं वा
स्त्री गृहणीयात् � का. सू. [tasmādvaiśvā sikājjanādrahati prayogāṃchāstramekadeśa� vā
strī gṛhaṇīyāt | kā. sū. ] 1.3.13.
䲹Իīḍa
22. आचार्यस्तु कन्यानां प्रवृत्त-पुरुषसंप्रयोगा सहसंप्रवृद्ध� धात्रेयिका
तथाभूत� � वा निरत्ययसंभाषणासखी, स्वयाश्च, मातृष्वस�
विस्त्रब्ध� तत्स्थानीया वृद्वदासी, पूर्वसंसृष्ट� वा भिक्षुकी,
स्वस� � विश्वा� - संप्रयोगात� � का. सू. [ācāryastu kanyānā� pravṛtta-puruṣasaṃprayogā sahasaṃpravṛddhā dhātreyikā
tathābhūtā ca vā niratyayasaṃbhāṣaṇāsakhī, svayāśca, mātṛṣvasā
vistrabdhā tatsthānīyā vṛdvadāsī, pūrvasaṃsṛṣṭ� vā bhikṣukī,
svasā ca viśvāsa - saṃprayogāt | kā. sū. ] 1.3.15.
23. अथ राजश्रीरप� विदग्धास� सखीषु सकलासु कलास� अवर्धत �
...
हर्ष पृ. [atha rājaśrīrapi vidagdhāsu sakhīṣu sakalāsu kalāsu avardhata |
...
harṣa p�. ] 233. Harsacarita of Bāna. Ed. K. P . Parab,
Nirnayasagara Press, Bombay, 1946.
