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 3 - Kamasutra part 2 (Samprayogika)—Critical study
104 (of 155)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
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you are wishing.
You will feel no enjoyment when you share
her couch and you will waken in her heart neither inclination
nor affection nor love for you; all her qualities will
3 remain hidden. Though rubbing, pressing, nibbling,
striking etc. appear painful, they are essential in coition.
Hence Vatsyayana compares cohabitation with a quarrel or
with a battle. The idea of Vatsyayana is accepted and
appreciated by the Sanskrit poets ever and anon.
4 The poet Bharavi declares that love although renowned
for tenderness is truly cruel during sexual union. The
purpose of the coition is of course to produce pleasure,
but the pleasure is often achieved only through giving
and receiving pain. Hence Jayadeva states that "Krsna
was hugged by his beloved with her arms; he was pressed
by her breasts; he was pierced by her nails; his lower
lip was bit by her teeth; he was struck by her hips; she
dragged his hair by her hand and infatuated by the honey
of her lower lip. Still he got wonderful satisfaction!
3. Arabian Sex Technique. M. P.Khanchandani, Bombay,
1980, p.54.
4. सौकुमार्यगुणसंभूतकीर्तिर्वा� एव सुरतेष्वपि कामः � किरा�. [saukumāryaguṇasaṃbhūtakīrtirvāma eva surateṣvapi kāma� | kirāta. ] 9.49.
