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
121 (of 155)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Here the poet has suggested the sounds of cuckoo and bee made by Damayanti in love-sport. Damodaragupta instructs a woman through Vikarala thus- "O sweet voiced one, at love-union you should make hissing sound like a cuckoo, ,63 Here the a quail, a swan, a pigon and like a horse. poet has followed the sutras of Vatsyayana word by word. Anantabhaṭṭa describes this idea in an interesting way. When the fire (a lover) caught the sprouts (the lips) of the forest (beloved), the pitiable sound of doves was 64 heard everywhere. Here, when the lover bites the lips
of his beloved, she makes the sound of pigeon with pain.
i
In the same way when the fire spreads and burns the
sprouts in the forest, the doves which dwell there cry
due to the danger.
200 Thus the sitkṛta Prakaraṇa, which deals with striking
and moaning, has influenced most of the poets to a great
extent. The poets have pictured the hissing sound done
by women, according to the tenets of the Kamasutra as if
they are displaying the knowledge of sexology through their
kavyas,
63. परभृ� लावक हंसक पारावत तुरगहृदय निम्वनितम् �
अनुकार्यमुचितकाल� कलकण्ठ� रुतैस्त्वय� रसतः � कुट्टनी. [parabhṛta lāvaka haṃsaka pārāvata turagahṛdaya nimvanitam |
anukāryamucitakāle kalakaṇṭhi rutaistvayā rasata� || kuṭṭanī. ] 157.
64. प्रथमं पावक षि� परिरभ्� गृहीतपल्लवोष्ठपुरे �
|
उपकण्ठ� वनाजेरुदयायादाकु� कपोत नादतति� � चं. भा. [prathama� pāvaka ṣi� parirabhya gṛhītapallavoṣṭhapure |
|
upakaṇṭhe vanājerudayāyādākula kapota nādatati� || ca�. bhā. ] 3. 115.
