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
129 (of 155)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
209
Here Nala uses the masculine word for Damayanti instead of
feminine word, because Damayanti was acting like a man
in that love-sport. The poet has mentioned the reverse-
position indirectly here. A poet describes this situa-
tion thus- "O innocent one, I am your wife; you become
my husband," when thus uttered by her lover she refused
by shaking her head. But she adorned his hand with her
bangles and accepted his request without uttering a word."19
Vatsyāyana further narrates that the signs of the
enjoyment and satisfaction of the woman are as follows.
Her body relaxes, she closes her eyes, she puts aside
all bashfulness and shows increased willingness to unite
as closely together as possible. The Ratirahasya states
20 19. मुग्धे तवास्म� दयित� दयित� भव त्�-
मित्युक्तय� नह� नहीति शिरो विधू� �
स्वस्मात्करात्प्रियकरे वलयं क्षिपन्त्य�
वाचं विनाभ्युपगमः कथित� मृगाक्ष्या� � सुभा. [mugdhe tavāsmi dayitā dayito bhava tva-
mityuktayā nahi nahīti śiro vidhūya |
svasmātkarātpriyakare valaya� kṣipantyā
vāca� vinābhyupagama� kathito mṛgākṣyā� || subhā. ] 2127.
Subhaṣitavaliof Vallabhadeva.
Ed. Peterson and Durga Prasada
Education Society's Press, Byculla,1886.
20. गात्राणा� संसन� नेत्रनिमीलन� व्रीडानाशः समधिका
� रतियोजनेति स्त्रीणा� भावलक्षणम् � का. सू. [gātrāṇāṃ saṃsana� netranimīlana� vrīḍānāśa� samadhikā
ca ratiyojaneti strīṇāṃ bhāvalakṣaṇam | kā. sū. ] 2. 8.8.
