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
150 (of 155)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
229
Conclusion
females.
The first adhyaya of the second adhikarana deals with
the kinds of sexual union and types of the males and the
The three types of men and women are the founda-
tion for the description of various heroes and heroines
in the literature. Vatsyayana divides males and females
on the basis of the length and the depth of their organ.
But successive erotic writers made the division of man
and woman on the basis of physical beauty. The poets,
whose minds were attracted by the physical charm mentioned
by erotic writers, described the beauty of their heroines
in various manner.
Parvati in the Kumarasambhava, Dama-
yanti in the Naisadhiya, Malavika in the Malavikāgnimitra,
Ratnāvalī in śrīharṣa's Ratnavali Yakṣiṇi in the Meghadūta
etc. are the best examples to illustrate physical beauty
of the heroines. The poets have coined many vocatives
for ladies to exhibit their physical charm. The descrip-
tion of male characters like Dilipa in the Raghuvaṃśa, Nala
in the Naisadhiya, Kampana in the Madhura vijaya, Candra-
pīḍa and Vaisaṃpayana in the Kadambari, is according to
the erotic texts. The erotic texts discuss various types
of sexual union on the basis of dimension, passion and
time.
Some of them have been described by Damodaragupta,
Ratnakara and by śrīharṣa.
