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
65 (of 155)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The poet describes the same kind of kiss picturesquely in
other words thus- "Finding herself alone in the bed chamber,
the young bride raised herself gently and slowly from her
couch and for long scanned the face of her lord, who, the
while, feigned deep sleep; and then she imprinted a kiss
on his face without any shyness; but as she perceived the
thrill of pleasure on his cheeks, she bent down her head
in bashfulness, while her laughing lord rained kisses on
37 Both
her.
In both the above contexts the poet Amaru has
followed the aphorisms of love of Vatsyāyana.
heroines expressed their love towards their lovers by
kissing when they were pretending deep sleep.
1 The Kamasutra narrates a 'kiss showing the intention'
in which a person kisses the reflection of his beloved
38 in a mirror, in water or on a wall. This type of kiss
has been depicted by śrīharṣa thus- "Overwhelmed with
emotion, he (Nala) kissed her smiling face, as does sun
37. शून्यं वासगृह� विलोक्� शयनादुत्था� किंचिच्छनै-
निद्राव्याजमुपागतस्य सुचिरं निर्वर्ण्य पत्युर्मुखम् �
विसब्ध� परिचुम्ब्य जातपुलकामालोक्� गण्डस्थली
लज्जानममुखी प्रिये� हसता बालाभवच्चुम्बिता � अमरु. [śūnya� vāsagṛha� vilokya śayanādutthāya kiṃcicchanai-
nidrāvyājamupāgatasya sucira� nirvarṇya patyurmukham |
visabdha� paricumbya jātapulakāmālokya gaṇḍasthalī
lajjānamamukhī priyeṇa hasatā bālābhavaccumbitā || amaru. ] 74.
38. आदर्� कुइय� सलिल� वा प्रयोज्यायाश्छाय� चुम्बन-
माकारप्रदर्शनार्थमेव कार्यम� � का. सू. [ādarśa kuiyai salile vā prayojyāyāśchāyā cumbana-
mākārapradarśanārthameva kāryam | kā. sū. ] 2.3.30.
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