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
9 (of 155)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
89
Lotus-lady: The Pancasayaka describes- "That heroine
is Lotus-lady, whose face is like the fullmoon, eyes are
tremulous, breasts are plump, limbs are delicate, who is
modest, fragrant like blossomed lotus, who gives pleasure
according to the season, who has white complexion, who
takes a little food, who is expert in dalliance, whose
sound is like that of swans, who has self respect, bash-
fulness and takes pleasure in worshipping Gods and elders.
Here the meaning of the 'Syama' is that a lady who gives
pleasure according to season, but not as a dark lady. If
we take the second meaning, it contradicts the next
quality i.e. 'Gauradyuti,' Therefore, Mallinatha, well-
known commentator, gives the meaning of this word thus:
That lady is called as 'Syāmā' whose colour is like that
of gold which is purified in the fire, whose limbs are
15 warm in winter and cool in summer.
The Ratirahasya
defines Lotus-lady as follows: She is a Lotus-lady, who
14 is soft like lotus bud, whose mucus smells like a blossomed
lotus, whose body contains divine fragrance, whose sides
14. संपूर्णेन्दुमुखी विलोलनयन� पीनस्तनी दक्षिण�
मृदंगी विकचारविन्दसुरभि� प्रयासाऽ� गौरद्युतिः �
अल्पाहाररत� विलासकुशला हंसस्वना मानिनी
लज्जालुर्गुरुदेवपूजनरत� सा नायिका पदिमिनी � पं. सा. [saṃpūrṇendumukhī vilolanayanā pīnastanī dakṣiṇ�
mṛdaṃgī vikacāravindasurabhi� prayāsā'tha gauradyuti� |
alpāhāraratā vilāsakuśalā haṃsasvanā māninī
lajjālurgurudevapūjanaratā sā nāyikā padiminī || pa�. sā. ] 1.6.
15. शीते सुखोष्णसंवगी ग्रीष्मे तु सुखशीतल� �
तप्तकाञ्चनवर्णाभ� सा स्त्री क्यानेति कथ्यते � भट्ट�. [śīte sukhoṣṇasaṃvagī grīṣme tu sukhaśītalā |
taptakāñcanavarṇābhā sā strī kyāneti kathyate || bhaṭṭi. ] 5. 18.
Ed. Bhuvanacandra, Calcutta,1885.
