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 5 - Kamasutra part 4 (Bharya-adhikarana )—Critical study
11 (of 16)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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On the basis of these sutras only, the poets have
described the Viyogini or Prositabhartṛkā type of heroines
in the literature. The description of Yaksini of Kālidāsa
is the best example for the above aphorisms. The detailed
description of Yakṣini shows that she was a virtuous wife.
Yakṣa, hence, calls her as his second life and thinks that
she might be like a lonely female cakravāka and has changed
39 in form like a lotus creeper blighted by frost. Duṣyanta,
in the hermitage of Marica, meets Sakuntala and describes
her in this way- "She is wearing a dusty garment; her
face has become pale due to vow; her hair are tied in one
braid o
Thus Kalidasa has depicted the Viyoginis accord-
ing to the words of Kamasutra.
The second adhyaya opens with the conduct of the
Vätsyāyana gives five reasons for the re-
elder wife.
marriage of a man. They are as follows: If the first
wife is foolish; if her character is bad; if she is barren;
if she gives birth to only daughters and if the man is
39. ता� जानीया� परिमितकथां जीवितं मे द्वितीयं
दूरीभूते मय� सहचर� चक्रवाकीमिपैकाम् �
गाढोत्कण्ठ� गुरुषु दिवसेष्वेष� गच्छत्सु बाला�
जाता मन्य� शिशिरमथिता पद्मिनीवान्यरूप� � मे�. [tā� jānīyā� parimitakathā� jīvita� me dvitīya�
dūrībhūte mayi sahacare cakravākīmipaikām |
gāḍhotkaṇṭhā guruṣu divaseṣveṣu gacchatsu bālā�
jātā manye śiśiramathitā padminīvānyarūpā || meṣa. ] 85.
40. वसने परिधूसरे वसान� नियमक्षाममुखी धुतैकदेणी� � अभ�. [vasane paridhūsare vasānā niyamakṣāmamukhī dhutaikadeṇīḥ || abhi.] 7.22.
