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.
Concluding Remarks
5 (of 45)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
379
if he is going to draw the ideal house of Nagaraka narrated
by the Kamasutra.
14 K膩lid膩sa lavishes his knowledge of Kamasastra while
he describes the love-scene of his heroes and heroines.
15 16
According to V膩tsy膩yana women like flowers, hence they
should be treated delicately. Kalidasa's Dusyanta
behaves in the same manner. He treats Sakuntala delica-
tely and proceeds gradually to win her mind.
Siva also
tackles P膩rvati very moderately during the first night.
K膩lid膩sa explains this idea of treating woman tenderly
in clear words in the Raghuvansa.
17 The Kamasutra describes the behaviour of a virgin
before her lover in detail.
18 All those characteristics
are depicted in the Sakuntala by Kalidasa.
19 The poet
uses the same words, which are used by the author of
20 Kamasutra, to express the same idea. The instruction
14. Supra II Chapter, Fn.35, p.47.
15. Supra IV Chapter, Fn. 13, p.242.
16. Supra IV Chapter, Fn.52, p.252.
17. Supra IV Chapter, Fn. 18, p.244.
18. Supra IV Chapter, Fn.27,28,34,35,36,37, p.246,248.
19. Supra IV Chapter, Fn. 33,38,39, p.247,248, 249.
20. Supra IV Chapter, Fn.27, 33, p.246, 247,
