In this article, we are going to look at the most widely misunderstood sanskrit work, kamasutra, and explore the various chapters present in it.
Widely misunderstood as The book of sexual positions, Kama Sutra, has gained international popularity.
There would be almost nobody, who has not heard of this Sanskrit work, which was compiled by the Sage Vatsyayana, 1000's of years ago!
It was only in the 1800s, that a sexually repressed England, started studying KamaSutra,in secret, through translations, by the orientalist Richard Burton.
The United States government, allowed the publication of Kamasutra, just around 60 years ago.
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| purushartha |
Though it's study has mostly been limited to the sexual positions today, the Kama Sutra, infact deals, with the study of kama, or pleasure, One of the four attainments of a humanbeing.
This includes understanding the nature of love, finding a partner, maintaining one's sexual health, and other aspects pertaining to pleasure-oriented faculties of human life.
The majority of the book is about the practicality of love,methods for courtship,and a study of what triggers desire, and what sustains it.
Here are the 7 Chapters that are explored in Kama Sutra, with their actual Sanskrit
Kama Sutra 7 chapters
- Saadhaarana
- Samprayogika
- Kanya Samprayukta
- BhAryAdhikArika
- ParAdika
- Vaishika
- Aupamishadika
Discription :
Chapter 1, called Saadhaarana or general matters, deals with the aims of life, different kinds of skills to make oneself attractive, and general lifestyle of those times.
Capter 2, called samprayogika or practical details, describes different combinations of sexual unions, hugs, kisses, scratches, bites, positions, acts, oral and genital stimulations in extraordinary detail. One could say this is the chapter that got the most attention all around the world.
Chapter 3, called kanya samprayukta, or finding a bride, talks about chosing a partner, different kinds of moves and advances one can make, and strategies to win over a bride.
Chapter 4, 5 and 6 called bhAryAdhikArika, parAdika and vaishika deal with the type of conduct, with one's own wife, other men's wives and sexual workers respectively.
They delve into the study of the art of seduction, proper and improper conduct, various causes of resistance, study of sexual inclinations, ways of restoring broken relationships, methods of identifying signs of either reluctance or passion, and more.
Finally, the 7th and the last chapter, called aupamishadika or the art of medicines, deals with various recipes, potions and concoctions, that are useful to enhance harmones and sexual organs, improve virility, fertility and attractiveness.
Isn't it truly mind boggling, that a civilization, 1000s of years ago, took such an open stance at exploring a topic, that humans even at this day, and age, consider taboo, and are hesitant to talk about openly.
It is time we change our attitudes with misconceptions and expressions of embarrassment at the erotic arts found in ancient temples.
It's beyond time, we treat these works with respect, for the depth of understanding that they offer, and not just be stuck at the surface.
Namaskaram🙏