The complete Kåama Såutra: the first unabridged modern translation of the classic Indian text

The world's oldest and most widely read guide to the pleasures and techniques of sex, the Kama Sutra was compiled in the fourth century A.D. by a Brahmin and religious scholar name Vatsyayana, who worked from texts dating back to the fourth century B.C. Until the present, the only English translation of his Hindu love classic was that of the famous English explorer Sir Richard Burton, published in 1883. Unlike Burton's version, Alain Daniélou's new translation preserves the numbered verse divisions of the original and includes two essential commentaries: the Fayamangala commentary, written in Sanskrit by Yashodhara during the Middle Ages, and a modern Hindi commentary by Devadatta Shastri. Whereas Burton's Victorian reluctance to translate certain terms obscured our understanding of the philosophy and techniques of the Kama Sutra, Daniélou has preserved the full explicitness of the original, dealing with everything from the art of scratching to relations with the wives of others. Realistic and pragmatic in its approach, the Kama Sutra deals without ambiguity or hypocrisy with all aspects of sexual life--including marriage, adultery, prostitution, group sex, sadomasochism, male and female homosexuality, and transvestism. The text paints a fascinating portrait of an India whose openness to sexuality gave rise to a highly developed expression of the erotic. The Complete Kama Sutra The First Unabridged Modern Translation of the Classic Indian Text Editor's Note Introduction by Alain Danielou Part One: General Remarks 1. Contents of the Book 2. The Three Aims of Life 3. The Acquisition of Knowledge 4. The Conduct of the Well-bred Townsman 5. Reflections on Intermediaries Who Assist the Lover in His Enterprises Part Two: Amorous Advances 1. Stimulation of Erotic Desire 2. Embraces 3. Petting and Caresses 4. The Art of Scratching 5. Biting 6. On Copulation and Special Tastes 7. Blows and Sighs 8. Virile Behavior in Women 9. Superior Coition or Fellation 10. Preludes and Conclusions to the Game of Love Part Three: Acquiring a Wife 1. Forms of Marriage 2. How to Relax the Girl 3. Ways of Obtaining the Girl 4. How to Manage Alone 5. Union by Marriage Part Four: Duties and Privileges of the Wife 1. Conduct of the Only Wife 2. Conduct of the Chief Wife and Other Wives Part Five: Other Men's Wives 1. Behavior of Woman and Man 2. Encounters to Get Acquainted 3. Examination of Sentiments 4. The Task of the Go-between 5. The King's Pleasures 6. Behavior in the Gynoecium Part Six: About Courtesans 1. Advice of the Assistants on the Choice of Lovers 2. Looking for a Steady Lover 3. Ways of Making Money 4. Renewing Friendship with a Former Lover 5. Occasional Profits 6. Profits and Losses: Reflections on Doubts Concerning the Advantages and Disadvantages of Relations Part Seven: Occult Practices 1. Success in Love 2. Mythical and Historical Characters and Authors Mentioned in the Text 3. Works Consulted 4. Glossary I: Plants, Herbs, Spices, and Sundry Products 5. Glossary II: Special Terms Index About the Translator

This definitive volume is the first modern translation of Vatsyayana's Kama Sutra to include two essential commentaries: the Jayamangala of Yashodhara and the modern Hindi commentary by Devadatta Shastri. Alain Danilou spent four years comparing versions of the Kama Sutra in Sanskrit, Hindi, Bengali, and English, drawing on his intimate experience of India, to preserve the full explicitness of the original. I wanted to demystify India, he writes, to show that a period of great civilization, of high culture, is forcibly a period of great liberty.

The Guardian Weekend

Dildo was translated as "medicine." Lesbian was just "corrupt woman." No wonder we couldn't follow any of the instructions in the Kama Sutra. But now, there's a new translation of the oldest sex manual, the first since the Victorians brought it home and hid it under the mattress.

The Kāma Sūtra Deals Without Ambiguity Or Hypocrisy With All Aspects Of Sexual Life--including Marriage, Adultery, Prostitution, Group Sex, Sadomasochism, Male And Female Homosexuality, And Transvestism. The Text Paints A Fascinating Portrait Of Secular Life In Classical India ... Whose Openness To Sexuality Gave Rise To A Highly Developed Expression Of The Erotic.--jacket. General Remarks -- Amorous Advances -- Acquiring A Wife -- Duties And Privileges Of The Wife -- Other Men's Wives -- About Courtesans -- Occult Practices. Translated By Alain Danielou ; Prepared With The Help Of Kenneth Hurry. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 536) And Index. Hindu love manuals are full of advice at a practical level - although the positions described in some of them are practical only for the double-jointed or professional gymnasts - but there is a far more important message common to all the teachings. A work of philosophy, psychology, sociology, Hindu dogma, scientific inquiry, and sexology, the "Kama Sutra" has been a classic of world literature for more than 1700 years. Literature/Sexuality Literature;,Sexuality Literature,Sexuality