The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana: The Classic Burton Translation

by Vatsyayana, Richard Burton (Translator)

Overview

Kama means desire, love, and lust; sutra means teachings and "verses." The Kama Sutra, then, is the book of love, teaching the best methods of cultivating sensual pleasure, sexual desire, and loving union. A classic of world literature for 1,700 years, this is the most explicit and fascinating book ever written for lovers.
This immortal work also serves as a window into Indian culture and mysticism. Its unique approach —combining meditations on politics and social customs with counsel on love and intimacy — features frank, direct advice on bodily pleasures, from aphrodisiacs and kissing to orgasm-delaying techniques. This edition is the renowned translation by the great 19th-century explorer and writer Richard Burton. Its crisp style sets a new standard for Sanskrit translation, and its unblushing faithfulness to the original text sparked controversy in certain corners of the Victorian world. A wellspring of erotic knowledge, it remains an inspiration to readers of every era.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486452371
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	07/21/2006
Series:	Dover Thrift Editions: Philosophy
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Part I. The Vatsyayana Sutra
Introductory Preface: Salutation to Dharma, Artha, and Kama
Chapter II: On the Acquisition of Dharma, Artha, and Kama
Chapter III: On the Arts and Sciences to Be Studied
Chapter IV: The Life of a Citizen
Chapter V: About the Kinds of Women Resorted to by the Citizens, and of Friends and Messengers
Part II. Of Sexual Union
Chapter I: Kinds of Sexual Union According to (a) Dimensions, (b) Force of Desire or Passion, (c) Time
Chapter II: Of the Embrace
Chapter III: On Kissing
Chapter IV: Of Pressing, or Marking, or Scratching with the Nails
Chapter V: On Biting, and the Means to Be Employed with Regard to Women of Different Countries
Chapter VI: Of the Different Ways of Lying Down, and Various Kinds of Congress
Chapter VII: Of the Various Modes of Striking, and of the Sounds Appropriate to Them
Chapter VIII: About Women Acting the Part of a Man; and of the Work of a Man
Chapter IX: Of the Auparishtaka or Mouth Congress
Chapter X: Of the Way How to Begin and How to End Congress. Different Kinds of Congress and Love Quarrels
Part III About the Acquisition of a Wife
Chapter I: On Marriage
Chapter II: Of Creating Confidence in the Girl
Chapter III: On Courtship, and the Manifestation of the Feelings by Outward Signs and Deeds
Chapter IV: About Things to Be Done Only by the Man, and the Acquisition of the Girl Thereby. Also What Is to Be Done by a Girl to Gain Over a Man, and Subject Him to Her
Chapter V: On Certain Forms of Marriage
Part IV. About a Wife
Chapter I: On the Manner of Living of a Virtuous Woman, and of Her Behaviour During the Absence of Her Husband
Chapter II: On the Conduct of the Elder Wife Towards the Other Wives of Her Husband, and on That of a Younger Wife Towards the Elder Ones. Also on the Conduct of a Virgin Widow Remarried; of a Wife Disliked by Her Husband; of the Women in the King's Harem; and Lastly on the Conduct of a Husband Towards Many Wives
Part V. About the Wives of Other Men
Chapter I: Of the Characteristics of Men and Women—The Reasons Why Women Reject the Addresses of Men—About Men Who Have Success with Women, and About Women Who Are Easily Gained Over
Chapter II: About Making Acquaintance with the Woman, and of the Efforts to Gain Her Over
Chapter III: Examination of the State of a Woman's Mind
Chapter IV: About the Business of a Go-between
Chapter V: About the Love of Persons in Authority for the Wives of Other Men
Chapter VI: About the Women of the Royal Harem; and of the Keeping of One's Own Wife
Part VI. About Courtezans
Introductory Remarks
Chapter I: Of the Causes of a Courtezan Resorting to Men; of the Means of Attaching to Herself the Man Desired; and of the Kind of Man That Is Desirable to Be Acquainted With
Chapter II: Of Living Like a Wife
Chapter III: Of the Means of Getting Money; of the Signs of the Change of a Lover's Feelings, and of the Way to Get Rid of Him
Chapter IV: About Re-union with a Former Lover
Chapter V: Of Different Kinds of Gain
Chapter VI: Of Gains and Losses; Attendant Gains and Losses; and Doubts; as Also of the Different Kinds of Courtezans
Part VII. About the Means of Attracting Others to Yourself
Chapter I: On Personal Adornment; on Subjugating the Hearts of Others; and on Tonic Medicines
Chapter II: Of the Ways of Exciting Desire, and Miscellaneous Experiments, and Recipes
Concluding Remarks