What is Kama Sutra? To most of us it is some naughty positions for you to enact with your loved ones, but did you know it is a ancient hindu t
The Kama Sutra (Sanskrit: कामसूत्र - Kāmasūtra) is an ancient Indian Hindu text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature. Written by Hindu Philosopher Vatsayana in (4th to 6th CE) as a rough estimate.
A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse. It is largely in prose, with many poetry verses. "Kāma" which is one of the three goals of Hindu life, means sensual or sexual pleasure, and "sūtra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Contrary to popular perception, especially in the western world, Kama sutra is not just an exclusive sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to a virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to pleasure oriented faculties of human life.
Kama is pleasure, usually understood as aesthetic pleasure of all kinds. This includes: the producing and enjoyment of art, music, dance, drama, literature, poetry, and sex. (The "Kama Sutra," which may be one of the best known Hindu texts in the West, is about the aesthetic pleasure of men and women; it discusses beauty, music, dance and sexual activity.) It is thus spiritually praiseworthy to take part, to support, or just to appreciate any form of pleasure. This should always be done, of course, within the realm of dharma (i.e., in a virtuous manner).
It is important to remember the flexibility of Hinduism, and Kama is one of the main life goals in a path from classic Hinduism. What some consider the material path, some may prefer becoming a monk and totally rising above desire. Sex can either be a means of great pleasure and happiness or extreme hindrance depending on how you approach it. For example, Bhudda chose the latter path and describes the danger of desire.
Kama Sutra has 1250 verses, distributed in 36 chapters, which are further organized into 7 parts.
If we continue speaking on the material path Some Indian philosophies follow the "four main goals of life" known as the purusharthas:
Dharma: Virtuous living.
Artha: Material prosperity.
Kama: Aesthetic and erotic pleasure.
Moksha: Liberation.
Dharma, Artha and Kama are aims of everyday life, while Moksha is release from the cycle of death and rebirth. The Kama Sutra (Burton translation) says:
"Dharma is better than Artha, and Artha is better than Kama. But Artha should always be first practised by the king - for the livelihood of men is to be obtained from it only. There are exceptions to the general rule." (Kama Sutra 1.2.14)
Of the first three, virtue is the highest goal, a secure life the second and pleasure the least important. When motives conflict, the higher ideal is to be followed. Thus, in making money virtue must not be compromised, but earning a living should take precedence over pleasure, but there are exceptions.
The Kama Sutra acknowledges that the senses can be dangerous: 'Just as a horse in full gallop, blinded by the energy of his own speed, pays no attention to any post or hole or ditch on the path, so two lovers, blinded by passion, in the friction of sexual battle, are caught up in their fierce energy and pay no attention to danger'(2.7.33)
Many in the Western world wrongly consider the Kama Sutra to be a manual for tantric sex. While sexual practices do exist within the very wide tradition of Hindu Tantra, the Kama Sutra is not a Tantric text, and does not touch upon any of the sexual rites associated with some forms of Tantric practice.
Hinduism acknowledges that seeking pleasures and avoiding pain are fundamental to human psychology, and therefore pleasure is one of the ends — or goals — of existence. But people do come to the realization that pleasure is not all there is. In fact, the nonstop pursuit of pleasure is rather trivial and ultimately boring; people desire something everlasting. The most enlightened of us have the ability to disattach ourselves from bondage to sexual activity and ultimately eliminate pain.
In no way is the Kama Sutra a univeral view on sexuality. In other words Kama-sutra is a part of Hindu culture, but it isn't a Holy Scripture.
‘I am the lust (or Kama) in human beings that is in harmony with Dharma’
(Gita 7:11)
Though if you would like to consider the earliest sexual text and the one from which most sexual positions originated then Kama Sutra it most definetely is.
Humorously, Not all Indian literature is imbued with a hankering for increased spirituality. Vatsayana also gives a veritable guide for the “man about town” who enjoys “the good things of life, has a cultured taste, and moves in the most refined social and artistic circles.”
Peace & Love
The Kama Sutra (Sanskrit: कामसूत्र - Kāmasūtra) is an ancient Indian Hindu text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature. Written by Hindu Philosopher Vatsayana in (4th to 6th CE) as a rough estimate.
A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse. It is largely in prose, with many poetry verses. "Kāma" which is one of the three goals of Hindu life, means sensual or sexual pleasure, and "sūtra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Contrary to popular perception, especially in the western world, Kama sutra is not just an exclusive sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to a virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to pleasure oriented faculties of human life.
Kama is pleasure, usually understood as aesthetic pleasure of all kinds. This includes: the producing and enjoyment of art, music, dance, drama, literature, poetry, and sex. (The "Kama Sutra," which may be one of the best known Hindu texts in the West, is about the aesthetic pleasure of men and women; it discusses beauty, music, dance and sexual activity.) It is thus spiritually praiseworthy to take part, to support, or just to appreciate any form of pleasure. This should always be done, of course, within the realm of dharma (i.e., in a virtuous manner).
It is important to remember the flexibility of Hinduism, and Kama is one of the main life goals in a path from classic Hinduism. What some consider the material path, some may prefer becoming a monk and totally rising above desire. Sex can either be a means of great pleasure and happiness or extreme hindrance depending on how you approach it. For example, Bhudda chose the latter path and describes the danger of desire.
Kama Sutra has 1250 verses, distributed in 36 chapters, which are further organized into 7 parts.
If we continue speaking on the material path Some Indian philosophies follow the "four main goals of life" known as the purusharthas:
Dharma: Virtuous living.
Artha: Material prosperity.
Kama: Aesthetic and erotic pleasure.
Moksha: Liberation.
Dharma, Artha and Kama are aims of everyday life, while Moksha is release from the cycle of death and rebirth. The Kama Sutra (Burton translation) says:
"Dharma is better than Artha, and Artha is better than Kama. But Artha should always be first practised by the king - for the livelihood of men is to be obtained from it only. There are exceptions to the general rule." (Kama Sutra 1.2.14)
Of the first three, virtue is the highest goal, a secure life the second and pleasure the least important. When motives conflict, the higher ideal is to be followed. Thus, in making money virtue must not be compromised, but earning a living should take precedence over pleasure, but there are exceptions.
The Kama Sutra acknowledges that the senses can be dangerous: 'Just as a horse in full gallop, blinded by the energy of his own speed, pays no attention to any post or hole or ditch on the path, so two lovers, blinded by passion, in the friction of sexual battle, are caught up in their fierce energy and pay no attention to danger'(2.7.33)
Many in the Western world wrongly consider the Kama Sutra to be a manual for tantric sex. While sexual practices do exist within the very wide tradition of Hindu Tantra, the Kama Sutra is not a Tantric text, and does not touch upon any of the sexual rites associated with some forms of Tantric practice.
Hinduism acknowledges that seeking pleasures and avoiding pain are fundamental to human psychology, and therefore pleasure is one of the ends — or goals — of existence. But people do come to the realization that pleasure is not all there is. In fact, the nonstop pursuit of pleasure is rather trivial and ultimately boring; people desire something everlasting. The most enlightened of us have the ability to disattach ourselves from bondage to sexual activity and ultimately eliminate pain.
In no way is the Kama Sutra a univeral view on sexuality. In other words Kama-sutra is a part of Hindu culture, but it isn't a Holy Scripture.
‘I am the lust (or Kama) in human beings that is in harmony with Dharma’
(Gita 7:11)
Though if you would like to consider the earliest sexual text and the one from which most sexual positions originated then Kama Sutra it most definetely is.
Humorously, Not all Indian literature is imbued with a hankering for increased spirituality. Vatsayana also gives a veritable guide for the “man about town” who enjoys “the good things of life, has a cultured taste, and moves in the most refined social and artistic circles.”
Peace & Love
