BOOK REVIEW – VATSAYANA - THE KAMA SUTRA Written c.300 B.C. to 400 A.D. The 1883 Sir Richard Burton translation. Subtitled
Aphorisms Of Love, the Kama Sutra is the definitive guide to sensual erotic pleasure. Many claim to have read this when they haven’t. It is not simply a catalogue of
sexual postures and positions, though some books of the same title pretend that is the case. Vatsayana argues that just because sex is natural to all creatures doesn’t mean sexual education is not necessary to humans. He adds that while women are excluded from many science studies in the schools, excluding them from learning the Kama Sutra is foolish. It depends on them sharing knowledge with the male students. The book teaches not only sexual intercourse, but also insists on study of many other pleasure giving skills, such as singing, music, tattooing, writing, fashion sense, cooking, etc. Sexual wisdom cannot be separated from other arts. An active social life is essential to meeting lovers, and maintaining interest from them. Diversity is very important. Love of women from the lower castes and higher castes to one is
encouraged too, showing how subversive the Kama Sutra is. Adultery is not frowned on if practiced for more than mere carnal desire though incest and seduction of a Brahmin’s wife is taboo. Some advice seems obvious, i.e. – don’t sleep with lepers. A whole range of kisses are examined and labelled. These depend on how much pressure or gentility the kissers employ, whether lips are parted or closed, or combinations of each. What we call French kissing is here called the fighting of the tongues. Much of the Kama Sutra is a list of degrees of commitment and how one can vary a theme, taking in as many alternatives as the author can imagine, and though he imagines many, the book is far from complete. Scratching a lover with the nails should be used wisely, as it shows others that lovemaking and passion has been involves, but such marks can be carried with pride and honour, or concealed in private paces seen by lovers only. However, if the marks fade and are not replenished, they will show people that the love making is now less frequent and may give clues to strain within a relationship. Making love in water is generally prohibited by law in India, and discouraged by the author, though he refers to other authorities who say it is worth practicing, suggesting that he has a loophole here. Congress between whole groups of peoples (orgies) is encouraged, along with anal intercourse. Spanking and striking games are encouraged, much to the delight of modern day BDSM aficionados. However, this should not become excessive. We are reminded of King Satakarni Satavahana who got carried away and killed Queen Malayavati in games involving a pair of scissors. Ouch. Now there’s a cautionary tale. Women taking on the male role and getting on top and dominating the sexual congress is encouraged as a novel variation on the theme, though it is seen as role-play. . Homosexuality and eunuchs are seen as close to one another in nature, and for those who wish it there is advise on making sexual congress with eunuchs who are really men who behave like females. Vatsayana does warn that some countries see religious and moral objections to such practices and advises men to do what they wish as long as they do not breach the laws of their governments. To him, if it gives pleasure, it should be acceptable. Such a liberal view is exceptional. There are lists of sexual positions, but they are mere chapters in a much more complex work.
On preparing a marriage proposal, the Kama Sutra encourages a degree of deception by the male who should get a friend to pretend to be an astrologer, who gives the possible marriage a good sign of future success. The man should also convince his lover and her parents that other girls are in competition and therefore, not accepting a proposal quickly could result in losing the opportunity presented. Surprisingly, once married, the couple should abstain from consummation for three days. Polygamy is encouraged, especially if a first wife is unable to bear child, or has only daughters to her husband. If a man has many wives, the wives should communicate important matters by chain of command from the oldest wife, to the youngest (First married to last one married). Harem women absent from their husband are encouraged to practice loving with each other, appropriate shaped phallic fruit, anatomically realistic male statues, etc. They may also smuggle in male lovers disguised as women to fool onlookers. This is discouraged only due to the penalties and high risk of capture and punishment for men and women involved. The Kama Sutra is surprisingly immoral in advocating such activity. A man who dallies much with other men’s wives is more likely to be aware of the clues when any wife of his own commits infidelity. This seems to be a primary reason why men are encouraged to play the field. Prostitution is encouraged for some ladies with advice on securing protection from skilled negotiators, bodyguards and protective influential policemen and magistrates.
The Burton translation remains the best available.