Kamasutra
Ancient intimacy manual
The Kamasutra is an ancient Sanskrit text on human sexuality, pleasure, and emotional fulfillment, written in India around the 3rd century CE.
Though popularly associated with sexual positions, it is primarily a guide to the art of living well, covering topics like courtship, marriage, and social conduct.
In modern usage, Kamasutra often refers loosely to illustrated guides depicting various sexual positions.
They joked about consulting the Kamasutra to spice things up.
Locations or viewpoints held
- lovemakingSexual intercourse between partners
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
- eroticSexually stimulating
techniques · embraces · kisses · scratching · biting · courtship · seduction · foreplay
Intense fond attachment
- dharmaCosmic moral order
- arthaMaterial wellbeing in Hinduism
- kamaOkinawan sickle weapon
- desireIntense wanting
fulfillment · virtue · balance · wellbeing · aesthetics · enjoyment · refinement · cultivation
Original text before publication
- SanskritAncient Indo-Aryan language
- ancientVery old indeed
- treatiseFormal scholarly composition
- chaptersMain divisions of text
verses · translation · Richard Burton · commentary · scripture · aphorisms · compilation · prose
South Asian republic
- HinduFollower of ancient Indian religion
- courtesansCompanions to powerful men
- urbaniteMetropolitan resident
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
arts · music · dance · poetry · perfume · grooming · etiquette · hospitality
Cultural or social prohibition
- curiosityDesire to learn
- bestsellerHigh-volume publication
- illustratedShown with images
- misconceptionErroneous belief or understanding
exotic · orientalism · sensationalism · pop culture · bedroom · manual · guidebook · spice
positions
Locations or viewpoints held
- lovemakingSexual intercourse between partners
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
erotic · techniques · embraces · kisses · scratching · biting · courtship · seduction · foreplay · arousal
love
Intense fond attachment
desire · fulfillment · virtue · balance · wellbeing · aesthetics · enjoyment · refinement · cultivation · moderation
manuscript
Original text before publication
chapters · verses · translation · Richard Burton · commentary · scripture · aphorisms · compilation · prose · palmleaf
India
South Asian republic
- HinduFollower of ancient Indian religion
- courtesansCompanions to powerful men
- urbaniteMetropolitan resident
sophistication · arts · music · dance · poetry · perfume · grooming · etiquette · hospitality · conversation
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
- curiosityDesire to learn
- bestsellerHigh-volume publication
- illustratedShown with images
misconception · exotic · orientalism · sensationalism · pop culture · bedroom · manual · guidebook · spice · exploration
- Sanskrit LiteratureMahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Vedas, Upanishads
- Hindu ScripturesVedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana
- contraceptivescondom, birth control pill, Durex, diaphragm, birth control patch
- Hindu textsVedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita
- Indian scholarshipSanskrit, Vedas, ashram, pundit, rishi
- Sanskrit textsVedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita
Kamasutrapuritanism
Rigid moral severity
purity culture · Victorian morality · celibacy vows · chastity vows · chastity
Kamasutraasceticism
Severe self-denial practice
monasticism · fasting · hair shirt · Desert Fathers · flagellants