The Kama Sutra is commonly mismarketed as a sex guide or as pornography. This book was contained in a shoebox in the closet of my parent's bedroom. Like most children, my brother and I knew where everything was in our house, paying particular attention to the things we weren't supposed to know about.
*(unless you are an ancient Indian scholar, of course.). Vātsyāyana felt it very important to be complete. Maybe I'm too dense, but I didn't learn much about history by reading the original text.Ĩ) The Kama Sutra tries to explain all sexual practices, even those that are not recommended or are forbidden. The translator even apologizes in the intro for its "maladroitness." Even with good reason, doesn't make it fun to read.ĥ) A lot of the advice is violent - scratching, slapping, bleeding, etc.Ħ) The Kama Sutra wasn't exactly written by Vātsyāyana - he collected the "erotic science" sections of the Kama Shastra (which were becoming harder and harder to find).ħ) The history of the Kama Sutra is interesting, as is the background of the three Shastras - go learn about them. Unfortunately this translation includes 2 extra commentaries after every paragraph. It's a miracle we're still around.) There is a good reason for the repetitiveness - as a teaching text, a student is supposed to read the original with enlightened commentary. And those stars are just there for the aforementioned chuckles at the insanity. (This explains my low-ish rating - I'd probably put it at a 2.5. Okay, in an attempt to save you, Dear Reader, a ton of time may I present:Īll You Will Ever Need To Know About the Kama Sutra*ġ) There are no pictures in the original Kama Sutra, much to the chagrin of reviewers on Amazon.Ģ) For the naughtiest parts, go straight to Chapter Sixģ) You aren't going to learn any new tricks unless you're a sweet, innocent teenager.Ĥ) The Kama Sutra is extremely repetitive. "By rubbing one's hand with the excrements of a peacock, which has been made to take haritāla and manashilā, everything one touches becomes invisible." Once you're done mucking about with spicy peppers, priapisms, and testes, why not try this ancient recipe: Or at least cause them to be doubled over in fiery pain. "If a man anoints his penis with datura, black pepper, and long pepper, crushed and mixed with honey, its use will allow him to bewitch and subjugate his partners." Can I have some more Rocky Mountain Oyster Pudding, grandma? "Ram's or he-goat's testicles boiled in sugared milk increase sexual prowess." It didn't sound so bad until I got to the last line. "Take pomegranate and cucumber seeds, extract the juice of elabāluka (eluva, Gisekia pharmaceoides) and bhatakataiyā (Solanum indicum, eggplant).
Was the Kama Sutra the original idea for spam email? "Ram's or he-goat "Get a bigger flute!" "Increase ur Size! 6" "Don’t walk with tail between your legs." "V|agr.a, C|a.li5, and Phen.term.|ne CHeep!!" It didn't sound so bad until I got to the last line. "Get a bigger flute!" "Increase ur Size! 6" "Don’t walk with tail between your legs." "V|agr.a, C|a.li5, and Phen.term.|ne CHeep!!" Was the Kama Sutra the original idea for spam email? "Take pomegranate and cucumber seeds, extract the juice of elabāluka (eluva, Gisekia pharmaceoides) and bhatakataiyā (Solanum indicum, eggplant).