Kama Sutra

Description

This stunning new edition of the ancient Hindu guide to lovemaking combines the classic Kama Sutra text with an exceptional collection of explicit Indian artworks in glorious full colour, and follows the original English language translation of this seminal sexual guide by Sir Richard Burton. With inspirational quotes highlighted to catch the eye and decorative Indian motifs adding authenticity, this is the ultimate gift for lovers and connoisseurs of sensual pleasure. It has inspired lovers around the world for thousands of years and is now available in this beautiful hardback edition.

Promotion info

Sir Richard Burton's translation is the original English language edition of the Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana; Period erotic artworks and striking design bring this classic text to new readers; The Kama Sutra is the bestselling sex book of all time and is considered to be the standard work on human sexual behaviour.

Author description

Mallanaga Vatsyayana was the Hindu philosopher credited with writing the original work in the sixth century AD. In his own words, 'a person acquainted with the true principles of this science, who preserves his Dharma (virtue or religious merit), his Artha (worldly wealth) and his Kama (pleasure or sensual gratification), and who has regard to the customs of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over his senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to Dharma and Artha and also to Kama, without becoming the slave of his passions, will obtain success in everything that he may do.' Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) was an English explorer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer and diplomat. His best-known achievements include travelling in disguise to Mecca, an unexpurgated translation of One Thousand and One Nights, and bringing the Kama Sutra to publication in English - thereby introducing the world to what is now regarded as a standard work on human sexual behaviour. Following a career in the army of the East India Company serving in India (and later, briefly, in the Crimean War), he was engaged by the Royal Geographical Society to explore the east coast of Africa and led the expedition guided by the locals that discovered Lake Tanganyika. In later life he served as British consul in Fernando Po, Santos, Damascus and, finally, Trieste. He was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and was awarded a knighthood in 1886.

Table of contents

A Note on the Text Sir Richard Burton's Introduction PART I: THE VATSYAYANA SUTRA Chapter i Preface: Salutation to Dharma, Artha & Kama Chapter ii On the Acquisition of Dharma, Artha & Kama Chapter iii On the Arts & Sciences to Be Studied Chapter iv The Life of a Citizen Chapter v About the Kinds of Women Resorted to by the Citizens, & of Friends & Messengers PART II: ON SEXUAL UNION Chapter i Kinds of Sexual Union According to Dimensions, Force of Desire or Passion, Time Chapter ii Of the Embrace Chapter iii On Kissing Chapter iv On Pressing, or Marking, or Scratching with the Nails Chapter v On Biting, & the Means to Be Employed with Regard to Women of Different Countries Chapter vi Of the Different Ways of Lying Down, & Various Kinds of Congress Chapter vii Of the Various Modes of Striking, & of the Sounds Appropriate to Them Chapter viii About Women Acting the Part of a Man; & of the Work of a Man Chapter ix Of the Auparishtaka or Mouth Congress Chapter x Of the Way How to Begin & How to End the Congress. Different Kinds of Congress & 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, & the Manifestation of the Feelings by Outward Signs & Deeds Chapter iv About Things to Be Done Only by the Man, & the Acquisition of the Girl Thereby. Also What is to Be Done by a Girl to Gain Over a Man, & 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, & 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, & on That of a Younger Wife towards the Elder Ones. Also on the Conduct of a Virgin Widow Re-Married; Of a Wife Disliked by Her Husband; Of the Women in the King's Harem; & 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 & Women. The Reasons Why Women Reject the Addresses of Men. About Men Who Have Success with Women, & About Women Who Are Easily Gained Over Chapter ii About Making Acquaintance with the Woman, & 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; & of the Keeping of One's Own Wife PART VI: ABOUT COURTESANS Introductory Remarks Chapter i Of the Causes of a Courtesan Resorting to Men; Of the Means of Attaching to Herself the Man Desired; & of the Kind of Man That It 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, & 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 & Losses; Attendant Gains & Losses; & Doubts; As Also of the Different Kinds of Courtesans PART VII: ABOUT THE MEANS TO ATTRACT OTHERS TO YOURSELF Chapter i On Personal Adornment; On Subjugating the Hearts of Others; & on Tonic Medicines Chapter ii Of the Ways of Exciting Desire, & Miscellaneous Experiments, & Recipes Concluding Remarks