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felicia_l's review against another edition
4.0
I chose to read this because there have been so many misconceptions about this book. I'm definitely glad I read it for myself. Though the first part (the Kama Sutra) was an interesting read, that definitely had more about relationships than what is normally thought concerning this book, I found the second part Ananga Ranga (Kama Shastra) highly intriguing. I'm actually surprised that it is not as well known as the first part, but then again a lot of Americans who look at this book are just trying to find out about "positions" to try. These two books are so much more. The interpretation is rough and unclear in some spots, and the author states some things could probably only be explained by pictures while others were so hard to translate correctly that they were omitted. This translation of two works over 2000 years old was done by Sir Burton in the last 1800s, and I must say he handled it quite well.
I love how the Ananga Ranga is summed up at the end of the book before the Appendices: "...it is good to know that if husband and wife live together in close agreement, as one soul in a single body, they shall be happy in this world, and in that to come. Their good and charitable actions will be an example to mankind, and their peace and harmony will effect their salvation. No one yet has written a book to prevent the separation of the married pair and to show them how they may pass through life in union. Seeing this, I felt compassion, and composed the treatise...[after mentioning the vices that follow when a person in the marriage gets bored he states]...Fully understanding the way in which such quarrels arise, I have in this book shown how the husband, by varying the enjoyment of his wife, may live with her as with thirty-two different women, ever varying the enjoyment of her, and rendering satiety impossible. I have also taught all manner of useful arts and mysteries, by which she may render herself pure, beautiful and pleasing in his eyes." Fascinating that the whole focus (even through the moments that seem odd) is to make sure a marriage works. At least that's the focus of the Ananga Ranga, as it teaches one to know oneself and know the other person before physicality becomes involved...and to understand the scared nature of relationships, especially that between a husband and wife.
This book is not for everyone. There are huge cultural differences that are captured in the writing, such as caste systems and physical looks of different people in Indian regions. Plus, as prevalent as sex is in the American culture, few want to read about it in this manner...scientifically and spiritually detailed with conviction and understanding on a level that is not for the shallow of mind or heart. So read at your own risk. If you choose to do so, I hope you walk away from it with a deeper sense of yourself and the relationship you can have with your spouse.
I love how the Ananga Ranga is summed up at the end of the book before the Appendices: "...it is good to know that if husband and wife live together in close agreement, as one soul in a single body, they shall be happy in this world, and in that to come. Their good and charitable actions will be an example to mankind, and their peace and harmony will effect their salvation. No one yet has written a book to prevent the separation of the married pair and to show them how they may pass through life in union. Seeing this, I felt compassion, and composed the treatise...[after mentioning the vices that follow when a person in the marriage gets bored he states]...Fully understanding the way in which such quarrels arise, I have in this book shown how the husband, by varying the enjoyment of his wife, may live with her as with thirty-two different women, ever varying the enjoyment of her, and rendering satiety impossible. I have also taught all manner of useful arts and mysteries, by which she may render herself pure, beautiful and pleasing in his eyes." Fascinating that the whole focus (even through the moments that seem odd) is to make sure a marriage works. At least that's the focus of the Ananga Ranga, as it teaches one to know oneself and know the other person before physicality becomes involved...and to understand the scared nature of relationships, especially that between a husband and wife.
This book is not for everyone. There are huge cultural differences that are captured in the writing, such as caste systems and physical looks of different people in Indian regions. Plus, as prevalent as sex is in the American culture, few want to read about it in this manner...scientifically and spiritually detailed with conviction and understanding on a level that is not for the shallow of mind or heart. So read at your own risk. If you choose to do so, I hope you walk away from it with a deeper sense of yourself and the relationship you can have with your spouse.
ilikemelons's review
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
Seemed very manipulative the whole time and not too much like a book for lovers.
It was advertised as an ancient book on the practice of love, and loving unions, however it seemed more like one about control or power and scripted interactions.
There are a few chapters that are interesting, just to see how an ancient culture did it.
It was advertised as an ancient book on the practice of love, and loving unions, however it seemed more like one about control or power and scripted interactions.
There are a few chapters that are interesting, just to see how an ancient culture did it.
_lish_'s review
challenging
informative
fast-paced
1.5
I don’t exactly regret reading this book, but it’s very close to that