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A review by djoshuva
Kamasutra by Mallanaga Vatsyayana
5.0
Vatsyayana says: All undertakings are based upon a method, because they presuppose a man's exertions. Even wealth and power that must inevitably arise in the future presuppose a method. Nothing good happens to a man who does nothing. 11
Vatsyayana says: Pleasures are a means of sustaining the body, just like food, and they are rewards for religion and power. But people must be aware of the flaws in pleasures, flaws that are like diseases. 12
People who know the science say
that love takes four forms, arising out of habit,
erotic arousal, transference, and the objects of the senses. 37
The territory of the texts extends
only so far as men have dull appetites;
but when the wheel of sexual ecstasy is in full motion,
there is no textbook at all, and no order. 42
Scholars say: 'Because the things people can imagine are infinite, and there are infinite kinds of dexterity, and one can learn anything by practice and repetition, and passion is at the very heart of cutting with the nails, who could survey all the forms?' Vatsyayana says: For even passion demands variety. And it is through variety that partners inspire passion in one another. It is their infinite variety that makes courtesans de luxe and their lovers remain desirable to one another. Even in archery and in other martial arts, the textbooks insist on variety. How much more is this true of sex! 47
They say that sex is a form of quarrelling, because the very essence of desire is argument, and its character is perverse. 56
For the statement that 'There is a text for this'
does not justify a practice. People should realize
that the contents of the texts apply in general,
but each actual practice is for one particular region….
Therefore, when a man has considered
the region, and the time, and the technique,
and the textbook teachings, and himself,
he may-or may not-make use of these practices.
But because this matter is secret,
and because the mind and heart are fickle,
who could know who should do what, and when and how? 69
Some people say, 'A man will do well with a woman who catches and binds his mind and heart and his eyes. He should not consider any other woman.' 76
The best alliance plays the game
so that both sides taste one another's happiness
and treat one another
as unique individuals.
It is commonly said: 'A man scorns a woman who is easy to get, but desires a woman who is hard to get.' 105
Getting Back Together with an Ex-lover 147
If he has gone else where, she must find out about him; he may belong in any of the six possible categories, according to the circumstances:
4 [a] He left her of his own accord and he left the other woman, too, of his own accord.
5 [b] He left both her and the other woman because they got rid of him.
6[c] He left her of his own accord and he left the other woman because she got rid of him.
7[d] He left her of his own accord and stayed with the other woman.
8 [e] He left her because she got rid of him and he left the other woman of his own accord.
9 [f] He left her because she got rid of him and he stayed with the other woman.
A man who knows the real meaning of this text
guards the state of his own religion, power, and pleasure
as it operates in the world, and he becomes
a man who has truly conquered his senses.
The man who is well-taught and expert in this text
pays attention to religion and power;
he does not indulge himself too much in passion,
and so he succeeds when he plays the part of a lover. 171
Vatsyayana says: Pleasures are a means of sustaining the body, just like food, and they are rewards for religion and power. But people must be aware of the flaws in pleasures, flaws that are like diseases. 12
People who know the science say
that love takes four forms, arising out of habit,
erotic arousal, transference, and the objects of the senses. 37
The territory of the texts extends
only so far as men have dull appetites;
but when the wheel of sexual ecstasy is in full motion,
there is no textbook at all, and no order. 42
Scholars say: 'Because the things people can imagine are infinite, and there are infinite kinds of dexterity, and one can learn anything by practice and repetition, and passion is at the very heart of cutting with the nails, who could survey all the forms?' Vatsyayana says: For even passion demands variety. And it is through variety that partners inspire passion in one another. It is their infinite variety that makes courtesans de luxe and their lovers remain desirable to one another. Even in archery and in other martial arts, the textbooks insist on variety. How much more is this true of sex! 47
They say that sex is a form of quarrelling, because the very essence of desire is argument, and its character is perverse. 56
For the statement that 'There is a text for this'
does not justify a practice. People should realize
that the contents of the texts apply in general,
but each actual practice is for one particular region….
Therefore, when a man has considered
the region, and the time, and the technique,
and the textbook teachings, and himself,
he may-or may not-make use of these practices.
But because this matter is secret,
and because the mind and heart are fickle,
who could know who should do what, and when and how? 69
Some people say, 'A man will do well with a woman who catches and binds his mind and heart and his eyes. He should not consider any other woman.' 76
The best alliance plays the game
so that both sides taste one another's happiness
and treat one another
as unique individuals.
It is commonly said: 'A man scorns a woman who is easy to get, but desires a woman who is hard to get.' 105
Getting Back Together with an Ex-lover 147
If he has gone else where, she must find out about him; he may belong in any of the six possible categories, according to the circumstances:
4 [a] He left her of his own accord and he left the other woman, too, of his own accord.
5 [b] He left both her and the other woman because they got rid of him.
6[c] He left her of his own accord and he left the other woman because she got rid of him.
7[d] He left her of his own accord and stayed with the other woman.
8 [e] He left her because she got rid of him and he left the other woman of his own accord.
9 [f] He left her because she got rid of him and he stayed with the other woman.
A man who knows the real meaning of this text
guards the state of his own religion, power, and pleasure
as it operates in the world, and he becomes
a man who has truly conquered his senses.
The man who is well-taught and expert in this text
pays attention to religion and power;
he does not indulge himself too much in passion,
and so he succeeds when he plays the part of a lover. 171