Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India)

by Nidheesh Kannan B. | 2018 | 52,434 words

Hinduism Kamashastra

Buy relevant books

Summary: This essay studies the Kamashastra—the discipline of Kama (sensual pleasure) and the available Sanskrit literature belonging this genre, such as the Kamasutra of Vatsyayana from the 4th century. This study focusses on the vision of life of ancient India reflected in the Kamashastra. Another topic of discussion is the philosopical standpoint, which presents Kama-Shastra as a materialistic path leading to Moksha (liberation).

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: opac.ssus.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Scope of the Study

Review of Literature

Plan of the Thesis

+ Chapter 1 - Rise of Urbanization and Luxury Life in India

. 1. Formational Backdrop

. 2. Southern Scenario

. 3. Economic Changes in Gangetic Plain

. 4. Evolutions in Gupta Period

. 5. Cultural Productions

. 6. Impact of Urbanization: Literary Gleanings

. 7. Positioning Kāmaśāstra in the Festive Scenario of Early Urban India

. 8. Institutionalization of Sexuality

. 9. Courtesan in Arthaśāstra

. 10. Erotic Culture

+ Chapter 2 - An Appraisal of Kāmaśāstra Works in Sanskrit

. 1. Tradition of Kāmaśāstra

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (a): Ratirahasya

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (b): Pañcasāyaka

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (c): Nāgarasarvasva

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (d): Ratimañjarī

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (e): Ratiratnapradīpikā

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (f): Smaradīpikā

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (g): Dūtīkarmaprakāśa

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (h): Sahṛdayalīlā

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (i): Vātsyāyanasūtrasāra

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (j): Caturvargasaṅgraha

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (g): Darpadalana

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (h): Paurūravasamanasijasūtra

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (i): Bābhravyakārikā

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (j): Śṛṅgārarasaprabandhadīpikā

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (k): Ratikallolinī

. 2. Works on Kāmaśāstra (l): Anaṅgaraṅga

. 3. Works on Kāmasāhitya (a): Kuṭṭanīmata

. 3. Works on Kāmasāhitya (b): Kalāvilāsa

. 4. Miscellaneous Works

+ Chapter 3 - A Thematic Analysis of Vātsyāyanakāmasūtra

. 1. Authorship and Date of the Kāmasūtra

. 2. Commentaries on the Kāmasūtra

. 3. Textual Framework

. 4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 1: Sādhāraṇa

. 4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 2: Sāmprayogika

. 4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 3: Kanyā-samprayuktaka

. 4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 4: Bhāryādhikārika

. 4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 5: Pāradārika

. 4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 6: Vaiśika

. 4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 7: Aupaniṣadika

. 5. Methodology

. 6. Scope

+ Chapter 4 - Positioning Kāma among the Puruṣārthas

. 1. Life of ancient Indian society (Introduction)

. 2. The Puruṣārthas (Introduction)

. 3. Concept of Dharma (Introduction)

. 4. Transitional aspects of Dharma in Indian Thought

. 5. Concept of Artha (Introduction)

. 6. Tradition (behind the formation of Arthaśāstra)

. 7. Concept of Kāma (Introduction)

. 8. Personification of Kāma

. 9. Kāma among Puruṣārthas

+ Chapter 5 - Looking for Alternatives: Possibilities in Kāmaśāstra

. 1. Ancient Literary References on Sexuality

. 2. Human Life: Sexuality and Spirituality

. 3. Tāntric Sexuality

. 4. Advent of Kāmaśāstra

. 6.1. Class and Caste in Ancient India

. 6.2. Marriage in Ancient India

. 6.3. Identity of Woman in Ancient India

. 6.4. Ideal Wife in Ancient India

. 6.5. The Courtesan in Ancient India

. 6.6. Sexual Minorities in Ancient India

. 6.7. Importance of Sex Education in Ancient India

. 6.8. Livelihood in Ancient India

. 6.9. Entertainments in Ancient India

. 7.1. The Sixty-four Fine Arts

. 7.2. The Sixty-four Coition Arts

. 8.1. Representation of Body (Introduction)

. 8.2. Adornments and Caring of Body in Sahṛdayalīlā

. 8.3. The Body in Kāmaśāstra

. 9. Kāmaśāstra: An Alternative Vision of Life

Chapter 6 - Conclusion and Findings

Comments:

Comment functionality currently not enabled

Last Updated: 09 January, 2024

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website:

Donate on Patreon

Buy me a Coffee

|

Why? | More options...