The Kama Sutra: a Treatise on Sensual Pleasure

The Kama Sutra was written by Vatsyayana Mallanaga, an upper-class Indian who lived in the fourth century B.C. It is a treatise and beginner’s manual on issues concerning the fulfillment of sensual pleasures, including, but not necessarily those on sexual contact.  Although a large part of the text deals on the subject of intercourse and the best ways to perform it, the Kama Sutra covers numerous such topics as courtship, marriage and marital fidelity, homemaking, sensual kissing, as well as potency techniques and seduction.  The title of the text is literally translated as a ‘treatise concerning sexual pleasure’; this is the main reason why most people associate the Kama Sutra with foreplay and sexual positioning. 

Taken in the context of Indian culture, mastering the art of the Kama Sutra is a necessity for both sexes, and training must begin at an early age.  Basic and practical lessons in the art necessitates mastery of a total of sixty-four various arts, such as playing multiple instruments, singing, and dancing.  Since the sexual connotations of the art are prohibited from being known to women before marriage, they are thought the basic practicalities at an early age, while their bodies are still flexible, and their minds are more receptive to learning.  The knowledge of the art is advised to be put to use after marriage. 

The text of the Kama Sutra is divided into seven sections, and section two deals with the perfection of sexual techniques.  The art’s approach to lovemaking as an end in itself, as well as revered means of creating life, makes the learning of its lessons truly a fulfilling undertaking.  It covers the art of lovemaking in separate stages: first, the male and female parts of the union are categorized depending on the size or the depth of their genitals.  It then proceeds in defining the ideal gentleman and woman, those who are decidedly unfit for copulation, and the taboos concerned with physical relations.  Probably the most beneficial content of the text which endures to the present times has something to do with sexual build up and eventual intercourse.  Partners can gain a lot of insight within the discussions which deal with sensual and sexual pleasures, which are quite explicit in nature.

The discussion of foreplay techniques is a timeless description of the need to build the sexual tension up before union.  There are three of these included in the text.  Embracing is intended to remove the physical distance between partners, followed by kissing.  What is noticeable is the inclusion of mildly pain-inflicting techniques to enhance the sexual experience, including piercing of the skin with nails, and biting.  As to the actual sexual union, there are a total of sixty-four advisable positions which a man and woman can try on each other in order to gain maximum sensual pleasure from the experience.  This is based on the premise that joy is the primary objective in physical intimacy, and this need must be constantly fueled in order to achieve the limits of ecstasy for both partners.  These positions are essentially variations of the man-on-top or the woman-on-top stance, intended to provide variations in angle and depth of penetration for obtaining different levels of sensations.