Publisher's Synopsis
The Kama Sutra has seven books, and begins with a description of general principles. In the beginning, Brahma, the Lord of Beings, created men and women, and laid down rules for existence that dealt with dharma, artha, and kama. Dharma is the fulfillment of one's duty during one's life on earth, artha is the accumulation of material wealth, and kama refers to the pleasurable experience of the five senses. While many tend to discount the importance of kama, it is the goal of the Kama Sutra to guide those in the experience of sexual pleasure and the fulfillment of love. Dharma is more important than artha, and artha is more important than kama, and yet kama is often applied improperly, leading to an undue focus on it in relation to dharma and artha. The Kama Sutra says that kama should be studied not only by men, but also by women. Indeed, women should have a full knowledge of the arts and sciences, and especially those arts that are complimentary to the Kama Sutra. A full list of arts suitable for women are listed, including intellectual pastimes, useful athletics, magic, sorcery, and aphrodisiacs.Men are divided into three classes, depending on the size of their lingam (or phallus): hare, bull, or horse. Women, meanwhile, are divided into categories based on the size of their yoni (or genitalia): deer, mare, or elephant. In order to produce an equal union, the size of a man's lingam should match that of his partner's yoni. Once a union is equal, a man and woman can begin practicing the Chatus-Shasti, or the 64 forms of sexual union, in an effort to achieve true fulfillment of pleasure. The first position is the Alinganam, or the embrace - and the final position is Adhoratam, or anal congress. The author says that which of the Chatus-Shasti is performed depends on "the liking of each individual, the generation of love, friendship, and the respect accorded to the woman."
