Kamasutra by Vatsyayana: An Aesthetic Analysis in a Postmodern Perspective

Authors

  • Sumitra Dahiya

Keywords:

Kamasutra, art of love, sexual pleasure, moksha, Purusharthas the four stages of life

Abstract

This paper aims to throw the light on the relevance of the study of ‘Kamasutra.’ It has been misinterpreted as the book of pornographic and obscene material. It has been misunderstood as the synonym of erotic desires and satisfaction. At the present, it has become only the tool of glorifying glamour and sensuality. But it is not only a part of erotic literature but a handbook to achieving some goals as love, pleasure, spirituality, and relief. In this paper, the author has tried to find the answers to some questions with the help of this book: How to gain education for a good life? What is love and how to find it? What is the key to aesthetic pleasure? Is sexual pleasure is evil? How can a man lead his life to a satisfying climax? How ‘Kamasutra’ helps to achieve the ‘four Purusharthas’ for a better life in the postmodern era?

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Author Biography

Sumitra Dahiya

Sumitra Dahiya is a Ph.D. scholar in the Department of English at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa. Her interest area of research is Hindu mythology. She has also published two poetry books with the title, 'Single Again,' and 'Aman'. Recently, she is working for revival of Eastern Mythology and Culture as an editor of 'The Excellent East' magazine. 

References

1. Church, Noah. “How Porn Use Becomes an Addiction Simplified!.” Published at Protect Young Minds, 2017. https://www.google.co.in/url?q=https://www.protectyoungminds.org/2017/03/23/porn-addiction-simplified/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj009LJ-eDpAhXc4zgGHYvWAWoQFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw1ySjQfT6s0Q9Y0K2bqx5Nz
2. Deck, Rob. Wordgasm. North America & International-Trafford Publishing. Google Books, 2011.
3. Edmonds, John. Chaucer in Modern English Prose: The Canterbury Tales. Self-Published by John Edmonds, 2007. Lulu.com.
4. Grand, Lebo. “Summer Reading.” Goodreads, 2020. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9637753-all-have-senses-but-not-all-have-sensuality-because-sensuality
5. Patil, Vishnu. Alchemy of Desire, Revolt & violence: A Study in Discourses of Desire. Partridge Publication. Google Books, 2017.
6. Rilke, Rainer Maria. Letters to a Young Poet. Prabhat Prakashan. Google Books, 2008.
7. Vatsyayana. Kamasutra. Translated by Sir Richard Burton, 2001. Pitbook.com

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Published

2021-02-15

How to Cite

Dahiya, Sumitra. “Kamasutra by Vatsyayana: An Aesthetic Analysis in a Postmodern Perspective”. Contemporary Literary Review India, vol. 8, no. 1, Feb. 2021, pp. 201-19, https://www.literaryjournal.in/index.php/clri/article/view/786.

Issue

Section

Research Papers