The Kama Sutra (Sanskrit: �ामस�त�र, K�masūtra) is an ancient Indian text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature written by V�tsy�yana. A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse.[1] It is largely in prose, with many inserted anustubh poetry verses. "K�ma" means sensual or sexual pleasure, and "sūtra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual.

The Kama Sutra is the oldest and most notable of a group of texts known generically as Kama Shastra (Sanskrit: K�ma ��stra).[2] Traditionally, the first transmission of Kama Shastra or "Discipline of Kama" is attributed to Nandi the sacred bull, Shiva's doorkeeper, who was moved to sacred utterance by overhearing the lovemaking of the god and his wife Parvati and later recorded his utterances for the benefit of mankind.[3]

Historian John Keay says that the Kama Sutra is a compendium that was collected into its present form in the 2nd century CE.[4}

Pleasure and spirituality



A Sexual Pose from Mukteswar Temple in Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Some Indian philosophies follow the "four main goals of life",[7][8] known as the purusharthas:[9]

Dharma: Virtuous living.
Artha: Material prosperity.
Kama: Aesthetic and erotic pleasure.[10][11]
Moksha: Liberation.
Dharma, Artha and Kama are aims of everyday life, while Moksha is release from the cycle of death and rebirth. The Kama Sutra (Burton translation) says:

"Dharma is better than Artha, and Artha is better than Kama. But Artha should always be first practised by the king for the livelihood of men is to be obtained from it only. Again, Kama being the occupation of public women, they should prefer it to the other two, and these are exceptions to the general rule." (Kama Sutra 1.2.14)[12]

Of the first three, virtue is the highest goal, a secure life the second and pleasure the least important. When motives conflict, the higher ideal is to be followed. Thus, in making money virtue must not be compromised, but earning a living should take precedence over pleasure, but there are exceptions.

In childhood, V�tsy�yana says, a person should learn how to make a living; youth is the time for pleasure, and as years pass one should concentrate on living virtuously and hope to escape the cycle of rebirth.[13] Also the Buddha preached a Kama Sutra, which is located in the Atthakavagga (sutra number 1). This Kama Sutra, however, is of a very different nature as it warns against the dangers that come with the search for pleasures of the senses.

Many in the Western world wrongly consider the Kama Sutra to be a manual for tantric sex.[citation needed] While sexual practices do exist within the very wide tradition of Hindu Tantra, the Kama Sutra is not a Tantric text, and does not touch upon any of the sexual rites associated with some forms of Tantric practice.