Looking at ancient Hindu texts, we know that the four virtues were commonly discussed and written at length about. Many of the texts focused on the two important virtues of Dharma (morality), and Athra (prosperity), while few really delved into the importance of Kama (pleasure). Vatsyayana meditated upon this reality and came to the conclusion that Kama was just as important as all of the other virtues, and so it was only proper to have a guide written solely about how to obtain Kama.
The four virtues can be looked at more like goals that each person much work towards within their lifetime in order to lead a complete and fulfilled life. Within the Kama Sutra, there are many references to the other virtues as they are all tied together and must be achieved in order to succeed. One cannot simply focus on the physical pleasures and ignore the need for morality or prosperity, so you may notice throughout that sex and morality are often combined, as well as sex and finding a partner that brings about monetary prosperity.
To understand the philosophy behind the Kama Sutra, it is vital that you understand what it was intended to be. The sex acts that are described throughout are little more than theatrics, with an emphasis on outrageous and yoga-inspired poses. The goal was unlikely to be used as a literal manual, but instead to be used as a way to understand both society and the individual. A vast majority of the book is taken up by discussing how men and women interact within society, both as a whole and simply with each other. It can be seen as almost a screenplay, taking us on a journey of love within ancient Indian times. There is talk of love, intimacy, and mundane tasks such as bathing and grooming. The Kama Sutra is a manual on all aspects of pleasure, both in the sexual sense and in the day to day realm.
Kama is so often seen as something that is less important than other aspects of human pursuit. We are told to work hard, earn money, find a spouse, have children, and live a moral and righteous life. But rarely are advised on how to let loose and enjoy ourselves, or how important of a role sex plays in the human experience. The Kama Sutra is the bridge over that gap, intended to lift the importance of pleasure and sex, and place it in as high of regard as all the other aspects we are expected to work towards.
Some have questioned whether or not the Kama Sutra really is a female positive as it may appear, but if you approach it from the idea of the times, then it can actually be seen as more of a feminist work of art than the surface would suggest.
There is an obvious sexual freedom that is discussed within, one which even our current societal viewpoint doesn’t always acknowledge. Try bringing up the topic of female masturbation and see the sudden puritanical viewpoint that many people rush to. Movies are quick to showcase men in a sexual manner, but female sexuality is much more often subdued or removed completely from the narrative. To have a book that explores the different facets of a woman’s sexuality is unique, both historically as well as in the current climate. Given that the Kama Sutra talks almost nothing of procreation, it truly highlights the idea that this is a guide for pleasure and nothing more. So, by its own very nature, it is also a book dedicated to a woman’s pleasure, both by herself and that which is given to her by her partner. Beyond just sex, the Kama Sutra also discusses how to treat a woman properly so that she is nurtured and cared for in all aspects of life. It discusses showering her with affection and gifts and giving her absolute power when it comes to the home’s finances.
From a philosophical standpoint, the Kama Sutra opens our minds to the needs of both men and women, and it does a good job of including women in the discussion, especially for the times. Not only does it take a more liberal and open-minded approach to women, but that same approach is extended to homosexuality and bisexuality as well. There are many references and discussions about men sleeping with men and women pleasuring other women, as well as advice on having threesomes and even orgies. Whatever the sexual desire is of the individual is both encouraged and celebrated, and there is no judgment cast upon those who may differ from what is considered the norm.
The Kama Sutra makes us think by challenging our conceptions and internalized beliefs when it comes to sex. Whether it is something we partake in or not, it opens our eyes to the different forms of relationships that can exist both romantically and sexually and offers up advice on how to succeed in achieving absolute pleasure. It removes the idea that sex should be for procreating and instead emphasizes the pleasure that can be found within a sexual encounter. On a deeper level, it challenges the notion that physical pleasure should take a backseat to otherworldly pursuits and that pleasure is just as important in life as everything else. For a life without pleasure, it isn’t truly a life worth living at all.
What Does It Teach Us?
The Kama Sutra teaches us many things, from how to take care of ourselves to how to take care of our partner. Everything begins with you and how you groom yourself and carry yourself in this world. It is an extremely practical guide that mixes real-world advice with philosophical ideas and concepts. It is meant to make us sit back and think about why we do what we do and
how we can live a better life overall. But all of that begins with the individual person.
Even if we only look at the sexual aspect of the Kama Sutra, we can see exactly what the author is attempting to teach us about physical pleasure. None of us would exist without sex, so why do we diminish its role in our lives? The pleasure of the senses is literally necessary for life, so why not enjoy that and learn how to act upon those desires in both a free and moral way.
Beyond the sexual nature of the Kama Sutra, it also is a guide that teaches us how to live a good life in general. It goes in-depth on topics such as the arts, music, and literature, as well as how to be a good husband or wife. It discusses financial matters, matters of the home, and even how to properly select a spouse that is balanced with you. It goes into great detail about how you should bathe and groom yourself, where you can meet people, and how to enjoy your day and please your spouse.
From a philosophical viewpoint, it teaches us that both men and women should engage in sensual pleasures and that sex is not just for men to get off with. Unlike many historical texts that downplay a woman’s sexual desires, the Kama Sutra takes a deep look at what a woman’s sexual nature is and how to properly satisfy it both before sex as well as during. That isn’t to say, however, that the Kama Sutra is an extremely liberal book or that it holds men and women in the same regard. It is written during a time of caste systems and where women’s role in a marriage was not as high as that of the man. Men were still considered the head of the household, and much of what is described revolves around a man pursuing a woman. But, compared with other forms of literature, it does take a more liberal view of
women’s sexuality, as well as homosexual relationships, and the idea of having sex solely for pleasure and outside of marriage.
How to Use the Kama Sutra?
The Kama Sutra can be used in two ways, both as a practical guide as well as a philosophical work of art. Some may approach the Kama Sutra only as a guide to sex positions, and this is perfectly acceptable as a large chunk of text is dedicated to this pursuit. However, to use the Kama Sutra fully, you must look at it as a whole and take into account both the historical significance as well as the idea that it may not be as practical as one may originally think.
Many of the sex acts described within the Kama Sutra are outside a normal person’s ability and require a high degree of flexibility to perform. There are even positions within the book that are physically impossible unless the man has a very uniquely shaped lingam (penis). Later in this book, we will look at some of the positions that are possible, however, and break down how exactly you can do them and incorporate them into your personal sex life. In many ways, there are a number of similarities between the sex acts within this book and the practice of yoga. Through breathing as one with your partner, folding into different positions, and experiencing everything in unity, you can achieve a higher sense of awareness and satisfaction. So, even if you are unable to achieve the positions as described, think of it more like a workout for the mind and body and attempt a sexier form of yoga.
Since the positions are not always practical, you should use the Kama Sutra more as a general guide for how to deepen your pleasure. This book has taken many of the important concepts and ideas and broken them down into practical tips and advice so that you can elevate your sex life and truly engage in a more pleasurable and sensual experience. Beyond just the
sexual side of it all, the Kama Sutra should also be used as a guide on how to treat your partner both inside and outside of the bedroom. It can assist you in being more romantic and intimate, as well as teach you how to make sure your partner is satisfied completely within the relationship.
With a breakdown of different personalities and temperaments, the Kama Sutra also discusses how you can go about finding the right partner for you based on ancient concepts and ideas. While some of the information may seem absurd in the context of today’s world, not everything should be taken as a literal word. Instead, it is important that you read the Kama Sutra as a concept more than a script and that between the lines, you see that even the most ancient of dating tips are still applicable today.
