EDITOR'S NOTE As Alain Danielou observes in his Introduction, the Sanskrit text of the Kama Sutra and its commentaries frequently use familiar terms, like yoga, tantra, and upanisbad, in highly unusual and technical senses. Because of the inherent interest of this terminology and because of the Kama Sutra's rich vocabulary, this edition cites an extensive list of Sanskrit words and phrases and features several appendices, which we hope will be of use to specialist and nonspecialist alike. The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian text which is considered the primary Sanskrit work on human sexuality. It was written by Mallanaga Vatsyayana in the 2nd century CE. Although Burton published this, the most widely known English translation, he was not the author of the translation, although he did provide footnotes and the introduction. Kamasutra , the oldest extant Indian prose treatise (sutra) on the subject of pleasure (kama)— sexual pleasure, desire, love, and the pleasures of good living generally conceived. Introduction The Kama Sutra is perhaps one of the most widely recognized and misunderstood ancient texts in the world. Often regarded as a manual solely focused on sexuality and eroticism, the Kama Sutra is much more than that. It is a profound treatise on love, relationships, and the pursuit of emotional and spiritual fulfillment. Attributed to the sage Vātsyāyana, this ancient Sanskrit text offers invaluable insights into the art of living a fulfilling and harmonious life. Beyond ...
