The Kamasutra

“the kamasutra enjoys a prominent place in the pantheon of pleasure. too often bowdlerized or bastardized, it has been difficult for english speakers to comprehend the work in all its complexity. this new translation is at once accessible and comprehensive, and should serve as the definitive english version.”

—Leopold Froehlich, Playboy

introduction xi

Part One: General Matters 1

One: Summary of the Guide 3

Two: The Three Aims of Life 10

Three: Exposition of the Skills 18

Four: Lifestyle of the Elegant Man 25

Five: The Lover and His Companions 38

Part Two: Sexual Intercourse 47

One: Sexual Unions 49

Sexual Intercourse with Regard to Size, Endurance and Temperament 49

The Variations of Love 58

Two: Embraces 61

Three: Ways of Kissing 77

Four: Forms of Scratching 85

Five: Biting and Behaviors 92

Ways of Biting 92

Behavior Typical of Women from Different Provinces 95

Six: Positions and Unusual Acts 100

Different Sexual Positions 100

Unusual Sexual Acts 118

Seven: Slapping and Moaning 130

Eight: Imitation and Techniques 138

Imitating the Sexual Role of a Man 138

Sexual Techniques of a Man 141

Nine: Oral Sex 151

Ten: Sex: Beginning, Ending, Types, Quarrels 165

The Beginning and Conclusion of Sexual Intercourse 165

Different Kinds of Sex 172

The Lovers’ Quarrel 175

Part Three: Young Women 181

One: Choosing a Bride 183

Rules of Courtship 183

Deciding a Match 188

Two: Winning Her Confidence 191

Three: Approaches and Gestures 200

Approaching a Young Woman 200

Indications through Gestures and Facial Expressions 209

Four: Advances 213

Advances a Man Can Make on His Own 213

Approaching a Man One Desires 219

Winning a Young Woman by Advances 222

Five: Stratagems for Weddings 225

Part Four: The Wife 233

One: The Only Wife 235

Conduct of an Only Wife 235

Conduct of a Wife Whose Husband is Abroad 244

Two: The Other Wives 248

Conduct of the Senior Wife to the Co-Wives 248

Conduct of the Junior Wife 251

Conduct of the Remarried Woman 253

Conduct of an Unloved Wife 256

Matters Pertaining to the Harem 258

Conduct of a Man with Several Wives 261

Part Five: Other Men’s Wives 265

One: Seducing Successfully 267

Exposing the Nature of Men and Women 267

Causes of Resistance 270

Men Who Have Success with Women 275

Women Who are Easily Won 276

Two: Intimacy and Advances 279

Ways to Intimacy 279

Making Advances 284

Three: Examination of Inclinations 287

Four: Tasks of the Female Messenger 294

Five: The Erotic Desire of Rulers 309

Six: Harems and Wives 320

Life in the Harem 320

Guarding One’s Wives 329

Part Six: Courtesans 333

One: Friends and Lovers 335

The Appraisal of a Friend, Suitable and Unsuitable Lovers, and Reasons for Approaching a Lover 335

How to Acquire One 341

Two: Compliance with the Lover 345

Three: Money, Indifference and Disposal 358

Ways to Make Money 358

Signs and Recognition of Indifference 362

Methods for Driving the Lo...