The Kama Sutra: everything you wanted to know

You may already be familiar with the Kama Sutra positions on Doctissimo.com, but you probably don’t know the origins of the term – Kama Sutra. So, let’s journey to the heart of India to find out more about this essay on love.

In the term Kama Sutra, Sutra means “composition; collection of sayings, or aphorisms”; Kama means “love, sensual or sexual pleasure.” So the Kama Sutra is “a collection of aphorisms about love.”

These collections are rooted in tradition and pre-date the Christian era. Between the first and the fifth centuries AD, the Indian writer, Vatsyayana, decided to summarize all existing works on the subject. Vatsyayana was convinced that knowledge of Kama was essential for our wellbeing and wanted to make this information available in a single, accessible volume. Since the nineteenth century, the Kama Sutra has been translated into several European languages, and the original version is still in existence today.

So much more than just sexual positions

Vatsyayana’s Kama Sutra is not just about sexual positions. In fact, sexual positions account for only one chapter out of seven in the book. The other chapters deal with marriage and the relationship between men and women outside of marriage. One chapter is aimed specifically at courtesans, and was circulated separately amongst them. It contained medicinal recipes to arouse sexual desire.

When reading the Kama Sutra today, a Westerner is struck by the relaxed and liberal attitude towards sex and sexuality. The Kama Sutra is directed at young men and women in preparation for marriage, and courtesans, but at the same can teach people of all ages the essentials of sexual knowledge. Despite popular belief, the Kama Sutra is not aimed at a small number of debauched individuals hoping to master unusual sexual practices or positions. 

 The Kama Sutra promises to help:

• courtesans earn the respect of men;
• wives become the husband’s favourite (in a polygamous society);
• men gain confidence in the art of seduction.

So what do you get in the original Kama Sutra?

The Kama Sutra talks quite naturally about the relationship between the size of penis and vagina, vital for sexual harmony. It also discusses differences in sexual desire, the amount of time given to sex and the role of the imagination.

Varieties of embracing, kissing, biting, scratching, slapping or spanking, and positions for sexual intercourse are described, as too are the “sounds” of sex (Apparently, “Mummy” was the word most commonly uttered at the moment of orgasm).

If, during intercourse, the woman fails to reach orgasm, Vatsyayana recommends trying again, and if still unsuccessful suggests that she “rub her genitals with her hands and fingers” until her frustration subsides.  

Pregnancy is discussed, as are sexual fantasies, for example fantasizing about someone other than your partner. Oral sex games and anal penetration are described; homosexuality and lesbianism are dealt with in much the same way and are seen as just another path to pleasure.

That being said, modesty is considered quite normal. The woman is not supposed to initiate sex and she is’t be expected to suddenly agree to intimate advances or intercourse either. A man, married to a virgin, is advised to wait three days before making any advances and should allow another week before he attempts intercourse. This is important if he is to avoid arousing feelings of disgust in his wife and being rejected.

To think of the Kama Sutra as just a collection of erotic positions is inaccurate and simplistic. Of course such collections do exist but they were written well after the original Kama Sutra. Dating from Vatsyayana’s lifetime up until the 18th century, they simply describe and comment on the basic positions outlined in the Kama Sutra.

The Kama Sutra’s clinical, objective descriptions

Does the Kama Sutra favour any particular position? Does it tell us, for example that one position is more erotic or acrobatic than another? No, not really.  

The book describes the different positions objectively and dispassionately: "When the woman raises her thighs straight up, this is called the rising position. When she lifts both her legs and places them on her lover’s shoulders, this is called the "yawning position."  When the legs are tensed ... When a man leans against a wall ... When a woman is on all fours and her lover mounts her like a bull, this is called "Congress * of the cow."  When a man enjoys two women at the same time ... People from southern regions practice anal intercourse or, "Lower Congress.”   

And finally: "If you’ve got the imagination you should try to increase your sexual repertoire … as these different kinds of congress ... help engender feelings of love, friendship and respect towards women”.

Ancient Kama lessons for modern times…

To us in the West, the Kama Sutra comes as a great revelation. Our religious and moral beliefs have made us feel somewhat guilty about the pursuit of pleasure. But for thousands of years, it’s been considered completely normal to teach young people, and particularly soon-to-be-married girls, how to derive maximum pleasure from sexual play, satisfying both partners.

Of course, if you are looking for original and sensual sexual positions, then do give our Kama Sutra Wheel a whirl!

*Congress:  In the 17^th century, the term “congress” referred to a legal test where a couple, seeking marriage annulment, had to attempt a sexual act before witnesses.   

Dr Yves Ferroul

Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo

Posted 23.11.2010

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