Book description
Five Arrows of Kama presents five of the best erotic texts from
medieval India-Pururavasa Manasijasutram, Narmakelikutuhala Samvadam,
Smarapradipika, Manmatha Samhita and Kadambari Swikaranakarika.
Portraying delightfully different ways of living and loving, these texts
discuss sex with disarming simplicity and in ways that remain relevant
to the modern world. They recommend the pursuit of sexual pleasure, but
not without mutual respect and knowledge, for, as the Kadambari
Swikaranakarika says, only after having studied and experienced love can
one hope to attain moksha. Relegated till now to the dusty obscurity of
library shelves, the five literary gems collected in translation here
for the first time prove that the iconic Kamasutra, perhaps India's best
known export, is neither the first nor the last Indian book on
sexuality. Illustrated with original miniatures and paintings, and
including individual introductions to each of the five texts by the
translator Sandhya Mulchandani, Five Arrows of Kama goes beyond the
ancient lessons of the Kamasutra to reveal the pleasures and secrets of
the art of love making. 'Desire makes a young woman look for sex. The
man's desire depends on her.' Pururavasa Manasijasutram '[Krishna to
Radha:]When I unfastened your chunari and blouse, all I wanted was to
experience the bliss of Brahma. This body of yours … needs my complete
attention and your spontaneous surrender.' Narmakelikutuhala Samvadam
'One should have intercourse with a woman after acquiring complete
knowledge of all aspects of the sexual act. Only when the needs of both
partners match, can ecstasy be attained.' Smarapradipika 'Heterosexual
intercourse with women is the first kind; the second is anal sex, both
with men and women; the third kind is masturbation; and the fourth
requires the use of artificial devices.' Manmatha Samhita 'Experiencing
the bliss of sipping kadambari is highly recommended. Liquor is favoured
because besides an elevated sense of well being, it also enhances sexual
performance.' Kadambari Swikaranakarika
