“The Complete Kama Sutra”
The First Unabridged Modern Translation of the Classic Indian Text
By Alain Danielou

“Until the present, the only English translation of the Kama Sutra was that of the famous English explorer Sir Richard Burton, published in 1883. Unlike Burton’s version, Alain Danielou’s new translation preserves the numbered verse divisions of the original and includes two essential commentaries: the Jayamangala commentary, written in Sanskrit by Yashodhara during the Middle Ages, and a modern Hindi commentary by Devadatta Shastri. Whereas Burton’s Victorian reluctance to translate certain terms obscured our understanding of the philosophy and techniques of the Kama-sutra, Danielou has preserved the full explicitness of the original, dealing with everything from the art of scratching to relations with the wives of others.

Realistic and pragmatic in its approach, The Complete Kama Sutra deals without ambiguity or hypocrisy with all aspects of sexual life—including marriage, adultery, prostitution, group sex, sadomasochism, male and female homosexuality, and transvestism. The text paints a fascinating portrait of an India whose openness to sexuality gave rise to a highly developed expression of the erotic.”
(The Complete Kama Sutra, back cover)


“The Vedic literatures are not only full of spiritual instruction but are also instructive in how to prosecute material existence very nicely, with the ultimate aim of spiritual perfection. Devahuti asked her husband, therefore, how to prepare herself for sex life according to the Vedic instructions. Sex life is especially meant for having good children. The circumstances for creating good children are mentioned in the kama-sastra, the scripture in which suitable arrangements are prescribed for factually glorious sex life. Everything needed is mentioned in the scriptures—what sort of house and decorations there should be, what sort of dress the wife should have, how she should decorated with ointments, scents and other attractive features, etc. …Devahuti wanted the passion of her husband to be increased by the arrangement mentioned in the kama-sastra.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 3.23.11 purport, by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)


“After the Vedas were issued forth from Brahma at the beginning of creation, Manu set aside the verses concerning civic virtues and ethics, thus compiling the Dharma Shastra. Similarly, Brhaspati set aside the verses concerning politics, economy and prosperity to compile the Artha Shastra. Nandi, the companion of Lord Siva, set aside the verses concerning sense pleasure and sexuality, thus compiling the Kama Shastra. The great sage Vyasadeva put this Kama Shastra into writing approximately five thousand years ago along with all other Vedic literatures. It was then subsequently divided into many parts and almost lost until recompiled by the brahmana sage Vatsyayana during the Gupta period or about 300 A.D. The result was the famed Kama Sutra or “codes of sensual pleasure.” Although commonly presented to westerners in the form of an erotic sex manual, the actual unabridged Kama Sutra gives us a rare glimpse into the sexual understandings of ancient Vedic India.”

“The Vedic literatures are comprised of voluminous Sanskrit texts numbering in the thousands, and their priestly authors were renowned for their detailed descriptions of all sciences, both godly and mundane. To obtain a clear understanding of human sexuality, behavior and practice, one is advised to consult the Kama Shastra, which thoroughly covers this field. It is within these texts where the most information is found regarding the third sex and its members, behavior, practices and roles within society.”
(Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex by Amara Das Wilhelm)


The Complete Kama Sutra is available at Amazon.com and other bookstores.