The oldest book on the pleasure of sensual living is the Kama sutra. There were many writers who have contributed to this book. But it was originally compiled by a north Indian sage Vatsyayana Mallanaga in the 3rd century BC. He was a renowned monk. The work which he did by compiling the book on sensual living of the past ages was totally dedicated to his deity in the form of meditation. Scholars have found this book very useful and they consulted this book to understand ancient norms and periods. The book was written in complex Sanskrit language.
The name of the book suggests to its readers what it is about. It is a guidebook coming from the term “sutra” on sensual pleasures which is equivalent to “Kama” but “Kama” also suggests the name of the Hindu God of Love. Thus this manual is classic narrative narrating sexual traditions and cultures of the times. It also is a guidebook to the art of love making. Many people interpret it as a manual of sexual activity but there is more to it than mere sexual activities. Scholars consider it to be a historical guide, a guide to the art of finding and living with the perfect partner and maintaining power balance in the relationship between a husband and a wife. Along with this you will also find mention of the more pleasurable sexual positions. It is thus a guide to sexual ecstasy and satisfaction. Other than the contortionist sexual positions, it also provides advice to women and men. According to the ancient Hindus text there are three goals which need to be fulfilled in life – Dharma (taking responsibility of one’s action), Arta (which is the means of gaining power from wealth or politics) and Kama (pleasure). Vatsyayana, in his book, talks about Kama.
The basic principal of Kama Sutra is what couples should do to ensure a happy married life. It talks about the various ways both the husband and wife should provide pleasure and satisfaction in terms of cerebral and carnal satisfaction. The book deals with a whole lot of information. If you go through it you will see various topics like Society and its concepts, sexual intercourse and how to find a perfect bride. Courtesan and the means of attraction are also referred in this knowledgeable book. Detailed description about how a man can win over his wife, what women must do to make their husbands happy, the state of a women mind and also reasons for rejection are mentioned very clearly in Kama sutra. The last episodes in Kama sutra talk about recipes of tonic, powders and other food that help couples come close.
Later in the 15th century the book was updated by Ananga Ranga a scholar. He revised the various basic tenets compiled by Vatsyayana. He wrote in a simpler Sanskrit than it previously was. However due to the use of Sanskrit it fell into obscurity. Most scholars and writers restrained themselves from consulting the book. It was then after the 19th century that it was translated in English and it was again being consulted and even being given great importance not only in India but also in the Western countries.
