The Kama Sutra

A handsome hardback edition of The Karma Sutra with full-colour illustrations.

The Kama Sutra is the world-famous text on lovemaking and fulfilment in matters of the heart. Originally compiled in the 3rd century AD by Vatsyayana, a celibate monk, it is a window on the social practices and sexual habits of an ancient world. In the 19th century it gained a new lease of life when translated into English by noted linguist Sir Richard Burton, who was determined to bring its perceptive ideas to a Western audience.

The Kama Sutra would have presented a refreshing if shocking alternative to the stodgy marriage advice manuals of the Victorian age. Its basic tenet - that in order for marriages to be happy the participants should be well-versed in the arts of pleasure, both carnal and of the mind - still holds true. And, in spite of a risqué reputation, it is an illuminating, candid, common-sense guide to living a satisfying life.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Ancient Wisdom Library series brings together classic works on ancient philosophy and spirituality, each imparting timeless wisdom which continues to resonate in the modern world. These compact hardback editions with full-color illustrations are perfect for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Little is known about the life of Vatsyayana, but various authorities suggest that he lived in the third century CE. He is believed to have been a devout man who led the life of a religious student of Hinduism.
The translation presented in this edition is by Sir Richard Burton (1821-1890), the British diplomat, explorer and orientalist who discovered the text in the 19th century and made it available in the West.