Kama Sutra

The Kama Sutra, or Aphorisms on Love, is probably the best known of all love manuals. Written in Sanskrit by a man named Vatsyayana, the Kama Sutra comes from the words Kama meaning desire and Sutra meaning rules.

Adapted from a long history of rich oral tradition, the Kama Sutra was translated by an intrepid adventurer, the Englishman Sir Richard Burton, for the benefit of the English-speaking world.  

The Kama Sutra contains about one thousand two hundred and fifty slokas or verses discussing the spiritual aspects of sexuality and presenting many sexual positions and techniques for enhancing enjoyment of sex. It includes detailed techniques in the art of seduction, courting, gift giving, kissing, preparation and use of aphrodisiacs, and the moral and ethical attitudes during marriage.

The ancient Hindus believed that life had three purposes: religious piety (Dharma), material success (Artha), and sexual pleasure (Kama). All three were equal, and the erotic was celebrated as the seat of earthly beauty.

The Kama Sutra is not to be used merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires; but also for obtaining the mastery over our senses and attaining higher levels of consciousness.

Kama Sutra Positions

Here are some of Kama Sutra positions, most of which are named after animals and nature, mirroring man’s relationship with the natural world. Note that the sexual organ of the man is called lingam, while the woman’s is called yoni.

The Missionary Position. It is the most common sexual position, universally appreciated by both novices and experts. The woman lies on her back and the man puts himself between her legs to penetrate her. A few cushions placed under the woman’s buttocks change the penetration angle and allow a deeper penetration.

The Bee. The woman sits on the lingam of her partner with her feet drawn up, himself seated with his legs outstretched. She can then revolve her hips so that her partner’s lingam circles deep within her yoni. He arches his body or lifts her buttocks or thighs to accompany her movements.

The Monkey. The man lies on his back, with his legs straight up. The woman sits on top of his thighs, using his feet as backrest. He then lifts her with his feet, to start up and down stimulation. The woman adds to this stimulation by undulating her pelvis in a lateral or circular motion.

The Lotus. The woman lies on her back as the man, sitting facing her, fastens her ankles around his neck. She grips her toes as she presents her well-opened yoni to her partner.

The Deer. The woman goes on all fours and straightens her back. The man kneels down and penetrates her from behind.

The Tortoise. The woman lays on top of the man with her legs open allowing his partner’s lingam slide inside her yoni. Once in place, they both straighten their legs rubbing their bodies laterally and horizontally against each other.

The Cat. The woman lies on her stomach while the man lifts her ankles to make love. Both partners then rock slowly from side to side.

The Elephant. The woman lies down so that the man can enter her from behind. She can leave her legs open for easier penetration, or tighten her thighs to firmly squeeze her partner’s lingam in her yoni.

The Swing. The man lies down on his back while the woman turns her back on him and crouches down on his lingam with her legs on either side of her partner’s hips.

The Dog. A classic position when the woman is on all fours. The man, kneeling, grips her waist and enters her from behind.

The Wheel. The man and woman starts in the classic Missionary Position. The man rotates slowly on his partner using his lingam as the axis of rotation until he has come back to his initial position.