Kama Sutra - The Content Of The Kama Sutra

The Kama Sutra written by Vatsyayana consisted of seven sections further divided into thirty-six chapters. We will discuss each of these sections to glean the details of what Vatsyayana was trying to convey in the Kama Sutra and the importance he placed on specific subjects.

Section One - Introductory

The first section of the Kama Sutra consisted of five chapters explaining the contents of the manuscript, the three major aims and priorities of life according to the Hindu belief system of the day, the acquisition of knowledge, suitable conduct for the well-bred townsman and various reflections on intermediaries who assist the lover in his enterprises.

Section Two- On Sexual Union

The second section of the Kama Sutra consisted of ten chapters on the stimulation of desire, various forms of embraces, caressing and kisses, marking a partner with the use of the finger nails, biting and marking a partner using the teeth, on positions of copulation, explanations of sexual practices such as slapping with the hand and moaning that accompanied the practice, evidence of virile behavior in women, superior coitus and oral sex practices, along with preludes and conclusions to the game of love. There are 64 types of sexual acts described in this section which has become the part of the Kama Sutra for which the book is most widely known.

Section Three - About The Acquisition Of A Wife

Section three of the Kama Sutra consists of Five chapters on the forms of marriage, how to relax and obtain the girl, how to manage alone when a suitable wife cannot be found and the union by marriage.

Section Four- About A Wife

Section four consist of counsel to the various types of wives a Hindu gentleman may have had. There are two chapters dealing with the conduct of the wives. The section of the Kama Sutra yields advice to the solitary wife in how she should conduct herself. This section of the Kama Sutra also explained the conduct of the chief wife and other wives in a household with multiple wives and concubines.

Section Five - About The Wives Of Other People

This section of the Kama Sutra consisted of six chapters on behavior of women and men. It included advice on the methods of seducing another mans wife, including encounters for getting acquainted, examination of sentiments, the tasks and advantages of go-betweens, the king's pleasures such as his harem and ways the brave could circumvent security measures and enjoy those pleasures themselves, as well as the proper behavior of a Hindu gentleman in the gynoecium or womens apartments.

Section Six - About Courtesans

Section Six of the Kama Sutra consisted of six chapters on making the best use of the advice of the assistants on choosing lovers, the search for a steady lover, the courtesans skill set and ways of making money, how best to renew friendship with a former lover, creating occasional profits and dealing with profits and losses associated with being a courtesan.

Section Seven - On The Means Of Attracting Others To One's Self

The two chapters of section seven of the Kama Sutra deal mainly with thoughts on improving physical attractiveness to others and arousing a weakened or failing sexual power.