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The ''Kama Sutra'' ((サンスクリット:कामसूत्र) , ) is an ancient Indian Hindu text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature written by Vātsyāyana. A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse.〔(Common misconceptions about ''Kama Sutra''. ) "The ''Kama Sutra'' is neither exclusively a sex manual nor, as also commonly used art, a sacred or religious work. It is certainly not a tantric text. In opening with a discussion of the three aims of ancient Hindu life – dharma, artha and kama – Vatsyayana's purpose is to set kama, or enjoyment of the senses, in context. Thus dharma or virtuous living is the highest aim, artha, the amassing of wealth is next, and kama is the least of three." —Indra Sinha.〕 It is largely in prose, with many inserted anustubh poetry verses. "Kāma" which is one of the four goals of Hindu life, means desire including sexual desire the latter being the subject of the textbook, and "sūtra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Contrary to popular perception, especially in the western world, Kama sutra is not exclusively a sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to a virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to pleasure oriented faculties of human life. ''Kama Sutra'', in parts of the world, is presumed or depicted as a synonym for creative sexual positions; in reality, only 20% of Kama Sutra is about sexual positions. The majority of the book, notes Jacob Levy,〔Jacob Levy (2010), Kama sense marketing, iUniverse, ISBN 978-1440195563, see Introduction〕 is about the philosophy and theory of love, what triggers desire, what sustains it, how and when it is good or bad.〔Alain Daniélou, The Complete Kama Sutra: The First Unabridged Modern Translation of the Classic Indian Text, ISBN 978-0892815258〕 The ''Kama Sutra'' is the oldest and most notable of a group of texts known generically as ''Kama Shastra'' (Sanskrit: ).〔For Kama Sutra as the most notable of the kāma śhāstra literature see: Flood (1996), p. 65.〕 Historians attribute Kamasutra to be composed between 400 BCE and 200 CE. John Keay says that the ''Kama Sutra'' is a compendium that was collected into its present form in the 2nd century CE. == Content == In the preface of ''Kama Sutra'', Vatsyayana cites the work of previous authors based on which he compiled his own ''Kama Sutra''. He states that the seven parts of his work were an abridgment of longer works by Dattaka (first part), Suvarnanabha (second part), Ghotakamukha (third part), Gonardiya (fourth part), Gonikaputra (fifth part), Charayana (sixth part), and Kuchumara (seventh part). Vatsyayana's ''Kama Sutra'' has 1250 verses, distributed in 36 chapters, which are further organized into seven parts.〔(book, see index pages ) by Wendy Doniger, also (translation ) by Burton〕 According to both the Burton and Doniger〔(Date checked: 29 March 2007 Burton ) and (Doniger )〕 translations, the contents of the book are structured into seven parts like the following: :; 1. General remarks: five chapters on contents of the book, three aims and priorities of life, the acquisition of knowledge, conduct of the well-bred townsman, reflections on intermediaries who assist the lover in his enterprises. :; 2. Amorous advances/sexual union: ten chapters on stimulation of desire, types of embraces, caressing and kisses, marking with nails, biting and marking with teeth, on copulation (positions), slapping by hand and corresponding moaning, virile behavior in women, superior coition and oral sex, preludes and conclusions to the game of love. It describes 64 types of sexual acts. :; 3. Acquiring a wife: five chapters on forms of marriage, relaxing the girl, obtaining the girl, managing alone, union by marriage. :; 4. Duties and privileges of the wife: two chapters on conduct of the only wife and conduct of the chief wife and other wives. :; 5. Other men's wives: six chapters on behavior of woman and man, how to get acquainted, examination of sentiments, the task of go-between, the king's pleasures, behavior in the women's quarters. :; 6. About courtesans: six chapters on advice of the assistants on the choice of lovers, looking for a steady lover, ways of making money, renewing friendship with a former lover, occasional profits, profits and losses. :; 7. Occult practices: two chapters on improving physical attractions, arousing a weakened sexual power. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kama Sutra」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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