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Kamashastra

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Also known as kāṃaśāstra

In Indian literature, Kāma-Śāstra (कामशास्त्र ), refers to the tradition of works about kāma (broadly desire; particularly love, erotic, sensual and sexual desire in this case). Kāma-shastra aims to instruct the townsman (nāgarika) in the attainment of enjoyment and fulfillment.

~5 min read

Encyclopedic overview

11 sections
Contents
  • Etymology
  • History
  • List of Kāma-shastra works
  • Lost works
  • Chapters
  • Medieval and modern texts
  • Texts up to 10th century CE
  • Texts post 11th century CE
  • Others
  • Kāma-shastra and kāvya poetry
  • References

In Indian literature, Kāma-Śāstra (कामशास्त्र ), refers to the tradition of works about kāma (broadly desire; particularly love, erotic, sensual and sexual desire in this case). Kāma-shastra aims to instruct the townsman (nāgarika) in the attainment of enjoyment and fulfillment.

== Etymology == Kāma () is a Sanskrit word that has the general meanings of "wish", "desire", and "intention" in addition to the specific meanings of "pleasure" and "(sexual) love". Used as a proper name, it refers to Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Kamashastra” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.