The Kama Sutra (Royal Collector's Edition) (Annotated) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)

Vātsyāyana is the name of a Hindu philosopher in the Vedic tradition who is believed to have lived around the 2nd century AD in India. He is known as the author of the Kama Sutra. Hardly anything is known about him, although it is believed that his disciples, on his instructions and at the request of Hindu Kings in the Himalayan range, worked to influence hill tribes to give up pagan sacrifices. He is said to have created the legend of Tara among the hill tribes as a tantric goddess. His interest in human sexual behavior as a medium of attaining spirituality was recorded in his treatise Kama Sutra. It is impossible to fix the exact date of Vatsyayana’s life or work, but it is believed he lived between the 1st and 6th century AD. He mentions that Satakarni Satavahana, a king of Kuntal, killed his wife Malayevati. Vatsyayana quotes this case to warn people of the danger arising from old customs of striking women when under the influence of sexual passion. This king of Kuntal is believed to have lived during the 1st century AD, so Vatsyayana must have lived after him. On the other hand, another author, Varahamihira, appears to have borrowed largely from Vatsyayana on the subject of love. Varahamihira is believed to have lived during the 6th century, and therefore Vatsyayana must have written his works before the 6th century.