The Castle of Otranto. Horace Walpole

Written by the Indian philosopher Vatsyayana sometime between the 4th century B.C. and the 1st century A.D., “The Kama Sutra” is perhaps the world’s most famous book ever written on love and sexual desire. “Kama” is one of the four Hindu goals of human life and is translated as love, including sexual desire and romantic love. “Sutra” in this context means aphorisms, or rules and lessons, on the subject of love. “The Kama Sutra” has become synonymous with its instructions on sexual positions, but this compromises only a small portion of the work and it is much more than an erotic guide to lovemaking. Instead, it is intended as a manual for not only love and intimacy, but also a treatise on the politics and customs of marriages and family life. While the treatise values sensual delight and the pursuit of physical pleasure, it also promotes honor, virtue, and responsibility. This masterpiece of Sanskrit literature provides a fascinating glimpse into an ancient culture and its traditions and values, such as how one chooses a mate, how husbands and wives should comport themselves, and which romantic relationships are healthy and which are destructive. Presented here is the classic translation of Sir Richard Burton.