The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana Audiobook By Vatsyayana, Richard Francis Burton - translator cover art

The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana

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The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana

By: Vatsyayana, Richard Francis Burton - translator
Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau
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This is a sensitive exploration of the joys and pleasures of physical consummation. The Kama Sutra has often been described as "the first sexual manual", but the original Hindu script has a strong religious basis, and highlights love in all its forms.

Public Domain (P)2011 Audible, Inc. Personal Development

Editorial reviews

The most widely known translation of Vatsyana’s ancient text on love and lovemaking is this edition from renowned traveler and writer Sir Richard Francis Burton. Kevin Pariseau, the narrator of this audiobook, treats the source with a scholarly air, providing a serious tone for what Burton saw as both an ethnographic curiosity and a beautifully plain, erudite, and systematic description of the sensual arts. The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana will be of great interest to anyone curious about rich ancient cultures or about learned teachings on love, both physical and spiritual, which remain ageless and valuable to many looking for a pleasurable and harmonious life.
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I learned a lot. I’ve been reading the Kama sutra for decades. The audio made it better.

Learning

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to the people leaving negative reviews: what did you think you were reading? the kama sutra is NOT simply a list of sex positions as modern westerners seem to think. it is NOT in accordance with modern morality since it is an ancient book. it DOES do a great job of showing what attitudes were in that area and time period towards marriage, courtship and sexuality.

idk what you expected from an ancient text

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Like everyone, I'd heard of The Kama Sutra. (Maybe there is more than one version?) In my humble opinion, this version was like listening to a dull book of lists. Barely more interesting than listening to a reading of the Manhattan phone book, it consists of what I assume is supposed to be 'practical advice' for interacting with the opposite sex on just about every possible level. Unfortunately, it has absolutely no discernible importance or relevance to life in modern American. Or probably anywhere else.

There are perhaps some passages of mild, historical interest. But they are buried in a sea of droning nonsense in the context of today's standards. Nothing practical to be learned here at all.

Given the overwhelming dullness of the content, I'd say the narrator did a good job of reading it.

There are better ways to invest nearly 7 hours

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This book is dangerous. Common practice yesterday, is probably rape today.

The book endorses drugging the object of you affection, and having your way with them while they are incoherent; or simply having your way with them sober by force. If they don't fight you off, it is proof that it was okay.

In the end, the book identifies itself as science, and the translator recognizes the author as a genius.

It is obvious that it is written in a different time with a very different belief system.

However, it was an enjoyable read. I was entertained by most of it and couldn't wait to tell my wife about the arsenic aphrodisiac I must make to keep her forever, and the need to sprinkle monkey excrement onto her to keep her from being desired by other men.

Not what I expected...

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