
KAMA SUTRA (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. The original english translation by Sir Richard Francis BurtonBy Richard Francis BurtonLength7h 57m
About this audiobook
Kama Sutra is not merely a manual of erotic technique, but a classical Sanskrit treatise on desire, courtship, marriage, social conduct, and the cultivated life. In Richard Francis Burton's famous English edition, the text enters Victorian literary culture with a mixture of antiquarian scholarship, Orientalist framing, and deliberately formal prose. Its aphoristic structure and encyclopedic ambition place it within the broader Indian tradition of shastra: systematic instruction on the arts of living. Richard Francis Burton, explorer, linguist, translator, and controversial imperial intellectual, was drawn to texts that challenged the moral boundaries of nineteenth-century Britain. His knowledge of Eastern languages and societies, combined with his fascination with comparative customs, made the Kama Sutra an ideal project. Published through a private society to evade censorship, his version reflects both genuine scholarly curiosity and the limitations of its age. This edition is recommended for readers interested in the history of sexuality, translation, colonial scholarship, and world literature. It should be read critically, with awareness of its ancient Indian origins and Burton's Victorian mediation, but it remains a significant gateway to one of the most discussed works on human intimacy and social refinement.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreSpirituality and Religion
Length7 hrs 57 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 19, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Abandonment to Divine Providence (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
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6PREFACE.
7INTRODUCTION.
8PART I. THE VATSYAYANA SUTRA. INTRODUCTORY PREFACE.
9PART II. OF SEXUAL UNION
10PART III. ABOUT THE ACQUISITION OF A WIFE.
11PART IV. ABOUT A WIFE
12PART V. ABOUT THE WIVES OF OTHER MEN.
13PART VI. ABOUT COURTESANS.
14PART VII. ABOUT THE MEANS OF ATTRACTING OTHERS TO YOURSELF.
15Analysis
16Reflection
17Memorable Quotes