4.1. Summary of Kāma-sūtra Book 7: Aupaniṣadika

[Full title: Kāma-sūtra Adhikaraṇa VII—Aupaniṣadika (aupaniṣadikam)]

The seventh book of Kāmasūtra named Aupaniṣadikam or on occult practices consists of two chapters and six prakaraṇas. The first prakaraṇa of chapter one is on personal adornments. It has said here that this book is an appendix to the entire Kāmasūtra and if the expected results are not obtained through the techniques indicated in this treatise, or one does not find what one is looking for, the procedures indicated in the present book must be contemplated^[1].

In connection with personal adornment, Vātsyāyana says; beauty, qualities, age and generosity are the chief and most natural means making a person agreeable in the eyes of others^[2]. In the absence of these, one should have resort to artificial means. A detailed description of medicines and their usages are provided here for getting the attractiveness enhanced^[3]. The prakaraṇa ends by the description of temporary marriage of a courtesan’s daughter. It has said thus; when the daughter of a courtesan arrives at the age of puberty, the mother should get together many young men of the same age, disposition and knowledge as her daughter, and tell them that she would give him her in marriage to the person give her presents of a particular kind. The mother should give her in marriage to one who may be ready to give her the presents agreed before. If she does not obtain money from the man, the mother places her own money in a given spot and proclaims that she has received it from him^[4]. If the girl is not deflowered, the mother gets rid of her daughter’s virginity with the assistance of a female friend or slave, to facilitate her amorous success. After marriage, the girl stays for one year with the man, after which she abandons herself with whoever desires her. After the year expires, if the husband invites her, she accepts to spend one night with him without seeking profit^[5]. Thus, the prakaraṇa ends, and the foredooming two prakaraṇas of this chapter entirely discuss the prescriptions for laying charm and stimulants for virility with the medicinal usages for both purposes.

Chapter two has also three prakaraṇas, of which, the first is on reviving the exhausted passions. If one is incapable of satisfying a passionate woman, have recourse to artificial devices. At the outset of copulation, caress the woman with man’s hand between her legs and enter him only when she has reach orgasm. Of a man who is of dull sexual energy, past his prime, too fat or exhauster from lovemaking, oral sex may kindle the passion^[6]. Otherwise, he may depend upon appropriate artificial penises made of gold, silver, copper, iron, ivory or buffalo horn, or ones made of tin or led which are soft, cool the semen and produce a violent effect during intercourse. This is the opinion of Bābhravya. Vātsyāyana says that in accordance with the taste of the women, artificial penises made of wood may also be used^[7]. Then various kinds and models of artificial penises and their nature are described here^[8].

The second prakaraṇa deals with the medicinal usages to enlarge the size of penis. The last prakaraṇa of the chapter or the entire Kāmasūtra is on miscellaneous experiments and tips.

Vātsyāyana has concluded his discourse in the following verse:

“Having studied the ancient texts and observed their applications, I (Vātsyāyana) have striven to compose the Kāmasūtra in a succinct fashion. He who is acquainted with the true principles of this science, pays regard to the three goals of life and to his own experiences, as well as to the teachings of others, and does not act simply on the dictates of his own desire. In short, an intelligent and prudent person, attending to the virtue and prosperity, and attending to pleasure also, without becoming the slave of his passions, obtains success in everything that he may undertake”^[9].

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 1. 1-2

[2]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 1. 3

[3]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 1. 4-11

[4]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 1. 13-19

[5]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 1. 20-22

[6]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 2. 1-3

[7]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 2. 4-7

[8]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 2. 8-24

[9]:

Kāmasūtra, 7. 2. 52-59