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The galaxy of pleasures in Alain Daniélou's translation of the
Kama Sutra takes you back to an India where sexuality was an integral
part of life and an avenue to spiritual bliss. As Devadatta Shastri says
in his commentary: "At the moment when the peak of bliss is attained, the
internal and external world vanish. The man and woman cease to be separate
entities and lose themselves in the beatitudes of being." Daniélou's
elegant rendering includes not only the entire sutra, much of which is
excluded in other versions, but two essential commentaries as well. More
than just a pillow book, the Kama Sutra is a guide to the labyrinth
of sexual etiquette, from how to bathe before meeting a lover to how lovers
should entertain each other after making love. Admittedly, the text is
dated and culture bound in places; it can be chauvinistic, bizarre, and
even violent. The commentators are careful to point out, however, that
the work is an overview of all sexual practices, some of which are not
recommended. Take from this encyclopedia of amour what you will and let
it keep you moving down the path of spiritual practice. --Brian Bruya
--This text refers to the paperback edition of this title |