THE KAMA SUTRA

As probably already known the kama sutra is a book about sexual practice written by Indian in the past. This is probably what one heard about in short, especially for those not in the interest of Indian philosophy or history nor entering the influence of Indian culture in the past. Literally kama means sexual pleasure, and sutra means a thread that binds things together or as current meaning of fibre produced by a kind of caterpillar having a great value which is in English called silk. Sutra is not only used in combination with kama but in many combination to name writing of ancient India, in the form of poetry or prose. Historians disclosed that the Kamasutra was collected in 2th century to reach its current form. As already known that India in 4th century known as one of big and flourishing kingdom in Asia under the dynasty of Mauria and reached its peak under Chandra Gupta and Asoka.

A collection of 1250 verses called Vatsyayana's Kama Sutra divided into 36 chapters, which translation was done by Sir Richard Francis Burton and Professor Wendy Doniger who found the book has 7 parts based on content. (1) Three aims of life which is included in 5 chapters, (2) Technical sex practice, mention 64 actions in 10 chapters, (3) form of marriage, girls, and managing alone in 5 chapters, (4) Duties and privilege of wives in 2 chapters, (5) Behavior of man and women and king pleasure in 6 chapters, (6) Advise on love in 6 chapters, (7) Improving physical appeal.

It is most probable that kama was further elaboration of what Indian philosophers wrote about 4 objective of life called catur purusha arta, who put kama as the lowest. (1) Darma is the priority to do merits, and often called darma agama, as it is in accordance with the virtues thought by ancient Indian philosophers and incorporated in Hindu teaching, (2) Artha, literally means richness or material pleasure for the senses, (3) Kama as sex pleasure, (4 ) Moksa, means liberation of senses from the material world which is later given the connotation of reaching the heaven with various ways including the teaching of catur asrama or 4 steps of human life. These 4 concepts are still being introduced to the Hindu except kama is considered private affairs. It seems that the Buddhist left hand school was inspired by the kama sutra who over practiced one of their 5 M teachings called maithuna in a festive ways, although some Indian historians denied this thinking. This school also later influenced the Hindu which born the so called Shiva Bhairava sectarianism or Shiva Lingga, yet in the practice more emphasizing the mudra and rituals.

The findings of lingga and yoni throughout the region ever influenced by Shivaitic sectarianism is wide spread up to Asia including South East Asian archipelago. It was certain, when Hindu tradition spreaded over the area other aspects followed, such as various sectarianism within Hindu and philosopies which is actually not aimed as religious teaching at all. Weather the creation of lingga and yoni was direct inspiration by kama sutra as a practical symbol or connected to the Shiva Bhairava can not be ascertained. Later assumption about the existence of it, is considered as the symbol of fertility and creation, just as the veneration of Venus in prehistory.

Some linggas were found highly decorative, giving no clue of human reproductive elements. It is not clear also weather the lingga and yoni formed part of Shiva veneration or as only an art work separately from the worship. Study about this in Indonesia do not throw enough light on this concept.

The availability of Kama Sutra in modern language such as English and French is the work of Western and Indian experts as mentioned above such as Indra Siha, and Alain Danielou. The latest publication was by Professor Wendy Doniger with Sudhir Kkar by Oxford University Press in 2002, while the publication by Burton in 1883 is considered the first translation of Kama Sutra. Translation by Alain Daielou, published in 1994 is called the Complete Kama Sutra.