The
Kama Sutra is an ancient
Indian Hindu text widely considered to be the standard work on
human sexual behavior in
Sanskrit literature written by
Vātsyāyana. A portion of the work consists of practical advice on
sexual intercourse.
It is largely in prose, with many inserted
anustubh poetry verses. "
Kāma" which is one of the three
goals of Hindu life, means
sensual or
sexual pleasure, and "
sūtra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism, or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Contrary to popular perception, especially in the western world, Kama sutra is not an exclusive
sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to a virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to pleasure oriented faculties of human life.