|
Part 1 |
The `Aphorisms on Love' by Vatsyayana contain about one thousand two hundred and fifty slokas
or verses, and are divided into parts, parts into chapters, and chapters into paragraphs. The whole
consists of seven parts, thirty-six chapters, and sixty-four paragraphs. Hardly anything is known
about the author. His real name is supposed to be Mallinaga or Mrillana, Vatsyayana being his
family name. At the close of the work this is what he writes about himself:
`After reading and considering the works of Babhravya and other ancient authors, and thinking over
the meaning of the rules given by them, this treatise was composed, according to the precepts of the
Holy Writ, for the benefit of the world, by Vatsyayana, while leading the life of a religious student
at Benares, and wholly engaged in the contemplation of the Deity. This work is not to be used
merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires. A person acquainted with the true principles of
this science, who preserves his Dharma (virtue or religious merit), his Artha (worldly wealth) and
his Kama (pleasure or sensual gratification), and who has regard to the customs of the people, is
sure to obtain the mastery over his senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to
Dharma and Artha and also to Kama, without becoming the slave of his passions, will obtain
success in everything that he may do.'
It is impossible to fix the exact date either of the life of Vatsyayana or of his work. It is supposed
that he must have lived between the first and sixth century of the Christian era, on the following
grounds. He mentions that Satakarni Satavahana, a king of Kuntal, killed Malayevati his wife with
an instrument called kartari by striking her in the passion of love, and Vatsya quotes this case to
warn people of the danger arising from some old customs of striking women when under the
influence of this passion. Now this king of Kuntal is believed to have lived and reigned during the
first century A.D., and consequently Vatsya must have lived after him. On the other hand,
Virahamihira, in the eighteenth chapter of his `Brihatsanhita', treats of the science of love, and
appears to have borrowed largely from Vatsyayana on the subject. Now Virahamihira is said to
have lived during the sixth century A.D., and as Vatsya must have written his works previously,
therefore not earlier than the first century A.D., and not later than the sixth century A.D., must be
considered as the approximate date of his existence.
|
 |
