The Complete Kama Sutra (Paperback) by Alain Daniélou

The Complete Kama Sutra: The First Unabridged Modern Translation of the Classic Indian Text

Author: Alain Daniélou
ISBN: 9780892815258
Publisher: Inner Traditions
Year: 1993
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 576
Language: English

About This Book

The world's oldest and most widely read guide to love, pleasure, and the art of living, the Kama Sutra was compiled in the fourth century A.D. by the Brahmin scholar Vatsyayana, drawing on texts dating back to the fourth century B.C. Until this landmark translation, the only English version available was Sir Richard Burton's Victorian-era rendering of 1883 — a version shaped by the prudishness of its time.

Alain Daniélou's unabridged modern translation restores the numbered verse divisions of the original Sanskrit and includes two essential commentaries: the medieval Jayamangala commentary by Yashodhara, and a modern Hindi commentary by Devadatta Shastri. Explicit, pragmatic, and philosophically rich, this edition addresses the full spectrum of human sexuality without ambiguity — painting a vivid portrait of an ancient India whose openness to the erotic gave rise to one of humanity's most enduring texts.

Why This Book Is Perfect For You

This is the definitive scholarly edition for anyone seeking the Kama Sutra in its true, unabridged form — not a sanitised summary, but a complete and faithful translation of a sacred classical text. An essential addition to any library of Eastern philosophy, tantra, or the history of human sexuality.

All items in our Pre-Loved Library are curated vintage or secondhand copies. Expect minor shelf wear, aged pages, or past owner notes—each imperfection adds to the soul and journey of the book.