The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana\' is an ancient Indian text attributed to the sage Vatsyayana, and it is one of the most well-known works on the art of love and sexual relationships. Believed to have been composed between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE, this classic treatise is not merely a manual on sexual positions, as popularly misconceived, but a comprehensive guide to living a fulfilling and harmonious life.The Kama Sutra is divided into seven sections, covering various aspects of human relationships. It addresses topics such as courtship, marriage, extramarital affairs, and the nature of love. While the text does discuss sexual techniques and positions, it also emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, communication, and understanding between partners. It delves into broader concepts such as Dharma (duty/righteousness) and Artha (material success), offering a holistic approach to a well-rounded life.Despite its explicit content, the Kama Sutra is deeply rooted in cultural and philosophical insights, providing a glimpse into the social norms and values of ancient India. Beyond its historical significance, the Kama Sutra remains a source of fascination and study for those interested in the complexities of human relationships, and it has earned a place as a cultural and philosophical treasure transcending time and cultural boundaries.
The younger wife should regard the elder wife of her husband as her mother, and should not give anything away, even to her own relations, without her knowledge. She should tell her everything about herself, and not approach her husband without her permission. Whatever is told to her by the elder wife she should not reveal to others, and she should take care of the children of the senior even more than of her own. When alone with her husband she should serve him well, but should not tell him of the pain she suffers from the existence of a rival wife. She may also obtain secretly from her husband some marks of his particular regard for her, and may tell him that she lives only for him, and for the regard that he has for her. She should never reveal her love for her husband, nor her husband's love for her to any person, either in pride or in anger, for a wife that reveals the secrets of her husband is despised by him. As for seeking to obtain the regard of her husband, Gonardiya says, tha
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If the elder wife be disliked by her husband, or be childless, she should sympathize with her, and should ask her husband to do the same, but should surpass her in leading the life of a chaste woman.
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Thus ends the conduct of the younger wife towards the elder. A widow in poor circumstances, or of a weak nature, and who allies herself again to a man, is called a widow re-married. The followers of Babhravya say that a virgin widow should not marry a person whom she may be obliged to leave on account of his bad character, or of his being destitute of the excellent qualities of a man, she thus being obliged to have recourse to another person. Gonardya is of opinion that as the cause of a widow's marrying again is her desire for happiness, and as happiness is secured by the possession of excellent qualities in her husband, joined to love of enjoyment, it is better therefore to secure a person endowed with such qualities in the first instance. Vatsyayana however thinks that a widow may marry any person that she likes, and that she thinks will suit her.
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At the time of her marriage the widow should obtain from her husband the money to pay the cost of drinking parties, and picnics with her relations, and of giving them and her friends kindly gifts and presents; or she may do these things at her own cost if she likes. In the same way she may wear either her husband's ornaments or her own. As to the presents of affection mutually exchanged between the husband and herself there is no fixed rule about them. If she leaves her husband after marriage of her own accord, she should restore to him whatever he may have given her, with the exception of the mutual presents. If however she is driven out of the house by her husband she should not return anything to him.
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