History of Indian Erotic Literature (An Old Book)

Mainly intended for the general reader, the present work endeavours to give a clear-cut idea about the nature and contents of Indian erotic literature and to sweep away the fog of exaggerated notions which have so long characterized the study on this subject. Those who are acquainted with the works of Dr. Bhattacharyya know that he always insists upon the social basis of ideas, and the same spirit the social basis of ideas, and the same spirit is maintained also in this book in which he has utilized the history of Indian erotic literature as a means to understand the complicated problems of Indian social history as well. Marked by the author's critical outlook and dispassionate approach and containing many odd and challenging questions, the book is expected to evoke much interest among the readers.

About the Author

Dr. Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya (1934) is the author of such well known works as Indian Puberty Rites (1968), Indian Mother Goddess (1970), History of Indian Cosmogonical Ideas (1971, History of the Sakta Religion (1974), Ancient Indian Rituals (1975), etc.

He is also a reputed writer in Bengali language. He teaches religious and social history in the Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture, Calcutta University.

Preface
Chapter 1
Introduction: Sex and Indian Society

Chapter 2
The Primitive Sex Rites: Their Survival in Indian Life and Religion

Chapter 3
The Two Streams: Myth and Reality of the Matriarchal

Chapter 4
Erotic Elements in Indian Art: A Few Remarks

Chapter 5
Age of Vedic Literature: The Changing Patterns of Sex life

Chapter 6
Sexual Life in Post-Vedic Literature: The Gradual Triumph of Patriarchy

Chapter 7
Erotic in Sophisticated Literature: Role of Urbanism

Chapter 8
Kautilya's Arthasastra

Chapter 9
Hala's Gatha-Saptasati

Chapter 10
The Kamasutra and its Sources

Chapter 11
Social Life as Reflected in the Kamasutra

Chapter 12
Sexual Knowledge in the Kamasutra

Chapter 13
The Texts on Prostitution

Chapter 14
Later Erotic Texts:

1. Introduction
2. The Ratirahasya of Kokkoka
3. The Nagarasarvasva of Padmasri
4. The Jayamangala Commentary of Yasodhara
5. The Pancasayaka of Jyotirisvara
6. The Ratimanjari if Jayadeva
7. The Ratiratnapradipika of Devaraja
8. The Anangaranga of Kalyanamalla
   
9. Conclusion