Ratirahasya
| Author | Kokkoka |
|---|---|
| Language | Sanskrit |
| Subject | Human sexuality |
| Genre | Sex manual |
Publication date | 11th or 12th century |
| Publication place | India |
Published in English | 1964 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 172 |
TheRatirahasya(Sanskritरतिरहस्य) (translated in English asSecrets of Love,also known as theKoka Shastra) is a medievalIndiansex manualwritten by Kokkoka, a poet, who is variously described as Koka or Koka Pundit.[1][2][3][4]The exact date of its writing is not known, but it is estimated the text was written in the 11th or 12th century.[2]It is speculated thatRatirahasyawas written to please a king by the nameVenudutta.Kokkoka describes himself in the book assiddha patiya pandita,i.e. "an ingenious man among learned men".[1][5]The manual was written inSanskrit.[6]
Historical context[edit]
Unlike theKama Sutra,which is anancientsex manual related toHindu literature,Ratirahasyadeals withmedieval Indiansociety. A sex manual was needed that would be suitable for the medieval cultural climate, andRatirahasyawas written, quite different from the ancient textKama Sutra.[2]
Structure[edit]
There are fifteenpachivedes(chapters) and 800 verses inRatirahasyawhich deal with various topics such as different physiques,lunar calendar,different types ofgenitals,characteristics of women of various ages,hugs,kisses,sexual intercourseandsex positions,sex with a strange woman, etc.[1][2]Kokkoka describes various stages of love inRatirahasya,the fifth stage beingweight loss,the ninth isfainting,and the tenth and last stage is death.[7]Ratirahasyamakes classifications of women, and describeserogenous zonesand days that lead to women's easy arousal.
Ratirahasyais describes in detail Indianfemininebeauty, similar to that found inKamasutra.[8]The book classified women into four psycho-physical types, according to their appearance and physical features.[9][10]
- Padmini (lotus woman)
- Chitrini (art woman)
- Shankini (conch woman)
- Hastini (elephant woman)
On the basis of the size of the genitals, the text classifies sexual intercourse into nine different types.Aphrodisiacsare also described in the book.[11]
Analysis[edit]
According toW.G. Archer,Kokkoka "is concerned with how to make the most of sex, how to enjoy it and how to keep a woman happy."[2]In writing this text, Kokkoka depended on a number of other authors including, among othersNandikeshvara,Gonikaputra,andVatsyayana.[12]
Translations[edit]
Arabic,PersianandTurkishtranslations of the book are entitledLazzat Un Nisa.[13]Alex Comfort,author ofThe Joy of Sex,made an English translation ofRatirahasyain 1964 titledThe Koka Shastra, Being the Ratirahasya of Kokkoka, and Other Medieval Indian Writings on Love(London: George Allen and Unwin). Another English translation was made by S. C. Upadhyaya, entitledKokashastra (Rati Rahasya) of Pundit Kokkoka.Some commentaries have been written on this text byAvana Rama Chandra,Kavi Prabhu,andHarihara.It is a popular text in India, second only to theKama Sutraamong sex manuals.[12]
References[edit]
- ^abcVātsyāyana; Lance Dane (7 October 2003).The Complete Illustrated Kama Sutra.Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. pp. 11–12.ISBN978-0-89281-138-0.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^abcdeSuzanne G. Frayser; Thomas J. Whitby (1995).Studies in Human Sexuality: a selected guide.Libraries Unlimited. p. 144.ISBN978-1-56308-131-6.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^Yudit Kornberg Greenberg (2008).Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions.ABC-CLIO. p. 348.ISBN978-1-85109-980-1.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^Krishan Lal Kalia (1 January 1997).Eminent Personalities of Kashmir.Discovery Publishing House. p. 16.ISBN978-81-7141-345-4.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^Ra, Frank.Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana.Subjective Wellbeing Instituted.
- ^David Goodway (1 November 2011).Anarchist Seeds Beneath the Snow: Left-Libertarian Thought and British Writers from William Morris to Colin Ward.PM Press. p. 328.ISBN978-1-60486-221-8.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^Siegfried Lienhard (1984).A History of Classical Poetry: Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit.Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 119.ISBN978-3-447-02425-9.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^Doniger, Wendy (2003).Kamasutra - Oxford World's Classics.Oxford University Press.p. 128.ISBN9780192839824.
- ^Kazmi, Nikhat (Jun 7, 2004)."Our B-I-G fix".Times of India.Retrieved27 March2012.
- ^Molly Oldfield; John Mitchinson (21 Apr 2011)."QI: Quite interesting facts about weddings".The Telegraph.Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 2011.Retrieved27 March2012.
- ^Kar (1 January 2005).Comprehensive Textbook of Sexual Medicine.Jaypee Brothers Publishers. p. 456.ISBN978-81-8061-405-7.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^abDge-ʼdun-chos-ʼphel (A-mdo) (1992).Tibetan arts of love.Snow Lion Publications. p. 35.ISBN978-0-937938-97-3.Retrieved23 March2012.
- ^The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night.Forgotten Books.ISBN9781440039980.
