Indian Books - Page 3

Beneath a Vedic Sun: Discover Your Life Purpose with Vedic Astrology

William Levacy

Amazon Price: $23.95 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Hay House Amazon Marketplace: 26 new & used starting at $4.19

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> New Age -> Astrology -> Vedic
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> New Age -> Astrology -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Highly Recommended! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

William Levacy takes a complex subject and translates it gracefully into a great book about Vedic Astrology, life purpose, and career. He has spent over two decades as a Vedic astrologer, has over 20 years experience as a performance specialist in the aerospace business, and has done over 10,000 Vedic Astrology charts for people over the years. I heard Levacy speak on Hay House Radio, and wanted to know more about him and his work both on a personal level and because as a counselor I see clients who are frustrated or burned out in their careers or may be making a life transition and are unsure of what to do next.

The book is divided into four parts, which helps make the material easier to grasp, and it includes a sample CD of Vedic astrology software, so readers can see the basics of what a chart looks like. If you're new to this subject, like I am, you may want to read his other books for more basics about Vedic Astrology (such as Beneath a Vedic Sky, or Vedic Astrology Simply Put-available February 2007), but this is one of the best books I've ever read about career and life purpose and it's helped me tremendously on a personal and professional level.

Editorial Review:

Beneath a Vedic Sun –Discover Your Life Purpose with Vedic Astrology, provides its readers with principles and practices used in career assessment drawn from the fields Vedic philosophy, modern career assessment, Vedic astrology, and the sister-sciences of Ayurveda and Vastu. These career guidelines will help readers discover the type of work for which they are best suited, and will encourage them to develop the competency necessary to reach the highest levels of their destiny.

Example charts, illustrations, graphs, Internet search tips, and resource lists are provided to enrich your learning experience. There is also a special bonus enclosed with the book--- a free CD of the popular “Parashara’s Light SE” Vedic astrology software.

Krishnamurti: Reflections on the Self

Jiddu Krishnamurti

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Open Court Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $3.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> History -> Asia -> India -> General AAS
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Consciousness & Thought
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

forgetting 5 out of 5 stars.
29 of 38 people found this review helpful.

One thing I have learnt from reading j.k. is that my searching is in fact escaping.. from no depths and from no hights will we recieve nor discover anything that can make us free. we already are as free as we see ourselves fit to be. escaping and compensating with new points of wiews under the false pretence that you have "matured" over time is wonderfull however, because it keeps you occupied, and tucks away the creeping feeling that you're missing something. and the doubts and the fears, the urge to become and overcome,- it keeps sticking to you, so you start wanting it. that is our balance-act. take it too seriously and you'll feel more dead than alive.

Editorial Review:

If read closely, this can be a terrifying book. Just as Socrates and Descartes rattled their contemporaries by questioning received wisdom, J. Krishnamurti dispenses with all authority, insisting that each individual find the truth within. And when all conditioned ideas and learned notions are swept away (no falling back on "Plato said this" or "Jesus said that"), nothing is left but the trembling, vulnerable self. Edited by philosophy professor Raymond Martin, this is the first work of Krishnamurti's that has been prepared for a critical reading. As such, it delves into the most basic issues of self-knowledge and identification with the external world--fear, pride, happiness, and most of all, freedom. But be careful, because if Krishnamurti's reasoning is followed with utmost sincerity, you may find your intellectual crutches turned to rubble at your feet.

Tantra Unveiled

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

Amazon Price: $11.21 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Himalayan Institute Press Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $9.88

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> General
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Average rating: 0.0 of 5

Illuminating the truth hidden by ignorance. 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

When one thinks of Tantra, one's mind swings to the notion of sexual practices that are viewed by most schools of thought as taboo. However "Tantra Unveiled" reveals the truth behind the Vedic science that is shrouded in mystery. This is achieved by giving all facts about Tantra that have been hidden due to the focus on ritual sex that, in itself is grossly misunderstood and abused. Pandit Rajami Tigunait writing style is easy to read and he presents information in a clear and precise manner. This coupled with his personal accounts of the practice of Tantric teachings and his experiences with his Guru, make for a most enjoyable lesson on the Tantric science. Any person put off by the widely held image of Tantra will be pleasantly surprised.

Editorial Review:

This powerful book describes authentic tantra, what distinguishes it from other spiritual paths, and how the tantric way combines hath yoga, meditation, visualization, Ayurveda, and other disciplines. Taking us back to ancient times, Pandit Tigunait shares his experiences with tantric masters and the techniques they taught him. Tantra Unveiled is most valuable for those who wish to live the essence of tantra: practicing spirituality while experiencing a rich outer life.

The Tantric Way: Art, Science, Ritual

Ajit Mookerjee, Madhu Khanna

Amazon Price: $17.95 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Thames & Hudson Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $4.58

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General AAS
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Tantric Way is scholarly, artistic, and penetrating 5 out of 5 stars.
35 of 35 people found this review helpful.

The book is a rich combination of Makoorjee's scholarly style and an excellent collection of Tantric art, both geometric/diagramatic and visual, including the ever-popular Tibetan yab-yum pairs. I came upon the original edition as an undergraduate in the 1970s and was impressed then by the elaborate and in-depth scientific and metaphysical explanations of a complex and elusive topic -- tantra -- or the science and practice of first "seeing," then experiencing the essence behind form, not intellectually but with the perceptive faculties of one's inner being. His narration is interwoven with the illustrations to give the reader a clear sense of both the culture from which this body of knowledge arises and the subtle dynamics of tantric knowledge as revealed through art, ritual, and practice. Not a practitioner's guide, but an excellent introduction to tantric history, theory, metaphysics, and cultural expression.

Editorial Review:

Though its roots are in Hinduism, tantra's goals are the universal ones of self-knowledge and liberated joy. Its methods and effects transcend geography and era, and can be applied to everyday life. This historical survey explains the roles of astronomy, astrology, alchemy, and cosmology in tantrism. It discusses the different viewpoints of "left-hand" and "right-hand" tantrikas and their respective attitudes toward human sexuality and its place in ritual.

The drawings and illustrations serve further to explain and instruct, thus providing a unique opportunity for close contact with one of the world's oldest practical methods of achieving an expanded and creative awareness of oneself. 228 illustrations, 18 in color.

The Indian Way: An Introduction to the Philosophies & Religions of India (2nd Edition)

John M. Koller

Amazon Price: $81.60 List Price: $85.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Prentice Hall Amazon Marketplace: 15 new & used starting at $72.72

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> General
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 2.0 of 5

Koller 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Why is this book so expensive?? Definitely not worth all that money just because its printed on some different type of paper. I was not too happy about the price, but the book itself was a good read. Required for school, but I will probably keep it around for future references. At the end of each chapter he includes a list of related texts that are very helpful. Get it if you can afford it.

Editorial Review:

There is no other book on the market today that explains both the philosophies and religions of India in their full historical development. The Indian Way is accessible to readers new to this subject, and does justice to the Indian tradition’s richness of religious and philosophical thought. Clear and powerful explanations of yajna and dharma, and appealing, intimate descriptions of Krishna, Kali, and Shiva allow you to read some of the great Indian texts for themselves. For anyone interested in learning more about India and its great tradition of answering the “big” philosophical and religious questions that we all have: “Who am I?” “What is knowledge?” “What is it to be a good person?”

The Mind of the Cells or Willed Mutation of Our Species

Satprem

List Price: $8.95 By: Institute for Evolutionary Research Amazon Marketplace: 9 new & used starting at $5.16

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> General
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

For those ready to change NOW. 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.

An indeniable help in clarifying the so called "mystic" experience, the "enlighted experience. The mental of the cell brings the seeker back his/her sole reality: the body' the physical vessel of existence: the cell, that infatigable creator.
the cell and it's primary "program" submited to a continuous, repetitive replication of itself in its struggle for survival.
the cell imbecillitated by the force of Habit. the cell stubborn and blinded, unfolds its DNA in a way viable with the environment...from the cell to the borders of the universe: the same fabric. the same continuum, the same conscience. As a thread in the fabric, human intelligence, THE tool at hand for our specie to participate consciously into the process of evolution, the process of change. Satprem, as Mother's witness, relates her 50 years of experimenting inner conscious metamorphosis. The most sublime bath taken into the Here/Now.
For those who are willing to BE their own conscience and the universal conscience, meet with Mother and Mother's experiment. She will remind you that the only laboratory for what is seeked as "spiritual change" is the cell itself. The work is to be done at the physical level.It is the re-creation, the re-organization of the conglomerate matter that forms the body which will allow a "spiritual" change.

The Laws of Manu (Penguin Classics)

Anonymous

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Penguin Books Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $3.85

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> History -> Asia -> India -> General AAS
Subjects -> History -> World -> General
Subjects -> History -> World -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Ian Myles Slater on: Laying Down the Law? 5 out of 5 stars.
22 of 26 people found this review helpful.

The 1991 Penguin Classics translation of "The Laws of Manu," by Wendy Doniger (thus on the cover; earlier known as Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty, and often so listed) and Brian Smith, is one of two relatively recent translations of the text. The other is "The Law Code of Manu: A New Translation," by Patrick Olivelle, in the Oxford World's Classics (2004), which was also published elsewhere with a new critical edition of the Sanskrit original. Olivelle had earlier translated four other, related, works as "Dharmasutras: The Law Codes of Ancient India" (1999), for the same series.

The reader may want to give precedence to Olivelle's newer translation, which has an elaborate commentary offering access to more recent literature. However, the Penguin version is still worth consulting; and I find some sections of it much more readable that Olivelle's version, although the reverse is sometimes true of other passages. Both are annotated (the Penguin with footnotes; there is some overlap with Olivelle's end-notes, but they tend to be complementary), and both have extremely detailed indexes (the Penguin volume's being in rather more legible type). Their introductions take different approaches, but cover much the same territory.

Those already somewhat familiar with the legal literature of ancient India may want to skip to the end for the rest of my comparison of these two to each other, and to an older (1886) translation, which has also been in paperback in recent years; and some general observations on its reputation.

For those unfamiliar with the work, even by reputation, or with the Western study of India:

The "Manavadharmashastra" or "Manusmrti" ("Manu's Dharma-Treatise" or "The Manu-Tradition"), or just "Manu," was revealed to the Western world in 1794 in a translation by Sir William Jones, who had been assigned by the Honorable East India Company to organize the judiciary for some of the vast territories it "managed" under contract to Indian rulers, both Muslim and Hindu. (One of the most strikingly original forms of imperial conquest; producing logical contradictions not resolved until Victoria was proclaimed Empress, and the Company was replaced by direct rule from London, with complications lingering until Independence, and still yielding problems, like the status of Kashmir.)

For some reason, Jones decided to consult the Indians themselves about their laws; particularly the Hindus (or Hindoos, as it would have been written at the time), under the impression that they were, after all, an Ancient and Highly Civilized people, not a gaggle of beastly heathens whose silly ideas could (and should) be disregarded by good Christians.

This required Jones to learn Sanskrit, the language of high culture; which introduced him to the brilliant Sanskrit grammarians, and, as a by-product, to the invention of modern Indology. And also made possible his demonstration of the relationship of Sanskrit to Avestan Persian, to Greek, to Latin, and indeed to most of the languages of Europe. The latter had momentous consequences, both good and bad, particularly when "Aryan" was treated as a biological rather than a linguistic classification.

However, Jones' original, judicial, project went a bit astray. Instead of working with the living legal traditions of different parts of (then) contemporary India, he was directed by his learned teachers to a legal manual, which, he was assured, was regarded with veneration by all good Hindus, and attributed to "the Indian Adam," the Father of Humankind (manava), Manu, himself. (Well, actually to one of the fourteen Manus; but that is another set of stories!)

Also, according to Olivelle, he was shown a local (Calcutta) text, which turns out to be less than reliable. (Deference to a manuscript has been a constant problem with European scholarship; a Brahmin was supposed memorize everything, anyway...) By all accounts, Jones was also greatly impressed by the elaborate traditional commentaries, which supplied ready solutions to problems; too impressed, setting a bad precedent, in some views.

It also didn't seem to have occurred to Jones to ask whether this remarkably comprehensive and well-ordered legal code, so reminiscent of the Code of Justinian, on the one hand, and the Five Books of Moses on the other, and thus familiar in concept, had recently, or indeed EVER, been applied by actual judges in India to real life. (Which was sort of the point of the exercise.)

Apparently it hadn't. And some of the actual familiarity of its contents to traditionally educated Hindus was due, not to pious consultation of "Manu," but to big chunks of it appearing, in virtually identical form, in the Sanskrit epic "Mahabharata." (The literary relationship of these passages is still open to debate.) This is made clear by Doniger and Smith and by Olivelle; although both focus on the work as an example of, and influence, in, the Indian cultural tradition.

In fact British jurisprudence in India seems to have gone its own way, as an ad-hoc mixture of observed customs, "common sense" (meaning what seemed obvious to an educated Englishman), and Common Law; with "Manu" now available for rhetorical flourishes on policy issues, if used at all.

Jones' translation was more influential in shaping educated European views of India, and its caste system; and, somewhat indirectly, to an emerging concept of "race" and "racial purity." It was rapidly translated into other European languages. And, thanks to its success, a variety of later, generally better translations of "Manu" appeared, in the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. However, for several decades the only form readily available in English was the old-fashioned "Sacred Books of the East" version of 1886 by Georg Buehler, which had been reprinted by Dover in 1969.

Besides a rather clumsy English, and a tendency to insert traditional commentaries into the translated text, Buehler's version was marked by the assumption of superiority common to later nineteenth-century Indologists. Apparent contradictions were taken at face value, and held to demonstrate the illogical nature of the Oriental Mind, or sloppy editorial work by a compiler, or both. (This attitude closely resembled, in a particularly raw form, the nineteenth-century German Higher Critical approach to the Bible. It is not true that "the Higher Criticism was actually the Higher Anti-Semitism," but some of its practitioners made no secret of their general disdain for "the Hebrews" and modern Jews alike.)

The Doniger-Smith version was innovative compared to Buehler in that (a) it translated sections as prose paragraphs, instead of offering autonomous sentences, and (b) tried to translate the text as it stood, rather than as explained away by later commentators; their views were cited, not interpolated (even in brackets).

They also assumed that there was a logical coherence to the parts. A general rule followed by a contradiction and then another rule was treated not as a set of blunders, but as sharing the practice of the Sanskrit grammarians. In their works, a general rule is stated as it would be without exceptions, followed when necessary by empirically observed exceptions, and often by a rule to resolve contradictions with other rules. In this light, a "confused" text is shown to be a clear look at complex realities, as well as an exposition of preferred doctrines.

Olivelle's more recent version is quite similar in approach, although he often differs in details. As mentioned, he also translates from a new critical text, not the "received" version, which he claims is based on an atypical and inferior group of manuscripts which happened to be available when the work was first printed, and given undue precedence ever since.

Meanwhile, the association with Jones, and its resulting prominence in Indological literature, has made "The Laws of Manu" available as a target for those who, understandably, still resent British rule, criticizing it either for failing to respect the REAL India, or for showing TOO MUCH respect for traditions now found objectionable. And the translations are convenient targets for those who object to foreigners talking about their culture at all. Fair enough; but, to be consistent, shouldn't they refrain from talking in any detail about those foreigners and THEIR culture?

Editorial Review:

The Sanskrit text of this work was first translated into English in 1794, and translations into other European languages swiftly followed. No understanding of modern India is possible without it. Wendy Doniger provides a landmark translation, the first authoritative English rendering this century. It is also the first to set the unadulterated text in narrative form, making it accessible and enjoyable both to specialist scholars and to a wider audience. Includes an illuminating introduction.

The Compassionate Universe: The Power of the Individual to Heal the Environment

Eknath Easwaran

Amazon Price: $11.86 List Price: $13.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Nilgiri Press Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $2.54

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Political
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

This should be required reading for everyone 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

This is one of those books that hit the nail right on the head for me. It integrates meditation, personal responsibility, and ecology into a message that I think our world desperately needs. It's an easy read with no esoteric Buddhist philosophy that in the past has made me bleed at the ears. Rather, it's practical, heart-felt, warm, and inviting. It's helped me to move from simple acceptance to real compassion. If every American read this book the world would be a much happier place.

Editorial Review:

Explores the major ecological crises we are facing today, and shows how we can undo the damage humankind has done. 190 pages.

The Bhagavad Gita

Lars Martin Fosse

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: YogaVidya.com Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $6.64

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> Indian
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> General
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Eastern -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great study edition 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Though perhaps not lush in artwork and poetic in outlook, this is an easy-to-read study version of the Bhagavad Gita. The translation is no-nonsense, but not clunky-sounding either.

The introduction is worth the price alone--covering the history of the Mahabarata Epic, India's great contribution to mythological and religion writing. The translation goes verse by verse with the Sanskrit text of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute's critical edition. This makes a handy reference for the Sanskrit scholar. There is a comprehensive glossary of names and a good index. If you are studying this work for comparative religions, great books, mythology or other college work, you will find this a useful edition.

Editorial Review:

At last, an edition of the Bhagavad Gita that speaks with unprecedented fidelity and clarity. It contains an unusually informative introduction, the Sanskrit text of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research InstituteÕs critical edition, an accurate and accessible English translation, a comprehensive glossary of names and epithets, and a thorough index. REL032000

The Love Teachings of Kama Sutra: With Extracts from Koka Shastra, Anaga Ranga and Other Famous Indian Works on Love

Radha Sinha

Amazon Price: $22.75 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Da Capo Press Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $1.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Sexuality -> Human
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Relationships -> Love & Romance
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Sex -> Sex Instruction -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great entry-point for the curious 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This wonderfully illustrated-yet-informative translation of the classic text breaks down the classic Kama Sutra text in a way tat's mindful of the roots of the culture from which the tome was spawned, while being accessible for the merely curious. A great launching pad for the curious and a nice, quick reference for those who use the kama Sutra for more than reading. Coupled with "The Complete Kama Sutra", you should have no more questions.

Excellent information on sex and relationships, this edition is kind of academic 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The Kama Sutra has a huge reputation based on only one of its five sections. The positions would be Part 2 and only one chapter of the ten in that section. Most books with Kama Sutra in the title are just going to be some porn structured around that chapter. The entire book is not so much useful in describing the physics of sex as for describing the psychology of sex. (It is good for physical stuff too. At one point it gives a method to get to the G-spot with the fingers, so I have to give Indian medicine props there.)

The five sections are as follows:
Part 1 - Describes how to be attractive. You should bathe before you will be meeting the opposite sex and do something to get your breath smelling better. Also clean your apartment. People call it ritual, but it is excellent advice on not being a slob. For women it gives a listing of the 64 arts which will let you be the favorite in the harem. They are fun. Who wouldn't love a woman who does yoga, can inlay a marble table and knows how to design and build irrigation systems? Much more fun to try to be than the Proverbs 31 woman, but on the other hand kind of a strange laundry list of talents.
Part 2 - The positions, hugging, kissing, scratching and oral. Size of the man and the woman and which positions are better to even thing out in that regard.
Part 3 - How to negotiate an arranged marriage (not so useful now). How to devirginize your bride. You won't be sexing her until about two weeks into the marriage. Its all about gaining her trust and her being comfortable so she won't have hang ups about men, and sadly it doesn't apply to most marriages or devirginizations today.
Part 4 - Handling your harem. How the harem women should treat one another and how to keep them one big happy family.
Part 5 - Other men's wives/concubines and how to sneak around with them.
Part 6 - Courtesans. Kind of like etiquette for prostitutes, except courtesans aren't prostitutes. For example there is some etiquette on how to handle the courtesan living with you and your wives.
Part 7 - Being a hottie. How to make some aprodisiacs and some nice little tricks. This section is probably better advice for the sex life than the positions in that the anatomy is here.

I highly recommend the Kama Sutra but not to people who are looking for the book by reputation as sex sex sex. The book is very much about sex, but more about the whole world of etiquette surrounding male female relations. Virgin marriages (virgin women anyway) are taken for granted and one whole section is about devirginizing the woman AFTER THE MARRIAGE. The advice is very good because it tells how to go about building relationships not how to have one night stands.

Get this book to study and think about and view it as relationship advice and not physical sex advice. So much of the book is about communication and is dead on that it is no wonder it is a classic and likewise shows how important communication is to good sex. In terms of this specific translation, just go for a modern translation of the whole book. A picture book of the positions is not the Kama Sutra and the Richard Burton translation is very stilted. This translation works but is much more academic than others. It has plenty of footnotes, but some of the translation is a little odd maybe because they were keeping it literal. This is adequate for reading but if footnotes aren't your personality then look at other translations too. As with all sexy books avoid used copies.

Editorial Review:

Utterly frank in its attitude to sex, the Kama Sutra is Vatsyayana's classic study of the arts of love. In this new translation, Indra Sinha captures the beautiful, vivid language of the original as well as the humor that's been lost in previous versions.