Sir Richard Francis Burton, célèbre explorateur et linguiste du XIXᵉ siècle, a marqué l’histoire par ses traductions audacieuses, dont celle du Kama Sutra. Son travail, à la fois savant et accessible, a introduit en Occident une vision nuancée et riche de la sensualité et de la culture indienne.
Kama Sutra (The annotated original english translation by Sir Richard Francis Burton)
Découvrez l’édition annotée du Kama Sutra, traduit en anglais par Sir Richard Francis Burton en 1883 : bien plus qu’un manuel de sexualité, ce texte fondateur de la littérature sanskrite explore l’art de vivre.
This is the unabridged original english translation (with all the comments and annotations) made by Sir Richard Francis Burton and first published in 1883.
The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian Hindu text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature written by Vatsyayana. A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse. It is largely in prose, with many inserted poetry verses. "Kama" which is one of the three goals of Hindu life, means sensual or sexual pleasure, and "sutra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Contrary to popular perception, especially in the western world, Kama sutra is not just an exclusive sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to a virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to pleasure oriented faculties of human life.
Content
Vatsyayana's Kama Sutra has 1250 verses, distributed in 36 chapters, which are further organized into 7 parts. According to the Burton translation, the contents of the book are structured into 7 parts like the following:
1. General remarks
Chapters on contents of the book, three aims and priorities of life, the acquisition of knowledge, conduct of the well-bred townsman, reflections on intermediaries who assist the lover in his enterprises (5 chapters).
2. Amorous advances/Sexual union
Chapters on stimulation of desire, types of embraces, caressing and kisses, marking with nails, biting and marking with teeth, on copulation (positions), slapping by hand and corresponding moaning, virile behavior in women, superior coition and oral sex, preludes and conclusions to the game of love. It describes 64 types of sexual acts (10 chapters).
3. Acquiring a wife
Chapters on forms of marriage, relaxing the girl, obtaining the girl, managing alone, union by marriage (5 chapters).
4. Duties and privileges of the wife
Chapters on conduct of the only wife and conduct of the chief wife and other wives (2 chapters).
5. Other men's wives
Chapters on behavior of woman and man, how to get acquainted, examination of sentiments, the task of go-between, the king's pleasures, behavior in the women's quarters (6 chapters).
6. About courtesans
Chapters on advice of the assistants on the choice of lovers, looking for a steady lover, ways of making money, renewing friendship with a former lover, occasional profits, profits and losses (6 chapters).
7. Occult practices
Chapters on improving physical attractions, arousing a weakened sexual power (2 chapters)
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The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian Hindu text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature written by Vatsyayana. A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse. It is largely in prose, with many inserted poetry verses. "Kama" which is one of the three goals of Hindu life, means sensual or sexual pleasure, and "sutra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Contrary to popular perception, especially in the western world, Kama sutra is not just an exclusive sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to a virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to pleasure oriented faculties of human life.
Content
Vatsyayana's Kama Sutra has 1250 verses, distributed in 36 chapters, which are further organized into 7 parts. According to the Burton translation, the contents of the book are structured into 7 parts like the following:
1. General remarks
Chapters on contents of the book, three aims and priorities of life, the acquisition of knowledge, conduct of the well-bred townsman, reflections on intermediaries who assist the lover in his enterprises (5 chapters).
2. Amorous advances/Sexual union
Chapters on stimulation of desire, types of embraces, caressing and kisses, marking with nails, biting and marking with teeth, on copulation (positions), slapping by hand and corresponding moaning, virile behavior in women, superior coition and oral sex, preludes and conclusions to the game of love. It describes 64 types of sexual acts (10 chapters).
3. Acquiring a wife
Chapters on forms of marriage, relaxing the girl, obtaining the girl, managing alone, union by marriage (5 chapters).
4. Duties and privileges of the wife
Chapters on conduct of the only wife and conduct of the chief wife and other wives (2 chapters).
5. Other men's wives
Chapters on behavior of woman and man, how to get acquainted, examination of sentiments, the task of go-between, the king's pleasures, behavior in the women's quarters (6 chapters).
6. About courtesans
Chapters on advice of the assistants on the choice of lovers, looking for a steady lover, ways of making money, renewing friendship with a former lover, occasional profits, profits and losses (6 chapters).
7. Occult practices
Chapters on improving physical attractions, arousing a weakened sexual power (2 chapters)
shield_question Foire aux questions
Ce livre offre la traduction originale et annotée du Kama Sutra, réalisée par Sir Richard Francis Burton en 1883. Il permet de découvrir non seulement les célèbres conseils sur la sexualité, mais aussi une philosophie de vie centrée sur le plaisir, l’amour et l’harmonie, dans le contexte culturel et historique de l’Inde ancienne. L’édition annotée apporte un éclairage précieux sur les nuances perdues ou mal comprises dans les interprétations modernes.
Le Kama Sutra aborde des thèmes variés : les 7 parties du texte couvrent les objectifs de la vie, les techniques amoureuses, les types de mariage, les rôles des épouses, les relations avec les courtisanes, et même des pratiques occultes pour renforcer l’attraction. Il s’agit aussi d’un traité sur l’art de vivre, la séduction, et la gestion des relations humaines, bien au-delà de sa réputation de simple manuel de positions sexuelles.
Ce livre s’adresse aux amateurs d’histoire, de philosophie indienne, et à toute personne intéressée par une approche holistique de la sexualité et des relations amoureuses. Les annotations de Burton en font une lecture enrichissante pour les chercheurs, les étudiants en études asiatiques, ou simplement les curieux souhaitant découvrir un classique dans son contexte original.
Vous pourrez interroger ce smartbook sur les 7 parties du Kama Sutra, les 64 types de pratiques amoureuses, les conseils sur la vie de couple, les rôles des courtisanes, ou encore les différences entre la traduction de Burton et les interprétations modernes. Posez-lui aussi des questions sur le contexte historique, les termes sanskrits, ou les annotations spécifiques de Burton.
newsmode Revue de presse
La traduction du Kama Sutra par Burton reste une référence incontournable, mêlant rigueur académique et ouverture d’esprit. Elle révèle toute la profondeur d’un texte souvent réduit à tort à un simple manuel de positions sexuelles.
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