JANAVASHYA
- Janavashya
(ಜನವಶ್ಯ)
- janavashya
(also known as ‘mallikArjunavijaya’)
- Kallarasa
- 1450
A.D. (15th century), Hampi, A disciple of Kriyashakti Pandita.
- Erotica
- ‘Janavashya’ is
the most elaborate work on erotica in ancient Kannada. This is a direct translation
of the Sanskrit work ‘Ratirahasya’ by Kakkoka even though the author does not acknowledge
this any where in the text. This work contains thirteen chapters consisting of 685
verses. The verses are composed in Shara, Kusuma and Bhoga shatpadis. The book is
structured as a conversation between a man and his wife. Kallarasa attributes this
conversation to his patron king Mallikarjuna (1446-1465, Vijayanagara dynasty) and
his wife. Many intricate details about love making are delineated in this work according
to the tradition laid down by Sanskrit texts.
A description of various kinds of women such as Padmini, Hastini, Chittini etc,
details regarding fore play, various postures of copulation, different medicines
that can be used to enhance sexual health, the role played by courtesans in the
society are some of the themes dealt with in this book. Probably Indian and oriental
erotica offer a psychological approach which has developed by a deep knowledge of
human nature when compared with the western approach which is rather crude.
- Edited
by G.G.Manjunathan and published in 1974 by the
Institute
of
Kannada Studies
,
Mysore
University
,
Mysore
.
- References:
- Manjunathan
has made use of seven manuscripts to arrive at the final texts. The book is appended
with a translated version of the Sanskrit prose work ‘Ratirahasya’ by Kakkoka.
- The Techniques of Lovemaking
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