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The basic Indian texts concerning the aims of life, the Kama Shastra, Artha Shastra and the Dharma Shastra were written down in the seventh century B.C. in Sanskrit.
Life necessitates three kinds of activity: to assure its survival, its means of existence, and its nourishment; to realise its reproduction according to forms of activity generally connected with sexuality; and, lastly, to establish rules of behaviour that allow different individuals to perform their roles within the framework of the species. In human society, this is represented as three necessities, three aims of life: material goods (artha) assure survival; erotic practice (kama) assures the transmission of life; and rules of behaviour, a moral nature (dharma), assure the cohesion and duration of the species. (The Complete Kama Sutra (translated by Alain Danielou), Parker Street Press 1994)
The Kama Sutra, known as the Art or Book of Love, is a guide towards deeper intimacy within, with other people and the universe. With intimacy comes less inhibitions, freedom and sharing of power. In this sense, the Kamasutra is an evolutionary work in that it promotes the cultivation of skills to become a well rounded / well evolved individual with healthy, intimate relationships with others. It further recognises the importance of sex, as a fundamental force driving our continued existence.
The Kama Sutra is not a pornographic work. First and foremost, it is a picture of the art of living for the civilised and refined citizen, completing in the sphere of love, eroticism and the pleasures of life.(The Complete Kama Sutra (translated by Alain Danielou), Parker Street Press 1994)
The aim of the Sixty Four Arts of the Kamasutra is not merely to be a good wife, but to be a skillful, playful, understanding, refined, sexual, beautiful and intelligent woman. The Kamasutra also expresses cultivation of the male, his understanding of female nature and the importance of cultivating sensual moods and intimacy. The ancient Indians show great attention to detail of smell, light, music, food, drink and touch before intercourse can begin.
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'Praised be the three aims of life, virtue (dharma), prosperity (artha), and love (kama), which are the subject of this work.' (The Complete Kama Sutra, translated by Alain Danielou, Parker Street Press 1994)