JANAVASHYA

 

  1. Janavashya (ಜನವಶ್ಯ)
  2. janavashya (also known as ‘mallikArjunavijaya’)
  3. Kallarasa
  4. 1450 A.D. (15th century), Hampi, A disciple of Kriyashakti Pandita.
  5. Erotica
  6. ‘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.
  7. Edited by G.G.Manjunathan and published in 1974 by the Institute of Kannada Studies, Mysore University, Mysore.
  8. References:
  9. 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.
  10.  The Techniques of Lovemaking

 

 

 

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