Patna. There are some truths in life which are as unbelievable as they seem, as deep and mysterious as they are. The fact that Maharishi Vatsyayana, the author of the great text of ancient India, Kama Sutra, remained celibate throughout his life is one such fact which challenges the traditional definition of knowledge and experience. Kama Sutra is a book from ancient India which is still popular all over the world. It is believed to be written between the third and fifth centuries. Vatsyayana Mallanag, the author of Kama Sutra, was a scholar and was a resident of some area from Pataliputra in Bihar to Rajgir. He described 64 arts of love in seven chapters in the book Kamasutra. But the surprising thing is that Vatsyayana himself was celibate. According to historical sources, Vatsyayana’s name is mentioned in the last verse of the book and he was a celibate absorbed in religious studies.
A book of love written in the shadow of celibacy
An article published in the Madras Courier states that Vatsyayana was a religious student who was engaged in academic pursuits while staying away from lust. The surprising thing is that the author of the book which made the world understand the depth of love and work, himself remained unmarried and celibate throughout his life. According to historical sources, inscriptions and literary references, Vatsyayana was an ascetic and a Dharma-seeking scholar, whose aim was not to enjoy the work but to define it at the level of knowledge and understanding. His aim was not to enjoy sexuality, but to understand and document it.
Vatsyayana Mallanag, the author of Kama Sutra, a resident of Pataliputra, describes love and 64 arts while remaining a celibate. Know their secret.
Secret of celibacy: Why did Vatsyayana remain unmarried?
Not much is known about Vatsyayana, but available sources suggest that he was a Hindu Brahmin. It has been said in an MSN article that he remained celibate throughout his life. It is mentioned in many places that when Kamasutra was composed, Vatsyayana was a student of religion and was engrossed in contemplation of God. In the current language style, it can be said that Maharishi Vatsyayan was the first ‘Love Guru’ of India, but he himself was never married. This is a contradiction in the eyes of experts, but the real fact is that how great was the ancient Indian culture where celibacy was given importance in the search of knowledge. Vatsyayana considered work as one of the four pursuits of life (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha), but he himself renounced it. He believed that it was important to understand sexuality, but not to drown in it.
Historical Background: Discovery of Ancient India
Vatsyayana’s time was during the Gupta period, when art, science and philosophy were flourishing in India. They belonged to the second or third century. Vatsyayana was a monk who had a deep understanding of the subject of sex and that too without experiencing it himself. Vatsyayana’s composition Kamasutra is not only on sexuality, but on relationships, morality and social behavior. By writing this, Vatsyayana proved that knowledge is not dependent on any experience. His celibacy adds to the credibility of this book, as it is free from personal bias.
Vatsyayana, the author of Kamasutra, a unique creation of a celibate.
Relevance in today’s times: lessons from paradox
Today, when Kama Sutra is wrongly considered to be only a sex guide, Vatsyayana’s Brahmacharya tells us that it is a balanced understanding of love. Centuries ago, Vatsyayana wrote a work on love, but he himself remained celibate. This fact shocks us, but teaches us that true knowledge comes from objectivity. Scholars like Vatsyayana tell us that it is the contradictions of life that take us forward. While this fact connects us to the rich heritage of ancient India, Vatsyayana’s celibacy makes the creation of Kama Sutra more mysterious. Also the question is – is this possible?
