Ananga Ranga (Clasicos Eroticos / Erotic Classics)

by Kalyanamalla

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Genres: India, Hinduism

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1885

About the author

Kalyanamalla was a 16th-century Indian poet and writer of erotic literature. He was the author of the sex manual Ananga Ranga. Kalyanamalla was from Kalinga and belonged to the Brahmin caste.

Reviews

[Squire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sir Richard Burton trans. The was part of EP's the Eastern Books of Love set. It's a bizarre collection of charts, graphs, planetary alignments, seasonal weather--all to pinpoint the best times to have sex.

[Chitransh Chakarwarti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book in which union (sex) is related with spirituality. Basically it is written on women. Like how they are classified according to their sex type, or the carnal desires they hold, which woman to marry......
It guides you how to have the great congress along with some sex positions.
As it is said: satisfying a women is like: you are baking a cake, you need to be precise in measurements and have to be patient.
Its like an art: Chandra-kala.
So the book is good for those who wants to know about ancient art and culture.

[Samudra Bhattacharya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The particular edition I read had errors in the text. Would love to see a translation from someone else. The translation was very archaic.

[Sakthivel.K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Devansh · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much scrutiny needed to read these texts as so much false and intimidating information can be found in them....don't read like a religious book...skim it and read some parts which interests you...

[Jonaira Campagnuolo]

El ANANGA RANGA es un libro erótico parecido al Kama Sutra que no solo se centra en las mejores posiciones o estrategias sexuales para aumentar el placer, sino que contiene además, una serie de consejos y técnicas que, según el autor, están dirigidas a los jóvenes y adolescentes hindúes que deben casarse: “para que no lleguen ignorantes a la cámara nupcial”.
Ofrece normas y secretos para hacer más plena la unión conyugal. En el libro se destaca que: “los malabarismos sexuales carentes de sentimientos no conducen a una plenitud sexual, si no están acompañados de un profundo sentimiento y de comunión de propósitos”.
Da importancia al juego previo para despertar los sentidos y poner el ánimo necesario, e insiste en luchar contra la monotonía: “la monotonía engendra la saciedad, y la saciedad el disgusto al coito”.
A diferencia del Kama Sutra, que es una especie de libro “hermano”, el ANANGA RANGA enfatiza las relaciones dentro del matrimonio. Define a la mujer como un instrumento delicioso si se la toca con arte: “el hombre podrá crear las más exquisitas armonías y ejecutar las más arduas variaciones proporcionándole los más divinos placeres”.
Para ello divide a las mujeres y a los hombres en tipos, según sus personalidades. Según el autor, cada tipo exige una forma diferente de trato en la cama, de un día y hasta de una hora indicada para hacerle el amor o mostrarle afecto, ya que no todos responden de la misma forma bajo las mismas condiciones.
Te invito a leer este interesante libro. Espero lo disfrutes.

[Abhinav · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was perhaps one of the most celebrated books of it's time. Kalyanamalla (KM) manages to classify women, men and their union as a table. The task must have been so daunting to KM that it is simply difficult to even remember most names! It is of extreme usefulness to an ethnologist as KM narrates the appearances and behaviors of women of various cultures separated by the Indian geography. However, the work seemingly places a major focus on the Caucasoid population of India (and especially the organs of reproduction). Very little light is thrown on the Australoids, Mongoloids and Negritos. During the age of widespread societal sexual ignorance and suppression, this book might have acted as a layman's manual to conjugal bliss and longterm marital happiness. The book also explains various aspects of female psychology that it is impossible to not find parallels in contemporary social life. Chapters on Astrology and Herbal medicine may have made this book as a survival manual for the common man of its time. Considering the sexual part of the book, recent research seems to agree much with the bold claims of KM (for egs. the "P" spot).

The only issue I still find it hard to believe is how KM managed to get hold of such a large sample size of women of varied cultures, color and "dimensions" to construct such intricate tables.

[ronny · Rating 4 out of 5]

besides the epically long chapter on usage of spices and herbs for various ailments... a thoroughly interesting (and perhaps inspiring...) read.

friendly tip: probably shouldn't read this on public transportation.