Kama in the most general sense of the word can refer to affection, love, aesthetic stimulation, or wishes, none of which have to incorporate sexuality. The sexual aspect of the text is in actuality only a portion of kama (the Hindu term equating to ‘desires’ or ‘pleasure of the senses’), while the other aspects of the text discuss how to attract partners, how to obtain a wife, how to keep a wife, how a wife should behave, and where concubines fit into the scheme of marriage. In fact, the title Kama Sutra loosely translates as a concept in which desires tie (or suture) the world together. Known in the vernacular as a book of sexual positions, the Kama Sutra is much more than a checklist of intriguing, enjoyable, and somewhat complex challenges for the bedroom.

This is where the Kama Sutra comes into the story. Most simply call it sex others call it a way of life. It is valued as an art and sometimes even worshipped as a religious ideal. Thankfully, most people tend to enjoy the process, but in some cultures, it goes far beyond enjoyment. While the first two are necessary for the survival of the individual among the many, the latter is necessary for the survival of the many. Out of all the necessities in the world, three come to the forefront: food, water, and reproduction.