Kama Sutra Study Guide

Kama Sutra Image 2

Anonymous artist from Rajasthan, 19th century. Prelude to lovemaking between husband and wife; the exchange of gifts in the intial stages of courtship.

The Kama Sutra encourages an almost painfully long period of courtship. The reason for this boils down to a single word: "confidence." It is the man's responsibility to instill confidence in the woman in two different phases - first, during the initial courtship in order to convince her that he is the one for her (since a female will naturally resist a man until she is sure he truly has his eyes on her), and second, after marriage and before sex to ensure that trust has been established.