India’s First Love Guru: The Man Who Wrote The Kamasutra But Remained Celibate | Lifestyle News

Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 12:40 IST

Centuries ago, Maharishi Vatsyayana wrote the ‘Kamasutra’, a timeless guide on love and relationships, making him India’s first ‘love guru’ but he remained celibate throughout life

Maharishi Vatsyayana conducted his research by visiting brothels, observing human behaviour, and speaking with courtesans, but he reportedly never engaged in any sexual activities himself. (News18)

Long before the concept of love guides or relationship experts existed, India had its own pioneering ‘love guru’ — Maharishi Vatsyayana. Centuries ago, he composed an extraordinary treatise on love, relationships, attraction, and physical intimacy, which the world now knows as the Kamasutra. Remarkably, despite being the author of this seminal work, Maharishi Vatsyayana remained celibate throughout his life.

The Man Behind The Kamasutra

While many recognise Maharishi Vatsyayana as the mind behind one of the most widely referenced books on love and sexuality, very few truly know the man himself.

Maharishi Vatsyayana spent much of his life in the sacred city of Banaras (Varanasi) and was deeply learned in the Vedas and philosophical texts. His knowledge spanned religion, ethics, and human relationships, making him a highly respected sage in Indian history.

A Revolutionary Thinker Ahead Of His Time

Maharishi Vatsyayana was perhaps the first to explain the science of attraction in a systematic, almost empirical manner. He firmly believed that all aspects of life — including sex and love — should be discussed openly and without shame. At a time when such topics were considered taboo, Maharishi Vatsyayana advocated for open conversation and understanding.

His treatise, the Kamasutra, was not merely a manual of physical intimacy, but a comprehensive guide to the art of living, love, and human connection. Through it, he sought to educate society on the value of pleasure, companionship, and emotional harmony.

How Vatsyayana Researched For The Kamasutra

According to some historical accounts, Maharishi Vatsyayana conducted his research by visiting brothels, observing human behaviour, and speaking with courtesans. Despite these experiences, he reportedly never engaged in any sexual activities himself. His interest lay in understanding and documenting the nuances of desire and affection from a scholarly perspective.

Renowned scholar Wendy Doniger has discussed Maharishi Vatsyayana extensively in her book Redeeming the Kamasutra, arguing that his work should be viewed not as erotic literature alone, but as a philosophical and sociological guide.

His Other Works And Legacy

Beyond the Kamasutra, Maharishi Vatsyayana was also a profound philosopher. He authored the Nyaya Sutra, a text focused on logic, metaphysics, and the pursuit of liberation. This lesser-known work offers insight into spiritual liberalism and the broader philosophical context of his time.

Today, Maharishi Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra remains a globally referenced text, studied not only for its content on physical intimacy but also for its deep understanding of relationships and human behaviour. His progressive thinking continues to resonate, proving that his ideas were far ahead of his era.

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