Alain Daniélou (1907–1994)

Danielou is the foremost living interpreter of Hinduism. His books are remarkable for their clarity, scholarship, and uninhibited celebration of erotic and mystical ecstasy. This is a complete new translation of the Kama Sutra. It captures al of its enchantment, a world of refined sensation totally without humbug

There is a lot of information packed into this 113 page book...and a LOT of pictures! Danielou provides a strong overview of the phallus as a symbol and an object of worship. The Phallus is well researched and chock full of interesting details and myths from around the world relating to the importance of the phallus. One of the most powerful messages I got from this reading is that the phallus was seen as the object of power (a source of life/energy), not the man...the man (according to the show more text) was the phallus-bearer and it not he was the source of the power/life/energy. I found the entire thing to be very interesting! One minor quibble, I think because this is a translation, there is always at least a little bit of difficulty with flow...though this is really not a problematic translation by any means. I also have to admit, I learned a few things I DID NOT KNOW, and that is always welcome when reading a book! I would definitely recommend it! show less

A very interesting study of the oldest Religious tent in the world. The author goes to say that Shaivism is even older than Hinduism. Hinduism being a puritanical version that resulted from a combination of Shaivism and Jainism. It shows how this has stood the test of time and survived virtually intact despite the attacks and depredations perpetrated on it by monotheism and how monotheism has led to the present state of conflict, war and perpetual enmity and its perennial obsession with the show more material plane.

The author hints at the writing on the wall and a time when all of humanity will be brought to notice as the current state of affairs is untenable and something as to give. show less

A very interesting study of the oldest Religious tent in the world. The author goes to say that Shaivism is even older than Hinduism. Hinduism being a puritanical version that resulted from a combination of Shaivism and Jainism. It shows how this has stood the test of time and survived virtually intact despite the attacks and depredations perpetrated on it by monotheism and how monotheism has led to the present state of conflict, war and perpetual enmity and its perennial obsession with the show more material plane.

The author hints at the writing on the wall and a time when all of humanity will be brought to notice as the current state of affairs is untenable and something as to give. show less