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the last verse of the poem the poet says, “Whosoever reads this poem carefully, and follows the implied advice given therein, will not be liable to be cheated by rogues, wicked women and deceitful procuresses.” Thus the object of the poem seems to expose the methods used by votaries of vice, and thus give a timely warning to unwary and inexperienced young men in order to save them from ruin. V. AIM OF THE EDITOR.
From the moral point of view, the subject of the poem may appear objectionable, and the wisdom of printing it questionable, but the object of the work is really to check vice by representing it in its true colours and thus to promote the cause of morality. Treatises on the Science of Love are composed in the East and freely circulated there, and there are no prudes in the East to rail at then. Looked at from a proper standpoint, they furnish materials for the study of the development of social virtues, vices, habits and customs of the people. From this sociological point of view the present poem is worth a close study, as it describes many social customs and the state of Society, religion, literature, politics etc. of the people of India generally, and of Kashmir particularly in the eighth century. The book incidentally refers also to the names of several ancient writers on music, dramaturgy and the Science of Love.
I need not apologise to the reader for quoting the following two passages from Capt. Sir Richard F. Burton's translation of the Arabian Nights. (References are taken from the twelve volume edition, published by H. S. Nichols Ltd.)
"As Sir Willlam Jones observed long ago, 'that anythiug natural can be offensively obscene never seems to have occured to the Indians or to their legislators; a singularity (?) pervading their writings and conversation, but no proof of moral depravity, ....... For instance, the European novelist marries off his hero and heroine and leaves them to consummate marriage in privacy; even Tom Jones has the decency to bolt the door. But the Eastern story-teller, especially this unknown "Prose Shakespere," must usher you, with a flourish, into the bridal chamber and narrate to you, with infinite gusto, everything he sees and hears. Again we must remember that grossness and indecency, in fact les turpitudes, are matters of time and place;
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
