The Kamasutra, composed by the ancient sage Vatsyayana, is much more than a sex manual. It is a cultural and philosophical treatise on love, sensuality, and human connection. Among the many acts described in this text, cunnilingus—the oral stimulation of the female genitals—occupies a sacred and sensual space. In Sanskrit, this practice is discussed in the broader context of “Auparishtaka” or oral union, and it is regarded not just as a sexual act but as a symbol of intimacy, reverence, and mutual pleasure.

In Indian traditions, especially those influenced by Tantric philosophy, the female body is often seen as a microcosm of the divine. Hence, acts such as cunnilingus are imbued with deep symbolic meaning. This article delves into how the Kamasutra addresses cunnilingus, what it reveals about ancient Indian sexual ethics, and how it is interwoven with concepts of respect, devotion, and the celebration of feminine pleasure.

Understanding the Term: Auparishtaka

The Kamasutra refers to cunnilingus under the broader umbrella of Auparishtaka, which translates to “oral love” or “oral congress.” This section is located in Book 2, Chapter 9 of the Kamasutra. Interestingly, this chapter was historically considered taboo and was removed or censored in many early English translations, such as the one by Sir Richard Burton. However, contemporary translations by scholars such as Wendy Doniger and Sudhir Kakar restore and celebrate these vital aspects of the text.

The act of cunnilingus is described as the man using his mouth, lips, and tongue to stimulate the woman’s yoni (vulva and vagina). Unlike many cultures that have stigmatized oral sex, Vatsyayana’s depiction is devoid of shame or embarrassment. It is treated as a legitimate, even vital, part of erotic expression and emotional connection between lovers.

Cunnilingus as Devotional Worship

In Tantric practices, the yoni is symbolic of the goddess Shakti—the divine feminine creative energy. Worship of the yoni, sometimes through actual acts of oral pleasure, was a ritualistic way of acknowledging the sanctity of the female body. Thus, when cunnilingus is practiced with intention, reverence, and care, it becomes more than a carnal act—it is an act of puja (worship).

The man becomes the devotee, the woman the goddess, and her pleasure the offering received. This mystical dimension elevates cunnilingus to a spiritual plane in certain contexts. By stimulating the yoni through the lips and tongue, the lover engages not only in physical stimulation but also in spiritual connection.

Techniques and Approaches in the Kamasutra

Though the Kamasutra does not offer step-by-step erotic manuals in the modern sense, it provides suggestions and outlines variations of oral union that include cunnilingus. Among them are:

Use of the Tongue and Lips

The tongue is to be used in varied movements—circling, flicking, pressing, and soft sucking of different parts of the yoni. The clitoris, referred to in veiled language, is suggested as a vital point of focus. Soft nibbling or suction may be added as a form of teasing stimulation.

Synchronization with Other Acts

The Kamasutra suggests combining cunnilingus with kissing, touching, and murmuring sweet words. It also encourages lovers to explore the rhythms and responses of their partner, emphasizing attentiveness and adaptability.

Playful and Sensual Variations

Some lovers may engage in mock quarrels, biting, or laughing during oral sex. Others may use scented oils or flowers to arouse the senses before or during the act, enhancing the overall experience.

Mutual Oral Love

In some versions of oral love, both partners perform simultaneously, a practice akin to the modern concept of 69. This mutual exchange reflects the spirit of equality and shared pleasure that pervades the text.

The Role of Consent and Pleasure

Vatsyayana was surprisingly modern in his emphasis on mutual consent and the centrality of pleasure for both partners. In the context of Auparishtaka, he clarifies that not all women are immediately receptive to oral love, and men should be patient and gentle in their approach.

Furthermore, the Kamasutra warns against forcing such acts on unwilling partners, suggesting instead that lovers build intimacy, trust, and openness before engaging in deeper erotic practices. The importance of communication, body language, and responsiveness is a recurring theme, even in acts as intimate as cunnilingus.

Erotic Symbolism and Poetry

The ancient Indian tradition often uses metaphorical language to refer to genitalia and erotic acts. The yoni is often compared to a lotus, a cave, or a jewel. In this poetic framework, cunnilingus becomes an act of “plucking the lotus” or “drinking from the sacred spring.”

Such imagery reinforces the reverence with which the act is treated. Far from being vulgar or taboo, cunnilingus is embedded in a web of beauty, poetry, and sacredness. This erotic lyricism elevates the act and deepens its resonance in emotional and spiritual contexts.

Cunnilingus and Female Empowerment

By placing emphasis on the pleasure of the woman through acts like cunnilingus, the Kamasutra subtly supports the idea of female sexual agency. The woman’s body is not passive—it is active, desiring, and deserving of satisfaction. In ancient times, where patriarchal norms often dominated, this recognition of feminine pleasure was profoundly empowering.

The Kamasutra even acknowledges that some women reach orgasm more reliably through oral stimulation than through intercourse, a point that aligns with modern sexological findings. In acknowledging this, Vatsyayana indirectly promotes the idea that men must take time and effort to understand the needs of their lovers.

Taboo, Repression, and Revival

During the colonial era, and even in post-Vedic times, the practice of cunnilingus became stigmatized in many parts of India. This was due in part to Victorian morality and the rigid moral codes introduced by foreign rule and religious orthodoxy.

However, with the revival of interest in Tantra and Indian sexuality in the 20th and 21st centuries, there has been a rediscovery of texts like the Kamasutra in their unabridged forms. This revival has reignited conversations around acts like cunnilingus, helping to restore them to their original, unashamed context.

Tantric Parallels and Yoni Puja

Outside the Kamasutra, Tantric traditions give cunnilingus an even more profound interpretation. Yoni puja, or the worship of the vulva, sometimes included the ritualistic licking or kissing of the yoni, especially during sacred union ceremonies.

This was believed to awaken kundalini energy and elevate the consciousness of both partners. The mouth becomes the sacred instrument through which divine energy is invoked. While the Kamasutra touches upon these ideas in secular terms, Tantra integrates them directly into spiritual practice.

Cunnilingus in Modern Interpretation

Today, sexual education, feminist discourse, and psychological research all support the view that oral stimulation is crucial for many women to achieve orgasm. In this sense, the Kamasutra was far ahead of its time.

Modern readers and lovers can draw from this ancient wisdom not only for technique but also for attitude—approaching oral love with reverence, generosity, and attentiveness. It is not a service, but a celebration. Not a task, but a tribute.

Symbolism of the Mouth and the Yoni

From a symbolic perspective, the mouth (vāk) and the yoni (source) are both channels of creation—one gives birth to sound, the other to life. When these two organs meet, it represents a sacred unity of energies—masculine and feminine, expressive and receptive, ethereal and earthly.

The Kamasutra and allied texts suggest that when oral love is performed with intention and affection, it can bring harmony not only to the lovers’ bodies but to their souls. This metaphysical understanding adds richness to the physical act and invites lovers to experience it as a form of holistic union.