Standing Positions

And now for the love postures
with which sculptors adorn our temple walls.
When a couple make love standing,
or leaning against a wall or a pillar,
it is called "Sthita" (Steadied).

When the woman sits in her lover's
cradled hands, her arms around his neck,
thighs gripping his waist,
her feet pushing back and forth against a wall,
it is "Avalambitaka" (Suspended).

When, catching and crushing your lover
in the cage of your arms,
you force her knees apart with yours
and sink slowly into her,
it is "Dadhyayataka" (Churning Curds).

When she leans against a wall,
planting her feet as widely apart as possible,
and you enter the cave
between her thighs, eager for lovemaking,
it is "Sammukha" (Face-to-face).

If, as you lean against the wall,
your lady twines her thighs around yours,
locks her feet to your knees,
and clasps your neck, making love
very passionately, it is "Dola" (The Swing).

When your lover draws up one leg,
allowing the heel
to nestle just behind your knee,
and you make love, embracing her forcefully,
it is "Traivikrama" (The Stride).

If you catch one of her knees
firmly in your hand
and stand making love with her
while her hands explore and caress your body,
it is "Tripadam" (The Tripod).

If she raises one leg
and you catch hold of her little foot,
caressing her breasts
and telling her how much you love her,
it is "Ekapada" (One Foot).

Her foot pressed to your heart,
your arms encircling and supporting her,
lean back against the wall
and enjoy the lovely girl:
this is "Veshta" (The Encircling).

She stands against the wall,
lotus-hands on hips,
long, lovely fingers reaching to her navel.
Cup her foot in your palm
and let your free hand caress your angel's limbs.

Put your arm around her neck
and enjoy her as she leans there at her ease.
Vatsyayana (the author) answer others
who knew the art of love in its great days
called this posture "Tala" (The Palm).

If you lean back to a wall
and your lover, clinging to your neck,
places both her feet
in your palms and thus makes love,
this is "Dvitala" (Two Palms).

If you lift your lover
by passing your elbows under her knees
and gripping her buttocks
while she hangs fearfully from your neck,
it is "Janukurpara" (The Knee Elbow).

Your wife grips your neck
and locks her legs around your waist:
this is "Kirti" (Fame) - a posture
not described in "Kama Sutra" or "Ratirahasya".
Never try it with heavy girls.