An exceptional selection of erotic poetry from ancient India, The Cane Groves of Narmada River features poems composed from the second century CE to the sixteenth century. Starting with several poems from the Prakrit anthology attributed to King Hala, the Sattasai, the book then takes in its sweep some of the most famous and enduring erotic poems composed in Sanskrit (and related vernacular traditions) by poets like Amaru, Bhavabhuti, Bhartrihari, Hemachandra and Vidya among others. Uninhibited, poignant and filled with tenderness and longing, these poems are a glorious celebration of love, sex and beauty.

Through the whole night we slowly made love,

body pressed against body,

cheek against cheek.

We spoke every thought that came into mind.

Lost in each other’s arms

lost in words, we never noticed

dawn had come

the night flown.