THE MADANDHVAJA POSITION

For sheer variety there are few texts that can beat the Kamasutra. For those interested in the non-missionary style of sex, there are any number of variations on the basic theme of "come from behind". One of these is the Madandhvaja position, also called the "The Flag of Cupid". The male grasps the ankles of the woman, simultaneously raising and spreading her thighs wide. With the woman' yoni well and truly exposed the man then proceed to enter her thus.

"Full of desire, saying sweet words, approach her with your body stiff as a pole and drive straight forward to pierce her lotus and join your limbs: experts call it 'Madandhvaja' (The Flag of Cupid)."

Not surprisingly Vatsyayan recommends this position in particular when the woman is round hipped or as he says a woman "whose buttocks are like two ripe gourds". In today's times that would probably rule out the more angular and spare feel of the ramp walkers.

This position also calls for a fair degree of expertise and is hardly likely to work very well for new initiates. The man has to balance himself expertly, with his hands occupied in holding up the woman. The advantage is that the man controls the thrusting so he can slow down as and when he wants to. For the woman this is a bit of a passive position but stimulation is very high.