The opening chapter of Kāma Śāstra establishes the philosophical ground on which the entire text rests. Vātsyāyana begins not with instruction but with reverence, acknowledging Dharma (virtue), Artha (material prosperity), and Kāma (pleasure) as the three pillars that sustain human life. This invocation clarifies that the science of love is not isolated from morality or social responsibility, but deeply connected to them.
The author explains that human existence is purposeful and structured. Pleasure is not presented as indulgence or excess, but as a natural and necessary pursuit when guided by wisdom. Just as the body requires food to survive, the mind and senses require fulfillment. Kāma, therefore, is sanctioned by ancient wisdom when it is pursued within ethical boundaries.
This chapter rejects extreme views that condemn pleasure as sinful. Instead, it argues that harm arises not from pleasure itself, but from imbalance. When kāma is pursued without regard for dharma or artha, it leads to disorder. Conversely, when virtue and wealth are pursued while suppressing desire completely, life becomes rigid and joyless. True wisdom lies in harmony.
The invocation also places Kāma Śāstra within an ancient intellectual tradition. Vātsyāyana acknowledges earlier sages and divine teachings, presenting his work as a refined summary rather than a personal invention. This reinforces the authority of the text and frames it as a discipline worthy of serious study.
By beginning with reverence, the author signals that intimacy is not a casual act but a cultivated art. Knowledge of love must be approached with humility, restraint, and understanding. Thus, Chapter 1 prepares the reader to study desire as a regulated science, not as uncontrolled instinct.