Mallanaga Vatsyayana is the putative author the "Kamasutra," a Hindu text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature.

A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse.

It is largely in prose, with many inserted anustubh poetry verses.

"Kāma" means sensual or sexual pleasure, and "sūtra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual.

Sanskrit dramatist and poet Kalidasa, who flourishes during the reign of Chandragupta II, works in several genres, displaying tremendous originality in each.

He bases all of his court epics on the life of Rama.

His nature poetry reaches its highest expression in the intensely lyrical "Meghaduta" ("Cloud Messenger)", in which a "yaksa" (exiled spirit) employs a passing cloud to send messages to his wife.

Two of his three (extant) plays, the heroic "Vikramorvasiya" ("Vikrama and Urvashi"), and the courtly comedy "Malavikagnimitra" ("Malavika and Agnimitra"), reveal the author's keen sense of humor and characterization.

His most famous play, "Shakuntala," an evocation of an idealized love as a spiritual force, shows his mastery of poetic language.

"Shakuntala," dramatizes part of the "Mahabharata," treating King Dusyanta's love for the hermit girl Shakuntala, their parting, and their eventual reunion.