The most famous Telugu version was rendered by the poet Kuchiraju Errana (కూచిరాజు ఎఱ్ఱన) in the 15th century.
During the British era, such texts faced censorship and were often circulated as "secret" manuscripts, which added to the "Rahasyam" (secret/mystery) allure in its title. Today, it is studied by scholars for its insights into medieval Indian social structures, aesthetics, and medicinal practices.
For those interested in exploring this classical work, digital and physical copies are available:
Unlike the ancient Kamasutra , which focuses heavily on social conduct and dharma, Rathi Rahasyam is structured as a practical manual for medieval society. It consists of approximately and 800 verses , covering a wide array of topics:
Contemporary publishers like Logili Telugu Books offer updated versions edited by modern scholars.
The text is famous for categorizing women into four distinct psycho-physical types based on their appearance and temperament: Padmini , Chitrini , Shankhini , and Hastini .
In the Indian tradition, Kama was not viewed as a taboo but as an essential part of a balanced life. In the Telugu version, Errana uses sophisticated poetic language to elevate the subject matter, treating it as a scientific and artistic study.
Chapters are dedicated to the "fine arts" of intimacy, including various styles of hugging, kissing, and sexual positions.
The book identifies specific erogenous zones and explains how they relate to the lunar calendar, suggesting that a woman's sensitivity changes with the phases of the moon.
The Internet Archive hosts historical scans of the 1951 Telugu edition.