SEX and Hinduism
Hindu philosophy has been the fountainhead of Hindu religion. It
has touched every aspect of Human life and considered it very moderately.
According
to Adiparva, sex is not a sin, but it’s a completely natural process and made
by nature itself.
Sex had never been a taboo in Hindu society and philosophically
had been classified in four different categories.
It has always been one goal of life (KAMA). (Other is Dharma,
Artha, and Moksha) According to Hindu texts, the main goals of any human in
life are Dharma (Ethics), Artha (Wealth), Kama (Pleasure) and Moksha
(Liberation)
The
Mahabharata says that if a woman desires to have sex, then that wish should be
fulfilled by a man. If not, then it would mean the end of the society - Urvashi
to Arjuna.
Mahabharata also mentions that it is okay
to have sex with multiple women and it is not to be considered as sin.
It is
also said that in the Mahabharata, a woman could have sex with many men in
order to fulfill her desire of having a male child.
Sex as per Hinduism, can be again classified in four categories.
We can say as
1. Dharma SEX
2. Artha SEX
3. Kama SEX
4. Moksha SEX.
.
Dharma SEX –
The purpose of Dharma Sex is only for creation. Hindu text is
full of incidents narrating how auspicious day and time was decided for
performing the act of copulation. There may not be any love involved or any
desire or attachment, the act was just a duty.
Whenever a woman approached the suitable man, with the intension
of conceiving, whether he is her husband or not, he is obliged to do needful.
This form of copulation is seen among Rishi’s and their wives.
There is lot of examples for this.
Diti, wife of Rish Kashyap approaches him to
conceive in evening. Rishi Kashyap warned her that the time is not auspicious,
but she insisted. Rishi could not deny her and from the union Datyas (Giants, Typhon or Titans) were born.
In another story, Kardama obliges to have sex
with Devahuti only for the purpose of having a child. After his wife conceives,
he retires to the forest. Eventually Devahuti gives birth to Kapila muni
Rishi Ved Viyas also had to fulfill wish of
his mother and copulated with Vichitryavirya wives without any desire or love
from either side.
There
are many numbers of examples of Dharma sex where only duty is involved, no
desire or love not even husband is involved.
Artha SEX
Here the sex is a
transaction. It is a service offered in exchange of something, mainly material
favors. Here, mainly women provided all pleasures including their body for sex
to men who were willing to pay for their services.
Nagar vadhu (Common
Bride) is the best example. The most beautiful woman of village was appointed
as Nagar Vadhu. She enjoyed a good social status and was allowed to have sex
with anyone who was willing to pay for her services. She also kept young female
assistances for the purpose.
In Mahabharata, Satyawati offered her body to
Rishi Parashar, who in turn, turned her foul smelling body to a sweet scented
body. She didn’t have any attraction towards Rishi Parashar. This was only an
exchange. Later Satyawati was married to Shantanu only on condition that her offspring
will get the throne of Hastinapur.
But there are rare examples for this kind of sex in clans
of society. This was only limited to Nagar vadhu, and some lower sects in
society.
Adideva Shiva is a fountain head of Kamasutra, the “Art of Love making”. The kamasutra was written by Nandi (Originally). He narrated
the erotic acts and talks between Shiva and Shakti which went during the period
of their love making.
This information was later penned by sages and other writers in
a period of time. Some main names are Shvetaketu, Babhravya, Dattaka and
finally Vatsyayana.
Kama, the god of Desire
and lust, defeated the mightiest warriors, including Shree Brhama, and many
rishis, but was only defeated once in whole history.
He was defeated by the
greatest Lover and the supreme ascetic, the only one Adi Deva Shiva.
In kama sex, the purpose is pleasure, nothing else. Here the
focus is to indulge the senses and excite the mind and achieve orgasm.
Any kind of sex (Homosexuality, Oral, Anal etc) where only
senses and love is exchanged is KAMA sex. This is what the apsaras lure the rishis with.
Ravana was very handsome and full of lust; many Mountain girls
offered him sex for enjoyment.
Similarly King Dushyanta marries Shakuntla (Daughter of Apsara
Menka and Rishi Vishwamitra.) in ashram out of mere attraction. But as king
Dushyant had Kama sex with Shankutla, it was his duty to support her for rest
of her life.
Agnivarna, the last scion
of the famous Raghu clan to which Ram belongs, falls victim to the excesses of
kama sex and dies premature death.
Kama Sex was also used as honey trap to deviate enemies from
their goal.
Arrange marriages in
Hinduism were designed for similar purpose. To have kama sex and also the
dignity of society is maintained. There
is no provision of Divorce. If a man chooses a girl for kama sex, he has to
support her for life. In turn she manages his house.
Moksha SEX
Moksha sex is all about activating the
kundilini power within men and women through sexual postures. These techniques
are described in tantra.
The fountain head of
tantra is Adi Shiva. His first disciple is his wife Parvati. Here in the form
of Bhairav, he helped Parvati (Bhairavi) to initiate kundilini power and activate
the Chakras within hours.
Godess
Parvati (in tantra referred as Bhairavi) was able to break free from the unending
cycles of birth and death. She became a siddha and capable of receiving and
controlling the fierce powers of Shiva (Bhairav).
In tantra, sex is not pleasure, commercial transaction or
procreation. Here the tantrik’s aim is to gain magical powers (Siddhi) and control one of the five elements of
nature.
Many yogis were able to reach the heights of
occult powers by using tantra or Moksha Sex. Many were able to get spiritual powers
through yoginis (Mystic females)
However Tantra was limited to sages who
followed “left-hand” path.
Kama sex and artha sex belonged to
Householders.
Whatever the form of
Sex, it was humbly accepted by Hindu society. Be it a desire, Duty or Devine,
the Ego takes the back seat, just sex (or lovemaking) is done as any other necessity
(eating, bathing etc) in life. No fuss in Hinduism.
In
total Hindu history, there are very rare (Almost negligible) cases of Rape or
kidnapping females to work as sex slaves.
Sex became Taboo only after invaders from central Asia
attacked Hindu societies, raped and kidnapped females to work as sex slaves. It
is only after that Parda system and early marriage were introduced in society.
Moreover invaders like Aurangzeb destroyed Hindu society
and social harmony.
Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed total knowledge bank of Hindu scholars. Max Muller distorted Hindu history. It was due to various invaders that the Supreme knowledge and best society had to suffer.
Adesh Adesh
Shiv Nath