Sex and Hinduism

a couple with fingers interlocked - sex and Hinduism

According to Hinduism, sex is an integral part of life. It is not a taboo. In fact, it is part of the four Purusharthas of life. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha are the four Purusharthas of a Hindu’s life. The Kama here means all the activities, which give us pleasure. Sex is also one of those activities.

Kamasutra is the oldest book about the sex written by Vatsayana, a Hindu sage. This book gives detailed descriptions of sex like types, positions, importance, compatibility of partners, eunuchs, etc.

The ancient Khajuraho Temple in India is famous for the sculptures on it in which the statues of men and women are depicted as having sex in different positions.

According to Hinduism, sex is sacred only if it is marital. Hinduism prohibits premarital or extramarital sex. Hence, a live-in relationship is not allowed for Hindus. Ideally, one should have sex only for reproduction, but practically that is not possible.

In practice, homo-sexuality is allowed to some extent in Hinduism. If a person is a eunuch and he gets married to a male partner, they can have sex with each other. But the sex between two females is prohibited.

Watching porn sites or even thinking about having sex with a person other than your partner is a sin.

The persons who practice celibacy are respected in Hindu society.

Some sects in Hinduism worship Yoni (female genitalia) as the Goddess.

In ancient India, a widow without children was allowed to have sex with the appropriate person to have a child. This process was called Niyoga.

Although Hinduism does not advocate polygamy, it was a prevalent practice in Hindu society during ancient times. Polyandry was not allowed except in Mahabharata, Draupadi is depicted as having five husbands who were Pandavas.

Though Hinduism does not support prostitution, you will find prostitutes in all parts of India. Sex without marriage is a bad Karma and the person has to pay the price for it.

Is Masturbation a Sin:

Self-pleasure or masturbation is also a sin according to some HIndu texts.

Parashara Smriti 12.63:

“If a householder willingly causes the discharge of his virile seed otherwise than in sexual intercourse, he should recite the Gayathri verse one thousand times, and should perform three Pranayamas.”

Manu Smriti 2.180:

Let him always sleep alone, let him never waste his manhood; for he who voluntarily wastes his manhood, breaks his vow.

Gautama Smriti 25.7:

He who has been guilty of cheating, of calumniating, of acting contrary to the rule of conduct, of eating or drinking things forbidden, of ejaculating inside a Shudra woman or in any place other than the vagina, and even of performing magic rites with intent (to harm his enemies), shall bathe and sprinkle himself with water, reciting the texts addressed to the Waters, or those addressed to Varuna, or other purificatory texts.

Baudhayana Dharmasutra (Baudhayana Dharmasutra, Praśna III, Adhyāya 7):

A man who ejaculates his semen in any place other than the vagina becomes equal to a thief and to a murderer of a Brahmin.

Oral Sex and Hinduism:

Oral sex is called Auparishtaka in Sanskrit. Srimad Bhagavatam strongly condemns it.

If a foolish member of the twice-born classes forces his wife to drink his semen out of a lusty desire to keep her under control, he is put after death into the hell known as Lālābhakṣa. There he is thrown into a flowing river of semen, which he is forced to drink. – SB 5.26.26

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Comments (25)
    • Hinduism advocates sex should be for reproduction only. The things like oral sex, masturbation are not discussed in Hindu scriptures as far as I know.

    • yes. I think it is because God wants us to take pleasure with responsibility. Artificial means are shortcuts to pleasure.
      Watching porn gives rise to bad thoughts which is considered bad karma. It is one of the reasons behind increased sex crimes also.

  • Any relation outside marriage is sin. And marriage should be solemnized by rituals as prescribed by vedic laws and varna (caste) laws.
    polygamy is allowed (esp for sake of progeny; esp for brahmins) but poly andry or widow remarriage is strictly forbidden. (again for brahmin women , –certain)
    PERIOD.

    • In ancient times, there were no movies. Therefore, there are no such rules. But I don’t think just watching is a sin as long as you do not do anything wrong or envisage hurting someone. Because thinking about hurting someone is a sin. Also, romance does not include porn or sexually arousing things because watching such things means you are encouraging others to make more such films. Then it can be an indirect sin. Light romantic films like those in the olden days when heroes and heroines used to keep distance between them is okay.

  • Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

    How exactly is yoni worship done?

    How does this relate to tantric beliefs?

    How does this apply to Gandharva marriage?

  • In some part of INDIA sex is allowed permitted by Govt, it self and ,the person should to take care them self and if they need can approach Dr. help. In Tamil Nadu the wantedly Horrseing people and made them to cought and there by ,number of sex murders are take place . In Bombay
    Calcutta and Delhi sex street are there to fullfill their desire and no offence happening.In School 10years student teach sex but ,knowing all with out that fully known man how he can live in stravation of sex. Hence GOVT should allow certain places in all state Hotels , cites, towns and in Village sex (LIKE BAR FOR DRINKING0 so that no offence will pccures and Govt can get some Tax(LIKE LIqure.Tasmark) byneed people. Every body Not drinking Liquire And Tasmark/like wise, need people will do spend money.I heard In Andhra CHILAKALUREPATTA allowed 2 street full of sex people. This is my openion may worng or right. As per History it is not sin .Need fpr healthand pleasure.

  • Even in some western countries Yoni or vagina is worshipped as depicted in novel by Dan Brown’ day Vinci code.

  • mate there is difference between sex and eternal sex…what we do is fulfilling of lust..its kind of greed …when sex is done in manner of prayer it becomes cosmic sex.

    Thanks

  • Sam….. that is so wrong biologically. Men penis head shaped like plunger to push out previous mans sperm and give his DNA a chance to win andfertilize the egg

  • yes sex before marriage is wrong. The main reason for sex to happen is to give birth to young and not for self pleasure..God made sex pleasurable because if it is not like that we never do it.becoz it is dirty. We can see in children that when they see anything sexual they feel dirty and say yeak!! becoz they are pure. But when puberty starts due to hormones secretion we feel that sex is pleasurable..but main reason is to continue human race..Sex before marriage indicates that one is having sex for pleasure but not for having children..

    • Sex is a gift from God, to marriage. It is not only intended to procreate, but to connect two separate souls to become one. United like no other bond with any other human. A bond that is sacred-to walk together in life in the Unity in worship of the Most high-Yaweh..intellectualy, whole heartedly, soulfully. There are parameters that should protect marriage bond. Omitting the pleasure, leaves a spouse in danger of sin, outside of marriage. This is a rule invented by a prude man ignorant of Gods gift to a husband and wife.

  • As per our Hinduism Religions and creation ,Sex is the most pious and utmost Happiness Producing action psychosomatically. We must accept it as pious as the Most pious creations of “God” and Lord
    “Shiva”

  • i am a scholar learning Religion, i am so thankful to you that all information. i want to know more, and where i should get it. pls help me.

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