Paradox of eroticism and sexual abstinence in Hindu culture

Abstract

The belief in the virtue of abstinence from sex is pervasive in Hindu culture, as exemplified in literature—both ancient and contemporary. At the same time, there is plenty of evidence of eroticism—sometimes quite explicit—in Hindu literature, arts and religious rituals. This paper describes and analyses the erotic elements in Kama Sutra, in sculptures on ancient Hindu temples like Khajuraho and in the religious rituals of two Hindu schools (Tantrism and Sahajiya Vaishnavism) and then attempts to explain the apparent paradox between eroticism and sexual abstinence in Hind culture.Ancient Hindu literature in Sanskrit—religious texts, epics, novels and dramas—is a storehouse of sexual symbolism and eroticism. Highly analytical as well as practical discourses on sexuality and sexual techniques in the well-known treatise, Kama Sutra, composed by Vatsayana over 1500 years ago reflect the importance of sex in ancient Hindu life. Some Hindu temples have erotic sculptures carved on their stone walls. Tantrism and...