I recently had a chat with a friend and his comment got me thinking. People in general have a very jaded view of the kamasutra. People believe it is only a book of sexual positions. However, this sacred hindu book is so much more than that.
Kamasutra deals with a variety of issues, ONE of which is is the sexual positions. "But you people invented the kamasutra, and yet preach abstinence." my friend John (fictional name) had said. Apparently, he had been reading a book about Hindu culture and was telling me that it was ridiculous to preach restraint and create a book on sex. John, like many people, have the wrong idea.
Kamasutra, is not a book only about sex or sexual positions, but also about the Hindu tradition. According to which, it clearly states that sex should be performed with restraint. Now how can that be, you ask?
Well its easy, people should not over do sex, and it has to be 'done' only when the two individuals are married to each other. I know that sound really old fashioned, but the kamasutra WAS written years and years ago.
It deals with how to lead a peaceful family life, where no one cheats and how a couple should live peacefully. I've seen ads about how men can grow their penis, well, for everyone really wanting to do that, kamasutra divulges natural ways of doing that.
Contrary to what many believe, Hinduism is not a restrictive practice, but most precisely a disciplinary one. It does not prevent people from having sex, but only sets some Reasonable ground rules for it. According to Hinduism, one amongst the four goals of life, is "Kama" which means desire. This clearly dictates that one should indulge in pleasure but in a responsible manner.
In addition, John had also said that Hinduism preaches abstinence, what he did not pay attention to was the age where one should practice that. Hinduism says there is a time for everything, enjoyment of sexual pleasures and of renouncing it. It is when a person reaches the "Vanaprastha Ashrama" that is the stage where he has well lived and performed his duties as a married man or woman, he should start to retire and devote most of his life looking for inner peace than physical pleasures.
Hindusim also states that some may want to remain a bachelor for life, but does not impose this on anyone. It should be noted that even hindu sages of the ancient time had wives and children. This meant that they were leading a very much active sexual life but when time came to focus more on inner peace, they were not bound by sex or physical pleasures.
What do YOU think about this book?
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