Extra Credit Reading Notes: Four Types of Sex

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Four Goals of Human Life 
-Dharma (ethics)
-Artha (wealth)
-Kama (pleasure)
-Moksha (liberation)
*As declared by Hindu texts

 Sexual Classifications
-References to sexual activity in Hindu texts can be divided in the categories of as dharma sex, artha sex, kama sex, and moksha sex

Dharma Sex
-The purpose is procreation
-Performed when a woman is ovulating to maximize chances of conceiving
-A man cannot refuse a woman who approaches during the ovulatory period
-No love, desire, or attachment; seen as a duty

 Dharma Sex in Action
-Diti the rishi is approached by his wife during evening prayers
-He cannot refuse her, but warns that the children resulting from this union will be asuras
-The asuras Hiranayaksha and Hiranakashipu are born

Kama Sex
-The purpose is pleasure
-The senses are indulged and the mind excited in order to achieve orgasm
-Homosexuality falls under this classification because it does not have a procreative purpose
-Kama is the God of desire; has only been defeated by Shiva
-Can be a lethal force that distracts from the pursuit of goals

Artha Sex
-The purpose is a transaction
-Sexual services are exchanged for material favors
-Commonly used by women known as ganikas
-Example from the Mahabharata: Satyavati's father agrees to her marriage to Shantanu on the condition that her sons will be the heirs to the throne

Moksha Sex
-"A technique to break free from the unending cycle of birth and death"
-Found in tantrik texts
-Magical powers/control of nature/liberation achieved through sexual union



An erotic Indian sculpture. Source: Flickr

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Bibliography

Pattanaik, Devdutt. "Four Types of Sex."

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