Perspectives from history
Ancient Philosophical Views on Sexuality
Greek literature had thoroughly examined the idea of desire even before Vatsyayana composed the Kamasutra.
According to the Greek philosopher Plato, desire is the need to own something or someone. In his well-known comedy "Symposium," Aristophanes portrayed a time when people were whole, independent, strong, and even capable of opposing the gods.
Zeus split people into male and female halves to stop this, which caused attraction and desire to arise and made people look for their "other half." According to Plato, sex is the search for wholeness, where individuals are drawn to the things they lack about themselves.
But as time went on, sex started to be seen negatively. In 325 AD, the Catholic Church declared that pursuing bodily pleasure was wrong and that the human body was wicked. They believed that procreation was the sole acceptable use of sex.
Vatsyayana, on the other hand, was composing the Kamasutra on the banks of the ganges at about the same period. He maintained that having sex was a normal and significant part of life, and he even offered advice on how to make it better.
In the Architecture of Ancient india, Sexual Openness
Numerous examples of ancient indian art and architecture demonstrate the society's unusually open attitude toward sexuality.
The acceptability of sexual themes is highlighted by the elaborately carved erotic statues found in the Konark sun temple in Odisha. The Buddhist-related Ajanta and Ellora caves also feature naked women in a variety of erotic positions. The sculptures at Ellora were made between the fifth and tenth centuries CE, whereas the murals at Ajanta date to 200 BCE.
Another example of this openness is the well-known Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh, which were constructed by the Chandela kings between 950 and 1050 CE.
There were formerly 85 temples, but now there are just 22. Various sexual positions and interactions, including group intimacy, are shown in these temples.
Even homosexuality is surprisingly represented in these sculptures. Intimate situations are portrayed in marble sculptures in the 13th-century Dilwara Temples, which are located close to Mount Abu.
Acceptance of Homosexuality in Ancient India
Ancient india has previously acknowledged and welcomed a range of sexual orientations, whereas contemporary civilizations are still debating LGBTQ+ rights.
The book "Tritiya-Prakriti: people of the Third sex - Understanding Homosexuality and Transgender Identity Through Hinduism" by Amara Das Wilhelm reveals that historical sanskrit literature demonstrates that third-gender people and same-sex partnerships were accepted and assimilated into society.
Lesbian women called "Swarinis," were known to wed other women, according to the Kamasutra.
Known as "Kleebas," gay men were viewed as sissy guys who had no interest in women.
Such partnerships were viewed as a normal aspect of human variability in ancient indian civilization, which welcomed them without shame.
Romantic Freedom and Extramarital Affairs
In ancient india, extramarital affairs were not always viewed as sinful, in contrast to many contemporary conservative viewpoints.
The tale of Radha and Krishna's love, which is praised in poetry, art, and temple sculptures, is among the most well-known instances. The societal acceptance of love beyond marriage is demonstrated by this celestial romance.
Radha's love for krishna was exquisitely captured by poets like Surdas and Vidyapati in lines that freely embraced rather than shamed sexual connection.
Gay males, known as "Kleebas," were perceived as sexy men who were uninterested in women.
Ancient indian society accepted such alliances without shame, viewing them as a natural element of human diversity.
Extramarital Affairs and romantic Freedom
Unlike many modern conservative perspectives, extramarital relationships were not always seen as evil in ancient India.
One of the best-known examples is the story of Radha and Krishna's love, which is extolled in poetry, artwork, and temple sculptures. This heavenly romance serves as an example of how society accepts love that lasts beyond marriage.
Poets like Surdas and Vidyapati masterfully encapsulated Radha's love for krishna in verses that openly celebrated rather than denigrated sexual intimacy.
In ways that even contemporary countries now find difficult to achieve, ancient india had a progressive culture that celebrated sexuality, diversity, and romantic freedom. In the past, indian culture valued love and intimacy without shame or guilt, as evidenced by its literary masterpieces and architectural wonders.
Classical poetry, temple sculptures, and the Kamasutra remind us that sex was never considered forbidden in India; stigmatization was the result of subsequent social pressures.
Do you think these antiquated viewpoints are still relevant today?
Ancient Philosophical Views on Sexuality
Greek literature had thoroughly examined the idea of desire even before Vatsyayana composed the Kamasutra.
According to the Greek philosopher Plato, desire is the need to own something or someone. In his well-known comedy "Symposium," Aristophanes portrayed a time when people were whole, independent, strong, and even capable of opposing the gods.
Zeus split people into male and female halves to stop this, which caused attraction and desire to arise and made people look for their "other half." According to Plato, sex is the search for wholeness, where individuals are drawn to the things they lack about themselves.
But as time went on, sex started to be seen negatively. In 325 AD, the Catholic Church declared that pursuing bodily pleasure was wrong and that the human body was wicked. They believed that procreation was the sole acceptable use of sex.
Vatsyayana, on the other hand, was composing the Kamasutra on the banks of the ganges at about the same period. He maintained that having sex was a normal and significant part of life, and he even offered advice on how to make it better.
In the Architecture of Ancient india, Sexual Openness
Numerous examples of ancient indian art and architecture demonstrate the society's unusually open attitude toward sexuality.
The acceptability of sexual themes is highlighted by the elaborately carved erotic statues found in the Konark sun temple in Odisha. The Buddhist-related Ajanta and Ellora caves also feature naked women in a variety of erotic positions. The sculptures at Ellora were made between the fifth and tenth centuries CE, whereas the murals at Ajanta date to 200 BCE.
Another example of this openness is the well-known Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh, which were constructed by the Chandela kings between 950 and 1050 CE.
There were formerly 85 temples, but now there are just 22. Various sexual positions and interactions, including group intimacy, are shown in these temples.
Even homosexuality is surprisingly represented in these sculptures. Intimate situations are portrayed in marble sculptures in the 13th-century Dilwara Temples, which are located close to Mount Abu.
Acceptance of Homosexuality in Ancient India
Ancient india has previously acknowledged and welcomed a range of sexual orientations, whereas contemporary civilizations are still debating LGBTQ+ rights.
The book "Tritiya-Prakriti: people of the Third sex - Understanding Homosexuality and Transgender Identity Through Hinduism" by Amara Das Wilhelm reveals that historical sanskrit literature demonstrates that third-gender people and same-sex partnerships were accepted and assimilated into society.
Lesbian women called "Swarinis," were known to wed other women, according to the Kamasutra.
Known as "Kleebas," gay men were viewed as sissy guys who had no interest in women.
Such partnerships were viewed as a normal aspect of human variability in ancient indian civilization, which welcomed them without shame.
Romantic Freedom and Extramarital Affairs
In ancient india, extramarital affairs were not always viewed as sinful, in contrast to many contemporary conservative viewpoints.
The tale of Radha and Krishna's love, which is praised in poetry, art, and temple sculptures, is among the most well-known instances. The societal acceptance of love beyond marriage is demonstrated by this celestial romance.
Radha's love for krishna was exquisitely captured by poets like Surdas and Vidyapati in lines that freely embraced rather than shamed sexual connection.
Gay males, known as "Kleebas," were perceived as sexy men who were uninterested in women.
Ancient indian society accepted such alliances without shame, viewing them as a natural element of human diversity.
Extramarital Affairs and romantic Freedom
Unlike many modern conservative perspectives, extramarital relationships were not always seen as evil in ancient India.
One of the best-known examples is the story of Radha and Krishna's love, which is extolled in poetry, artwork, and temple sculptures. This heavenly romance serves as an example of how society accepts love that lasts beyond marriage.
Poets like Surdas and Vidyapati masterfully encapsulated Radha's love for krishna in verses that openly celebrated rather than denigrated sexual intimacy.
In ways that even contemporary countries now find difficult to achieve, ancient india had a progressive culture that celebrated sexuality, diversity, and romantic freedom. In the past, indian culture valued love and intimacy without shame or guilt, as evidenced by its literary masterpieces and architectural wonders.
Classical poetry, temple sculptures, and the Kamasutra remind us that sex was never considered forbidden in India; stigmatization was the result of subsequent social pressures.
Do you think these antiquated viewpoints are still relevant today?
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