What do the scriptures say about sexual life?

Question

Sex is necessary for continuing our generations. What do our scriptures say about sex? What do they say about steps to take for having healthy children and what things we have to do before, during and after sex for this purpose? Any procedure, activities, etc.

Answer 1

Hindu samskaras cover an individual’s entire life span from conception to funeral rites. Hindus believe sexual intimacy between married couples is a sacred act.

Sex life is especially meant for having good children. The circumstances for creating good children are mentioned in Kama-sastra of Vatsyaayana, the scripture in which suitable guidelines are provided for a glorious sex life. Everything needed is mentioned in various scriptures. Kama Sutra is an ancient text widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit written by Vatsyaayana. It includes a section on practical advice on sexual intercourse. "Kaama” which is one of the four Purushaarthaas or Human goals of life, means sensual as well as sexual pleasure and "Sootra” literally means a thread. Sootra means aphorism. Kama sutra is not just an exclusive sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to Grihastaasrama, family life to lead virtuous and gracious living .

Good sexual relations have been considered as a sacred responsibility in Hindu way of Life and have been ceremoniously observed offering prayers to their favorite gods and goddesses. Before engaging in sexual intercourse, both the husband and the wife must consider their mental condition, the particular time, the husband’s direction, and obedience to the demigods.

According to the Vedic ritual called Garbhadhana-samskara is very important for generating good population. Our focus should not be to check the growth of the population, but to generate good population.The conditions for having good progeny in society are that the husband should be disciplined in religious and regulative principles and the wife should be faithful to the husband. In Bhagavad-gita (7.11) it is said that sexual intercourse according to religious principles is a divine act.

Sa ya ichchet putro me suklo jaayeta vedamanubraveeta sarvam-aayuriyaaditi ksheerodanam paachayitvaa sarpishmantam-asneeyataam-eeswarau janayitavyai (6-4-14)

Sage Saunaka defines Garbhadana as “the rite by the performance of which a woman receives the rethas (semen) scattered by her husband called Garbhalambhanam or Garbadaanam.

Nishekaad baijikam chaino gaarbhikam chapamrijyate | kshetra samaskaarasiddhischa garbaadaana phalam smritam ||

A well planned mating of the couple ensures a suitable conception that results in a capable child. The negative qualities in the semen and the ovum become ineffective. A good conception is the fruit of understanding and mutual planning.

sa yaavaanha vai vaajapeyena yajamaanasya lokoe bhavati taavaanasya lokoe bhavati ya evam vidwaanadhopahaasam charatyaasaam) streenaaam sukritam vringkte atha ya idamavidwanadhoepahaasam charatyasya striyah sukritam vrinjate || (6-4-3)

If a person copulates conceiving it as a holy sacrifice, he becomes the recipient of as much respect in the world as a man gets performing Vaajapayee fire sacrifice. He gets all the good fortunes of those women. But if a person engages in this copulation without thinking of it as a holy sacrifice (Homa) the women will take away all his merits.

Sa yaam-icchchet-kaamyetam-eti | tasyaam-artham nishthaaya mukhena mukha(m)-sadhaamyopastham-asyaa abhimrisya japed-“angaad-angaat-sambhavaci hridayaad- adhijaayase | sa tvamangakashaayo asi digdhaviddhaamiva maadaye-maam-amoom mayeeti ||” (6-49)

If the husband loves the wife and desires he gets into the mood of mating and recites the mantra: “You are born from every one of our limbs and also sprung from our intellect. You are the essence of our limbs. May this wife of mine be anointed with happiness! May she be happy with me!” Then in the act mating he recites the following mantra: “…..Indriyena te retasaa reta aadhadaameeti garbhinyeva bhavati || ” “By my strength and seed, I make you bear your seed” and she verily becomes pregnant. (6-4-11) [Sexual act description part in this mantra has not been included.]

In Sushruta Samhita 2/46/50 it is said:

Aahaar-aachaara-cheshtaabhir-yaadrisobhih samanvitee | Stree-pumso samupeyaatam tayoh puthro-api taadrisah ||

Depending on the diet, temperament and behavior, of the man and woman at the time of physica intimacy, the son born of such a union will also have a similar temperament. (Sushruta is the famous ancient physician of Ayurveda)

Sa ya ichchet putro me suklo jaayeta vedamanubraveeta sarvam-aayuriyaaditi ksheerodanam paachayitvaa sarpishmantam-asneeyataam-eeswarau janayitavyai (6-4-14)

If one wishes to have a fair child, study one Veda and attain full term of life; he and his wife should eat rice cooked in milk mixed with clarified butter. Then they will succeed in their mission.

Highly enlightened parent can train a child so that the child will not have to come back again to this miserable world. Parents should see to it that the child born of them does not enter the womb of a mother again. according to the Vedic ritual called Garbhadhana-samskara is very important for generating good population. Our focus should not be to check the growth of the population, but to generate good population .

Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad in its fourth section describes the Putramanthana mantra rites by which a house-holder can get a worthy son or a worthy daughter.

Geetaa says in 7-11 Dharmaviruddho bhooteshu kaamosmi” –I am the lust (sexual desire) in all living beings not conflicting with Dharma for the sacred and sole purpose of creation.

Lust with proper application is a virtue and not a sin

Source-: Google books