SustainablyAlpha January Edition

Sex and Sexuality:
A Comprehensive Journey
The ‘S’ Word
India is a land of culture and is progressing
daily, but while everything is moving
forward there is still one thing that is not
being addressed the way it should be. The
S- word. That’s right, sex, while we all are
aware of it and frankly know a lot about it,
it is still something that you don't see
people openly talk about. In this article let's
break down some concepts and
misconceptions as well as the stigma
associated with sex, sex education,
sexually transmitted diseases and
abortions.
The ‘YOU KNOW WHAT’
In India the word sex is even more scary
than the word voldemort. If you say it
openly, you are going to get judged by the
elderly in our country, and you might even
be shushed or asked to leave the place if
you continue doing this. Growing up in such
an orthodox community, the youngsters of
India don’t get to know much about puberty
let alone sex. It is never talked about in a
traditional Indian family. Even puberty is
not addressed properly. All the information
that a curious teen gets to know is from the
internet, which more than often is
misleading.
But surprisingly, when it comes to sex
education, India is considered a pioneer.
Ancient Indian texts, such as the Kama
Sutra and the Ananga-Ranga, provided
valuable insights into sexuality, eroticism,
and emotional fulfilment in life. Unlike
modern-day sex education, which focuses
on biological aspects, ancient Indian sex
education incorporated philosophical ideas
and emphasised the holistic nature of
sensuality.These ancient texts were not
limited to the literate population. Varied
illustrations, art, and sculptures were used
to ensure that people of all literacy levels
could understand and appreciate the
teachings. This inclusive approach to sex
education highlights the progressive
thinking of ancient Indian society.
The Kama Sutra: Celebrating Female
Pleasure: One of the most well-known
ancient Indian texts on sexuality is the
Kama Sutra. Dating back to 400 BCE-300
CE, this scripture explores the various
aspects of desire, love, pleasure, and sex.
The word "KAMA" itself translates to
"desire/love/pleasure/sex." What sets the
Kama Sutra apart is its special focus on
creating pleasure for women. As noted by
Anne Hardgrove, a history professor, and
author, the Kama Sutra emphasises that a
man who fails to provide pleasure to a
woman may face consequences, as she
may seek pleasure elsewhere. This
recognition of female pleasure and agency
is remarkable, considering the societal
norms of the time.
Male Pleasure in Ancient Indian
Texts:While the Kama Sutra highlights the
importance of female pleasure, ancient
Indian texts also acknowledged the
significance of male pleasure. In Hinduism,
the attainment of "kama" (pleasure) is
prescribed as part of the grhastha stage,
the second of the four life stages.
Unlike some Western religions, Hinduism
does not rely on a single canonical text.
Instead, it encompasses numerous texts
that mention sexuality, including the
Upanishads and the Tantras. The Kama
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