Maithun Figures

Maithun Figures

Chandela Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

             Kama or desire was one of the four goals of ancient Indians. But today it is misunderstood by the Indians themselves. To the ancients Dharma (righteous conduct ), Artha  (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha  (liberation from the cycle of life and death ) were the four goals of life. But under the influence of other civilisation, and value systems, Kama is becoming a taboo subject. 

            Buddhism too saw desire as  the root cause of misery in the world; Christianity and Islam equated desire with temptation.  But for Hinduism desire is essential.  For without desire Nature ceases to exist. It is desire which propagates a species. Thus, desire and sex are fundamental to our existence. 

           Of course, when we speak of desire, it must be in moderation.  Love should not turn into lust, nor desire into greed. But to deny desire is to cap human emotions, human capabilities,  human achievements. Desire is what fuels a civilisation to grow, to prosper. 

           Eroticism in Indian art has always raised eyebrows of the conservatives and the vandals. But it is a celebration of life. For without desire and emotions life is a Martian wasteland.