Two perspectives of "kāma"

Two perspectives of "kāma"

Introduction

In Vedic tradition, “smruti” can be classified into: “Dharma Shastra, Artha Shastra, Kama Shastra and Moksha Shastra”.

“Dharma Shastra” indicates the scriptures dedicated to right conduct (E.g. Yajnavalkya Smruti); “Artha Shastra” indicates the ones dedicated to resources (E.g. Kautilya’s Artha Shastra); “Kāma Shastra” dedicated to satisfaction of desires(E.g. Vatsayana’s Kāma Sutra); and “Moksha Shastra” dedicated to liberation (E.g. Badarayana’s Brahma Sutra). While the first three pertain to “iha” (here & now) and fourth pertains to “para” (afterworld). All four put together become “purushartha” (objectives of life).

It should also be noted that in common parlance, “kāma” indicates lust. The specific Sanskrit word for lust is “lolupa”. When “kāma” is “lolupa” it is one of the “arishadvarga” (six enemies for spiritual growth). I.e., “Kāma, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya” (lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, envy).

So “Kāma” can be seen from two perspectives: (1) desire and (2) “lust”. Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you this introductory series on these two perspectives of “Kāma”.

In our next write up we will discuss the first perspective of “Kāma” as desire.

Our intention is to inspire you to study literature in Vedic tradition and adopt them in your day to day life.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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1. “Kāma” as “purushartha”

“Kāma” when seen from purushartha’s perspective, takes the third position (“Dharma, Artha, Kāma, Moksha”)

In the Kama Sutra, Vatsayana addresses “kāma” as one of the “purushartha” and uses the term “kāma” to indicate desire in wide connotation. He suggests that “dharma” (right conduct) is better than “artha” (resources) and “artha” is better than “Kāma” (fulfillment of desires).

In Vedic tradition, fulfillment of one’s desire is allowed within the larger framework of “dharma”. I.e., one should fulfill his / her desire by the right conduct. Righteousness is part of morality as explained in Dharma Shastras.

The “Adibhautika” meaning of Vedas (i.e., meaning of Vedas in physical realm) is completely dedicated to first three purusharthas called “trivarga” (“Dharma, Artha, Kama”). Whereas “Adhyatma” meaning of Vedas (i.e., meaning in the spiritual realm) is completely dedicated to "apavarga" i.e. "moksha”/liberation.

Hence, a spiritual practitioner striving for liberation need not shy away from fulfillment of desires as long as it is within the framework of “dharma”. For further understanding, one may read Chapter 4 of Bhagavad Gita.

In our next write up we will discuss the second perspective of “Kāma” as lust.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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2. “Kāma” as “lolupa”

When “kāma” is “lolupa” (lust) it becomes the first enemy of spiritual growth among “arishadvarga” (seven enemies of spiritual growth). I.e., “Kāma, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya” (lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, envy).

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna uses the word “kāma” to indicate fulfillment of desires in six shlokas (4.19, 5.23, 5.26, 7.11, 17.5 and 17.6). Whereas he uses the word to indicate lust in only one shloka (12.12) wherein he says - while tied to hundreds of desires, and driven by lust and anger, humans strive to accumulate wealth by unjust means, all for the gratification of their senses. 

When humans strive to satisfy their sensual desires, outside the framework of righteousness / just-means (i.e., outside the framework of “dharma”), then “kāma” is seen as “lolupa” (lust). Lord Krishna says, those who indulge in lust in one life will be born again among the devilish humans and the loop continues devoiding them of liberation (12.19 & 20)

Hence, a spiritual practitioner striving for liberation, must avoid gratification of sensual desires outside the framework of “dharma”. For further understanding, one may read Chapter 12 of Bhagavad Gita.

Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought you this introductory series on two perspectives of “Kāma”.

Our intention is to inspire you to study literature in Vedic tradition and adopt them in your day to day life.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe