Sexuality In Hindu Literature

Within the Hindu community there are multiple ways that women have become the property of the male figures in their lives, either it being their fathers, sons, and/or husbands. Traditionally, women are depicted as much more delicate that men, whom require the protection of her male figures. From a cultural perspective the woman’s virginity, while in her birth home, is one to be protected. Within the community these male influences are seen as the protectors, but in reality the woman is imprisoned. The refusal to speak about sexuality as well as physical and emotional changes that take place during growth years causes for many accounts of sexual abuse to go unreported. As a result of this the girl, whose mother has not spoken to her about basic issues like menstruation, is unable to tell her about a person who has made sexual advances towards her.
India pioneered the use of sexual education through art and literature by writing the first literature, Kama Shastra (Kama Sutra), which treated sexual intercourse as a science as well as specifically outlining the practices of BDSM. The Vedas, the Mahabharata and Ramayana, reveal moral perspectives on sexuality, marriage and fertility prayers; these epics had a huge impact on the culture of Asia. An excerpt of the Kama Shastra states that women should study these texts, it also goes into detail as to why they should study the text. Although many seem to think women are not “allowed to study any science” it states that women already know the practice of the texts and should practice the