Maithuna - Revision history

ChristenHii: slightly cleaned up lead to improve readability also and improved wording as per guidelines

2025-11-09T16:31:42Z

slightly cleaned up lead to improve readability also and improved wording as per guidelines

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	{{further\|Panchamakara\|Yogini}}		{{further\|Panchamakara\|Yogini}}

	Maithuna intercourse has been traditionally interpreted to be performed with [[semen retention]] by the male practitioner,<ref name=Elia/> although other authors consider it optional, possibly relegated only to late Tantra.<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Balaban \|first1=Oded \|last2=Erev \|first2=Anan \|title=The Bounds of Freedom: About the Eastern and Western Approaches to Freedom \|year=1995 \|publisher=P. Lang \|isbn=978-0820425146}}</ref> Early maithuna might have consisted on generating sexual fluids (''maithunam dravyam'', or solely ''maithuna'' by [[metonymy]]) in order to be ritually ingested, in a similar way to the edible three first Panchamakara.<ref name=Kiss/><ref name=Cush>{{cite book \|~~last~~=Cush \|~~first~~=Denise \|last2=Robinson \|first2=Catherine \|last3=York \|first3=Michael \|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism \|year=2012 \|publisher=Routledge \|isbn=978-1135189785}}</ref> The shedding of semen is also compared to water-offering (''[[tarpana]]'').<ref name=Kiss>{{cite book \|last=White \|first=David Gordon \|author-link=David Gordon White \|title=Kiss of the Yogini: 'Tantric Sex' in its South Asian Contexts \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5RwARVMg2_4C \|year=2006 \|edition=paperback \|orig-year=2003 \|publisher=University of Chicago Press \|isbn=978-0-226-02783-8 \|pages=~~81-85~~}}</ref> This is related to similar practices like ''rajapana'', the drinking of female discharge found in [[Kaula (Hinduism)\|Kaula]] Tantra, and the mixing of all five ingredients into nectar (''[[amrita]]'') in the [[Jagannatha]] temple of [[Puri]], as described by [[Frédérique Apffel-Marglin]].<ref name=Kiss/>		Maithuna intercourse has been traditionally interpreted to be performed with [[semen retention]] by the male practitioner,<ref name=Elia/> although other authors consider it optional, possibly relegated only to late Tantra.<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Balaban \|first1=Oded \|last2=Erev \|first2=Anan \|title=The Bounds of Freedom: About the Eastern and Western Approaches to Freedom \|year=1995 \|publisher=P. Lang \|isbn=978-0820425146}}</ref> Early maithuna might have consisted on generating sexual fluids (''maithunam dravyam'', or solely ''maithuna'' by [[metonymy]]) in order to be ritually ingested, in a similar way to the edible three first Panchamakara.<ref name=Kiss/><ref name=Cush>{{cite book \|last1=Cush \|first1=Denise \|last2=Robinson \|first2=Catherine \|last3=York \|first3=Michael \|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism \|year=2012 \|publisher=Routledge \|isbn=978-1135189785}}</ref> The shedding of semen is also compared to water-offering (''[[tarpana]]'').<ref name=Kiss>{{cite book \|last=White \|first=David Gordon \|author-link=David Gordon White \|title=Kiss of the Yogini: 'Tantric Sex' in its South Asian Contexts \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5RwARVMg2_4C \|year=2006 \|edition=paperback \|orig-year=2003 \|publisher=University of Chicago Press \|isbn=978-0-226-02783-8 \|pages=81–85}}</ref> This is related to similar practices like ''rajapana'', the drinking of female discharge found in [[Kaula (Hinduism)\|Kaula]] Tantra, and the mixing of all five ingredients into nectar (''[[amrita]]'') in the [[Jagannatha]] temple of [[Puri]], as described by [[Frédérique Apffel-Marglin]].<ref name=Kiss/>

	Late sources like [[Abhinavagupta]] warn that results of maithuna are not meant to be consumed like the rest of Panchamakara, calling those who do so "brutes" (''pasus''). Around the 12th century, practices seemed to turn towards the absorption of sexual fluids into the body of the practitioner, like that of ''[[vajroli mudra]]''.<ref name=Kiss/>		Late sources like [[Abhinavagupta]] warn that results of maithuna are not meant to be consumed like the rest of Panchamakara, calling those who do so "brutes" (''pasus''). Around the 12th century, practices seemed to turn towards the absorption of sexual fluids into the body of the practitioner, like that of ''[[vajroli mudra]]''.<ref name=Kiss/>

	==Concept==		==Concept==
	Maithuna entails male-female couples and their union in the physical, sexual sense as synonymous with [[kriya]] nishpatti (mature cleansing).<ref name=Devi>{{cite book \|last=Devi \|first=Kamala \|title=The Eastern Way of Love \|pages=~~19-27~~ \|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] \|year=1977 \|isbn=0-671-22448-4}}</ref> Just as neither spirit nor matter by itself is effective but both working together bring harmony so is maithuna effective only then when the union is [[consecrated]]. The couple become for the time being divine: she is [[Shakti]] and he is [[Shiva]], and they confront ultimate reality and experiences [[Ānanda_(Hindu_philosophy)\|bliss]] through union. The scriptures warn that unless this spiritual transformation occurs, the union is incomplete.<ref>{{cite book \|last=Garrison \|first=Omar \|title=Tantra: the Yoga of Sex \|publisher=Causeway Books \|year=1964 \|page=103 \|isbn=0-88356-015-1}}</ref> However, some writers, sects and schools like [[Yogananda]] consider this to be a purely mental and symbolic act, without actual intercourse.<ref name=Devi/>		Maithuna entails male-female couples and their union in the physical, sexual sense as synonymous with [[kriya]] nishpatti (mature cleansing).<ref name=Devi>{{cite book \|last=Devi \|first=Kamala \|title=The Eastern Way of Love \|pages=19–27 \|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] \|year=1977 \|isbn=0-671-22448-4}}</ref> Just as neither spirit nor matter by itself is effective but both working together bring harmony so is maithuna effective only then when the union is [[consecrated]]. The couple become for the time being divine: she is [[Shakti]] and he is [[Shiva]], and they confront ultimate reality and experiences [[Ānanda_(Hindu_philosophy)\|bliss]] through union. The scriptures warn that unless this spiritual transformation occurs, the union is incomplete.<ref>{{cite book \|last=Garrison \|first=Omar \|title=Tantra: the Yoga of Sex \|publisher=Causeway Books \|year=1964 \|page=103 \|isbn=0-88356-015-1}}</ref> However, some writers, sects and schools like [[Yogananda]] consider this to be a purely mental and symbolic act, without actual intercourse.<ref name=Devi/>

	Yet it is possible to experience a form of maithuna not solely just through the physical union. The act can exist on a metaphysical plane with sexual energy penetration, in which the shakti and shakta transfer energy through their [[Three_Bodies_Doctrine#Sukshma_sarira_-_subtle_body\|subtle bodies]] as well. It is when this transfer of energy occurs that the couple, incarnated as goddess and god via diminished [[Ahamkara\|egos]], confronts ultimate reality and experiences bliss through sexual union of the subtle bodies.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Bajracharya \|first=Ramesh \|title=Adi Buddha & Principal Buddhist deities: Concept & Practice in Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal \|website=China Buddhism Encyclopedia \|url=http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Adi_Buddha_&_Principal_Buddhist_deities:_Concept_&_Practice_in_Vajrayana_Buddhism_in_Nepal \|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=Elia/>		Yet it is possible to experience a form of maithuna not solely just through the physical union. The act can exist on a metaphysical plane with sexual energy penetration, in which the shakti and shakta transfer energy through their [[Three_Bodies_Doctrine#Sukshma_sarira_-_subtle_body\|subtle bodies]] as well. It is when this transfer of energy occurs that the couple, incarnated as goddess and god via diminished [[Ahamkara\|egos]], confronts ultimate reality and experiences bliss through sexual union of the subtle bodies.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Bajracharya \|first=Ramesh \|title=Adi Buddha & Principal Buddhist deities: Concept & Practice in Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal \|website=China Buddhism Encyclopedia \|url=http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Adi_Buddha_&_Principal_Buddhist_deities:_Concept_&_Practice_in_Vajrayana_Buddhism_in_Nepal \|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=Elia/>

imported>Chiswick Chap: /* History */ further link

2021-08-31T12:41:00Z

History: further link

New page

{{short description|Sacred sexual union in Tantra}}
{{Redirect|Mithuna|the genus of moth|Mithuna (moth)|the month|Mithuna (month)}}
[[File:MET Asian Wing.jpg|thumb|Loving Couple, Maithuna, Eastern Ganga dynasty, 13th century Orissa, India]]
'''Maithuna''' ([[Devanagari]]: मैथुन) is a [[Sanskrit]] term for [[sexual intercourse]] within [[Tantric sex]], or alternatively to the specific lack of sexual fluids generated, while '''mithuna''' is a couple participating in such a ritual.<ref name=Kiss/><ref name=Cush/> It is the most important of the five [[makara]] and constitutes the main part of the grand ritual of Tantra variously known as [[Panchamakara]], [[Panchatattva (Tantra)|Panchatattva]], and Tattva Chakra.<ref name=Elia>{{cite book |last=Eliade |first=Mircea |author-link=Mircea Eliade |title=Yoga: Immortality and Freedom |year=1969 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0691017648 }}{{pn|date=January 2021}}</ref> Maithuna means the union of opposing forces, underlining the [[nonduality]] between human and divine,<ref name=Elia/> as well as worldly enjoyment (''[[kama]]'') and spiritual liberation (''[[moksha]]'').<ref>{{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Paul |title=Kāma Kalpa, Or, The Hindu Ritual of Love: A Survey of the Customs, Festivals, Rituals and Beliefs Concerning Marriage, Morals, Women, the Art and Science of Life and Sex Symbolism in the Religion of India from Remote Antiquity to the Present Day |year=1960 |publisher=D.B. Taraporevala |location=Bombay [Mumbai] |oclc=762156601 }}{{pn|date=January 2021}}</ref>

Mithuna is a popular icon in [[Hindu art|ancient Hindu art]], portrayed as a couple engaged in physical loving.<ref>{{cite book |last=Menzies |first=Jackie |title=Goddess: Divine Energy |year=2006 |publisher=Art Gallery of New South Wales |isbn=978-0734763969}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Khajuraho10.jpg|thumb|Maithuna at [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho]]]]
[[File:38.Khajuraho Laksmana south wall mithuna.jpg|thumb|Maithuna, Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho]]
{{further|Panchamakara|Yogini}}

Maithuna intercourse has been traditionally interpreted to be performed with [[semen retention]] by the male practitioner,<ref name=Elia/> although other authors consider it optional, possibly relegated only to late Tantra.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Balaban |first1=Oded |last2=Erev |first2=Anan |title=The Bounds of Freedom: About the Eastern and Western Approaches to Freedom |year=1995 |publisher=P. Lang |isbn=978-0820425146}}</ref> Early maithuna might have consisted on generating sexual fluids (''maithunam dravyam'', or solely ''maithuna'' by [[metonymy]]) in order to be ritually ingested, in a similar way to the edible three first Panchamakara.<ref name=Kiss/><ref name=Cush>{{cite book |last=Cush |first=Denise |last2=Robinson |first2=Catherine |last3=York |first3=Michael |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |year=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1135189785}}</ref> The shedding of semen is also compared to water-offering (''[[tarpana]]'').<ref name=Kiss>{{cite book |last=White |first=David Gordon |author-link=David Gordon White |title=Kiss of the Yogini: 'Tantric Sex' in its South Asian Contexts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5RwARVMg2_4C |year=2006 |edition=paperback |orig-year=2003 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-02783-8 |pages=81-85}}</ref> This is related to similar practices like ''rajapana'', the drinking of female discharge found in [[Kaula (Hinduism)|Kaula]] Tantra, and the mixing of all five ingredients into nectar (''[[amrita]]'') in the [[Jagannatha]] temple of [[Puri]], as described by [[Frédérique Apffel-Marglin]].<ref name=Kiss/>

Late sources like [[Abhinavagupta]] warn that results of maithuna are not meant to be consumed like the rest of Panchamakara, calling those who do so "brutes" (''pasus''). Around the 12th century, practices seemed to turn towards the absorption of sexual fluids into the body of the practitioner, like that of ''[[vajroli mudra]]''.<ref name=Kiss/>

==Concept==
Maithuna entails male-female couples and their union in the physical, sexual sense as synonymous with [[kriya]] nishpatti (mature cleansing).<ref name=Devi>{{cite book |last=Devi |first=Kamala |title=The Eastern Way of Love |pages=19-27 |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |year=1977 |isbn=0-671-22448-4}}</ref> Just as neither spirit nor matter by itself is effective but both working together bring harmony so is maithuna effective only then when the union is [[consecrated]]. The couple become for the time being divine: she is [[Shakti]] and he is [[Shiva]], and they confront ultimate reality and experiences [[Ānanda_(Hindu_philosophy)|bliss]] through union. The scriptures warn that unless this spiritual transformation occurs, the union is incomplete.<ref>{{cite book |last=Garrison |first=Omar |title=Tantra: the Yoga of Sex |publisher=Causeway Books |year=1964 |page=103 |isbn=0-88356-015-1}}</ref> However, some writers, sects and schools like [[Yogananda]] consider this to be a purely mental and symbolic act, without actual intercourse.<ref name=Devi/>

Yet it is possible to experience a form of maithuna not solely just through the physical union. The act can exist on a metaphysical plane with sexual energy penetration, in which the shakti and shakta transfer energy through their [[Three_Bodies_Doctrine#Sukshma_sarira_-_subtle_body|subtle bodies]] as well. It is when this transfer of energy occurs that the couple, incarnated as goddess and god via diminished [[Ahamkara|egos]], confronts ultimate reality and experiences bliss through sexual union of the subtle bodies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bajracharya |first=Ramesh |title=Adi Buddha & Principal Buddhist deities: Concept & Practice in Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal |website=China Buddhism Encyclopedia |url=http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Adi_Buddha_&_Principal_Buddhist_deities:_Concept_&_Practice_in_Vajrayana_Buddhism_in_Nepal |access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=Elia/>

==References==
{{commons category|Mithuna}}

{{reflist|28em}}

{{Yoginis}}

[[Category:Tantric practices]]
[[Category:Hinduism and sexuality]]
[[Category:Religious sex rituals]]