Mythology and Sexuality
Religious myths play an important role in regulating human sexual behavior since time immemorial. In different religions, sexual desires are often seen as something that needs to be controlled and subdued, but at the same time, they can also be used for procreation and reproduction. Religious texts have always had their own way of understanding the nature of sexual desires and how it fits into the larger scheme of things. Mythology is one such means through which religion has tried to reconcile sexual desire with obligations to God, community, and relational partners. It is essential to understand this relationship between mythology and sexuality to comprehend its impact on society's moral values regarding sexuality.
The Role of Mythology in Reconciling Sexual Desire
Mythology plays a significant part in defining social norms around sex. By establishing rules and guidelines, religious mythology has helped to shape societal views about sexuality and intimacy.
Many religions consider premarital or extramarital sex to be sinful, while others advocate monogamy and chastity.
Some traditions allow polygamy or polyandry, recognizing them as ways to fulfill sexual desires within certain parameters. In Hinduism, Shiva is known as the god who can never resist his sexual urges and is often depicted in an erotic pose. This suggests that religious mythologies recognize the need to balance sexual desire with other aspects of life like family, work, and spirituality.
Reconciling Sexual Desire with Obligations to God
Religion has been successful in reconciling sexual desires by presenting different myths that emphasize various principles related to divine power. One example is the story of Adam and Eve from Christianity. According to Genesis 2:18-24, after creating mankind, God put him in the Garden of Eden and told him to cultivate it. To ensure that he does not get lonely, God created woman out of his rib for companionship. Thus, from this point of view, the biblical story provides a reason why men should marry women rather than satisfy their sexual desires alone. The Old Testament also mentions the story of Lot, who was asked to leave Sodom because of its immoral behavior. It highlighted the importance of living a moral lifestyle free from promiscuity. Similarly, Islam discourages sexual relations outside marriage and encourages marriages at a young age.
Reconciling Sexual Desire with Community
Mythology plays a significant role in establishing community norms regarding sex.
The story of Pandava brothers in Mahabharata teaches people about the value of fidelity in relationships. In this epic, Draupadi's husband had five husbands, but she remained loyal to all of them. This story reinforces the idea that sexual desire must be controlled for the well-being of society as a whole. Similarly, the story of Krishna and Radha illustrates the need to balance sexual urges with spiritual pursuits. Krishna is considered an incarnation of Vishnu and is known for his love affairs with several gopis (milkmaids).
He did not have any children with them, which shows the distinction between physical pleasure and spiritual fulfillment.
Reconciling Sexual Desire with Relational Partners
Religious mythologies provide numerous examples of how couples can reconcile their sexual desires within marriage.
The Ramayana narrative features Rama, who goes into exile to satisfy his wife's wishes without losing his virtue. The Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of keeping one's sensory desires under control while performing duties towards family and society. Mithila stories from Nepal highlight women's satisfaction with monogamy and suggest that they should stay faithful to their husbands even if they are unfaithful. These examples show that religious mythologies recognize the importance of balancing sexual desires with obligations to spouses and partners.
How do religious myths reconcile sexual desire with obligations to God, community, and relational partners?
Religious myths have often depicted sexual desire as a powerful force that must be controlled for it not to disrupt individuals' relationships with God, community, and relational partners. In some cultures, people are taught from childhood that their sexual urges should only be expressed within marriage or a committed relationship. This view may suggest that sexual desires can potentially cause conflicts with one's spiritual commitments if they are indulged outside of those bounds.