蜜芽传媒

Good morning. Last weekend, Carl Djerassi, celebrated as the Father of the Pill died. In 1951, he created a synthetic form of progesterone that was developed into the first oral contraceptive for women. Much later, he reflected how his inadvertent discovery had sparked such a major social revolution. Which it undoubtedly did.

Only a few years earlier, Robert Oppenheimer had watched the detonation of the atom bomb and quoted from the Bhagavad-gita: kaalo'smi -I am death. But, the Gita contains another phrase from Krishna that Carl Djerassi could have himself quoted - one more in keeping with the "make love, not war" generation that he helped to liberate: kaamo'smi - I am sex life.

Although modern Hinduism appears conservative in matters of sex, the tradition can hardly be called prudish. The famed, though generally misunderstood, Kaama-sutra is a respected part of its literary heritage. And, many of the ancient temples, particularly in South India, are decorated with the images of demigods and goddesses cavorting in sexual passion. I remember meeting one Hindu gentleman who had taken his son on a tour of the temples to help with his sex education - not recommended!

The Gita warns about the extremes of both repression and over-indulgence So, fulfilling natural bodily needs is part of a balanced human life. But, there is a negative effect if we engage in any activity excessively.

But, sex is special, says the Vedic tradition; it is the most powerful of all sensual experiences and is an undeniable urge of the physical body - like thirst or hunger. It cannot be ignored or denied by repression. Hinduism has a tradition of celibacy & abstinence for those wishing to distance themselves from regular society - a path suitable for a few highly renounced souls. But, the option is there. Sexual desire either needs to be transcended by serious spiritual or advanced yoga practice (not available at your local leisure centre) or it requires to be safely and responsibly fulfilled.

Perhaps most importantly, sex is part of a relationship, a way of expressing love and affection with our partner. It cements the bonds of marriage and builds social and family cohesion.

The images of frolicking gods and goddesses may adorn the exteriors of the temples - but not the inside. Entering a temple means leaving such unbridled exuberance behind and being mindful of the inherent personal and social responsibilities required to engage in any aspect of sense enjoyment - and particularly of sex.

As Carl Djerassi realised: science affects society. And, his contraceptive pill has certainly given society formidable freedom and opportunities. But we need to understand the moral responsibilities that come with those freedoms.

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