Sikhi on masturbating
Masturbation is mostly seen during the adolescence period as this is the period when the newly discovered natural sexual sensations of the body first need to be satisfied; as the person may not have a partner, one of the options available is to resort to masturbation. It is a function which provides self pleasure (sexual pleasure using ones own or others hands i.e without penile - vag|nal penetration).
Gurbani does not address this topic directly but various passages deal with sexual desire, with lust, with the concept of thinking about sex, etc. Masturbation usually occurs as a result of kam/lust/sexual desire and maximum comes when mind is empty. If there is no sexual desire in one's mind, it is unlikely that the person would resort to masturbation. The action of masturbation is sparked off due to sexual thoughts in one's mind. Sexual thoughts if unchecked can lead to this type of activity. Masturbation is not Bujjer Kurehit but it is not spoken as part of Rehat.
Gurbani
Below are quotations from the Guru Granth Sahib which address the issues relating to sex and sexual desire (Kam) and other such topics. It is clear from these verses that the need to check one's sexual desire is a necessary requirement of a Sikh.
Thieves of the mind and body
This tuk below tells us that within the body and mind are present "thieves" like sexual desire:
| SGGS Page 1194 Full Shabad |
| Bhagat Kabir (Ang 1194, line 14)
ਇਸੁ ਤਨ ਮਨ ਮਧੇ ਮਦਨ ਚੋਰ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨੁ ਹਿਰਿ ਲੀਨ ਮੋਰ ॥ |
It can be seen from this shabad that these thieves are a natural phenomena; the presence of sexual thoughts and desires is a function that is present in the minds of most people. If unchecked, these thieves will overpower the person's mind and consequently, the person's spiritual evolution will be sacrificed. If the thief of sexual desire is not restrained, it will leads to masturbation.
Naam is far but other tastes seem sweet
In this Shabad, the Guru tells us that if one does not control the mind, the mind can get engrossed in various worldly desires like sexual desire and if this is allowed to dominate the mind, it will lead to the person becoming blind to Naam, the name of the Lord.
| ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਕਾਮਿ ਵਿਆਪਿਆ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚਿਤਿ ॥ Ahinis kām vi▫āpi▫ā vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā anḏẖule nām na cẖiṯ. ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਹੋਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਰਸ ਕਸ ਮੀਠੇ ॥ |
| sggs page 75 |
As a result, the person will develop a taste for worldly enjoyments and forget about God, the Creator and Provider.
Abandoning ones life partner
In the following Shabads, the Guru clarifies the need to restrain ones sexual relations to just ones partner and not to allow your thoughts to wonder outside the one and only sexual relationship that is allowed in Sikhism.
| ਹਾਥ ਕਮੰਡਲੁ ਕਾਪੜੀਆ ਮਨਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਉਪਜੀ ਭਾਰੀ ॥ Hāth kamandal kāpṛī▫ā man ṯarisnā upjī bẖārī. ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤਜਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਾਮਿ ਵਿਆਪਿਆ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇਆ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ॥ |
| sggs page 1013 |
Painful diseases
The Guru states that promiscuous behavior will bring painful diseases to the person.
| ਭੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਦੁਖੁ ਰੋਗ ਵਿਆਪੈ ॥ Bẖogī kao ḏukẖ rog viāpai. |
| sggs page 1189 |
Other Gurbani
ਬੂਝੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਬਿਖੁ ਜਾਰੋ ॥॥
Būjẖī ṯarisnā sahj suhelā kām kroḏẖ bikẖ jāro.
My thirst is quenched, and I have been intuitively embellished.
The poisons of sexual desire and anger have been burnt away.
Guru Arjan Dev(Ang 1215, line 2) (SGGS p1215)
Masturbation not only burns your spiritual life but fails to provide any long term satisfaction for the mind. The Guru tells us that the thirst of the mind and body cannot be quenched by worldly pleasures; these are "poisons" and so best subdued and controlled as far as possible.
See also
External links
- Wikipedia
- What is masturbation?
- [Top 10 Fact Sheet on Masturbation
- MASTURBATION a scientific paper
- Steps in Overcoming Masturbation
