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KAM meaning "deep desire", "uncontrolled longing", "lust", "sensuality or lasciviousness" is considered one of the five cardinal sins or sinful traits in Sikhi. In common usage, the term stands for excessive passion especially for sexual pleasure and it is in this sense that it is considered an evil in Sikhism.
In Brahmanical literature kam is not always condemned. Kam as Kamadeva is a god in the Hindu pantheon comparable to Eros of Greek mythology and Cupid of the Romans, and is as such not contradictory to spiritual life.
Kam (gratification of desire) is in Hinduism is one of the four objectives (purusarthas) of human life, the other three being artha (acquirement of wealth), dharma (discharge of duty), and moksa (final emancipation). Jainism and Buddhism, which arose as protest movements against Brahmanical ritualism and superstition, however looked upon kam with horror. The Gurus rejected Brahmanical superstition as well as self-mortifying austerities.
In Sikhism Kam is not only unrestricted gratification of carnal desires, but also any urge or impulse which needs to be kept under check like other impulses and passions. Unrestrained tendency towards kam, especially sexual relationship outside the marital bond, is condemned in the strongest terms in Sikh code of conduct as well as in the holy Scripture. It is a destructive evil and a deadly sin. .....More
