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:
ਇਸ ਤਨ ਮਨ ਮਧੇ ਮਦਨ ਚੋਰ ॥ is tan man maDhay madan chor. ਜਿਨਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨ ਹਿਰਿ ਲੀਨ ਮੋਰ ॥ |
sggs page 1194 |
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 ਮਿਤਰਾ ਅੰਧਲੇ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਚਿਤਿ ॥ Ahinis kĝm vi▫ĝpi▫ĝ vaṇjĝri▫ĝ miṯrĝ anḝẖule nĝm na cẖiṯ. ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ 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 ਕਮੰਡਲ ਕਾਪੜੀਆ ਮਨਿ ਤਰਿਸਨਾ ਉਪਜੀ ਭਾਰੀ ॥ Hĝth kamandal kĝpṛīĝ man ṯarisnĝ upjī bẖĝrī. ਇਸਤਰੀ ਤਜਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਾਮਿ ਵਿਆਪਿਆ ਚਿਤ ਲਾਇਆ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ॥
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sggs page 1013 |
Painful diseases
The Guru states that promiscuous behavior will bring painful diseases to the person.
ਭੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਦਖ ਰੋਗ ਵਿਆਪੈ ॥ Bẖogī kao ḝukẖ rog viĝpai.
|
sggs page 1189 |
Other Gurbani
ਬੂਝੀ ਤਰਿਸਨਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਹੇਲਾ ਕਾਮ ਕਰੋਧ ਬਿਖ ਜਾਰੋ ॥
बूझी तढ़रिसना सहजि सढ़हेला कामढ़ कढ़रोधढ़ बिखढ़ जारो ॥
boojhee tarisnaa sahj suhaylaa kaam kroDh bikh jaaro.
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)
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