Our life expectancy and health depend on three pillars. Charaka Samhita, the cient authoritative text of Ayurveda has given due importance to them. Proper care of these is essential to support life and health. Charaka has equated human body with a building. For making any building stable, role of pillar is undisputed. Similarly three pillars (Vata,Pitta and Kapha) and three supporting pillars (diet, sleep and regulated sex) are of great importance. These sub pillars - Ahara (diet), Nidra (Sleep) and Brahmacharya (regulated sex) are almost as important as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When all of these three are taken care of properly, the person is well endowed with strength, complexion and development till the full life span.

Out of the three sub pillars, regulated sex needs thorough understanding and evaluation on the basis of Ayurveda view point.

REGULATED SEX:

Sex plays very crucial role in our lives. It is as important as food. We all are end result of this very act. It fulfills our life with sense of completeness, by achieving progeny and adding the moments full of excitement and pleasure. Sex could be compared to food. Taking less food produces the state of malnutrition while over intake to obesity. Similarly less and unsatisfactory sex may be the cause of more psychological disturbance, further leading to various physical upsets. Over indulgence also produces physical as well as psychological problems. As adequate intake of food according to the requirement is beneficial for our health, similarly balanced sex is the key to happy and healthy life.

We are well aware about the status of sex in western countries. The approach of West of having more sex to get more pleasure needs debate. Ayurveda could help us to get appropriate answer. There may not be any universal amount of sex applicable to all. The appropriate amount of sex varies from person to person, depending upon their prakriti (constitution) age, season etc.

In Indian literature, sex has been symbolized as vital force required for creation and considered sacred, therefore, got place even in temples in the form of sculptures. Sun Temple of Orrissa and Temples of Khajuraho are the best examples of it. Ancient Indian text on sexology- Kamasutra has defined the sex‘ that which is fused with the soul and influenced by the mind, ear, skin, eye, tongue and nose, when functions related to these organs are pleasant and delightful.’

For application of Ayurvedic guidelines about sex, the person should know his bodily characteristics and exercising capabilities before indulging in the act. Controlled sexual urge is a sign of wisdom. By controlling the mind, an individual can enjoy regulated sex. This ensures a healthy and happy life.

Relation of sex with Doshas.

Doshas (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) are responsible to govern all the physical and mental functions. Both these functions get involved with the act of sex. Therefore, a balanced sex is very essential to balance Doshas. And for a healthy life balance of Dosha is mandatory.

In relation to sexuality, Vata is responsible for physical action. Desire of sex is governed by Pitta. Imbalance of Pitta is the cause of problems related to sexual desire. Kapha is responsible for sexual potency. The present life style, fast and competitive, is Vata provoking. It is responsible to decrease the activity of Kapha, thus producing problems related to potency. During the sexual act all the three Doshas get aggravated temporarily. In the initial stage Vata is on high followed by Pitta and Kapha dominates the last phase.

Know sexual status of persons of different Prakriti (constitutions or body type):

Personal status of any person regarding sex depends on his or her prakriti. He / she should involve in the act according to that, to avoid various physical as well as psychological problems. Knowing about Prakriti in relation to their sexual status is also very useful to understand the either partner to avoid misunderstandings.

i.                   Persons of Vata dominating constitution:

They don’t require much sex as a physical act, but their mental involvement is more. By too frequent sex, these persons get exhausted very easily.

ii.                   Persons of Pitta dominating constitution:

Sexual desire is high in Pitta persons. They are more romantic. They are able to make balance very easily.

iii.                  Persons of Kapha dominating constitution:

Arousal of these persons is slow but once they come up, show potency in full bloom. They can sustain very well to themselves during the game.

Now after understanding the Ayurvedic concepts, we hope that the reader of this article would be more comfortable to understand the sex and its natural and healthy way of application.