Kama means “Desire” and is the third of the four Purusharthas (objects of human pursuit).
Kama does not mean just sex or lust. Kama means all kinds of desires, be it biological, physical or material. According to Wikipedia, Kama signifies desire, wish, passion, emotions, pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life and affection or love.
Advaita Vedanta recognises the importance of satisfying basic human desires. For the overall development of a healthy personality, it is important to have sexual satisfaction, procreation and happy married life. But Vedic Philosophy also insists that the Kama (desires) be pursued strictly in accordance with the Dharma (righteousness).
The modern materialistic world believes in just “Eat, drink and be merry”. But the overindulgence in merrymaking could lead to exhaustion, addiction, greed, lust, detestation, dissatisfaction, disquiet and depression.
Interestingly in a way Advaita Vedanta also says, “Eat, drink and be merry” using the Artha (money) earned and without crossing the line of Dharma (honesty). But the intention of Vedic Philosophy encouraging us to clearly “indulge” in enjoying what this world has to offer is to finally realise the temporariness and momentariness of such pleasures.
The idea is to eventually gain the wisdom and become successful in reducing the desires. This is what is called Viveka (reasoning and discriminative wisdom) of Sadhana Chatustaya meaning fourfold qualifications that need to be acquired so that not only one could get detached from Kama but also start an intense effort to attain the ultimate goal of Advaita which is Self-Realisation.
According to Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad (4.4.5), “You are what your deepest desire is. As is your desire, so is your intention. As is your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your deed. As is your deed, so is your destiny”.
See Also:
- What is Dharma?
- What is Artha?
- What is Moksha?
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