Kama, literally means intense desire, is one of the ends of
life (purusharthas) in Hinduism. Kama is instinctual, states Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad. Adi Shankaracharya explains that kama is the reason for man’s action
and effort. This principle has been established in Katha Upanishad, the
Bhagavad Gita, and Manusmriti, as also in many Hindu scriptures.
The cosmogonic hymns in Rig Veda (10.129) refer to kama as
the first seed of the mind and the generator of this creation as the great
desire of the Cosmic Being.
Kama is deified in Atharva Veda (9. 2; 19, 52); yet he is
not a God of love as in the later literature, but a God who fulfills all
desires. His arrows, with which he pierces hearts, are referred to in Atharva
Veda (III.25). He is also described as the first born (IX. 2).
When desire for an object manifests and then becomes
deep-rooted without hindrance, the action is performed well and hence the result
is definitely obtained. Thus the worldly cycle is set in motion. Hence, kama is
an extremely important aspect of man. It is for this reason that man himself is
referred to very emphatically as mamatmamaya – kamamaya evadyam purushau
(Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5)
Kama is one of the trivarga (three aims) of active life as
per Hinduism; the other two being dharma and artha.
The Mahabharata states that ‘delight which the five senses
with the mind and the heart find in the surrounding world of objects is called
kama, and it is the highest fruit of action.
Kamasutra of Vatsyayana also states that kama is a just
inclination of the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch,
accompanied by mind and prompted by the heart towards their respective objects.
In Manusmriti (2.94) it is said that kama is recurrent even
after its fulfillment, just as ghee poured as oblation in fire makes the flame
rise even higher. The Bhagavad Gita also speaks of kama as mahashana, the
insatiable consumer. Man twofold desires; the attainment of desired objects and
the avoidance of the undesired.
Kama also indicates sensual desire. It can mean desire for
enjoyment of sex, wealth, unguents and garlands. The life of householder is
prescribed as the righteous means of utilizing kama for a noble purpose. The important
purpose of a marriage is dharma and dharmika progeny. This is the resolution
that is recited at the marriage ritual.
Since the various aspects of kama do admit of analysis and
deep study, and since kama is the root cause of all human activities, the lore
dealing with it came to be called Kamashastra.