Page 40 - NAMAH January 2016
P. 40
Namah Vol. 23, Issue 4, 15th January 2016
surrounded by dirty and hungry people places were barred. Sneezing, eating and
when eating. sleeping in public were also contra-indicated
in the Eyurveda classics (4).
Ethics towards women
Sexual activities and ethics
In the Eyurveda classics, various aspects in
the lives of women have been categorically Eyurveda laid clinical emphasis on sexual
projected and values at each and every stage activities. Eyurveda maintains that sexual
have also been depicted. Social behaviour activities are for the attainment of healthy
towards women is especially covered. progeny and not for pleasure. This view-
Women were treated with respect in ancient point includes regulations regarding the
times. However, it was advised that one assessment of physical and mental status,
should not be excessively dependent on strength of partners, disease-status, social
women and should not discuss official status and relationship, proper and adequate
secrets with them (3). preparations, forbidden times, seasonal
adjustments, etc. However, most angles in
Ethics for the prevention of diseases this regard have been studied, evaluated and
documented in the purview of individual
Prevention is given more importance than and social health.
therapeutics in Eyurveda. Various ethical
standpoints have been set for this line of Psychology plays a major role in sexual
medicine. This includes proper eating, rules relations: hence the partner should be loved,
regarding adequate body posture, non- good-looking, prepared for sexual relations
suppression of natural urges, proper methods and possess pleasant manners. To avoid
for the disposal of physiological excretory sexually transmitted diseases and to maintain
products like sputum, faeces, urine, etc. The a social dignity and tranquillity, several
suppression of natural urges was strongly criteria have been mentioned. Vaginal
rejected and seen as a causative factor for intercourse with one’s own wife is advised.
many diseases. Environmental hygiene Menstruating women, ill women (especially
played a crucial role in the preservation of those suffering from infectious diseases) and
community health. On the other hand, it impure women were considered inapprop-
was understood that poor environmental riate for sexual relations. One should indulge
hygiene led to various diseases which are in sexual contact only after taking ssukra-
mainly transmitted through water, food, enhancing substances like milk, with full
air, soil, etc. Field defecation was in practice desire and after a proper erection in a private
in ancient times, but various criteria to place. One should not indulge in such acts
choose the place and procedures to avoid on an empty stomach or after intake of a
contamination of water, soil, etc, were heavy meal, when exhausted, while
documented in Eyurveda. Defecation, suppressing natural urges, in a public
micturition and spitting against the wind, place or under a holy tree, in house of a
in front of fire, water, sun, moon, braahmanna, braahmanna or of a teacher or in a place of
teacher, on the roadside and in other public worship. Regarding the timing, mornings,
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