Human life is supposed to be the most progressive compared to all organisms. The significance of human life has been emphasized many times by our various Acharyas. The difference between us and all other living beings is the fact that humans have the ability to think, make decisions and be biased (Viveka), whereas other beings live life according to their instinct innate from birth.
Hence, we have the power to distinguish between good and bad or right and wrong and to exercise “Free-Will” to act accordingly is what makes our life unique and special. It is because of this capability a person can work himself to satisfy his desires and meet his goals.
Pornographic content is widespread and has become more popular in today’s world. Is it a sin to watch porn? Why? And if you find yourself addicted to it, how can you stop it?
What Hindu Texts Say About Sexuality
The idea of sexuality is different for everyone. For some, it means the act of sex and sexual activity, and for some, it could mean sexual orientation or identity and for others, it could also mean passion and eroticism. Sexuality contains many ideas and has many aspects. The definition of sexuality has been growing along with our knowledge of it.
Sex is considered the greatest force of creation with the primary objective of reproduction. Ancient Hindu scriptures and the Vedas talk about sex as essential to life and spirituality.
Acknowledgment of the Third Sex
- The Vedic period acknowledged three sexes: male (pums prakriti), female (stri prakriti), and third sex (tritiya prakriti).
- Homosexuals and transgenders were included under the “Third Sex” and treated with respect.
- Homosexuals were neither pushed into marriage nor punished under ancient laws.
Interconnection of Sex and Spirituality
- Vedas metaphorically found a link between spirituality and sexuality, as seen in legends like Shiva and Ganga.
- Traditional symbols like the fire pit symbolise female anatomy, connecting creation and spirituality.
Sex in Vedic Society
- Sex was believed to be essential for societal continuity but mainly for procreation.
- Children conceived in that joyful moment grow up healthier and happier.
- Many temple carvings celebrated sexual association openly.
Current Taboo Nature vs. Ancient Acceptance
- Unlike current times, ancient Hinduism recognized sex as natural and fundamental and incorporated it into religious and cultural traditions.
Sexuality in Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Childhood and Early Sexual Awareness
- A naturalistic approach to sexuality and nudity is prevailing in rural areas.
- These young adults are equipped with their skills for future domestic roles, with girls considered more proficient in love and sexual pleasures.
Adolescents and Sexual Experiences
- A study found the first sexual experiences happened between ages 15-24, with 38% of women conveying same-sex experiences.
Is Watching Porn Considered a Sin in Hinduism?
Before we answer the question – is watching porn a sin in Hinduism? – let us first comprehend the word “sin”. What is considered sinful? For many people, what comes to mind is the distinguishment of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.
This description of sin, however, is minimal. The original meaning for the word sin holds the weight and meaning of ‘missing the mark’ or ‘steering off course’ from the life that God has created for us to live.
When it comes to pornography and Hinduism, although there is no explicit restriction on pornography, Hindus claim that pornographic content, prostitution, and lust lead to adultery. Pornography is said to create lust in our minds, which is an idea expressed as a harmful obsession for sexual activity.
Pornography is not a new idea but it wasn’t widespread around the time when most religions were created.
As the main objective of sex is to reproduce, premarital sex has always not been appreciated.
Most religions have strict rules regarding sex and anything related to it when it’s for pleasure.
“From anger, delusion arises, and from delusion, confusion of memory. When memory is confused, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool.”
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita talks about the perils of surrendering to negative feelings and the resultant mess of the mind. By practising self-discipline and refraining from indulging in harmful stimuli like pornography, one can sustain clearness of thought and spiritual progress.
Impact of Pornography on Mental and Spiritual Well-Being
Porn is one of the most addictive behaviours, and it has the ability to destroy our health, our general and spiritual well-being.
The entire issue is the act of using something as natural as sex and then consuming it in a way in which it is not intended.
During sexual activity, the brain emits dopamine, which evokes the pleasure centre of the brain. This makes sex pleasurable with your partner and creates a passion to continue, often resulting in reproduction. Porn can overstimulate the brain, causing too much dopamine.
Hence, some receptors in the brain shut down and you will find the need to watch porn more frequently and be more enthusiastic to achieve the same initial experience. That is how the addiction begins!
See My Husband Addicted to Pornography, Here’s the Solution
Impact of pornography in your life –
1] Lesser interest in life –
A typical dopamine release in the brain creates our average pleasant experiences in our lives. However, when it is stimulated in excess, the dopamine receptors from watching porn can cause the brain to shut down many of them. This affects your everyday life by making them less enjoyable than they were. Happiness can seem impossible.
2] Depression –
When you lose interest in life, it slowly causes a person to feel quiet or dull without emotion. The real issue starts when the individual realizes that the only thing that makes them happy is porn, resulting in an even stronger addiction. This results in a decreased self-worth system which can sometimes have harmful results.
3] Anxiety –
When the only thing that creates happiness is porn, anxiety sets in when the dopamine levels are low.
4] Relationship problems –
When we watch porn, there is a lack of bonding to the screen when we are looking at sexual arousal. The truth is, when we always have sexual arousal and orgasms without having any genuine connection, we begin to instruct our brains to treat people like objects, especially our partners.
5] Spiritual effects –
Pornography use is harmful in how it affects our connection to God and our capability to feel the Spirit. It goes against our beliefs and God’s education, and it brings darkness into our lives. With consistent use, it can isolate us from feeling God’s love.
We may experience this in the following ways:
- Feelings of shame or guilt.
- Thinking that we cannot retrieve the companionship of God
- Feeling that we cannot be saved.
- Having a deformed view of God.
- Not acting upon our belief that God can heal us.
How to Overcome Porn Addiction Through Hindu Practices
Now that we know the answer to the question “Is watching porn a sin in Hinduism?”
The healing process has continued phases of ups and downs before you can reach the stage to overcome your addiction. However, the path to recovery is a long one. Even those with a string mindset can have relapses. That doesn’t mean that it is impossible to overcome addiction.
1] Fitness
Fitness can have benefits in the aspects of physical, emotional, and mental health. Frequent exercise secretes serotonin- an anti-stress hormone that encourages a sense of well-being.
Working on your fitness entirely impacts your brain. It helps you focus on critical aspects by bringing energy and positivity to your life. Focusing on a fitness schedule helps repair the natural process of your body. It helps you get quality sleep by relieving sudden panic attacks.
2] Mindfulness
Addiction can create an escape from reality. It is easy to sidestep the stress and anxiety when you are caught in a trap of porn addiction. Because of the Internet world, we are swamped with information. There is always curiosity brushing our minds. Mindfulness is the best way to obtain acceptance in life and deal with reality.
3] Boundaries
Marking a boundary will not make you less desirable. It’s defending yourself against the situations and people that trigger you. In your journey to overcome porn addiction, you will have to say no to plans that make you have a setback.
4] Kriya Yoga
A deep Hindu spiritual practice to manage the root causes of obsessive and addictive behaviours, though it requires time and a firm will.
5] Tantric Philosophy
A faster but difficult path that welcomes self-acceptance and meditation, transcending cravings without guilt. Practitioners must be careful to avoid misuse or harm.
How to Stop Watching Porn through BlockP?
BlockP is a free porn blocker application which helps users quit their porn addiction by blocking explicit content entirely on their websites and device. It is available both as a Chrome extension and as a mobile application in Android and iOS. It has features like real-time filtering, blocking applications, and restricting websites or keyword blocking.
It also has some unique features, like Focus Mode, password protection, and AI blocking, which allows you to handle which sites you can access.
BlockP has several benefits including:
- Multi-platform blocking feature which protects you on any device you use
- Real-time content blocking to protect you from accidental viewing of adult content.
- Password protection to prevent you from changing the settings.
- Community support of like-minded people on the same path
- Focus mode to increase productivity but decrease triggers
FAQs on Is Watching Porn a Sin in Hinduism?
1] Can Hindus watch porn
Self-pleasure and watching porn are not prohibited but can be considered a sin if the individual has wrong intentions and is filled with thoughts of lust.
2] Is watching porn a sin in the bible
Watching porn is only considered a sin when it stems from lust, which the Bible often warns against.
3] Will god forgive me for watching bad things in Hinduism
Forgiveness is an important virtue and is a way to gain redemption. The concept of karma acts here – while actions have effects, seeking forgiveness can reduce the negative karma.
4] Is sexting a sin in Hinduism
Sexting is not a sin & you can do it but it is allowed only with your partner as infidelity is considered a grave sin in Hinduism
