Kaam (
Gurmukhi: ਕਾਮ ''Kāma'') in common usage, the term stands for 'excessive passion for
sexual pleasure' and it is in this sense that it is considered to be an evil in Sikhism.
In Sikhism it is believed that Kaam can be overcome by being satisfied with the current moment. All 5 thieves can be overcome with
selfless service and remembrance of God (
Simran).
Sikh Guru teachings
The
Gurus
Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverential ...
rejected lust. Yet they recognized the four ''
Purusarthas''—referred to in
Gurbani as ''char
Padarath
Padarath ( pa, ਪਦਾਰਥੁ, lit=treasure, wealth) is used in Sikhism for a "step of spiritual Enlightenment." In the Guru Granth Sahib, the term ''padarath'' is used for temporal, as well as spiritual, attainments. There are four "Spiritual ...
s'', or the four human pursuits—as the Granth Sahib declares "
Dharma
Dharma (; sa, धर्म, dharma, ; pi, dhamma, italic=yes) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. Although there is no direct single-word translation for '' ...
,
Artha, Kam and
Moksha follow God's devotee like shadow" (SGGS 1320). However, in Sikhism, Kaam is not unrestricted gratification of carnal desires, but an impulse which needs to be kept under check like other impulses and passions. Unrestrained propensity towards Kam, especially sexual relationship outside the marital bond, is condemned in the strongest terms in Sikh codes of conduct as well as in the Scripture. It is a destructive evil and a deadly sin. Kaam is heavily discouraged as it "can build barriers against God in their lives."
To quote
Guru Arjan, Nanak V:
Guru Tegh Bahadur, Nanak IX, says:
Bhai Gurdas describes an ideal Sikh as one who is loyal to his wife and "regards all other women as mothers, sisters and daughters" (Varan, XXIX. 11).
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh (; 22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), born Gobind Das or Gobind Rai the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. When his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was executed by Aurangzeb, Guru Gobind Sing ...
also said: "Love your own wedded wife ever so more, but do not go to another woman's bed even in a dream." Sikh codes of conduct strictly prohibit extramarital relations.
While prescribing self-control and restraint and not total annihilation of kam, the Gurus suggested two ways of channelizing and sublimating it. On the one hand, they pronounced grihastha or married life to be the ideal one, and, on the other laid down love of God and absorption in His Name as the essential principle of spiritual discipline. Guru Gobind Singh says, "Hear ye all, I proclaim here the truth: only they who love God find Him." The image of a devotee most common in
Sikh scripture
The principal Sikh scripture is the Adi Granth (First Scripture), more commonly called the Guru Granth Sahib. The second most important scripture of the Sikhs is the Dasam Granth. Both of these consist of text which was written or authorised by th ...
is one of a wife deeply in love with her husband presently separated from him, and waiting, craving, praying for a reunion with him. Such fervent devotion cannot but bridle the wayward passion in man. According to
Guru Arjan, a person who has cultivated the love of the Lord’s feet would desire neither kingship, worldly power, or even mukti or liberation (GG 534).
See also
*''
Kama'', a word with a similar meaning
References
{{Sikh-stub
Sexuality and religion
Sikh philosophical concepts