Maithuna

[3] Maithuna means the union of opposing forces, underlining the nonduality between human and divine,[3] as well as worldly enjoyment (kama) and spiritual liberation (moksha).It is when this transfer of energy occurs that the couple, incarnated as goddess and god via diminished egos, confronts ultimate reality and experiences bliss through sexual union of the subtle bodies.[9] As part of tantric inversion of social regulations, sexual yoga often recommends the usage of consorts from the most taboo groups available, such as close relatives or people from the lowest sections of society.[10] Jayanta Bhatta, the 9th-century scholar of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy and who commented on Tantra literature, stated that the Tantric ideas and spiritual practices are mostly well placed, but it also has "immoral teachings" such as by the so-called "Nilambara" sect where its practitioners "wear simply one blue garment, and then as a group engage in unconstrained public sex" on festivals.[1] This is related to similar practices like rajapana, the drinking of female discharge found in Kaula Tantra, and the mixing of all five ingredients into nectar (amrita) in the Jagannatha temple of Puri, as described by Frédérique Apffel-Marglin.
Loving Couple, Maithuna, Eastern Ganga dynasty, 13th century Orissa, India
Maithuna at Khajuraho
Maithuna, Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho
Mithuna (moth)Mithuna (month)DevanagariSanskritsexual intercourseTantraTantric sexPanchamakaranondualitymokshaancient Hindu artconsecratedShaktiYoganandaKhajurahosemen retentionmetonymytarpanaShaiviteMantramargaBrahmaBhikshatanaJayanta BhattaHindu philosophyAbhinavaguptaToḍala tantravajroli mudraamritaJagannathaFrédérique Apffel-MarglinanimisticWhite, David GordonEliade, MirceaSimon & SchusterFlood, Gavin D.YoginisApsaraBhairaviDakiniMatrikaVajrayoginiYakshiniYogini templesBhedaghatHirapurRanipur JharialMitaoliWomen in HinduismYoga for women