Kama Sutra is written from the male perspective, and as far as my research goes, was intended for the upper class royals and similarly highly educated folk (sanskrit literature). There are various theories on erotic temple sculpture, and some of them are very prudish indeed such as, “the outside walls of our temples represent the life we need to leave behind once we enter into the sacred interior of the holy space”.

From my readings of Vedic supplementary texts, I have not gleaned an extremely permissable society, especially not for women. I also have gleaned that covering of a woman’s hair (and possibly even the face) was something that possibly could have been existent in South Asia prior to the advent of Islam.

I think the combination of ancient Indian ideals in regards the behaviour of “chaste women” and the glorification of rishis and sages who were either lifelong celibates or eventual vanaprasthas and sanyasis at the end of their married life, as well as later Islamic and Victorian influences are definetly a part of the dysfunctions around women and sexuality we experience in India today.

Funny, when I see the issues that are being dealt with in India right now, I see a parallel in all of the religious groups that are Indian influenced here in the West, the ones I’m exposed to anyway.

While the West may have progressed, there is an element of backwardsness in many of us who have adopted Indian religions as our own. It is as if we substituted one set of dysfunctions for another, and in many cases, one set of healthy native functions for unhealthy, foreign dysfunctions.

The case for such is especially strong in ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness), yet I cannot say that my own sect is totally free either.

Issues regarding the place of women, sexuality, celibacy and transgenderism are also being tackled by us Westerners who have adopted some sort of an “Indian model” towards life.

The parrallels are striking.

The current rape and death of a young ISKCON girl in India by a local guy has really spurred some consciousness raising.

I missed out on the feminist revolution here in USA. But it looks like I’m just in time for India’s.

And make no mistake – religion, sexuality, celibacy, transgenderism, these are all feminist issues.

Rose ain’t no Christian name, yo!

In the anecdote above what makes you think that they are walking the streets and rolling in wealth.

I couldn’t help but think that if they were to show up at the Flushing or Pittsburgh or Pearland or whatever other US temples, that the pujaris and the others assembled there wouldn’t be nearly as cordial…

But anyways, later that week I actually had a more in depth conversation with a few of them that spoke English-and their life is all but hunky dory-by and large, they’re looked down upon and don’t have many options other than working the streets. They’re harrassed by the cops quite often as well (at least according to what they say) It’s a pretty sad situation.