The Meaning of Smara Sādhanā in The Kama Tattwa Manuscripts
Jurnal Penelitian Agama Hindu April 8, 2026 Gede Agus Siswadi, Lasiyo Lasiyo, Rr. Siti Murtiningsih
In Balinese Hindu manuscripts, sacred sexuality (Smara Sādhanā) is a spiritual practice rooted in Tantrāyāna non-dualism, where sexual union symbolizes and actualizes the unity of consciousness (Puruṣa) and creative energy (Prakṛti). The body is a microcosm, and sexual union becomes a medium for attaining higher consciousness (ānanda). Knowledge of sexuality comes from sacred texts, direct experience, reasoning, and spiritual realization. The texts challenge reductionist views, presenting sexuality as a path of spiritual transformation integrated with dharma and ethical relations, aiming to prevent deviant sexual behavior by framing sex as sacred activity.