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Maithuna

Skt., maithuna, mithuna, mithunam

Tantric/Sanskrit term most often translated as "coupling" or "sexual union" in a ritual context. It is the most important of the five makara and constitutes the main part of the Grand Ritual of Tantra variously known as Panchamakara, Panchatattva, Tattva Chakra etc..
Although some writers, sects and schools consider this to be a purely mental and symbolical act, a look at different variations (and translations) of the word maithuna clearly shows that it refers to male-female couples and their union in the physical, sexual sense and is synonymous with kriya nishpatti (mature cleansing).

1. Mithuna
• paired polarity
• couple
• loving couple
• the amorously entwined couples that feature on Indian high-relief's and statues found in temples such as Khajuraho, Konarak etc.
• The zodiacal sign of Gemini, which in India is no figure of twins as in the West, but that of a man and woman representing meithoun, which is derived from the Sanskrit mithuna, a couple.
2. Mithunam
• Sexual union, copulation, intercourse (Sanskrit)
3. Maithuna
• Sacramental intercourse
• Sexual union, whether symbolical or actual physical coition
4. Maithunam dravyam
• the unrefined fluid from intercourse (D.G. White, p. 84)

An enlightening quote that addresses the question whether or not maithuna should be actually practiced (in the flesh) or merely visualized (in the mind) can be found in the Chandamaharosana Tantra. Here the goddess Vajrayogini clearly says to the aspiring initiate that he should do it "physically if he can, or mentally and verbally if he cannot."

Follows the complete quote so no one can think it may have been taken out of context:

"Kissing and embracing, he should always worship Vajrayogini. Physically if he can, or mentally and verbally if he cannot. The aspirant who satisfies me wins the supreme attainment. I am identical to the bodies of all women and there is no way that I can be worshipped except by the worship of women. Visualizing that she is fully my embodiment, he should make love to his woman. Because of uniting the vajra (linga) and padma (lotus, yoni), I will grant enlightenment." (Miranda Shaw, p. 154)

Maithuna, like the other makara, is often surrounded with a number of ritual requirements such as nyasa (ritual seqeunce of touching parts of the body) and mantra (chanting). One such mantric text, a male version, can be found in the Parananda Sutra, according to which the man must chant the following prayer: "I take this divine woman who has drunk wine, who always makes my heart full of bliss, and helps in my sadhana."