Sex and its impact on humanity's relationship with the divine is a
             concept that cultures and philosophies around the world have struggled with
             for centuries. Eros is "the drive of life, love, creativity and sexuality,
             self-satisfaction, and species preservation" (Easton). In The Epic of
             Gilgamesh, translated by Benjamin R. Foster, and The Bhagavad-Gita,
             translated by Barbara Stoler Miller, the notion of eros is complex and
             multi-layered. Gilgamesh exults in the connection to the divine through
             this life drive while The Bhagavad-Gita presents sexual denial as a
             stepping stone on the path to brahman - "the supreme existence or absolute
             reality, the font of all things" ("brahman"). In studying both texts, we
             see that the consideration of eros is necessary for individuals to find and
             define their connection with the gods.
             The Epic of Gilgamesh posits that sexual union between individuals is
             sacred and enlightening. Sex provides a foundation for building a
             civilization and is the source of community. Enkidu, before his encounter
             with Shamhat, was pure and chaste. He was a threat to the way of life
             within the human community that surrounded him. He lived as an animal; "he
             [...] helped the beasts, wildlife of the steppe, slip from [the hunter's]
             hands", so that the hunter was unable to make a living (1.130-134).
             Gilgamesh, when he heard of Enkidu, sent Shamhat to "treat him, a human, to
             a woman's work" (1.185) so that "his wild beasts that grew up with him
             [would] deny him" (1.186). Shamhat's seduction catalyzed the transition
             from Enkidu's animalism, with its lack of reasoning and empathy, into the
             humanity necessary to give him the understanding of community and culture.
             Having lain with Shamhat, Enkidu was "become like a god" (1.207); he
             "gained [reason] and expanded his understan...