Practice of Brahmacharya

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PracticeofBrahmacharya
PRACTICEOFBRAHMACHARYA
BySriSwamiSivananda
ADIVINELIFESOCIETYPUBLICATIONSixthEdition:1997(2,000Copies)WorldWideWeb
(WWW)Edition:1999WWWsite:HTTP://WWW.SHIVANANDADLSHQ.ORG/ThisWWWreprintis
forfreedistributionTheDivineLifeTrustSocietyPublishedByTHEDIVINELIFESOCIETYP.O.
Shivanandanagar249192Distt.TehriGarhwal,UttarPradesh,Himalayas,India.
CONTENTS
PUBLISHERSNOTE
PRAYERFORPURITY
SECTIONI.THEPHENOMENONOFSEX
1.THEPRESENTDAYDEGRADATION
Theworldisallsexy
SpiritualSadhanaistheanswertosexattraction
Brahmacharyatheneedofthehour
2.THEWORKINGOFTHESEXIMPULSE
TheflowerybowofCupid
TheSamskarasinthesubconsciousmind
Howtogaugeyourownmentalpurity
Eradicationoflustisnoeasytask
3.INTENSITYOFTHECRAVINGSINDIFFERENTPERSONS
Passioninchildren,theyouthandtheaged
Sexualthoughtinsages,spiritualaspirantsandhouseholders
Lustinmenandinwomen
4.SEXISINIMAGINATION
Beautyisamentalconcept
Misleadingdescriptionsofawomansbeauty
Passionblindstheintellect
5.THEDISASTROUSEFFECTSOFSEXUALINDULGENCE
WetdreamandvoluntarycopulationAvitaldifference
Youthwithbloodlessfaces
6.THEVALUEOFSEMEN
Modernmedicalopinion
Mind,PranaandVeerya
SECTIONII.THEGLORYOFBRAHMACHARYA
7.THEMEANINGOFBRAHMACHARYA
TheeightbreaksinBrahmacharya
PhysicalBrahmacharyaandmentalBrahmacharya
Acommoncomplaint
8.THEGLORYOFBRAHMACHARYA
Secretofhealthandlongevity
Celibacypromotesconcentration
9.IMPORTANCEOFCELIBACYINSPIRITUALLIFE
Celibacyinthedifferentreligiousorders
Brahmacharyathefoundationofspirituallife
10.BRAHMACHARYAFORHOUSEHOLDERS
WhatisBrahmacharyainmarriedlife?
Whenthewifebecomesthemother
Livingalifeofspiritualpartnership
11.WOMENANDBRAHMACHARYA
Brahmacharinisancientandmodern
Looselifeisnotfreedom
http://www.yogaage.com/modern/brahpractice.html
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Acalltospirituallife
12.BRAHMACHARYAANDTHEEDUCATIONALCURRICULUM
AvitaldrawbackinthepresenteducationalsysteminIndia
Dutyofteachersandparents
13.SOMEIDEALBRAHMACHARINS
Hanuman
SriLakshmana
Bhishma
SECTIONIII.TECHNIQUESOFSEXSUBLIMATION
14.SUPPRESSIONANDSUBLIMATION
Fromsexenergytospiritualenergy
Thesecretofsexsublimation
Totalsublimationisdifficult,yetnotimpossible
15.TOMARRYORNOTTOMARRY
Iscelibacypossible?
AfoolishargumentoftheEpicureans
Natureofthelovebetweenhusbandandwife
Tobeacelibate?Ortobeahouseholder?
TheAkhandaBrahmachari
16.THEDANGERSOFPROMISCUOUSMIXING
Havocplayedbymentalimages
TheforbiddenfruitGodstestforthespiritualaspirant
17.STOPTHATLUSTFULLOOK!
Mindthefeelingbehindthelook!
Howtocounterimpurethoughts
18.THEROLEOFDIETINSEXCONTROL
Sattvicfood
Forbiddenfood
Mitaharaormoderationindiet
Fastingapurificatoryexercise
19.WETDREAMSANDSPERMATORRHOEA
Differencebetweenphysiologicalpollutionandpathologicalpollution
Causesandconsequences
Awarningagainstevilsexhabitsandoutburstsofanger
Importanceofproperfoodandevacuation
Getupbefore4a.m.
TaketotheNameoftheLord
Thebenefitsofahipbath
Somehelpfulsuggestions
20.SOMEPOWERFULAIDSTOTHEPRACTICEOFCELIBACY
Controlofthepalate
Avoidbadcompany
Watchthethoughts
SeekSatsangaorgoodcompany
CultivateVivekaandVairagya
Anoteofclarification
Avowisagreathelp
Willcultureandautosuggestion
ChangetheDrishtiorangleofvision
21.HATHAYOGATOTHERESCUE
Siddhasana
Sirshasana
Sarvangasana
Matsyasana
Padangushthasana
InstructiononAsanapractice
MulaBandha
JalandharaBandha
UddiyanaBandha
NauliKriya
MahaMudra
YogaMudra
EasyandcomfortablePranayama
BhastrikaPranayama
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HintsonPranayamapractice
VajroliMudra
22.SOMEILLUSTRATIVESTORIES
1.Thepoweroflust.TheexampleofJaimini
2.Passionsholdovermansmind.Socratesandhisdisciple
3.Lustincreaseswithenjoyment.RajaYayati
4.DawnofVivekaandVairagya.YogiVemana
5.Beautyliesinimagination.ThestoryofHemachuda
6.Physicalbeautyisnobeauty.Storyofaprince
7.Beingbusyisthebestwaytocontrollust.Storyofaghost
23.SELECTSAYINGSONSEXANDCELIBACY
SECTIONIV.ASYMPOSIUM
COMMENTARYONSWAMISIVANANDAS8THSPIRITUALINSTRUCTION
PerpetuationoftheSpecies
PowerofBrahmacharya
DutiesofHouseholders
BrahmacharyainModernSociety
AdvantagesofBrahmacharya
BooksonBrahmacharya
THEPARAMOUNTIMPORTANCEOFBRAHMACHARYA
TheFourGreatPurusharthas
TheTwofoldimportanceofDharma
ConservationofEnergyintheContextofaSpiritualLife
SexEnergyAManifestationofParaShakti
TheHumanBodyComparedtoaMansion
HowtoRiseAboveSex
VoluntarySelfrestraintIsNoSuppression
BRAHMACHARYAANOUTLOOKOFCONSCIOUSNESS
HowOurEnergyGetsDivertedandDissipated
ConservationofEnergyforBrahmaSakshatkara
TheIndividualAPressureCentre
StressesandStrainsTheirCauseandCure
TheHavocWroughtbytheExternalizingSenses
DesireAMetaphysicalEvil
VarnashramaAnAidtoFreeOurselvesfromtheGripofNature
MARRIAGE:WHATDOESITMEAN?
BIRTHCONTROL
InstructionsforHouseholders
PopulationShouldBeChecked
DangerofArtificialMeans
PUBLISHERSNOTE
Instinctsandappetitesformapartofalllifeonearth.Senseimpulsesandbiologicalurgesarecommonto
animalandmanalike.Sexisoneoftheprominent,mostimportantandabsolutelyessentialaspectsof
human,animalaswellasplantlife.Sexisanintegralpartoflifehuman,animalandplant.Whilethis
aspectoflifeisregulatedbynatureinplantsandbyinstinctinanimals,inmanitislefttohiscommon
sense,intelligenceandhisdevelopedreasontocontrolandregulatethesame.Thevastandancient
scripturesoftheworldofferhumansocietyspecificrulesandregulationsinthisrespect.Withregardto
India,asanation,ourforefathersfollowedthedosanddontsoftheDharmaSastrasinmeticulousdetail
andthis,inlargemeasure,contributedtotheirhealth,longevityandspiritualwelfare.
Butalas,inthepresentdayworld,andmoreparticularlyamongtheeducatedclass,inallwalksofsociety
andinallagegroups,normsofconductlaiddownbythescripturesarefloutedwithsomuchimpunitythat
wesee,allaroundus,thenumberofphysical,mentalandmoralwrecksincreasingeveryday.Onereason
forthissadstateofaffairsismodernmansignoranceofhisownscripturaltreasures.
SwamiSivanandacameontheIndianscene,intheearlythirties,toblastthisignoranceofthepeopleby
offeringthehoarywisdomoftheancientsthroughthemediaofhissimpleEnglishwritings.Itiswellknown
thatspiritualtreatisesapart,thegreatMaster,whoseloveformankindknewnobounds,wroteanumberof
booksconcerninghealth,hygieneandmedicine.Onesuchbookwas"PracticeofBrahmacharya"whichdealt
mostlywiththesubjectofcelibacy,andwherecelibacywasnotpossible,aregulatedsexlife.Thisbookhas
beenpopularwiththepublic.
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Thisapart,theSwamijisthoughtsonthesubjectofsexandsexsublimationarealsotobeseenhereand
therespreadoverhisvoluminouswritings.Inthepresentvolume,allofSwamijisthoughtsandinstructions
onthesubjectofsexandcelibacyhavebeengatheredupfrom"PracticeofBrahmacharya"andelsewhere,
andthoroughlyedited,withaviewtoofferingthepublic,andespeciallytotheyoungergeneration,aworking
guidetothevitalsubjectofsexsublimation.Thishasbeendoneasanactoflovingservicetomodernyouth
whoareoftenleftgropinginthedarkbyanirresponsiblesociety.Thesedaysweoftenhearabout"juvenile
delinquency,"butthisjuveniledelinquencyitselfistheresultofadultirresponsibility.Theyouthoftheworld
cravesforguidancewhichisoftennotforthcomingfromtheparents,teachersorsociety.
ItishopedthatthisbookofholyMasterSwamiSivanandawillfilltheabovementionedlacunaandofferthe
youthoftheworldtheknowledgeandguidancewhichtheysorichlydeserveinavitalareawhichaffects
theirphysical,mental,ethicalandspiritualwellbeing.
WepraythattheblessingsoftheholyMastermaypouronallthosewhomaychancetogothroughthe
followingpagesandopenupanewchapterintheirlives.Mayallbehealthy,happyandspirituallyblessed.
LokaSamasthaSukhinoBhavantu!
8thSeptember,1988.
THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY
PRAYERFORPURITY
OlovingLordofCompassion!HeyPrabhu!TheSoulofmysoul,theLifeofmylife,theMindofmymind,the
Earofmyears,Lightoflights,Sunofsuns!Givelightandpurity.Letmegetestablishedinphysicaland
mentalBrahmacharya.Letmebepureinthoughts,wordanddeed.GivemestrengthtocontrolmyIndriyas
(senses)andobservetheBrahmacharyaVrata.Protectmefromallsortsoftemptationsofthisworld.Letall
myIndriyasbeeverengagedinThysweetservice.
WipeoutthesexualSamskaras(impressions)andVasanas(subtledesires).Annihilatelustfrommymind.
MakemeatrueBrahmachari,SadachariandOordhvaretaYogi.Letmebechasteinmylook.Letmealways
walkinthepathofrighteousness.MakemeaspureasSwamiVivekananda,SwamiDayananda,Bhishma
Pitamaha,HanumanorLakshmana.Forgive.ForgiveallmyAparadhas(offenses).IamThine.IamThine.
Trahi,Trahi.Protect,protect.Prachodayat,Prachodayat.Enlighten,enlighten.Guideme.Om.Om.Om.
DedicatedtotheYouthoftheWorld
SECTIONI.THEPHENOMENONOFSEX
1.THEPRESENTDAYDEGRADATION
Thereisagreatillusioninfrontofman.Ittroubleshimintheformofwoman.Thereisagreatillusionin
frontofwoman.Ittroublesherintheformofman.
GowhereveryoulikeAmsterdam,LondonorNewYork.Analyzethisworldofphenomenalexperience.You
willfindonlytwothingssexandego.
Thesexinstinctisthegreatesturgeinhumanlife.Sexenergyorlustisthemostdeeprootedinstinctin
man.Sexenergyentirelyfillsthemind,intellect,Prana,sensesandthewholebody.Itistheoldestofthe
factorsthathavegoneintotheconstitutionofthehumanbeing.
Amanhasathousandandonedesires.Butthecentralstrongdesireisthesexualdesire.Thefundamental
desireistheurgeforamate.Allhangonthiscentralbasicdesire.Thedesireformoney,thedesirefora
son,thedesireforproperty,thedesireforhouses,thedesireforcattleandotherdesirescomelateron.
Becausethewholecreationofthisuniverseistobekeptup,Godhasmadethesexualdesirevery,very
powerful.Otherwise,manyJivanmuktaswouldhavecroppedupquiteeasily,justasgraduatesfrom
universities.Itiseasytogetuniversityqualifications.Itdemandsalittlemoney,memory,intelligenceanda
littlestrain.Butitisanuphillclimbtoobliteratethesexualimpulse.Hewhohascompletelyeradicatedlust
andisestablishedinmentalBrahmacharyaisBrahmanorGodHimself.
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Thisworldisnothingbutsexandego.Egoisthechiefthing.Itisthebasis.Sexhangsontheego.Iftheego
isdestroyedbyVicharaorenquiryof"WhoamI?",thesexideatakestoitsheelsbyitself.Man,masterof
hisdestiny,haslosthisdivinegloryandhasbecomeaslave,atool,inthehandsofsexandegoonaccount
ofignorance.SexandegoaretheproductsofAvidyaornescience.ThedawnofknowledgeoftheSelf
annihilatesthesetwoenemiesofAtman,thetwodacoitswhoareplunderingthehelpless,ignorant,little,
falseJiva,theillusory"I".
Manhasdegradedhimselftoagreatdegreebybecomingthepuppetofpassion.Alas!Hehasbecomean
imitativemachine.Hehaslosthispowerofdiscrimination.Hehassunkintothemostabjectformofslavery.
Whatasadstate!Whatalamentableplightindeed!IfhewishestoregainhislostdivinestateandBrahmic
glory,hiswholebeingmustbetransformed,hissexdesiremustbecompletelytransmutedbysublimedivine
thoughtsandregularmeditation.Transmutationofthesexdesireisaverypotent,efficaciousand
satisfactorywaytorealizeeternalbliss.
Theworldisallsexy
Passionreignssupremeinallpartsoftheworld.Themindsofpeoplearefilledwithsexualthoughts.The
worldisallsexy.Thewholeworldisunderatremendoussexualintoxication.Allaredeludedandmovein
theworldwithpervertedintellects.NothoughtofGod.NotalkofGod.Itisallfashion,restaurants,hotels,
dinners,dances,racesandcinema.Theirlifeendsineating,drinkingandprocreating.Thatisall.
PassionhasintroducednewfashionsnotonlyinLondon,ParisandLahore,buteveninMadrasamongstthe
BrahmingirlsoforthodoxfamilieswhoapplyCherryBlossomPowderandHazelineSnowtotheirfaces,
insteadofthesacredturmericpowder,anddresstheirhairliketheFrenchgirls.Thissortofvileimitation
hascreptintothemindofourboysandgirlsinIndia.Thesacredperceptsandteachingsofourancientsages
andRishishavebeentotallyignored.Whatalamentablestate!Theywillacceptanythingastrueonlyifa
JohnsonoraRusselbringssomethingbywayofthetheoryofevolution,motion,atom,relativityor
transcendentalism.Shamefulindeed!Theirbrainsareallcloggedwithforeignparticles.Theydonothavethe
braintoabsorbanythinggoodinothers.Thereisamiserabledegenerationinthepresentyoungmenand
womeninIndia.ThisistheagewhentheycannotwalkevenashortdistancewithoutaRickshaw,acar,a
tram,abicycleoracarriage.Whatanawfulartificiallife!BobbingofthehairamongsttheladiesinIndiahas
becomeasevereepidemicandhasinvadedthewholeofIndia.Thisisallduetothemischiefofpassionand
greed.
YoungmenofthepresentdayindiscriminatelyimitatetheWestandthisresultsintheirownruin.Menare
swayedbylust.Theylosetheirsenseofrighteousness,andoftimeandplace.Theyneverdiscriminate
betweenrightandwrong.Theyloseallsenseofshame.
Readthehistoryofthecrimesrobbery,rapes,kidnapping,assaults,murdersthatcomeupfortrialbefore
theSessionsCourts.Lustisattherootofallthis.Itmaybelustformoneyorlustforcarnalpleasure.Lust
ruinslife,lustre,strength,vitality,memory,wealth,fame,holiness,peace,wisdomanddevotion.
Man,withhisboastedintellect,hastolearnlessonsfrombirdsandanimals.Evenanimalshavemoreself
controlthanmen.Itisonlythesocalledmanwhohasdegradedhimselfmuchbyindulgence.Attheheatof
sexualexcitement,herepeatsthesameignobleactagainandagain.Hehasnotabitofselfcontrol.Heis
anabsoluteslavetopassion.Heisapuppetinthehandsofpassion.Likerabbitsheprocreatesandbrings
forthcountlesschildrentoswellupthenumbersofbeggarsintheworld.Lions,elephants,bullsandother
powerfulanimalshavebetterselfcontrolthanmen.Lionscohabitonlyonceinayear.Afterconception,the
femaleanimalswillneverallowthemaleanimalstoapproachthemtilltheyoungonesareweanedandthey
themselvesbecomehealthyandstrong.Manonlyviolatesthelawsofnatureandconsequentlysuffersfrom
innumerablediseases.Hehasdegeneratedtoalevelfarlowerthanthatofanimalsinthisrespect.
Asakingisnokingwithoutatreasury,subjectsandanarmy,asaflowerisnoflowerwithoutfragrance,as
ariverisnoriverwithoutwater,soalso,amanisnomanwithoutBrahmacharya.Ahara,Nidra,Bhayaand
Maithunafood,sleep,fearandcopulationarecommontobothanimalsandmen.Thatwhichdifferentiates
amanfromananimalisDharma,VivekaandVicharaSakti.JnanaandVicharacanbesecuredonlybythe
preservationofVeerya.Ifamanhasnotgotthesequalifications,heshouldreallybereckonedasaveritable
animalonly.
Iflust,whichisthesourceofallenjoymentsinthisworld,ceases,thenallworldlybondage,whichhasits
substratuminthemind,willcease.Eventhemostvirulentpoisonisnopoisonwhencomparedtolust.The
formerdefilesonebodyonly,whereasthelatteradulteratesmanybodiesinsuccessivebirths.Youarea
slaveofpassionsanddesires,emotionsandattractions.Whenareyougoingtoriseupfromthismiserable
state?Thosepersons,who,inspiteoftheknowledgeofthenonexistenceofhappiness,bothinthepastand
inthepresent,inthebanefulobjectsoftheworld,doyetentanglethemselvesinthemwiththeirthoughts
clingingtothem,deservetheappellationofanass,ifnotaworseone.IfyoudonotpossessViveka,ifyou
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donottryyourbestforsalvation,ifyouspendyourlifetimeineating,drinkingandsleeping,youarea
horizontalbeingonly,havingtolearnsomelessonsfromthoseanimals,whichpossessfarmoreself
restraint.
Thesexualdegradationthathasovertakenmankindtodayisduedirectlytothefactthatpeoplehave
assumedthatthereisanatural"sexualinstinct"inhumanbeings.Itisnotso.Thenaturalinstinctisthe
procreativeone.Ifmenandwomenrestrictsexualindulgencetomereprocreation,thenthatitselfis
observanceofBrahmacharya.Asthisisfoundtobeimpossibleinthevastmajorityofcases,totalabstinence
isenjoinedonthosewhoseekthehighervaluesoflife.AsfarastheSadhakaofburningMumukshutvais
concerned,celibacyisasinequanon,ashecannotaffordtowastehisvitalenergyatall.
Thegratificationofeveryworldlydesireissinfulthefleshshouldbetheabjectslaveofthespiritintent
upondivinethings.ManwascreatedforalifeofspiritualcommunionwithGod,butheyieldedtothe
seductionofevildemonswhoavailedthemselvesofthesensuoussideofhisnaturetodrawhimawayfrom
thecontemplationofthedivineandleadhimtotheearthlylife.Moralgoodness,therefore,consistsin
renouncingallsensuouspleasures,inseparatingfromtheworldthroughdiscriminationanddispassion,in
livingsolelyafterthespirit,inimitatingtheperfectionandpurityofGod.Sensualityisinconsistentwith
wisdomandholiness.Thegreatbusinessoflifeistoavoidimpurity.
SpiritualSadhanaistheanswertosexattraction
RealcultureistheestablishmentofperfectphysicalandmentalBrahmacharya.Realcultureistherealization
oftheidentityoftheindividualsoulwiththeSupremeSoulthroughdirectexperience.Forapassionate
worldlymindedman,thetermsSelfrealization,God,Self,Vairagya,renunciation,deathandburialground
areveryrevoltingandterrifying,becauseheisattachedtoobjects.Thetermssinging,dancing,talksabout
womenandsoonareverypleasing.
Theattractionforobjectswillgraduallyvanishifonebeginstothinkseriouslyoftheunrealnatureofthe
world.Peopleareburntbythefireoflust.Allmeasuresthatarecalculatedtoeradicatethisdiredisease
shouldbeinitiatedandputthrough.Allpeopleshouldbemadefullyconversantwiththedifferentmethods
thatwillhelpthemtorootoutthedireenemylust.Iftheyfailinonemethod,theycantakerecourseto
another.Lustisabrutalinstinctinunregeneratedmen.Oneshouldbeashamedtorepeatagainandagain
thesensualactswhenoneisfullyawarethatthegoaloflifeisSelfrealizationthroughtheattainmentof
purityandthepracticeofconstantmeditation.Anobjectormaysaythatthesetopicsshouldnotbedealtwith
openly,butshouldratherbetalkedaboutsecretly.Thisiswrong.Whatistheuseofhidingthings?Hidinga
thingisasin.
Inthesedaysofmoderncultureandnewcivilization,inthiseraofscientificadvancement,theselinesmay
notberelishedbysomepeople.Theymayremarkthatsomeofthetermsarejarring,revolting,offending
andindecentandwillnotsuitthepeopleofrefinedtastes.Theyareentirelymistaken.Theselineswill
produceaverydeepimpressioninthemindsofthirstingaspirantswhoarelongingforliberation.Their
mindswillbeentirelychanged.Thereisnorealspiritualcultureamongstthepeopleofmodernsociety.
Etiquetteismereshow.Everywhereyoucanseemuchshow,hypocrisy,pretendedpoliteness,meaningless
formalitiesandconventions.Nothingemanatesfromthecoreoftheheart.Peoplelacksincerityand
integrity.TheutterancesoftheMahavakyasofthesagesandthevaluableteachingsofthescriptureswillnot
produceanyimpressioninthemindsofpassionate,worldlymindedpersons.Theywillbelikeseedsthrown
inrockysoil.Theywillbelikepearlsthrownbeforeswine.
Ifoneclearlyunderstandstheseriousdamagethatcomesthroughanimpurelifeanddeterminestoattain
thegoaloflifebyleadingapurelife,hemustkeephismindbusilyengagedindivinethoughts,
concentration,meditation,studyandserviceofhumanity.
LackofspiritualSadhanaisthemaincauseforallsexualattractions.Meretheoreticalabstentionfrom
sensualitywillnotbringyougoodresults.Youmustmercilesslycutoffallformalitiesinsociallifeandleada
piouslifefreedfromthebusinessofbodilyexistence.Leniencytointernallowertendencieswilllandyouin
theregionofsuffering.Excusewillbeofnouseinthisrespect.Youmustbesincereinyourquestforthe
sublimelifeofspirituality.Halfheartednesswillleaveyouinyouroldstateofmisery.
Wakeup,friends,fromthismireofillusorySamsaranow.Passionhaswroughtgreathavocinyouasyou
aredrownedinAvidya.Howmanymillionsoffathers,mothers,wivesandsonsyouhavehadinprevious
births!Thisbodyisfullofimpurities.Whatashameitistoembracethisfilthybody!Itismerefoolishness
only.GiveupMohaforthisbody.Also,giveupidentificationwiththisbodybymeditatinguponthegloryof
theSuddhaAtman.Giveupworshipofthebody.WorshippersofthebodyareAsurasandRakshasas.
Brahmacharyatheneedofthehour
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Mydearbrothers!Rememberthatyouarenotthisperishablebodyoffleshandbones.Youaretheimmortal,
allpervading,SatChitAnandaAtman.ThouartAtman.Thouartlivingtruth.ThouartBrahman.Thouart
absoluteconsciousness.YoucanattainthissupremestateonlybyleadingalifeoftrueBrahmacharya.The
spiritofBrahmacharyamustpervadeyourentirelifeandallyouractions.
PeopletalkofBrahmacharya,butpracticalmenarerareindeed.Alifeofcontinenceisreallybesetwith
difficulties.Butthepathbecomessmoothforamanofirondetermination,patienceandperseverance.We
wantreal,practicalmeninthefield,menwhoarepracticalBrahmacharis,menwhocanimpresspeopleby
theirstrongphysique,ideallives,noblecharacterandspiritualstrength.Mereidletalkisofnouse
whatsoever.Wehavehadenoughofidletalkersinthefieldandontheplatforms.Letsomepracticalmen
comeforwardandleadtheyoungstersbytheirexemplary,livesandspiritualaura.Letmeremindyouonce
more!Exampleisbetterthanprecept.
Theaveragelifeofmankindhasshrunktofortyyearsasagainstthenaturalhundredyears.Everywell
wisherofthecountrymustthinkoverthismostdisgracefulanddisastrousstateofaffairsverycarefullyand
applytheproperremediesintime.Thefuturewellbeingofthecountryrestsentirelyontheyouth.Itisthe
dutyoftheSannyasins,saints,teachers,professorsandparentstoreintroducethelifeofcelibacyin
youngsters.Ipraythattheeducationalauthoritiesandtheelderswillpaytheirspecialattentiontothisvital
subjectofBrahmacharyafortheupliftofthefuturegeneration.Trainingoftheyouthmeansnationbuilding.
ThefuturewellbeingofIndiarestsentirelyonBrahmacharyaandBrahmacharyaalone.Itisthedutyof
SannyasinsandYogistotrainstudentsinBrahmacharya,toteachAsanaandPranayamaanddisseminatethe
knowledgeofAtmanfarandwide.Theycandoalotinimprovingthesituationastheyarewholetimemen.
TheyshouldcomeoutoftheircavesandKutirsforLokaSangraha.
Ifourmotherlandwantstorisehighinthescaleofnations,herchildren,bothmaleandfemale,shouldstudy
theimportantsubjectofBrahmacharyainallitsbearings,understanditssupremeimportanceandobserve
thegreatVratastrictly.
Inconclusion,Iferventlypray,withfoldedhands,thatyouallshouldsincerelystrugglehardtocontrol
passiontheenemyofpeaceandprosperitybySadhana.AtrueBrahmachariistherealmightyemperorof
thisworld.MysilentadorationstoallBrahmacharins!Gloryuntothem!
MayyoubeseatedfirmastheMahameruinyourSatchidanandaSvarupawithoutanyimpure,lustful
thought!MayGodblesstheaspirantswithstrengthandenergyforkeepingupBrahmacharya!Mayyou,with
apure,stainlessmind,unintermittentlybeinthecognitionofyourAtmicReality!Mayyou,withoutworldly
desiresandambition,restinThatwhicheverisinthemidstoftheenjoyerandtheenjoyed!
Maythedivinesplendourshineinyourface!Maythedivineflamegrowbrighterinyouall!Maythedivine
powerandpeaceabideinyouforever!OmSanti!Santi!Santi!
2.THEWORKINGOFTHESEXIMPULSE
Manwishestohavechildrentomaintaintheraceorline.Thisisthereproductiveinstinct.Thedesireto
copulateproceedsfromthissexualinstinct.Thestrengthofthesexualdesiredependsuponthesexual
impulse.
AccordingtotheGita,impulseisVegamorforce.LordKrishnasays,"Hewhoisabletoendurehereon
earth,beforeheisliberatedfromthebody,theforcebornofdesireandpassion,heisharmonised,heisa
happyman".
Impulseisamightyforce.Itexertsinfluenceonthemind.Itisaforcesuddenlycommunicatedtothemind.
Justaspetrolorsteammovestheengine,theinstinctsandimpulsesmovethisbody.Theinstinctsarethe
primemoversofallhumanactivities.TheygiveapushtothebodyandmovetheIndriyastoaction.The
instinctscreatehabits.Theinstinctiveimpulsessupplythedrivingpowerbywhichallmentalactivitiesare
keptup.Theseimpulsesarementalforces.Theyoperatethroughthemindandtheintellect.Theymouldthe
lifeofaman.Themysteryoflifeliesinthem.
TheattractiontowardswomeninmenisbornofRajas.Thatunknownattractionandhappinessintheir
companyistheseedoftheseximpulse.Thisattraction,whichislikeabubbleinthebeginning,lateron
assumestheformofaformidable,uncontrollablewaveofstrongpassionorsexualappetite.Beware.
GeneratethespiritualwaveofdevotionthroughJapa,Satsanga,meditationandVicharaandkillthis
attractioninthebud.
Youmustunderstandthepsychologicalworkingoftheseximpulse.Whenthereareitchesonthebody,mere
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scratchingofthemisapleasure.Theseximpulseisonlyanervousitching.Thesatisfactionofthisimpulse
begetsadelusivepleasure,butithasadisastrouseffectonthespiritualwellbeingoftheperson.
TheflowerybowofCupid
Lustispowerful.Itcarriesaflowerybowequippedwithfivearrows,namely,Mohana,Stambhana,
Unmadana,SoshanaandTapanafascination,stupefaction,intoxication,emaciationandburning.Onearrow
causesfascinationinyoungmenwhentheyseeabeautifulform.Anotherarreststheirattention.Thethird
intoxicatesthem.Thefourtharrowcausesintenseattractiontowardstheform.Thefiftharrowinflamesand
burnstheirheart.Itpiercestheircardiacchambersdeeply.Nooneonthisearth,nay,inallthethreeworlds,
hasthepowertoresistthepotentialinfluenceofthesearrows.ThesearrowspiercedeventheheartofLord
SivaandmanyRishisofyore.ThesearrowsinducedevenIndratomolestAhalya.Cupiddirectlyshootsan
arrowthroughthebewitchingeyebrowsandpiercingglancesofayoungladywithtenderwaist,rosycheeks
andredlips.Moonlitnight,scentsandperfumes,flowersandgarlands,sandalpaste,meatandliquor,
theatresandnovelsarehismightyweaponstodeludethepassionateyoungmen.Reasonanddiscrimination
taketotheirheelsthemomenttheirheartsarefilledwithburningpassion.Theyallbecomeabsolutelyblind.
Cupidmakesintellectualpersons,greatorators,ministersandresearchscholars,doctorsandbarristers,as
pleasuredeerorpetdogsinthelapsofyoungladies.Reasonhastemporarilytakenitsseatinthedry
intellectofalearnedpunditoraprofessor.Hehasnorealstamina.Cupidknowshisstrength.Cupidreigns
supremeeverywhere.Hepenetratestheheartsofall.Heknowshowtotickletheirnerves.Withinthe
twinklingofaneyehedestroysreason,discriminationandunderstandingbysimplyinflamingthepassionof
youngmen.
EvenindreamsCupidhasfullsway,evenwhenalltheIndriyasaresilent.Ladiesarehisinfallibleagents!
Theyarealwaysathisbeckandcall.Cupidoperatesthroughtheirsmiles,bewitchingglancesandsweet
words,throughtheirmelodioussongsandballdances.Younggirlsworkquicklytheruinofmenandcan
disturbthepeaceofeventhemindsofsages.CupidcanmakethenervoussystemofBrahmacharinsquiver
inthedeliriumofimaginarypleasureevenwhentheythinkofthepicturesofyoung,beautifulladies,even
whentheyhearthegentlesoundsoftheirbraceletsandanklets,evenwhentheythinkoftheirblooming
faces.Whattospeakoftouchthen?
TheSamskarasinthesubconsciousmind
AsexualactproducesaSamskaraorimpressioninthesubconsciousmindorChitta.ThisSamskararaisesa
VrittiorthoughtwaveinthemindandtheVrittiagaincausesaSamskara.EnjoymentthickenstheVasanas.
Throughmemoryandimagination,arevivalofthesexualdesirecomesin.
Remembranceoftheimageofawomanunsettlesthemind.Whenatigerhasoncetastedhumanblood,it
alwaysrunstokillhumanbeings.Itbecomesamaneater.Evenso,whenthemindhasoncetastedsexual
pleasures,italwaysrunsafterwomen.
FromthebedofSamskarasandVasanasinthemindemanatesKalpanaorimaginationthroughSmritior
memory.Thencomesattachment.Alongwithimagination,emotionandimpulsemanifest.Emotionand
impulseexistsidebyside.Thencomessexualirritationcravingandburninginthemindandthroughoutthe
body.Theirritationandburninginthemindpercolateintothephysicalbody,justasthewaterinsideapot
percolatesintothesurfaceofthepot.Ifyouareveryvigilant,youcandriveoffthebadimaginationinthe
verybeginningitselfandaverttheimpendingdanger.Evenifyouallowthethiefimaginationtoenterthe
firstgate,keepacarefulwatchatthesecondgatewhenthesexualirritationmanifests.Youcanstopthe
burningnow.Youcanstopalso,easily,thestrongsexualimpulsefrombeingtransmittedtotheIndriya
itself.DrawthesexenergyuptowardsthebrainthroughUddiyanaandKumbhaka.Divertthemind.Chant
OmoranyotherMantrawithconcentration.Pray,meditate.Ifyoustillfinditdifficulttocontrolthemind,
immediatelyseekSatsangaanddonotremainalone.Whenthestrongimpulsemanifestssuddenlyandis
transmittedtotheorgan,youforgeteverythingandbecomeblind.Youbecomeapreytolust.Lateronyou
repent.
Eveninablindmanwhoisacelibatewhohasnotseenthefaceofawoman,thesexualimpulseisvery
strong.Why?ThisisduetotheforceofSamskarasorimpressionsofpreviousbirthsthatareembeddedin
thesubconsciousmind.Whateveryoudo,whateveryouthink,arealllodgedorprintedorindelibly
impressedinthelayersoftheChittaorsubconsciousmind.Theseimpressionscanbeburntorobliterated
onlybythedawnofknowledgeofAtmanortheSupremeSelf.WhenthesexualVasanafillsthewholemind
andbody,theSamskarasassumetheformofbigVrittisorwavesandtormentthepoorblindman.
Itiseasytocontroltheconsciousmind.Butitisverydifficulttocontrolthesubconsciousmind.Youmaybe
aSannyasi.Youmaybeamoralman.Markhowthemindbehavesorconductsitselfindreams.Youbeginto
stealindreams.Youcommitadulteryindreams.Theseximpulses,ambitionsandlowdesiresareall
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ingrainedinyouanddeeprootedinthesubconsciousmind.Destroythesubconsciousmindandits
SamskarasthroughVichara,BrahmaBhavanaandmeditationonOmanditsmeaning.Amanwhois
establishedinmentalBrahmacharyacanneverhaveevenasinglethoughtofevilindreams.Hecannever
haveabaddream.ThereisalackofVicharaorVivekaindream.Thatisthereasonwhyyougetbad
dreams,eventhoughyouarepureintheJagratstatethroughthepowerofVivekaandVichara.
Anaspirantcomplains:"AsIcontinuemeditation,layerafterlayerofimpuritieskeeprisingfromthe
subconsciousmind.SometimestheyaresostrongandformidablethatIambewilderedastohowtocheck
them.IamnotperfectlyestablishedintruthandinBrahmacharya.Theoldhabitsoflustandofspeakinglies
arestilllurkinginme.Lustistroublingmevigorously.Theveryideaofwomenagitatesmymind.Mymind
issosensitivethatIamnotabletohearorthinkofthem.Assoonasthethoughtcomesinthemind,my
Sadhanagetsdisturbed,andalso,thepeaceofthewholedayisspoiled.Iadvisemymind,coaxit,frighten
it,butitisofnoavail.Mymindrevolts.Idonotknowhowtocontrolthispassion.Irritability,egoism,
anger,greed,hatredandattachmentarestilllurkinginme.Lustismychiefenemyanditisaverystrong
onetoo.Irequestyoutobekindenoughtoadvisemeastohowtodestroyit".
Whentheimpuritiesemergefromthesubconsciousmindandcometothesurfaceoftheconsciousmindwith
formidableforce,donottrytoresistthem.RepeatyourIshtaMantra.Donotthinkofyourdefectsorevil
qualitiesmuch.Itisenoughifyouintrospectandfindoutyourdefects.Donottrytoattacktheevilqualities.
Thentheywillshowtheirlongfaces.Developpositivevirtues.Donotworryyourselfoften:"Ihavegotso
manydefectsandweaknesses".CultivateSattvicvirtues.Throughmeditation,andbythedevelopmentof
positivequalities,throughthePratipakshaBhavanamethod,allthenegativequalitieswilldiebythemselves.
Thisistherightmethod.
Youmaybecomeold,yourhairmayturngray,butyourmindiseveryoung.Thecapacitymayvanish,but
thecravingremainsevenwhenyouhavereachedadvancedsenility.Cravingsaretherealseedsofbirth.
ThesecravingseedsgiverisetoSankalpaandaction.ThewheelofSamsaraiskeptrevolvingbythese
cravings.Niptheminthebud.Thenonlywillyoubesafe.YouwillgetMoksha.BrahmaBhavana,Brahma
Chintana,meditationonOmanddevotionwillrootoutthesecravingseedswhicharelaiddeep.Youwill
havetodigthemoutproperlyinvariouscornersandburnthembeyondresurrection.Thenonlyyourefforts
willbearthefruitofNirvikalpaSamadhi.
Onestudentwritestome:"Theimpurefleshandskinappeartomeasverypureandgood.Iamvery
lustful.ItrytodevelopmentallytheBhavaofmotherinallwomen.Iprostratebeforealadymentally,
thinkingthatsheisanimageofGoddessKali,andyetmymindisextremelylustful.WhatshallIdonow?I
desireagainandagaintohaveaglimpseofabeautifullady".Obviously,Vairagyaanddiscriminationhave
notdawnedinhismindevenabit.TheoldviciousSamskarasandVasanasareverypowerful.
EvenapureBrahmachariwillbetroubledinthebeginningbycuriosity.Hewillbecurioustoknowandfeel
whatsortofhappinessthesexualenjoymentwillgive.Hethinkssometimes:"Letmehavethecarnal
knowledgeofawomanonce.ThenIwillbeabletorootoutthissexualimpulseanddesirecompletely.This
sexualcuriosityistroublingmeverymuch".MindwantstodeludethisBrahmachari.Mayahavocsthrough
curiosity.Curiosityistransmutedintoastrongdesire.Enjoymentcannotbringsatisfactionofadesire.The
wisewayistokillthestrongwaveofcuriositybyVicharaorenquiryaboutthatpuresexlessAtman,by
totallyeradicatingthesexualdesirethroughconstantmeditation,andbythinkingoverthegloryof
Brahmacharyaandthedefectsofanimpurelife.
Howtogaugeyourownmentalpurity
Thesightofayoungbeautifulgirlproducesinapassionateyoungmanattractionandagitationinthemind,
piercingoftheheartandseriousintoxication.Ifthesesymptomsareabsentinaman,thenitisasignto
denotethatheisestablishedinBrahmacharya.Thesightofthepairingormatingofbirdsandanimals,or
thesightofthebarebodyofalady,shouldnotproducetheleastagitationinthemind.
IfafeelingarisesinthemindofaBrahmachariforthecompanyofawomanduringtimesofailment,if
thereisastrongdesiretobeinhercompany,ifthereisadesiretotalk,playandjokewithher,ifthereisa
desiretolookatyoungbeautifulgirls,ifthelookisunholyandunchaste,andifthereisadesireinthemind
whenthereispaininthebodyfortouchbythehandsoffemales,rememberthatlustisstilllurkinginhis
mind.Thereisdeepsexualcraving.Thisshouldbedestroyed.Theoldthiefisstillhiding.Sucha
Brahmacharimustbeverycareful.Heisstillwithinthedangerzone.Hehasnotattainedthestateofpurity.
Evenindreamsthereshouldnotariseinthemindanycravingforthetouchofafemaleandthecompanyof
awoman.Onespuritycanbegaugedbyonesexperiencesindream.Ifoneisentirelyfreefromanysexual
thoughtindreams,hehasreachedtheclimaxofpurity.Selfanalysisandintrospectionareindispensable
requisitestodeterminethestateofonesmind.
AJnaniwillhavenowetdreams.HewhoisestablishedinBrahmacharyawillnotgetevenasinglebad
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dream.Dreamservesasacriteriontojudgeourmentalstateorthedegreeofourmentalpurity.Ifyoudo
notgetimpuredreams,youaregrowinginpurity.
Theveryideaofsexshouldvanishfromthemind.Sukadevahadthisexperience.Sukadidnotmarry.He
lefthishomeandroamedabouttheworldatlarge,starknaked.Theseparationwasverypainfulforhis
father,Vyasa.Vyasawentoutinsearchofhisson.Whilehepassedbyatank,theApsaras,whowerefreely
indulginginplay,feltashamedandputontheirclotheshastily.Vyasasaid,"Verystrangeindeed!Iamold.I
amputtingonclothes.Butwhenmysonpassedthiswaynaked,youkeptquiet,youremainedunmoved".
TheApsarasreplied,"Ovenerablesage,thysonknowsnotmanandwoman,butthouknowest".
Eradicationoflustisnoeasytask
Youwillhavetosearchoutcarefullythisdireenemy,lustthatlieshiddeninthevariouscornersofyour
heart.Justasthefoxhidesitselfwithinthebush,soalso,thislusthidesitselfinthesubstratumandcorners
ofthemind.Youcandetectitspresenceonlyifyouarevigilant.Intenseselfexaminationisverynecessary.
Justaspowerfulenemiescanbeconqueredonlyifyouattackthemfromallsides,soalso,youcankeepthe
powerfulsensesundercontrolonlyifyouattackthemfromallsides,fromwithinandfromwithout,from
aboveandfrombeneath.Thesensesareveryturbulent.Thepowerfulvirusthatcausessyphilisisattacked
onallsidesbythedoctorbyvariouscontrivancessuchasinunctionorlocalrubbing,injection,mixtureand
powder.Soalso,thesensesmustbecontrolledbyvariousmethodssuchasfasting,restrictionindiet,
Pranayama,Japa,Kirtan,meditation,Vicharaorenquiryof"WhoamI?",Pratyaharaorabstraction,Damaor
selfrestraint,Asanas,Bandhas,Mudras,thoughtcontrolanddestructionofVasanas.
Safeguardyourselfagainsttheerroroffoolishlyimaginingthatyouhavesucceededingettingridoflustby
themerefactofhavinglivedasinglelifeforanumberofyearsorexperiencingalittlefeelingofserenityor
purity.Youmustnotlabourunderthedelusionthatyouhaveeradicatedlustcompletelybyadjustingthediet
abit,bypractisingPranayamaandbydoingalittleJapa,andthatyouhavenothingmoretodo.Temptation
orMaramayovercomeyouatanymoment.EternalvigilanceandrigorousSadhanaareveryessential.You
cannotattainperfectBrahmacharyabylimitedeffort.Justasamachinegunisnecessarytokillapowerful
enemy,soalso,constant,vigorous,powerfulSadhanaisnecessarytoannihilatethispowerfulenemy,lust.
Youmustnotbepuffedupwithprideforyourlittleachievementincelibacy.Ifyouareputtotest,youwill
hopelesslyfail.Youmustbeeverconsciousofyourshortcomingsandyoumustconstantlystrivetogetridof
them.Thehighesteffortisnecessary.Thenonlyyouwillhavesanguinesuccessinthisdirection.
Itiseasytotameawildtigeroralionoranelephant.Itiseasytoplaywiththecobra.Itiseasytowalk
overthefire.Itiseasytodevourfireanddrinkthewatersoftheocean.ItiseasytouproottheHimalayas.
Itiseasytogetvictoryinthebattlefield.But,itisdifficulttoeradicatelust.Rightfromtheearlierstagesof
evolutionthroughtheages,theinstinctiveurgeforreproductionandmultiplicationhasbeenkeptuponlyby
thepoweroflust.Therefore,despitealleffortsatcontrollingandsubduingit,thepowertriestomanifest
itselfforciblyandoverwhelmtheSadhakaoraspirant.
Allthesame,youneednotdespairevenabit.HavefaithinGod,inHisNameandHisgrace.Lustcannotbe
completelyrootedoutofthemindexceptbythegraceoftheLord.Youareboundtosucceedifyouhave
faithinHim.Youcandestroylustinthetwinklingofaneye.TheLordmakesadumbmanspeakandalame
manascendasteephill.Merehumaneffortalonewillnotsuffice.Thedivinegraceisneeded.Godhelps
thosewhohelpthemselves.Ifyoudototalselfsurrender,MotherHerselfdoestheSadhana.
RegularmeditationandJapaofaMantra,Sattvicdiet,Satsanga,practiceofPranayama,Sirshaand
SarvangaAsanas,studyofreligiousbooks,Vicharaandseclusionforthreemonthsonthebanksofanyholy
riverwillentirelyannihilatelust,howeverpowerfultheoldSamskarasandVasanasmaybe.Thepositive
alwaysovercomesthenegative.Youneednotbediscouragedatanyrate.Plungeyourselfseriouslyin
meditation,killthisMara,andcomeoutvictoriousinthestruggle.ShineasabrilliantYogi.Thouartever
pureAtman.Feelthis,OViswaranjan!
Sexualimpulsescan,withdifficulty,becontrolled.Arebellionofthesexualimpulsestakesplacewhenyou
attempttocontrolthem.ConstantJapaandmeditationforalongperiodarenecessarytodirectthesex
energyintothespiritualchannel.CompletesublimationofthesexualenergyintoOjasSaktiisnecessary.
Thenonlyyouareperfectlysafe.ThenonlyyouwillbeestablishedinSamadhi,asRasasvadwillentirely
vanish.Extremepatience,constantvigilance,perseveranceandrigorousSadhanaarenecessarytoeradicate
thesexualimpulsesandattainperfectpurityinthought,wordanddeed.
Brahmacharyaorpuritycanbeattainedonlythroughconstantstriving.Itcannotbeachievedinadayora
week.Lustisdoubtlessverypowerful.Itisyourdeadlyenemy.ButyourmostpowerfulfriendistheName
oftheLord.Itwilldestroylustfromitsveryroot.So,alwaysreciteandsing,"Ram,Ram,Ram".
Yogicpractices,meditationandsoonwillattenuateorthinoutthesexualdesiretoaverygreatextent.But,
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SelfrealizationalonecancompletelydestroyorburnthesexualdesireandtheSamskarasintoto.Asthe
Bhagavadgitarightlypointsout,"Theobjectsofthesensesturnawayfromtheabstinentmanleavingthe
longingbehind,butthislongingalsoturnsawayafterheattainsSelfrealization".
Sexurgeisacreativeforce.Unlessyouareinspiredbyspiritualideals,itisdifficulttokeepthesexual
instinctincheck.Directthesexenergytothehigherspiritualchannel.Itwillbesublimated.Itwillbe
transformedintodivineenergy.Completeeradicationoflust,however,cannotbedonethroughpersonal
effort.ItcanbeaccomplishedonlybyGodsgrace.
3.INTENSITYOFTHECRAVINGSINDIFFERENTPERSONS
Passionisaverystrongdesire.Amilddesirebecomesastrongpassionbyfrequentrepetitionorfrequent
enjoyment.
Inabroadsense,passionmeansanystrongdesire.Thereispassionforservicetothecountryinpatriots.
ThereispassionforGodrealizationinfirstclassaspirants.Insomepeople,thereisastrongpassionfor
novelreading.Thereispassionforreadingreligiousbooks.Butgenerally,incommonparlance,passion
meanslustorastrongsexualappetite.Thisisaphysicalcravingforsexualorcarnalgratification.Whenany
sexualactisrepeatedveryoften,thedesirebecomesverykeenandstrong.Thesexualinstinctorthe
reproductiveinstinctinmaninvoluntarilypromptshimtoengageinsexualactsforthepreservationofhis
species.
Passionistheinstinctiveurgeforexternalisationthroughselfpreservationandselfmultiplication.Itisthe
diversifyingpower,whichisdirectlyopposedtotheforcethatmovestowardstheintegrationofbeing.
PassionisaneffectorproductofAvidya.ItisanegativeVikarainthemind.Atmaniseverpure.Atmanis
VimalaorNirmalaorNirvikara.ItisNityaSuddha.AvidyaSaktihastakentheformofpassionforkeeping
uptheLilaoftheLord.YouwillfindintheChandipathorDurgaSaptasati:
YaDeviSarvabhuteshuKamarupenaSamsthita
NamastasyaiNamastasyaiNamastasyaiNamoNamah
Itmeans:"IbowtothatDeviwhohastakentheformofpassioninallthesebeings".
EvenBrahma,theCreator,doesnotknowtheexactseatwhereinpassionlies.IntheBhagavadgita,youwill
finditmentionedthatthesenses,themindandtheBuddhiaretheseatsofpassion.ThePranamayaKosaor
thevitalsheathisanotherseat.Desireisallpervadinginthebody.Everycell,everyatom,everymolecule,
everyelectronissurchargedwithpassion.Thereareundercurrents,crosscurrents,intercurrentsand
submarinecurrentsinthemightyoceanofpassion.Youmustcompletelyannihilateeachoneofthem.You
mustcompletelydestroypassioninallplaces.
PassionisaVrittiormodificationthatarisesfromthemindlakewhentheRajoGunapredominates.Rajasic
foodsuchasmeat,fishandeggs,RajasicdressandtheRajasicwayofliving,scents,novelreading,cinema,
talkonsensualthings,badcompany,liquor,intoxicantsofalldescription,tobaccoalltheseexcitepassion.
Passioninchildren,theyouthandtheaged
Passionisinaseedstateinyoungboysandgirls.Itdoesnotgivethemanytrouble.Justasthetreeis
latentintheseed,soalso,passionisinaseedstateinthemindsofchildren.Inoldmenandwomen,
passiongetssuppressed.Itcannotdoanyhavoc.Itisonlyinyoungmenandwomenwhohavereached
adolescencethatthispassionbecomestroublesome.Menandwomenbecomeslavestopassion.They
becomehelpless.
Thereisnotmuchdifferenceinsexbetweenamaleandafemale,aboyandagirl,whentheyarevery
young.Whentheyattainpuberty,thereisadrasticchange.Feelings,gestures,body,gait,talk,look,
movements,voice,qualitiesanddemeanourchangealtogether.
Thewholemangotreewithallitsbranches,leavesandfruitsiscontainedinasubtleformintheseed.It
takestimeformanifestation.Evenso,theVasanaoflustlurksinthemindwhenyouareaboy,manifestsat
eighteen,fillsthewholebodyattwentyfive,workshavocfromtwentyfivetofortyfiveandthengradually
declines.Variousformsofwrongdoingandmischiefarecommittedbyhumanbeingsbetweentwentyfive
andfortyfive.Thisisthemostcriticalperiodoflife.
Sexualthoughtinsages,spiritualaspirantsandhouseholders
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InaJnani,thesexualcravingisentirelyeradicated.InaSadhaka,itremainswellcontrolled.Ina
householder,whennotcontrolled,itdoeshavoc.Itexistsinhiminitsfullyexpandedstate.Hecannotresist
it.Heyieldstoithelplesslyonaccountofhisweakwillandlackoffirmresolution.
InaJnaniorasage,nosensualthoughtswillcropupinthemind.Therewillnotheanydifferenceinfeeling
whenheseesabeautifulyounggirl,achildoranoldlady.Hewillseetheoneunderlying,eternal,immortal
Selfinafemaleandamale.Hewillnothaveanydifferenceoffeelingwhenhetouchesabook,alogof
wood,apieceofstoneandthebodyofafemale.ThereisnoideaofsexinaJnani.Suchmustbethe
conditionofmindofamanwhoisestablishedinBrahmacharya.
Inanaspirant,therewillbeoccasionalsexualthoughts,buttheyarekeptundercheck.Theycannotdoany
havocinhim.
Apassionatehouseholder,however,becomesapreytosexualthoughts.Apassionatemanoftheworld
wantstheconstantcompanyofhiswife.Theideaofsexisingrainedinhim.Itisverypowerful.Hewants
everythingtobedonebyhiswife.Thenonlyheispleased.Thisissimplyduetopassion.Afterthedeathof
hiswife,heneverrelisheshisfood,evenwhenitispreparedbyexpertcooks.Suchpersonsarethoroughly
unfitforthespiritualline.Whenamanfeelsdisgustforthecompanyofawomanandcannottolerateher
company,itisasigntoshowtheawakeningofVairagyainhim.
Ifyoukeeplemonjuiceortamarindjuiceinagoldencup,itisnotspoiledortainted.Ifyoukeepitina
brassoracoppervessel,itgetsspoiledandbecomespoisonous.Evenso,iftherearesomeVishayaVrittis
orsensualthoughtsinthepuremindofapersonwhopracticesconstantmeditation,theywillnotpollutethe
manandinduceVikaraorpassionateexcitement.Butiftherearesensualthoughtsinpersonswithimpure
minds,theycauseimmediateexcitementinthemwhentheycomeacrosssensualobjects.
Inthevastmajorityofpersons,thesexualcravingisveryintense.Theyhavegotextremesexualhankering.
Insome,thesexualdesireoccasionallycomes,butpassesoffquickly.Thereismereagitationonly,ofa
simplenatureinthemind.BythepropermethodofspiritualSadhana,thisalsocanbecompletely
eradicated.
Lustinmenandinwomen
Thoughaladyappearstobegentleandsoft,yetshebecomesrude,roughanddistinctlymasculinewhenshe
becomesangry.Thefemininegracevanisheswhenshecomesundertheinfluenceofwrath,indignation,fury
andresentment.Haveyoueverseenwomenfightinginthestreets?Womenaremorejealousthanmen.
TheyhavemoreMohaandpassionalso.Theyareeighttimesmorepassionatethanmen.Womenhavemore
powerofendurance.Theyaremoreemotional.Malesaremorerational.
Thoughfemalesaremorepassionate,yettheyhavemorepowerofrestraintthanmales.Afterenticingmen,
theykeepquiet.Therealculpritismanonly.Heisaggressive.Itishewhotastestheforbiddenfruitfirst.
Heisactive.Hegoesoutofcontrolandloseshisintellect,powerofunderstandingandjudgementwhenheis
underthegripofpassionandbecomesthesportinglapdogofwoman.Whenoncemanfallsintothetrapor
netspreadoutbywoman,thereisnoescapeforhim.
Womanispassive.Sheonlytemptsanddeludesman.Sheinflamesandexcitestheheartofman.Shesmiles
andglancesandthenkeepsquiet.Shewaits.Butmanistheaggressor.Heistherealculprit.
Manistheworstculprit.Heistherealseducer.Heistheaggressor.Heistheviolator.Allwomenwould
havebecomeMiras,MadalasasandSulabhashaditnotbeenforthisvilestnatureofman.Hemustbe
correctedandmouldedfirst.Hehasnotgotsomuchselfrestraintaswomenhave.Womenareeighttimes
morepassionatethanmen,butpossesseighttimesmorestrengthofcontroloverthesexualimpulsesorthe
sexualurge.Thisistheweaknessofman,thoughhemaybephysicallyandintellectuallymorepowerfulthan
awoman.
Womenflatter,coaxandcajoleyou.Theyareexpertsintheartofblandishment.Theyhavemadeyoua
slavebytheirwinningexpressions,actions,youthfulcharm,coquettishglances,gesturesandsmile.A
considerableportionofyourlifehasbeenwastedpursuingthephantomsofflesh.Womenappearcharming
onlyforashorttime,butturndestructiveofhealthandhappinesssoonafter.Bewareofthesetemptresses
whoentangleyoubytheirblandishments.PassyourremainingdaysatleastontheholybanksoftheGanga
insilentJapaandmeditation.
Thescorpionhasthevenominitstail,thecobrainitsfangs,themosquitoinitssalivaandthescandal
mongerinhistongue.Womanhaspoisonedarrowsinhereyes.Shesendsthemessageofpassiontothe
lustfulyouthandpiercestheirheartthroughthepoisonedarrowsthatdartfromherpiercingglances.But,
shecannotdoanyharmtoaVivekiwhoisalwaysonthealertandwhoseestheDoshasofawomanand
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whoknowstheSatChitAnanda,purenatureofAtman.
Therearetonguesandtelegraphicinstrumentsintheeyesofyoungpassionateladies.Theysendtheirlove
shaftsandlovemessagesthroughtheirsmilingglancestopassionateyoungmenandtherebyallureand
bewitchthem.Thoseyoungmenwhohavenodiscriminationareexcitedbytheselovemessagesand
becomeapreytolust.Theybecomepleasuredeerorsportinglapdogsofladies,thoughtheypossess
academiceducationandholdhighpositionandtitle.Whatashame!Reason,will,intellectvanishaltogether.
Oaspirants!Donotbeveryfamiliarwithanywoman.Youshouldnotsacrificeanobleidealoflifeforthe
sakeofpleasingabewitchingwoman.Thinkofthecompositionofthebody.Keepthementalimageofthe
deadbodyofawomanoraskeletonwheneverpassiontroublesyou.Youwillslowlygainstrengthtosubdue
thepassion.Vairagyawillslowlydawn.ThecauseforattractiontowardswomenisthepresenceofVasanas
orsubtledesiresinthemind.Wipethemout.Therewillbenoattraction.Thosewhohaverenouncedwomen
andmoneyhavereallyrenouncedtheworld.
4.SEXISINIMAGINATION
Sexisthedistinctionbetweenmaleandfemale.Itisamentalcreation.ItisaKalpanaorimagination.There
isnosexinthefiveelementsofwhichthebodyiscomposed.Thehumanbodyisnothingbutacombination
ofthefiveelements.How,then,hasthesexideacome?Thesexideaisillusory.Itisatrickofthemind.It
isjuggleryofMaya.Itisanotion.Thesexideaisdeeprooted.Mancanneverthinkthatheisafemale.A
femalecanneverthinkthatsheisamale.
Foraliberatedsage,thisworldisfullofBrahmanonly.Forapassionateman,thisworldisfullofwoman.
Hefallsinlovewithawoodenpostifitiswrappedinasilkengownorabeautifulclothwithattractive
bordersandapetticoat.Passionisaterriblecurse.Whenamanisundertheinfluenceofpassion,
excitementandtheseximpulseorforcedestroyhisunderstandingandreason,overwhelmhismindand
makehimutterlyhelpless.
AhouseholderwhohasrightlyunderstoodthemagnitudeofthesufferingsofSamsaratriestogetridofthe
Samsariclife.Whereas,abachelorfullofpassionimaginesthatheisverymiserableonaccountofthe
absenceofawifeandchildrenandtriestogetmarried.ThisisMaya.Thisisamentaltrick.Beware.
Apassionatebacheloriseverthinking:"WhencanIlivewithayoungwife?"Adispassionatehouseholderin
whomVivekahasdawnediseverthinking:"WhencanIdisentanglemyselffromtheclutchesofmywifeand
retireintotheforestsforcontemplationonAtman?"Youmustthinkoverthedifference.
Thousandsofyounggraduatesandyoungdoctorscometomewithearthenpotsintheirhands,attiredin
orangecolouredrobes,inquestofcavesinUttarakashiandGangotrifordeepmeditationandpracticeof
Pranayama.AndsomeyoungresearchstudentsinscienceandsomeRajakumarsgotoPunjabandKashmir
insilksuitswithstiffcollarsandtiesinsearchofgirlsformarriage.Istherepleasureorpaininthisworld?
Ifthereispleasure,whydotheyoungeducatedmenretireintoforests?Ifthereispain,whydoyoungmen
runafterwealth,womenandposition?MysteriousisMaya!MysteriousisMoha!Trytounderstandtheriddle
oflifeandtheriddleoftheuniverse.
Beautyisamentalconcept
Mayahavocsthroughtheimaginationofthemind.Womanisnotbeautiful,buttheimaginationisbeautiful.
Sugarisnotsweet,buttheimaginationissweet.Foodisnotpalatable,buttheimaginationispalatable.Man
isnotweak,buttheimaginationisweak.UnderstandthenatureofMayaandmindandbecomewise.Curb
thisimaginationofthemindbyVicharaorrightthinkingandrestinBrahmanwhereinthereisneither
imaginationnorthought.
Beautyanduglinessarefalseimaginationsofthemind.Minditselfisafalseillusoryproduct.Conceptionsof
themindalsomustthereforebefalse.Theyarealllikeamirageinthedesert.Whatisbeautifulforyouis
uglyforanother.Beautyanduglinessarerelativeterms.Beautyisonlyamentalconcept.Itisonlyamental
projection.Itisonlyacivilizedmanwhotalksmuchofthesymmetryofform,goodfeatures,gracefulgait,
eleganceofmannersandgracefulform.AnAfricanNegrohasnoideaofallthesethings.Realbeautyisin
theSelfonly.Beautyresidesinthemindandnotintheobjects.Mangoisnotsweettheideaofmangois
sweet.ItisallVritti.Itisallmentaldeception,mentalconception,mentalcreation,mentalSrishti.Destroy
theVrittibeautyvanishes.Thehusbandstretcheshisownideaofbeautyinhisuglywifeandfindshervery
beautifulthroughpassion.Shakespearehasrightlyexpressedthisinhis"MidsummerNightsDream":
"Cupidispaintedblind.ItfindsHelensbeautyinthebrowofEgypt".
TheIndriyasandtheminddeludeyouateverymoment.Theyareyourrealenemies.Beautyisaproductof
mentalcreation.Beautyisaproductoftheimagination.Anuglywomanappearsverybeautifulonlyinthe
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eyesofherhusband.Whereisthebeauty,mydearfriends,inthewrinkledskinofanoldwoman?Whereis
thebeautywhenyourwifeisbedridden?Whereisthebeautywhenyourwifegetsangry?Whereisthe
beautyinthedeadbodyofawoman?Thebeautyinthefaceisamerereflection.Therealundecaying
BeautyofbeautiesthefountainofbeautiescanbefoundintheAtmanonly.Youhaveignoredthe
substanceandcaughtholdofabrokenpieceofglass.Whataseriousblunderhaveyoucommittedbyyour
impurethoughts,impuremind,impureBuddhiandimpurewayofliving!Haveyourealizedyourmistake?
Willyouopenyoureyesatleastnow?
Abeautifulwifeisverycharming.Sheisverysweetwhensheisyoung,whenshesmiles,whensheputson
beautifuldress,whenshesingsandplaysonthepianoortheviolin,whenshedancesintheballroom.But
sheishorribletolookatwhensheloseshertemper,whenshequarrelswithherhusbandfornotgettingsilk
sareesandgoldnecklace,whenshesuffersfromacuteabdominalcolicorsomesuchdiseaseandwhenshe
becomesold.
ForafewyearsNaturebestowsonwomanhergiftofspecialbeauty,charmandeleganceinorderthatshe
maycapturetheheartsofmen.Beautyisskindeeponly.Itwillsoonfade,thehairwillbecomegrayand
theskinwillsoonbefilledwithwrinkles.Thetailor,theweaver,theembroiderer,thetoiletmakerandthe
goldsmithmakeusbeautifulforafewseconds.Man,inhisexcitement,infatuationanddelusion,forgetsthis
point.ThisisMaya.NevertrustthisMaya.Beware.Oman,wakeup!FindouttheBeautyofbeauties,which
iswithinyou,whichisyourinnermostSelf.Owoman!SinglikeMiraandmergeinMirasGirdharNagar.
Haveyoueverpausedandconsideredwhatconstitutesthebasicladieswhoexcitelustinyou?Abundleof
bones,flesh,blood,urine,faecalmatter,pus,perspiration,phlegmandotherdirt!Willyouallowsucha
bundletobecomethemasterofyourthoughts?Willyouexchangeyourbirthrightofeternalpeaceand
happinessforsuchafleeting,filthymessofpottage?Shameonyou!Wereyourwill,yourreasonandyour
discriminationgiventoyouonlyforsuchaningloriousend?Haveyounotheardandseenthatphysical
beautyisonlyskindeepandatthemercyofeverypassingaccident,illnessandyear?
Misleadingdescriptionsofawomansbeauty
Poetshaveexaggeratedthebeautyofladies.Theyaremisguidedpersonswhoputyoungmenonthewrong
path.Descriptionslike"damselswithbewitchingeyes","facelikethemoon","rosycheeksandhoneyedlips"
arefalseandimaginary.Whereisthebeautyinthedeadbody,inoldwomen,insickladies?Whereisthe
beautywhenaladyisinfuriated?Youareawareofthisandyetyouclingtotheirbodies!Areyounot
confirmedfools!ThisisduetotheforceofMaya.HowmysteriousisthepowerofMayaandMoha!The
beautyofawomanisfalse,artificialanddecaying.Realbeautyisundecayingandeternal.TheAtmanisthe
sourceofallbeauties.Hisbeautyiseverlastingandundecaying.Itisornaments,silkenclothingwithfanciful
borders,dressingofthehairwithgoldenhairpins,flowers,applicationofpowdertotheirfaces,lipstickto
thelipsandunguenttotheireyesthatlendatemporarydecorationandartificialglitteringtothewomen.
Deprivethemoftheirfacepowders,theirornamentsandgaudydress,andaskthemtowearasimplewhite
clothwithoutanyborder.Whereisthebeautynow?Thebeautyoftheskinisadelusiononly.
Poetsdescribeintheirfanciful,passionatemoodsthathoneyflowsfromthelipsofayoung,beautifullady.
Isthisreallytrue?Whatdoyouactuallysee?Thestinkingpusfromthesocketsoftheteeththatareaffected
withdreadfulpyorrhoea,thenastyandabdominalsputumfromthethroat,andfoulsalivadribblingonthe
lipsatnightdoyoucallallthisashoneyandnectar?Andyet,thepassionate,lustfulandsexintoxicated
manswallowsthesefilthyexcretionswhenheisundertheswayofexcitement!Isthereanythingmore
revoltingthanthis?Arenotthesepoetsculpable,whentheyhavegivensuchafalsedescription,whenthey
havecausedgreathavocanddamagetopassionateyoungmen?
Behindtheshiningskinthereistherawflesh.Behindthesmilesofayoungladyarehiddenfrownandanger.
Behindtherosylipsliegermsofdiseases.Behindthegentlenessandkindwordsarehiddenharshwordsand
abuses.Lifeisfleetinganduncertain,Opassionateman!RealizethebeautyoftheAtmanintheheart.The
bodyistheabodefordiseases.Thenetofaffectioninthisworldisstrengthenedbylongindulgence.Ithas
entwineditsthickknottedtwinearoundyourneck.
Minusskin,minusdress,minusornaments,womanisnothing.Justimagineforamomentthatherskinis
removed.Youwillhavetostandbyhersidewithalongsticktodriveawaycrowsandvultures.Physical
beautyissuperficial,illusoryandfading.Itisskindeep.Donotbedeludedbyexternalappearances.Itis
thejuggleryofMaya.Gotothesource,Atman,thebeautyofbeauties,theeverlastingbeauty.
Passionblindstheintellect
Sexualpleasureisanillusion.ItisBhrantiSukha.Itisnorealhappinessatall.Itismerenervetickling.All
worldlypleasuresappearasnectarinthebeginning.Theybecomepoisonintheend.Reflectwell,O
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Saumya,mybelovedson!Donotbeledawaybyimpulsesandpassion.Nobodyhasbeenbenefitedinthis
worldbythisMaya.Peopleweepintheend.Askanygrownuphouseholderwhetherhefindsevenaniotaof
happinessinthisworld.
Theflyrunstowardsthefireorlampthinkingthatitisaflowerandgetsburntup.Evenso,thepassionate
manrunstowardsafalsebeautifulformthinkingthathecangettheretherealhappinessandgetshimself
burntupinthefireoflust.
Justasthesilkwormentanglesitselfinitsselfwovencocoon,soalso,youhaveentangledyourselfinthe
meshesofyourowndesires.Tearthemeshesbytheknifeofdispassionandsoarhighintherealmof
eternalpeaceonthewingsofdevotionandknowledge.
Apassionatemanisarealblindman.Thoughhemaybeanintellectualman,hebecomesblindwhenheis
undertheswayofsexualexcitement.Hisintellectprovestobeofnousewhenhesuffersfromthiskindof
blindness.Pitiableishislot!Satsanga,prayer,Japa,enquiryandmeditationwilleradicatethisdiredisease
andbestowonhimtheeyeofwisdom.
Thereisnosexintheelements.Thereismindinthebody,whichismadeupoftheseelements.Thereis
Kalpanainthemind.AndthatKalpanaordesireforlustissexdesire.Ifyoukillthismind,whichisabundle
ofdesires,youkilllustandeverything.KillthatKalpana.Youwillhavenolustthen.Youhavekilledlust.
Thesexideaisamentalcreation.ThewholeMayaorAvidyaisnothingbutthebodyideaorthesexidea.
ThewholespiritualSadhanaiscalculatedtodestroythisoneidea.Theextinctionofthisoneideaaloneis
Moksha!
5.THEDISASTROUSEFFECTSOFSEXUALINDULGENCE
Themostdevitalisinganddemoralizingofpleasuresisthesexpleasure.Sensualenjoymentisattendedwith
variousdefects.Itisattendedwithvarioussortsofsins,pains,weaknesses,attachments,slavementality,
weakwill,severeexertionandstruggle,cravingandmentalrestlessness.Worldlypersonsnevercometo
theirpropersensesalthoughtheygetsevereknocks,kicksandblowsfromdifferentcorners.Thestrolling
streetdogneverstopsfromvisitingthehouseseventhoughitispeltedwithstoneseverytime.
EminentdoctorsoftheWestsaythatvariouskindsofdiseasesarisefromthelossofsemen,particularlyin
youngage.Thereappearboilsonthebody,acneoreruptionsontheface,bluelinesaroundtheeyes,
absenceofbeard,sunkeneyes,palefacewithanaemia,lossofmemory,lossofeyesight,shortsightedness,
dischargeofsemenalongwithurine,enlargementofthetestes,paininthetestes,debility,drowsiness,
laziness,gloominess,palpitationoftheheart,dyspnoeaordifficultyinbreathing,phthisis,painintheback,
loins,headandjoints,weakkidneys,passingurineinsleep,ficklemindedness,lackofthinkingpower,bad
dreams,wetdreamsandrestlessnessofmind.
Markcarefullytheevilaftereffectsthatfollowthelossofseminalenergy!Personsarephysically,mentally
andmorallydebilitatedbywastingtheseminalpoweronsomanyoccasionsfornothing.Thebodyandthe
mindrefusetoworkenergetically.Thereisphysicalandmentallethargy.Youexperiencemuchexhaustion
andweakness.Youwillhavetotakerecoursetodrinkingmilk,toeatingfruitsandaphrodisiacconfections,
tomakegoodthelossofenergy.Rememberthatthesethingscannever,neverrepairthelosscompletely.
Oncelostislostforever.Youwillhavetodragonadreary,cheerlessexistence.Bodilyandmentalstrength
getsdiminisheddaybyday.
ThosewhohavelostmuchoftheirVeeryabecomeveryirritable.Littlethingsupsettheirminds.Thosewho
havenotobservedthevowofcelibacybecometheslavesofanger,jealousy,lazinessandfear.Ifyouhave
notgotyoursensesundercontrol,youventuretodofoolishactswhichevenchildrenwillnotdaretodo.
Hewhohaswastedthevitalenergybecomeseasilyirritable,loseshisbalanceofmindandgetsintoastate
ofexplosivefuryfortriflingthings.Whenamanbecomesfurious,hebehavesimproperly.Hedoesnotknow
whatheisexactlydoingasheloseshispowerofreasoninganddiscrimination.Hewilldoanythinghelikes.
Hewillinsultevenhisparents,Guruandrespectablepersons.Itbehoves,therefore,thattheaspirantwhois
tryingtodevelopgoodbehaviourmustpreservethevitalenergy.Preservationofthisdivineenergyleadsto
theattainmentofstrongwillpower,goodbehaviour,spiritualexaltation,andSreyasorMokshaeventually.
Excessivesexualintercoursedrainstheenergyenormously.Youngmendonotrealizethevalueofthevital
fluid.Theywastethisdynamicenergybyimmoderatecopulation.Theirnervesaretickledmuch.They
becomeintoxicated.Whataseriousblundertheycommit!Itisacrimethatdemandscapitalpunishment.
TheyareslayersofAtman.Whenthisenergyisoncewasted,itcanneverberecoupedbyanyothermeans.
Itisthemostpowerfulenergyintheworld.Onesexualactshatterscompletelythebrainandthenervous
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system.Peoplefoolishlyimaginethattheycanrecoverthelostenergybytakingmilk,almondsand
Makaradhvaja.Thisisamistake.Youmusttryyourlevelbesttopreserveeverydropalthoughyouarea
marriedman.Selfrealizationisthegoal.
Theenergythatiswastedduringonesexualintercourseistantamounttotheenergythatisspentinphysical
labourfortendaysortheenergythatisutilizedinmentalworkforthreedays.Markhowpreciousisthe
vitalfluid,semen!Donotwastethisenergy.Preserveitwithgreatcare.Youwillhavewonderfulvitality.
WhenVeeryaisnotused,itisalltransmutedintoOjasSaktiorspiritualenergyandstoredupinthebrain.
Westerndoctorsknowlittleofthissalientpoint.Mostofyourailmentsareduetoexcessiveseminal
wastage.
WetdreamandvoluntarycopulationAvitaldifference
Asexualactshattersthenervoussystem.Thewholenervoussystemisshakenoragitatedduringtheact.
Thereisexcessivelossofenergy.Moreenergyiswastedduringcoition.Butitisnotsowhenemission
occursduringthedreamingstate.Inawetdream,itmaybetheoutflowoftheprostaticjuiceonly.Evenif
thereislossofthevitalfluid,thereisnotmuchdraining.Theactualessencedoesnotcomeoutduringwet
dreams.Itisonlythewateryprostaticjuicewithalittlesementhatisdischargedduringnocturnalpollutions.
Whennocturnalemissiontakesplace,themindwhichwasworkingintheinnerastralbodysuddenlyenters
thephysicalbodyvehementlyinanagitatedcondition.Thatisthereasonwhyemissiontakesplace
suddenly.
Thenightdischargemaynotstimulatethesexualdesire.Butavoluntarycopulation,inthecaseofasincere
aspirantishighlydetrimentaltohisspiritualprogress.TheSamskaracreatedbytheactwillbeverydeep
anditwillintensifyorstrengthentheforceofthepreviousSamskarasthatarealreadyimbeddedinthe
subconsciousmindandwillstimulatethesexualdesire.Itwillbelikepouringgheeinthefirethatisslowly
gettingextinguished.ThetaskofobliteratingthisnewSamskarawillbeanuphillwork.Youshould
completelygiveupcopulation.Thismindwilltrytodeludeyouinavarietyofwaysbygivingwrongcounsel.
Beonthealert.Donothearitsvoice,buttrytohearthevoiceoftheconscienceorthevoiceofthesoulor
thevoiceofdiscrimination.
Youthwithbloodlessfaces
Agoodlotofenergyiswastedduringcopulation.Badmemory,prematureoldage,impotence,varioussorts
ofeyediseasesandvariousnervousdiseasesareattributabletotheheavylossofthisvitalfluid.Itis
greatlyshockingindeedtoseemanyofouryouthwalkingwithtotteringsteps,withpale,bloodlessfaces
owingtolossofthisvitalfluid,insteadofjumpinghitherandthitherwithagile,nimblestepswithvigourand
vitalitylikethesquirrel.Somepeoplearesopassionateandweakthateventhethoughtorsightortouchof
awomancausesdischargeofsemen.Pitiableistheirlot!
Whatdoweseeinthesedays?Boysandgirls,menandwomen,aredrownedintheoceanofimpure
thoughts,lustfuldesiresandlittlesensualpleasures.Itishighlydeplorableindeed.Itisreallyshockingto
hearthestoriesofsomeoftheseboys.Manycollegeboyshavepersonallycometomeandnarratedtheir
pitiablelivesofgloomanddepressionbroughtaboutbyheavylossofsemenresultingfromunnatural
means.Theirpowerofdiscriminationhasbeenlostowingtosexualexcitementandlustfulintoxication.Why
doyoulosetheenergythatisgainedinmanyweeksandmonthsforthesakeofthelittle,momentary
sensualpleasure?
6.THEVALUEOFSEMEN
Mydearbrothers!Thevitalenergy,theVeeryathatsupportsyourlife,whichisthePranaofPranas,which
shinesinyoursparklingeyes,whichbeamsinyourshiningcheeks,isagreattreasureforyou.Remember
thispointwell.Veeryaisthequintessenceofblood.Onedropofsemenismanufacturedoutoffortydropsof
blood.Markherehowvaluablethisfluidis!
AtreedrawstheessenceorRasafromtheearth.Thisessenceiscirculatedthroughoutthetree,itstwigs,
branches,leaves,flowersandfruits.Theshiningcoloursandlifeintheleaves,flowersandfruitsaredueto
thisRasa.Similarly,theVeeryathatismanufacturedbythecellsofthetestesoutofbloodgivescolourand
vitalitytothehumanbodyanditsdifferentorgans.
AccordingtoAyurveda,semenisthelastDhatuthatisformedoutoffood.Outoffoodismanufactured
chyle.Outofchylecomesblood.Outofbloodcomesflesh.Outoffleshcomesfat.Outoffatcomesbone.
Outofbonecomesmarrow.Outofmarrowcomessemen.ThesearetheSaptaDhatusorthesevenDhatus
thatsupportthislifeandbody.Markherehowpreciousissemen!Itisthelastessence.ItistheEssenceof
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essences.TheVeeryacomesoutoftheverymarrowthatliesconcealedinsidethebones.
TherearethreedivisionsineachDhatu.Semennourishesthephysicalbody,theheartandtheintellect.Only
thatmanwhousesthephysicalbody,theheartandtheintellectcanhaveperfectBrahmacharya.Awrestler
whouseshisphysicalbodyonly,butkeepstheintellectandtheheartundeveloped,cannotexpecttohave
fullBrahmacharya.HecanhaveBrahmacharyaofthebodyonly,butnotofthemindandtheheart.The
sementhatbelongstotheheartandthemindwillcertainlyflowout.IfanaspirantdoesonlyJapaand
meditation,ifhedoesnotdeveloptheheart,andifhedoesnotpracticephysicalexercise,hewillhaveonly
mentalBrahmacharya.Theportionofthesemen,whichgoestonourishtheheartandthebody,willflowout.
ButanadvancedYogiwhodivesdeepinmeditationwillhavefullBrahmacharyaevenifhedoesnottake
physicalexercise.
Semenisthequintessenceoffoodorblood.Onedropofsemeninmanufacturedoutoffortydropsofblood
accordingtomodernmedicalscience.AccordingtoAyurveda,itiselaboratedoutofeightydropsofblood.
Thetwotestesorseedsthatarelocatedinthescrotalbagarecalledsecretoryglands.Thecellsofthese
testeshavebeenendowedwiththepeculiarpropertyofsecretingsemenfromtheblood.Justasbeescollect
honeyinthehoneycombdropbydrop,soalso,thecellsofthetestescollectsemendropbydropfromthe
blood.Thenthisfluidistakenbythetwoductsortubestothevesiculaeseminalis.Underexcitement,itis
thrownoutbyspecialducts,calledejaculatoryducts,intotheurethrawhereitismixedwiththeprostatic
juice.
Semenisfoundinasubtlestateinallthecellsofthebody.Justassugarisallpervadinginthesugarcane,
butterinmilk,soalso,semenispervadingthewholebody.Justasthebuttermilkisthinafterthebutteris
removed,soalso,semenisthinnedbyitswastage.Themorethewastageofsementhemoreisthe
weakness.IntheYogaSastrasitissaid:
MaranamBinduPatanat,
JivanamBinduRakshanat.
Fallingofsemenbringsdeathpreservationofsemengiveslife.Semenistherealvitalityinmen.Itisthe
hiddentreasureinman.ItimpartsBrahmaTejastothefaceandstrengthtotheintellect.
Modernmedicalopinion
EminentEuropeanmedicalmenalsosupportthestatementoftheYoginsofIndia.Dr.Nicolesays:"Itisa
medicalandphysiologicalfactthatthebestbloodinthebodygoestoformtheelementsofreproductionin
boththesexes.Inapureandorderlylife,thismatterisreabsorbed.Itgoesbackintocirculationreadyto
formthefinestbrain,nerveandmusculartissues.Thisvitalfluidofmancarriedbackanddiffusedthrough
hissystemmakeshimmanly,strong,braveandheroic.Ifwasted,itleaveshimeffeminate,weakand
physicallydebilitatedandpronetosexualirritationanddisorderedfunction,awretchednervoussystem,
epilepsy,andvariousotherdiseasesanddeath.Thesuspensionoftheuseofthegenerativeorgansis
attendedwithanotableincreaseofbodilyandmentalandspiritualvigour."
Ifthespermaticsecretioninmeniscontinuous,itmusteitherbeexpelledorbereabsorbed.Asaresultof
themostpatientandperseveringscientificinvestigations,ithasbeenfoundthatwhenevertheseminal
secretionsareconservedandtherebyreabsorbedintothesystem,itgoestowardsenrichingthebloodand
strengtheningthebrain.Dr.DioLouisthinksthattheconservationofthiselementisessentialtostrengthof
body,vigourofmindandkeennessofintellect.Anotherwriter,Dr.E.P.Miller,says:"Allwasteofspermatic
secretions,whethervoluntaryorinvoluntary,isadirectwasteofthelifeforce.Itisalmostuniversally
concededthatthechoicestelementofthebloodentersintothecompositionofthespermaticsecretion.If
theseconclusionsarecorrect,thenitfollowsthatachastelifeisessentialtomanswellbeing."
Mind,PranaandVeerya
Mind,PranaandVeeryaarethethreelinksofonechain.TheyarethethreepillarsoftheedificeofJivatma.
Destroyonepillarmind,PranaorVeeryaandthewholebuildingwillfalltopieces.
Mind,PranaandVeeryaareone.Bycontrollingthemind,youcancontrolPranaandsemen.Bycontrolling
Pranayoucancontrolthemindandsemen.Bycontrollingsemen,youcancontrolthemindandPrana.
Mind,PranaandVeeryaareundertheoneSambandhaorconnectionorcircuit.Ifthemindiscontrolled,
PranaandVeeryaarecontrolledautomatically.HewhosuspendsorrestrainsPranarestrainsalsothe
workingofthemindandthemovementoftheVeerya.Again,iftheVeeryaiscontrolled,andifitismadeto
flowupwardsintothebrainbypurethoughtsandthepracticeofViparitaKaraniMudrassuchas
SarvangasanaandSirshasanaandPranayama,themindandthePranaareautomaticallycontrolled.
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ThemindissetinmotionorrenderedactivebytwothingsthevibrationofPranaandtheVasanasorsubtle
desires.Wherethemindisabsorbed,therethePranaisrestrainedandwherethePranaisfixed,therethe
mindalsoisabsorbed.MindandPranaareintimatecompanions,likeamanandhisshadow.Ifthemindand
thePranaarenotrestrained,alltheorgansofsensationandactionkeepactivelyengagedintheirrespective
functions.
Whenamanisexcitedbypassion,thePranaissetinmotion.Thenthewholebodyobeysthedictateofthe
mindjustasasoldierobeysthecommandofhiscommander.ThevitalairorPranamovestheinternalsap
orsemen.Thesemenisputintomotion.Itfallsdownwards,justasthecloudsburstintorainwater,justas
thefruits,flowersandleavesofthetreesdropdownbytheforceoftheblowingwinds.
IftheVeeryaislost,Pranagetsunsteady.Pranaisagitated.Themanbecomesnervous.Thenthemindalso
cannotworkproperly.Themanbecomesfickleminded.Thereismentalweakness.
IfthePranaisrenderedsteady,themindalsobecomessteady.IftheVeeryaissteady,themindalsois
steady.IftheVeeryaissteady,themindalsoissteady.IftheDrishtiorvisionissteady,themindalso
becomessteady.Therefore,controlthePrana,theVeeryaandtheDrishti.
GodisRasa.RasoVaiSah.RasaisVeerya,thevitalfluidorsemen.Youcangeteternalblissbythe
attainmentofRasaorVeeryaonly.RasohyevayamLabdhvaAnandiBhavati.
Graspfullytheimportanceandvalueofthisvitalessenceoflife.Veeryaisallpower.Veeryaisallmoney.
VeeryaisGod.VeeryaisSita.VeeryaisRadha.VeeryaisDurga.VeeryaisGodinmotion.Veeryais
dynamicWill.VeeryaisAtmaBal.VeeryaisGodsVibhuti.TheLordsaysintheGita:"PaurushamNrishu.I
amtheseedorvirilityinmen".Veeryaistheessenceoflife,thought,intelligenceandconsciousness.
Therefore,preservethisvitalfluidvery,verycarefully,mydearreaders!
SECTIONII.THEGLORYOFBRAHMACHARYA
7.THEMEANINGOFBRAHMACHARYA
BrahmacharyaliterallymeansAcharaorconductthatleadstotherealizationofBrahmanoronesownSelf.
Itmeansthecontrolofsemen,thestudyoftheVedasandcontemplationonGod.Thetechnicalmeaningof
Brahmacharyaisselfrestraint,particularlymasteryofperfectcontroloverthesexualorganorfreedom
fromlustinthought,wordanddeed.Strictabstinenceisnotmerelyfromsexualintercourse,butalsofrom
autoeroticmanifestations,fromhomosexualactsandfromallperversesexualpractices.Itmustfurther
involveapermanentabstentionfromindulgenceineroticimaginationandvoluptuousreverie.Allsortsofsex
anomaliesandevilhabitsofvarioussortslikemasturbationandsodomymustbecompletelyeradicated.
Theybringaboutatotalbreakdownofthenervoussystemandimmensemisery.
Brahmacharyaispurityinthought,wordanddeed.Itiscelibacyandcontinence.Brahmacharyaisthevowof
celibacy.ThetermcelibacyisfromtheLatincaelebs,meaningunmarriedorsingle,andsignifiesthestate
oflivingunmarried.ButBrahmacharyaisnotmerebachelorhood.Itincludesthecontrol,notonlyofthesex
orreproductiveIndriya,butalsoofallotherIndriyasinthought,wordanddeed.Thisisthedefinitionof
Brahmacharyainabroadsenseoftheterm.ThedoortoNirvanaorperfectioniscompleteBrahmacharya.
CompletecelibacyisthemasterkeytoopentherealmsofElysianbliss.Theavenuetotheabodeof
supremepeacebeginsfromBrahmacharyaorpurity.
Brahmacharyaisabsolutefreedomfromsexualdesiresandthoughts.ArealBrahmachariwillnotfeelany
differenceintouchingawoman,apieceofpaperorablockofwood.Brahmacharyaismeantforbothmen
andwomen.Bhishma,Hanuman,Lakshman,MiraBai,SulabhaandGargiwereallestablishedin
Brahmacharya.
MerecontroloftheanimalpassionwillnotconstituteBrahmacharya.ThisisincompleteBrahmacharya.You
mustcontrolalltheorganstheearsthatwanttohearlustfulstories,thelustfuleyethatwantstosee
objectsthatexcitepassion,thetonguethatwantstotasteexcitingthingsandtheskinthatwantstotouch
excitingobjects.
Tolooklustfullyisadulteryoftheeyestohearanythingthatexcitespassionisadulteryoftheearsto
speakanythingthatexcitespassionisadulteryofthetongue.
TheeightbreaksinBrahmacharya
Youshouldcarefullyavoidtheeightkindsofenjoyment,namely,Darshanorlookingatwomenwith
passionateresolve,Sparshanortouchingthem,Keliorplay,Kirtanorpraisingthequalitiesoftheothersex,
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GuhyaBhashanortalkinginprivate,Sankalpaordetermination,Adhyavasayaornearingtheothersexwith
thedesireforgratificationandKriyanivrittiortheactualsexualact.Theseeightkindsofenjoymentareeight
kindsofbreaks,sotosay,inthecurrentofAkhandaBrahmacharyapractice.Youmustavoidtheseeight
interruptionswithgreatcare,sincereexertionandvigilantcircumspection.Onlyhewhoisfreefromallthese
breakscanbecalledatrueBrahmachari.ArealBrahmacharishouldruthlesslyavoidalltheseeightbreaks.
ABrahmacharishouldavoidlookingatawomanwithlustfuleyes.Heshouldnothavethedesiretotouchher
orgonearherwithevilintention.Heshouldnotplay,cutjokesorconversewithher.Heshouldnotpraisea
womansqualitieswithinhimselforbeforehisfriends.Heshouldnotspeaktoawomaninsecrecy.He
shouldnotthinkofwomenatall.Heshouldnothaveacarnaldesiretohavesexualenjoyment.A
Brahmacharishould,withoutfail,avoidsexualintercourse.Ifhebreaksanyoftheaboverules,heviolates
thevowofBrahmacharya.
ThoughthefirstsevenkindsofMaithunadonotcausetheactuallossofsemen,yetthesemenisseparated
fromthebloodandittriestoescapewhenopportunityarises,eitherindreamsorinotherways.Inthefirst
sevenkinds,manenjoysmentally.
Aspirantsshouldnotindulgeintalkaboutsex.Theyshouldnotthinkaboutladies.Bringtheimageofyour
IshtaDevataintoyourmindifthethoughtofawomancropsup.RepeattheMantravigorously.
Lustfullook,lustfulthinking,wetdreamsareallfailuresorbreaksinBrahmacharya.Bechasteinyourlook.
GiveupDrishtiDoshaorlustfullook.AlustfullookitselfisabreakinBrahmacharya.Thereisinternal
discharge.Veeryaisseparatedfromthesystem.
SeeMotherKaliinallwomen.Cultivatesublime,divinethoughts.DoJapaandmeditationregularly.Youwill
beestablishedinBrahmacharya.
PhysicalBrahmacharyaandmentalBrahmacharya
ItisverynecessarythatyoushouldbepureinmindifyouwishtobeaBrahmachari.MentalBrahmacharya
ismoreimportant.YoumaysucceedinphysicalBrahmacharya,butyoumustsucceedinmental
Brahmacharyaalso.Thatstateofmindwhereinnosinglesexualthoughtentersthemindistermedmental
Brahmacharya.Ifthoughtsareimpure,theseximpulsewillbeverystrong.Brahmacharyadependsupon
regulatingthewholecourseoflife.
Whenyoucannotcontrolthelustfulthoughts,atleastcontrolthephysicalbody.PhysicalBrahmacharyamust
bestrictlypracticedatfirst.Controlthebodywhentheseximpulsetroublesyou.Mentalpurityormental
Brahmacharyawillgraduallymanifest.
SurelyitisbettertocontroltheKarmaIndriyasatleastthantoindulgeactuallyinsensualpleasures.
GraduallythethoughtswillbepurifiedifyoupersistinyourJapaandmeditation.Eventuallytherewillbe
directcontrolofthemindalso.
Asexualact,asexualcontact,revivesallbadideasandgivesthemanewleaseoflife.Therefore,thebody
shouldbecontrolledfirst.PhysicalBrahmacharyamustbemaintainedfirst.Thenonlyyoucanachieve
mentalpurityandmentalBrahmacharya.
Youmaybeabletostopcopulationformonthsandyears,butthereshouldnotbeanysexualcravingor
attractionforwomen.Evilthoughtsalsoshouldnotarisewhenyoulookatawoman,whenyouareinthe
companyofwomen.Ifyousucceedinthisdirection,thenyouareestablishedinperfectBrahmacharya.You
havecrossedthedangerzone.
Thoughtistherealaction.Anevildesireistantamounttoadultery.Thedesireismorethantheact.But,
thereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweentheactualshootingofamanandthinkingtoshootaman,
betweenactualcopulationandthinkingtohaveintercoursewithawoman.Philosophicallyspeaking,thinking
toshootamanorthinkingtohavecopulationistherealact.
Evenifthereisasingleimpuresexualthoughtinthemind,youcanhardlyexpecttohavestrictmental
Brahmacharya.YoucannotthenbetermedasOordhvaretasoroneinwhomtheseminalenergyflows
upwardstowardsthebrainforbeingstoredupasOjasSakti.Thereisatendencyforthesementoflow
downwardsevenifthereisasingleimpurethought.
ThestateofmentalBrahmacharyamustbekeptupevenamidsttemptationsandsickness.Thenonlyyou
aresafe.Thesensesbegintorevoltduringtimesofailmentandalsowhenyoucomeincontactwithsense
objects.
Ifthoughtsofalustfulnaturemanifestinyourmind,itisduetohiddenpassion.Thecunningdiplomaticmind
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seekssilentgratificationbylookingataladyandtalkingtoher.MentalMaithunamtakesplacesecretlyor
unconsciously.Theforcethatdragsyouishiddenpassion.
Thesexenergyhasnotbeensublimatedthoroughly.ThevitalbeingorPranamavaKosahasnotbeen
regeneratedandpurifiedperfectly.Thisisthereasonwhyimpurethoughtsenteryourmind.DomoreJapa
andmeditation.Doselflessserviceinsomeformforthesociety.Youwillsoonattainpurity.
Learntocleanseyourmindwiththewaterofpurityorcelibacy,withthesoapofdivinelove.Howcanyou
expecttobecomepureinternallybymerelywashingthebodywithsoapandwater?Internalpurityismore
importantthanexternalpurity.
ContinuethelifeofBrahmacharya.Hereinliesyourspiritualprogressandrealization.Donotgiveanew
leaseoflifetothisdireenemylustbyrepetitionofthesinfulact.
Keepthemindfullyoccupied.Intensemusingontheobjectsofsensedoesmoreharmtotheinnerspiritual
lifethanactualsensegratification.IfthemindisnotrenderedpurebySadhana,meremortificationofthe
externalsenseswillnotproducethedesiredeffect.Althoughtheexternalsensesaremortified,theirinternal
counterparts,whicharestillenergeticandvigorous,revengeuponthemindandproduceintensemental
disturbanceandwildimagination.
Itisthemindthatreallydoesallactions.Adesirearisesinyourmindandthenyouthink.Thenyouproceed
toact.Thedeterminationofthemindisputintoaction.FirstthereisSankalpaorthoughtandthencomes
action.Therefore,donotallowthesexualthoughtstoenterthemind.
Nospaceisemptyatanytime.Thisisthelawofnature.Ifonethingisremovedfromaplace,immediately
anothercomesintotakeitsplace.Thesamelawholdsgoodinthecaseoftheinnermentalworldalso.
Therefore,itisnecessarytoentertainsublimedivinethoughtstoreplaceevilthoughts.Asyouthink,soyou
become.Thisistheimmutablepsychologicallaw.Theviciousmindisgraduallydivinisedbyentertaining
divinethoughts.
Acommoncomplaint
ThereisalwaysacomplaintamongstmenthattheydonotgetgoodsuccessinBrahmacharyadespitetheir
earnesteffortsandsincerepractices.Theygetunnecessarilyalarmedanddiscouraged.Itisamistake.
Thereisathermometricregistrationinthespiritualrealmalso.Itisverysubtle.Thespiritualthermometer
registersorindicatestheadvancementinmentalpurityeventotheminutestdegree.YouwantaVisuddha
Buddhiorpureintellecttocomprehendthedegreeofpurity.IntenseSadhana,burningVairagyaandburning
Mumukshutvaordesireforliberationbringonthehighestdegreeofmentalpurityquickly.
EvenifanyonerepeatstheGayatriorthePranavaforjusthalfanhour,thespiritualthermometerregisters
atonceaminutedegreeofBrahmacharyaorpurity.YouareunabletonoteitonaccountofyourMalina
Buddhiorimpureintellect.DoSadhanaregularlyforoneortwoyearsandthencompareyourstateofmind
withthatofthepreviousyear.Youwillsurelyfindavastchange.Youwillexperienceorfeelmorecalmness,
morepurity,moreinnermoralforceorstrength.Thereisnodoubtofthis.Becausetheoldvicious
Samskarasareverypowerful,ittakessometimeformentalpurification.Youneednotbediscouraged.Nil
desperandum.Neverdespair.YouhavetofightagainsttheSamskarasofAnadiKalaorbeginninglesstime.
Therefore,agreatdealofexertionisneeded.
8.THEGLORYOFBRAHMACHARYA
Therecannotbeanylanguagewithoutvowels.Youcannotdrawapicturewithoutacanvasorawall.You
cannotwriteanythingwithoutpaper.Evenso,youcannothavehealthandspirituallifewithout
Brahmacharya.Brahmacharyabringsmaterialprogressandpsychicadvancement.Itisthebasisfor
morality.Itisthebasisforeternallife.Itisaspringflowerthatexhalesimmortalityfromitspetals.Itisthe
substratumforalifeofpeaceinAtman.ItisthefirmsupportforBrahmaNishtha,whichiseagerlylonged
forbysages,aspirantsandYogicstudents.ItistheshieldforwagingwaragainsttheinternalAsuraslust,
angerandgreed.Itservesasagatewaytotheblissbeyond.ItopensthedoorofMoksha.Itcontributesto
perennialjoy,totheuninterruptedandundecayingbliss.EvenRishis,Devas,GandharvasandKinnarasserve
atthefeetofatrueBrahmachari.EvenIsvaraappliestohisforeheadthedustofthefeetofagenuine
celibate.BrahmacharyaistheonlykeytoopentheSushumnaandawakenKundalini.Itbringsglory,fame,
virtueandManaPratishtha.TheeightSiddhisandthenineRiddhisrollunderthefeetofthetruecelibate.
Theyareeverreadytoobeyhiscommand.TheLordofDeathfleesfromhim.Whocandescribethe
magnanimity,majestyandgloryofatrueBrahmachari!
BrahmacharyenaTapasaDevaMrityumupagnata.TheVedasdeclarethatbyBrahmacharyaandpenancethe
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Devashaveconquereddeath.HowdidHanumanbecomeaMahavir?ItiswiththisweaponofBrahmacharya
thatheacquiredunsurpassablestrengthandvalour.ThegreatBhishma,thegrandfatherofthePandavasand
theKauravas,conquereddeathbyBrahmacharya.ItisonlyLakshman,theidealBrahmachari,whoputdown
Meghanada,themanofinestimableprowess,theconquerorofthethreeworlds,thesonofRavana.Even
LordRamacouldnotfacehim.ItisthroughtheforceofBrahmacharyathatLakshmanwasabletodefeat
thatinvincibleMeghanada.ThevalourandgreatnessofemperorPrithvirajwasduetothestrengthof
Brahmacharya.ThereisnothinginthethreeworldsthatcannotbeattainedbyaBrahmachari.TheRishisof
yoreknewfullywellthevalueofBrahmacharyaandthatisthereasonwhytheysanginbeautifulverses
aboutthegloryofBrahmacharya.
Justastheoilcomesupinawickandburnswithglowinglight,soalso,theVeeryaorsemenflowsupbythe
practiceofYogaSadhanaandisconvertedintoTejasorOjas.TheBrahmacharishineswithBrahmicaurain
hisface.Brahmacharyaisthebrightlightthatshinesinthehouseofthehumanbody.Itistheblossomed
floweroflifearoundwhichthebeesofstrength,patience,knowledge,purityandDhritiwanderabout
humminghitherandthither.Inotherwords,hewhoobservesBrahmacharyawillbeendowedwiththeabove
qualities.Thescripturesdeclareemphatically:
"AyustejoBalamVeeryamPrajnaSreeschaYashastatha
PunyamchaSatPriyatvamchaVardhateBrahmacharyaya"
BythepracticeofBrahmacharya,longevity,glory,strength,vigour,knowledge,wealth,undyingfame,
virtuesanddevotiontothetruthincrease.
Secretofhealthandlongevity
Pureair,purewater,wholesomefood,physicalexercise,outdoorgames,walkingwithbrisksteps,rowing,
swimming,lightgamesliketennisallcontributetothemaintenanceofgoodhealth,strengthandahigh
standardofvitality.Thereareindeedmanywaystogainhealthandstrength.Thesewaysaredoubtless
indispensablyrequisite.But,Brahmacharyaisthemostimportantofall.WithoutBrahmacharya,allyour
exercisesarenothing.Itisthemasterkeyforopeningtherealmsofhealthandhappiness.Itisthecorner
stoneoftheedificeofblissandunalloyedfelicity.Itistheonlyspecificthatkeepsuptruemanliness.
Thepreservationofsemenisthesecretofhealthandlongevity,andofallsuccessinthephysical,mental,
intellectualandspiritualplanes.HewhohasevenalittlebitofBrahmacharyawilltideoveracrisisofany
diseaseveryeasily.Ifittakesamonthforanordinarymanforrecovery,thismanwillbecompletelyall
rightinaweek.
TheSrutisdeclareafulllifeorageofonehundredyearsforaman.Thisyoucanattainonlybythe
establishmentofBrahmacharya.Thereareinstancesofmenwhohaveattainedlongevityandintellectual
powersdespitetheirloose,immoralways.Buttheywouldhavebeenstillmorepowerfulandbrillianthad
theypossessedagoodcharacterandcontinenceaswell.
AfterDhanvantarihadtaughtallthedetailsaboutAyurvedatohisdisciples,theyenquiredaboutthekeynote
ofthismedicalscience.TheMasterreplied,"ItellyouthatBrahmacharyaistrulyapreciousjewel.Itisthe
onemosteffectivemedicinenectarindeedwhichdestroysdiseases,decayanddeath.Forattainingpeace,
brightness,memory,knowledge,healthandSelfrealization,oneshouldobserveBrahmacharya,whichisthe
highestDharma.BrahmacharyaisthehighestknowledgeBrahmacharyaisthegreateststrength.Ofthe
natureofBrahmacharyaisverilythisAtmanandinBrahmacharyaItresides.SalutingBrahmacharyafirst,
thecasesbeyondcure,Icure.Aye,Brahmacharyacanundoalltheinauspicioussigns."
PracticeofBrahmacharyagivesgoodhealth,innerstrength,peaceofmindandlonglife.Itinvigoratesthe
mindandthenerves.Ithelpstoconservephysicalandmentalenergy.Itaugmentsmemory,willforceand
brainpower.Itbestowstremendousstrength,vigourandvitality.Strengthandfortitudeareobtained.
Theeyeisthewindowofthemind.Ifthemindispureandcalm,theeyealsoiscalmandsteady.Hewhois
establishedinBrahmacharyawillhavelustrouseyes,asweetvoiceandabeautifulcomplexion.
Celibacypromotesconcentration
Bytheestablishmentofcontinence,vigourisobtained.TheYogigetsSiddhiorperfectionbyattainingperfect
mentalandphysicalBrahmacharya.BrahmacharyahelpshimingainingdivineknowledgeandotherSiddhis.
Whenthereispurity,theraysofthemindarenotdissipated.Focussingofthemindbecomeseasy.
Concentrationandpuritygotogether.Althoughasagetalksafewwordsonly,adeepimpressionisproduced
inthemindsofthehearers.ThisisduetohisOjasSakti,whichisconservedbythepreservationofsemen
anditstransmutation.
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AtrueBrahmachariinthought,wordanddeedhaswonderfulthoughtpower.Hecanmovetheworld.Ifyou
developstrictcelibacy,VicharaSaktiandDharanaSaktiwilldevelop.VicharaSaktiisthepowerofenquiry.
DharanaSaktiisthepowerofgraspingandholdingtheTruth.Ifamanpersistentlyrefusestoyieldtohis
lowernatureandremainsastrictcelibate,theseminalenergyisdeflectedupwardstothebrainandis
storedupasOjasSakti.Therebythepoweroftheintellectisintensifiedtoaremarkabledegree.The
intellectbecomessharpandclearbycontinence.Continenceincreasesinfinitelythepowerofretentive
memory.Thestrictcelibatehaskeenandacutememoryeveninoldage.
AmanwhohasthepowerofBrahmacharyacanturnoutimmensemental,physicalandintellectualwork.He
hasamagneticauraaroundhisface.Hecaninfluencepeoplebyspeakingjustafewwordsorevenbyhis
verypresence.Hecancontrolangerandmovethewholeworld.LookatMahatmaGandhi!Hehadacquired
thispowerbyconstantandcarefulpracticeofAhimsa,SatyamandBrahmacharyanonviolence,truthand
celibacy.Heinfluencedtheworldthroughthispoweralone.ThroughBrahmacharyaandBrahmacharyaalone
canyougetphysical,mentalandspiritualadvancementinlife.
ItisworthrepeatingthatatrueBrahmacharipossessestremendousenergy,aclearbrain,giganticwill
power,boldunderstanding,retentivememoryandgoodVicharaSakti.SwamiDayanandastoppedthe
carnageofaMaharaja.Hebroketheswordwithhishands.ThiswasduetohispowerofBrahmacharya.
Jesus,Sankara,JnanaDevaandSamarthRamdaswereallBrahmacharins.
Haveyourealized,mydearfriends,theimportanceofBrahmacharya?Haveyourecognised,mydear
brothers,thetruesignificanceandgloryofBrahmacharya?Howcanyouexpecttobestrongandhealthyif
theenergythatisacquiredthroughvariousmeanswithgreatdifficultyandatgreatpriceiswasteddaily?It
isimpossibletobestrongandhealthyunlessmalesandfemales,boysandgirls,trytheirlevelbesttokeep
upBrahmacharyaorthevowofcelibacy.
Evenamongelectrons,therearebachelorelectronsandmarriedelectrons.Marriedelectronsmanifestin
pairs.Bachelorelectronsexistsingly.Itisthesebachelorelectronsonlythatcreatemagneticforce.The
powerofBrahmacharyaisseeninelectronsalso.Friend,willyoulearnsomelessonsfromtheseelectrons?
WillyoupracticeBrahmacharyaanddeveloppowerandspiritualforce?Natureisyourbestteacherand
spiritualguide.
ThroughBrahmacharyagetoverthemiseriesofmundanelifeandattainhealth,strength,peaceofmind,
endurance,bravery,materialprogress,psychicadvancementandimmortality.Onewhohasaperfectcontrol
overthesexualenergyattainspowersunobtainablebyanyothermeans.Therefore,dissipatenotthyenergy
insensualpleasures.Conservethyenergy.Donobledeedsandpracticemeditation.Youwillsoonbecomea
superman.YouwillcommunewithGodandattainDivinity.
9.IMPORTANCEOFCELIBACYINSPIRITUALLIFE
Brahmacharyaisadivineword.ItisthesumandsubstanceofYoga.ThroughAvidya,thisisforgotten.The
importanceofBrahmacharyawasemphasisedbyourgreatRishis.ItisthesupremeYoga,whichLord
KrishnaemphasisesrepeatedlyinHis"ImmortalSong".InChapterVI,Sloka14,itisveryclearlystatedthat
thevowofBrahmacharyaisnecessaryformeditation:BrahmacharivrateSthitah.InChapterXVII,Sloka14,
HesaysthatBrahmacharyaisoneoftherequisitesfortheausterityofthebody.Now,wehaveanother
statementmadeinChapterVIII,Sloka11,thatYogispracticeBrahmacharyainordertoattainthegoal
spokenofbytheKnowersoftheVedas.AsimilarstatementisalsofoundintheKathopanishad.
IntheRajaYogaofPatanjaliMaharshialso,Yamaisthefirststep.YamaisthepracticeofAhimsa,Satya,
Asteya,BrahmacharyaandAparigrahanonkilling,truthfulness,nonstealing,celibacyandnonreceivingof
gifts.AmongtheseBrahmacharyaisthemostimportant.
InJnanaYogatoo,Damaorselfcontrolisthefoundationforthestudent.
IntheMahabharataagain,youwillfind,intheSantiParva:"ManyarethebranchesofDharma,butDamais
thebasisofthemall.
Brahmacharyaisthevitalsubjectforthosewhowantsuccessinmaterialorspirituallife.Withoutit,aman
isabsolutelyunfitforworldlyactivitiesaswellasforspiritualpractices.
Celibacyinthedifferentreligiousorders
Downtheages,thehigheststresshasbeenlaidonBrahmacharyaorsexualabstinenceineveryreligion.
Throughoutfolklorerunstheideathatsecondsightandthevisionofthesupernaturalareespecially,ifnot
solely,theprivilegeofthecelibates.Westermackfavourstheexplanationthatpollutiondestroysholiness.A
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tribeontheRioNegroenjoinedcelibacyupontheirShamans,becausetheybelievedthatmedicinewould
proveineffectualifadministeredbyamarriedman.
Lambichusstatesthatthegodsdonothearhimwhoinvokesthemifheisimpurefromsexualconnections.
InIslam,strictcontinenceisrequiredonthepilgrimagetoMecca.ItisrequiredfortheHebrewcongregation
duringthetheophanyatSinaiandbeforeenteringthetemple.AncientIndia,EgyptandGreeceenforcedthe
rulethattheworshippermustabstainfromintercourseduringandbeforeworship.InChristianity,continence
wasrequiredasapreparationforbothbaptismandEucharist.
ThehighesttypeofChristianwasacelibate.Christianteacherspraisedcelibacy,andmarriagecametobe,
intheireyes,onlyasecondarygoodforthosewhowereunabletoservecontinence.Thebishopsofthe
GreekChurcharealwayscelibates,beingchosenfromthemonks.
Themonk,wholowershimselftotouchawomanspersonwithcorruptthoughts,whileheclaspsherhandor
claspsherhairortouchesonepartoranotherofherbody,bringsshameanddegradationontheorder.The
presentordinationvowistoabstainfromallsexualintercourseaslongaslifeshalllast.
TheJainsforceontheirMunistheruletoabstainfromallsexualrelationsnottodiscusstopicsrelatingto
women,nottocontemplatetheformsofwomen.Lustisthuscondemned:"Ofthemyriadvices,lustisthe
worst."
Thereareotherrulessubsidiarytothis,forbiddingallactionsofanunchastekind,especiallyanyactorword
whichmighteitherleadtoabreachoftheprincipalruleorgiverisetoanimpressionthatitwasnotbeing
strictlyobserved.
ABhikshuisnottosleepinanyplacewhereawomanispresent,ortopreachthesacreddoctrineinmore
thanfiveorsixwordstoawomanunlessagrownupmanbepresent,ortoexhortthesistersunless
speciallydeputedtodoso,ortojourneyalongthesameroutewithawoman.Onhisroundforalms,heisto
beproperlycladandheistowalkwithdowncasteyes.Heisnottoacceptarobefromanywomannot
relatedtohim,exceptunderspecifiedconditions.Heisnottositinasecludedplacewithawoman,much
lesstotouchorspeaktoherwithimpureintent.
TheBuddhist"OrderofMendicants"wasgovernedbythe227rulesofthePatimokha.Ofthese,thefirstfour
wereofspecificgravity.Abreachofanyoneofthefourrulesinvolvedexpulsionfromtheorderandthey
were,therefore,calledtheParajikaortherulesastoactsinvolvingdefeat.
Thefirstrulesays:"WhatsoeverBhikshuwhohastakenuponhimselfthesystemofselftrainingandruleof
life,andhasnotthereafterwithdrawnfromthetrainingordeclaredhisinabilitytokeeptheruleshallhave
carnalknowledgeofanylivingthing,downeventoananimal,hehasfallenintodefeat,heisnolongerin
communion"."Withdrawnfromthetraining"wasthetechnicalexpressionforthrowingofftherobes,retiring
fromtheorder,andreturningtotheworld,astepwhichanymemberoftheorderwasatlibertytotakeat
anytime.
Numawassaidtohaveinstitutedthe"OrderofVestalVirgins".Theyremainedunmarriedforthirtyyears.
Burialalivewasthepenaltyforbreakingthevowofchastity.TheVirginsweredistinguishedby
extraordinaryinfluenceandpersonaldignity.Theyweretreatedwithmarksofrespectusuallyaccordedto
royaltythus,onthestreets,theywereprecededbyalictorandthehighestmagistratesmadewayfor
them.Theyenjoyedsometimestheexceptionalprivilegeofridinginacarriageatpublicgames,aplaceof
honourwasassignedtothem.Andafterdeaththey,liketheimperators,wereallowedtobeburiedwithin
thecity,becausetheywereabovethelaws.Theyenjoyedtheroyalprivilegeofmercy,foriftheymeta
criminalonhiswaytoexecution,hislifewasspared.
InthelargecolonyofTibetansatDarjeeling,severalhundredsofthemendoingcooliesworkareexlamas
whofledfromTibet,withtheirparamoursorsingly,inordertoescapetheseverepenaltiesattachingto
theirbreachofcelibacy.Thedelinquentisdenounced,andifcaught,issubjecttocorporalchastisementin
public,aswellastoaheavyfineandexpulsionfromtheorderindisgrace.
ThePeruvian"VirginsoftheSun"atypeofpriestswerepunishedwithlivingburialifdetectedin
misconduct.
Brahmacharyathefoundationofspirituallife
Brahmacharyaisasinequanonofspirituallife.Itisagreatdesideratum.Itisofvitalimportance.Without
perfectBrahmacharya,youcannothavesubstantialspiritualprogress.
AbstinenceorcontinenceisthecornerstoneonwhichthepedestalofMokshastands.Ifthecornerstoneis
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notverystrong,thesuperstructurewillfalldownwhenthereisheavyrain.Evenso,ifyouarenot
establishedinBrahmacharya,ifyourmindisagitatedbyevilthoughts,youwillfalldown.Youcannotreach
thesummitoftheladderofYogaorthehighestNirvikalpaSamadhi.
ThereisnohopeforyoutohaveSelfrealizationorKnowledgeoftheSelfifyouarenotwellestablishedin
Brahmacharya.Brahmacharyaisthemasterkeytoopentherealmsofeternalbliss.Brahmacharyaisthe
veryfoundationofYoga.Justasahousethatisbuiltonarottenfoundationwillsurelyfalldown,soalso,
youwillfalldownfromyourmeditationifyouhavelaidnoproperfoundation,namely,theattainmentof
perfectBrahmacharya.Youmaymeditatefor,aperiodoftwelveyears,andyet,youwillhavenosuccessin
Samadhiifyouhavenotdestroyedthesubtlelustorthecravingseedthatlingersintheinnermostrecesses
ofyourheart.
BrahmacharyaisthebasisfortheattainmentofKayaSiddhi.Completecelibacymustbeobserved.Thisisof
paramountimportance.BythepracticeofYogathesemenbecomestransmutedintoOjasSakti.TheYogiwill
haveaperfectbody.Therewillbecharmandgraceinhismovements.Hecanliveaslongashelikes.This
isalsoknownasIcchaMrityuordeathatwill.
ThepracticeofBrahmacharyaisthemostimportantqualificationforthespiritualaspirant,nomatterwhat
hischosenpathmaybeKarmaYoga,Upasana,RajaYoga,HathaYogaorVedanta.Thedisciplineof
completeabstinenceisdemandedfromallaspirants.AtrueBrahmacharionlycancultivateBhakti.Atrue
BrahmacharionlycanpracticeYoga.AtrueBrahmacharionlycanacquireJnana.WithoutBrahmacharya,no
spiritualprogressispossible.
Lustdealsadeadlyblowtothespiritualcalibreofman.Itisnotpossibleforyoutoenterthespiritualpath
thatleadstounionwithGodunlessanduntilyoucontrollustandbecomeestablishedinBrahmacharya.As
longaslustsmellssweetinyournostrils,youcannotentertainsublime,divinethoughtsinyourmind.That
maninwhomthesexideaisdeeprootedcanneverdreamofunderstandingVedantaandrealisingBrahman
evenwithinSataKotiJanma,evenwithinonehundredcroresofbirths.Truthcannotdwellwherepassion
lives.
Sexualindulgenceisagreatobstacleinthespiritualpath.Itbarsspiritualpracticesdefinitely.Thesexual
urgemustbecontrolledbyentertainingsublimethoughtsandregularmeditation.Theremustbecomplete
sublimationofthesexualenergy.Thenonlytheaspirantisabsolutelysafe.Thetotalannihilationofthe
sexualdesireistheultimatespiritualideal.
Sexattraction,sexualthoughtsandsexualurgearethethreegreatobstaclesinthepathofGodrealization.
Evenifthesexualurgevanishes,thesexattractionremainsforalongtimeandtroublestheaspirants.Sex
attractionisvery,verypowerful.Sexattractionbindsonetothisworld.Eachcellinthebodyofamaleora
femaleissurchargedwiththesexelement.Themindandthesensesarefilledwithsexjuice.Mancannot
remainwithoutlookingatawoman,withouttalkingtoher.Hederivespleasureinthecompanyofawoman.
Womanalsocannotremainwithoutlookingataman,withouttalkingtohim.Shederivespleasureinthe
companyofaman.Thatisthereasonwhyheorshefindsitextremelydifficulttoannihilatethesex
attraction.SexattractioncannotbedestroyedwithoutthegraceoftheLord.Nohumaneffortcaneradicate
intotothismightyforceofsexattraction.
Theorganofsightdoesgreatmischief.Destroythelustfullook,theadulteryoftheeye.TrytoseeGodinall
faces.Againandagaingeneratethecurrentsofdispassion,discriminationandenquiry.Eventuallyyouwill
beestablishedinBrahmanortheEternal.Againandagaingeneratesublimedivinethoughtsandincrease
yourJapaandmeditation.Thesexualthoughtwillbeannihilated.
Ofwhatavailisknowledgeoftheartsandsciences,ofwhatavailisreputationortitles,ofwhatavailis
repetitionoftheLordsNameormeditationorenquiryof"WhoamI?",ifyoubecomeaslaveoflust?Control
thisstrongurgefirstbytherigorouspenanceofsensecontrol.Beforeyoutaketoadvancedmeditation,first
becomeatleastastrictphysicalcelibate.Thenendeavourtohaveperfectioninmentalchastity.
Amongstyouall,theremaybeahiddenShakespeareoraKalidasa,ahiddenWordsworthoraValmiki,a
potentialsaint,aSt.Xavier,anAkhandaBrahmacharilikeBhishmaPitamaha,aHanumanoraLakshman,a
VisvamitraoraVasishtha,agreatscientistlikeDr.J.C.BoseorRaman,aYogilikeJnanaDevaor
Gorakhnath,aphilosopherlikeSankaraorRamanuja,aBhaktalikeTulsidas,RamdasorEknath.
Awaken,then,yourhiddenfaculties,potentialenergiesofalldescription,throughBrahmacharyaandattain
Godconsciousnessquicklyandgetoverthemiseriesofthismundanelifewithitsconcomitantevilsofbirth,
deathandsorrow.
BlessedistheBrahmachariwhohastakenthevowofcelibacytilltheendoflife.Twiceblessedisthat
Brahmachariwhoissincerelystrugglingtodestroylustandattainperfectpurity.Thriceblessedisthat
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BrahmachariwhohascompletelyrootedoutlustandhasattainedSelfrealization.Glorybetosuchexalted
Brahmacharins!Theyareveritablegodsonearth.Maytheirblessingsbeuponyouall.
10.BRAHMACHARYAFORHOUSEHOLDERS
ItisbeyondalldoubtthatalifeofBrahmacharyaisgloriousandmarvellous.Atthesametime,alifeof
moderationinthehouseholdlifeisequallygoodandhelpfulforspiritualgrowth.Bothhavetheirown
advantages.Youmusthavegreatstrengthtotreadthepatheitherway.
VarnashramaDharmaispracticallyextinctnow.EveryoneisaVaisyaoraBaniawithgreedforaccumulation
ofwealthbyhookorbycrook,bybegging,borrowingorstealing.AlmostallBrahminsandKshatriyasare
BaniasorVaisyasonly.ThereisnorealBrahminorKshatriyainthesedays.Theywantmoneyanyhow.They
donotattempttopracticetheDharmasoftheircasteororderoflife.Thisisthefundamentalcauseforthe
downfallofman.Ifthehouseholderdischargesstrictlythedutiesofhisstageoflife,ifheisanideal
Grihasthi,thereisnonecessityfortakingSannyasa.TheswellingupinthenumberofSannyasinsatthe
presentmomentisduetothefailureofthehouseholdersinthedischargeoftheirduties.Thelifeofanideal
householderisasmuchdifficultandrigidasthatofanidealSannyasin.PravrittiMargaorthepathofKarma
YogaisasmuchdifficultandrigidasthatofNivrittiMargaorthepathofrenunciation.
Ifamanleadsalifeofcelibacyeveninhishouseholderslifeandhascopulationoccasionallyforthesakeof
progenyonly,hecanbringforthhealthy,intelligent,strong,beautifulandselfsacrificingchildren.The
asceticsandsavantsofancientIndia,whenmarried,usedtofollowthisexcellentruleverycarefullyandalso
usedtoteach,bypracticeandprecept,howtoleadthelifeofaBrahmacharievenasahouseholder.Our
ancestorsindeedfollowedtheasceticsincreatingprogenyforthedefenceofthemotherlandandforother
ennoblingworksofthenation.ThosewhohavereadSrimadBhagavataknowthelivesofDevahuti,daughter
ofManu,andherhusbandKardamaRishi.KapilaMuni,founderoftheSankhyaphilosophy,wasbornof
DevahutiafterKardamaRishivisitedheroncetogiveherason.ParasaravisitedMatsyagandhitobringforth
SriVyasa,founderoftheVedantaphilosophy.
GreatRishisofyoreweremarried,buttheydidnotleadthelifeofpassionandlust.Theirlifeof
GrihasthashramwasalifeofDharmaonly.Ifitisnotpossibleforyoutoemulatethemtotheveryletter,
youwillhavetokeeptheirlivesbeforeyouaslandmarks,asanidealforemulating,andyoumusttreadthe
pathofTruth.Grihasthashramisnotalifeoflustandlooseliving.Itisastrictlifeofselflessservice,of
Dharmapureandsimple,ofcharity,goodness,kindness,selfhelp,andallthatisgoodandallthatishelpful
tohumanity.Ifyoucanlivesuchalife,thelifeofaGrihasthiisasgoodasthelifeofaSannyasin.
WhatisBrahmacharyainmarriedlife?
Leadawellregulated,moderatemarriedlife.EvenasahouseholderyoucanbeaBrahmachari,bysticking
totheprinciplesofGrihasthaDharma,bymoderationandregularworshipofGod.Marriageshouldnotinany
wayleadyoudownwardsinyourspiritualpath.Youshouldkeepthespiritualfireeverblazing.Youshould
makeyourwifealsounderstandtherealgloryofaspirituallife.IfbothofyouobserveBrahmacharyafor
sometimeandthenavoidexcesses,shewillgivebirthtorobustchildrenwhowillbetheprideofthecountry.
Conservedenergycanbeusedforhigherspiritualpurposes.Preventionoffrequentmaternitywillpreserve
yourwifeshealthtoo.
BrahmacharyainGrihasthashramaisabsolutemoderationinsexualintercourse.Householdersareallowedto
visittheirwivesonceinamonthatthepropertimewithouttheideaofsexualenjoymentjusttogetprogeny
tokeepuptheline.ThisisalsoBrahmacharyaVrata.TheyarealsoBrahmacharins.
HouseholdersshouldasktheirwivesalsotoobservefastsandtodoJapa,meditationandotherpractices,
whichwillenablethemtokeepupthisBrahmacharyaVrata.Theyshouldtraintheirwivesalsointhestudy
oftheGita,theUpanishads,theBhagavataandtheRamayanaandindietregulation.
IfyouwanttopracticeBrahmacharya,thinkandfeelthatyourwifeisyoursister.Destroytheideaof
husbandandwifeanddeveloptheideaofbrotherandsister.Youbothwilldeveloppureandstronglove,
becausetheimpurityoflustwillberemoved.Talktoyourwifealwaysonspiritualmatters.Narratetoher
storiesfromtheMahabharata,theBhagavata.Sitwithheronholidaysandreadsomereligiousbook.
Graduallyhermindwillbechanged.Shewilltakeinterestanddelightinspiritualpractices.Putthisinto
practiceifyouwanttogetridofthemiseriesofSamsaraandenjoytheeternalblissoftheSoul.
YoungmenofthepresentdayimitateWesternersintakingtheirwivesalwayswiththemwhentheygoout.
Thispracticecreatesastronghabitinmenforhavingthecompanyofwomenatalltimes.Alittleseparation
bringsagreatdealofpainandsuffering.Manygetashockwhentheylosetheirwives.Further,itbecomes
verydifficultforthemtotakeavowofcelibacyevenforamonth.Poor,miserableweaklings!Spiritual
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bankrupts!Trytobeawayfromyourpartnersinlifeasmuchasyoucan.Talklittlewiththem.Beserious.
Donotlaughorjokewiththem.Goalongforaneveningwalk.Whatdidyourwiseforefathersdo?Assimilate
fromtheWestonlywhatisgood.Vileimitationinfashion,style,dressandfoodisdangerous.
Whenthewifebecomesthemother
Assoonasasonisborntoyou,yourwifebecomesyourmother,becauseyouyourselfarebornastheson.
Asonisnothingbuttheenergyofthefather.Changethementalattitude.ServeyourwifeastheWorld
Mother.StartspiritualSadhana.Destroypassion.Everymorning,assoonasyougetupfrombed,touch
yourwifesfeetandprostratebeforehertakingherforKaliortheWorldMother.Donotfeelashamed.This
practicewillremovetheideaofwifefromyourmind.Ifyoucannotdotheprostrationphysically,atleastdo
itmentally.
Assoonasachildisborn,manmustgiveuplust.Hemustobservecelibacy.Hemusttreathiswifeashis
ownmother.Whenoncethisthoughtisbroughtforemostinthemind,howcanhe,evenwhenthechilddies,
changehismentaloutlookandthinkofhiswifewithalustfullook?ThisisagreatSadhanaforthe
householder.Ifachildisnotborn,itisnotadvisabletomarryasecondwife.Bothhusbandandwifemay
thenpursuethespiritualpathjointly,observingcelibacy.
Livingalifeofspiritualpartnership
SaysManu:"ThefirstbornchildisbornofDharmaandtherestofKamaorlust.Thesexualactformere
pleasureisnotjustifiable".ThirstyaspirantswhoaretreadingthepathofSelfrealization,whoare
householdersabovefortyyearsofage,shouldgiveupcontactwiththeirpartnersinlife.Because,asexual
contactrevivesallbadideasandgivesthemanewleaseoflife.MarriageshouldnowbeconsideredaGod
ordainedholyallianceoftwosoulsforthecompletedivinizationoftheirnatureandforrealisingthegoalof
lifeGodrealizationthroughawellorderedDharmicGrihasthalife.Thehusbandandthewifeshould,from
nowon,observeperfectphysicalBrahmacharya,iftheywantrapidspiritualprogressandSelfrealizationin
thisverybirth.Therearenohalfwaymeasuresinthespiritualpath.
Areyouahouseholderabovefortyyearsofage?Then,youmustbecomeaperfectBrahmacharinow.Your
wifealsomustobservefastonEkadasi.Donotsaynow,"Swamiji,whatcanIdo?Iamahouseholder".This
isalameexcuse.Howlongdoyouwanttoremainasapassionatehouseholder?Isittilltheendoflife?Is
therenotanoblermissioninlifethaneating,sleepingandprocreating?Doyounotwanttoenjoytheeternal
blissoftheSelf?Youhavetastedenoughofthemundanepleasures.Youhavepassedthestageofa
householder.Icanexcuseyouifyouareayoungman,butnotnow.Nowgetreadyforthestageof
VanaprasthaandmentalSannyasawhileremainingintheworld.Colouryourheartfirst.Thiswillbeanoble
lifeindeed.Prepareyourself.Disciplinethemind.RealSannyasaismentalnonattachment.RealSannyasais
destructionofVasanas,Iness,mineness,selfishnessandMohaforchildren,body,wifeandproperty.You
neednotretireintotheHimalayancaves.Attaintheabovestateofmind.Liveintheworldwithfamilyand
childrenamidstpeaceandplenty.Beintheworld,butbeoutoftheworld.Giveupworldliness.Thisisreal
Sannyasa.ThisiswhatIreallywant.ThenyouwillbecomeaKingofkings.Iamshoutingatthetopofmy
voicelikethisformanyyears,butonlyveryfewpersonsfollowmyteaching.
Agoodwife,aworthyjewel,isthematerialisationoftheLordsinfinitegraceforonewhotreadsthePravritti
Marga.HarmonyineverywalkoflifeisararegiftoftheLordtoacouple.Eachpartnershouldbetothe
otheratruecompanionineverysenseoftheterm.GrihasthaAshramaisasaferungintheladderof
evolutiontoGodhead.Followthescripturallawsandenjoyinfinitebliss.Trueunioncanbeestablishedonthe
spiritualbasis.BothofyoushouldaspiretorealizethecommongoaloflifeGodrealization.Whenthe
coupleswholivearoundyouviewithoneanotherinmaterialism,andintheirindividualcapacity,todrag
eachotherdown,bothofyoushouldcompetewitheachotherinadvancingrapidlyinspiritualSadhana.What
anovelcompetition!Whatablessingitistohavesuchacompetitorasthelifepartner!
11.WOMENANDBRAHMACHARYA
Anaspirantwrites:"IwouldliketoknowwhetherthesametheoryregardingtheformationofVeeryaand
lossofthesameholdsgoodinthecaseofwomenalso.Aretheyactuallyaffectedtothesameextentas
men?"Thequestionisanimportantandpertinentone.Yes,indulgenceinthesexualactisexhaustingtothe
femalesystemandadrainuponthevitalityasinman.Thenervousstrainitimposesonthesystemisvery
greatindeed.
Thefemalegonads,theovariescorrespondingtothetestesinthemales,produce,developandmature
precious,vitalforcelikesemen.Thisistheovum.Thoughthewomandoesnotactuallylosethisoutofher
body,asinthecaseofsemeninman,yet,duetothesexualact,itleavestheovariesandistakenupinthe
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processofconceptiontoformtheembryo.Andoneknowsonlytoowellwhatastrainanddrainonstrength
childbearingistoawoman.Repeateddepletionofthisforceandthestrainofchildbirthmakeswrecksof
healthyladies,andworkshavocwiththeirstrength,beautyandgraceaswellastheiryouthandmental
power.Eyeslosethelustreandsparklethatareindicativeoftheinnerforces.
Theintensesensuousexcitementoftheactshattersthenervoussystemandcausesdebilitytoo.Their
systembeingmoredelicateandhighstrung,femalesareoftenmoreaffectedthanmen.
Womenshouldpreservetheirpreciousvitalforce.Theovumandthehormonessecretedbytheovariesare
veryessentialforthemaximumphysicalandmentalwellbeingofwomen.
Womenalsoshouldobservethevowofcelibacy.TheyalsocanremainasNaishthicBrahmacharinislike
MirabaianddevotethemselvestotheserviceanddevotionofGod.OrtheycandoBrahmaVicharalikeGargi
andSulabha.TheywillbestyledasBrahmaVicharinis,enquirersofBrahman,iftheyadoptthispath.
GrihasthaDharminisorhouseholdersamongwomenshouldobservePativrataDharmaorthevowofchastity
andshouldkeepSavitri,Anasuya,astheirideal.TheyshouldseeLordKrishnaintheirhusbandsandrealize
God,likeLailainMajnu.TheyalsocanpracticealltheKriyassuchasAsanasandPranayamas.Theyshould
dovigorousSankirtan,Japaandprayerdailyintheirhouses.ThroughBhakti,theycaneasilydestroy
passion,becausebynaturetheyaredevotional.
Manywomenofyorehaddonemiraculousdeedsandshowntotheworldthepowerofchastity.Nalayini,by
thepowerofchastity,stoppedtherisingofthesuntosaveherhusbandsslife.AnasuyaturnedtheTrimurtis
Brahma,VishnuandMahesvaraintobabieswhentheywantedNirvanaBhiksha.Itisthroughthepowerof
chastityonlythatshewasabletoturnthegreatdeitiesintobabies.Savitribroughtbackthelifeof
Satyavan,herhusband,fromthenooseofYama,byherchastity.Suchisthepowerofchastityor
Brahmacharya.WomenwholeadanidealhouseholderslifewithchastitycanalsobecomelikeAnasuya,
NalayiniorSavitri.
Brahmacharinisancientandmodern
Inoldendays,therewereBrahmacharinisinIndia.TheywereBrahmavadinistheydiscoursedonBrahman.
TheydidnotwishtoleadthelifeofGrihasthaDharminisdevotedtoahouseholdersduties.Theyservedthe
RishisandsagesintheirhermitagesanddidBrahmaVicharaorenquiryofBrahman.KingJanasrutiplaced
hisdaughterattheserviceofRishiRaikva.YouwillfindthisintheChhandogyaUpanishad.
Sulabhawasaverylearnedlady.Shewasborninaroyalfamily.ShewasaBrahmacharini.Shewas
instructedinthereligionofemancipation.Sheobservedthepracticeofasceticism.Shewasfirminthe
practicesthatbelongedtothemodeoflifesheled.Shewassteadyinhervows.Sheneverutteredaword
withoutreflectingonitspropriety.ShewasaYogini.SheledthelifeofaSannyasini.Sheappearedbefore
JanakainhiscourtandhadagreatdiscussionwithhimonBrahmaVidyaortheScienceoftheSelf.
GargiwasalsoaBrahmacharini.Shealsowasahighlyculturedlady.Shealsohadalengthydiscussionwith
YajnavalkyaonBrahmaVidya.ThedialoguebetweenthemcomesintheBrihadaranyakaUpanishad.
InEuropealsothereweremanywomenwhowerecelibateandwhodedicatedtheirlivesentirelytosevere
austerity,prayerandmeditation.Theyhadtheirownhermitages.InIndia,evenatthepresentmoment,
thereareeducatedwomenwholeadthelifeofBrahmacharinis.Theydonotwishtomarry.Thisisduetothe
forceofgoodSamskarasofpreviousbirths.Theygiveeducationtothegirlsinschools.Theygivefreetuition
privatelytopoorgirlsandtraintheminsewingandotherhouseholdworks.Theystudyreligiousbooksand
practicemeditationinthemorningandintheevening.TheydoKirtan.Theykeepadailyspiritualdiary.They
conductSatsangaclassesandKirtanamongwomen.TheytraingirlsinthepracticeofAsanasand
Pranayama.TheygivediscoursesontheGitaandtheUpanishads.Theydeliverlecturesonthereligious
subjectsinEnglish,SanskritandHindi.Duringholidaysandonimportantoccasions,theyholdreligious
conferencesforladiesonagrandscaleformassspiritualawakening.
Sometimestheyvisitnearbyvillagesanddistributemedicinesfreelytothepoor.Theyareequippedwiththe
knowledgeoffirstaid,homoeopathy,allopathyandthebiochemicalsystemofmedicine.Theyaretrainedin
nursingthesick.ThereisahighlyeducatedBrahmacharini,whoiswellversedinSanskrit,EnglishandHindi,
whoistheheadofaninstitutionforgirls.Shemaintainsafreeprivateschoolalsoforpoorgirlsatherown
expense.Thisisaverynobleserviceindeed.
SuchgirlsandwomenarereallyablessingtoIndia.Theyleadalifeofpurityandselfsacrifice.Theyenjoy
bliss,prosperityandrenownhereandwillalsoattaintheimmortalabodeofsupremepeacehereafter.India
isinneedofmoreBrahmacharinisofthisdescriptionwhocandedicatetheirlivestoservice,meditationand
prayer.
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TherewasaMaharaniintheerstwhileUnitedProvinceswhoworesimpledress,atesimplefood,served
SadhusandpoorpeopleandalwayslivedamongstSannyasins.Shehadasoundknowledgeofthescriptures
andshedidregularmeditationandprayer.SheobservedMounaorthevowofsilenceformonthstogether
andspentsometimeinseclusionandruledherstatealso.
ThereisaneducatedwomanwhoisanM.B.B.S.Herhusbandisholdingagoodposition.Shetreatsthe
patientsfreely.Shedoesnotchargeanyfeesforvisiting.Shedoesverygoodservicetothesociety.Sheis
notajobhunter.Sheisfreefromgreed.Shedoesmedicalserviceforthepurificationofherheart.She
regardsmedicalserviceofthepoorpeopleasworshipofGod.Shelooksafterthehouseandservesher
husband.Shestudiesreligiousbooksandspendssometimeinmeditation,worshipandprayer.Sheisan
idealwomanwholeadsagloriousandpiouslife.
Looselifeisnotfreedom
Theworldisindireneedofsuchidealwomen.Iwishthattheworldmayaboundwithsuchgloriouswomen.
Idonotcondemnwomen.Idonotopposegivingthemeducationandfreedom.Ihavethehighestveneration
forwomen.IadorethemasDevisorgoddesses.But,Iamnotinfavourofsuchfreedomforwomenaswill
ruinthem.Iaminfavourofsucheducationandcultureaswillmakethemimmortalandglorious,aswill
makethemidealwomenlikeSulabha,MiraandMaitreyi,likeSavitriandDamayanti.ThisiswhatIwant.
Thisiswhateverybodywouldlike.
Looselifeisnotperfectfreedom.SomewomenofIndiahaveruinedthemselvesbytakingadvantageofthis
falsefreedom.Thereisnolimittothefreedom,whichthesocallededucatedwomanenjoysnow.This
freedomhascausedmanyhomestobewrecked.Ithascreateddisordersinsociety.Ithasbroughtshame
onmanyrespectablefamilies.Thegirls,intheirinsatiablecravingforfreedom,haveoversteppedthelimit
andlostthatpricelesspossessionwhichthewomenofthepastcouldkeepuntarnished.
Bymixingwithmenfreely,womanlosesherdignity,modesty,femininegrace,andthesanctityofher
personandcharacter.Awomanwhomixesfreelywithmencannotpreserveherchastityforlong.Therecan
be,andtherehavebeen,exceptions.Awomanwhomixeswithmenfreelyinpubliclifeandyetremains
puremustbecertainlysuperhuman.Anordinarywomanwithhernaturalpassionwillsoonsuccumb.Human
naturewillfulfilitself.
Whatisthereinawomanslifeifherpurityislost?Sheisonlyalivingcorpseifthereisnopurity,although
shemayberollinginwealthandmovinginhighcirclesinsociety.Promiscuousmixingwillleadtodisastrous
results.EvenRishisandYoginswhoarecladinrags,wholiveonrootsinseclusion,willbepulleddownby
thedarkforcesofnatureiftheyarecareless.Thenwhattospeakofwomenwhoeatdailydaintiesand
sweetmeats,whoarecladinperfumedvelvetandsilkwithlaceborders,whoaregiventotoomuchmixing,
whodonotleadalifeofselfcontrol,whohavenoreligioustraininganddiscipline,whohavenoideaofthe
innerlifeandthereligionofemancipation?Owisereader!Ileavethisforyourownconsideration,reflection,
cogitationanddeliberation.
Womenshouldnotdoanythingthatcanbringdishonourorinfamyonthemandtheirfamily,andabloton
theircharacter.Withoutcharacter,amanorawomanisconsideredasdeadwhileliving.Womenshouldbe
verycarefulandcautiouswhentheymoveinsociety.Theyshouldavoidtoomuchtalking,toomuchmixing,
guffawandgiggling.Theyshouldalwayswalkinadignifiedmannerandnotwiththeswingingofthehips.
Theyshouldneverlookatmenwithaflittinggesture.Clothesshouldnotbetootightorrevealing.Abandon
makeup.
Acalltospirituallife
ODevis!Donotwasteyourlivesinfashionandpassion.Openyoureyes.Walkinthepathofrighteousness.
PreserveyourPativrataDharma.SeeDivinityinyourhusband.StudytheGita,theUpanishads,Bhagavata
andRamayana.BecomegoodGrihasthaDharminisandBrahmaVicharinis.BringforthmanyGourangas.The
destinyoftheworldisentirelyinyourhands.Youareholdingthemasterkeyoftheworld.Openthedoorof
Elysianbliss.BringVaikunthainyourhome.Trainyourchildreninthespiritualpath.Sowthespiritualseed
whentheyareyoung.
ODevisoftheworld!Shouldyounotstriveforthehigherlife,thegrand,thesublime,theonlyreallifein
theSoul?Isitsufficientifyouaresatisfiedwiththepettymaterialnecessitiesoflifeonearth?Doyou
rememberwhatMaitreyisaidtoYajnavalkya?"WhatshallIdowiththewealthofthiswholeworldifthereby
Iwouldnotbecomeimmortal?"saidshetoherhusband.Howmanyladiesofthisworldwillbeboldenough
toassertthiswisesayingoftheUpanishadicidealofawoman?
TochainthemselveswiththebondageofSamsaraisnotthebirthrightofthemothersandsistersofthe
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world.Togetstuckupinfamily,childrenandrelativesisnottheidealofcourageousanddiscriminative
women.Everymotheroftheworldshouldrealizeherresponsibilitytoawakenherself,herchildren,her
familyandherhusband,tothetruelight,andsplendourofspirituallife.Whatagloriousmotherwas
Madalasa!Didsheaskherchildrentostudyuptothepostgraduateexamination,andthenseekforsome
employment?"Suddhosi,Buddhosi,Niranjanosi,SamsaraMayaParivarjitosiYouarepure,youare
consciousness,youaretaintless,youaredevoidoftheMayaofSamsara"suchwastheAdvaiticinstruction
whichMadalasagavetoherchildrenwhensherockedtheminthecradle.Howmanymothersofthepresent
dayworldhavegotthefortunetoteachtheirchildrensuchprofoundknowledge?Ontheotherhand,the
presentdaymotherswouldtrytocrushthespiritualtendencyoftheirchildrenevenifitisfoundinthemina
microscopicstate!Whatasadandpitiablecondition!Wakeup,Omothers,sisters!Wakeupfromyourdeep
sleep.Recogniseyourresponsibility.Spiritualiseyourselves.Spiritualiseyourchildren.Spiritualiseevenyour
husbands,foryouarethemakersofthefamily!RememberhowChudalailluminedherhusband.Youarethe
makersofthenations!Youarethebuildersoftheworld!Therefore,spiritualiseyourselves.Assertin
yourselvesthespiritofSulabha,Maitreyi,Gargi.Donotbecowardly.Comeoutofyourfleshyhomesthe
homesofdelusion,thehomesofvanity!
BeyouallrealSannyasinisandbringrealglory,realgreatness,forthatisrealboldnessandcourage,thatis
realwisdomandunderstanding.Awomanisnotawomanifsheisdevoidofspiritualfireinher,ifsheis
ignorantofahigherlifeintheSoul.Awomansdutyisnotmerelyfamilyherdutyisalsototranscendthe
family.Herdutydoesnotlieinsans,bangles,jackets,powdersandscents.Herdutydoesnotlieingetting
employmentforherchildren.HerdutyisalsoconcernedwiththeSelf,theAtman,theBrahman.Sucha
womanisarealsymbolofGod.Sheistobeadored,sheistobeworshipped!
12.BRAHMACHARYAANDTHEEDUCATIONALCURRICULUM
IfyoucomparethepresentsystemofeducationwithourancientGurukulsystem,thereisawidegulf
betweenthetwo.Inthefirstplace,thepresentsystemofeducationisverycostly.Themoralsideof
educationisabsolutelyignoredatthepresentmoment.EverystudentintheGurukulwaspure.Every
student,hadperfectmoraltraining.Thiswasthepredominatingfeatureofancientculture.Everystudenthad
aknowledgeofPranayama,MantraYoga,Asanas,thecodeofmorals,Gita,Ramayana,Mahabharataandthe
Upanishads.Everystudentpossessedhumility,selfrestraint,obedience,aspiritofserviceandselfsacrifice,
gooddemeanour,politeness,acourteousnature,andlastbutnottheleast,adesiretoacquireAtmaJnana.
AvitaldrawbackinthepresenteducationalsysteminIndia
Thecollegestudentsofthepresentdaydonotpossessanyoftheabovevirtuesatall.Selfcontrolisathing
unknowntothem.Luxuriouslivingandselfindulgencebeginfromtheirveryboyhood.Arrogance,
impertinenceanddisobediencearedeeprootedinthem.Theyhavebecomeconfirmedatheistsandrank
materialists.ManyareashamedtosaythattheybelieveintheexistenceofGod.Theyhavenoknowledgeof
Brahmacharyaandselfcontrol.Fashionabledress,undesirablefood,badcompany,frequentattendanceat
thetheatres,andthecinema,andapplyingWesternmannersandcustomshaverenderedthemweakand
passionate.BrahmaVidya,AtmaJnana,Vairagya,thewealthofMokshaandAtmicpeaceandblissarequite
foreigntothem.
Fashion,style,epicureanism,gluttonyandluxuryhaveoccupiedtheirminds.Itisverypitiabletohearthe
lifehistoryofsomeofthecollegestudents.IntheancientGurukul,boyswerehealthyandstrongandlived
long.IthasindeedbeendetectedthatthehealthofthestudentshasdeterioratedthroughoutIndia.
Moreover,thevicesandbadpracticesthatareruiningtheirhealthareontheincrease.Thereisnoethical
cultureinmodernschoolsandcolleges.Inthepresentsystem,themoralsideofeducationisabsolutely
ignored.
Moderncivilizationhasenfeebledourboysandgirls.Theyleadanartificiallife.Childrenbegetchildren.
Thereisracialdegeneration.Thecinemahasbecomeacurse.Itexcitespassionandemotion.Nowadays,in
thecinema,vulgarscenesandimmoralplaysareenactedevenwhentheyshowstoriesfromthe
MahabharataandtheRamayana.AgainIhavetoreiteratewithforcethatthepresentsystemofeducationin
Indianeedsathoroughdrasticoverhaulingimmediately.
Anysystemofeducation,whichisnotbasedontheprinciplesofBrahmacharya,andhasnotinitscurriculum
acompulsorystudyofSanskritliterature,willnotbegoodfortheHindus.Itisboundtofail!Thosewhoare
responsibleforgivingthemapropersystemofeducationareignorantonthisimportantpointandhencethe
numerousunfortunateexperimentsineducation.
Professorsofsomecollegesinsistonthestudentsputtingonfashionabledress.Theyevendislikestudents
whowearcleanbutsimpleclothing.Agreatpity!Cleanlinessisonethingandfashionisanotherthing.The
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socalledfashiontakesrootinworldlinessandsensuality.
Cleanlinessoflifeisverynecessaryforphysicalandspiritualgrowth.Boysandgirlssufferinsilenceon
accountofignorance,onaccountofmisuseofbodilypartswhichconstitutesadefinitedrainuponthe
vitality.Thisretardsnormalmentalandphysicalprogress.Whenthehumansystemisdeprivedofits
naturalsecretions,theremustbeacorrespondingdeclineinnervousenergy.Thisisthereasonwhy
functionaldisordersdevelop.Thenumberofwrecksisincreasing.
Youngboyssufferfromanaemia,badmemoryanddebility.Theyhavetodiscontinuetheirstudies.Diseases
areincreasing.Thousandsofinjectionshavecomeintothepharmacy,hospitalsanddispensaries.Thousands
ofdoctorshaveopenedtheirclinicsandshops.Yet,miseryisincreasingdaybyday.Peopledonotget
successintheirenterprisesandbusiness.Whatisthereasonforthis?Thereasonisnotfartoseek.Itis
becauseofwastageofthevitalforceorsementhroughevilhabitsandimmoderatesexualintercourse.Itis
becauseofanuncleanmindandanuncleanbody.
Dutyofteachersandparents
Agreatandonerousdutyrestswiththeteachersandprofessorsofschoolsandcollegestotrainthestudents
inthepathofSadacharaorrightconductandtomouldtheircharacterproperly.Brahmacharyaincludes
characterbuildingorrightmouldingofcharacter.Theysaythatknowledgeispower.ButIassertboldly,with
greatassuranceandpracticalexperience,thatcharacterispowerandthatcharacterisfarsuperiorto
knowledgeeven.
Everyoneofyoushouldendeavouryourlevelbesttomouldyourcharacterproperly.Yourwholelifeand
yoursuccessinlifedependentirelyupontheformationofyourcharacter.Allthegreatpersonsinthisworld
haveachievedtheirgreatnessthroughcharacterandcharacteralone.Thebrilliantluminariesoftheworld
havewontheirlaurelsoffame,reputationandhonourthroughcharacterandcharacteralone.
Theteachersthemselvesshouldbestrictlymoralandpure.Theyshouldbeendowedwithethicalperfection.
Otherwise,itwillbeliketheblindleadingtheblind.Beforetakingtotheprofessionofateacher,every
teachershouldfeelthehighresponsibilityofhispositionintheeducationalline.Mereintellectual
achievementintheartofdeliveringdrylectureswillnotsuffice.Thisalonewillnotadornaprofessor.
Whenstudentsreachtheageofmaturity,certaingrowthsandchangestakeplaceinthephysicalbody.The
voicechanges.Newemotionsandsentimentsarise.Naturally,theyoungstersbecomecurious.Theyconsult
thestreetboys.Theygetilladvised.Theyruintheirhealthbyvilehabits.Aclearknowledgeofsexual
health,hygieneandBrahmacharya,ofhowtoattainlongevityandhowtocontrolpassion,shouldbe
impartedtothem.ParentsshouldteachtheirchildrenthevariousstoriesfromtheMahabharataandthe
RamayanathatrelatetoBrahmacharyaandrightconduct.
Parentsshouldadvisetheirchildren,oftenandoften,onthesubjectofBrahmacharya.Thisistheir
imperativeduty.Candidtalkstotheboysandgirlsareverynecessarywhentheybegintoshowsignsof
puberty.Itisnousebeatingaboutthebush.Mattersthatrelatetosexshouldnotbekepthidden.Itwillbe
onlyfalsemodestyiftheparentsfeelshytotalktotheirchildrenonthisimportantsubject.Silencewillonly
excitethecuriosityoftheadolescentchildren.Whereas,iftheycanunderstandthesethingsclearlyintime,
surelytheywillnotbemisguidedbyevilcompanionsandtheywillnotdevelopbadhabits.
Teachersandparentsshouldgiveproperinstructionstotheboysandgirlsastohowtheyshouldleadaclean
lifeofBrahmacharya.Theyshouldgetridoftheirfalsesenseofmodestyandshame.Theyareagooddeal
responsiblefortheignoranceoftheboysandgirls.Therehasbeenmoresufferingcausedbyignoranceof
thesemattersthanbyanythingelse.Youarepayingthepriceofignorance,ofthefalsemodestythat
mattersofsexandsexualphysiologyshouldnotbediscussed.Theteachersandparentsshoulddiligently
watchtheconductoftheyoungstersandclearlyimpressontheirmindthevitalimportanceofacleanlifeof
Brahmacharyaandthedangersofanuncleanlife.PamphletsonBrahmacharyashouldbefreelydistributed
tothem.
MagiclanterndemonstrationsonthesubjectofBrahmacharya,onthelivesofBrahmacharinsofyore,onthe
storiesoftheMahabharataandtheRamayana,shouldberegularlyconductedintheschoolsandcolleges.
Thiswillbeagreathelpinelevatingandinspiringthestudentstoahighmoralstandard.
Oteachersandprofessors!Wakeupnow!TrainthestudentsinthepathofBrahmacharyaandrighteousness
andmorality.MakethemtrueBrahmacharins.Donotneglectthisdivinework.Youaremorallyresponsible
forthisoneroustask.ThisisyourYoga.YoucanhaveSelfrealizationifyoutakeupthisworkinright
earnest.Betrueandsincere.Openyoureyesnow.Explaintotheboysandthegirlstheimportanceof
BrahmacharyaandinstructtheminthevariousmethodsbywhichtheycanpreservetheVeerya,thesoul
forceorAtmaSaktithatishiddeninthem.
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Teacherswhohavedisciplinedthemselvesfirstshouldholdprivatetalkswithstudentsandgivethemregular
practicallessonsonBrahmacharya.Rev.H.PackenhamWalsh,whowasprincipaloftheS.RG.College,
Tiruchirappali,afewdecadesago,andwholaterbecameabishop,usedtoholdregulartalkswithhis
studentsonthesubjectofBrahmacharyaandselfcontrol.
Thefuturedestinyoftheworldrestsentirelywiththeteachersandstudents.Iftheteacherstraintheir
studentsintherightdirection,inthepathofrighteousness,theworldwillbefilledwithidealcitizens,Yogis
andJivanmuktas,whowillradiatelight,peace,blissandjoyeverywhere.
BlessedishewhotrulyendeavoursinmakinghisstudentstrueBrahmacharins.Twiceblessedishewhotries
tobecomearealBrahmachari.MaytheblessingsofLordKrishnabeuponthem.Glorytotheteachers,
professorsandstudents.
13.SOMEIDEALBRAHMACHARINS
Hanuman
HanumanwasbornofAnjanafromPavana,thewindgod.HewasnamedHanumanafterthenameofthe
cityHanumanoverwhichhismaternalunclePartiSuryaruled.Hanumansbodywasashardasstone.So,
AnjananamedhimVajranga.HeisalsoknownbythenameMahavirormightiesthero,becauseheexhibited
severalheroicfeats.HisothernamesareBalabhimaandMaruti.
Theworldhasnotyetseen,andwillnotseeinthefuturealso,amightyherolikeSriHanuman.Duringhis
lifetimeheworkedwondersandexhibitedsuperhumanfeatsofstrengthandvalour.Hehasleftbehindhima
namewhich,aslongastheworldlasts,willcontinuetowieldamightyinfluenceoverthemindsofmillions
ofpeople.
HanumanisoneofthesevenChiranjivis.HeistheonlylearnedscholarwhoknowsthenineVyakaranasor
sciencesofgranunar.HelearnttheSastrasfromthesungod.HeisthepersonificationofBrahmacharya.He
isthewisestofthewise,thestrongestofthestrongandthebravestofthebrave.HeistheSaktiorenergy
ofRudra.HewhomeditatesonHanumanandrepeatshisnameattainspower,strength,glory,prosperity
andsuccessinlife.HanumanisworshippedinallpartsofIndia,particularlyinMaharashtra.
Hanumanhadthepowertoassumeanyformheliked,toswellhisbodytoanenormousextentandto
reduceittothelengthofathumbnail.Hisstrengthwassuperhuman.HewastheterroroftheRakshasasor
demons.HewaswellversedinthefourVedasandothersacredbooks.Hisvalour,wisdom,knowledgeof
thescripturesandsuperhumanstrengthattractedeverybodywhocamenearhim.Hehadextraordinaryskill
inwarfare.
Hanumanwasthechosenmessenger,warriorandservantofSriRama.HewasavotaryanddevoteeofLord
Rama.Ramawashisallinall.HelivedtoserveRama.HelivedinRama.HelivedforRama.Hewasa
ministerandintimatefriendofSugriva.
Hanumanwasbornonthemorningofthe8thofthelunarmonth,Chaitra,onthemostblessedday,Tuesday.
Fromhisverybirth,Hanumanexhibitedextraordinaryphysicalstrengthandworkedmanymiracles.Whenhe
wasachild,hejumpedupatthesunandcaughtholdofhimtoeat.Allthegodswereverymuchtroubled.
Theycamewithfoldedhandstothechildandhumblyentreatedhimtoreleasethesun.Thechildsetfreethe
sunattheirrequest.
ARishipronouncedacurseon.Hanumanforhiswrongactionthathewouldremainunconsciousofhisgreat
strengthandprowesstillhemetSriRamaandservedHimwithdevotion.HanumansawSriRamaforthe
firsttimeinKishkinda.SriRamaandLakshmanacamethereinthecourseoftheirsearchforSitawhom
Ravanahadcarriedaway.AssoonasHanumanbeheldSriRama,hebecamequiteconsciousofhisown
strengthandpower.
HanumanburntthewholeofLankaandbroughtnewsofSitatoRama.InthegreatwarbetweenRamaand
Ravana,HanumankilledmanyheroesoftheRakshasaarmy.Hedidmanysuperhumanacts.Carryingabig
mountainandothergreatactivitieswerenothingforHanuman.Allthosewereduetothepowerof
Brahmacharya.
Whenthegreatwarwasover,VibhishanawasinstalledonthethroneofLanka.Thetimeofbanishmentwas
over.SriRama,Lakshmana,SitaandHanumansatonthePushpakaVimanaoraeroplaneandreached
Ayodhyaintime.ThecoronationceremonyofLordRamawascelebratedwithgreateclatandpomp.Sita
presentedanecklaceofpearlstoHanuman.
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GlorytoHanuman,theblesseddevoteeofLordRama.Glory,glorytoSriAnjaneya,themightyhero,
undauntedwarriorandlearnedBrahmachari,thelikeofwhomtheworldhasnotyetseenandwillnotseein
alltimetocome.
MaywederiveinspirationfromHanumansideallifeofBrahmacharya!MayHisblessingsbeuponyouall.Let
ussingHisglory:
JayaSiyaRamJayaJayaSiyaRam
JayaHanumanJayaJayaHanuman
JayaSiyaRamJayaJayaSiyaRam
JayaHanumanJayaJayaHanuman
SriLakshmana
Lakshmana,thesonofDasarathabyhissecondqueenSumitra,wastheyoungerbrotherofSriRama.He
wasanAvataraofAdisesha.HewastheconstantcompanionofRamabothinpleasureandinpain.Rama
andLakshmanalived,dined,playedandstudiedtogether.Onecouldnotbeartheseparationoftheother.
LakshmanawasalovingservantalsoofSriRama.HecarriedoutSriRamascommandstotheveryletter.
HelivedinperfectobediencetoSriRama.
Lakshmanahadpureanduntaintedbrotherlylove.Hisobjectoflifewasservicetohiselderbrother.
Obediencetothecommandsofhisbrotherwasthemottoofhislife.Hewouldnotdoanythingwithout
gettingRamaspermission.HeregardedSriRamaashisGod,Guru,fatherandmother.HefollowedRamaas
ashadow.
Hewasquiteunselfishatheart.Heabandonedallthecomfortsofaroyallifewillinglyonlyforthecompany
ofhisbrother.HeservedRamascauseinallpossibleways.HemadeRamascausehisown.Hesacrificed
everypersonalconsiderationonthealtarofbrotherlylove.SriRamawashisallinall.Lakshmanacould
relinquishanything,hislifeeven,forthesakcofRama.Heabandonedinamomenthismother,hiswifeand
hisroyalcomfortstofollowSriRamaandSitainexile.Whatamagnanimoussoul!WhatagreatTyagihe
was!Hereisanunprecedentedexample,inthehistoryofthewholeworld,ofadisinterested,nobleand
devotedsoulwholivedonlytoservehisbrother.ThatisthereasonwhythereadersofRamayanaeulogize
Lakshmanaforhispureanduniquelovetowardshisbrother.SomeeulogizeBharata,whileothersspeak
veryhighlyofHanuman,butLakshmanawasinnowayinferiortoBharataorHanuman.
LakshmanafollowedSriRamaforthelongperiodoffourteenyearsthoughhewasperfectlyawareofthe
dangersoftheforest.HeaccompaniedRamawithhisbowandarrow,thoughhishelpwasnotrequiredby
Visvamitra.ItwasallduetohisdevotionandlovetowardshisbrotherSriRama.
SriRamaalsohadintenseloveforLakshmana.WhenLakshmanafelldownunconsciousbythefatalarrowof
Meghanada,Ramasheartwasbroken.Heweptbitterly.HemadeadeterminationnottorevisitAyodhya
whenhelosthisdearbrother.Hesaid,"AwifelikeSitacanbehad,butarealdevotedbrotherofthetypeof
Lakshmanacannotbehadagain.Theworldisnothingformewithoutmybrother."
Lakshmanawaspureinthought,wordanddeed.HeledthelifeofanidealBrahmachariduringthefourteen
yearsofexile.HeneverlookedatthefaceorbodyofSita.Hiseyeswereeverdirectedtowardsherlotus
likefeetonly.WhenSugrivabroughtSitascloakandjewelswhich,whileshewasbeingcarriedaway,she
hadallowedtofallontheearth,seeingthemonkeysonthemountainRamashowedthemtoLakshmana
andaskedwhetherherecognizedthem.Lakshmanasaid:
NahamJanamiKeyureNahamJanamiKankane
NupuraEvaJanamiNityamPadabhivandanat
"IdonotrecognisethebraceletsorearringsIknowonlytheanklets,forIworshippedherfeetalone."See
howLakshmanareveredSitaasmotherorGoddess.
Meghanada,thesonofRavana,hadconqueredevenIndra,thelordofgods.Byvirtueofthisvictory,
MeghanadaalsocametobeknownasIndrajit.Hehadaboonofbeinginvincibletoallexcepttoonewho
couldabstainfromallsortsofsensualenjoymentsasleastforafullfourteenyears.Hewasunconquerable.
ButLakshmanadestroyedhimbythepowerofhispurity,bythepowerofBrahmacharya.
OLakshmana!Weshalleversingthygloryandrepeat,"RamLakshmanJanaki,JaiBoloHanumanKi!"
IntroduceustoourbelovedLordRama,thydearbrotherandmaster.Helpusalsoinholdingcommunion
withLordRama.OLakshmana!BeevermercifultothoseneophyteSadhakaswhogropeinthedarknessof
ignorance!Teachusthesecretofsuccessandhelpusinbecomingstaunchcelibatestilltheendofourlives.
Onceagain,salutationstothee,OLakshmana,thedarlingofSumitraandtheappleofSriRamaseyes!
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Bhishma
BhishmasfatherwasSantanu,whowastherulerofHastinapura.HismotherwasGangaDevi.Hisearly
namewasDevavrata.HewasanincarnationofVasuDevata.
OnedaySantanuwentintotheforests,closetothebanksoftheYamuna,forhunting.Hecameacrossa
handsomemaiden.Hesaidtoher,"Whoareyou?Whatareyoudoinghere?"Shereplied,"Iamthedaughter
ofDasaraja,thefisherchief.MynameisSatyavati.Iamengagedathiscommandinrowingtheboatfor
takingpassengersacrosstheriver".
KingSantanuwantedtomarryher.HewenttoDasarajaandaskedhisconsent.Thefisherchiefreplied,"I
amquitewillingtogivemydaughtertoyouinmarriage.But,first,Iwantyoutogivemeapromise".
Thekingreplied,"ODasaraja,whatisthat?Iwillcertainlydowhatliesinmypower".Thefisherchiefsaid,
"Thesonbornofmydaughtershouldsucceedyou".
Santanudidnotwishtogivethispledgetothefisherchief,becausehisvaliantandintelligentson
Devavrata,whomhelovedintensely,wouldhavetoabandonthethrone.Hewouldnolongerbetheheir
apparent.Butthefireofloveforthemaidenburnthim.Hewasinagreatdilemma.Hegrewpaleanddid
nottakeanyinterestintheaffairsofthestate.Heopenedhishearttothechiefministerwhomhetrusted,
butthelatterwasnotabletoadvisehiminthematter.Santanutriedtoconcealhisloveforthemaidenfrom
hissonDevavrata.
Devavratawaswiseandwasverystrong.Hesuspectedsomethingandthoughtthathisfatherwasunhappy.
Hesaidtohisfather,"Obelovedfather!Youareprosperous.Youhavegoteverything.Thereshouldbeno
causeforyouranxiety.Whyareyoucheerlessnow?Youarelosingyourvigourandstrength.Kindlyletme
knowthereasonforyourgrief.Iameverreadytodowhatliesinmypowertoremoveit."
Thekingreplied,"ObelovedDevavrata!Youaremyonlyson.Ifanycalamityfallsonyou,Iwillbecome
sonless.Iwillbedeprivedofheaven.Youareequaltoahundredsons.Therefore,Idonotwanttomarry
again.ButonesonisnosonaccordingtothewordsoftheRishis.Thesethoughtsaretroublingmeinmy
mind".
Thereupon,Devavrata,accompaniedbytheoldministerandmanyrespectableKshatriyachiefs,wentto
Dasarajaandpleadedonbehalfofhisfather.Heaskedhimtogivehisdaughtertohisfatherinmarriage.
Thefisherchiefreplied,"Oamiableprince!IhavealreadytoldyourfatherabouttheconditiononwhichIcan
give,mydaughterinmarriagetohim".
Devavratasaid,"Ofisherchief!Imakeasolemndeclarationnowthatthesonthatmaybebornofthisgirl
shallsucceedmyfathertothethrone.Ishalldoallthatyouwish".
Thefisherchiefsaid,"Ihighlyappreciateyournoblecharacterandhighideal.Butyoursonsmayexpelmy
daughterssonatanytimeattheirsweetwill.Ientertainagravedoubtonthispoint".
Devavrataprayed,"OTruth!Dwellinmeforever.Comeandpervademywholebeing!Givemeinner
strengthtosticktothevowofperfectcelibacythatIamgoingtotakenowinthepresenceofthesepeople!".
Hethenresolutelysaidtothefisherchief,"ODasaraja!ListentowhatIsay.Fromtoday,Ishallleadalife
ofstrictNaishthikaBrahmacharyatilltheendofmylife.Allthewomenoftheworldaremymothers.Iam
themostdevotedandloyalsubjectoftheKingofHastinapura.IfIdiesonless,Ishallyetattaintheabodeof
eternalblissandimmortality".
Fromheavenatthattime,thecelestialdamsels,thegodsandtheassemblageofsagesshoweredflowerson
himandsaid,"ThisisverilyBhishma,theTerrible!".
Thefisherchiefsaid,"Oprince!Iamquitereadynowtogivemydaughterinmarriagetoyourfather".
Thereupon,thefishermanandhisdaughteraccompaniedDevavratatothepalaceofSantanu.Theold
ministerinformedthekingaboutallthathadhappened.Themonarchswhoassembledinthehallgreatly
appreciatedtheextraordinaryspiritofselfsacrificeandrenunciationofDevavrataandsaid,"Devavratais
reallyBhishma,theTerrible".Sincethen,DevavrataborethenameofBhishma.KingSantanuwas
immenselypleasedwiththenobleconductofhissonandconferreduponhimtheboonofdeathatwill.He
said,"Maythegodsprotectyou!Deathshallnevercometoyouaslongasyouwishtolive".
Whatanexaltedsoul!Thisnobleexampleisanunprecedentedoneinthehistoryoftheworld.Noonesave
Bhishma,onthesurfaceofthisearth,hadmadesuchagreatsacrificeforthesakeoffilialdutyatsucha
youngage.BhishmasfilialdutyandpietymightverywellbecomparedtothatofLordRama.
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Bhishmawasveryfirm,inhisprinciples.Hewasabsolutelyfreefromtheslightesttingeofselfishness.He
wasanembodimentofselfdenialandselfsacrifice.Hispowerofenduranceandpatienceinallthedifficult
trialshemetwith,weremarvellousandunprecedented.Hewasmatchlessinfortitudeandcourage.Allmen
honouredhim.AlltheKshatriyachiefspaidtheirhomagetohim.HewasamightyYogiandasage.Hewas
abovebodyconsciousness.HerestedinhisownSatchidanandaSvarupa.Thatisthereasonwhyhewas
peacefulandsereneeventhoughhewaspiercedbysharparrowsalloverhisbody.Lyingonthebedof
sharparrowswhichwasassoftasabedofflowerstohim,hegavewonderfuldiscoursesonpolitical,
philosophical,religious,socialandmoralsubjectstoYudhishthira.Haveyoueverheardofanyone,save
Bhishma,inthehistoryoftheworld,whowasabletogiveloftyandsublimediscoursesonhisdeathbed?
Bhishmalaidhislifeforothers.Helivedtoserveandelevateothers.Thenoblelifeledbythehighsouled
BhishmaofmightywillforcestillinspiressterlingvirtuesinthosewhostudyhisdiscoursesintheSanti
Parva.Bhishmadiedlong,longago,buthisvoiceintheSantiParvaandhisidealandexaltedlifeawaken
slumberingpeopletoaction,righteousness,dutyandenquiry,rigorousTapasandmeditation,tothisday.
GlorytoBhishma,whoseexemplarylifeofBrahmacharyainspiresourheartseventodayandelevatesour
mindstomagnanimousheightsofdivinegloryandsplendour.
SECTIONIII.TECHNIQUESOFSEXSUBLIMATION
14.SUPPRESSIONANDSUBLIMATION
InthePracticeofBrahmacharya,whatiswantediseliminationoflust,butnotsuppression.Suppressionof
thesexurgeisnoteradication.Youcanneverbefreeofthatwhichissuppressed.Thesuppressedsex
desirewillattackyouagainandagainandwillproducewetdreams,irritabilityandrestlessnessofmind.
Repressionorsuppressionofthesexualdesirewillnothelpyoumuch.Iflustissuppressed,itwillagain
manifestwithredoubledforcewhenasuitableopportunityarises,whenthewillbecomesweak,when
Vairagyawanes,whenthereisslackeninginmeditationorYogicSadhana,whenyoubecomeweakowingto
anattackofdisease.
Donottrytorunawayfromwomen.ThenMayawillchaseyouterribly.TrytoseetheSelfinallformsand
repeattheformula"OmEkSatChitAnandaAtma"veryoften.RememberthatAtmanissexless.Mental
repetitionofthisformulawillgiveyoustrength.
IgnorantpeopleadoptfoolishmethodstokilltheIndriyas.Theyfaileventually.Manyfoolishaspirants
amputatetheorganofreproduction.Theythinkthatlustcanbeeradicatedbysuchaprocedure.Whata
greatfoolishact!Lustisinthemind.Ifthemindissubdued,whatcanthisexternalfleshyorgando?Some
swallowtonsofnuxvomicatokillthisorgan.TheyfailintheirattemptstobecentredinBrahmacharya.The
stateoftheirmindremainsthesame,thoughtheybecomeimpotentbytakingnuxvomica.
WhatiswantedisajudiciouscontroloftheIndriyas.TheIndriyasshouldnotbeallowedtorunriotinsensual
grooves.Theyshouldnotbeallowedtothrowusruthlesslyintothedeeppitofworldliness,liketheturbulent
horsecarryingawaytheriderwhereveritlikes.
Brahmacharyameanscontrol,butnotsuppression,ofthesexdesireorsexforce.Themindshouldbe
renderedpurebymeditation,Japa,Kirtanandprayer.Ifthemindisfilledwithsublimedivinethoughtsby
meditation,Japa,prayerandstudyofholyscriptures,thesexdesirewillbedevitalisedordeenergisedby
thewithdrawalofthemind.Themindalsowillbethinnedout.
Fromsexenergytospiritualenergy
ThesexualenergymustbetransmutedintospiritualenergyorOjasSaktibythepracticeofJapa,prayer,
meditation,studyofreligiousbooks,PranayamaandAsanas.Youmustdevelopdevotionandaburning
desireforliberation.Youmustconstantlymeditateonthepure,immortal,sexless,bodiless,desireless
Atman.Thenonlythesexualdesirewillbeannihilated.
IfthesexualenergyistransmutedintoOjasorspiritualenergybypurethoughts,itiscalledsexsublimation
inwesternpsychology.Sublimationisnotamatterofsuppressionorrepression,butapositive,dynamic,
conversionprocess.Itistheprocessofcontrollingthesexenergy,conservingit,thendivertingitintohigher
channels,andfinally,convertingitintospiritualenergyorOjasSakti.Thematerialenergyischangedinto
spiritualenergy,justasheatischangedintolightandelectricity.Justasachemicalsubstanceissublimated
orpurifiedbyraisingthesubstancethroughheatintovapourwhichagainiscondensedintosolidform,so
also,thesexualenergyispurifiedandchangedintodivineenergybyspiritualSadhana.
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Ojasisspiritualenergythatisstoredupinthebrain.Byentertainingsublime,soulelevatingthoughtsofthe
SelforAtman,bymeditation,Japa,worshipandPranayama,thesexualenergycanbetransmutedintoOjas
Saktiandstoredupinthebrain.Thisstoredupenergycanthenbeutilisedfordivinecontemplationand
spiritualpursuits.
AngerandmuscularenergycanalsobetransmutedintoOjas.AmanwhohasagreatdealofOjasinhis
braincanturnoutimmensementalwork.Heisveryintelligent.Hehaslustrouseyesandamagneticaurain
hisface.Hecaninfluencepeoplebyspeakingafewwords.Ashortspeechofhisproducesatremendous
impressiononthemindsofthehearers.Hisspeechisthrilling.Hehasanaweinspiringpersonality.Sri
Sankara,anAkhandaBrahmachari,workedwondersthroughhispowerofOjas.HedidDigvijayaandheld
controversiesandheateddebatesindifferentpartsofIndiawithlearnedscholarsthroughhispowerofOjas.
AYogialwaysdirectshisattentiontotheaccumulationofthisdivineenergybyunbrokenchastity.
InYoga,itiscalledOordhvaretas.AnOordhvaretaYogiisoneinwhomtheseminalenergyhasflown
upwardsintothebrainasOjasSakti.Thereisnownopossibilityofthesemengoingdownwardsbysexual
excitement.
Thesecretofsexsublimation
AccordingtoYogicscience,semenexistsinasubtleformthroughoutthewholebody.Itisfoundinasubtle
stateinallthecellsofthebody.Itiswithdrawnandelaboratedintoagrossforminthesexualorganunder
theinfluenceofthesexualwillandsexualexcitement.AnOordhvaretaYoginotonlyconvertsthesemeninto
Ojas,butchecksthroughhisYogicpower,throughpurityinthought,wordanddeed,theveryformationof
semenbythesecretarycellsofthetestesorseeds.Thisisagreatsecret.Allopathsbelievethateveninan
OordhvaretaYogi,theformationofsemengoesonincessantlyandthatthefluidisreabsorbedintotheblood.
Thisisamistake.TheydonotunderstandtheinnerYogicsecretsandmysteries.Theyareinthedark.Their
Drishtiorvisionisconcernedwiththegrossthingsoftheuniverse.TheYogipenetratesintothesubtle
hiddennatureofthingsthroughYogicChakshuortheinnervisionofwisdom.TheYogigetscontroloverthe
astralnatureofsemenandtherebypreventstheformationoftheveryfluiditself.
ThebodyofamanwhoistrulyanOordhvaretashasthescentofalotus.AmanwhoisnotaBrahmachari,
inwhomgrosssemenisformed,may,ontheotherhand,smelllikeabuckgoat.Thesemendriesupin
thosewhopracticePranayamaseriously.Thesemenenergyascendsuptothebrain.ItisstoredupasOjas
SaktiorspiritualenergyandcomesbackasAmritaornectar.
Theprocessofsexsublimationisextremelydifficult.ItdemandsconstantandprotractedSadhanaand
perfectdiscipline.ThatYogiwhohasachievedperfectsublimationhasperfectcontroloverlust.Complete
sublimationisachievedthroughceaselessmeditationonAtmanandSelfrealization.ThatYogiorJnaniwho
hasattainedthehighestNirvikalpaSamadhi,inwhomtheseedsofSamskarasarefriedintoto,canclaimto
beaperfectOordhvaretasoronewhohascompletesexsublimation.Thereisnofearofhisdownfall.Heis
perfectlysafe.Hewillbeabsolutelyfreefromimpurity.Thisstageisaveryhighstage.Amicroscopic
minorityonlyhaveattainedthissublimeexaltedstate.Sankara,Dattatreya,JnanaDevaofAlandiandothers
reachedthisstage.
Thereisanothersectcalled"Dhiryaretas",orthosepersons,who,previouslyapreytolustfulthoughtsand
deviatedfromBrahmacharya,latertaketothepracticeofstrictcelibacy.Suchaperson,ifhepracticesstrict
celibacyfortwelveyears,canacquiresuperhumanpowers.MedhaNadiorBuddhiNadiisformedinhim.By
meansofthis,hecanhaveretentivememoryofanythingaslongashelives,andhewillbeinapositionto
learnallkindsofsubjects.
ByobservanceofunbrokenBrahmacharyainthought,wordanddeedforaperiodoffulltwelveyears,oneis
bestowedevenwiththevisionofGod,ifoneaspiresforit.Hecansolvethemostabstruseandcomplicated
problemseasily.But,thiskindofobservanceshouldcommencebeforethethirtysecondorthethirtyfourth
year.
ThatYogiwhohasdisciplinedhimselfthroughceaselessprotractedSadhana,continuousmeditation,
PranayamaandAtmicVichara,thepracticeofSama,Dama,YamaandNiyama,isalsosafe,althoughhehas
notattainedthestageofperfectsexsublimation.Womenwillholdnoattractionforhim.Hehasthinnedout
hismind.Themindisstarvedtodeath.Itcannotraiseitshood.Itcannothiss.
Totalsublimationisdifficult,yetnotimpossible
Theprocessofsexsublimationisverydifficult,andyet,itismostnecessaryfortheaspirantinthespiritual
path.ItisthemostimportantqualificationfortheSadhaka,beheinthepathofKarmaYoga,Upasana,Raja
YogaorVedanta.Itisafundamentalprerequisiteforanaspirant.Ifonehasthisqualificationormerit,all
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othermeritswillcomeandclingtohim.Allgoodqualitieswillcomebythemselves.Youmustachievethisat
anycost.Youwillsurelyattemptthisinfuturebirths.Butwhynotnow?
Thetotalannihilationofthesexualdesireistheultimatespiritualideal.Completesublimationalonewill
makeyoufree.But,perfectsublimationcanhardlybeachievedwithinadayortwo.Itdemandscontinuous
strugglewithpatienceandperseveranceforsometime.Eventhehouseholdersshouldkeeptheaboveideal
beforethemandtrytorealizeitgradually.Ifthestateofperfectsublimationisattained,therewillbepurity
inthought,wordanddeed.Nosexualthoughtwillenterthemindatanytime.
ItisthroughconstantVicharaandBrahmaBhavanathatthemindhastobeweanedfromlustfulthoughts
andtendencies.Youmustremovenotonlythesexualcravingandthesexualimpulses,butalsothesex
attraction.Thinkofthemiseriesthatyougetfromamarriedlifewithitsvariousentanglementsand
bondage.Makethemindunderstandbyrepeatedautosuggestionandhammeringthatsexualpleasureis
false,worthless,illusoryandfullofpain.Placebeforethemindtheadvantages,bliss,powerandknowledge
ofaspirituallife.Makeitunderstandthattheexalted,eternallifeisintheimmortalAtman.Whenithears
constantlythesesuggestions,itwillslowlyleaveoffitsoldhabits.Theattractionforsexwillslowlydie.Then
onlyrealsexsublimationwilltakeplace.ThenonlyyouwillbecomeanOordhvaretaYogi.
Therearetwokindsofforceinthemind,namely,hostileorantagonisticforceandfriendlyorfavourable
force.Passionisahostileforcethatdragsyoudown.Purereasonisafavourableforcethatelevatesyouand
transmutesyouintoDivinity.Develop,therefore,mychild,purereasontogetunalloyedblissandsupreme
Brahmicknowledge.Passionwilldiebyitself.
Sexsublimationiswithinyourreachifyouwishtoattainit.Thepathisquiteclear,straightandeasyifyou
understanditandifyouapplyyourselfwithpatience,perseverance,determinationandstrongwill,ifyou
practicedisciplineoftheIndriyas,rightconduct,rightthinking,rightacting,regularmeditation,assertion,
autosuggestionandenquiryof"WhoamI?".Atmanissexless.AtmanisNirvikara.Feelthis.Cantherebe
anytraceoflustorimpurityintheetemal,pureAtman?
GlorytothoseYogiswhohaveattainedOordhvaretasorfullsexsublimationandwhoarerestingintheirown
Svarupa!MayweallpracticeperfectcelibacythroughthepracticeofSama,Dama,Viveka,Vichara,
Vairagya,Pranayama,JapaandDhyanaandreachthegoaloflife!MaytheIndwellerofourheartsgrantus
spiritualstrengthtocontroltheIndriyasandthemind!MayweallbecomefullOordhvaretaYogislike
SankaraandJnanaDevofyore!Maytheirblessingsbeuponusall!
15.TOMARRYORNOTTOMARRY
Iscelibacypossible?
Itisquitepossibleforamantopracticecelibacywhileremainingintheworld,albeittherearevarioussorts
oftemptationsanddistractions.Manyhaveachievedthisintimesofyore.Therearemanyevenatthe
presentmomentalso.Awelldisciplinedlife,aSattvicandmoderatediet,studyofreligiousscriptures,
Satsanga,Japa,Dhyana,Pranayama,dailyintrospectionandenquiry,selfanalysisandselfcorrection,
Sadachara,practiceofYamaandNiyama,physical,verbalandmentalTapasinaccordancewiththe
teachingsoftheSeventeenthChapteroftheGitaallwillpavealongwayintheattainmentofthisend.
Peoplehaveanirregular,unrighteous,immoderate,irreligious,undisciplinedlife.Hencetheysuffer,andfail
intheachievementofthegoaloflife.Justastheelephantthrowssandonitsownhead,soalso,they
themselvesbringdifficultiesandtroublesontheirownheadsonaccountoftheirfoolishness.
ThosewhopracticeBrahmacharyagenerallycomplainthattheygetmentalfatigueowingtocontinence.This
isonlyadeceptionofthemind.Yougetsometimesapseudohunger,whereas,whenyouactuallysitfor
dinner,youhavenorealgoodappetiteandyoudonottakeanyfood.Soalso,thereisafalsemental
fatigue.IfyouobserveBrahmacharya,youwillhaveimmensementalstrength.Youwillnotbeabletofeelit
always.Youwillmanifestitwhentheoccasionarises,inthesamewayasawrestlermanifestshisphysical
strengthinthearena,thoughhefeelsasnormalmaninordinarytimes.
Continenceisnotharmful.Itconservesenergy.Itgivesimmensestrengthandpeace.Sexualindulgence
leadstomoralandspiritualbankruptcy,prematuredeath,andlossoffaculties,talentsandcapacities.
Thepracticeofcelibacyisnotattendedwithanydangeroranydirediseaseorundesirableresultsuchasthe
varioussortsofcomplexwhicharewronglyattributedtoitbytheWesternpsychologists.Theyhaveno
practicalknowledgeofthesubjectonhand.Theyhavegotawrong,illfoundedimaginationthatthe
ungratifiedsexenergyassumesindisguisethevariousformsofcomplexsuchasthetouchphobia.The
complexisduetosomeothercauses.Itisamorbidstateofmindduetoexcessivejealousy,hatred,anger,
worryanddepressionbroughtaboutbyvariouscauses.
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Onthecontrary,evenalittleselfrestraintoralittlepracticeofcontinenceisanidealpickmeup.Itgives
innerstrengthandpeaceofmind.Itinvigoratesthemindandnerves.Ithelpstoconservephysicaland
mentalenergy.Itaugmentsmemory,willforceandbrainpower.Itbestowstremendousstrength,vigour
andvitality.Itrenovatesthesystemorconstitution,rebuildsthecellsandtissues,energisesdigestionand
givespowertofacethedifficultiesinthedailybattleoflife.Thespecialvirtuesofenduranceandbravery
areintimatelyconnectedwiththecultivationofchastity.Aperfectcelibatecanmovetheworld,canstopthe
oceanwaveslikeLordJesus,canblowupmountains,cancommandnatureandthefiveelementslikeJnana
Dev.Thereisnothinginthethreeworldsthatcannotbeachievedbyhim.AllSiddhisandRiddhisrollunder
hisfeet.
AfoolishargumentoftheEpicureans
Someignorantpeoplesay:"Itisnotrighttocheckpassion.Wemustnotgoagainstnature.WhyhasGod
createdyoungbeautifulwomen?Theremustbesomesense,inHiscreation.Weshouldenjoythemand
procreateasmanyaspossible.Weshouldkeepuptheprogenyoftheline.IfallpeoplebecomeSannyasins
andgotoforests,whatwillbecomeofthisworld?Itwillcometoanend.Ifwecheckpassion,wewillget
disease.Wemustgetplentyofchildren.Thereishappinessinthehousewhenwehaveabundantchildren.
Thehappinessofmarriedlifecannotbedescribedinwords.Itisthebeallandendalloflife.Idonotlike
Vairagya,Tyaga,SannyasaandNivritti."Thisistheircrudephilosophy.Theyarethedirectdescendantsof
CharvakaandVirochana.TheyarelifemembersoftheEpicureanschoolofthought.Gluttonismistheirgoal
oflife.Theyhaveaverylargefollowing.TheyarefriendsofSatan.Admirableistheirphilosophy!
Whentheylosetheirproperty,wifeandchildren,whentheysufferfrom,anincurabledisease,theywillsay,
"OGod,freemefromthishorribledisease.Forgivememysins.Iamagreatsinner."
Passionshouldbecheckedatallcosts.Notasinglediseasecomesbycheckingpassion.Onthecontrary,you
willgetimmensepower,joyandpeace.Therearealsoeffectivemethodstocontrolpassion.Oneshould
reachAtman,whichisbeyondnature,bygoingagainstnature.Justasafishswimsupstreamagainstthe
currentinariver,soalso,youwillhavetomoveagainsttheworldlycurrentsofevilforces.Thenalonecan
youhaveSelfrealization.Passionisanevilforceanditshouldbecheckedifyouwanttoenjoyundecaying
Atmicbliss.Sexualpleasureisnopleasureatall.Itisamentaldelusion.Itisattendedwithdangers,pain,
fear,exertionanddisgust.IfyouknowYogaorthescienceofAtman,youcanveryeasilycontrolthedire
malady,whichispassion.GodwantsyoutoenjoytheblissofAtman,whichcanbehadbyrenouncingall
thesepleasuresofthisworld.ThesebeautifulwomenandwealtharetheinstrumentsofMayatodeludeyou
andentrapyouintohernets.Ifyouwishtoremainalwaysasaworldlymanwithlowthoughts,debasing
desires,youcanbyallmeansdoso.Youareatperfectliberty.Youcanmarrythreehundredandfiftywives
andprocreateasmanychildren.Nobodycancheckyou.Butyouwillsoonfindthatthisworldcannotgive
youthesatisfactionyouwant,becauseallobjectsareconditionedintime,spaceandcausation.Thereare
death,disease,oldage,cares,worriesandanxieties,fear,loss,disappointmentfailure,abuse,heat,cold,
snakebites,scorpionstings,earthquakesandaccidents.Youcannotatallfindrestofmindevenforasingle
second.Asyourmindisfilledwithpassionandimpurity,yourunderstandingiscloudedandyourintellectis
pervertednow.Youarenotabletounderstandtheillusorynatureoftheuniverseandtheeverlastingbliss
ofAtman.
Passioncanbeeffectivelychecked.Therearepotentmethods.Aftercheckingpassion,youwillenjoyreal
blissfromwithinfromAtman.AllmencannotbecomeSannyasins.Theyhavevarioustiesandattachments.
Theyarepassionateandcannot,therefore,leavetheworld.Theyarepinnedtotheirwives,childrenand
property.Yourpropositioniswhollywrong.ItisAsambhava.Itisimpossible.Haveyoueverheardinthe
annalsoftheworldshistorythatthisworldbecamevacantasallmenbecameSannyasins?Then,whydo
youbringinthisabsurdproposition?Thisisaningenioustrickofyourmindtosupportyourfoolish
argumentsandsatanicphilosophy,whichhaspassionandsexualgratificationasitsimportanttenets.Donot
talklikethisinfuture.Thisexposesyourfoolishnessandpassionatenature.Donotbotheryourselfabout
thisworld.Mindyourownbusiness.Godisallpowerful.Evenifthisworldiscompletelyevacuatedwhenall
peopleretiretotheforests,Godwillimmediatelycreatecroresofpeoplebymerewilling,withinthe
twinklingofaneye.Thisisnotyourlookout.Findoutmethodstoeradicateyourpassion.
Marriagecannotbetakenasanindispensablefactorineveryoneslife.Rather,atrueaspirantshould
definitelykeephimselffar,farawayfromthefettersofamarriedlife.Forhim,marriageconstitutesa
cursewhileatthesametime,foramanofalustfuldispositionforwhomitisextremelydifficulttogetover
carnalpassions,itisasortofafenceandaprotectingvaulttohismoralrecklessness.Marriageis,
therefore,prescribedforthoseanditappliestothemajorityofmankindwhoarenotyetreadyforalifeof
absoluteselfrestraintandthusistoberegardedbythemasasacrament,andcertainlynotasalicenceto
selfindulgence.
Everyoneborninthisworldneednotnecessarilymarry.Marriageismeanttoregulateoneslifeinthe
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world.Butfortheinstitutionofmarriageinsociety,lifewouldbecomeirregularandbeastly.But,where
thereisnopassionintheheart,wherethedesireforGodisstrong,wherethereisalongingforspiritual
pursuits,marriageisnotcompulsory.SuchamancanleadaNaishthikBrahmacharislife.
Parentsshouldnotforcemarriageontheirsons.TheyshouldnotstampoutthespiritualSamskarasoftheir
children.Manyyoungmeninwhomthereisaspiritualawakeningwritetomeinpitiablewords:"Dear
Swamiji,myheartthrobsforhigherspiritualthings.Ihavenointerestinworldlymatters.Thesurroundings
arenotfavourable.Iamentangledinthemeshesofmarriage.Myparentsforcedme,muchagainstmywill,
tomarry.Ihadtopleasemyoldparents.Theythreatenedmeinvariousways.Inowweep.WhatshallIdo
now?"Youngboys,whohavenoideaofthisworldandthislife,aremarriedwhentheyareeightortenyears
ofage.Weseechildrenbegettingchildren.Therearechildmothers.Aboyofabouteighteenhasthree
children.Whatahorriblestateofaffairs!Earlymarriageshavewroughtearlylossofsemen.Thereis
physicalandmentaldegeneration.Thereisnolongevity.Allareshortlived.Frequentchildbearingdestroys
thehealthofwomenandbringsinahostofotherailments.
YouhaveadoptedvarioushabitsfromtheWestinmattersrelatingtodressandfashion.Youhavebecomea
creatureofvileimitation.They,intheWest,donotmarryunlesstheyareabletomaintainafamily
decently.Theyhavegotmoreselfrestraint.Theyfirstsecureadecentstationinlife,earnmoney,save
somethingandthenonlythinkofmarriage.Iftheyhavenotgotsufficientmoney,theyremainbachelors
throughouttheirlives.Theydonotwanttobringforthbeggarsintothisworldjustinthesamemanneras
youdo.Hewhohasunderstoodthemagnitudeofhumansufferinginthisworldwillneverdaretobringforth
asinglechildfromthewombofawoman.
Natureofthelovebetweenhusbandandwife
Thelovebetweenhusbandandwifeismainlyphysical,selfishandhypocritical.Itisnotconstant.Itisofan
ephemeralandchangingnature.Itiscarnalpassiononly.Itissexualappetite.Itistingedwithlower
emotions.Itisofbestialnature.Itisfinite.Butdivineloveisinfinite,pure,allpervadingandeverlasting.
Thereisnoquestionofdivorcehere.
Inreality,thereisnointernalunionbetweenhusbandandwifeinthevastmajorityofcases.Savitriand
Satyavan,AtriandAnasuyaarevery,veryrareinthesedays.Ashusbandsandwivesareexternallyunited
onlyforselfishends,thereisonlysomeshowofsmileandexternallove.Itisallmereshowonly.
Asthereisnorealunionintheirheartofhearts,thereisalwayssomekindoffrictionandrupture,wryfaces
andhotwords,ineveryhouse.Ifthehusbanddoesnottakehiswifetothecinema,therewillbefightingin
thehouse.Canyoucallthisreallove?Itismercenary,commercialbusiness.Onaccountoflust,menhave
losttheirintegrity,independenceanddignity.Theyhavebecometheslavesofwomen.Whatapitiable
spectacleyousee!Thekeyiswiththewife,andevenfortworupees,thehusbandhastostretchhishandsto
her.Stillhesays,underdelusionandintoxicationofpassion,"Ihaveasweet,lovingwife.Sheisreallya
Mira!Shecanbereallyworshipped!"
Inmercenarylove,therecannotbeanyrealhappinessbetweenthetwo,theloverandthebeloved.Ifthe
husbandisinadyingcondition,thewifetakesthebankpassbookandwalkstohermothershousequietly.If
thehusbandloseshisjobforsometime,thewifeshowswryfaces,speaksharshwordsanddoesnotserve
himproperlywithanylove.Thisisselfishlove.Thereisnorealaffectionfromthecoreoftheheart.So
thereisalwaysquarrel,fightingandAsantiinthehouse.Husbandsandwivesarenotreallyunited.Theypull
onanyhow,draggingadreary,cheerlessexistence.
Passionisnotloveatall.Itisananimalinstinct.Itiscarnallove.Itisofabeastlynature.Itisshifting.If
thewifelosesherbeautyonaccountofsomeincurablemalady,shegetsdivorcedandthehusbandmarries
asecondwife.Thisstateofaffairsisgoingonintheworld.
Ahusbandloveshiswifenotforthesakeofhiswife,butforthesakeofhisownself.Heisselfish.He
expectssensualpleasurefromher.Ifleprosyorsmallpoxdestroysherbeauty,hisloveforherceases.
Whenthewifedies,thehusbandisdrownedinsorrow,notbecauseofthelossofhislovingpartnerinlife,
butbecausehecannotgetsexualpleasurenow.
Whenyourwifeisyoungandbeautiful,youadmirehercurlyhair,rosycheeks,finenose,shiningskinand
silveryteeth.Whenshelosesherbeautyonaccountofsomechronicincurablemalady,shenolongerholds
anyattractionforyou.Youmarryasecondwife.HadyoulovedyourfirstwifewithAtmaBhav,hadyoua
comprehensiveunderstandingthattheSelfinyouandinyourwifewasthesame,yourloveforherwould
havebeenpure,unselfish,lasting,undecayingandunchanging.Justasyouloveoldsugarcandyoroldrice
themore,soalso,youwouldloveyourwifemoreandmore,evenwhenshebecomesold,asyouhave
AtmaBhavthroughJnana.JnanaonlywillintensifyPremandmakeitlasting.
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Physicalloveisanimalism.Loveofthebodyorskinispassion.Itispassionexaltedandrefined.Itisgross
andsensual.Passionforthefleshorbodyisnotpureorreallove.ItisonlyMohaorinfatuationbornof
ignorance.Youdowickeddeedsandkillyoursoulonaccountofthispassion.
Evenoursistersofillfameshowforsometimeabundantlove,sweetsmileandhoneyedwordstowards
theircustomers.Thistheydoaslongastheycanextractmoney.Canyoucallthisloveandrealhappiness?
Justtellmefrankly.Thereiscunningness,diplomacy,crookednessandhypocrisyhere.Thereisnoelement
ofsacrificeinthislove.
Tobeacelibate?Ortobeahouseholder?
ItisonlyforpassionatepeoplethattheGrihasthaAshramorhouseholderslifeisprescribed,becausethey
cannotcontroltheirlust.IfoneisbornwithsufficientspiritualSamskaras,inbornVivekaandVairagya,like
SankaraorSadasivaBrahman,hewillnotentertheGrihashthaAshram.HewillatoncetaketoNaishthik
BrahmacharyaandthenembraceSannyasa.TheSrutisalsoendorsethis.SaystheJabalaUpanishad:
"RenouncetheworldontheverydayyougetVairagya".
Tosome,marriagehindersthespiritualprogresstoothers,ithelps.ForRajaBhartrihari,itwasa
hindranceforsaintTukaram,itwasahelp.Manreachesthesamegoalinthelongrun.Lettherunbethe
shortest.Lettheshortcutbepreferredtothelongwalk.Thatiswhatmanalwayswants.
AlifeofcelibacyisahundredtimesbetterthanthelifeofaGrihasthi.Ibelieveincelibacy,foritisthething
thatunfoldsthehiddenpowerinman.BrahmacharyaisthestraightroadtoGodrealizationmarriageisa
serpentineroute.Theformerismorepreferablethanthelatter,butmantakestothelatterrouteonaccount
ofhislowerpassions.
TherealizationoftheSelf,however,isnotdeniedeventoaGrihasthijustbecausehehastheburdenofa
familyonhisshoulders.SaintTukaramwasmarriedtwiceandhadchildrenyet,hereachedVaikunthaina
Vimanaoranaerialcar.Ifyouroutlookonworldlylifeissimple,trueandhonest,ifyourwouldbepartner
isonewhoispiousandonewhowillobeyyouinallmatters,thereisnoharminmarrying.Butifthe
marriedlifeismorelikelytoproveburden,acurseonone,whyshouldonemarryandentangleoneselfin
chainsthatcanneverbecutasunder?
Ifyouwanttoobservestrictcelibacy,donotmarry.Donotallowyourselftobedupedbysaying,"Iwill
observestrictcelibacyaftermarriage."Afterwardsitwillofferyouitsownargumentsforgivingupthisvow
ofcelibacy.YourDharmaistorealizeGod.
Youhadenoughofsenseandsexgratificationinallyourpreviousbodiesofvariousanimals.Animallifeis
meantforsatisfactionofthelowerappetitesofsexandtongue,buthumanlifeismeantforahigher
purpose.Whydoyou,ohman,burnthesandalwoodtreeforservingthepurposeofcharcoal?Thishuman
lifeisveryprecious,enviedevenbythegods.OnelifelostmeansonegoldenopportunitytobecomeGodis
lost.
Sensualpleasureistantalizing.Aslongasapersondoesnotpossesstheobjectofdesire,solongthereis
enchantment.Afterobtainingpossessionoftheobject,hefindsthatheisentangledinit.Thebachelorthinks
ofhismarriagedayinanddayout,butenjoymentdoesnot,andcannot,bringsatisfactiontohim.Farfrom
it,itonlyaggravatesandintensifiesthedesireandmakesthemindmorerestlessthroughpassionand
craving.Herealizesthatheisinimprisonment.ThisisMayaicjugglery.Thisworldisfulloftemptations.
Youcannotgetblissintheobjectsoftheworld.Itisonlymaterialisticpoison.Further,marriageisalifelong
imprisonment.Itisthegreatestbondageoftheearth.Thebachelorwhowasoncefreeistheyokeandhis
handsandfeetarechained.Thisistheexperienceofallmarriedpeople,invariablyasitwere.Therefore,do
notmarryifyoucanhelpit.Escapewillbedifficultaftermarriage.Realizethegloryofalifeinthespiritual
pathandthegreatdifficulties,anxieties,worriesandtroublesofamarriedlife.DevelopintenseVairagya.
AssertyourbirthrightofGodconsciousness.ArtthounotBrahmanitselfintruth?
Awifeisasharpknifetocutthelifeofthehusband.IfthegoldnecklaceandBenaressilksareesarenot
supplied,thewifefrownsatthehusband.Thehusbandcannotgethisfoodatthepropertime.Thewifelies
downinbedunderthefalsepretextofacuteabdominalcolic.Youcanseethisspectacleinyourownhouse
anddailyexperience.IndeedIneednottellyoumuch.Therefore,beweddedtoSantiandhaveVairagya,the
worthyson,andViveka,themagnanimousdaughterandeatthedeliciousdivinefruitofAtmaJnana,which
canmakeyouimmortal.
Awifeisonlyaluxury.Itisnotanabsolutenecessity.Everyhouseholderisweepingaftermarriage.He
says:"Mysonisailingfromtyphoid.Myseconddaughteristobemarried.Ihavedebtstoclear.Mywifeis
worryingmetopurchaseagoldnecklace.Myeldestsoninlawdiedrecently".
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Donotmarry.Donotmarry.Donotmarry.Escapewillbedifficultaftermarriage.Marriageisthegreatest
bondage.Womanisasourceofconstantvexationandtrouble.WhatdidBuddha,PattinattuSwami,
BhartrihariandGopichanddo?Didtheynotliveinpeaceandcomfortwithoutawoman?
Lustisthegreatestenemyonearth.Itdevoursaman.Agreatdealofdepressionfollowsthesexualact.You
havetoexertalotinearningmoneytopleaseyourwifeandsatisfyherwantsandluxuries.Youcommit
varioussortsofsinsinacquiringmoney.Youmentallyshareherpainsandsorrowsandthepainsand
miseriesofyourchildrenaswell.Youhavetoworryinathousandandonewaysinrunningthefamily.As
twomindscannotagree,therewillalwaysbequarrelsinthehouse.Youhavetounnecessarilymultiplyyour
wantsandresponsibilities.Yourintellectgetsspoiled.Onaccountofheavylossoftheseminalfluid,youwill
sufferfromdiseases,depression,weaknessandlossofvitality.Consequently,youwillhaveanearlydeath.
Therefore,becomeanAkhandaBrahmacharioralifelongcelibate.Freeyourselffromallmiseries,worries
andtroubles.
Inthepresenceoflight,youcannothavedarkness.Inthepresenceofsensualpleasures,Atmicblisscannot
exist.WorldlingswantsensualpleasuresandAtmicblissatthesametime,inoneandthesamecup.Thisis
anabsoluteimpossibility.Theycannotrenounceworldly,sensualpleasures.TheycannothaverealVairagya
intheirheartofhearts.Theywilltalkalot.Worldlymenimaginethattheyarehappybecausetheygeta
fewgingerbiscuits,somemoneyandwoman.Whatmoreiswantedforthem,poorcreatures?Morebeggars
arebroughtforthintotheworldthroughlust.Allworldlypleasuresappearasnectarinthebeginning,but
becomevirulentpoisonintheend.Whenonegetsentangledinmarriedlife,hecanhardlybreakthe
differenttiesofMoha.Therefore,giveupclingingtothisillusorylife.Befearless.ControltheIndriyasand
themind.YouwilldevelopVairagya.YouwillbeperfectlyestablishedinBrahmacharya.
TheAkhandaBrahmachari
IfyoucanremainasanAkhandaBrahmachari,anunbrokencelibate,foraperiodoftwelveyears,youwill
realizeGodimmediatelywithoutanyfurtherSadhana.Youwillhaveachievedthegoaloflife.Marktheword
Akhanda.
SeminalenergyisapotentSakti.SemenisBrahmanItself.ABrahmachariwhohaspracticedunbroken
celibacyforfulltwelveyearswillattaintotheNirvikalpastatethemomenthehearstheMahavakya,"Tat
TvamAsi",becausehismindwillbeextremelypure,strongandonepointed.
AnAkhandaBrahmachari,who,foraperiodoftwelveyears,hasnotallowedevenadropofsementocome
out,willenterintoSamadhiwithoutanyeffort.Pranaandmindareunderhisperfectcontrol.Bala
BrahmacharyaisasynonymoustermforAkhandaBrahmacharya.AnAkhandaBrahmacharihasstrong
DharanaSakti,SmritiSaktiandVicharaSaktipowerofgrasping,retentivememoryandpowerofenquiry.
HeneednotpracticeMananaandNididhyasana,reflectionandmeditation.IfhehearstheMahavakyaeven
once,hewillatonceachieveSelfrealization.Hisintellectispure,andhisunderstandingisextremelyclear.
AkhandaBrahmacharinsarevery,veryrarebuttherearesome.YoualsocanbecomeanAkhanda
Brahmachariifyouattemptinrightearnest.
Youwillhavetobeverycarefulofreaction.TheIndriyasthatareputunderrestraintforsomemonths,or
oneortwoyears,becomerebelliousifyouarenotalwaysvigilantandcareful.Theyrevoltanddragyouout
whenopportunitiesarise.SomepeoplewhoobserveBrahmacharyaforoneortwoyearsbecomemore
passionateandwastetheenergyconsiderablyintheend.Somebecomeincorrigiblemoralwrecksalso.
MeremattedhairandapplicationofashestotheforeheadandthebodycannotmakeoneanAkhanda
Brahmachari.ThatBrahmachariwhohascontrolledthephysicalbodyandthephysicalIndriyas,butwho
constantlydwellsonsexualthoughts,isaconfirmedhypocrite.Heshouldneverbetrusted.Hemaybecome
amenaceatanytime.
16.THEDANGERSOFPROMISCUOUSMIXING
Donotbetoofamiliarwithanybody.Familiaritybreedscontempt.Donotmultiplyfriends.Donotcourt
friendshipwithwomen.Donotalsobeveryfamiliarwiththem.Familiaritywithwomenwilleventuallyendin
yourdestruction.Never,neverforgetthispoint.Friendsareyourrealfoes.
Donotmixwithmembersoftheoppositesex.Mayaworksthroughundercurrentssostealthilythatyoumay
notbeawareofyouractualdownfall.ThesexualVasanawillassumeanaggravatedformsuddenlywithouta
momentsnotice.Youwillcommitadulteryandthenrepent.Thenyourcharacterandfamewillvanish.
Dishonourismorethandeath.Thereisnocrimemoreheinousthanthis.ThereisnoPrayaschittaforthis.So
beware.Becautious.
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BhagavanDattatreyahascomparedwomantoaburningpitoffireandmantoapotofghee.Whenthelatter
comesincontactwiththeformer,itperishes.Therefore,abandonher.
IfyouhappentoliveinaDharmashalaorpublicinn,ifthereisasinglewomaninyourneighbouringroom,
leavetheplaceatonce.Youdonotknowwhatwillhappen.Itisalwaysadvisabletoleavethedangerzone
immediately,howeverstrongyoumaybethroughthepracticeofTapasandmeditation.Donotexpose
yourselftotemptation.
Donottestyourspiritualstrengthandpuritywhenyouareabeginneronthespiritualpath.Donotrushinto
evilassociationswhenyouareaspiritualneophytetoshowthatyouhavethecouragetofacesinand
impurity.Itwillbeaseriousmistake.Youwillberunningintoagravedanger.Youwillhaveaquick
downfall.Asmallfirewillbeveryeasilyextinguishedbyaheapofdust.
Youshouldremainfarawayfromwomeninthebeginningofyourpractices.Afteryouareperfectlymoulded
andwellestablishedinBrahmacharya,youcantestyourstrengthbymovingwithladiesverycautiouslyfor
sometime.Ifyourmindisverypurethenalso,ifthereisnosexidea,ifthemindceasestoactthroughthe
practiceofUparati,SamaandDama,rememberthatyouhavegainedrealspiritualstrengthandmade
considerableprogressinyourSadhana.Youaresafenow.YoushouldnotstopyourSadhanathinkingthat
youareaJitendriyaYogi.Ifyoustopit,youwillhaveahopelessfall.
EvenadvancedaspirantswhohavemadegreatprogressinYogashouldbeverycareful.Theyshouldnot
freelymixwithwomen.TheyshouldnotfoolishlyimaginethattheyhavebecomegreatadeptsinYoga.A
greatsaintofreputehadadownfall.Hefreelymixedwithwomenandmadewomendisciples,whomhe
allowedtomassagehislegs.AsthesexenergywasnotcompletelysublimatedandturnedintoOjas,aslust
waslurkinginasubtleforminhismind,hebecameavictimtopassion.Helosthisreputation.Thesexual
desirewasonlysuppressedinhim,andwhenasuitableopportunitycame,itagainassumedagraveform.
Hehadnostrengthorwillpowertoresistthetemptation.
Anothergreatsoul,whowasregardedbyhisdisciplesasanAvatar,becameaYogaBhrashta.Healsofreely
mixedwithladiesandcommittedaseriouslapse.Hebecameapreytolust.Whatasadmisfortune!
AspirantsclimbwithgreatdifficultybytheladderofYogaandtheyareirrecoverablylostforeveronaccount
oftheircarelessnessandspiritualpride.
Havocplayedbymentalimages
Thepresenceof,orrecollectionof,awomanusuallyexcitesunholyideasinthemindsofrecluseswhohave
abandonedthisworldanddevotedthemselvestospiritualexercisesandthusdeprivesthemofthefruitof
theirausterity.Itisverydifficulttounderstandthepresenceofsubtlelustinthemindsofothers,
particularlyinspiritualrecluses,thoughthelook,tone,gestures,gaitandbehaviourmaygiveaclue.
NotecarefullyhowRajaBhartriharihadcriedduringhisSadhanastage:"OmyLord!Ileftmywife,my
territory.Iliveonleaves,fruitsandroots.Theearthismysofa.Theblueskyismycanopy.Thequarters
aremyclothes.Yet,mypassionhasnotleftme."Suchisthepowerofpassion.
JeromewritestothevirginEustochiumabouthisstruggleforabstinenceandthepoweroflust:"Oh,how
manytimeswheninthedesert,inthatvastsolitudewhich,burntbytheheatofthesun,offersbutahorrible
dwellingtomonks,IimaginedIwasamongthedelightsofRome!Iwasalone.Mylimbswerecoveredbya
wretchedsackandmyskinwasasblackastheEthiopians.EverydayIweptandgroaned,andifIwas
unwillinglyovercomebysleep,myleanbodylayonthebareearth.Isaynothingofmyfoodanddrink,for
inthedesert,eveninvalidshavenodrinkbutcoldwater.Well,Iwhooutoffearofhellhadcondemned
myselftothisprison,companionofscorpionsandwildbeasts,oftenseemedinimaginationamongabandof
girls.Myfacewaspalewithfastingandmymindwithinmyfrigidbodywasburningwithdesirethefireof
lustwouldstillflameupinabodythatalreadyseemedtobedead."Suchisthepoweroflust.
Themindistheseedoftheworld.Itisthemindthatcreatesthisworld.Thereisnoworldquiteapartfrom
themind.Theimagesofallobjectsarecontainedinthemind.Themindplayswiththeseimageswhenit
cannotgettheobjectsanddoesgreathavoc.IfyouconstantlythinkoftheimageoftheLord,theimagesof
objectswilldiebythemselves.
TheforbiddenfruitGodstestforthespiritualaspirant
Godplacessometemptationsbeforetheaspiranttotesthisspiritualstrength.Hegiveshimalsostrengthto
conquerthetemptations.Thestrongesttemptationinthisworldislust.Allthesaintspassedthrough
temptations.Temptationsareprofitable.Peopleareinstructedandstrengthened.
EvenBuddhawastestedforhismentalpurity.Hehadtofacetemptationsofeverysort.Hehadtoface
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Mara.Itwasonlythen,andnottillthen,thathehadilluminationundertheBodhitreeinGaya.Satan
temptedJesusinavarietyofways.Passionisverypowerful.Manyaspirantsfailinthetests.Onehastobe
verycareful.Theaspirantwillhavetodevelopaveryhighstandardofmentalpurity.Thenalonehewillbe
abletostandthetest.Godwillplacetheaspirantsinveryunfavourablesurroundingstotestthem.Theywill
betemptedbyyounggirls.Nameandfamebringthehouseholdersinclosecontactwiththeaspirants.
Womenbegintoworshipthem.Theybecometheirdisciples.Graduallytheaspirantsgetanastydownfall.
Instancesaremany.Aspirantsshouldhidethemselvesandpassforquiteordinarypeople.Theyshouldnot
showtheirChamatkaras.
AlthoughRishiVisvamitrawaspractisingsevereausterities,hewascarriedawaybyhisturbulentsenses
whenhecameacrossthecelestialnymphsentbyIndratodisturbhisTapas.IfVisvamitraandParasarawho
werelivingonleaves,airandwaterwerevictimsoflust,whatshouldbethefateofworldlypeoplewhoare
livingonrichfood?Iftheycancontroltheirpassion,theVindhyamountainwillfloatontheocean,firewill
burndownwards.
Thesexinstinctismostpowerful.Thesexurgeisformidable.Itmayconcealitselfinunderground
compartmentsinthemindandassailyouwhenyouarenotvigilant.Itwillattackyouwithredoubledforce.
VisvamitrafellavictimofMenaka.AnothergreatRishibecameapreytoRambha.Jaiminigotexcitedby
falsewomanMasa.ApowerfulRishiwasexcitedbythesightofthematingofafish.Ahouseholderaspirant
carriedawayevenhisGuruswife.Manyaspirantsarenotawareofthissecreturge,atreacherousenemy.
Theythinkthattheyarequitesafeandpure.Whentheyareputtotest,theybecomehopelessvictims.
Alwaysremainalone,meditateandslaythisurge.
MoneyandwomanshinemorebrightlythanGodforanignorant,passionateman.Mayaispowerful.Adam
fellonaccountofoneloosemoment.Evetemptedonaccountofonedesire.Theforbiddenfruitwillripen
beforethehumaneyesinnotime.ApostwilllookliketheillustriousDevaandmakeyoubowinutter
submissionbeforeit.BewareofMayaanditsmeshes.Thechainsofgoldcanbecutasunder,butnotthe
silkenmeshesofMaya.Asingleunguardedmomentissufficienttocapsizethewholecasketofpearls,down
intothedarkabyssofpassionandlust.
Themossthatismomentarilydisplacedinatankresumesitsoriginalpositioninthetwinklingofaneye.
Similarly,Mayaenvelopseventhewise,iftheyarecarelessevenforaminute.Therefore,sleepless
vigilanceisnecessaryinthespiritualpath.Theproverbgoes:"Thereismanyaslipbetweenthecupandthe
lip."Beforeyoubegintoeatthefruitofwisdom,themonkeyMayawillsnatchitawayfromyourhand.Even
ifyouswallowit,itmaygetstucktoyourthroat.Thereforeyouwillhavetobeevervigilantandcarefultill
youattainBhumaorthehighestrealization.YoushouldnotstopyourSadhanafalselythinkingthatyouhave
reachedthegoal.
Hewholivesinseclusionismoreexposedtotemptationsanddanger.Hewillhavetobeverycarefuland
vigilant.Themindwillbetemptedtodoanythingasthereisnobodytowitnessitsevilaction.Allsuppressed
evilVrittiswillbewaitingforanopportunitytoattackhimwithredoubledforce.Heisjustlikeamanwhois
putinabigbagwithatiger,aserpentandabear.Theenemiesanger,lustandgreedwilltakeyou
unawares.Whenyouwalkaloneinthespiritualpath,theywillattackyoulikethethieveswhoattacka
lonelypassengerinthedenseforest.Therefore,bealwaysinthecompanyofthewise.Donotgoastray.
17.STOPTHATLUSTFULLOOK!
AgentlemanwhohasgivenupsmokinganddrinkingwantstopracticeBrahmacharya,thoughmarried.His
wifehasnoobjection,buthehimselffindsthisdisciplinehardespecially,thetroubleseemstobeinthe
controlofthesenseofsight."Thestreetismychiefenemy",hesaidtomerecently.Thismeansthatthe
eyesareattractedbywelldressedladies.
Anotheraspirantsays,"WhileIpracticedvigorouslyPranayama,Japaandmeditation,mymindwasnot
pollutedevenifIsawhalfnudeyoungladies.ButwhenIleftthepractice,Iwasnotable,tocontrolmysight
andIwasattractedbywelldressedladiesinthestreetsandhalfnudepicturespastedinfrontofpicture
houses.TheseabeachandMallRoadaremyenemies."
ThosewhopracticeBrahmacharyashouldcontrolthesexualgazingimpulse.Thiskindofimpulseisagreat
menace,asitstimulatescuriosityandsexualdesire.Vasanasgrowfromlustfullook.
Lookingatawomanwillcreateadesiretotalktoher.Talkingtoawomanwillcreateadesiretotouchher.
Eventuallyyouwillhaveanimpuremindandwillfallavictim.Therefore,neverlookatawoman.Nevertalk
toawomaninprivacy.Donotbefamiliarwithanywoman.
Mindthefeelingbehindthelook!
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ThereisnoharminlookingatabeautifulobjectbutyouwillhavetodeveloptheDivineBhav.Youwillhave
tofeelthateverythingisamanifestationofGod.Purifyyourthoughtsandfeelings.PurityisBrahman.Thou
artpureinessence.Thouartanembodimentofpurity,ORam.Repeatmentallytheformula,"Suddhoham,
Suddhoham.Iampurity,Iampurity",andattainthatstateofpristine,matchlesspurity.
Youhavenolustfullookwhenyouseeyourmotherorsisteralthoughtheyarebeautiful,welldressedand
decoratedwithornamentsandflowers.Youlookatthemwithaffectionandpurelove.ThisisSuddha
Bhavana.Therearenolustfulideas.YouwillhavetodevelopsuchapureloveorBhavanawhenyoulookat
otherwomenalso.Ifthereisimpuritybehindthegaze,ittantamountstoadultery.Lookingatawomanwith
alustfulheartistantamounttosexualenjoyment.ItisoneformofMaithunam.ThatisthereasonwhyLord
Jesussays,"Ifyouhavealustfullookatawoman,youhavealreadycommittedadulteryinyourheart."
Thereisnoharminlookingatawoman,butyoumusthaveaperfectlychastelook.YoumusthaveAtma
Bhav.Whenyoulookatayounglady,youcanthinkwithinyourself:"ProstrationsuntoThee,OMother.Thou
artanimageormanifestationofMotherKali.Donottempt.Donotallureme.Ihaveunderstoodnowthe
secretofMayaandhercreation.Whohascreatedtheseforms?Thereisanomnipotent,allpervadingand
allmercifulCreatorbehindthesenamesandforms.Thisisalldecaying,falsebeauty.TheCreatororGodis
Beautyofbeauties.Heisanembodimentofundecayingbeauty.Heisthefountainheadofbeauty.Letme
realizethisBeautyofbeautiesthroughmeditation."Youwillhavetocultivatefeelingsofdevotion,
admirationandawewhenyoulookatanalluringformbyrememberingtheCreatorofthatform.Thenyou
willnotbetempted.IfyouareastudentofVedanta,thinkandfeel:"EverythingisSelfonly.Thenamesand
formsareillusory.TheyareMayaicpictures.TheyhavenoindependentexistenceapartfromtheSelf."
Ifoneshouldnotlookatawoman,howdidtheRishisofyoreimpartAtmaJnanatoladies?Whydidthey
keepthemintheirconstantcompanyforservice?
Thedictum,"Donotlookevenatthepictureofawoman",isforpassionatepeoplewhohavenoselfcontrol.
YajnavalkyataughtAtmaVidyatohiswifeMaitreyi.RaikvahadthedaughterofKingJanasrutitoservehim.
HewasaNaishthikBrahmachari.
EveninaJivanmuktaoraliberatedsage,theeyeswillmovetowardstheobjectsthroughtheforceofhabit.
But,hecanwithdrawthemcompletelyandmakethemmereemptysocketsifhewills.Whenheseesa
woman,hedoesnotseeheroutsidehimself.Heseesthewholeworldwithinhimself.Hefeelsthatthe
womanishisownSelf.Hehasnosexidea.Therearenoevilthoughtsinhismind.Hefeelsnosexual
attractiontowardsher.Whereas,aworldlymanseesthewomanoutsidehimself.Heentertainslustful
thoughts.HehasnoideaofSelf.Heisattractedtowardsher.Thisisthedifferencebetweenthevisionofa
Jnaniandthatofaworldlyman.Thereisnoharminlookingatwomen,butyoumustnotentertainevil
thoughts.
Thereisnoharminlookingatabeautifulwoman.Youcanadmirethebeautyofagirljustasyouadmirethe
beautyofarose,thebeautyofthesea,thestarsoranyothernaturalscenery.Thinkthatthebeautyofyour
wifebelongstoNatureandNaturesLord,Isvar.Wheneveryouseealady,putthisquestiontoyourmind:
"Whoisthecreatorofthisbeautifulform?"Atonce,asenseofwonder,asenseofadmirationandasenseof
devotionwillariseinyourmind.Itisonlywhenyoudartalustful,unchastelookatawomanthatyou
commitsin.Youcommitadulteryatheart.Onlywhenyouentertainlustfulthoughts,bondageandmisery
come.
ThebeautythatyouperceiveinthefacesoftheladiesisthebeautyoftheLord.Youcanhaveadmirationin
thismanner.Thereisnoharminsodoing.
Womanisasymbolofbeauty.Sheisasymbolofpower.Shetalkstoyouinthelanguageofsilence:"Iama
representativeofAdiSakti.SeeGodinme.SeeMotherKaliinme.RealizeGodinandthroughme.Worship
Godasanembodimentofbeauty.AdoreHimasanembodimentofpower.RecogniseHisomnipotence."
AgainandagainthinkthatthebeautyofthefaceisthebeautyoftheLord.Godlyfeelingwillariseinyou
whenyoulookatawoman.StudytheTenthChapteroftheGita,VibhutiYoga,againandagain.
Howtocounterimpurethoughts
Impurethoughtsthatariseatthesightofawomanwillgraduallyvanishwhenyougrowinpuritythrough
regularJapaandmeditation.IttakessometimetodestroytheoldviciousSamskarasandoverhaulthe
mentalfactory.Againandagainraisepurecounterthoughtsinthemind.BringuptheimageoftheLord.
AgainandagaintrytofeelAtmainwomenbyforgettingthesexideaandcreatedisgustinyourmindbyan
analysisofthepartsofwhichthebodyiscomposed.
Wheneverthemindrunstowardsattractivewomenwithlustfulthoughts,haveadefiniteclearcutphotoin
themindoftheflesh,bone,urine,faecalmatterandperspirationofwhichwomenarecomposed.Thiswill
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inducedisgustandVairagyainthemind.Youwillneveragaincommitthesinofunchastelookatawoman.
Ittakessometime,nodoubt.Ladiesalsocanpracticetheforegoingmethodandkeepamentalpictureof
meninjustthesameway.
Youshoulddevelopnotonlydisgustinyourmind,butalsofearinordertogetridofthesexidea.Areyou
notextremelyfrightenedwhenacobracomesinfrontofyou?Thismustbethestateofyourmindwhen
lustfulthoughtsenteryourmind.Thenonlythesexattractionwillgraduallydie.
Inflictselfpunishmentifthemindrunstowardswomenwithlustfulideas.Giveupnightmeals.Dotwenty
MalasmoreofJapa.AlwayswearaKaupinorLangoti.
Donotlookatawomanwithanevileye.Ifsheisold,treatherasyourmotherifsheisyoung,asyour
sisterandifveryyoung,asyourchild.YoumayfailtodeveloptheBhavthatallwomenareyourmothers
andsistersahundredandonetimes.Itdoesnotmatter.Sticktoyourpracticetenaciously.Youareboundto
succeedeventually.
Whenyouwalkontheroad,donotlookhitherandthitherlikeamonkey.Lookatthetipofyourrightbigtoe
andwalkgentlywithaGambhirattitude.Orlookatthegroundandwalk.Thisisagreathelpinmaintaining
Brahmacharya.Youcanlookatthetipofthenosealso.
OchildoftheImmortalEssence!Thouhastwalkedforalongtimewithlustfuleyes.Applythecollyriumof
discriminationandthepigmentofVichar.Youwillhaveanewmagnanimousvision.Thewholeworldwill
appeartoyouasamassofcrystallisedbliss.Youwillfindnoevil,nougliness.
Thereisnodenying,however,thatlustisapowerfulforcetoovercome.SomebodyaskedRajaYudhishthira,
"OYudhishthira,whenyoulookatyourmotherKunti,isyourlookabsolutelychaste?"Yudhishthirareplied,"I
cannotsaythatmylookisentirelypure."Suchistheforceoflust.
Youmaysayoutwardly:"Iregardherasmymother.Iconsiderherasmysister."Thoughyoumaynotdo
anythingoutwardlyonaccountofreligiousfearorLokaLajja,mentallyyouarenotwhatyoushouldbe.The
mindwillruninwrongdirections.Itwillbedoinghavocsilently.Variouskindsofevilthoughtsanddesires
willariseinyourmind.Desireorthoughtismorethantheact.Whenyouareputtotestsilently,youwillfail
hopelessly.Youwillnotbeabletohavephysicalcontroleven.
Thereisnothing,however,thataSadhakacannotachieveifhesetshismindtoit.Thegreaterthedifficulty,
thegreaterthegloryofsuccess.Try,try,tryagain.Trainyourselfnottolookatawomanforsometime.If
youareunabletodothisandfindyourlooksstrayinguptoawomanwithlustfulpurpose,raiseinyourmind
theimageofacorpseoraskeletonorwrinkled,diseasedoldwomanandkeepittillyouarefilledwith
disgust.Thiswillenableyoutosucceedfinallyinsubduingpassion.Atthesametime,takerefugeinDevis
lotusfeet.PraytoHerconstantlyforstrengthtowithstandandconquertheonslaughtsofpassion.Lookupon
everywomanasSriDeviHerselfanddomentalprostrationtoheratsight,repeating,"OmSriDurgaDevyai
Namah."ByvigilantandconstantSadhanaliketheabove,youcangraduallyeradicatethepowerfulenemy.
18.THEROLEOFDIETINSEXCONTROL
DietplaysaprominentpartinkeepingupBrahmacharya.Purityoffoodbringsinpurityofmind.Thatpower
whichconnectsthebodyandthemindispresentinthefoodthatwetake.Variouskindsoffoodhavevarying
effectsonthemind.Therearecertainkindsoffoodthatmakethemindandthebodyverystrongand
steady.SoitisabsolutelyessentialthatweshouldtakepureandSattvicfood.Foodhasaveryclose
connectionwithBrahmacharya.Ifproperattentionisgiventothepurityofthefoodthatwetake,
Brahmacharyabecomesquiteeasy.
Theinfluenceoffoodstuffsonthebraincells,emotionandpassionisremarkable.Therearedifferent
compartmentsinthebrainandeachfoodproducesitsowneffectoneachcompartmentandonthegeneral
system.Aconfectionofsparrowproducesanaphrodisiaceffect.Itdirectlystimulatesthereproductive
organs.Garlic,onions,meat,fishandeggsstimulatepassion.Markhowelephantsandcowsthatliveon
grassarequietandpeacefulandhowtigersandothercarnivorousanimalsthatliveonmeatareturbulent
andferocious.Instinctorthevoicefromwithinwillguideyouintheselectionofarticlesofdietthatare
conducivetothekeepingupofBrahmacharya.Youcanalsoconsultsomeelderlyandexperiencedpersons.
Sattvicfood
Cheru,HavisAnnam,milk,wheat,barley,bread,ghee,butter,driedginger,greengram,potatoes,dates,
plantains,curd,almondsandfruitsareallSattvicarticlesoffood.Cheruisamixtureofboiledwhiterice,
ghee,whitesugarandmilk.HavisAnnamisalsoasimilarpreparation.Thisisveryusefulforspiritual
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aspirants.Milkisaperfectfoodbyitself,containingasitdoes,thedifferentnutritiveconstituentsinawell
balancedproportion.ThisisanidealfoodforYoginsandBrahmacharins.Fruitsaregreatenergyproducers.
Bananas,grapes,sweetoranges,apples,pomegranatesandmangoesarewholesomeandnutritious.
Dryfruitssuchasgrapes,raisins,datesandfigs,sweetfreshfruitssuchasbananas,mangoes,Sapotas,
melons,limes,pineapples,apples,woodapplesandsweetpomegranates,sugarandsugarcandy,honey,
sago,arrowroot,milk,butterandgheeofcows,tendercoconutwater,coconut,almonds,pistachionuts,
ToorDhal,Ragi,barley,maize,wheat,riceofredpaddywhosebranisonlypartlyremovedandriceofgood
smellorsweettaste,andallpreparationsfromanyofthesegrains,andwhitepumpkinareSattvicarticles
forkeepingupBrahmacharya.
Forbiddenfood
Highlyseasoneddishes,hotcurries,Chutnies,chillies,meat,fish,eggs,tobacco,liquor,sourarticles,oilof
allkinds,garlic,onions,bitterthings,sourcurd,stalefood,acids,astringents,pungentstuffs,roasted
things,overripeandunripefruits,heavyvegetablesandsaltarenotatallbeneficial.Onionsandgarlicare
worsethanmeat.
Saltistheworstenemy.Toomuchsaltexcitespassion.Evenifyoudonottakesaltseparately,thesystem
willderivethenecessaryquantityofsaltfromotherfoodstuffs.Allfoodstuffscontainsalt.Givingupofsalt
helpsyouincontrollingthetongueandtherebythemindandalltheotherIndriyas.
Allkindsofpeasandbeans,bothfreshandfried,blackgrain,Bengalgram,horsegram,sproutedgrains,
mustard,allsortsofchillies,asafoetida,lentils,brinjals,ladysfinger,cucumbers,Malabarnightshades,both
whiteandred,bambooshoots,papawfruit,drumsticks,allvarietiesofgourdsuchaswhitegourd,snake
gourdandsquashgourd,radish,leeks,mushroomsofallkinds,thingsfriedinoilorghee,picklesofall
sorts,friedrice,sesameseeds,tea,coffee,cocoa,allkindsofvegetables,leaves,roots,fruitsand
foodstuffsthatcreatewindorindigestion,grief,painorcostivenessorothersickness,pastrypreparations,
foodsthataredryandburning,foodsthatarebitter,sour,saline,overhotandpungent,tobaccoandits
preparations,foodsanddrinkscontainingliquorornarcoticdrugssuchasopiumandbhang,food
preparationswhicharestaleorhavebecomecoldsubsequenttotheirremovalfromthehearthorwhich
havelosttheirnaturaltaste,smell,colourorform,orwhichareremnantsafterbeingeatenawaybyother
persons,animals,birdsorinsects,orwhichcontaindust,hair,straworotherrubbish,andmilkofbuffalo,
goatorsheepshouldbeavoidedastheyareeitherRajasicorTamasicbynature.Lemonjuice,rocksalt,
gingerandwhitepeppercanbeusedinmoderation.
Mitaharaormoderationindiet
Mitaharaismoderationinfood.TakewholesomeSattvicfoodhalfstomachful.Fillaquarterwithpurewater.
Allowtheremainingpartfree.ThisisMitahara.BrahmacharinsshouldalwaystakeMitaharaonly.They
shouldbeverycarefulabouttheirnightdiet.Theyshouldneveroverloadthestomachatnight.Overloading
isthedirectcausefornocturnalemissions.
AgluttoncanneverdreamofbecomingaBrahmachari.Controloftongueisasinequanonifyouwantto
controllust,ifyouwanttoobservethevowofBrahmacharya.Thetonguemustbecontrolledfirst.Thenit
willbeeasytocontrolthepassion.Thereisintimateconnectionbetweenthetongueandtheorganof
generation.Tongueisanorganofknowledge.ItisbornoftheSattvicportionofthewaterTanmatra.The
organofgenerationisanorganofaction.ItisbornoftheRajasicportionofthewaterTanmatra.Theyare
sisterorgansasthesourceisthesame.IfthetongueisstimulatedwithRajasicfood,atoncethe
reproductiveorganalsogetsexcited.Thereshouldbeselectionandrestrictionindiet.Thefoodofa
Brahmacharimustbesimple,bland,spiceless,nonirritatingandnonstimulating.Moderationinfoodisvery
necessary.Stuffingthestomachishighlydeleterious.Fruitsarehighlybeneficial.Youshouldtakefoodonly
whenyouarereallyhungry.Thestomachwilldeceiveyousometimes.Youmayhavefalsehunger.When
yousitfortakingmeals,youwillhavenoappetiteandnorelish.Dieteticrestrictionsandfastingarevery
usefulauxiliariesincontrollingthecamelmindandintheattainmentofBrahmacharya.Youshouldnot
ignorethemormakelightofthemonanyaccount.
Fastingapurificatoryexercise
Fastingcontrolspassion.Fastingdestroyssexualexcitement.Itcalmstheemotions.ItcontrolstheIndriyas
also.Passionateyoungmenandladiesshouldtakerecoursetooccasionalfasting.Itwillprovehighly
beneficial.FastingisagreatTapas.Itpurifiesthemind.Itdestroysagreatmultitudeofsins.Shastras
prescribeChandrayanaVrata,KricharaVrata,EkadasiVrataandPradoshaVrataforthepurificationofthe
mind.Fastingcontrolsparticularlythetongue,whichisyourdeadlyenemy.Whenyoufast,donotallowthe
mindtothinkofdeliciousdishes,becausethenyouwillnotderivemuchbenefit.Fastingoverhaulsthe
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respiratory,circulatory,digestiveandurinarysystems.Itdestroysalltheimpuritiesofthebodyandallsorts
ofpoisons.Iteliminatesuricaciddeposits.Justasimpuregoldisrenderedpurebymeltingitinthecrucible
againandagain,soalso,theimpuremindisrenderedpurerandpurerbyfastingagainandagain.Young,
robustBrahmacharinsshouldobservefastingwheneverpassiontroublesthem.Youwillhaveverygood
meditationduringfasting,asthemindiscalm.ThechiefobjectinfastingistopracticeDhyanarigorously
duringthatperiodasalltheIndriyasarecalm.YouwillhavetowithdrawalltheIndriyasandfixthemindon
God.PraytoGodforguidingyouandthrowingafloodoflightonthepath.SaywithBhav:"OGod!
Prachodayat,Prachodayat.Guideme,guideme.Trahi,Trahi.Protectmeprotectme.IamThine,myLord!"
Youwillgetpurity,light,strengthandknowledge.FastingisoneofthetencanonsofYoga.
Avoidexcessivefasting.Itwillproduceweakness.Useyourcommonsense.Thosewhoarenotableto
observeafullfastcanfastfornineortwelvehoursandcantakemilkandfruitsintheeveningoratnight.
Duringfasting,theinternaldigestiveorganssuchasthestomach,theliverandthepancreastakerest.
Epicureans,gluttonsandthosewhoaretirelesseatersdonotallowrestfortheseorgansevenforafew
minutes.Hence,theseorgansgetdiseasedsoon.Diabetes,albuminuria,dyspepsiaandhepatitisarealldue
tooverfeeding.Afterall,manwantsverylittleonthisearth.Ninetypercentofthepeopleinthisworldtake
morefoodthanwhatisabsolutelynecessaryforthebody.Overeatinghasbecometheirhabit.Alldiseases
taketheirorigininovereating.Anoccasionalcompletefastisagreatdesideratumforalltokeepupgood
health,relievetheinternalorgansandmaintainBrahmacharya.Diseasesthatarepronouncedincurableby
allopathsandhomoeopathsarecuredbyfasting.Fastingdevelopswillpower.Itincreasesthepowerof
endurance.Manu,theHindulawgiver,prescribesinhiscodetheremedyoffastingforremovalofthefive
capitalsinsalso.
Itisbettertodrinkalargequantityofwater,eithertepidorcold,accordingtotemperamentandinclination,
duringfasting.Itwillflushoutthekidneysandremovethepoisonandallsortsofimpuritiesinthebody.In
HathaYogaitistermedasGataSuddhiorpurificationofthefleshpot,thephysicalbody.Youcanaddhalfa
teaspoonfulofsodabicarbonatetothewater.Thosewhofastfortwoorthreedaysshouldnotbreaktheir
fastwithanysolidfood.Theyshouldtakesomekindoffruitjuice,eithersweetorangejuiceorpomegranate
juice.Theyshouldsipthejuiceslowly.Youcantakeanenemadailyduringfasting.
Fastforadaytostartwith.Thenslowlyincreasethenumberofdaysaccordingtoyourstrengthand
capacity.Inthebeginningyoumayfeelaslightweakness.Thefirstdaymaybeverytiring.Youwillfeelreal
Ananda,bliss,onthesecondorthethirdday.Thebodywillbevery,verylight.Youcanturnoutmore
mentalworkduringfasting.Thosewhoareinthehabitoffastingwillrejoice.Onthefirstday,themindwill
temptyouinavarietyofwaystoeatsomethingortheother.Standfirm.Bebold.Curbthemindatonce
whenithissesorraisesitshood.DomoreJapaofGayatrioranyMantraduringfasting.Fastingismorea
spiritualKriyathanaphysicalKriyafromtheviewpointofhealth.Youwillhavetoutilisethefastingdaysfor
higherspiritualpurposesandinthecontemplationofGod.AlwaysentertainthoughtsofGod.Divedeepinto
theproblemsoflifesuchasthewhyandthewhereforeoftheuniverse.Enquire:"WhoamI?Whatisthis
AtmanorBrahman?WhatarethewaysandmeanstoattainKnowledgeofGod?HowtoapproachHim?"Then
realizeyourNijanandastateandrestinpurityforeverandever.
Mydearbrothers!WillyoustartthefastingTapasyafromtheverysecondyoureadtheselines?
Peacebeuntoallbeings!
19.WETDREAMSANDSPERMATORRHOEA
Manyyoungmenaretroubledbywetdreamsornocturnalemissionsandspermatorrhoea.Thisdiredisease,
spermatorrhoea,haseatenawaytheverycoreoftheheartofmanybrilliantyouth,whowereoncevery
promisingstudentsduringthebeginningstagesoftheireducationalcareer.Thisterriblescourgehassapped
thevitalityortheveryessenceofmanystudentsandevengrownuppeopleandhasmadethemphysical,
moralandspiritualbankrupts.Thisdeadlycursehasstuntedthegrowthofmanyyoungpeopleandmade
thembemoantheirpastignorant,vicioushabits.Thiswretchedmaladyhasblightedthehopesofmanya
youngpersonandbroughtdespair,gloom,shatteredhealthanddilapidatedconstitution.
Ireceivenumerouslettersofpathetictalesofdissipated,lostyouth.Therecenttrendintheincreaseof
vulgar,cheapandaphrodisiacliteratureandobscenefilms,bothIndianandWestern,hadaddedtothe
miseriesofmisguidedyouth.Lossofthevitalenergycreatesgreatfearintheirmind.Thebodybecomes
weak,memoryfails,thefacebecomesuglyandtheyoungmanisnotabletoremedyhispitiablecondition
duetoshame.Butthereisnocausefordespair.Evenifafewofthehintsinthefollowingpagesare
observed,hewilldevelopthecorrectattitudetolifeandwillleadadisciplinedspirituallifeandultimately
attainsupremebliss.
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Differencebetweenphysiologicalpollutionandpathologicalpollution
Spermatorrhoeaisinvoluntaryseminaldischarge.Nocturnaldischarge,nightpollution,SvapnaDosha,wet
dreamareallsynonymousterms.AyurvedicdoctorscallthisdiseaseSukraMegha.Thisisduetotheevil
habitsinyouth.Inseverecases,dischargesoccurindaytimealso.Thepatientpassessemenalongwith
urineduringmicturition.Ifthereisoccasionaldischarge,youneednotbealarmedabit.Thismaybedueto
heatinthebody,orthepressureofloadedbowelsorbladderontheseminalbags.Thisisnotapathological
condition.
Nightpollutionisoftwokinds,namely,physiologicalpollutionandpathologicalpollution.Inphysiological
pollution,youwillberefreshed.Youshouldnotbeafraidofthisact.Youshouldnotmindifthedischargeof
semenisveryoccasional.Youneednotworryaboutit.Thisisalsoaslightflushingoftheapparatusora
periodicalcleansingthroughaslightoverflowfromthereservoirinwhichthesemenisstoredup.Thisact
maynotbeattendedwithevilthoughts.Thepersonmaynotbeawareoftheactduringthenight.Whereas,
inpathologicalpollution,theactisaccompaniedbysexualthoughts.Depressionfollows.Thereisirritability,
languishment,laziness,inabilitytoworkandconcentrate.Occasionaldischargesareofnoconsequence,but
frequentnocturnalpollutionscausedepressionofspirits,debility,dyspepsia,lowspirits,lossofmemory,
severepainintheback,headache,burningoftheeyes,drowsinessandburningsensationaturinationor
duringtheflowofsemen.Thesemenbecomesverythin.
Causesandconsequences
Wetdreamsandspermatorrhoeamaybeduetovariouscauseslikeconstipation,aloadedstomach,
irritationproducingorwindproducingfood,impurethoughtsandlongselfabusedoneinignorance.
Seminalweakness,nocturnalemissions,lasciviousdreamsandallothereffectsofanimmorallifewillsurely
leadonetoamiserablestateoflivingifnotcheckedbypropermedicines.Butthesemedicinescannot
produceapermanentcure.Onecangettemporaryreliefduringthetimeonetakesthemedicine.Even
doctorsoftheWestadmitthatsuchmedicinescannoteffectapermanentcure.Themomentthemedicineis
discontinued,thepatientwillfindhisdiseasealltheworse.Insomecases,thepatientbecomesimpotentby
theuseofdrugs.TheonlyeffectivepermanentcurecanbehadthroughthesystemofancientYoga.Nasti
YogatParamBalam.ThereisnostrengthhigherthanthatofYoga.Thedifferentmethodsgiveninthisbook
willenableyoutogetsuccessifpracticedregularly.
Donotbecarriedawaybythepompousadvertisementsmadebyquacksandcharlatans.Leadasimple
naturallife.Youwillbecomeallrightsoon.Donotspendanymoneyinbuyingthesocalledpatentmedicines
andspecifics.Theyareworthless.Quackstrytoexploitthecredulousandtheignorant.Donotgotothe
doctors.Endeavourtoqualifyyourselfasyourowndoctor.Understandthelawsofnature,theprinciplesof
hygieneandhealth.Donottresspassagainstthelawsofhealth.
Awarningagainstevilsexhabitsandoutburstsofanger
Avoidallkindsofselfabuse.Theydrainawayyourvitalenergyandleaveyoulikeadeadmanorlikethe
sugarcanefromwhichthejuicehasbeenextracted.Veeryaisindeedapricelesspossession.Donotwasteit
forthesakeofamomentaryexcitementandsensation.
Giveuptheevilhabitatonce.Youwillbeentirelyruinedifyoucontinuethepractice.Openyoureyes.Wake
upnow.Becomewise.Shunevilcompany.Donotcutjokeswithwomen.Practicechastelook.Uptothis
timeyouwereblindandignorant.Youwereinthedark.Youhadnoideaofthedisastrouseffectsofthisevil
practice.Youwillloseyoureyesight.Youwillhavedimnessofvision.Youwillhaveshatterednerves.
DonotlookatthereproductiveIndriya.Donotalsotouchthegenerativeorganwithyourhandsnowand
then.ThiswillaggravateyourKamaVasana.Whenitgetserection,doMulaBandhaandUddiyanaBandha.
RepeatOmmentallyseveraltimeswithmeaning.Thinkofpurity.DotwentyPranayamas.Thecloudof
impuritywillpassoffsoon.
Sexualexcessesandoutburstsofangerandhatredshouldbegivenup.Ifthemindiskeptcoolandcalmat
alltimes,youwillhavewonderfulhealth,strengthandvirility.Energyisdepletedbyfitsofanger.Thecells
andtissuesarefilledwithmorbidpoisonousmaterialswhenoneloseshistemperandentertainsdeep
hatred.Varioussortsofphysicalailmentscropup.Thebloodbecomeshotandthin,andconsequently,night
pollutionresults.Varioussortsofnervousdiseasesareattributabletoexcessivelossoftheseminalenergy
andfrequentfitsofexplosiveangerorwrath.
Importanceofproperfoodandevacuation
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Mostofthediseasestaketheirorigininovereating.Observemoderationindiet.Avoidlatesuppers.The
eveningmealshouldbelightandeatenbefore6or7p.m.Ifpossible,takemilkandfruitsonlyatnight.No
solidorliquidshouldbetakenaftersunset.Whenyoutakemilk,mixgingeressenceinit.Orboilcrushed
gingerwithmilkbeforetakingthemilk.GiveuphotChutnies,garlic,onionandpungentfoodstuffs.Hot
curries,chilliesandChutniesmakethesemenwateryandleadtofrequentwetdreams.Takebland,
soothing,nonirritatingsimplefood.Giveupsmoking,liquor,tea,coffee,meatandfish.
Whenthereisanyinclinationformicturitionatnight,immediatelygetuptoemptythebladder.Aloaded
bladderisthecauseforwetdreams.Beforeretiringtobed,answerthecallsofnature.Ifthereissevere
constipationandthebowelsareloaded,theywillpressthevesiculaeseminalis,andconsequently,therewill
bedischargesatnight.
Torelieveconstipation,theuseoftheenemaismostessential.Theuseoflaxativesisnotofmuchbenefit
asitcreatesheatinthebody.
Neverstoptheurgetoanswercallsofnature.Ifwormsarepresentinthebowels,removethembyadose
ofwormpowderinthenightandtakeapurgativeofcastoroilthefollowingmorning.Thiswillkeepthe
bowelsregular.
Sometimes,thedischargestakeplaceonaccountofexcessofheatinthebody,excessofwalkingortravel,
eatingalargequantityofsweetmeatsorchilliesandsalt.Giveuptea,coffee,chillies,excessofsweetsand
excessofsugar.Avoiddaintydishes,sauces,savouriesandpastries.Haveoccasionalfasts,say,oncea
week.Donotdrinkevenwateronthosefastingdays.Donotridetoomuchonthebicycle.
ChewpiecesoftheyellowvarietyofHaradormyrobalanveryoften.Whenthereisfrequentdischarge,
dissolvetwopinchesofcamphorinacupofmilkandtakeitoccasionallyatnight.Takehalfaseerofmilkin
theearlymorningandhalfaseeratnight.
Getupbefore4a.m.
Nightpollutiongenerallyoccursinthefourthquarterofthenight.Thosewhoareinthehabitofgettingup
frombedbetween3and4a.m.anddoingJapaandDhyanacanneverfallavictimtonocturnalpollutions.
Makeitapointtogetupatleastat4a.m.regularly.Sleeponacoarsebed.Useroughmats.
Sleepontheleftside.AllowtheSolarNadi,Pingala,toworkthroughoutthenightthroughtherightnostril.In
acutecases,sleeponthebackuntilrecovery.
Ifyouareamarriedman,sleepinaseparateroom.Youshouldneverallowyourwifetomassageyourlegs
atnight.Thisisadangerouspractice.
Forprotectingthesemen,itisessentialtowearalwaysastripofclothovertheprivatepartfor,therewill
benonightemissionandgrowthoftesticle.Therefore,alwayswearaLangotiorKaupinorloincloth.You
willnotgetinflammationoranyotherdiseaseofthetesticles.Thiswillhelpyouinkeepingup
Brahmacharya.WearawetKaupinatnightwhenyougotobed,ifthediseaseisverytroublesome.
Itisbefittingforacelibatetowearalwayswoodensandalsastherebythesemenwillbeconserved,eyes
willbebenefited,lifeprolongedandholinessandlustreincreased.
TaketotheNameoftheLord
PracticeJapaandmeditationinthemorning,assoonasyougetup,foranhourortwo.Also,dothisbefore
sleepingat10p.m.Thisisagreatpurifier.Thiswillstrengthenthemindandthenerves.Thisisthebest
remedy.RepeattheMantra:"PunarmamaituIndriyam.Letmyloststrengthberestored."
Praytothesunintheearlymorningbeforesunrise:"OLordSuryanarayana,theeyeoftheworld,theeyeof
theViratPurusha!Givemehealth,strength,vigourandvitality."DoSuryanamaskaraintheearlymorning.
RepeatthetwelveNamesofthesunatsunshine:"MitrayaNamah.RavayeNamah.SuryayaNamah.
BhanaveNamah.KhagayaNamah.PushneNamah.HiranyagarbhayaNamah.MarichayeNamah.Savitre
Namah.AdityayaNamah.BhaskarayaNamah.ArkayaNamah."Baskinthesun.
Thebenefitsofahipbath
Takecoldhipbathsbysittinginatubofwaterandkeepingthelegsoutsidethetub.Thisisveryinvigorating
andenergising.Acoldhipbathtonesandsoothesthenervesofthegenitourinarysystemandstops
nocturnaldischargesinanefficaciousmanner.Thisisageneralnervinetonicaswell,asallthenervesare
bracedup.
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Thehipbathcanbeconvenientlymanagedathomeinabigzinctub.Agedpersonsandconvalescentscan
uselukewarmwater.Wipethepartswithadrytowelandputonwarmclothing.
Orstanduptoyournavelinariver,lakeortankforhalfanhour.RepeatOmortheGayatrioranyother
Mantra.RubthelowerpartoftheabdomenorbellywithacoarseTurkishtowelorapieceofKhadicloth
severaltimes.Thiscanbepracticedtwicedaily,morningandevening,inthesummerseason.
Colddouches,spinaldouchesandcoldshowerbathareofimmenseuseinthepracticeofBrahmacharya.
Showerbathscanbeeasilyinstalledathomebyfixingthesprayapparatustothetap.
Sirshasana,Sarvangasana,Siddhasana,SukhaPurvakPranayamaandUddiyanaBandhaareallvery
effectiveineradicatingspermatorrhoea.Practicethemandrealizetheincalculablebenefits.Practicedeep
breathingandBhastrikaPranayama.Takelongwalks.Takepartinsports.
Somehelpfulsuggestions
Completecuremaytakeatleastonetosixmonths,accordingtotheintensityofthedisease.Ifthedisease
isoflongstanding,thecuremaytakealongtime,asNaturesprocessesareslow,thoughsure.Whenever
youarehauntedbysensualthoughts,youshouldtrytoreplacethembyholythoughtsaboutyourfavourite
deity.
Letanydiseasebethere.Ignoreit.Denyit.ThinkandmeditateonthepureSelf.Keepyourselffully
occupied.Donotgiveroomforthemindtothinkofthebodyorthedisease.Thisisthetreatmentforany
kindofdisease.SingHarisNameinavarietyofways.Whenyouaretired,taketothestudyofreligious
books.Doselflessservice.Runintheopenair.Swimintheriver.Removethestonesandpebbleslyingon
theroads.WritedownyourIshtaMantrainanotebookforonehour.
PurifythemindbycultivatingdevotiontoGod.DoJapaandmeditation.Studyspiritualbooks.PraytoGod.
ObserveBrahmacharya.Donotmixunnecessarilywithwomen.SeeonlytheDivineMotherinthem.Develop
AtrnaBhavainall.
Avoidcinema,novels,newspapers,badcompany,eviltalks.Donotlookintothemirrorfrequently.Donot
usescentsorfancyclothings.Donotattenddanceormusicparties.Donotlookatmatingofanimalsand
birds.
Rootoutloveofleisureandease.Overcomelazinessandalwayskeepthebodyandmindengagedinsome
usefulwork.KeepingthemindconstantlyengagedisoneofthegreatsecretsofBrahmacharya.Leada
disciplined,rigorouslife.Donotbroodoverthediseasetoomuch.Itwillpassoff.Whenbadthoughtsappear
inthemind,repeattheNameofGodandpraytoHim.Ultimately,theLordsdivinegraceandhelpinghandis
thesureantidoteforalldiseases.RelyonGod.Bedevotedtopurityandpiety.Cherishsublimethoughts.
Readsacredliterature.Naughtshallassailyou.
Thisweaknesswillpassaway.Donotbeanxious,worriedanddepressedoverit.Depressingthoughtsare
dangerous.Worrywillonlyweakenyoumore.Learnlessonsfromthepastandbebenefitedtherefrom.Do
notbroodoverthepastandbeweakened.Changeyourangleofvision.Practiceenquiry.Meditateonthe
advantagesofcelibacy.ThinkofthelivesofAkhandaBrahmacharinslikeHanuman,Bhishmaandothers.
Thinkoftheevilsofasensuallifelossofhealth,shame,diseaseanddeath.Cultivatediscrimination.You
arethechildoftheLordoftheuniverse.Theblissiswithinyou.Thereisnotaniotaofpleasureinsense
objects.DissociateyourselffromthebodyidentifyyourselfwiththeLord.Ifyourmindispureandhealthy,
yourbodytoowillbepureandhealthy.Therefore,forgetthepastandtaketoanew,betterlifeofvirtueand
spirituality,loveofGodandaspirationforthehigherdivinelife.Learntofindtasteindivinelife.Domore
Sadhanawithgreaterintensity.Youwillbeacompletelychangedandblessedperson.
20.SOMEPOWERFULAIDSTOTHEPRACTICEOFCELIBACY
Youcannothaveperfectcelibacyunlessyoufollowtheauxiliaries.Youhavetotakeparticularcareabout
yourdietandthecompanythatyoukeep.Anythingthatbringsimpurethoughtsinthemindisbadcompany.
Ohaspirants!Flyawayfromthecompanyofworldlymindedpersons.Getawayfromthebustleofcitiesand
tumultuousnessoftheworld.Thosewhotalkofworldlyaffairswillquicklypolluteyou.Youmindmaywaver
andbegintowander.Youwillhaveadownfall.
Donotreadamorousnovelsorfiction.Donotvisitthecinemaandthetheatre.Anddonotmakefriendship
withundesirableboys.Whatyouneedisacompletechangeofyourvision,yourattitudetowardstheother
sex.BeholdtheDivineMotherineverywomanandconsidereverywomanasyourownmother.
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Controlofthepalate
First,dietarycontrol.Thereisanintimateconnectionbetweenselfcontrolandcontrolofthepalateor
tongue.Hewhohascontrolledthetonguehasalreadycontrolledalltheotherorgans.
DeliciousRajasicfoodexcitestheorganofgeneration.Giveupmeat,fish,liquor,smoking.Meatcanmakea
scientist,butneveraphilosopher,asageoraSattvicPerson.Meatexcitesthepassions.
Graduallygiveupsaltandtamarind.Saltexcitespassionandemotion.Saltexcitesandstrengthensthe
Indriyas.Renunciationofsaltbringsinacoolconditionofthemindandthenerves.Ithelpsmeditation.You
willsufferabitinthebeginning.Lateronyouwillenjoyasaltlessdiet.Practiceatleastforsixmonths.In
thisway,youwillbeabletorealizeyourownSvarupaquickly.Allthatiswantedofyouissincereand
earnesteffort.MaySriKrishnagiveyoucourageandstrengthtotreadthepathofspiritualityandattainthe
goaloflife!
Donotoverloadyourstomachatnight.Thenightmealsshouldbeverylight.Halfalitreofmilkorsome
fruitswillconstituteagoodregimenormenuatnight.
BothforBrahmacharyaandtonguecontrol,takeafewTulasileavesearlyinthemorning.Intheevening
takeNeemleaves.Startwithoneleaf,increaseittoten,oneperday.Taketenforacoupleofmonthsthen
youcanincreaseittotwenty.Thisisverygood.
Avoidbadcompany
Obscenepictures,vulgarwords,andnovelswhichdealwithlovestoriesexcitepassionandproduceignoble,
mean,undesirablesentimentsintheheart.Whereas,thesightofagoodpictureofLordKrishnaorLord
RamaorLordJesusandhearingofthesublimesongsofSurdas,TulasidasandThyagarajainducenoble
sentimentsandsinceredevotionintheheart,produceadivinethrillandtearsofjoyandPrem,andelevate
themindtoBhavaSamadhiinstantaneously.Doyouseeclearlythedifferencenow?
Whatisthestateofyourmindwhenyouattendaballornautchpartyorwhenyouread"TheMysteriesof
theCourtofLondon"?WhatisyourstateofmindwhenyouattendtheSatsangapartyofSwami
JayendrapurijiMaharajofBenaresorwhenyouareatRishikeshonthebanksoftheGangainasecluded
placeorwhenyoustudythesoulelevatingclassicalUpanishads?Compareandcontrastyourmentalstates.
Remember,friend,thatthereisnothingsoutterlyruinoustothesoulasevilcompany.Aspirantsshouldshun
ruthlesslyallsortsofevilcompany.Theyshouldnotlistentothestoriesconcerningwomen,theluxurious
waysofrichpersons,pungentfood,vehicles,politics,silkenclothing,flowers,scentsandsoon,becausethe
mindgetseasilyexcited.Itwillbegintoimitatethewaysofluxuriouspersons.Desireswillcropup.
Attachmentwillalsocomein.
Thecinemaproducesaneviltendencyinman.Hecannotremainevenforadaywithoutattendingashow.
Hiseyeswanttoseesomehalfnudepicturesandsomekindsofcoloursandhisearswantalittlemusic.
Younggirlsandboysbecomepassionatewhentheyseetheactorsinthefilmskissingandhugging.Those
whowanttodevelopthemselvesinthespirituallineshouldentirelyshunthecinema.Theyshouldnotattend
eventhesocalledreligiousfilms.Theyarenotreallyreligiousfilms.Itisakindoftricktoattractpeople
andcollectmoney.Whatisthespiritualcalibreoftheactorsthere?Spiritualpeopleonlycanbringout
impressivestorieswithgoodmoralsthatcanelevatethemindsofthespectators.
Putanendtogoingtoexcitingfilmsifyouhavegotthathabit.Donotwitnessvulgarsensuousscenes
whereveritmaybe.Donotindulgeinseeingnakedpictures.Allthesetendtoincreasepassionanddeplete
Veerya.Youshouldstrictlyavoidthese.
Novelreadingisanotherevilhabit.Thosewhoareinthehabitofreadingnovelsthatdealwithpassionand
lovecannotremainevenforasinglesecondwithoutnovelreading.Theyalwayswanttheirnervestobe
tickledwithsomesensationalfeelings.Novelreadingfillsthemindwithbase,lustfulthoughtsandexcites
passion.Itisagreatenemyofpeace.
Manypeoplehavestartedcirculatinglibrariesfordistributionofnovelsonasmallsubscriptionbasis.They
havenotatallrealizedhowmuchharmtheyaredoingtothecountry.Itisbettertheychalkoutanother
vocationtoekeouttheirlivelihood.Theyspoilthemindsofyoungmenbythedistributionoftheseworthless
novels,whichhelptoexcitetheirpassion.Thewholeatmosphereispolluted.Severepunishmentisawaiting
themintheYamaLoka.
Donotreadnovels.Theytaintthemind.NovelsarethechainsofWesterncivilizationtocapturethevictim
unawareinitsglitteringfetters.Donotreadthosejournalswhichexciteyoulowerinstincts.
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Immoralsongsproduceaverybad,deepimpressioninthemind.Aspirantsshouldrunawayfromplaces
wherevicioussongsaresung.
Striveyourbesttodivertyourmindandeyesfromexternalobjectsthatpromptsexualdesires.Giveupthe
sortofreading,conversation,imaginationandassociationsthatarelikelytostimulatethesexualdesire.Do
notconversewiththosewhoareeagertoconveyirritatingnewsanddisturbyourmentalpoise.Livewith
spiritualadvancedmenandstopreadingallbooksexceptthosethataredirectlyspiritual.
Whenthoughtsoflustariseinthemind,donotwrestlewiththem.Thebestmethodistoignorethem.Ifyou
arenotsuccessfulindoingso,beinthecompanyofsomeonewhoissuperiortoyouspiritually,whoismore
advancedthanyouspiritually.Ifyougointoseclusion,themindwillchaseyouanddownyouinsensual
thoughts.Youwillloseyourbalance.Becareful.Thesensualthoughtswillpassawaywithalittlevigilance.
Watchthethoughts
AnevilthoughtentersthemindandtherecomesanerectionoftheIndriya.Isthisnotamarvel?Because
thisoccursveryoften,itdoesnotappeartoyouasamiracleoramarvel.Youhaveignoredthisvitalpoint
onaccountofyourignorance.
Mindisagreatelectricitybattery.Itisabigdynamoindeed.Itisapowerhouse.Thenervesareinsulated
wirestotransmittheelectriccurrents,nerveimpulses,tovariousorgans,tissuesandtheextremities,
hands,legsandfeet.
ThereisavibrationofthoughtinthemindowingtothevibrationofpsychicPrana.Thisforceofthoughtis
transmittedwithatremendouslightningspeedalongthenervestotheorgans.Thephysicalbodyisfleshy
mouldpreparedbythemindinaccordancewiththeSamskarasandVasanasforitsownexperienceand
enjoyment.Themindswaystheorgansofanundisciplinedpassionatemanwhohasboisterousrevolting
Indriyas.Itbecomesanobedientfaithfulservantofatrained,developedYogi.
AnevervigilantBrahmacharishouldalwayswatchhisthoughtsverycarefully.Heshouldneverallowevena
singlebadthoughttoenterthegateofthementalfactory.IfhismindiseverfixedonhisDhyeyaorLakshya
orobjectofmeditation,thereisnoroomfortheentryofanevilthought.Evenifanevilthoughthasentered
thetrapdoorofthemind,heshouldnotallowthemindtoassumeamentalstatewiththisidea.Ifhefallsa
victim,thethoughtcurrentwillbetransmittedtothephysicalbody.BurningoftheIndriyasandthephysical
nervoussystemwillfollow.Thisisaseriouscondition.
Thebadthoughtshouldbenippedinthebudbysupplantingcounterdivinethoughts.Itshouldnotbeallowed
topenetratethephysicalbody.Ifyourwillisstrong,theevilthoughtcanbedrivenatonce.Pranayama,
vigorousprayer,Vichara,Atmiccontemplation,SagunameditationandSatsangacanniptheevilthoughtsin
thebudatthethresholdofthementalfactory.Thecombatwillbekeeninthebeginning.Whenyoubecome
purerandpurer,whenyourwillpowerdevelops,whenyoudevelopmoreSattvaorpurityandwhenyou
haveahabitualmeditativemood,youwillbeestablishedinphysicalandmentalBrahmacharya.Understand
thepowerofthoughtandutiliseitprofitably.Understandthewaysofthemind.Learnhowtousethepure
will.Becomeavigilant,dexterouswatchmanofyourthoughts.Curbthembeforetheyraisetheirheadsout
ofthemindthroughskillandwisdom.
Itisthemindthatreallydoesallactions.Adesirearisesinyourmindandthenyouthink.Thenyouproceed
toact.Thedeterminationofthemindisputintoaction.FirstthereisSankalpaorthoughtandthencomes
action.Therefore,donotallowthesexualthoughts,toenterthemind.
Thatwhichisthoughtofisspokenbythetongue.Thatwhichthetonguespeaksof,theorgansofactiondo.
ThatisthereasonwhyitissaidintheVedas:"Letmymindthinkofauspiciousthings."Entertainsublime
divinethoughts.Theoldevilsexualthoughtwillgraduallyvanish,justastheoldnailinaplankgoesawayby
insertingoveritanewnail.
SeekSatsangaorgoodcompany
ThegloryofSatsangaorassociationwiththewisesaints,Yogins,SannyasinsandMahatmasisindescribable.
ThegloryandpowerofSatsangaisdescribedinvariouswaysintheBhagavata,theRamayanaandother
scriptures.Evenamomentscompanywithwisepeopleisquitesufficienttooverhaultheoldvicious
Samskarasofworldlymindedpeople.Themagneticaura,thespiritualvibrationsandthepowerfulthought
currentsofdevelopedadeptsproduceatremendousinfluenceonthemindsofworldlings.Thepersonal
contactofMahatmasisablessinginrealityforworldlypersons.Serviceofsaintspurifiesthemindsof
passionatemenrapidly.Satsangaelevatesthemindtomagnanimousheights.Justasasinglematchstick
bumshugebundlesofcottoninafewseconds,soalso,thecompanyofsaintsburnsallignorance,all
thoughtsandSamskarasofpassionandevilactionswithinashorttime.ThisisthereasonwhySankaraand
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othershavespokensohighlyofSatsangainalltheirbooks.
IfyoucannotgetgoodSatsangainyourownplace,youcanvisitplacesofpilgrimagelikeRishikesh,
Benares,Nasik,Prayag,Haridwar.Studyofbookswrittenbyrealizedpersonswillalsobetantamountto
Satsanga.TheonlypotentspecificforinducingburningVairagyaanddesireforliberationisSatsanga.
CultivateVivekaandVairagya
OneshouldtrytogetVivekaordiscriminationbetweentherealSelfandtheunrealimpurebody.The
aspirantshouldpointouttothemindthedefectsofasexuallife,namely,lossofenergy,enervationofthe
senses,disease,birthanddeath,attachmentandvarioussortsofmiseries.Heshouldremindhimselfagain
andagainaboutthepartsofthebodyofwomanflesh,blood,bone,excreta,urine,pusandphlegm.These
ideasshouldbehammeredintothemindrepeatedly.Theaspirantshouldalwaysthinkoftheeverpure
immortalAtmanandthegloryofthespirituallife,namely,theattainmentofimmortality,eternalblissand
supremepeace.Graduallythemindwillbeweanedfromlookingatawoman,howeverbeautifulshemight
be.Themindwillshuddertolookatawomanwithanevilthought.Ladiesalsoshouldundergotheabove
practicestogetthemselvesestablishedinpurity.
AVivekidoesnotnoteanydifferencebetweenamaleandafemale.ThesameTattvaspassion,anger,
greedandMohathatarepresentinamanarefoundinthefemalealso.Itisonlyalustfulmanwhoisfilled
withburningpassionthatfindsimaginarydifferences.ThedifferencesareallmentalcreationsorKalpita
Bheda.
NothingcantemptyouinthisworldifyoudevelopVairagya,ifyousubdueyourIndriyas,andifyoushunthe
unreal,impermanentsensualenjoymentsandpleasuresofthisfleetingworldasdung,aspoison.Youwill
havenoattractionforwomenandotherearthlyobjects.Lustwillbeunabletotakeholdofyou.Youwillhave
eternalpeaceandinfinitebliss.
Constantlyremember:"ThroughthegraceofGod,Iambecomingpurerandpurer,everyday.Pleasures
comebutnottostay.Mortalfleshisonlyclay.Everythingwillpassaway.Brahmacharyaistheonlyway."
DevelopVivekaandVairagya.
AspirantsshouldstudyBhartriharis"VairagyaSatakam"andotherworksonVairagya.Thiswillinduce
Vairagyainthemind.RemembranceofdeathandthepainsofSamsaraalsowillhelpyoutoaconsiderable
extent.ItwillnotbeoutofplaceheretodrawthereadersattentiontosomeBuddhistmonkswhoalways
keepahumanskullwiththem.ThisistocauseVairagyainthemandtoremindthemoftheimpermanent
andperishablenatureofhumanlife.
Aphilosopheroncekeptinhishandstheskullofaladyandbegantophilosophizethus:"Oskull!Sometime
backyoutemptedmewithyourshinyskinandrosycheeks.Now,wherearethycharms?Wherearethose
honeyedlipsandlotuslikeeyesnow?"ThushedevelopedintenseVairagya.Ifyouanalyzethedifferent
partsofthehumanbodyandkeepapictureoffleshandbonesbeforeyourmindseye,youwillhaveno
attachmentatallforyourbodyorthebodyofafemale.Whynottrythismethod?
RemembranceoftheskeletonandthedeadbodyofawomanwillinduceVairagyainyourmind.Thebody
hascomeoutofthefilthydischarge.Itisfullofimpurities.Intheend,itisreducedtoashes.Ifyou
rememberthis,Vairagyawilldawninyourmind.Attractionforwomenwillgraduallyvanish.Ifyouplace
beforeyourmindthesicklyfigureofawomanorthepictureofaveryoldwoman,youwilldevelop
Vairagya.RememberthepainsofSamsara,theunrealityofobjects,andthebondagethatcomesfrom
attachmenttowifeandchildren.Tryanymethodthatsuitsyoubest.
Sitdownandthink,calmlyandhonestly,whatbeautythereisinawomanwhosebodyiscomposedofflesh,
bones,nerves,fat,marrowandblood.Whereisthebeautyinthesamewomanwhenshebecomesold?Look
attheconditionoftheeyesandthebodyofawomanafteranattackoffeverforsevendays!Whatisthe
stateofherbeauty?Whereisthebeautyifshedoesnottakebathforaweek?Thestinkisabominable.Look
atthesenilewomanagedeightyfivewhoissittingatthecorner,withrotteneyes,shrunkencheeksand
skin!Analyzethepartsofawoman,realizetheirtruenature.
Womanisthegreatestcauseofdelusion.Womenaretheflamesofvice.Theyareburningfire,which
destroysmanlikeadrystraw.Theyburnfromalongdistancesotheyaremoredangerousthanfire.The
lovelydamselislikeapoisonousdrugthatdestroyslifebycausinglustfulintoxicationandcloudingthe
powerofdiscrimination.Thismysteriousworldbeganwithwomanandhaswomanforitssustenance.How,
withoutrenunciationofwoman,isitpossibletoattaintheeternalblissofBrahman?Thebodiesofthose
handsomedamselswhoaresomuchfondledbyfoolishmenaretakentothecemeteryaftertheirPranas
depart.Beastsandwormsfeedupontheirflesh.Jackalsandkitestearofftheirskin.Withoutrenunciationof
woman,itisimpossibletohaveSelfrealization.
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Anoteofclarification
Ladiesshouldnotbeoffendedwhentheyreadtheselines.Ihaveonlyreproducedtheteachingsof
SankaracharyaandDattatreya.Ionlywanttoimpressuponboththesexestheforceandthegloryof
Brahmacharyaandtheevileffectoflust.Ihavegreatregardandadmirationforwomen.
Brahmacharyashouldbepracticedbybothmenandwomen.Womenalsocankeepamentalpictureofthe
componentpartsofthebodyofamaleinordertocreateinthemselvesdisgustforthephysicalbodyofa
maleandtodevelopVairagya.
Merecondemningoflustisnotsufficienttoweanthemindfromsexualcraving.Rememberthispointwell.
Lustispotent.Lustisvirulent.Lustisformidable.Lustisuncontrollablebypersonsofweakwill.Oneshould
beawarealsoofthewaysofMaya,whichentanglehiminhernetorsnare.Awomanshouldbeawareofthe
charmsofamanwhichenticeherandmakeherapreytomanandmanshouldbeawareofthecharmsofa
womanwhichenticehimandmakehimapreytowoman.Awomanisatemptressformanandamanisa
tempterforwoman.Manalsohasmuchcharminhimtoentrapawoman.Manappearsmorebeautifulinthe
eyesofawomanthanawomanintheeyesofaman.Manalsotriestoentrapawomanbyhisdress,ties
andbows,byhissmile,outwardshowofaffection,glances,gestures,flowerywords,variouswaysof
dressinghishairandothertricks.
Lustisapotentforce,verydifficulttobegotridof.ThatisthereasonwhytheSastrasandsaintscensure
andcondemnwomeninordertocreatedispassionanddiscriminationinmenandweanthemfromlustful
tendenciesandaggressiveattacks.SriSankara,SriDattatreya,SriRama,SriTulasidashaveallcriticised
womennotoutofhatred,prejudiceordislike,butoutofcompassionforelevatingpeoplefromthequagmire
ofSamsara.Theircriticismofwomenimpliesandincludescriticismofmanalso.Theircriticismaimsat
weaningthemindsofworldlypersonsfromsexualsinandcreatingdisgustforsexualpleasure,and
dispassionforworldlyobjects.Thisismisunderstoodbypeople.
Thesamescripturesandsaintswhocensurewomeninoneplacepraisetheminanother.Theysay,"Women
shouldbehonoured.TheyareArdhanginis.TheyaremanifestationsofSaktiortheenergyoftheLord.Only
thosewhohonourwomencanattainprosperity."Therefore,Owomen!Trytoknowtheheartofthe
scripturesandthesaintsandbecomewise.
ThemindsofyoungpeoplearesaturatedwithimpureSamskarasandVasanasowingtoviciouscompanyand
thefalsemoderncivilization.Eventhecompanyortalkofawomanisquitesufficienttodragthemindinto
viciousthoughts.So,Ihavetoplacebeforethemindsofthevastmajoritysuchamentalpicturethatthe
verycompanyofwomenwilldohavoc.WhenIsaythatawomanisonlyaleatherbag,Idonothatewomen
inanyway.ItisonlytoproducedisgustandinduceVairagya.Really,awomanshouldbeadoredasMother
Sakti.Sheisthecreatrix,generatrixandnourisheroftheuniverse.Shemustberevered.InIndia,religionis
preservedandmaintainedonlythroughthedevotionalelementinwomen.Devotionisafundamental
characteristicofHinduladies.Hatelust,butnotwomen.
Inthebeginning,tillyouacquireVairagyaandViveka,youmusttreatthecompanyofwomanaspoison.
WhenyouobtainVivekaandVairagya,thenlustcannottakeholdofyou.Youwillseeandrealize,"Sarvam
KhalvidamBrahma.AllisBrahmanonly."YouwillhaveAtmaDrishti.Thesexideawillthenvanish.
Avowisagreathelp
Avowofcelibacywillgiveyousureprotectionagainsttemptation.Itisastrongweapontoattacklust.Ifyou
donottakeavowofcelibacy,themindwilltemptyouatanymoment.Youwillhavenostrengthtoresist
thetemptationandyouwillbecomeasurevictim.Hewhoisweakandeffeminateisafraidoftakingthe
vow.Hebringsinvariousexcusesandsays,"WhyshouldIbeboundbyavow?Mywillisstrongand
powerful.Icanresistanysortoftemptation.IamdoingUpasana.Iampractisingwillculture."Herepentsin
thelongrun.Hehasnocontroloverthesenses.Thatmanonly,inwhomthesubtledesirefortheobjectto
berenouncedlurksinthecornersofthemind,bringsinsuchsortofexcuses.Youmusthaveright
understanding,discriminationanddispassion.Thenonlyyourrenunciationwillbelastingandpermanent.If
yourrenunciationisnottheoutcomeofdiscriminationanddispassion,themindwillbesimplywaitingforan
opportunitytogetbacktheobjectthathasbeenrenounced.
Ifyouareweak,takeavowofcelibacyforamonthandthenextendittothreemonths.Youwillgainsome
strengthnow.Youwillbeabletoprolongtheperiodtosixmonths.Graduallyyouwillbeabletoextendthe
vowtooneortwoorthreeyears.SleepseparatelyanddovigorousJapa,Kirtanandmeditationdaily.You
willhatelustnow.Youwillexperiencefreedomandindescribablejoy.Yourpartnerinlifealsoshoulddo
Japa,meditationandKirtandaily.
OMohan,youhavedoneanunpardonablecrimeinbreakingthevowofcelibacy.Howcantherebereligion
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orspiritualitywherethereispassion?Youareanoldman.Whyshouldyourepeatshamelesslythatold
ignobleact,bringingthisexcuse:"OldVasanasarepowerfulcircumstancesarestrong."Nobodywillhear
youranswer.Youwillhavetocurbyourpassionwheneveritraisesitshood.MayLordSivagiveyoustrength
tocontrolthisdireenemyandtocontinuethespiritualSadhana.
Willcultureandautosuggestion
Ifyoucanrenderyourwillpure,strongandirresistiblebyeliminatingdesires,byeradicatingRagaDvesha,
byreducingyourwantsandbypractisingTitiksha,passionwilldie.Willisapowerfulenemyofpassion.
Lusttakesitsoriginfromimpureresolution.Indulgencestrengthensit.Whenyouresolutelyturnawayfrom
it,itvanishesanddies.
Sitaloneinyourmeditationroom.Closeyoureyes.Slowlyrepeatagainandagainthefollowingformulae.
Lettheminddwellonthesignificanceoftheformulaealso.Saturatethemindandintellectwiththeseideas.
Yourwholesystemflesh,blood,bones,nervesandcellsshouldpowerfullyvibratewiththefollowing
ideas:
Iamallpurity,Suddhoham
SexlessAtmanIam
ThereisneitherlustnorsexualVasanainAtman
LustismentalVikaraIamaSakshiofthisVikara
IamAsanga
Mywillispure,strongandirresistible
Iamfullyestablishedinphysicalandmental
Brahmacharya
Iamfeelingthepuritynow
OmOmOm
OmOmOm
OmOmOm
OmOmOm
OmOmOm
OmOmOm
OmOmOm
OmOmOm
Youcanhaveasittingatnightalso.Sitfortenminutesinthebeginning.Graduallyincreasetheperiodto
halfanhour.KeepuptheBhavduringworkalso.
Writedownonapieceofpaper,inboldtypes,theword"OmPurity"sixtimes.Keepthepaperinyour
pocket.Readitseveraltimesduringthecourseoftheday.Fixitalsoinaprominentplaceinyourhouse.
Havethewordimage"OmPurity"clearlybeforethemind.RememberseveraltimesdailytheBrahmachari
saintsandtheirpowerfulactions.ThinkoverthemultifariousadvantagesofapurelifeofBrahmacharyaand
thedisadvantagesandevilsofanimpurelife.Neverleavethepractice.Beregularandsystematic.Gradually
youwillbecomepurerandpurerandultimatelyyouwillbecomeanOordhvaretaYogi.Bepatient.
Dailyfeel:"ThroughthegraceofGod,Iambecomingbetterandbetter,everyday,ineveryway".Thisis
autosuggestion.Thisisanothereffectivemethod.
ChangetheDrishtiorangleofvision
YoushouldentertaintheMotherBhavorIsvariBhavorAtmaBhavtowardsfemales.Womenalsoshould
entertainPithaBhavorIsvarBhavorAtmaBhavtowardsmales.
SisterBhavwillnotsuffice.Youmayfail.KeepingofsisterBhavinmanandbrotherBhavinwomenwillnot
helpmuchintheeradicationofsexattractionandimpurethoughts.ThesisterBhavhasdeceivedand
deludedmany.Purelovewilldegenerateatanymomentintopassionwhenoneiscarelessandnonvigilant.
CobraBhavonlywillhelptheSadhakastoaverygreatextent.AftercobraBhavcomesmotherBhavinman
andfatherBhavinwomen.ThenlastlycomesAtmaBhavinboth.Realstrugglingaspirantsonlycanrealize
thiswell,butnotdryphilosophers.
ThecultivationoftheBhavisverydifficult.YoumayfailtodeveloptheBhavthatallwomenareyour
mothersandsistersonehundredandonetimes.Itdoesnotmatter.Sticktoyourpracticetenaciously.You
areboundtosucceedeventually.Youwillhavetodestroytheoldmindandbuildanewmind.Nevertheless
youwillhavetodoitifyouwanttoattainimmortalityandeternalbliss.Youwillsurelysucceedifyouare
fieryinyourresolveandifyouhaveanirondetermination.TheBhavwillgraduallymanifestbyconstant
practice.SoonyouwillbeestablishedinthatBhav.Nowyouaresafe.
Amanorawomanshouldpracticeselfanalysisandselfexamination.Theyshouldhaveaproper
understandingofthewaysinwhichlustoperatesandplays,andthethingsandemotionswhichexcite
passionandthemannerinwhichonefallsavictimtotheother.Thenonlycontroloflustispossible.
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Themindwillagaintrytodosomemischiefinwardly.Itisverydiplomatic.Itisverydifficulttofindoutits
waysandsecretundergroundoperations.Itdemandsasubtleintellect,andcarefulrepeatedintrospection
andvigilantwatch.Wheneverthementalimageofawomancropsupinyourmindwithevilthoughts,repeat
mentally,"OmDurgaDevyaiNamah"anddomentalprostrations.Gradually,oldevilthoughtswilldie.
Wheneveryouseeanywoman,entertainthisBhavandrepeatmentallythisMantra.YourDrishtiorlookwill
becomechaste.AllwomenaremanifestationsoftheWorldMother.Destroytheideathatawomanisan
objectofenjoymentandsubstitutetheideathatsheisanobjectofworshipandamanifestationofMother
DurgaorKali.
ChangetheBhav,changethementalattitude.Youwillhaveheavenonearth.Youwillbeestablishedin
Brahmacharya.ThisisanimportantmethodforbecomingatrueBrahmachari.SeeAtmaninallwomen.
Rejectallnamesandformsandtakeonlytheunderlyingessence,AstiBhatiPriyaorSatChitAnanda.All
namesandformsareunreal.Theyareunreallikeshadows,waterinthernirageandbluenessinthesky.
Forascientist,awomanisamassofelectronsonly.ForaVaiseshikaphilosopherofRishiKanadasschoolof
thought,sheisaconglomerationofatomsParamanu,Dvyanu,Tryanu.Foratiger,sheisanobjectofprey.
Forapassionatehusband,sheisanobjectofenjoyment.Foracryingchild,sheisanaffectionatemother
whogivesmilk,sweetsandotherindulgences.Forajealoussisterinlawormotherinlaw,sheisanenemy.
ForaVivekioraVairagi,sheisacombinationofflesh,bone,urine,faecalmatter,pus,perspiration,blood
andphlegm.ForafullblownJnani,sheisSatChitAnandaAtman.
Passionwillarisewhenyouthinkofthebodyofafemale.Whenyouareinthecompanyofladies,thinkof
theoneimmortalpureSelfofAtmanthatishiddeninthebodiesoftheladies.Constantlymakethe
endeavour.Thesexideawillgraduallyvanish,andwithit,theattractionandlustalso.Thisisthemost
potentmethodtoeradicatepassionandthesexidea,Mentallyrepeattheformula,"EkSatChitAnanda
Atman."ThiswillleadtotheannihilationofpassionandtotheVedanticrealizationofunityoronenessalso.
ThereisneithersexnorsexualVasanainBrahman.BrahmanisNityaSuddha,eternallypure:Byconstant
thinkingonthatsexlessAtman,youwillbeestablishedinBrahmacharya.Thisisthemostpowerfuland
effectivemethod.ThisisthebestkindofSadhanaforthosewhoknowtherighttechniqueofVichara.But,
onlyadvancedstudentsinthepathofJnanaYogacanrelyonthemethodofBrahmaVicharaaloneforthe
destructionofpassion.Forthevastmajorityofpersons,acombinedmethodisverycongenialandhealthy.
Whentheenemiesareverypowerful,acombinedmethodoflathis,pistols,shotguns,machineguns,
submarines,torpedoes,bombsandpoisonousgasesisusedforthedestructionoftheenemies.Soalso,in
thedestructionofthispowerfulenemy,passion,acombinedmethodisabsolutelynecessary.
21.HATHAYOGATOTHERESCUE
TheregularpracticeofselectYogasanasandPranayamaexerciseswillhelpconsiderablyinoneseffortto
checkthesexualimpulse.SirshasanaandSarvangasanawillhelpyoualotinmakingyouanOordhvaretas.
TheyarealsotermedasVipareetaKaraniMudras.TheyarespeciallydesignedbyourRishisofyoresuchas
Gheranda,MatsyendraandGorakshatomakeusOordhvaretas.AndbyPranayama,themindgradually
proceedsfromthegrosstothesubtle.Itthereforeexercisesawholesomecheckuponsexualirritation.
Whensomeevilthoughtdisturbsyourmind,atoncetaketoPadmasanaorSiddhasanaandpractice
Pranayama.Thethoughtwillleaveyouimmediately.
Siddhasana
ThisAsanaishighlyeulogizedbyYoginsforthepracticeofBrahmacharya.Itwillhelponeincontrollinghis
passionandcheckingnocturnaldischargesandinmakinghimanOordhvaretaYogi.ThisAsanaisusefulfor
sittingduringJapaandmeditation.
Placetheleftheelattheanus.Keeptherightheelattherootof,orjustabove,thegenerativeorgan.Keep
thetrunk,neckandheadstraight.Placethehandsontherightheel.
Sitforhalfanhourtostartwithandthenslowlyincreasetheperiodtothreehours.Sittingforthreehoursin
oneAsanaistermedAsanaJayaormasteryoverAsana.
Sirshasana
ThisisthekingofallAsanas.TheadvantagesthatarederivedfromthisAsanaareincalculableand
indescribable.Thisisspeciallydesignedforstoppingnocturnaldischargesandhelpingtheflowofsemen
towardsthebrainintheformofOjasSaktiorspiritualenergy.
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Spreadafoldedblanketontheground.Makeafingerlockandkeepitovertheblanket.Nowplacethetopof
yourheadbetweenthetwohands.Slowlyraisethelegsupwithoutanyjerktilltheybecomevertical.Get
thehelpofawallinthebeginningofyourpracticeoraskoneofyourfriendstocatchholdofyourlegs.
Afterduepractice,youwillbeabletokeepupbalance.WhentheAsanaisover,bringdownthelegsvery,
veryslowly.WhenyouremainintheAsana,breatheonlythroughthenose.
IrregularKumbhaka,RechakaandPurakaretention,exhalationandinhalationwillmakeyourAsana
unsteady.
DothisAsanawhenyourstomachisemptyorlight.Manychronic,incurablediseasesofthestomach,
bowels,lungs,heart,kidneys,genitourinarysystem,earsandeyesarecuredbytheregularpracticeofthis
Asana.
Whenyoufindyourlegstossing,retainthebreathforashorttime.Thenthelegswillbecomesteady.
Sarvangasana
Thisisanimportantpose,whichcanhelpyouassuredlyinthepracticeofBrahmacharya.Thedigestive,
circulatoryandnervoussystemsareatoncetonedupinamysteriousmannerbythepracticeofSirshasana
andSarvangasana.ThisisnoArthavadaorRochakSabdhaormereeulogy,mydearfriends!Practiceand
feelthebeneficialinfluenceyourself.Thisisthebestremedyforwetdreamsandvariousotherdiseases.
Thereisahealthyglowintheeyesofthepractitionerandapeculiarlustre,charm,beautyandmagnetic
aurainhisface.
Spreadablanketontheground.Lieonthebackquiteflat.Slowlyraisethelegs.Liftthetrunk,hipsand
legs.Supportthebackwiththehandsoneitherside.Thewholeweightofthebodywillnowrestonthe
shouldersandelbows.Keepthelegssteady.Pressthechinagainstthechestfirmly.Breatheslowly,only
throughthenostrils.BeginwithfiveminutesandtrytoremainintheAsanaaslongasyoucan.
Matsyasana
ThismustbepracticedsoonafterSarvangasana.Itwillrelievestiffnessoftheneckandallcrampy
conditionsofthecervicalregioncausedbylongpracticeofSarvangasana.Thisgivesanaturalmassageto
thecongestedpartsoftheneckandshoulders.Further,itensuresthatthestudentderivesthemaximum
benefitsfromhispracticeofSarvangasana.
SitinPadmasanaovertheblanketbykeepingtherightfootovertheleftthighandtheleftfootovertheright
thigh.Thenlieflatontheback.Stretchtheheadbacksothatthetopofyourheadrestsonthegroundfirmly
ononesideandthebuttocksonlyontheother,thusmakingabridgeofthetrunk.Placethehandsoverthe
thighsorcatchholdofthetoes.Youwillhavetogiveagoodtwisttotheback.Matsyasanaisthedestroyer
ofmanydiseases.Thisisveryusefulforgeneralhealthalso.
Padangushthasana
Placetheleftheelrightinthecentreoftheperineumthespacebetweentheanusandtheexternalorganof
generation.Putthewholeweightofthebodyonthetoes,particularlytheleftbigtoe.Placetherightfoot
overtheleftthigh,neartheknee.Sitcarefullynow,keepingthebalance.Ifyoufinditdifficulttopractice
thisAsanaindependently,youcantakethehelpofabenchorsitbythesideofawall.Placethehandson
thesidesofthehips.Breatheslowly.
Theperinealspaceisfourinchesinbreadth.UnderneaththisspaceliestheVeeryaNadithatcarriessemen
fromthetestes.BypressingthisNadiwiththeheel,theflowofsemenoutsideischecked.Asteadypractice
ofthisAsanaremoveswetdreamsandspermatorrhoeaandmakesoneanOordhvaretaYogi.Acombination
ofAsanassuchasSirshasana,SarvangasanaandSiddhasanaisveryconducivetokeepingupBrahmacharya.
Eachhasitsownspecificaction.Siddhasanaactsonthetestesanditscellsandpreventstheformationof
semen.SirshasanaandSarvangasanahelptheflowofsementowardsthebrain.Padangushthasanaactson
thespermaticducteffectively.
InstructiononAsanapractice
PhysicalexercisesdrawthePranaout.AsanassendthePranain.Asanasarenotonlyphysical,butalso
spiritual.Theyhelpalongwayincontrollingthesenses,mindandbody.Thebody,nervesandmusclesare
purified.IfyoudoDhandandBhaitakfivehundredtimesadayforfiveyears,theywillnot,inanyway,
produceanyspiritualexperience.Ordinaryphysicalexercisesdeveloponlythesuperficialmusclesofthe
body.Onecanbecomeasandowwithabeautifulphysiquebypractisingphysicalexercise.But,Asanasare
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intendedforphysicalaswellasspiritualdevelopment.
SpreadablanketonthefloorandpracticeAsanasoverit.Useathinpillowundertheheadwhenyoudo
Sirshasana.WearaLangotiorKaupinorloinclothwhenyoupracticeAsanas.Avoidusingspectaclesandtoo
manyclothes.
ThosewhopracticeSirshasanaforalongtimeshouldtakesomelighttiffinoracupofmilkafterfinishing
theAsana.Beregularandsystematicinyourpractices.Thosewhopracticebyfitsandstartswillnotderive
anybenefit.Regularityinthepracticeisverynecessaryifonewantstorealizethemaximumbenefitsof
Asanas.Generally,peoplepracticefortwomonthsinthebeginningwithgreatinterestandenthusiasmand
thenleaveoff.Thisisasadmistake.
Asanasshouldbedoneonanemptyorlightstomachoratleastthreehoursafterfood.Youcan
advantageouslycombineJapaandPranayamaduringthepracticeofAsanas.ThenitbecomesrealYoga.
Asanascanbepracticedonthesandybedsofrivers,openairyplaces,andbytheseasidealso.Ifyou
practiceAsanasandPranayamainaroom,seethattheroomisnotcongested.Theroomshouldbeclean
andwellventilated.
Inthebeginningofthepractice,doeachAsanaforaminuteortwoonlyandthengraduallyandslowly
increasetheperiodasmuchasyoucan.
AvoidtoomuchexertionwhenyoudoalltheYogicexercises.Theremustbejoyandexhilarationthroughout
yourpractices.
HereIhavegivenyouinstructionsforafewselectAsanasthatareveryusefulformaintaining
Brahmacharya.FordetailedinstructionsonnearlyninetyAsanas,refertomybook"YogaAsanas".
MulaBandha
PresstheYoniorthespacebetweentheanusandthegenerativeorganwiththeleftheel.Contracttheanus.
Placetherightheelattherootoftheorganofgeneration.ThisisMulaBandha.
TheApanaVayu,whichdoesthefunctionofejectionofexcreta,hasanaturaltendencytomovedownwards.
ThroughthepracticeofMulaBandha,theApanaVayuismadetomoveupwardsbycontractingtheanusand
forciblydrawingitupwards.MulaBandhaishighlyusefulformaintainingBrahmacharya.Thisispracticed
duringinhalationinPranayamaandduringJapaandmeditationalso.
MulaBandhaisaYogicKriya,whichhelpstheYogicstudenttotaketheApanaandthesexenergyupwards.
ThetendencyoftheApanaistoflowdownwards.ThisdownwardflowofApanaandthesexenergyis
checkedbythepracticeofMulaBandha.TheYogicstudentsitsonSiddhasanaandtakestheApanaandthe
sexenergyupwardsbycontractingtheanusandpractisingKumbhakaorretentionofbreath.Bylong
practice,thedownwardseminalflowischeckedandsemenissublimatedortransmutedintoOjasSaktior
spiritualenergy,whichhelpscontemplation.ThisBandhacheckswetdreamsandhelpsinmaintaining
Brahmacharya.
SuchabeneficialYogicpracticeprescribedbytheRishisandYogisofyoreismisusedbythepeopleand
misprescribedbysomeinexperienced,ignorantYogicculturistsofthepresentday.TheyteachthisKriyato
thelaypublictoachievetheirselfishendsandtohaveacomfortableliving.Theypompouslyadvertisethat
peoplecanretainthevitalfluidforalongtimeandhaveintensesexualenjoymentforaprotractedperiod
throughthisKriya.TheyteachthisBandhatotherichhouseholders.Someofthedeludedhouseholdersare
alluredbysuchstatementsoftheseYogiccharlatanswhosegoalismoneymakingforcomfortableliving
andtheytakerecoursetothisKriya.TheyindulgemoreonthestrengthofthisKriya,losetheirvitalityand
cometogriefanddestructioninaveryshortperiod.ByinjudiciouspracticeofthisKriya,theApanais
dislocatedandtheygetvariousdiseaseslikecolic,constipationandpiles.
TheseYogicculturistshavedoneintenseharmtothepublic.InsteadofprescribingthisusefulKriyaofthe
RishisandYogisofyorefortheattainmentofBrahmacharya,andforsuccessinPranayamaintheformof
Brahmacharyathesedeludedsoulshaveexcitedthehouseholderstobecomemorepassionateandtohave
moreindulgence.TheyhavebroughtasluronthescienceofYogaandYogis.
Theyargue:"Wemustmoveaccordingtothemoderntimes.Peoplewantthis.TheylikesuchKriyas.They
arebenefited.TheyaremorehappybypractisingthisKriya."Wonderfulphilosophyindeed!Thisisthe
philosophyoftheEpicureansandtheCharvakas.ThisisthephilosophyofVirochana.Thisisthephilosophy
offlesh.
Oignorantman!Openyoureyes.Wakeupfromthedeepslumberofignorance.Donotbecarriedawayby
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thesweetspeechesandindecentdemonstrationsoftheseYogiccharlatansorpseudoGurus.Youwillbe
ruined.Giveupsuchpractices.Preservethevitalfluid.TurnitintoOjasthroughJapa,Kirtan,Pranayama,
Vichara.Leadapiouslife.Lifeismeantforahigherpurpose.LifeismeantforSelfrealization.
OYogicculturists!Donotmisleadpeople.Callyourselvesasthenoblefollowersordisciplesoftherevered
Rishisofoldentimes.DonotprescribetheseKriyasforbaseends.Benobleandmagnanimous.Aimhigh.
BecometrueYogis.SensibleandculturedpeoplewilllaughatyouifyoudisseminateYogicknowledgeinthis
manner.GivethemknowledgeofthewaystomaintainBrahmacharya.MakethemrealYogis.Peoplewill
revereyouandappreciateyourselflesswork.
JalandharaBandha
Contractthethroat.Pressthechinfirmlyagainstthechest.ThisispracticedattheendofPurakaandatthe
beginningofKumbhaka.NexttothiscomestheUddiyanaBandha.TheseBandhasaresomethinglikethree
stagesofoneexercise.
UddiyanaBandha
Emptythelungsbyastrongandforcibleexpiration.Now,contractandforciblydrawuptheintestinesand
alsothenaveltowardsthebacksothattheabdomenrestsagainstthebackofthebodyhighupinthe
thoraciccavity.
ThisBandhacanbepracticedinastandingposturealso.Inthiscase,bendalittleforward,restingthehands
onthethighsandkeepingthelegsalittleapart.ThesethreeBandhasareagoodcombination.The
descriptionofNauliKriyacanbetakenasthenextstageofUddiyanaBandha.
NauliKriya
UddiyanaBandhacanbedoneinasittingposturealso,butNauligenerallyisdonewhilestanding.Keepthe
rightlegafootapartfromtheleftandrestyourhandsonthethighs,thusmakingaslightcurveoftheback.
ThendoUddiyanaBandha.
Nowallowthecentreoftheabdomenfree,bycontractingtheleftandtherightsideoftheabdomen.Youwill
haveallthemusclesinthecentreinaverticalline.Keepitsoaslongasyoucandoitcomfortably.Dothis
muchonlyforafewdays.
Aftersomepractice,youshouldcontracttherightsideoftheabdomenandallowtheleftsidefree.Hereyou
willhaveallthemusclesontheleftsideonly.Again,contracttheleftsideandallowtherightsidefree.By
havingsuchgradualpractices,youwillunderstandhowtocontractthemusclesofthecentral,leftandright
sidesoftheabdomen.
NowcomesthefinalstageofNauliKriya.Keepthemusclesinthecentre.Slowlybringthemtotherightside
andthentotheleftsideinacircularway.Dothisseveraltimesfromtherighttotheleftandthendoitin
thereverseorder,fromthelefttotheright.Youshouldalwaysturnthemuscleswithacircularmotion,
slowly.YoucannotderivethefullbenefitsofthisKriyawhenyoudonotdoitslowlyandgradually.
Beginnerswillfeelaslightpainintheabdomeninthefirsttwoorthreeattempts.Theyneednotfear.The
painwillvanishaftertwoorthreedaysofregularpractice.
MahaMudra
Sitontheground.Presstheanuswiththeleftheel.Stretchouttherightleg.Takeholdofthetoewiththe
twohands.Inhaleandretainthebreath.Pressthechinagainstthechestfirmly.FixthegazeattheTrikutior
thespacebetweentheeyebrows.Retainthepostureaslongasyoutan.Practiceontheotherlegalso.
YogaMudra
SitonPadmasana.Placethepalmsontheheels.Exhaleslowlyandbendforwardandtouchthegroundwith
yourforehead.Ifyouretaintheposeforalongtime,youcanbreatheinandoutasusual.Ifyoudoitfora
shorttimeonly,retainthebreathtillyouraisetheheadandcomebacktoyouroriginalpositionandthen
inhale.Insteadofkeepingthehandsontheheels,youcantakethemtothebackandcatchholdoftheleft
wristwithyourrighthand.ThisMudraisusefulinkeepingupBrahmacharya.Itreducesexcessivefatinthe
bellyandremovesalldisordersofthestomachandthebowels.Constipationisremoved.Thegastricfireis
increased.Appetiteanddigestionimprove.Ifyoucannotretaintheposeforalongtimeatonestretch,
repeattheprocessseveraltimes.Takerestintheintervals.
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EasyandcomfortablePranayama
SitonPadmasanaorSiddhasanawithanemptylightstomachinyourmeditationroom.Closeyoureyes.
Closetherightnostrilwiththerightthumbanddrawintheairthroughtheleftnostril.Closetheleftnostril
alsowiththerightlittleandringfingersandretaintheairaslongasyoucan.Thenremovetherightthumb
andexhalevery,veryslowly.Again,inthesamemanner,drawintheairthroughtherightnostril,retainit
aslongasyoucanandthenexhalethroughtheleftnostril.ThewholeprocessconstitutesonePranayama.
Dotwentyinthemorningandtwentyintheevening.Graduallyandcautiouslyincreasetheperiodof
retainingtheairandthenumberofPranayamasalso.Whenyouadvanceinthepractice,youcanhavethree
orfoursittingsandyoucandoeightyPranayamasineachsitting.
BhastrikaPranayama
SitonPadmasana.Keepthebodyerect.Closethemouth.Inhaleandexhalequicklytwentytimeslikethe
bellows.Constantlydilateandcontract.Thepractitionershouldstartwithexpulsionsofbreathfollowingone
anotherinrapidsuccession.Whentherequirednumberofexpulsions,say,twentyforaround,isfinished,
thefinalexpulsionisfollowedbythedeepestpossibleinhalation.Retaintheairaslongasyoucankeepit
comfortablyandthenvery,veryslowly,exhale.ThisisoneroundofBhastrika.Takealittlerestandthendo
anotherround.Dothreeroundsinthemorningandthreeintheevening.Thisisaverypowerfulexercise,
beneficialforBrahmacharins.Youcandothisevenwhenyouarestanding.
HintsonPranayamapractice
DonottakebathimmediatelyafterPranayamapractice.Restforhalfanhour.Haveonesittingonlyinthe
morningduringsummer.Ifthereisheatinthebrainorhead,applycoolingoilorbutterbeforeyoutakea
bath.
Alwaysinhaleandexhaleveryslowly.Donotmakeanysoundduringinhalation.InBhastrika,donot
produceanyviolentsound.Breatheonlythroughthenose.AneophyteshoulddoPurakaandRechakaonly,
withoutanyKumbhaka,forsomedays.
YoumustsonicelyadjustthePuraka,KumbhakaandRechakathatyoudonotexperienceafeelingof
suffocationordiscomfortatanystageofPranayama.Youmustnotunnecessarilyprolongtheperiodof
exhalation.IfyouprolongthetimeofRechaka,thefollowinginhalationwillbedoneinahurriedmannerand
therhythmwillbebroken.
GraduallyincreasetheperiodofKumbhaka.DoKumbhakafor4secondsinthefirstweek,for8secondsin
thesecondweek,for12secondsinthethirdweekandsoontillyouareabletoretainthebreathaslongas
youcan.
RepeatOm,GayatrioranyotherMantramentallyduringthepractice.HavetheBhav,feeling,thatthe
DaiviSampatsuchasmercy,forgiveness,loveandsoonenteryoursystemduringinhalationandthatall
AsuricSampatordevilishqualitiessuchaslust,anger,greedandjealousyarethrownoutduringexhalation.
Whenyouinhale,feelthatyoudrawenergyfromthedivinesource,cosmicPrana,andthatyourwholebody
fromtoptotoeissaturatedwithabundant,freshenergy.Stopthepracticewhenyouareseriouslyailing.
VajroliMudra
ThisisanimportantYogicKriyainHathaYoga.YouwillhavetoworkhardtogetfullsuccessinthisKriya.
Thereareveryfewpeoplewhoareexpertsinthisact.Yogicstudentsdrawwaterfirstthroughasilvertube,
aspeciallymadecatheter,passedintotheurethratwelveinchesinside.Afterduepracticetheydrawmilk,
thenoil,honeyandsoon.Theydrawmercuryintheend.Laterontheycandrawtheseliquidsdirectly
throughtheurethrawithoutthehelpofthesilvertube.ThisKriyaisofimmenseuseforkeepingupperfect
Brahmacharya.Onthefirstdayyoushouldsendthecatheterinsidetheurethraforoneinchonly,thesecond
dayfortwoinches,thethirddayforthreeinches,andsoon.Youmustpracticegraduallytillyouareableto
sendtwelveinchesofthecatheterinside.Thewaybecomesclearandblowing.RajaBhartriharicoulddothis
Kriyaverydexterously.
EvenadropofsemencannotcomeoutoftheYogiwhopracticesthisMudra.Evenifitisdischarged,hecan
drawitbackthroughthisMudra.TheYogi,whodrawshissemenupandpreservesit,conquersdeath.Good
smellemanatesfromhisbody.
ThelateTrailingaswamiofBenareswasanexpertinthisKriya.SriSwamiKuvalayanandajiofLonavalaused
toteachthisMudra.
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PracticeofMulaBandha,UddiyanaBandha,MahaMudra,AsanasandPranayamaswillnaturallyenableone
tounderstandVajroliandtogetsuccessinitspractice.Thismustbedoneunderthedirectguidanceofa
Guru.
TheobjectofpractisingVajroliMudraistobeperfectlyestablishedinBrahmacharya.Whenaspirants
practicethisMudra,theyunconsciouslydiverttheirmindtosexualcentresandtherebytheyfailtogetany
success.WhenyouseethedescriptionofthisMudra,youwillclearlyunderstandthatstrictBrahmacharyais
absolutelynecessary.Forpractisingthis,thereisnonecessityatallforawomanorforanysexual
intercourse.SincetheGrihasthishavetheirwivesandsincetheythinkthatVajroliMudraisadeviceforbirth
control,theyhaveakeendesiretopracticethisMudra.Itisallmerefoolishnessanddelusion.Theyhave
notunderstoodthetechniqueandobjectofthisimportantKriya.
YourmotiveinlearningtheVajroliMudramustbepure.YoumusthavetheoneideaofgettingSelf
realizationthroughabsoluteBrahmacharya.Havesexsublimation.Youmustnotmisusethepowergained
throughthisYogicKriya.Analyzeandscrutiniseyourmotivethoroughly.Thereareverymanytemptations
anddangersontheYogicroad.Beware,mychildPrem!Iagainandagainwarnyou.
22.SOMEILLUSTRATIVESTORIES
1.Thepoweroflust.TheexampleofJaimini
Onceuponatime,SriVedavyasawasholdinghisVedantaclassamongsthisstudents.Inthecourseofhis
lecture,hementionedthattheyoungBrahmacharisshouldbeverycarefulandshouldnotmixwithyoung
ladiesandthat,withalltheirvigilanceandcircumspection,theymightfallavictimaslustwasvery
powerful.Oneofhisstudents,Jaimini,theauthorofPurvaMimamsa,wasalittleimpertinent.Hesaid,
"GurujiMaharaj!Yourstatementiswrong.Noladycanattractme.IamwellestablishedinBrahmacharya."
Vyasasaid,"Jaimini,youwillknowthatsoon.IamgoingtoBenares.Iwillreturnwithinthreemonths.Be
careful.Dontbepuffedupwithpride."
SriVyasa,throughhisYogicpowers,assumedtheformofabeautifulyounggirl,withpiercingeyesandvery
charmingface,welldressedinathinsilkengarment.Theladywasstandingunderneathatreeatsunset.
Cloudsgatheredtogether.Itbegantorain.Accidentally,Jaiminiwaspassingalongthesideofthetree.He
sawthegirl,feltpityandaddressedher:"Ohlady,youcancomeandstayinmyAshram.Ishallgiveyou
shelter."Theladyasked,"Areyoulivingalone?Isanywomanlivingthere?"Jaiminireplied,"Iamalone.But
IamaperfectBrahmachari.Nolustcanaffectme.IamfreefromanysortofVikara.Youcanstaythere."
Theladyobjected:"ItisnotrightforayoungvirgingirltostaywithaBrahmacharialoneatnight."Jaimini
said,"Ohdamsel,dontbeafraid.Ipromiseyouof,myperfectBrahmacharya."Thensheagreedandstayed
inhisAshramatnight.
Jaiminisleptoutsideandtheladywassleepinginsidetheroom.Atdeadofnight,Jaiminibegantofeelthe
influenceoflustinhismind.Alittlesexualcravingaroseinhismind.Inthebeginning,hewasabsolutely
pure.Heknockedatthedoorandsaid,"Ohlady,thewindisblowingoutside.Icannotbearthecoldblasts.I
wanttosleepinside."Sheopenedthedoor.Jaiminiwassleepinginside.Againthesexualcravingbecamea
littlemoreintenseandkeen,ashewasveryclosetoaladyandasheheardthesoundofherbangles.Then
heroseupandbegantoembraceher.AtonceSriVyasaassumedhisoriginalformwithhislongbeardand
said,"Oh,mydearJaimini,whataboutthestrengthofyourBrahmacharyanow?Areyouestablishedinyour
perfectcelibacynow?WhatdidyousaywhenIwaslecturingonthissubject?"Jaiminidroppedhisheaddown
inuttershameandsaid,"Guruji!Iamwrong.Kindlypardonme."
ThisillustrationgoestoshowthatevengreatpersonsaredupedbythepowerofMayaandbytheinfluence
ofrevoltingIndriyas.Brahmacharinsshouldbeverycareful.
2.Passionsholdovermansmind.Socratesandhisdisciple
OneofthedisciplesofSocratesaskedhisteacher,"Myvenerablemaster,kindlyinstructmehowmany
timesahouseholdercanvisithislegalwife."Socratesreplied,"Onlyonceinhislifetime."
Thedisciplesaid,"OhmyLord!Thisisabsolutelyimpossibleforworldlymen.Passionisdreadfuland
troublesome.Thisworldisfulloftemptationsanddistractions.Householdershavenotastrongwilltoresist
temptations.TheirIndriyasareveryrevoltingandpowerful.Themindisfilledwithpassion.Thouarta
philosopherandYogi.Youcancontrol.Pray,kindlyprescribeaneasypathforthemenoftheworld."Then
Socratessaid,"Ahouseholdercanhavecopulationonceinayear."
Thedisciplereplied,"Ovenerablesir,thisisalsoahardjobforthem.Youmustprescribeaneasiercourse."
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Socratesthenreplied,"Well,mydeardisciple,onceinamonth.Thisissuitable.Thisisquiteeasy.Ithink
youaresatisfiednow."
Thedisciplesaid,"Thisalsoisimpossible,myreveredmaster.Householdersareveryfickleminded.Their
mindsarefullofsexualSamskarasandVasanas.Theycannotremainevenforasingledaywithoutsexual
intercourse.Youhavenoideaoftheirmentality."
ThenSocratessaid,"Wellsaid,mydearchild.Doonethingnow.Godirectlytotheburialgroundnow.Diga
graveandpurchaseacoffinandwindingsheetforthecorpsebeforehand.Nowyoucanspoilyourselfany
numberoftimesyoulike.Thisismyfinaladvicetoyou."Thislastadvicepiercedtheheartofthedisciple.
Hefeltitkeenly.Hethoughtoverthematterseriouslyandunderstoodtheimportanceandgloryof
Brahmacharya.HetooktospiritualSadhanainrightearnest.Hetookavowofstrictunbrokencelibacyfor
life.HebecameanOordhvaretaYogiandhadSelfrealization.Hebecameoneofthefavouritedisciplesof
Socrates.
3.Lustincreaseswithenjoyment.RajaYayati
ThereoncelivedasagelykingnamedYayatiwholivedforafullonethousandyearsenjoyingallthe
pleasuresakingofhispositioncouldcommand.Whenoldageattackedhim,andhehadstillagreatdesire
toenjoyallroyalpleasuresforsomemoreyears,heaskedeachofhissons,onebyone,totakeupon
himselfthisoldageandgivehimhisyouthinreturn,assuringthatafteranotheronethousandyearshe
wouldreturntheyouthandtakebackhisdecrepitude.Notoneofthemwaswillingtoaccepttheofferexcept
hisyoungestsonnamedPuru.
Purusaidwithallhumilitythathewasquitewillingtodoashisfatherwishedhimandaccordinglygavehis
youthtohisfatherandgotinreturnoldageanditsconsequentweakness.Yayati,beingexceedingly
delightedwithhisnewyouth,beganagaintoindulgeinsensualpleasures.Heenjoyedhimselftothefull
extentofhisdesiresandtothefulllimitofhispowersandasmuchashedesiredwithoutviolatingthe
preceptsofreligion.Hewasveryhappy,butonlyonethoughttroubledhim.Andthatwasthethoughtthat
theonethousandyearswouldsooncometoanend.
Whenthefixedtimecametoanend,hecametohissonPuruandaddressedhimthus:"Oson,Ihave
enjoyedwithyouryouthtothefullextentofmydesiresandtothefulllimitofmypowersandallaccording
totheirseasons.But,desiresneverdie.Theyareneversatiatedbyindulgence.Byindulgencetheyflameup
likethesacrificialfirewithgheepouredintoit.Ifonebecomesthesolelordofalltheearthwithitspaddy,
oats,gems,beastsandwomen,stillitwillnotbeconsideredbyhimenough.Therefore,thethirstfor
enjoymentshouldbeabandoned.Thethirstforenjoymentswhichisdifficulttocastoffbythewicked,which
doesnotfailevenwithfailinglife,istrulyafataldiseaseinman.Togetridofthisthirstisrealhappiness.
Mymindwasattachedtothepleasuresoflifeforfullonethousandyears.Mythirstforthem,however,
withoutbeingabated,isdailybeingincreased.Therefore,Ishallgetridofit.Ishallfixmymindon
Brahman,andbecomingpeacefulandhavingnoattachment,Ishallpasstherestofmydaysintheforest
withtheinnocentdeer."SosayingheinstalledPuruonthethroneaftergivinghimbackhisyouthandretired
intotheforesttoleadthelifeofanascetic.
4.DawnofVivekaandVairagya.YogiVemana
Vemanawasbornintheyear1820inasmallvillageinthedistrictofGodavariinAndhraDesa.Hehada
brotherbynameAnuVernaReddy.Hisparentspassedawaywhenhewasquiteayoungboy.Hewasbornin
arichfamily.HewasaReddybycaste.
Vemanawassenttoaprimaryschool.Hewasnotabletoprosecutehisstudies.Hefellintoevilcompany
andbecamearowdyboy.Buthewasveryhandsomeandactive.AnuVernaReddyandhiswifeNarasamma
likedVemanaverymuch.Attheageoffifteen,Vemanabecamedebaucherous.Hespentmuchmoneyfor
thesakeofwomen.Yet,hisbrotherandsisterinlawlikedhimverymuch.
AnuVemaReddyandhiswifewantedtocorrectthewaysofVemana.Theystoppedgivinghimanymoney.
SoVemanastoleatnighttheornamentsofhissisterinlawandgavethemtoaprostitute.Whenhissister
inlawcametoknowofthelossofthejewels,sheaskedVemana,"Wherearemyjewels?"Vemana
answered,"Asyoudidnotgivememoney,Itookthemandgaveawaytomybeloved."Narasammadidnot
speakaword.Shedidnoteveninformherhusbandofthelossofthejewels.ShelikedVemanaverymuch.
Shelockedupallherornamentsinthesafe.
TheprostituteurgedVemanatobringsomeMoremoneyorornaments.So,againatdeadofnight,Vemana
wokeupfromhisbedandtriedtoremovesomeoftheornamentsfromtheneckofhissisterinlaw.She
waswearingonlythesacredMangalaSutrathatwastiedroundherneckatthetimeofhermarriageshe
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hadkeptallherotherjewelsinthesafe.Vemanawantedtoremoveatleastthisornament.Whenhewas
attemptingtoremoveit,Narasammawokeupandcaughtholdofhishandandaskedhimwhyhecameto
herbedroomatmidnight.Herepliedinadaringmanner:"Mybelovedaskedmetobringsomeornaments.I
cameheretotakethem."Narasammaaskedhimtogetoutoftheroomatonce.ThenVemanacriedandfell
atherfeet.NarasammaprayedtoGodtogivegoodBuddhitoVemanaandmakehimapure,virtuoussoul.
ThenshepromisedtogiveVemanaanornament,providedhewouldstrictlyobeyherwords.Vemanafully
assuredher.
Narasammasaid:"Vemana!Askthegirltostandnakedinfrontofyou.Letherbackbeturnedtowardsyou.
Thenaskhertobenddownandtakethejewelfromyourhandsbypassingherhandsthroughherthighs."
VemanapromisedtodosoandtookanoathalsointhenameofGoddessKali.Thenhissisterinlawgave
himavaluableornament.
Vemanaproceededdirectlytotheprostituteshouseandaskedhertodointhemannerhissisterinlawhad
instructed.Whiletheprostitutewasbendingdown,hesawveryclearlytheprivatepartsofthewoman.At
onceintenseVairagyadawnedinhismind.Heretracedhisstepstohishousewiththeornamentinhis
hands.Hegavebacktheornamenttohissisterinlawandrelatedtoherallthathadhappened.Hesaid,"My
dearsisterinlaw!Thankyousomuchforallyourkindacts.Iamachangedmannow.Thereisnoreal
happinessinthisworld.ItisalljuggleryofMaya.Iamgoingnowinquestofrealhappiness."Heleftthe
houseatonceandwenttoaKalitemplenearhisvillageandsatneartheimageofKali.
Nowitsohappenedthat,forsomeyears,amannamedAbhiramayyahadbeenprayingtoKaliforHer
Darshan.OnedaySheappearedinhisdreamandsaid,"Cometomorrowatmidnight.Iwillgiveyou
Darshan."Buttheunfortunatedevoteecouldnotcomethenextday.WhenKalicame,Vemanawasthere
instead.KaliaskedVemanatoseekaboonofher.Vemanasaid,"OMother!GivemeBrahmaJnana."Mother
KalitheninitiatedhimintothemysteriesofJnana.Fromthatdayonwards,Vemanabecameavirtuousman
withgreatdevotion,YogicpowersandJnana.
Incourseofhiswanderings,VemanawenttoCuddapah.HelivedinaforestnearCuddapah.Heplanted
variousfruitbearingtreeslikemelonsandcucumbers.Thecucumberswereallfilledwithgold.Withthis
gold,VemanabuiltatempleatSriSailam.Eventoday,thistempleatSriSailamcontainsthefamous
JyotirlingamofMallikarjuna.Itisafamousplaceofpilgrimage.Onedaysomethievescametorobthe
cucumberscontaininggold.TheyallbecamesenselessduetotheYogicpowersofVemana.
OnceVemanaenteredthecottageofapoorBrahminatmidnightandwenttosleeponhisbed.Duringthe
night,heansweredthecallsofnatureonthebeditself.Thatportionofthebed,whichwassoiledbyhis
excreta,becametransmutedintogold.
Vemanacastoffhisphysicalsheathin1865inKatarupalliintheCuddapahdistrict.Hewroteseveralbooks
inTeluguonYoga,chiefamongthembeing"VemanaTattvaJnanam"and"VemanaJivamritam".
5.Beautyliesinimagination.ThestoryofHemachuda
TherewasakingnamedMuktachudainoldentimes.HeruledthekingdomofDasarna.Hehadtwosons,
HemachudaandManichuda.Theybothwereveryhandsomeandvirtuous.Theyhadgoodbehaviourand
conduct.Theywerealsoveryproficientinallthearts.TheybothwenttothemountainSahyawith
attendantsandweaponsforhunting.Theyshotmanytigersandwildanimals.Allofasuddentherewasa
terriblesandstorm.Immensedarknessprevailed.Onecouldnotseetheotherperson.
Hemachudasomehowmanagedtoreachthehermitageofasage,whichwasfulloffruittrees.Hesawinthe
Ashramabeautifulmaiden.Hewasquiteastonishedtoseeafearlessgirlinthatsolitaryforest.Heasked
themaiden,"Whoareyou?Whoisyourfather?Whyareyoualonehere?Howdidyoudevelopthiscourage?"
Sherepliedpolitely,"Welcome,Oprince!Takeyourseat.Takealittlerest.Youseemtobemuchtired.
Kindlytakethesefruitsandnuts.Ishallrelatemystory."Theprinceatethosefruitsandnutsandrestedfor
awhile.
Thegirlthenbegan:"Oprince!Harkentomystorywithraptattention.IamtheGodchildofsage
Vyaghrapadawhoisadoredbyall,whohasconqueredtheworldbyhissevereausterities,andwhohas
attainedliberation.MynameisHemalekha.Vidyutprabha,celestialnymphofmatchlessbeautyand
indescribablesplendour,onedaycametotheriverVeenaforbathing.Sushena,thekingoftheVengas,also
camethere.SushenawascaptivatedbytheenchantingbeautyofVidyutprabha.Thecelestialnymphwas
alsoinfatuatedwiththehandsomefigureofKingSushena.SushenapleadedhislovetoVidyutprabha.She
responded.Thekingspentsometimewithher.Afterwardshereturnedtohiscapital.
"Vidyutprabhasoonbroughtforthachild."Sheleftthechildthereasshewasafraidofherhusbandandwent
toherplace.Iamthatchild.Vyaghrapadacametotheriverforhisdailyablutions.Hesawmeandtookpity
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onme.Hebroughtmeuplikeamother.Iregardhimasmyfather.Iservehimwithreverence.Throughhis
graceIhavebecomefearlesshere.Myfatherwillreturnpresently.Pleasewaitalittle.Payyourrespectsto
himandobtainhisblessings."Theintelligentgirlunderstoodtheheartoftheprinceandsaid:"Oprince!Do
notgetdisheartened.Youcangratifyyourdesire.Myfatherwillgrantyourdesire."
Immediately,thesageVyaghrapadaenteredwithflowersforworship.Theprincegotupandprostrated
beforethesage.Thesageunderstoodthattheprincewasinlovewiththegirl.HegaveHemalekhain
marriagetotheprince.Theprincereturnedwithhertohiscity.Hisfatherwasverymuchdelighted.He
celebratedtheirmarriagewithpompandsplendour.
TheprincelovedHemalekhaimmensely.Hewasverymuchattachedtoher.Buthenoticedthatshewas
ratherindifferenttosensualpleasures.Heaskedheroneday:"OdearHemalekha,whatisthematterwith
you?Iamverymuchattachedtoyou.Whydoyounotreciprocatemylove?Nothingseemstohaveany
effectonyou.Youaredispassionate.HowcanIenjoywhenyouhavesuchanattitudeofmind?Youalways
sitwithclosedeyeslikeastatue.Youdonotlaugh,playandjokewithme.Kindlyspeakoutyourheart.Be
frank."
Hemalekharepliedrespectfully:"Oprince!Hearme.Whatislove?Whatisdislike?Asthisisnotcleartomy
mind,Iamalwaysreflectingoverit.Ihavecometonodefiniteconclusion.Pleaseenlightenmeonthis
point.Ientreatyou."
Hemachudarepliedwithasmile:"Itistruethatwomenpossessaninnocentmind.Evenanimalsunderstand
whatislikeanddislike.Weseethattheylikepleasingthingsanddislikeunpleasantobjects.Beautygivesus
pleasureuglinessgivesuspain.Whydoyouwasteyourtimedailyonthis?"
Hemalekhareplied:"ItistrueIthatwomenhavenoindependentpowerofthinking.So,isitnotyourdutyto
clearmydoubts?Ifyouthrowlight,Iwillleaveoffthinkingandbeattachedtoyoualways.Oprince!You
saidthatlikeanddislikeorloveandhatredariseoutofobjectswhichgiveuspleasureandpain.Butthe
sameobjectgivesuspleasureandpainonaccountoftime,circumstancesandenvironments.Whatisyour
decisionthen?Kindlygivemeyourdefiniteanswer.Fireisverypleasantinwinter,butinsummeritisvery
terrible.Youcannotgonearthefire.Thesamefiregivespleasureincoldcountriesandpaininhotcountries.
Thequantityoffiregivesusdifferentresults.Similaristhecasewithwealth,wife,son,motherandsoon.
Theseinducepositivesufferingsandmisery.WhyisitthatyourfatherMuktachuda,despitehispossessionof
immensewealth,sonsandwifeisalwayssorrowful?Othersareveryhappyevenwithoutthese.Worldly
happinessismixedwithmisery,pain,fearandanxiety.Soitcannotbecalledhappinessatall.Miseryis
personalandimpersonalorinternalandexternal.Theexternaloneiscausedbythefaultsoftheelements
onthebody.Theinternaloneisbornoutofdesire.Ithasconnectionwiththemind.Ofthese,theinternal
oneismoreformidable.Itistheseedorcauseforallsuffering.Thewholeworldisdrownedinsuchinternal
misery.Thetreecalledmiseryhasdesireasthestrongandneverfailingseed.EvenIndraandothergods
areimpelledbythisdesire.Theycarryoutitsinstructionsdayandnight.Ifthereisnodesire,youcannot
experienceanypleasure.Suchamixtureofhappinessandmiseryisenjoyedevenbytheinsects,wormsand
dogs.Doyouthinkthatmanshappinessisgreaterthanthis?Thehappinessoftheinsectsissuperiortothat
ofman.Becausedesireisnotmixedintheirpleasure,itisunalloyed.Whereas,inman,alittlepleasureis
foundinthemidstofthousandsofungratifieddesires.Thiscannotbecalledhappiness.Manfeelshappyby
embracinghiswife,butbypressingherlimbstoomuch,hemakesherfeeluneasy.Aftersporting,theyare
exhausted.Whathappinesshaveyouinthesesensualperishableobjects?Kindlyexplain,Oprince!Thissort
ofhappinessisenjoyedevenbydogs,donkeysandpigs.But,ifyousaythatyouarehappybylookingatmy
physicalbeauty,thishappinessisimaginaryandillusorylikeembracingaladyinadream.
"Acertainbeautifulprincehadaveryhandsomewife.Hewasverymuchattachedtoher.She,onthe
contrary,wasinlovewiththeprincesservant.Shewascheatingtheprincebyfoulmeans.Theservant
wouldmixsomeintoxicatingdruginthewinegiventotheprince.Thenhewouldsendanuglyservantmaid
totheprince.Hehimselfwouldsportwiththeprinceswife.Theprince,underintoxication,wasthinking:I
amveryfortunate.Ihavegotthemostbeautifulladyintheworld.Manydayspassedthus.Onedaythe
servantforgottomixthenarcoticinthewine.Theprincealsodidnotdrinkmuchthatday.Hejoinedthe
uglywomanwhenhefellavictimtopassion.Henowfoundoutthatshewastheservantmaid.Heaskedher
wherehisdearwifewas.Shekeptsilentatfirst.Thentheprincedrewtheswordandthreatenedtokillherif
shedidnotrevealthewholetruth.Shetoldhimeverythingandshowedtheplacewherehisbeautifulwife
waswiththeservant.Theprincesaid:WhatafoolamI!Ihavedegradedmyselfbydrinking.Whoever
placestoomuchloveonawomanbecomesdespicable.Justasabirdisnotfixedtoanyparticulartree,so
also,womanisnotfixedtooneman.Shehasfickle,unsteadymind.Ihavebecomeabeast.Ihavelostmy
powerofdiscrimination.Iregardedmywifeasmorevaluablethanmyverylifeitself.Amanwhois
attachedtoawomanandwhoyieldstoawomanisaveritabledonkeyindeed.Womanisevanescentlikethe
autumnalsky.Ididnotknowwomansnaturetillnow.Shegoestothedirtyservantandshehasleftmewho
ameverattachedtoherandwhoisfaithfultoher.Shepretendedtoshowlovetomelikeadramaactress.I
amcheated.Theservantisuglyinallhislimbs.Whatbeautydoesshefindinhim?Theprincebecame
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disgustedwitheverything.Heleftthekingdomandwenttoaforest."
Hemalekhacontinued:"Therefore,Oprince!Beautyisamentalcreationonly.Beautyismindborn.Beautyis
theresultofmentalconception.Justasyoubeholdbeautyinme,othersfindevenbettercharminugly
women.Onseeingawoman,herreflectionisformedinthemirrorofamansmind.Ifamanthinksofthis
beautyconstantly,desireisstimulatedinthatpartofthebody,whichissubjecttoimpulse.Thatmanin
whomthedesireisthusstimulatedenjoyssensualpleasure,whereas,hewhosedesireisnotstimulated
doesnotcaretoseeeventhemosthandsomegirl.Thecauseforthisistheconstantmeditationonbeautyor
woman.Boysandasceticsdonotmeditateorthinkonthis.Therefore,theydonotgetanydesireforsensual
pleasures.Thosewhofindpleasureinthecompanyofaparticularwomancreateintheirmindsthebeauty
accordingtotheirideas,irrespectiveofwhetherthewomanisuglyormostbeautiful.Theyprojecttheir
ideasofbeautyinthewoman.Ifyouaskhowbeautyisfoundinanuglywomanandhowtherecanbejoy
withoutbeauty,Icanonlysaythatapassionatemaninhisinfatuationisblind.Cupidispaintedblind.The
passionatemanfindsthebeautyofRambhainthemostuglywoman.Therecanbenobeautywithoutdesire.
Ifbeautybenaturallikesourness,sweetnessandbitternessinsubstances,thenwhyisitnotfoundin
childrenandyounggirls?Therefore,beautyiscreatedbymindonly.
"Peoplethinkasbeautifulthisphysicalbodywhichiscomposedofflesh,filledwithblood,builtofnerves,
coveredwithskin,acageofbonesovergrownwithhair,fullofbileandphlegm,aboxofexcretaandurine,
createdoutofbloodandsemen,bornthroughtheurinarypassage!Howcanthosepersonswhofindpleasure
inthisbesuperiortowormsborninfilth?Oprince,youfindmyphysicalbodytobebeautiful.Justanalyze
thisbodypartbypartandthinkovereachpart.Thinkovereverypartofsweetanddeliciousthings.All
thingsweeatarechangedintoabominabledirt.Whensuchisthecase,whatislovableanddelighting?"
HemachudaheardthenectarlikeinstructionsofHemalekhawithgreatattentionandinterest.Hedeveloped
strongVairagyaandViveka,meditatedontheallpervading,pure,immortalAtmanandbecamea
Jivanmukta.ManichudaalsolearntthetruthfromhisbrotherMuktachudafromhissonandhiswifefrom
herdaughterinlaw.Theministerandcitizensofthattownbecamewise.Evenbirdswereutteringand
otherswordsofwisdominthattown.SagesVamadevaandothersnoticedthatallinthattown,includingthe
animalsandbirds,werelearnedandwiseandcalledthecityasVidyanagarortheTownofWisdom.
6.Physicalbeautyisnobeauty.Storyofaprince
Onceayoungprincesawabeautifulprincessonthebanksofariverwhenhewasonahuntingexcursion.
Theprincesshadaphilosophicalbentofmind.ShehadmasteredseveralVedanticbooks.Shewaspractising
deepmeditationonAtman.Theprinceapproachedherandwantedhertomarryhim.Sheflatlyrefused.The
princeagainandagainentreatedherinvariousways.Shefinallytoldhim,"Pleasecomeandseemeinmy
residenceaftertendays.Ishallmarryyou".TheprincealsowasastudentofVedanta,buthehadnoreal
sustainedVairagya.Hespentsleeplessnights,andonthemorningofthetenthday,eagerlyproceededtothe
palaceoftheprincess.
Theyoungprincesshadalreadydevisedameanstoescapefromtheclutchesofmarriage.Shetookadrastic
purgativeofcrotonoilcontinuallyfortendaysandcollectedallthemotionsintenseparateenamel
commodesandarrangedthemallnicelywithnumbers1to10inabigroom,coveringallthecommodeswith
beautifulsilkclothes.Shenowlookedallskinandbones.Hereyesweresunkenandshelaydownonher
bed.
Theprincecametomeetherwithgreatjoy.Themaidservantconductedhimtotheroomwherethe
princesslay.Theprincecouldnotrecogniseher.Heaskedthemaidservant,"Whereistheyoung,beautiful
lady?SheisnottheladywhomImettheotherday!"Towhichtheprincessreplied,"Odearprince,Iamthe
verysamelady.Ihavecarefullystoredupmybeautyintheyonderroom.Kindlygowithmeandseethe
accumulatedbeautythere.Comealongwithmenow.Ishallshowittoyou".Sosaying,shetooktheprince
totheroom,removedthesilkpieces,andaskedhimtolookatherbeauty.Sheadded,"Thisisthebeautyof
myskinandflesh".Theprincewassimplystunned.Hedidnotspeakawordtothelady.Heprostratedat
herfeetandtookherashismother.Hethrewoffhisprincelyrobesandretiredintotheforests.Nowhis
heartwasfilledwithintenseVairagya.Hesoughttheprotectionofasage,gotinstructionsfromhim,
practicedrigorousmeditationandattainedKnowledgeoftheSelf.
7.Beingbusyisthebestwaytocontrollust.Storyofaghost
Themindisliketheghost,whichisalwaysrestless.OnceaBrahminPundit,throughMantraSiddhi,had
controloveraghost.TheghostsaidtothePundit,"Icandoanyworkforyouinaminute.Ihave
supernaturalpowers.Youmustbegivingmevariouskindsofworks....always.Ifyouleavemeevenfora
secondwithoutwork,Iwillatoncedevouryou".TheBrahminagreed.
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TheghostdugatankfortheBrahmin,ploughedthefieldsanddidvariousworksinashorttime.The
Brahminwasnotabletoengagetheghostinanyfurtherwork.Theghostthreatenedhim,"Nowthereisno
workforme.Iwilldevouryou".TheBrahminwasmuchpuzzled.Hedidnotknowwhattodo.Hewenttohis
Guruandexplainedhissituation.Histeachersaid,"Useyourcommonsense.Installabig,stout,soft,
woodenpostinfrontofyourhouse.Applycastoroil,waxandothergreasysubstancestothepost.Askthe
ghosttogetupthepostandgetdownthewholedayandnight".Thediscipleactedaccordinglyandcontrolled
theghostwithoutanydifficulty.Theghostbecamehelpless.
Evenso,youmustgivetothemindsomekindofworkortheotheralways:Japa,meditation,Svadhyaya,
service,Kirtan,prayerandsoon.Youmustkeepitfullyoccupied.Thenonlythemindcanbeeasily
controlled.Youwillhavenoevilthoughts.Youcanbewellestablishedbothinphysicalandmental
Brahmacharya.
SELECTSAYINGSONSEXANDCELIBACY
BrahmacharyaisabstainingfromallkindsofMaithunaorsexualenjoymentforever,inallplacesandinall
conditions,physically,mentallyandverbally.Yajnavalkya
Thinkingofawomanorherpicture,praisingawomanorherpicture,sportingwithawomanorherpicture,
glancingatawomanorherpicture,secretlytalkingtoawoman,thinkingofasinfulactiontowardsawoman
actuatedbysensuality,determininguponthesinfulaction,andbodilyactionresultinginthedischargeof
semenaretheeightcharacteristicsofcopulationandBrahmacharyaisquitecontrarytoalltheseeight
indications.DakshaSmriti
Knowthatinthisworldthereisnothingthatcannotbeattainedbyonewhoremainsfrombirthtodeatha
perfectcelibate...Inoneperson,knowledgeofthefourVedas,andinanother,perfectcelibacyofthese,
thelatterissuperiortotheformerwhoiswantingincelibacy.TheMahabharata
Brahmacharyaorspotlesschastityisthebestofallpenancesacelibateofsuchspotlesschastityisnota
humanbeing,butagodindeed...Tothecelibatewhoconservesthesemenwithgreatefforts,whatisthere
unattainableinthisworld?Bythepowerofthecomposureofthesemen,onewillbecomejustlikemyself.
LordSankara
AndthosestudentswhofindthatworldofGodthroughchastity,theirsisthatheavenlycountrytheirs,in
whateverworldtheyare,isfreedom.ChhandogyaUpanishad
Awisemanshouldavoidmarriedlifeasifitwereaburningpitoflivecoals.Fromthecontactcomes
sensation,fromsensationthirst,fromthirstclingingbyceasingfromthat,thesoulisdeliveredfromall
sinfulexistence.LordBuddha
Thesesexualpropensities,thoughtheyareatfirstlikeripples,acquiretheproportionsofaseaonaccountof
badcompany.Narada
Sensualitydestroyslife,lustre,strength,vitality,memory,wealth,greatfame,holinessanddevotiontothe
Supreme.LordKrishna
Deathishastenedbylettingoutsemenfromthebodylifeissavedandprolongedbypreservingit.
Thereisnodoubtthatpeopledieprematurelybylettingthesemenoutofthebodyknowingthis,theYogi
shouldalwayspreservesemenandleadalifeofstrictcelibacy.SivaSamhita
Cautionindietisofthreefoldvalue,butabstinencefromsexualintercourseisoffourfoldvalue.The
Sannyasihad,andhasarulenevertolookatawoman.Atreya
LetnotaBrahminseeawomannaked.Manu
SECTIONIV.ASYMPOSIUM
COMMENTARYONSWAMISIVANANDAS8THSPIRITUALINSTRUCTION
BySwamiChidananda
8.Brahmacharya:Preservethevitalforce(Veerya)very,verycarefully.VeeryaisGodinmotionor
manifestationVibhuti.Veeryaisallpower.Veeryaisallmoney.Veeryaistheessenceoflife,thoughtand
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intelligence.
Brahmacharya,whichisthethirdofthefiveniyamasofMaharshiPatanjali,getsmentionedinpractically
everyoneofthescripturesofSanatanaVaidicDharma(EternalReligion)theBhagavata,theRamayanaand
allthePuranas.ItisalsoinalltheYogasBhaktiYoga,JnanaYoga,HathaYoga,RajaYoga.
IntheHindutraditionthreegreatprinciplesorqualitieshavebeenlaiddownasfundamentalpracticesfor
spiritualdevelopment.Theyareahimsa,satyamandbrahmacharya(noninjury,truthfulnessandchastity).
Yadimokshamicchasichetthaatha
Vishayanvishavatthyaja
Brahmacharyamahimsacha
Satyampeeyushavadbhaja
"Ifyoudesireyourhighestblessedness,giveuplikepoisondesireforsensualenjoymentandpleasuresand
likenectarreceiveintoyourlifethetriplevirtuesofchastity,noninjuryandtruthfulness."
DowntheagesthishascometobethecardinaldoctrineoftheHigherLife.
WithinthecontextoftheChristianfaith,thepropheticreligionthatformeditselfaroundtheteachingsof
JesusofNazareth,faith,hopeandcharityarelaudedascardinalvirtues.Withinthecontextofthisreligion,
thereisalsoSannyas(orderofrenunciation)theChristianmonastictradition.Inthismonastictradition,
threegreatvowsareindispensable,theyarepoverty,chastityandobedience.Thatisthemonasticvow.That
isthevowofthemonksandpriestsinseminariesasalsothevowofthenunsinconvents.
ThisalsoexistedinpreChristianRomantimeswhenforthemysticalOracleofDelphi,itwasonlyvirgins
whowerequalifiedtoperformthehightaskofdiviningthewillofGodandguidingman.Thisthey
proclaimedinastateofspiritualtrance.TheseunmarriedmaidenswerededicatedtoGodandthistask,and
itwasbelievedthatitwasonlyinthepuremindsandheartsofthesevirginsthatGodrevealedHissacred
Will.TheywerecalledVestilVirginsofDelphi.So,thetraditionofbrahmacharyachastity,selfcontrol,sex
puritydidnotcommencefromChristianity,itmusthavealreadybeentherewithinthetraditionofJudaism
aswell.
Longbeforethat,duringthetimeofBuddhawhoprecededJesusbymorethan500yearsthedoctrineof
chastitywasanecessarypreparationandfoundationforthelifeofrenunciation,asceticismandYogaforthe
seekeraftertheGreatRealityorforattainmentofEnlightenmentandWisdom.Thisfoundationwas
recognizedbyBuddha.TheYoungprincelivinginapalacewithhisyoungwifeandbabyRahul,left
everythingandwentintotheforest.Thatgreatrenunciation,greattyagawaswonderfullybroughtoutbySir
EdwinArnoldinhisLightofAsia,apoeticalpresentationofBuddhasgreatlife,careerandattainment.
Thus,itissomethingthathasbeenhandeddowntohumanityfromtimeimmemorial.Itisapartofthe
globalheritagefromvariousdiversedirectionsandsources.Farback,evenbeforeZoroasterorBuddha,the
ancientprophetsoftheUpanishadsproclaimedthesamething.WehearmentionedintheVedicageofIndra
andVirochanaapproachingBrahmaforinstructions,andBrahmasendingthembacktoobserve
brahmacharyaforsomanyyears"Thencomeandaskme,Ishallgiveyousomeknowledge,partofmy
knowledge."Sotheygoandobservethevowofcelibacyforsomanyyearsandcomeback.ThenHegives
themapartoftheTruth.AfterthatHesays"Nowgobackandobservecelibacyforsomemoreyearsand
comeback."Because,itisnecessarytograsptheconceptofThatwhichisbeyondthegraspofthemindand
thesenses,beyondspeechandthought.Theywereunabletograspit.Agrossmindwhichisidentifiedwith
thebody,withthesensesandwiththesenseappetites,andwhichisenslavedbythepleasureprincipleonly,
isunfittothinkofabstractandabstruseideasandconcepts.Amindthathasbecomegrossduetothe
progressiveincreaseofrajasandtamas,becomesunfitandnaturallyspirituallifeandpracticesareafarcry
tothatindividual.Mindmustbecomeattenuated,itmustbecomeveryfine.Thereshouldbenogrossness
desires,attachmentsandcravingsinit.Acertainpsychicfinenessoftheantahkarana(innerbeing)issaidto
beessentialandindispensableforrisinghigherintosublimeideas,thoughtsandprocessesofviveka
(discrimination),vichara(enquiry)andatmasadhana(enquiryintotheSelf).Therefore,thisprocessof
purification,therisingfromthegrosstothesubtle,istheessenceoftheconceptofbrahmacharya.
Thesage,RishyaSringa,wasestablishedinbrahmacharya.Whenawholekingdomwasthreatenedby
famine,duetoadrought,thekingwasdeeplyconcerned,peoplewereingreatfearandanxiety.Thensome
sagesadvisedthatifthisgreatman,whowasestablishedinthevowofabsolutecelibacyandcontinence,
couldbebroughttothekingdom,intotheroyalcity,thentheheavenswouldblessthemwithrain.Sothey
inducedhimtocome.Thusthefamineandpossibledeathduetostarvationofcountlesspeoplewasaverted.
Long,longago,ourPuranicscripture,SrimadBhagavataMahapuranahasgiventhehighestplaceforagreat
ladywhowasaparagonofvirtueandchastityandtotalfidelitytoherhusband.Neverdidathoughtofany
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othermancrosshermindevenindreamorimagination.Somuchsothatthethreegreatcosmicdeities,the
Creator,thePreserverandtheDissolverBrahma,VishnuandMahesvarahadtoadmithergreatnessand
confessthattheyhadfailedintryingtoshakeherfromherfirmadherencetochastitywhentheytriedto
testhershewasgivenacrucialtest,maybetoglorifythisgreatqualityofchastity.Shebecameimmortal
SatiAnasuya,themotheroftheTrimurtisincarnatedasoneavataraSriDattatreya,whoisregardedasthe
AdiGuru.
Evenso,thegreatworldmother,JaganMataSitaJanakithequeenandwifeofLordRamabecame
immortalasanexampleofthegreatvirtueofpativrata(faithfulwife).Andthereforethecouple,Maryada
PurushottamBhagavanSriRamachandraandJaganMataSitaJanakiareregardedastheidealforthesecond
ashramathegrihastashrama,foreverandforalltimestocome,forallthosethatbelieveintheVedasand
theVedicwayoflife.
For14yearsLaxmanaobservedthevowofperfectcelibacyandthereforeitwashealonewhowasableto
ultimatelygivevictorytothesideofRamabydestroyingIndrajit(Meghanada)theinvincibleand
invulnerablesonofRavana.
IntheculturalhistoryofIndia,thenameofBhishmaevokesawe,wonderandadmirationintheheartsof
eachandeveryindividualwhohasheardabouthimandthegreatvowhetookinordertofulfilthedesireof
hisfather.IthasgonedowninhistoryasBhishmaPratigna.HebecamealifelongBrahmachari,andwasone
ofthemostinvincibleofwarriorsinthewholenarrativeoftheMahabharata.Justasthedetermination,the
resolution,andtheausterityperformedbyBhagirath,anotherscionoftheroyalraceandroyalfamily,has
gonedowninhistoryassomethingunprecedented,unparalleled,unique.WespeakofBhagirathaprayatna!
Now,wecannotsimplybrushasideallthesefactsassomushfoolishnessorsomuchmeaningless.These
werenotnormalpeople,theyweresupernormalextraordinarypersonalitieswhohadacquiredSupreme
Wisdom,greatintuitionandattainedtoweringheightsofSelfrealization.SageslikeVyasaandValmiki,were
notinfantile,irrationalidealiststheywereTattvavettas,Brahmajnanisandthereforewewouldonlybe
demonstratingouremptiness,ourbankruptcyinvicharaandvivekaifwequestiontherationalityofthe
principlesandteachingsofthesegreatones.
SoitseemstobeimportantthatnotonlyinthecontextofSatyaSanatanaVaidicDharmabutinthecontext
ofallthegreatlivingreligionsoftheworldtodaythereissomethingdeeplyscientificandmeaningfulandof
greatimportanceintheobservanceoftheseprinciples.AndyouwillfindthatZoroaster,Socrates,Jesus,
Buddha,theymightnothavepropagatedanyYogapathorSadhanasystem,buttheygaveforthgreat
teachingsforattainingBlessednessbyfulfillingthehighestpurposeofhumanexistencenamelyloveofGod.
Alltheseareindicationsoftheconceptofconservingacertaindynamicforceinthehumanbiologicalbeing
andconvertingandsublimatingthisforceuponwhichyourexistence,myexistencetheexistenceofallof
usphysically,hasbeendependent.Iamhere,Chidananda,sittingandtalkingtoyouthroughtheGraceof
Gurudev.ThishasbeenpossiblebecausemyparentsproducedformethisphysicalvehicleintowhichIcould
comeatthetimeofprarabdha(prefixedbirth).Evenso,becausetheparentsofBuddha,RajaShuddhodana
andmotherYasodharahadpreparedthewondrousbodyfortheTathagata,wehavetheinspiringteachingsof
thisgreatMasterwhobuiltupalargefollowing,agreatreligion,philosophy,andmeditationalsystem.
Anditisthereforethisconceptofconservingadynamicbiologicalforcewithinthehumansystemand
convertingitintoahighersubtlerforcethroughsublimation,conservation,preservationandtakingithigher
intothepsycheintheformofavery,veryrefinedsubtleenergy,psychicalenergycalledojasojasmeans
thatwhichisradiant,thatwhichshines,thatwhichiseffulgent.Thiswisetechnique,ascientificmethodof
convertingthegrossintothesubtlephysicalintothespiritualpsychicintothespiritualwasevolvedbythe
greatsages.
PerpetuationoftheSpecies
BecauseprovisionwasmadebytheCosmicIntelligencePowerthatwecallparaBrahmanandtheCosmic
ForcethatwecallParashakti,Adishakti,Mahashakti,ithasbeenpossiblethatdifferentspeciesofliving
creatures,differentspeciesofplantlife,botanicallife,haslived,developedandevolvedthroughtheages.
Thisperpetuationofthespeciesisthelawoflifeintheentireuniverse,ineveryformoflife,notonly
human,animalorsubanimalinsect,reptile,fishbuteveninthebotanicalworld.Howthereiscross
pollinationandhowthefloweristhemeansofcarryingoutthisactofreproduction,itisanintricate,
mysteriousmarvel!Thosewhostudyitwillbeamazedatthewonderfulsciencebehindit,willmarvelatthis
unknownmysteriousCosmicIntelligencethathasbroughtthisprocessabout.Oneisstruckwithaweand
admirationwhenonebeginstogodeeperintotheprocessofhowlifeisperpetuatedoneverylevel,every
planeandeveryfieldoflife,evenfromthemostrudimentarylifeofasinglecell,howitsplits,dividesitself
andmultiplies.
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Howwonderfulthataseedisabletogerminateduetothepresenceoftwofactors,sothatthepowerof
thesefactorsgivesitthatmightyforceofevenbreakingthroughrock,breakingthroughthepressureof
heavysoiloveritatiny,tenderlittlethinglikeaseedthathasjustgerminated.Whatamiracle!Whatgreat
force!Itcleavestheearthtentimesharderthanitstendershoot,andsurfaces.Ifbychanceaseedhasbeen
depositedonthetopofaconcreteterrace,whenitgerminatesitevenbreaksthroughbricksandcement
wallsanddisplacesthemandputsforthitsownlife.
Thisactofmultiplyingandreproducingispresenteverywhere.Itsaturatesandpermeatesthewhole
universebecausefromtheangleofcosmology,theentireuniverseistheoutcomeofsuchaprimalfirstwish
formultiplication."IamOne,mayIbecomemany."ThustheVedassaythattherewasoneimponderable,
mysteriousBeing.WhatthatBeingwas,whoknows,becausethatBeingwasonewithoutasecond.So,a
secondnotbeingpresent,notexistinghowcantherearisethequestionofanyonecognizingthatBeing?Who
wastheretocognizewhenthatEkamevadvitiyamBrahma(God)aloneexisted.Andinthatmysterious
Beingtherearosethisgermofanidea.Hethought:"MayIbecomemany.IamOne,mayIbecomemany."
ThatishowtheytrytoexplainthegenesisoftheadvitiyaandtheanekafromtheEkamevadvitiya.And,
therefore,theconceptofmultiplicationisattheveryheartandessenceofexistencebecauseitarosefrom
Brahmaandthereforeitispresenteverywhere.IntheBibleitisputinadifferentway.Godcreatedmanand
toldhim:"Goforthandmultiply."And,ifyoudelveintothescripturesofallreligions,youwillfindthat
somewhereortheotherthisfactisthere.
Therefore,thegreatCosmicIntelligenceandPowercalledGodorParamatman,theSupremeSoulorthe
UniversalSpirit,permeatesandindwellseverythingthatexists.Andthuswhenthereisaprovisionmadein
acertainperiodoflifethenittakesonthenatureofavery,verysacredact.Because,ultimatelytheatman
isnotcreated,whatiscreatedbytheparents,humanorsubhuman,isonlyavehiclefortheentryintothe
earthplaneofaspirit,anucleusofconsciousness.Andthecreationofthisreceptacleisanactwhereinthe
partnersinamaritalstatecooperatewithBrahma,thecreatorSrishtikartaBrahma.Sotheytakeona
certainpartofBrahmasfunction.Thereforeitissacred.
PowerofBrahmacharya
Itisthisforceofbrahmacharyathatistheinvaluableforcethatgivessuccessinsravana(hearing),manana
(reflection)andnididhyasana(concentration).ItgivessuccessinthepracticeoftheninemodesofBhakti
Sravana,kirtana,smarana,archana,vandana,padasevana,dasya,sakhya,andatmanivedana.Itmakes
possiblethesuccessfulpracticeofRajaYogayama,niyama,asana,pranayama,pratyahara,dharana,
dhyanaandsamadhi.Itmakesforafruitfulpracticeofasana,pranayama,mudra,bandha,kriyaleadinginto
samadhioftheHathaYogasystem.ItisthisforcethatbroughtforthRavindranathTagore,BhagatSingh,
MahatmaGandhi,Beethoven,Bach,AlbertSchweitzer,JoanofArcandMotherTheresa.Itisthismarvellous
forcethatbroughtforthsageValmikiandalltheothergreattoweringfiguresinhistory.Theirmiraclewas
becauseofthissecretofconservation,preservation,sublimationandsublimeapplicationtowardsahigher
purpose.
Theprofligatewhowasteshisvitalpowerandbecomesanervouswreckfallspreytovariousdiseases.Heis
likethefoolishmultimillionairessonwhothrowsawayhismoneyindrinking,gamblingandother
extravagances,purchasingadozencadilacs,housesandlandinGermany,Switzerland,Italy,IslesofCapri
andMonteCarloandthenafterwardsbecomingbankruptandreducedtoabeggar,why?Whateverwasgiven
tohimwassquandered.Itwaslost.Notknowingitsvalue,hebecamereducedtoabjectpoverty.Whata
deplorable,pitiablestate!
Energyandstrengtharenecessaryforallprocessesandallactivities.Thehighertheactivity,thegreaterthe
needofenergy.Dieselcandrivecertainvehicles.Petrolcanonlydrivecertainvehicles.Neitherdieselnor
petrolcanmakeanaeroplanefly,theyhavetohavehighoctanefuelformakingaeroplanesfly.Therefore,
crudeenergyisenoughforphysicalfunctions.Amoresubtletypeofenergyisnecessaryforintellectual
functionsgoingtotheuniversityandstudyingforalaw,scienceornuclearsciencedegree.Analtogether
differenttypeofhighlyrefined,extremelysubtleforceisnecessaryfortheprocessthattakesyouacrossthe
barrieroftherelativeandlaunchesyouintotheAbsolute.Dhyanavasthaitisthatsubtlestofthesubtle,
mostrefinedprocessthatbringsyoufacetofacewiththeSupremeRealityGodrealization.Itisthestage
ofYoganexttoSuperconsciousnessorsamadhi,wherePurusha(Spirit)attainsawarenessofHisownever
free,independent,allperfectnaturedistinctfromprakriti(matter).Andtherefore,itisonlyonestepnextto
thethresholdofSuperconsciousness,Selfrealization,AparokshaAnubhuti.Forthatprocess,youcanjust
imaginehowsubtleandhowrefinedthemindhastobe.Andsothegrosspotentialhastobefirstofall
refined.Itislikeminingorefromthebowelsoftheearth.Theorecontainsgold,butitisnotgold.Ithasto
berefinedandsifteduntilpuregoldisbroughtout.Sothebiologicalsexforcehastobetransmutedintoa
subtlepsychicspiritualforcecalledojas.
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AllthistalkaboutbrahmacharyamustnotgiveustheimpressionthatinHinduismandintheHindureligion,
sexhasnoplaceandcelibacyistheonlythingthatisinsisteduponandlaudedasthehighestvirtue.That
wouldbeamistake,amisconception.IntheVarnashramaDharma,patternoflifeformulatedandgivenfor
theindividualbornintotheHindufaith(VaidicaDharma),brahmacharyaisinsisteduponastotalabstinence
fromsexlife,fromanyformofphysicalandmentalmanifestationofsexlife,forthreeofthefour
ashramas.ButintheGrihasthashrama(householderslife)theexerciseofsexlifeisregardedassacred,and
elaboraterulesandregulationshavebeendrawnupforit.Agreatdealofadvice,guidanceandinstructions
havebeengivenforthesecondashrama,whereitbecomesnotonlyarightandpermittedbutiselevatedto
thesacreddutyofthehouseholder.Ithasbeengivenasthemostimportantdutytoperpetuatetheparticular
familylineage,anditisconsideredasacreddutytocontributeonesmitetowardsthegenerationof
tomorrow.So,ithasbeenrecognizedasanimportantfunctionofthehumanindividual,andthislifelong
partnershipisregardedasoneofthemostsacredaspectsofhumanlife.Hereithasbeencarriedtothe
leveloftheyajna(sacrifice).Inthesamskaras(fourstagesoflife)thisparticularaspectofyajnaistherein
ordertosupportlife.Justastheeatingfunctionoftheindividualhasbeentakentothelevelofayajna,
sayingitisahuti,notanofferingtoanouterfireinayajnakundbutadailysacredofferingtoagni(the
innergastricfire)tothatagnieachmorseloffoodisofferedasahutisothisisasacredyajnathe
offeringoftheahutiofthelifeprincipleintothepartnerinordertoperpetuatethefamilylineage.
Butthenitismadelegitimate,permissible,aduty.Ifyoudonotperformthatduty,direconsequencesare
foretoldbythescripturesthatifyoudonothaveaprogeny,andtherealsoifyoudonothaveamale
progeny,theparentswillgotohell,aspecialhellreservedforthem.And,therefore,SanatanaVaidica
DharmahasevenpermittedthatifaBrahminhasnotaputrasantana(malechild)hemaytakeanother
wife.Hecaneventakefourwives.Wherethemaleoffspringisveryimportanttoaroyalhousehold,aking
canmarryseveralwives.SoHinduismisnotantisexoranegationofthehumannatureandhuman
function.Onthecontrarywhereitisnecessaryitisregardedasthehighestduty.
BrahmacharyainModernSociety
Brahmacharyaisthatwayoflivingyourlife,thatwayofconductandbehaviourthatwillultimatelyand
graduallyleadyoutowardsBrahmajnanagrantyouBrahmajnana.Inaspecificway,ithascometomean
purityinsexlife.But,thisisaninsufficientmeaning.MahatmaGandhisaidthatnoattempttokeeponeself
undercontrolandinmasteryonlyfromthepointofviewofonescarnalpassionsorphysicalappetiteswill
everbesuccessfulunlesssimultaneouslyonetriestokeepallonessensesundercontrol.Absolute
establishmentinbrahmacharya,absolutesexpurityispossibleonlyifoneisaselfcontrolledpersonina
completelyintegralsenseoftheterm.Youmusthaveyourearsundercontrol.Youmusthaveyoureyes
undercontrol.Youmusthaveyourhandsandfeetundercontrol.Youmusthaveyourtonguealsounder
control.Thenthereissomepossibilityofbeingestablishedinsexpurity.AndGurudevsconceptof
brahmacharyaisnotonlylimitedtothephysicalrestraintofthebodyanditspassionsbutincludesmental
brahmacharyaaswell.Hesaid:"Youmustbeestablishedinperfectbrahmacharya,physicallyaswellas
mentallysothatevenindream,anygrossorcarnalthoughtshouldnotariseinyourmind."
Howisitthatsomuchimportanceisgiventothesexfunctioninmodernmaterialisticsocietytoday.People
areobsessedanddominatedbyit.Thisishumanperversion.TheUpanishadsspeakabouttheninegatedcity
whichistheabodeofthemysteriousBrahmanitisthisbody.Anymedicalpersonwilltellyouthatthe
activityofthebodyprocessesaremadeupofanabolismandcatabolismcombinedlyspokenofas
metabolism.Anabolismisthebuildingprocess,catabolismisthebreakingdownprocess.Thebreakdown
processnaturallyleadstotheaccumulationofdebris(mala).Accumulateddebrisisunwantedmatterand
naturallyifitaccumulatesitthreatenslife.Ithastobeeliminated.Forintake,provisionhasbeenmade
throughthemouthyoueatanddrinkandifyouwanttocommunicateyouhavetospeak.Becauselife
needsoxygenyoubreathethroughthenose.Ifyouwanttogetknowledgeyouhavetoseeandyouhaveto
hearalso.Thentherearethetwoexcretoryexitsthroughwhichweeliminatewastematter.Theactualmost
importantfunctionofthesetwolowerextremitiesiseliminationwhichstartsatbirthandendsonlyatthe
pointofdeath.Fromthefirstbreaththejivatmatakesasaphysicalentityuntilthelastbreathleavesthe
body,theeliminatingfunctiongoeson.Sotheseareactuallyeliminatingexits.Outofthisentirelifespanthe
reproductivefunctionisperformedforonlyasmallperiod.Ifwestrictlyadheretotheinjunctionsofthe
Vedasthatperiodisrestrictedtoonetenthofthelifespan.
Otherwise,fortherestofthetimemorning,noon,evening,nightandifitiswinterevenatmidnight,these
exitsareusedonlyfordrainage.Youcannotimagineanarchitectdesigningahouseorabuildingwithout
drainagethroughthebathroomandkitchensinks,otherwisefilthwillaccumulateandyouwillhavetoleave
thehouse.So,youcanunderstandiftoxinsandwastematerialarenoteliminatedfromthebody,toxic
wastewillaccumulateandsoontherewillbegeneraltoxemiaandthepersonwilldie.
LongagowhenIwasastudentsomeonewithrightunderstandingtoldmethattheselowerextremitiesare
justfordrainage.But,ifinsteadofthat,youthroughyourpeculiartypeofimaginationfocusuponitwith
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someotherconceptwhichisonlyaveryspecializedfunctionandwhichisexercisedforonlyabriefperiodin
orderthatthehumanspeciesdoesnotbecomeextinct,youbecomeobsessedandenslavedbyit.
Whyisthepleasureprinciplelinkedwiththeexerciseofanysenseorgan?Itisabsolutelyindispensable,for
ifitisnotcoupledwiththepleasureprinciple,theveryimpulsetoexerciseitwillnotbethereandtherefore
willnotbeindulgedin.
Theonegreatproblemofmodernsocietyisthesexualbehaviourofpeople.Thisisgoingfrombadtoworse
overthepastseveraldecades.ThosewhohavesomecontactwithWesternsocietyknowswhataberrations
aregoingoninthisfieldespeciallyinthemaritalfield.Weknowofdivorceswithoutlimit,athingwhich
societylookeduponwithgreatoutrageintheVictorianEra.Peoplewerescandalizedifamanlefthiswife
andwentoffwithanotherwomanorifawomanleftherhusbandforanotherman.Itwasamajorscandal.It
wasashame!Now,itistheorderoftheday.Specialcourtshaveevenbeenestablishedfordealingwith
divorcecasesonly.
Whyisthisso?Thesecretofthisishowoneviewstheothersex.Howdoesmanviewwoman?Howdoes
womanviewman?SwamiVivekanandawasaskedwhatisthedistinctivequalityorfeatureofIndiansociety
asdistinctfromWesternsocietyhewasonewhohadmadeavastpracticallifestudyofIndianpeopleand
IndianSociety,havingcrisscrossedthewholecountrybyfoot,goingintovillages,towns,citiesandfamilies,
sothesethingswerefamiliartohim.Twothingshesaid:OneistheconceptofGurushishyarelationship,
thesecondwasthatinWesternsocietythewomanisawife,sheisMrs.SoandSo...Sothewifehoodofa
womanisthedominantfactorinWesternsociety,whereasinIndiansocietysheisprimarilyamothera
motherfigure,andherwifehoodisnobodysconcernexceptthemanwhomshehaslawfullyweddedashis
lifespartner.AndthecommontermforaddressingawomaninthewholeofIndiafromCapeComorinto
Himalayas,fromNagalandtoPunjabismother,mataji,amma.Inpublicsheisalwaysaddressedasamma.
Ifahusbandreferstohiswifehenevercallsherbyname,healwaysreferstoherasthemotherofmyson,
themotherofmydaughter.AndwhenvisitorsaretherehereferstoherashischildsmotherRamus
mother.ThushebroughtoutthecentraluniquefeatureofIndiansocietyasdistinctfromWesternsociety.
Thisgivesusakeywhatthenormal,spontaneous,naturalideaofmantowomanshouldbe.Aman,ifheis
normalandhasacertainlevelofrefinementinhispsyche,whenheseesawomanthethoughtshouldcome
tohimofsomehumanrelationship.Thereisahumanrelationshipbetweenonehumanbeingandanother
humanbeing,sotheonlythoughtshouldbeonthebasisofsometypeofhumanrelationship.Therefore,a
manistoawomaneitherabrother,acousin,anephew,anuncle,afatherorahusbandandwomanistoa
maneitherasister,acousin,anaunt,anieceoramother.But,ifthefirstthingthatcomesintothemindis:
"Iamamanandhereisawoman,"thenthereissomethingfundamentallyandbasicallywronginthemake
uporbringingupofthatperson.Ifawomanlooksatamanandsays:"Hereisamale,hereisaman,"then
ifthisistheonlyideathatisevokedwithregardtotheothersex,itmeansthatthereissomethingmissing,
thereissomethingfundamentallywrongwhichisnotcorrectandrightwithinthatconsciousness.
Andwhatistheanatomyofthiserrorinview,inattitude,inapproach,inthefeelingitself?Theanatomyof
thiserrorisanobsessionwiththephysicallevelofthepersonality.
Apersonisaphysical,biologicalbeing,heisamental,intellectual,psychologicalbeing.Heisalsoavital,
livingbeing,whichisneitherphysicalonlyorpsychicalonly.Hehasapraniclevelwherehehashunger,
thirst,afeelingofheatandcold.Hehasapsychologicallevel,andinthispsychologicallevelthereisa
spontaneous,uncontrolledpartwhichkeepsconstantlyinastateofactivityintheformofthoughts,memory,
imagination,sentiments,emotions,attitudes,moods,overwhichhehasnocontrolatall,itisspontaneous.
Andthereisanotherpartwhichisapurposefulexerciseofacertainpartoftheantahkarana(innerbeing).
Thatpurposefulexerciseisintheformofobservation,perception,discriminationgraspingthedistinction
betweenwhatyouperceive,andsomethingotherthanwhatyouperceive.So,itisaspecialized
performance,aspecializedfunctionthattakesplaceanditisusuallypurposefullyinitiatedandcarriedout
also.Itiscalledtheintellectualprocessofreasoning,discriminating,inquiring,reflectingandperceivingina
specialway.Thisisthehigherprakriti(nature),thebuddhi(intellect).Bothofthemtogethergotomakeup
theinnerpsychologicallevelofyourbeing.Andthenarefinedhigherlevelofthebuddhifunctionsasan
awarenessofwhatisallowedandwhatisnotallowedasahumanbeing.
"Ihaveagreatbackground.Ihaveinheritedaculture.Iamnotanisolatedphenomenon.Iamconnected
withthepast.Andthereissomethinginmeofthetotalityofthepasttheirideals,theirviews,their
attitudes,theirconceptsofrightandwrong.Soallthesethingsarefunctioningwithinme."Andsoeachone
comesherewithacertaininbuiltawarenessofwhatisbeautiful,whatisugly,whatisnoble,whatisignoble,
whatisproper,whatisimproper,whatisright,whatiswrong,whatoughttobedone,whatoughtnottobe
done.Andthissenseoftheidealandwhatiscorrectandright,iscalledthemoralsenseorethicalsense.
Thisisahigheroperationthaneventheintellectuallevelofourbeing.Thisisanethicalman,amoralman.
Andifinyourconsciousnesstherehascomeaboutacertainrefinement,andthatrefinementbringsabout
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yournormalconsciousnesstobeinastateofidentifyingyourselfwithyourethicallevel,ethicalpersonality,
thenyourwholelifetakesonadifferentplane.Whereas,ifthereisanessentialcrudenessinthe
consciousnesswithin,andittendstonormallyandhabituallyidentifyitselfwiththegrossestaspectofyour
humanpersonalitythephysical,biological,bodyaspect,thentheentirehumanreactioncomesuponthe
physical,biologicallevelonly.Spontaneously,firstandforemostitisthebiologicallevelthatmakesitself
felt,demonstratesitselfandexpressesitselfandinthiswaylookingatanotheronlyasaphysicalbeingand
qualifiedbyacertainsex.
Ifyouthink:"Iamthisbody,thisphysicalbody,physicalmechanisms,"andthereforebeingrootedinthis
awareness,mainlyrootedinthisconsciousnessofyourself,naturally,youthinkofallotherbeingsuponthis
concept,uponthesamelevel.Ifsomeoneappearsbeforeyou,itisaphysicalbodythatappearsbeforeyou,
andyourreactiontoitisalsoabiologicalanimalreaction.Thennaturallyitcreatesaproblemrightuponthe
physicallevelitself.
Itneedsthereforearefinementofconsciousness.Graduallyyouhavetoeducateyourselftoshedlikeone
shakesoffaloseslipperandputsonanewoneonehastoshakeofftheoldremnant.Therewasacertain
humanracethousandsofyearsagowhentherewasnointellectualdevelopment,nomentaldevelopment,no
evolution,leavealonespiritualdevelopment.Thesebeingsthereforelivedinastateofonehundredpercent
bodyconsciousnessonly,justastheanimalslive.Theanimallevelofconsciousnessistotallyidentifiedwith
thebody.Andifmansconsciousnessispredominantlyontheleveloftheanimalconsciousness,heisfar
fromspiritualevolution,andalltalltalkaboutYoga,sadhana,samadhi,SuperconsciousnessorEcstasyis
onlytalk.Itissomuchofideassomuchofwords.Ifyouhaveagoodcommandofwordsyoucantalk
abouttheseideas,youcangiveexpressiontothem.But,ifyouarealwaysrootedandcaughtinthenetand
coilsofagrossphysicalawarenessonly,andyourwholereactiontotheouterworldofphysicalthingsisalso
uponthephysicalbiologicallevel,thenthereisagreatdealofspadeworktodo.
Themainfunctionofthelowerextremitiesisdrainage,cleansing,elimination.Thatistheirfunction.Butif
thisissetasideandnotgivenitsrightfulplaceandsomespecialfunctionaloneisexaggeratedandblownup
outofallproportion,andthemindbecomeshookedonthiswrongexaggeratedaspectoftheeliminatory
instrument,thenthiscausesproblems.
TheCosmicIntelligencePoweranditsmanifestcounterpartprakriti(nature),hasbuiltinamechanismwithin
alllivingcreatures,thatthereisatimewhenthisprincipleofappropriationisnotatallmanifest,notatall
functioning.Inaninfantandinachilditisnotthereatall.Initsjoyoflivingitiscompletelyextroverted.
Childrenhavelessbodyconsciousnessthanadults,soinonewaywearegrosserthanthem.Thereforethere
isadistinctperiodwhenthisinnerelement,thisinnerprincipleofsexisnotatallfelt,itisabsent.Butthen,
atacertainage,graduallyitismadetostartmanifestinginvariousways.Firstofallinphysicalways.
Varioussymptomsappearlittlemoustachescome,littlehoarsenessofvoicemanifests,andavague
awarenessofcertainstrangefeelingswithinthebody.Theseareprepubertychanges.Itisaperiodwhen
thebeinggraduallygoesintopreadulthoodintheformofadolescence.Itisthemostsensitivepartofthe
humanbeingslife,anditisthenthattheindividualrequireswiseguidance,agoodatmosphere,righttypeof
company,ideasandenvironment.Unfortunatelyinthismodernworld,everythingthatisinimical,harmful
andundesirablealoneformstheouteratmosphereandenvironmentofthesocietyoftoday.
Ourancientswentoutofthewaytoseethatthecontrarywouldbethecase.Theywantedthegrowing
individualtobesurroundedbyhelpful,elevatingandidealsurroundings.Forthis,theyformulatedacertain
modeoflifeinthisperiodandgaveitthemostsignificanttermBrahmacharyaAshrama.Inthisfirst
quarterofhislifeheissentawayfromthefamily,fromthecity,fromallsortsoftemptationsandattractive
things.Hegoesintoanennobling,elevatingnaturalatmospherewakingupinthemorningwiththebeauty
ofsunrise,softbreezesandbirdssinging,breathingunpollutedair,drinkingpurewaterandsurroundedby
naturalflora.HeissenttoaGurukulawhereasageandhiswife,welllearnedinscripturesandleadingan
ideallifeofmoderation,selfcontrol,goodconduct,withnoblecharacterandpuritytakecareofthem.They
liveinafamilywithanidealdailyroutine.Thatwastheproperfoundationlaiddownforthewholelife.In
suchawonderfulatmospherethestudentsthrived.Theybecameidealindividuals.Theyshonewithacertain
splendourofpurity.Theyhadstrong,stalwartlimbsandwellformedbodies.Theywereearlyrisers,did
theirexercisesandbathedinforeststreams.Theydidalltypesofservicecuttingandgatheringfirewood
fortheGuruandforhiswifeskitchen,cuttinggrassandgatheringleavesfortheGurusgoshala,tendingthe
cows,workinginthefields.Andatthesametimetheystudiedtwoorthreehoursofinstructioninthe
morning,twoorthreehoursintheafternoon,andthensatsangaatnight.Thustheygrewupcompletely
protectedfromalldemeaninginfluences.
So,itistheonehundredpercentoppositepoletothemodernenvironmentinwhichastudenthasto
struggleeveninprimaryclass,withunfavourablecircumstances.Everythingaroundthemthepeople,the
sights,thesounds,theenvironment,thepollutedatmosphereandwrongcompanyeverythingnegative.So
itisanuphilltask!Therefore,allthemorenecessityforraisingonesvoiceandshoutingfromthehouse
tops,proclaimingthegreatmessageofbrahmacharya,selfcontrol,moderation,purethoughts,purewords,
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purecompanypurityinthought,wordanddeedpureliteraturetoreadnottouchinganythingthatis
degrading,yellowliterature,bluefilmsandadvertisementboardswhichyoucanseefromhalfamileaway,
eitherofsomevery,verycompromisingattitudeofpeopleorsomeonewithapistolshootingothers.Allthis
islikelytobringawrongtypeofinnerevolution.
Afterall,thehumanmindisamarvellouscamera,whateveritsees,ittakesin.Itislikeasupercomputer.
Youdonothavetofeedindata,itfeedsofitself.Thewholeworldisitssourceandthishumancomputer
becomesfilledwithashlila(dirt),itbecomesagarbagecanduetotheveryatmospheretheindividualhas
beenputin.So,howmuchmorenecessary,howgreatistheneedforgivingtherighttypeofinstructions
openingtheireyesandmakingthemawaretowhattheyshouldbeclosedhavingears,whattheyshouldnot
hearhavingeyes,whattheyshouldnotsee.Howtogoamidstthisatmosphereuntouched,thatisthegreat
lessonthatisnecessary.
Therefore,thereisaneedforareorientationofyourownconsciousnessbecauseitisintermsofthelevel
ofyourconsciousnessthatyouwillrelateyourselfandseeandbuildupyourattitudetowardsotherpersons
andthingsandbeingsoutsideyouintheenvironment,intheuniverse.Youareapersonlivinginthis
universe.Youcannottrytoisolateyourself.Youcannottrytocutyourselfoff.Therehastobeinterchanges,
otherwiseyouwilldevelopaninnersickness.Youwillbecomeneuroticandselfcentered.Thatalsoisnota
healthything.Thathastobeavoided.Therehastobenormalhumanintercourseandatthesametimeit
shouldbeuponafirmhealthybasis.Suchafirm,healthybasiscancomeonlyonthebasisofyourownlevel
ofconsciousness.
Ifyourlevelofconsciousnessisacompletelygross,ignorant,bodybasedconsciousness,physical
consciousness,naturallyyouaregoinginfortrouble,youareonlyinvitingsuchavibrationfromothers.You
willseeothers,understandothers,relateyourselftoothersonlyonthisselfsamegrossbiologicalideaof
yourself.Ifthishastobechanged,youhavetoraiseyourlevelofconsciousnesstoahigherlevelof
consciousness."Iamaspiritualbeing,orIamatleastamentalintellectualmachineryhavingaphysical
bodybutnotaphysicalbodyhavingamindandintellect."
Thiscompletechangeofyourownawarenessofyourself,yourownideaofyourselfistobebroughtabout
andestablished.Thatisthekeytosuccessinbrahmacharyawhichisthebasisofallattainment.Ifyoufeel
yourselfasagrossbiological,physicalbody,yourentireapproach,yourentirerelationshipwiththeouter
physicalworldwillbeuponthisplane,andyoucanwellimaginewhatwillbetheresultofituponyourself.
Everyhumanbeingwillbetoyouagrossbiologicalphysicalbodyonly.Thisrelationshipwillplagueyouday
andnight.Youwillbeobsessedonlywiththisphysicalconsciousness.Anduntilyou,withvariousdevices,
faceyourselffromthislevel,noamountofreading,noamountofsatsanga,noamountofimaginingyourself
tobesomethingelse,isgoingtohelpyouinanyway.Youhavetoturnthekeyandsuddenlyraisethelevel.
Oncethislevelistranscended,thewholesubjectofbrahmacharyatakesonanewdirection.Thenthings
havetobetackleduponadifferentlevel.
Therootcauseofallsinisbodyconsciousness.Therefore,ifyouwanttobefreeofbodyconsciousnessyou
startwithyourbodylevel.Berootedinbrahmacharya.Brahmacharyaisthesenseoftotalmasteryofall
yoursenses,selfcontrolandallthatisnecessarytobringaboutselfmasterypurityoffood,purityof
company,purityofreading,nobilityofthoughts,havingselfrestraint(nirodh)inyourmind.Ifanynegative
downplayingthoughtcomes,instantaneouslyitmustbethrownout.Itshouldnotbeallowedtoremainfora
singlemoment,notevenasplitsecond.Thattypeofselfrestraint,samskara(impression)hastobe
cultivated,createdwithinyourantahkarana(innerbeing).
Ifanundesirablepersontriestoenteranexclusivecluborrestaurant,therearepeoplecalledbouncersat
thedoor,theywillcatchholdofhimandbodilylifthimupandthrowhimoutofthedoor.Hecannotgate
crashandgetin.Soyoumusthaveyourownpsychological,ethicalbouncerswithinyouforallgrossgate
crashersintheformofwrongthoughts.Inthesameway,therearemachinesinthemintandalsoin
sophisticatedfactorieswheretheyselectfruitsandnutsforexportmarkettheygoupaconveyerbeltand
differentsizesareseparated.Anythingthatisofbadqualitygetseliminatedandonlythebestisretained.
Inthesamewaythereshouldbecreatedwithinyourmindadevicewhereanythingthatissubstandard,
opposedtoyourspiritualorethicalideal,automaticallygetseliminated,thrownout.Theseareallmethods
toelevateyourconsciousness.
Brahmacharyaistotalpurityacompleteview,differentviewoflookingatthingsandpeopleand
experiences,andmorethananythingelse,atotalanddifferentviewoflookingatyourself.Ultimatelyothers
arewhatyouaretoyourself.Thefirstchangehastocomewithinyou,thenthatchangecanalsobeginto
comeinothers.
InaveryknowledgeablepartofGurudevsteachingsonbrahmacharya,Hehassaid:"Changetheangleof
vision.Itisapsychologicalthingchangeofangleofvision.Hehasgivenanumberofbeautifulinstances
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howachangeofangleofvisioncanbringaboutatotalrevolutioninyourperceptionandnaturallyinyour
reactions.Whentheperceptionitselfbecomeschanged,yourreactiontoperceptionwillalsobecome
different,notwhatitwasbefore.
WeshouldmakeapromisetotheLordandapromisetoourselvesthatwewillenterintoagloriousnewlife
withanabsolutelychangedvisionandcompletelytransformedawarenessofourselves,liftingour
consciousnessfromobsessionwiththegrossbodyanditspartstoalevelofconsciousnesswherethereisan
innerawakening,wherethereisagreatlightwithinandweshinewitharenewedawarenessofourtrue
spiritualidentityIamaHindu,IamanIndian.Iamaninheritorofagreatethicaltradition,ethical
heritage.Imustbealivingembodimentofthisheritage.Imustmakemyselfapersonificationofdharma.I
mustbecomeachannelofthisgreatethicalviewoflife,wayoflife.
Godblessyoutomakeuseofthewisdomyouhavereceivedasyourgreatheritageofthepast.Myprayers
witheachandeveryoneofyouinthissublimeandnobletaskofselfcultureuntoperfection.
AdvantagesofBrahmacharya
Brahmacharyaisamagicword,akeytosuccessinallwalksoflife.Itisaradiancethatshinesthrough
onesthoughts,speechandactivities.Itistejasandojas.ItisverilyParaShakti,Bhagavati,theDivine
MotherHerselfinmanifestation.Itisdynamicdivinity,itisGodinmotion.ItisavibhutiofGod.Godis
manifestinthiscosmos,inthiscosmicphenomenalprocessasBrahma,VishnuandMaheshvara.Heis
presentinhumansocietyintheformoftheirrespectiveshaktisParvati,LakshmiandSaraswati,whomwe
adoreeveryyearduringtheninenightsofNavaratri.AndthesameCosmicBeingthatmanifestsasBrahma,
VishnuandMaheshvara,thatvigorouslyactsinthisphenomenaluniverseofmanasSarasvati,Lakshmiand
Parvati,thatsameCosmicBeingisresidingwithinusasthegreatkundalinishaktiatthemuladharachakra
thebasiccentreamongthesixcenterssituatedalongthespinalcolumn,culminatingintheseventhcentre,
the1000petalledlotusinthecrownofthehead(thisistheareawithinthepsychicbodycorrespondingto
thephysicalcrownofthehead).Andthemostsignificantofallaspectsofkundalinishaktiistheenergy,the
creativeforce,thecreativeenergy.Andtherefore,creativeenergyissaidtobeGodinmotion.Itisdivine
vibhuti.ItisamanifestationofParaShakti.Thecontrolofonessensesandtheresolutiontopreserve,
conserve,transform,convertandsublimatethisgrossphysicalforceintoasubtlemental,intellectualforce
andultimatelysublimateitintoapurespiritualforcethatshinesinoneasintenseaspiration,asthepower
toconcentrate,asgoodthoughtsandmeditationthatleadstoSuperconsciousness.Allthisandmorethe
powerofcontinencecandoforthehumanbeing.Mostofthegreatintellectualgiantsandgeniuseshave
beenpersonsofgreatcharacter,selfcontrolandconcentrationVivekananda,DayanandaSaraswati,
MahatmaGandhi.
"Samyam!"(control)saytheUpanishads.Theuncontrolledonecanhardlycomprehendthesubtlerthanthe
subtlestorattainjnana.Itisnotforthevacillatingortheweak.Therefore,SwamiVivekanandastresseda
greatdealononesstrengthinnermentalstrength,strengthofcharacter,strengthofselfcontrol,strength
ofbodyandmind.
Thebasisofthispervasivepurityoflifeofthoughts,ofimagination,ofactions,ofBrahmacharyais
character.Ifonehasaloftycharacter,thatstrengthofcharacterenableshimtoholdontoahighleveland
standardofliving.Thebasisofcharacterisselfcontrol.Thebasisofselfcontroliswiseliving,avoidingall
thatisadversetoselfcontrolandwisely,withviveka(discrimination)andvichara(enquiry),orderingones
lifeinsuchawaythatonealwaysisamidstauspicioussurroundingsandalwayswiselyavoidstemptations.
Theysay:"Discretionisthebetterpartofvalour."Thereforeonemustknowhowtobeandwhentobe
valorousandstrong,andwhenandhowtoavoidbeingfoolhardy,whentobediscrete.Thereisasaying:
"Foolsrushinwhereangelsfeartotread."Therefore,discretionisthebetterpartofvalour.Suchdiscretion,
suchselfcontrol,suchwiselivingcanariseonlyfromalertness,avigilantalertness,aninneralertness,to
seewhereoneisgoing,toknowwhatwillhappenifonegoesinthatdirection,andtobeabletopullbackif
itisthewrongdirectionandgointherightdirection.
Thebasisofsuchwiseselfcontrolareprinciplesforlivingadoptedaftermuchconsideration.Thebasisof
suchprinciplesistohavealoftyideal."Imustbecomelikethis.ImustbecomelikeSoandSo."Thebasisof
loftyidealismcanenableonetoachieveanyvictoryandshine.Thebasisofsuchidealismiskeenaspiration.
Firstofallyoumustdesireit.
Thebasisofasuccessfulacademiccareerintheuniversityishighdistinctionintheexamination.Thebasis
ofhighdistinctionisstudy,study,studyburningthemidnightoil,avoidingallsortsofwastefulactivities,
avoidingthecompanyoffrivolous,hedonisticpeopleandcultivatingthecompanyofseriousmindedpeople
andkeenattentionintheclassroomwhentheprofessorisexplainingsomenewprinciplesornewlessonand
lotsofhomework.Thismeansdetermination.Andthebasisofsuchstudyandascholarlyattitudetowards
oneseducationisseriousness,adesiretosucceed,andanaspiration:"Imusthavetopmarks,Imustbe
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amongthefirst."So,thisurge,thiskeenaspirationbecomessomethinginstinctive.Itishealthy,itis
correct.Zeal,fervour,aspirationarehighlylaudable.Thisisapositive,creative,constructiveurge.There
shouldbeaspiration.
Suchaspirationcomesfromanunderstandingthatiswhatisworthwhilehaving.Whatismerelyexternal
show,ifIrunafterit,Iwillmakeafoolofmyself.Allglitter,externalglitter,afleetingmomentary,
pleasurablesensation,atitillatingofsomenerves,leavingoneashamed.Anysenseindulgenceisjusta
confessionofonesbankruptcyofwisdom,ofsagacity,oflackofdeepthinking.
ThiskeenaspirationariseswhenweknowthattheSupremeBeingaloneisthefulfilmentofalldesiresand
cravingsinourquestforhappiness.Thatisananda(bliss)sweeterthanthesweetest,morenectarinethan
anythingelseinthisworldthebeautyofthebeauties,incomparable!Youdevelopadeepfaithinthistruth,
inthiscentralfactoflife,thatintheSupremealoneyoucanobtainfulfilment,theattainmentofthehighest
happiness,notanywhereelse.Ifyouthusknowthatthesecontactbornsensationsandpleasuresareonly
thewombsofpain,youwouldnotsuccumbtothem.Suchknowledgecomesfromsatsanga(companyofthe
wise),GuruVakya(Guruswords),svadhyaya(studyofscriptures).Successfulsvadhyayaistherewhere
thereisdeepfaith.
YoucanneverbewrongifyouhavedeepGurubhakti,ifyouhavedeepfaith,absolutetrustinthewordsof
theGurusteachings.Itistherightapproachtolife.ThereforeitissaidintheGita,apersoniswhathisfaith
is."TellmewhathebelievesinIwilltellyouwhatheis.TellmewhatcompanyhekeepsIwilltellyou
whatthatpersonis."Inthisway,asisyourfaithandfirmbelief,sowillbeyourchestaorendeavour.
Develop,therefore,firmfaithintheteachingoftheGuru,thescriptures,whatyouhearinsatsanga.Anddue
toconstanthearinginsatsanga,beconvincedoftheemptinessoffleetingnamesandforms,fleetingthings
whichattractyou,thatseemtobereal,butarenotreal.Andbeingconvinced,youwillbewise,youwillbe
alert,youwillbecomefiredwithidealism,agreataspiration,"ImustknowtheSupremeBeing,thatshould
bemygoal,nothingless,IwillnotoptforanythinglessthantheSupremeExperience.IwantGod
realization.Iwantatmajnana,IwantSelfrealization."Whenthisaspirationcomesandwiththisidealism
beforeyou,itmakesyounotliveahaphazard,aimless,principleless,characterlesslife.Idealismmakesyou
strictlyadheretocertainnobleandsublimeprinciples.Andaprincipledlifeisthebasisofselfcontrol,self
mastery.Suchselfmasteryisthebasisofcharacter.Itischaracterthatisthebasisofbrahmacharya.
BrahmacharyaisthebasisofImmortality,DivinePerfection.BrahmacharyaisthebasisofLiberation.
BrahmacharyaisthebasisofaradiantDivinelifelivedwithgreatenthusiasm,greatfervour.SuchaDivine
lifeistheheartofGurudevsgospelHisteachings,Hismessagetomankind,Hiswisdomteachingsforall
timetocome.
Godblessyouinponderingthesefundamentaltruthsaboutyourself,yourlife,yourcharacter,yourconduct,
theidealsyouhaveinheritedfromthepastandthesublimewayyoumustmakeyourfuturebythewise
practicalwayyoudealwithyourpresentsupportedandennobledbythepast.Ifthepresentiswisely
applied,yourfuturecanbeathingofbeauty,ajoytoyou,ajoytoothersandsatisfactiontoyourown
endeavour.Mayyoushineasanidealhumanbeingwhereeverythingisinitsplace,initsrightproportion.
Ourancientswereneverkilljoysorcynics.Theysaidenjoy,notforalittletimeandafterwardsbecome
nervouswrecksandgointoanasylumorahospitalpermanently.Buttheysaidenjoy,andlivetobea100
years.Onecanenjoyandlivetobea100yearsonlyifoneiswiseandmoderateinonesenvironment,not
unwiseandimmoderateinoneslife.
BooksonBrahmacharya
GurudevhaswrittenawholebookonBrahmacharyaonly.Anotherholymanwhopropagatedspiritualliving
character,conduct,ethics,andmorality,buildingupofthebody,healthculture,physicalculture,andof
thesamenameSwamiSivanandaofAmaravati,nearNagpurinMaharashtra.Healsohaswrittena
completebookonthesubjectofBrahmacharyatitled:BrahmacharyaHechiJeevan(Brahmacharyaaloneis
Reallife).ItwaswritteninMarathiandhasbeentranslatedintomanylanguagesKanarese,Hindi,English.
SwamiJagadishanandaoftheSriRamakrishnaMissionhasalsowrittenawholebookonBrahmacharya
underthecaption:TheCreativePowerofContinence.Anotherteacherwhobecameverywellknownlateron
andwhousedtovisitthe,Scandinaviancountriesregularly,SriSwamiNarayananandaSaraswatiwhohad
hisAshramontheDehradunRoadinRishikesh,hasalsowrittenoneortwoknowledgeablebooksontheself
samesubject.
THEPARAMOUNTIMPORTANCEOFBRAHMACHARYA
BySwamiChidananda
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TheFourGreatPurusharthas
Fourgreatvalueshavebeengivenbyourancientsastheobjectivestoattainwhicheveryhumanindividual
muststrive.ThesefourgreatvaluesarecalledthePurusharthaChathushtaya.Purusharthameansright
exertionoreffort.Sotheyhavegiventhesamewordfortheobjectofeffortalso.Now,whatarethesefour
greatvalues?Theygavetheforemostimportance,theygavetheprimaryplace,tothevaluecalledethicsor
morality.ItiscalledDharma.Whateveryouengageindoingshouldbethatwhichoughttobedone,should
bethatwhichispropertobedone,shouldbethatwhichisright,whichispure,whichismoralandethical.
Youshouldnotdoanythingthatcontradictsthelawofethicsandmorality.Why?Because,inmoralityonly
liesyourhighestgood.Inthatonlyliesyourhighestwelfare.Ifyourthoughts,wordsandactionsaremoral
andrighteous,therewillbehappiness.Theywillsecureforyouyourwelfareandgood.Otherwise,youwill
reaptheharvestofbitternessbecauseofalawthatpervadesthisuniverse,alawthatiscalledtheLawof
CauseandEffect.Thislawstates:"Asamanthinkethsohebecometh".Thislawisalsostatedinanother
way,namely:"Asyousow,soshallyoureap".ThisLawofCauseandEffectisalsocalledtheLawofKarma
orKarmaphala.Therefore,ifyouengageinrighteousaction,theresultofitisauspiciousnessand
blessednesstheresultofitisyourownhighestgoodandyourownwelfare,yourownhappiness.Ifyou
ignoreorneglectthislaw,discardthislaw,andyouractionsarenotproper,notright,whathappens?You
inviteuponyourselfareactionthatisbitter,areactionthatisnotconducivetoyourowngood,toyourown
welfare,becauseyouhavetosteadilyprogresstowardsdivineperfectionandhereyouputandcreate
obstacles.Youslowdownyourprogresstowardsthatgreatgoal.Youcreateyourownmiseries.Therefore,
havinginmindthehighestwelfareandgoodofthehumanindividual,ourancientsputethicsastheforemost
value,becausemorethananythingelse,theywantedtosecurethegreatestbenefitandgoodofthe
individualsoulorJivatma.Andtheysaid:"Thisis.theway".
So,adheretothemoralandethicalvaluesinlife.Neverdeviatefromtheethicalstandard.Thenyouwillbe
happy.Youmayhavetroubles.Peoplemaytroubleyouandyoumayhavesomedifficultiesyetyouwill
havehappiness.Insideyouwillhavehappinessandpeace.Isay,"Inside",becausephysicaltroublesand
mentaldifficultiesandtormentstherewillalwaysbe.ThoseyouhavetosufferaccordingtoyourPrarabdha.
But,ifatthepresentyouengageinrighteousactivity,itwillgiveyouimmensestrength.Taketheexample
ofthePandavas.Whatalldifficulties,trials,tribulationsandsufferingstheydidnotundergo!Yettheyhad
thatinnersatisfactionandcontentmentthattheyhadnotdeviatedfromwhatwasrightandthereforeitgave
theminnerstrength.Theyneverbrokedown.Theynevercollapsed.Nothingwasabletoshakethem.They
werealwaysfirmintheirabidanceinvirtue.ThereforethefivePandavaswhoabidedinandadheredto
virtuewereabletoovercomethehundredKauravaswholackedtheinnerstrength,becauseinthelatter
therewasnotthestrengthofvirtue,therewasnotthestrengthofDharma.So,Dharmaupholdsthosewho
upholdDharma.AndthosewhodonotupholdDharma,theyfall.Therefore,thefirstandforemostvaluein
thePurusharthaChathushtayaistheethicalvalueorthemoralstandardinallouractivities.Thisiscalled
Dharma.
Nowwecometothesecondvalue.Youhavegotthebody,youhavegothungerandthirst,youfeelheatand
cold.Soyouwantfood,youwantshelter,youwantclothing.Andyouwantothernecessitiesoflife.So,for
allthis,youwantmoneyandtherefore,youmusthaveajoborplyatradeorprofession.Thisaspectoflife
theancientsdidnotignore.Theysaid,"Yes,thisisalsoaninevitablevaluearisingoutofthefactthatyou
arelivinginthisworld".TheycalledthisvalueArtha.Arthaismoney,theeconomicvalue.Moneyis
inevitableitisnecessary.Forthatalsoyoumuststrive.ButyoumuststriveforitonthebasisofDharma,
onthebasisofrighteousness.Youreffortstoearnyourlivelihoodshouldnotbeimmoral,unethicalor
unrighteous.Dharmashouldbethebasisevenofyourprofessionalactivitiesorbusinessactivities.Anything
youdotomakealivingshouldbebaseduponDharma.Dharmashouldbethebasis.
Andthen,thethirdvalue.Anyanimalbeitadog,donkey,coworbuffaloissatisfiedifithasfoodanda
placetorest.Butmanisnotlikethathehasgotmanylongings,manydesires,manyambitions.Manisa
vitalbeingwithavitalpsychologicalpersonalitywithin.Hehasgotmanylongings,manydesires,many
ambitionsandplansandschemes.So,thisvitalvaluealsowasgivenaplaceamongthePurusharthasa
placewasprovidedalsoforthisvitalvaluearisingoutofthedesirenatureofman.Theotheranimalshave
nodesire.Theyhaveonlytheinstincttogoby.Theywantonlyfoodanddrinkandshelterandrest,and
therefore,theyarecontentiftheseareprovidedtothem.Butmanisnotcontent.Hehasthedesirenature
inhim.TheycallitKama.
TheTwofoldimportanceofDharma
Kamameansdesireofanykind.But,herealso,anydesirethatgoescontrarytomoralityandethicsshould
beshunned.Itshouldnotbekept,itshouldnotbegivenanyplaceinyourlife,becauseitwillstopyour
evolutionaryprocess,yourprogressupwardstowardsGodconsciousness.Suchdesiresonlyaretobe
harbouredinyourmind,suchdesiresonlyaretobefulfilled,asareinaccordancewiththelawof
righteousness,withthelawofDharma.So,Dharmaistheoverallandcontinuousfoundationandbasisforall
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humanstriving.Eveninyourprofessionalactivities,inyourvarioussocialandotheractivities,Dharmamust
alwaysaccompanyyou.Dharmamustalwaysinfillyourthoughts,wordsandactions.Thus,theeconomic
valueandthevitalvaluepertainingtoyourPrapanchaoryourouterworldlylifealsoshouldbeanimatedby
Dharma,pervadedbyDharma.ThenitwillleadyoutoSukha(happiness).IfDharmaisabandoned,thenit
willleadyoutoDuhkha(sorrow).Thisisthesimpletruth.
Andanotherimportantreasonwhyalltheseactivitiesandstrivingsupontheouterplaneshouldbe
continuouslycharacterizedandqualifiedbyDharmaisthatonlythenyourlifewillmoveinthedirectionof
thehighestandsupremevalue.Whatisthathighestandsupremevalue?Itisthespiritualvaluewhichis
Godrealization,AtmaJnana,liberation,divineperfection,highestspiritualconsciousnessandillumination.
Thatisthesupremevalue.Forthatonlywehavetakenbirth.Thatonlymakeslifeworthliving.Nomatter
howdesperatelifemaybe,ifyouhavethisonegoalthatyoumustattainDivineConsciousness,youwillget
thestrengthtoovercomeandbearallthevicissitudesoflife."Iamdivine.TemporarilyIhaveforgottenit.
AnduntilandunlessIattainDivineConsciousness,mylifewillnotbefullandIwillnotremaincontent."If
thatonegoalistherewithyou,nomatterwhathappenstoyou,allthatwilllooksecondaryandless
important.Whereas,yoursupremegoalwilllookthemostimportantofallthingsitwilldominateyourlife
anditwillbeenoughtotakeyouaboveallthevicissitudesoflife.Itwillgiveyoustrengthanddefinite
directioninlife,aspecificaiminlife.Andfromthenon,yourlifewillmoveinaselfchosendirection.That
lifecannotbeassailedbymisfortune.Itwillnotbeshaken.Havingacquiredgreatstrengthandpower,itwill
ridetriumphantoveralltheupsanddownsoflifeandmovetowardstheselfchosengoalinavery
determinedmanner.So,thehighestspiritualgoalitisthatmakesyourlifeworthliving,thatgivesdeep
meaningtolife.Otherwise,whatisthemeaningoflife?Whatisthemeaningofjusteating,drinking,
sleepingandonedaydying?Doinglittlepettysillythingsandonedaydying?Deathputsanendtoall.But
whatisthatwhichmakeslifemeaningful?Throughthislifeofbirth,change,growth,oldage,disease,decay
anddeath,youaretoattainimmortalityanddeathlessnessbymakinguseofthislife.Youaretoattain
DivineConsciousness.Youmustresolve:"Ishallbecomedeathless.Ishallrealizemydeathlessnature.I
shallrealizethatIamImmortalSoul,SpiritDivine".Andyoumustexerttotheutmosttoattainthatgoal.
Thatsupremevalueisthemostimportantvaluewhichgivesliferealdepth,truemeaninganda
purposefulness.Itmakeslifesignificant,important,sacred,purposeful.Thereforeitisthemostimportant
valueinlife.Ifthatvalueisthere,yougetthestrengthtoovercomealldifficulties,allthestressesand
strainsoflife,anditisinrelationtothatsupremevaluethatDharmaacquiresanevengreaterimportance,
anevendeepersignificance.
Dharmaisimportantfortworeasons.Firstly,ifitisthereinyoursecularlifeofArthaandKama,inyour
secularlifeoftheeconomicandthevitalvalues,itleadstohappiness.Ifitisnotthere,thenitleadsto
sorrowandmisery.ThereforeyoumusthaveDharma.ThisisthelessersignificanceanduseofDharma.The
higherpurposeandsignificanceofDharmaisthatifitinfillsyourlife,thenitleadsyourlifetoMokshaorthe
attainmentofthehighestspiritualvalueinlife.Itliberatesyouonceandforallfromthewheeloflifeand
death.Thenthereisnomorewant,nomoresorrow,nomoreweeping,nomorewailing,nomoredifficulties
andproblems.YoutranscendalltheTapatrayas.Youbecomeestablishedinastateofabsolutepeace,
absolutecontentment,absolutejoy.Youattainsupremesatisfaction,becomefearlessandfree.That
supremeexperiencewhichisthehighestPurusharthaorParamaPurushartha,thatattainmentofMokshaand
DivineConsciousness,ismadepossibleonlyifyourentirelifeisinfilledbyDharma.So,Dharmahasadirect
connectionwithMoksha.Thereforetheyputitasthebasisofyourentirelife.Andintheframeworkofthis
Dharmiclife,uponthefoundationofDharmiclife,spiritualSadhanabecomesrapidlyfruitful.WhateverJapa
youdo,whateverprayeryousay,whateverspiritualstudyyoudo,whatevermeditationyoudo,allbecome
likestrikingadrymatchstickonadrymatchbox...immediatelythereisfire.WherethereisDharma
animatingandpervadingyourentirelife,therespiritualSadhanabecomesdynamic,rapidlyfruitfuland
progressive.ThisisthegreatidealofBharatavarsha.Itisinevitabletostrivefortheeconomicvalueandthe
vitalvalue,becauseofyourearthlynature.Butitisonlythespiritualvaluewhichmakeslifesuccessful,
whichliberatesyouforeverfromallthesorrowandbondage.Anditistheethicalvaluewhichisthemost
importantofall,becausebothforPrapanchaaswellasParamartha,bothforthelifehereandthelife
hereafter,itisthatwhichguaranteesthatyourlifewillleadtohappinessandblessednessandnottosorrow
andwretchedness.
ConservationofEnergyintheContextofaSpiritualLife
AndinthecontextofthePurusharthaChathushtayaorthefourfoldvaluetobeattained,werequirestrength.
Werequireenergy.Anyeffort,anyexertion,requiresstrengthandenergy.Andenergycanbegathered
togetheronlyifitisconserved,onlyifitispreserved.But,ifitisfritteredaway,youarealwaysindebt.
Justas,ifyouwanttobuildahouseorstartabusiness,slowlyyouputbymoneyandgoonsaving,saving,
savingandthenputitinafixeddepositinsomebank,andthen,afterfiveyearsortenyears,youwould
haveenoughtostartabusinessorbuildahouse.But,ifeverymonthyouspendmorethanyouget,ifevery
monthyourexpenditureismorethanyourincome,howcanyoueverdreamofhavingahouseorstartinga
business?Alwaysyouwillbeindebt.Youwillbeveryowing.Yourplightwillbemiserable.Similarly,energy
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istobeconserved.Conservationofonesenergyinordertoputittohigheruseisthecentralprincipleof
Brahmacharya.WhattheycallBrahmacharyaisawisedirectionofourancientstomaketheindividuals
effortssuccessful.Towardsthisend,theysaid:"Youmustconserveyourenergy".Because,ifenergyis
sufficientlyconserved,youcanputittoanyusethatyouwant,youcanattainanythingthatyouwishto
attain.Butifyouarebankruptinenergy,allattainmentbecomesdifficult.Itbecomesalongdrawnstruggle.
So,preservationofenergyistheessenceofBrahmacharya.Energyisfritteredawayinadozendifferent
directions.Toomuchtalking,toomuchworry,toomuchwanting,gettingfitsoftemper,anger,fightingand
quarrelling,thearguinghabit,overeatingallthesethingsdrainawayenergy.Allexcesses,allimmoderate
habits,allwastageofnervousandemotionalenergythroughnegativethoughtsofhatred,envyandjealousy
andallhealthkillinghabitslikesmokinganddrinkingtheyalsodrainawayenergy.Thus,Samyamaor
sensecontrolbecomesaninevitablepartofBrahmacharya.
Thefunctioningofanysensewastesawaynervous,energy.Thatshouldbecontrolled,thatshouldbewisely
checked.Andoneofthemostrefinedofenergies,mostconcentratedofenergies,isthesexenergy.Thesex
energyiswhatwemaycallthequintessenceofenergies.Itistheenergypotentialinits24caratform.Itis
thequintessenceofallthatweeatandassimilateandpreserveinthesystem,inthesamewayashoneyis
theveryquintessenceofflowers,andbutteristheveryquintessenceofmilk.Thousandsofbeesgoand
bringnectarfrommillionsofflowersandworkuponitinahugebeehive,andoutofthatbysomemiracleof
biochemistry,comeshoney.Outoflitresofmilkorgallonsofmilkcomesbutter.Inthesameway,thesex
energyisthemostrarifiedandperfectlypureformofhumanphysicalenergy.Ifthatsexenergyiswisely
conserved,itbecomesavailabletoyouforbeingconvertedintoanyotherformofenergy.Forexample,if
youwanttostudyhardandbecomeabrilliantscholarwithawonderfulmemory,sexenergycomestoyour
aid.Ifyouwanttobecomeabrilliantsurgeon,sexenergycomestoyouraid.Ifyouwanttobecomeagreat
mastermusician,thepreservedsexenergycomestoyouraid.Thisisbecause,sexenergy,whenpreserved,
graduallybecomestransformedintosubtlerenergy.Ofcourse,thereareYogicprocessesAsanas,
Pranayama,SuryaNamaskar,highemotions,nobleemotions,spiritualsentimentsandsuchotherthings
whichhelpthisworkoftransformation.So,theworkoftransformationgoeson,goeson,goeson,andthe
rarifiedenergybecomesavailableforhigherintellectualpursuits,researchandinvention,meditationandso
on.And,therefore,thewiseconservationofthisvitalenergyhasalwaysbeengivenanimportantplaceinall
religionsinthecontextofaspirituallife.
SexEnergyAManifestationofParaShakti
Whatisthissexenergy?Thisenergy,thissexenergy,isamanifestationofGod.ItisBrahmanindynamic
expression.ItisShakti,ParaShakti.Weallknowthatthisphenomenaluniverseistheactivityofthecosmic
powercallthiswhichisillimitable,indescribableandinfinite.WecallthiscosmicpowerParaShakti,Maha
Shakti,MahaMayaorPrakriti.Countlessbillionsofuniversescomeandgothroughtheactivityofthisgreat
cosmicenergy.Itisthiscosmicenergy,thisParaShakti,thatmanifestsastheincredibleenergyofthesun,
theenergyoftheplanetsand,theincrediblespeedatwhichtheywhirlintheirownorbits.Itisthiscosmic
energywhichmanifestsasthepowerofgravity,asthepowerofthesunsradiance,asthepowerofall
thesegreatplanetsandheavenlybodies,asthepowerofthewindandotherelements.Ifsometimesthe
windisfurious,itwillevenblowuphouses.Itisthecosmicenergywhichmanifestsasthepoweroffire,as
thepowerofthevolcano,asthepoweroffloods,asthepowerofearthquakes,asthepoweroftheBhumi
(Earth)tobearmountains,riversandseas.So,earth,air,water,etherallarenothingbutthe
manifestationsofthisgreatpower.Itisthesamepowerinsidetheseedthatmakestheseedgrowintoa
hugetree.Itisthepowerbehindlightningandthunder.Anypowerthatyouseeinthisuniverseisthepower
ofthisgreatcosmicforceanditisthissamepowerthatanimatesalllivingbeings,trees,plants,insects,
birds,bees,reptiles,fishandanimals.Itisthepowerofthelion,itisthepoweroftheelephantanditisthe
powerofthebrilliantintellectorgeniusofaFaraday,aRamanoranEinstein.Thisselfsamepowerabides
inusandanimatesourentirebodymechanism.Itisthepowerthatdigestsourfood,thatmakesourheart
pumpblood,thatmakesourlungsbreathe,thatmakesourmusclesandjointswork,thatmakesourtongue
talkandearhear.Itisthisverypowerthatisalsopresentasthesexenergyinus.So,sexenergyispartof
theoneindivisiblegreatcosmicpowerpresentinthehumanindividual.Initsgrossbiologicalaspect,itis
calledthesexenergy.Initssubtleraspect,itistheenergyofdiscrimination,thepoweroftheintellectto
analyzeandenquireandratiocinate.Inastillsubtleraspect,initspsychicaspect,itisthepowerofthe
Kundalini.Andinitssupremeaspect,itisnothingbutAtmaShakti.BecauseBrahmanandShaktiarenot
two.Theyarethestaticandthedynamicaspectsofoneandthesameprinciple.Therefore,thesexenergyis
nothingbutthepresenceoftheDivineMotherinallhumanbeings.Itissomethingdivine,itissomething
sacred,anditssupremefunctionintheschemeofthingsoftheCreatoristokeepgoingtheuniversal
process.Itisthefunctionofreproductionwhichispresentinallnature,inalllife.Withoutthissubtlepower
ofduplicationorreproduction,allspecieswillbecomeextinct.So,theutilizationofthesexenergyforthe
purposeofreproductionisactuallyasacredprocessforcooperatingwithBrahma,theCreator.Andanyother
aspectofthesexenergyisasecondary,lesseraspect.Andifthisenergyorpoweriswiselyutilizedina
moderateandrestrainedway,evenaftersuchutilization,asufficientamountofitwillbeavailableforhigher
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spiritualdevelopment.AndifthisgrossbiologicalenergyisconvertedthroughYogabhyasaintoasubtler
form,itbecomesavailablefordeepcontemplation,reflectionandmeditation.Manana,Nididhyasanaand
Samadhiareenabledthroughthepowerofthisconservedandconvertedenergy.ThatisBrahmacharya.So,
allpracticestosuccessfullyconserveandconvertthesexenergyintoahigherformandutilizeitforahigher
spiritualpurposeareincludedinthebroadmeaningofthetermBrahmacharya.Therefore,Brahmacharyais
notonlyasingleactofrestraintitisawholewayoflife.Itisthatwayoflivingandmovingandacting
whichwilltakeustowardsBrahmaJnana.ThatisBrahmacharya.Andthereforeitinvolvesmoderationinall
ouractivitiesandawiserestraintofalloursenses.
InthecontextofIndianculture,ofBharatiyaSamskriti,totalrestraintofthesexenergywaslaiddownupon
threeAshramas,namely,theBrahmacharyaAshrama,theVanaprasthaAshramaandtheSannyasaAshrama
thestudentstageofyouth,theretiredstageoftheelderlypersonandthemonasticstageofthelastpart
ofyourlife.And,evenintheGrihasthashrama,legalorlegitimateutilizationofthispowerforthepurposeof
perpetuatingthespecieswaslaiddown.TheresultwasthatintheGrihasthashrama,Brahmacharyameant
moderation,awiserational,restraineduseofthesexenergyforthepurposeofprocreation.Moderation,
andchastityorfidelitytoonesmarriedpartner,werelaiddown.Itwasenjoineduponthemarriedperson
nottocastanyimpurelookuponanypersonotherthanoneslawfullyweddedwifeorlawfullywedded
husband.So,outofthisloftyconceptofBrahmacharyatherearosetwogreatideals,thePativrataDharma
andtheEkaPatniVrataoftheGrihastha.Forthemarriedmantherewasonlyonewomaninthewhole
universe,hislawfullyweddedwifetheotherwomenwerelikemotherstohim.Hecastnolustful,
passionate,carnaleyeuponanyotherwoman.Andforthechastewifetherewasonlyonemaninthewhole
universeandthatmanwasherLordandhusband,whomsheregardedwithreverenceandworshipfulness.
Allothermenwerelikechildrentoher.TowardsothersshehadtheBhavofmother,ofcosmicmother.It
wasonlytowardsonepersonthatsheentertainedthefeeling:"Iamawoman.Iamwife"andthatperson
washerlawfullyweddedhusband.Thisisthegreatidealthathasarisenoutofthesupremeprincipleof
Brahmacharya,thesupremeconceptofBrahmacharya.Thus,insofarasthepureclassicalattitudeof
BharatiyaSamskrititowardsthesexenergywasconcerned,itwasoneofreverence.TheancientMasters
neverthoughtofthesexenergyaseitheruglyorbadorwickedorevilorimmoral.Suchwrongnotions
aboutthesexenergyarealltheresultofafailuretounderstandthesublimityofthisparticularforce.Itis
duetosuperstitionandlackofunderstandingthatinnormalsociety,deprivedofrightinstructionandright
knowledge,peoplebegintolookuponitassomethingugly,assomethingevil.Onereasonforthe
developmentorevolutionofsuchanattitudeisthatbecauseofalltoocommonhumanweaknessforsex,
theyhadtoplacesomesortofamoraltabooonsex.Otherwise,humanweaknessissuchthatitalways
takesthelineofleastresistanceand,therefore,theysaid,"No.No.Thisshouldnotbedone.Itshouldnotbe
doneinsuchandsuchastage,becauseShastrassayso".Theygaveitthissortofcolour.
TheHumanBodyComparedtoaMansion
Onelittlepointneedstobestressedhere.Thebodyislikeamansion.Nomatterhowwonderfulamansion
maybe,evenifitbemadeofmarbleandsetwithjewels,noonewillbeabletoliveinthatmansionunless
ithasakitchenandabathroomandatoilet.Because,whatevermantakesin,partofitsgoestoformhis
mind,partofitgoestoformhisbody,andtheremainingwastehastobeeliminated.Andwasteisalways
foulsmelling.Theimpuritiesofthebodyarealwaysfoulsmelling.Intheoutermansiontheyhavetohavea
toilet,theyhavetohaveakitchen.Iftherebenokitchen,noonecanlivethere.Youmayconstructanytype
ofpalace,butifthereisnofood,nolunch,nobreakfast,noafternoonteaevenforadaynoonewilllive
there.Butthen,whenakitchenisthere,youhavetoprovidedrainagealso.Kitchenmeansgarbage,left
overfood,vegetablecuttings,fruitpeelsandallthat.Ifallthisiskept,itwillbegintorotandsoyouhaveto
haveagarbagedisposalarrangement.Youhavetohavedrainageandsewerage.Intheabsenceofallthese
arrangements,itwillnotbepossibletoliveinthatmansion.Likewise,inthehumanbody,inthismansionof
ninegates,inthisNavadvaraKuti,whereyouhaveanentrancewayandwindowsforlightandairand
knowledge,forthesakeofdrainageandgarbagedisposal,Godhasprovidedtwoholes.Theirreal
importanceisthatofdrainage.Theyareonlydrains.Thisistheonlyrightunderstandingofthematter.No
doubt,theoccasionalfunctionofreproductionisthere,buttooverexaggeratethataspectisfoolish.It
betraysalackofknowledge.Because,frombirthuntildeath,dayafterday,thirtydaysinamonth,and
threehundredandsixtyfivedaysintheyear,theconstantfunctionthattheseexitgateshavetofulfilis
drainage.AndtheoccasionalfunctionthattheyhavetofulfilisincooperatingwithBrahma,butthatisonly
somerareoccasionalfunction,andthatalso,onlyinaveryshortperiodofoneslife.InthefirstAshramaof
Brahmacharya,ithasnoplaceinthethirdAshramaofVanaprastha,ithasnoplaceandinthefourth
AshramaofSannyasa,ithasnoplace.Outofthewholelife,itisonlyinoneAshramathatthatparticular
functionofitisexercised.Otherwise,themainfunctionoftheseoutletsisonlydrainageofimpurities.Ifyou
changeyourDrishtikonaandunderstandthebodyintherightperspective,thenagreatdealofyourproblem
willbesolved.Itistakingawrongviewandgivingawrongemphasiswhichmakesonetogetintoallsorts
ofdifficulties.Secondly,takealookatitfromtheVedanticpointofview.TheAdeshaorSandeshaof
Vedanta,theprimarydeclarationofVedanta,isthatyouarenotthisbody,butthatyouaretheAjaraAmara
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AvinashiAtma.Then,ifyouarenottoidentifyyourselfwithyourentirebody,howcanyouidentifyyourself
withoneaspectofit?So,ifyourfaithinVedantaisPucca,isfirmandgenuine,ifyouaretruetoyour
Vedanta,then,youhaveyoursolutioninyourownhand.
HowtoRiseAboveSex
ThereisanotherimportantangletothismatterofBrahmacharya.Andthatpertainstoyouraimandambition
inlife.Whatisitthatyouwantoutoflife?Whatgreatdesiredominatesyourlife?Istheresomethingthatis
aconsuminghungerinyou?Doyouwanttobecomethehighestmusicalgeniusinthisworld?Ordoyouwant
tobecomethefastestOlympicrunnerorweightlifterinthisworld?Nomatterwhatyourambitionis,ifthere
issomeoneoverwhelmingorallconsuminghungerinyou,thenallotherproblemsrecedeintothe
background.Theydonotpresentagreatdifficulty.But,ifyoudonothavesuchanoverwhelmingambitionin
onedirection,theneverythingbecomesaproblemandsexalsobecomesaproblem.Therefore,theright
wayofsolvingthisproblemofsexistoriseaboveitsothatitbecomessomethingnotimportant.Youhave
toriseabovesexnotwrestlewithit,butriseaboveit.Because,ifyoudonothaveanoverallconcentrated
urgeorambitioninlife,thentheclamouroftheselittlesensesbecomesagreatdininyourlife.Yourlifewill
alwaysbeunderthatclamour.But,ifyouhavegotanoverwhelmingurgeforsomethingelse,thenthis
clamourdoesnotreachyouatall,becauseyouaretoobusyengagingyourentireattentioninsomeother
direction.So,therightwayofsolvingthissituationofsexistoriseaboveit,bydevelopinggreatlovefor
God,greatloveforanideal,developingpassionforapurelife,amorallife,anethicallife,anideallifeand
nurturingTivraMumukshutvaforattainingliberation.IfintenseMumukshutvaisthere,thenallotherthings
recedeintothebackground.Theybecomelessimportant.So,ifyouwanttoattainvictoryovertheclamour
ofthesenses,youmustarousewithinyourselfagreatfireofhigheraspiration.Then,whathappens?In
ordertoattainthatuponwhichyourheartisset,yougiveyourselfsototallytoitthatyouhavenotimefor
otherthings.Evengreatscientistsdonothavethisproblem,becausetheyareallthetimecompletely
absorbedintheirscientificresearch.Theydonotpaymuchimportancetofoodorclothingorbathingor
anything.Why?Becausetheyareallabsorbedin,andinterestedin,somethingelse.Thatisthewayof
becomingestablishedinBrahmacharya,insuccessfulBrahmacharya,ineffectiveBrahmacharya.
VoluntarySelfrestraintIsNoSuppression
ThereisaWesternideathatsexisanaturalurgeandsofreeexpressionshouldbegiventoit.Andiffree
expressionisnotgiventoit,thesexurgewillbecomesuppressed,willbecomerepressed.Andifitisthus
suppressedandrepressed,itwillcreateallsortsofabnormalitieswithinyouandyouwilldevelopneurosis
andvarioustypesofcomplexandyouwillbecomeanabnormalperson.Thereispartialtruthinit.Thereis
truthinittotheextentthatifthissuppressionandrepressionisforceduponyoubycircumstancesbeyond
yourcontrol,bysocialenvironment,byothertaboosanddeepseatedinhibitionswithinyou,duetoyour
fathersadviceormothersdominanceorfamilyandall,thenitcangiverisetosomeundesirableinner
abnormality.Butthissituationneverappliesifrealizingthegreatnessofahighergoalandrealizingthe
necessityofthisimportantSadhanaofselfcontrolinordertoattainthatgoal,youmakeupyourmindfully,
willinglyandvoluntarily.Thenthereisnoquestionofsuppression.Ifwithafullwillingheartyouenterinto
thiscourseofselfdisciplineandselfrestraint,thenthereisnoquestionofsuppression.Nooneisaskingyou
todoit.Youwanttodoit.Youareyourselfdesirousofit.So,donewithfullwillingness,donewithgreat
enthusiasm,itbecomesavoluntarything.Then,psychologicalsituationswillnotarise.Onthecontrary,
everytimeyousucceedincontrollingthesenseurge,yougetasenseofelation,yougetasenseof
achievementyougetasenseofinnersatisfactionthatyouhavesucceeded.So,itissomethingthatgoeson
givingyouendlesssatisfactionandasenseoftriumph,asenseofovercoming.Thereforeitisentirelya
positiveprocess,averycreativeandpositiveprocess,notanegativeandsuppressiveprocess.So,regarding
Brahmacharya,ifyoutaketherightapproachandattitudetowardsit,thenitissimple.Itisaquestionof
conservingenergy,ofpreservingenergy,sothatitmaybeutilizedforhigherthingswhichyouwishto
attain.
Theenergyinyouisapartofthegreatcosmicenergy.Cosmicenergy,whenindividualizedinthehuman
being,manifestsinmanyaspects.Andoneveryimportantaspectisthephysicalbiologicalaspect.Thatis
thesexenergy.Ahigheraspectisthementalandoccultaspect.Thementalandoccultenergyiscalled
Medhas.Thenthereisintheindividualthepsychicaspectofthecosmicenergy.ThisistheKundaliniShakti.
Andaboveeverythingelse,initshighestaspect,thecosmicenergyshinesinthehumanbeingsasAtmaBal,
asAtmaShakti,astheradianceoftheAtman.So,thinkoverallthis.Allthisisfoodforthought.Theseare
seedsofcertainconceptsforyourfurtherreflection.
BRAHMACHARYAANOUTLOOKOFCONSCIOUSNESS
BySwamiKrishnananda
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ThelastoneamongvariousitemsofselfrestraintconstitutingtheYamas,isBrahmacharya,whichactually
meanstheconductoftheAbsolute.
BrahmanistheSupremeBeingCharyaisconduct,orbehaviour.HowGodbehavesthatiscalled
Brahmacharya,finally.Itisaverydifficultthingforustounderstand,becausewedonotknowhowGod
behaves,howtheAbsoluteconductsItself.TheattitudeoftheSupremeBeingtowardstheuniverseandall
beingsisBrahmacharya,andtotheextentthatweareabletoparticipateinthisattitude,itmaybesaidthat
wearealsofollowingthatcanon.OurparticipationintheattitudeoftheSupremeBeingmaybeinfinitesimal,
butthereshouldbeatleastthistendencytowardsholdingthesameattitude,thesameoutlookasthatof
theLord.So,Brahmacharyaisanintegratedoutlookofconsciousness,anattitudeofthepersonality,andan
interpretationofthings.ThesearetheessentialbasicprinciplesofBrahmacharya.Andminusthese
principles,thetermBrahmacharyawillyieldonlyachaoticmeaningwhichwillnothelpusmuch.IntheAnu
GitaoftheMahabharata,asimilarbroadandmajesticinterpretationofBrahmacharyaisgiven,ascoming
outfromthemouthofSriKrishnaHimself,duringhisinstructionstoArjuna.Theideabehindthissignificant
termBrahmacharya,translatedastheconductoftheAbsolute,isthatitisagradualadjustmentofthe
powersofonespersonalitytowardslargerandlargerdimensionsofimpersonality,because,theAbsoluteor
BrahmanistheSupremeImpersonalityconceivableandexistent.ThereisnoexternalitytotheAbsoluteand,
therefore,itcannotbepulledinanyoutwarddirection.Ithasnoconsciousrelationshipwithanything,though
itisrelatedtoeverythingintheworld.ItcannotbesaidthatGodisnotrelatedtotheworld,Heisrelated
eventotheminutestofthingseventoagrainofsand,Godisrelated.Yet,inaway,Heisnotrelatedto
anything.TheideaisthattheattitudeoftheSupremeSpiritisofageneralizedoruniversalizedrelationship
withallthings,.freefromparticularizedorspecializedinterpretationsorevaluationsinregardtoanything
oranyobject.
HowOurEnergyGetsDivertedandDissipated
Wheneverthereisaspecializedoutlookinanyparticulardirection,alongthechannelofanobjectoragroup
ofobjects,livingornonliving,consciousnessmovesinthatdirection.Nomatterwhatourinterestisinthat
direction,ourmindmoves.Whenthemindmoves,thePranaalsomoves.WhenthePranamoves,the
energyalsomoves.So,onefollowstheother.Ourmentalinterestinanyparticulardirectiondrawsthe
powerofthePranainthatverydirection,andlikeachargeofelectricity,ourenergiesarediverted.
Wheneverwethinkofanobject,especiallywhenwedosowithaparticularinterest,whichprocessiscalled
theKlishtaVrittiinthelanguageofPatanjali,wearedrawntowardsthatobject,apartofusgoestoit.Any
interestpsychologicallymanifestinthedirectionofanyparticularobjectisadiversionofenergyalongthat
channel,andpsychologicaloremotionalinterestisnothingbutawayoftransferringoneself,atleastinpart,
ifnotinwhole,tothatparticularcentrewhereinonesinterestlies.So,insomemeasure,weceasetobe
ourselvesforthetimebeingwhenweadmiresomething,lovesomething,orareattractedtowards
something.Sometimes,wecanbewhollylosttoourselveswhentheattractionisfullandhundredpercent,
asmayhappenwhenwearelookingatapainting,orenjoyingabeautifullandscape,6rreadingapieceof
loftyliterature.Theobjectmaybeconceptual,visibleoraudible,itmakesnodifferencewegettransferred.
Whenwelistentoanenrapturingmelody,ourbeingistransferredtothemodulationofthevoicewhichisthe
musicorthemelody.Whenwelookatabeautifulform,alandscape,apaintingoranyotherobject,weare
drawninourconsciousness,andwearedrawneveninreadingarrestingliterature.Inalltheseprocessesof
sensoryorintellectualabsorption,outsideoneself,thereisachannelizingofforceofwhichweare
constitutedandwhichformsourstrength.Aslongaswedonotsellourselvestoanyoutsideobject,donot
participateinanythingexternal,westandbyourselves.Otherwise,insomepercentage,weceasetobe
ourselvesandbecomeanother.Ifonebecomesanotheranddoesnotcontinuetobewhatoneselfis,A
becomesBforthetimebeing,andthereisacessationofthecharacteristicofA.Thesubjectbecomesthe
objectinitsevaluationoftheobjectassomethinginwhichithastotakeinterestforsomepurposewhichis
initsmind.Thisshouldnothappen,holdsPatanjali,inessence.Because,ifthishappens,theenergythatis
supposedtobeconservedforthepurposeofmeditationontheuniversalityofthePurushawillbespentout
inotherdirections,andtothatextent,wewillbelosersofourstrength.Theficklenessofthemindorthe
absenceofmemoryaboutwhichweoftencomplain,thedistractiontowhichthemindisheirto,thejumping
ofthefeelingsfromonecentretoanotheralltheseareattributabletothefluctuationofenergyinour
system.ItislikethetorrentialGangamovinginforcewithherwavesdashingupanddownandnotresting
stableasalimpidlakewithoutmovement.Whenourenergiesareintumult,theimpactofitisfeltbythe
mind.Weareshakenupinourwholesystem,becauseofthedesireofthepersonalitytomoveoutsideitself.
Asmilkgraduallybecomescurdbyaninternalshakingofitself,thesubjectcanturnintotheobject.Andlove
ofanykindisnothingbutthetransferenceofthesubjectintotheobjectinsomemeasure,bethatobject
perceptibleormerelyconceptual.Theverythoughtoftheobjectdisturbsthemind.Thisismentionedina
famouspassagebyBhishmaintheShantiParvaoftheMahabharata.
Aswehavenotedearlier,thethoughtofanobjectisoftwokinds,calledtheAklishtaVrittiandtheKlishta
VrittibyPatanjali.WecanthinkofanobjectthroughanAklishtaVrittiorwecanthinkofitthroughaKlishta
Vritti.Whenweopenoureyesandlookatalargetreestandinginfrontofusintheforest,alAklishtaVritti
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isformedinthemind.Itisamodificationofthemind,becausethemindhastransformeditselfintotheform
ofthetreewhichwearebeholding.But,ithasnotupsetouremotion.Ithasnotdrawnourattentionlargely.
Wejustlookatitandareawarethatthereisatree.Totheextentthatweareawarethatthereissome
objectoutsideus,themindhastransformeditselfithasceasedtobeitselfforthetimebeing,thoughithas
notcausedusanysorrow.Thetreehasnotattractedusorrepelledus.Butifweseeacobrawithitshood
raised,themodificationofthemindatthattimeisnotmerelyAklishta,itisnotmerelyagazingatanobject
withoutinternalassociationofemotion.Because,theemotionactsatthesightofasnake,whileitwillnot
actinthatmannerwhenwelookatatreeoramountain.Evenasthereisaparticulartypeofemotional
reactionatthetimeoftheperceptionofanobjectlikeacobra,thereisanothertypeofreactionofasimilar
intensitywhenwelookatthingswhicharehighlyvaluablefromourpointofview.Itmaybealarge
treasurechestorsomethingelsewhichwethinkisworthwhile.So,anythingwelikeordislikeevokesa
KlishtaVrittiinthemind.AthinginwhichwearenotparticularlyinterestedeitherwayevokesanAklishta
Vrittiinthemind.ForthepurposeofYoga,boththeseVrittishavetobesubdued.NeithertheKlishtanorthe
AklishtaisadesirablethingfromthepointofviewofManonirodha(controlofthemind)orChittavritti
nirodha(controlofthoughts),whichisYoga.
Theobjectsoftheworldspeakinalanguagewhichweunderstandinourownway.Theygettransformed
intoameaningwhentheyenterintothemindofindividualsandeachindividualhashisownorherown
readingofanyparticularobject.Everyobjectsingsasongandwelistentothismusic,butitsmeaningis
differentfordifferentpersons.Forinstance,thesamewordmayconveydifferentmeaningstodifferent
personsbecauseoftheassociationofthosepersonsindifferentwayswiththeparticularcontextinwhichthe
wordisuttered.Allobjectsintheworldspeaktousinapsychologicallanguageorwithaphilosophical
significance.But,theassociationofeachoneofuswiththemissuchthatitreadsaspecializedmeaningin
thisgeneralizedevokingofreactionfromusbythoseobjects.Thisparticularizedinterpretationbyeach
individualinanswertothegeneralcallofobjectsishisloveorhatred.Objectsoftheworldarenotintended
forbeinglovedorforbeinghated.Theyexistaswealsoexist.Justaswedonotevinceanyparticular
emotionalloveorhatredtowardsourselves,andourlovesandhatredsareonlyinregardtothingsoutside
ourselves,wecanextendthislogictootherobjectsalso.Nooneassesseshimselfintermsofloveand
hatred.Hisassessmentisinregardtootherthings,otherpersons.So,studyingthingsinanimpartial
manner,wefindthatlovesandhatredsareoutsidetheschemeofthings.Theyarenotintheorderof
nature.Theydonotexistinnatureatall.Butforus,theyonlyexistandnothingelse!Weareimmersedin
thistumultuouschaos,ortheclamoursofthesensesandthemind,whichgobythenameoflikesand
dislikes.
ConservationofEnergyforBrahmaSakshatkara
HereisthebasicfoundationofthegreatadmonitionbytheYogateacherthatwehavetoconserveenergy.
WegenerallyunderstandBrahmacharyatobecelibacy,averypoortranslationoftheword,anda
misdirectedmeaningalso.Bycelibacywemeanabstinencefrommarriage,andweassociateoridentify
celibacywithBrahmacharyaorcontinenceinthelightoftherequirementofYoga,especiallyasmentioned
byPatanjali.But,nothingofthekindisBrahmacharya.Itisnotnonmarriage,anditisnotcelibacyinits
popularmeaning.ApersonwhohasnotmarriedneednotnecessarilybeaBrahmacharin.Andapersonwho
hasmarriedneednotceasetobethat.Because,whatwehavetobecarefulinnotinginthiscontextisthe
intentionbehindthisinstruction,andnotmerelythefollowingofitinsocialparlance.Theintentionisthe
conservationofenergy,andthedirectingofthewholeofonespersonalitytowardsthegreatobjectiveof
universalconsciousness.Andtheenergyofthesystemisrequiredforanykindofconcentration,notmerely
forGodrealizationorBrahmaSakshatkara.Werequireenergyeventosolveamathematicalproblem.Even
tobuildabridgeacrossalargeriver,eventostudytheminuteparticlesofnatureinaphysicalresearch
laboratory,onerequiresatremendousconcentrationofmind.Eventowalkonawireinacircusrequires
concentration.So,whereverthereisanecessitytoholdonesbreathandconcentrateonesattention,asin
walkingonaverynarrowpassage,tremendousenergyisrequired,concentrationisnecessary.Atwofeet
widebridgewithoutanyprotectiononeithersideandspanningastreamflowinginadeepgorgebelowwe
knowhowwewillwalkonthatbridge,holdingourbreathandthinkingonlyofthatnarrowpassageand
nothingelse.Certainlywewillnotbethinkinganyotherdistractingthoughtinourmind.Likethat,thefixing
ofthemindonthegreatidealofYogarequiresacompletesurrenderofoneself,ineverypartofonesbeing,
intheformofconcentration.Thiscannotbedone,saysYoga,ifwehavegototherinterests.
So,alackofBrahmacharyameansnothingbutthepresenceofinterestsotherthantheinterestinYoga.The
distractingobjectmaybeanything.Ifwehavegotastronginterestinsomethingwhichdistractsour
attention,theenergygoes.Anykindofleakageofenergyinanydirection,causedbyanyobjectorany
eventorcontext,isabreakinBrahmacharya.AburstofangerisabreakinBrahmacharya,thoughonedoes
notnormallythinkso.Noonecondemnsamanbecauseheisangry.Wemayeventhinkhimtobea
wonderfulpersoninspiteofhisburstofanger,butthetruthisthathehasfailedutterlyinhis
Brahmacharya.Heisbrokendowntotally.Becausemostpeoplearetraditionbound,theygobythebeaten
trackofsocialtraditionandcustom,andthinkthatreligionisnothingbutwhatsocietysanctions.But,itis
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notlikethat.ReligionisnotmerelytherequirementdemandedbyaHindusocietyoraChristian
organization.Ithasnothingtodowiththesethings.Whattheuniverseexpectsustomanifestfromourside,
inrespectofit,isthegreatreligionofmankind,thereligionofGodorthereligionoftheuniverse.Nobodyis
goingtosaveus,merelybecausewearereligiousintheeyesofthepeople.Inthatcase,wemaywellgoto
dogswithallourreligion.Whatwillhelpus,whatwillguideus,whatwilltakeusbythehandandleadus
alongisthegreatlawwhichweobey,inthemannerinwhichwearerequiredtoobeyit,underthe
circumstancesofourrelationshipwithallthingsintheuniverse.So,ineveryway,wehavetoconserveour
energywithoutanykindofdistraction.
TheIndividualAPressureCentre
Thephilosophers,themystics,thesaintsandthesageshavemadeathoroughanalysisoftheenergiesofthe
humanmind,thepsychophysicalorganisminallitscompleteness.Itwouldappearthatwearecentresof
pressureorstress.Everyindividualissuchacentre,whichseekstobreakdownthispressure,overcome
thisstress,byadoptingsomemeanswhichitthinksistheproperoneunderthecircumstances.But,the
understandingofthewayinwhichthisstressistoberemoveddependsupononesownstageofevolution.
Everyoneknowsthatstressandstrainarenotgood,buteveryonedoesnotknowhowtobefreefromthem,
becausethecausativefactorsofstressesandstrainsarenotproperlyunderstoodoranalyzed.Wemayknow
thatwearesick,butwemaynotfullyknowwhywearesick.Andunlessweknowthecausebehindour
illnessintheformofpsychologicalstressandstrain,distractionofattention,likeanddislike,wewillnotbe
abletohandlethissubjectproperly.Thesocalleddesiresofmanaretheouterexpressionsofhis
personalitytorelieveitselffromthestressesandstrainsinwhichitfindsitselfshackled.Weareperpetually
inastateofmentalstressandnervouspressurefromchildhoodtodoom,andthewholeofourlifeisspent
onlyintryingtofindoutwaysandmeansofrelievingourselvesofthesestressesandstrains,andwehave
ourownwayofdoingit.Thewayinwhichwetrytorelieveourselvesofthesestressesandstrainsthisway
iscalledtheexpressionofdesires.Whatiscalleddesireisthemethodweadopttorelieveourselvesofour
tensions,nervousandpsychological.So,eachpersontrieshisownmethodtorelievehimselfofhistension,
accordingtothemannerofhisunderstanding.But,mostofthesewaysaremisdirectedways.Theyincrease
thetensiononaccountofignoranceaboutthereasonbehindthearisingofthestressorthestrain.
StressesandStrainsTheirCauseandCure
ThestressorthestrainhasarisenonaccountofaseparationoftheindividualfromNature.Theworldhas
castusoutasexiles.WehavebeenthrownoutsidetherealmofNatureasunwantedchildren.Ourinternal
desire,finally,istouniteourselveswithNaturewhichisourmotherorourparent.Thereliefthatweare
seekingfromourstressesandstrainsisultimatelyadesireoralongingtobecomeonewithourparent,
fromwhomwehavebeencutofforisolated.Ourdesireistopossesseverything.Andthedesiretopossess
iscalledlove.Whatgoesbythenameofloveofanykindinthisworldisadesiretopossessthings,which
areconsideredasinstrumentscapableofrelievingusofourstressesandstrains.Whetherwearerightin
thisinterpretationofthesituationornotisadifferentmatter.But,justasalittlebitofscratchingofan
eczemapatchwillgivethesuffereralittlerelief,aforgetfulnessofthetensionorthestressforthetime
beingisimaginedtobeawayofrelieffromthestressitself.Whenalargerstressswoopsdownuponus,the
lesserstressisforgotten.Wearedirectedawayfromthelesserstressandthepain,weevenforgetitfor
thetimebeing,whenalargerstressorstraincomesandsitsonourhead.Letussupposethatwehave
someworryandwearethinkingaboutit.Alargerworrycomesandthenweforgetthelesserworry.
Because,thehigherthinghascome.Allourpains,sorrowsandcomplaintsvanishinaminute,inatrite,
whenweareabouttobedrownedinariver,forinstance.Wedonotcomplainaboutanythingatthattime.
Everythingwouldseemtobeallrightifonlywecouldbesavedfrompossibledrowning.Because,thatisa
problemlargerthanalltheotherlittleproblemsaboutwhichweareconstantlycomplaininginlife.Soisthe
casewithouraskingforthefulfilmentofourdesiresbycontactwiththings.
TheHavocWroughtbytheExternalizingSenses
InoneoftheSutras,Patanjalitellsusthatsensorycontactwiththingsisnotthewayofrelievingtension
causedbydesires,becausedesirescannotberemovedbyanykindofsensorycontact.Ourdesireisnotfor
thecontact.Thatisthewholepoint,thoughitappearsthatthesensestellustocomeincontactwithvarious
thingsintheworldforthereliefofourtension.Wearenotaskingforthings.Nobodywantsanythinginthis
worldfinally.But,itappearsasifwearewantingthem,duetoamischievousinterpretationgiventothese
circumstancesbyoursenses,byexternalizingourinternalanguishforacommunionwithallthings.All
loves,alldesires,areurgesforcommunionwiththings.Whileoururgewithinisaholyandpiousimpulseto
comeinunionwithallthings,withNatureasawhole,thisimpulseisthrowninthedirectionofspaceand
timeandisexternalizedbythepowersofthesenses.Whatistheresult?Thelongingofours,whichhasits
meaninginonedirection,takesanothershapebecauseofitsreflectionthroughthesenses.Whileourfaceis
attachedtoourbody,itlooksasifitisoutsideuswhenweseeitinthemirror.Wearenotoutside
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ourselves,weareinourselves.But,itappearsasifwehavegoneoutofourselves,becauseofthe
presentationofthemirrorinfrontofourselves.Themischiefisdonebythemirror.Somesuchcatastrophic
activitytakesplacewhenourloves,likes,emotionsanddesiresarecastintothemouldofthesenses.The
senseshaveonlyoneworktodo,toexternalizeeverything.So,evenourdesiresareexternalized,while
reallyourdesireisforsomethingelse.Thatisthereasonwhywearenotsatisfied,nomatterwhatobjects
aregiventous,wearealwaysdisillusionedintheend.Whateverbeourpossession,itisnotgoingtosatisfy
usfinally.Becauseweareaskingforsomeparticularthing,andwearegivenanotherthingbythedacoitsof
thesenses,theyarereallythieves.
Verystrangeisthisphenomenonthatthemindspatializesitselfandtemporalizesitselfinitsactivity,whenit
affiliatesitselftotheactivitiesofthesenses,anditsowndesiresforsomethingwhichithaslostappearas
desiresforthosethingswhichareoutsideit.Thisisahighlysignificantsituationinwhicheveryoneisfinding
himselforherself,somethingwhichescapesonesnoticealways,averydangerouscircumstanceabout
whichweneednottalkmuch,becauseitissoclear.Andoneneednotbetoldagainandagainastowhythe
waysinwhichwetrytofulfilourdesiresarenottheproperways.Firstly,thereisabasicblunderinthe
veryattitudeofthemindinimaginingthatwhatitseeksthroughthefulfilmentofdesiresliesoutsideit.The
otherblunderis,thatinitsmovementtowardsthesocalledexternalthings,ithaslostitsenergies.Ithas
weakeneditself.TheSelf,whenitbecomesthenonself,becomesacorpse,becomesdead.So,aperson
whohasdesiresisaweakling.Hehasnostrengthatall.Hehasneitherphysicalstrengthnormental
strength.Themoretheunfulfilleddesires,thegreateristheweaknessofthebodyandthemind.Onecannot
walkeven.Onecannotdigestfood.Onecannotthink,cannotrememberanything.Thishappenswhenthere
aretoomanydesiresunfulfilled.But,whattodounderthecircumstances?
DesireAMetaphysicalEvil
AsstudentsofYogainterestedinthetruewelfareofoursouls,wemustbeabletoknowwhathasreally
happenedtous.Weshouldnotbewoolgathering,weshouldnotbeinafoolsparadiseeveninthenameof
religionorspirituality.Anykindofoutwardritualisticmovementofourpersonalities,eveninthenameof
religion,isnotgoingtosaveus,intheend,becausethisevilcalleddesireisametaphysicalevil.Itisnota
socialevil,itisnotaphysicalevil.Itisametaphysicalevil,asthephilosopherscallit.Itisacosmic
catastrophe,andtherefore,itrequiresalltheanalyticalcapacitythatwearecapableoftoknowwhathas
happenedtous,andknowhowwecangraduallyweanourselvesawayfromthisimpulsethatisdraggingus
outfromourselvesinthedirectionoftheobjectsofsense.Thisweaningoneselfawayfromobjectsisdone
verygradually.ThefulfilmentofdesiresisnotcondemnedinthereligionofIndiaespecially,thoughitiswell
knownthatdesireshavetobecompletelyextirpatedonedayortheotherbecause,theyarebondages
whichtetherthesoultothebodyanditsphysicalassociations.Thegreatsystemofsociallivingandpersonal
livinginculcatedinIndia,andacceptedbyothergreatphilosophersinothercountriesalso,isknownasthe
Varnashramasystem,ahighlyscientificanalysisofthehumansituationandthedesiresofmanandthe
needsofmanatdifferenttimes.Wehavevariouskindsofneeds,thoughallneedsmaybecalleddesires,
andalldesiresmaybecalledundesirablethingsintheend.Yet,whentheyarethereasrealitiestothe
sensesandthemind,andnotlesserrealitiesthanourownbodiesandourpersonalities,wehavetotackle
themwithgreatcaution.Wehavetointerpretthemasrealisticallyasweinterpretourownselves.The
objectsareasrealasourselvesandasunrealasourselves.Totheextentthatwearereal,thethings
connectedwithusarealsoreal.Andtotheextentthatweareunreal,tothesameextent,theyarealso
unreal.Thesubjectandtheobjectevolvesimultaneously.Theevolutionisnotjustindividualisticand
subjective.So,thissystemofVarnashramaisasystematicproceduretoadjustourselvesandadapt
ourselvestothecircumstancesoflife,horizontallyinsociety,andverticallyinourownpersonality.The
horizontaladjustmentistheVarnaandtheverticaladjustmentistheAshrama.Wehavetobecompletein
society,inourrelationshipswithpeople,andwehavetobecompleteinourownselvesbyasuitable
harmoniousalignmentofthevariouslayersofourpersonality.Suchanadjustmentisveryeffectively
broughtaboutbyfollowingthegreatcanonsoftheVarnaandtheAshrama.
VarnashramaAnAidtoFreeOurselvesfromtheGripofNature
PeoplegenerallythinkthatVarnameanscaste,butitisnotthat.Itmeansaclass.Theprincipleofthe
classificationofsocietyiscalledtheVarnaDharma.Itisaclassification,notacastification.Tosaythat
Varnameanscasteistogiveitawrongnameandanerroneousinterpretation.Nomaniscompletein
himself,andtherefore,nomancanbesatisfiedmerelyinhisownselfwithoutthecooperationofother
persons.Manis,amongotherthings,intellect,will,emotionandenergy.Therearecertainpeoplewitha
tremendousphysicalcapacity,butintellectuallytheyarepoor.Thereareotherswhoarerationallyand
intellectuallybrilliant,butphysicallyweak.Theothertwoaspects,namely,emotionandwill,arealso
distributeddisproportionatelyamongpeople.Everyoneisnotpossessedofthesecharacteristicsinthesame
measure.Inasmuchaseveryonesintentionisthewelfareofallhumanbeings,thesolidarityofmankindin
general,itisnecessarythatweshareamongourselvesthecommoditiesthatwehave.Thecommoditiesare
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notnecessarilyphysicalonestheycanbepsychologicalonesalso.Ifonehasgreatintellectualcapacityand
spiritualacumen,whicharenecessaryforthewelfareofsociety,butnototherfacilities,hewillsharethe
knowledgeandwisdomandthedirectingintelligencethathehaswithothers,forthefacilitieswhichhedoes
nothave.Themutualcooperativeactivityofsocietyspiritually,administratively,economicallyand
manuallyformstheessenceoftheVarnasystem.TheclassificationintoBrahmanas,Kshatriyas,Vaisyas
andSudrasisnotacategorizationofpeopleintosuperiorandinferiortypes,intobossesandsubordinates,
butitisaclassificationofthefunctionsofindividualsaccordingtotheirknowledgeandcapacities,forthe
purposeofacompletecooperativeorganizationofhumankind,withanobleintentionandpurpose.Thisis
onewayinwhichwecanbehappyinthisworld.Otherwise,wewillbeinmiseryeveryday,everymoment.
Thedesiresofoursareclassifiedinthismanner,andtheyaregivenanopportunityofpermissible
satisfaction,byamutualcooperationhorizontallyinthismanner.
Thereistheotherside,namely,theverticalside,whichisthesubjectoftheAshramaDharma,orduties
pertainingtothedifferentAshramas,orstagesoflife.Justaswehavetotallymisunderstoodthemeaningof
theVarnasystem,wehavealsomisunderstoodthemeaningoftheAshramasystem.Justaswecondemn
theclassificationofVarnaascastedistinction,weconverttheclassificationofthestagesofoneslifebyway
ofAshrama,intoakindofdeadroutineofreligion.NeitherVarnanorAshramaisaroutine.Varnashramais
avitalparticipationintheprocessesoflife,externallyaswellasinternally.Externallyitgoesbythename
ofVarna,andinternallyitgoesbythenameofAshrama.Theideabehindthisisthefulfilmentofthe
requirementsofthehumanpersonality,inthewayitwouldberequired,forthepurposeofatranscendence
ofalllimitations,withthegreatgoalofMoksha,orliberationofthespirit,inmind.Whataglorious
psychologicalorganizationthisVarnashramais!Noiteminthisclassificationisunimportant,becausenature
catchesusbythethroat,withsuchafirmgrip,thatwecannotfreeourselvesfromitscompulsivepressure
withouttheaidoftheVarnashramaDharma.WearecaughtfirmlybyNaturesocially,physically,vitally
psychologically,rationallyandevenspiritually.So,wehavetofreeourselvesfromtheseclutchesor
pressuresbyagradualdissociationofourselvesfromnature,asweuntieitsknotsonebyone.
Ifwetieathreadintoadozenknots,andthenwanttountiethemandstraightenoutthethread,wedonot
gotothebottomknotfirst,butrathertothetopmostone.Thetopmostknotisuntiedfirst,thentheprevious
oneortheeleventhknot,thenthetenth,thentheninthandsoon,tillatlastwecometotheveryfirstknot.
Wecannottouchthefirstknotintheverybeginning.Similarly,inspirituallife,thefirstproblemistreated
last,andthelastproblemistakenupfirst.Because,thefirstismoresubtleandmoreproximatetothe
realitiesofthingsthanthelateroneswhicharetheevolutesofthecauses.Theeffectshavetobetakencare
offirst,andthecauseslateron.So,outwardlyaswellasinwardly,thesesystemsoforganizationknownas
VarnaandAshrama,areproceduresenjoineduponeveryperson,foruntyingthevariousknotsof
entanglementinlife,engenderedbyonesneedswhicharesocial,physical,vital,emotional,intellectualand
soon.
SuchavastinvolvementisassociatedwiththislittlethingcalledBrahmacharya,bythepracticeofwhichwe
donotmerelyputonaconductpersonallyandsociallybutestablishourselvesinastatusofstrength,where
wearesotunedtothingsthatourenergiesdonotmoveatallinanydirection,butareheldupinsuchaway
thatthereisnourgewithinourselvestotransferourenergiestooutsidethingsforthefulfilmentofour
desires.Desireshavetobefulfilled,andalso,theyarenottobefulfilled.Boththesestatementsarecorrect
statements.But,thestatementsmustbeunderstoodintheirpropermeaning.Forinstance,hungerhastobe
appeased,thoughhungerisadiseaseofthebody,thoughitisacankerthateatsintoeverymansvitalsand
compelshimtorememberalwaysthatheisabody.Cananythingbeworsethanthisthatoneshouldbe
madetofeelalwaysthatoneisaprisoner?Onemaybeacaptiveinitprison,butwhyshouldonebemade
tothinkeverydaythatoneisaprisoner?But,thatispreciselywhathungerdoes.Allthetimeitmakesyou
remainbodyconscious.Suchanevilthingitis,buthowcanonegetoutofit.Bymeetingthedemandsof
thebody,whileexercisingverygreatcautionsimultaneously.Thatiswhyweputonclotheswhenwefeel
chillnesswegotosleepwhenwearetiredweeatamealwhenwearehungry.Wegoforawalkandwe
domanythings.Now,alltheseactivitiesaresofarremovedfromthegoalofourlife,asthenorthpolefrom
thesouth,andyettheyaretakenasnecessities.Wemaycallthemnecessaryevils,ifwelike.Theyare
evils,nodoubt,buttheyarenecessaryevils.So,theyhavetohebefriendedfirst,inorderthatwesever
ourselvesfromthemultimately.TheintentionbehindthepracticeofthecanonsofVarnaandAshramaina
graduatedmannerisnottheindulgenceofdesires,buttheirgraduated,scientific,systematizedandcautious
fulfilmentinameasurethatispermissibleandrequiredunderthecircumstancesforthepurposeoffreeing
oneselffromthemfinally.So,wedonoteatbecausewewanttoeat,butbecauseitisnecessarytoreacha
stagewhereweneednoteatatall.Thereis,therefore,adeepbackgroundbehindthepsychologyofthe
canonsknownastheYamasandaclearunderstandingofthisbackgroundwillhelpustopracticethese
canonsbetter.
MARRIAGE:WHATDOESITMEAN?
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BySwamiKrishnananda
Scientistsareaccustomedtothewellknownphenomenonknownasthe"BigBang,"anoccurrencewhichis
regardedastheoriginofcreationoftheuniverse.Themeaningattributedtothisphenomenonisthatthe
universewasoriginallyasingleCosmicAtom,asitwere,knowninSanskritterminologyasBrahmanda,
whichsplitintotwopartsbyabang,aninstantaneousseparationofitselfintotwoparts,representingwhat
maybecalledtheCosmicSubjectandtheCosmicObject.TheBrihadaranyakaUpanishadhasalready
proclaimedthattherewasoneUniversalSelfwhichprojectedItselfasasubjectivesideandanobjectiveside
ofItself,theCosmicPositiveandtheCosmicNegative.Theintriguingsecretbehindtherelationshipofthe
twoCosmicpartsseemstobethatthereisontheonehandthedualityofthepositiveandthenegativeand
thereisontheotherhandthecorrelativityofthepositiveandthenegative,sincethetwophasesare
actuallythetwotypesofthephenomenaloccurrenceintheotherwiseunitaryindivisibleoriginalexistence.
SageYajnavalkyasaysthateachunitoflifeisactuallylikeasplit"pea,"inwhichonecannoteasilysay
whetherthepeaisoneortwothingsjoinedtogether.Also,theveryideaofabipolarexistenceimpliesthe
interferenceofspaceandtime,andevenifitisacceptedthattheapparenttwofoldlifeisanappearanceof
theoriginalonelife,theideaof"another"cannotariseunlessthereissomemediumthroughwhichitlooks
asifitisthere,justasonepersoncanlookliketwopersonswhenonebeholdsoneselfthroughthemedium
ofamirror.Suchapossibilityinvolvestheexistenceofspaceandtimewhicharethemostelusivethings
everywhereincreation.Noonecanunderstandwhattheseactuallymeansincetheseareinvolvedinthe
processofthinkingitself,andnoonecanalsodenythattheydoexist.
TheBrihadaranyakaUpanishadgoesontosaythatthetwoCosmicpartsarecomparabletohusbandand
wife,inwhichcontext,theonepartrushestowardstheotherparttocomeincontactwithitwhiletheother
partwishestoavoidthecontactsincesuchacontactisnotpossibleasthesocalled"other"reallycannot
standapartfromthatwhichseeksthecontact.Humorously,throughananalogy,theUpanishadsaysthatthe
wifeaspectranawaytoescapethehusbandaspectcomingincontactwithitsinceanattemptatsucha
contactlookedmeaninglessandalsoabortive.TheUpanishadgoesfurtherandsaysthatthebipolar
wholenessreducesitselftolesserandlesser"wholes,"fromgodsinheavendownthroughhumans,animals,
plantsandtreesandeventhelowestofcreatureslikeinsects,thusmakingoutthatthisdualpullispresent
everywhereincreationfromthehighesttothelowestofcreatedelements.
Atthehumanlevelthisprincipleofbipolarexistencetakesaninterestingturn,sinceinthehumanbeing
thereisanelementoftheinstinctsofthelowerspeciesandatthesametimeareasonwhichreflectsthe
characteristicsoftranscendentalexistence.Whileintheearlierstagesofevolutionmentioned,theprocessof
bipolarexistenceappearsmoreorlessasaspontaneousfeature,atthehumanlevelitbecomesslightly
complicatedduetothereasonandtheinstinctclashingwitheachotheralmosteverydayofoneslife,
causingalotofmisery.Asthehumanbeingisaunitinhumansociety,thelawsframedbysocietycondition
theactivitiesofaperson,whiletheinstinctiveimpulsescomefromtheotherlevelsoflifeinsistthatthey
shouldhaveanupperhandoverallthings,andwhentheinstinctsarestrongenoughtheycanrebelagainst
socialnorms,muchtothechagrinoftheindividual,asiswellknowninhumanhistory.Inordertoobviate
thisproblemofconflictbetweenindividualandsociety,peopleinacommonagreementamongthemselves
haveinstitutedasystemcalledmarriage.
Now,whatexactlyismarriage?Itisquiteclearthatitisaformoflegalizationoftheinherentinstinctofthe
bipolarexistenceassertingitselfandthenacheckuponanyuncontrolledravagingactivityoftheinstinct.
Thepointisthatapersoncannotlivetotallyisolatedfromsocietysinceexistenceitselfwouldbedifficult
withoutcooperationfromothers.Inasmuchasthisinstinctispresentineverypersonandeveryonewould
liketomanifestitasmuchaspossible,therewouldbedifficultyinsuchabehavioursinceeveryoneelsealso
wouldliketodothesamething.Thisgoestosaythattheinstitutionofmarriageisaprocessofgranting
limitedfreedomtotheoperationoftheinstinctpermittingittooperatewithinthecircleofsocialnorms,with
duerespectforthewelfareofeveryoneequally.
However,withallthisthathasbeensaidabove,aquestionwillariseastowhyistheresuchanattraction
betweenthemaleandthefemale.Philosophically,toanswerthisquestioninthelightofwhathasbeen
detailedabove,theexplanationwouldbethestruggleofthetwopartsoftheonewholetounitethemselves
intoasingleunitofexistence.Butastwothingscannotbecomeone,thesexualdemandfailstofulfilits
purposeendinginexasperation,disillusionmentandadistrustinthemeaningoflifeitself.Theotheraspect
isthemuchneglectedsideofthephenomenon,namely,Naturesintentiontomultiplythespecies.Everyone
knowsthepowerofNatureandnoonecanresistit.Thewouldbeentrantspushtowardsthisworld,which
wecallthecomingofachildintoexistence,istheprocessofanintegralimpulsesincethechildisawhole
being,aswholeaseitherthefatherorthemother.Thepressureofthewouldbeindividual,beingvery
strong,compelsthemaleandthefemaletoseekeachotherwithgreatvehemence,tosuchanextentthat
themaleandthefemaleelementswouldevenwishtodieifthisimpulseisnotgoingtobegratified,
forgettingtherebythattheyareonlyservingtheinjunctionsofNature,thoughNaturehascleverlyputthem
underanillusionthatwhattheydoisfortheirownpersonalbenefit.SinceeverythingisdestroyedbyTime,
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thereisafearthatonesexistencewouldbeterminatedoneday,andtoescapefromthegriefofthis
possibility,thebiologicalimpulsewishestoreproduceitselfasachild,asonoradaughter,whichbecomea
replicaoftheparents,whomtheyhugasthemselves,asifthechildisinseparablefromtheparents.
ConsideringthefactthatnoonecangoagainsttheinjunctionsofNature,sexuallifepermittedbymarriage
shouldberegardedasreasonableandunavoidable,butconsideringthewelfareoftheindividualhimselfor
herself,itbringsnosuchbenefit,endingindepletionofenergy,slowlytendingtowardsoldageandphysical
extinction.Itlooksthatthewholedramaofcreationisa"hideandseek"affairofthetruthsofexistence
whereeveryonedoessomethinghelplesslyundertheimpressionthatitisdonevoluntarilyforonesown
assumedimmortalsatisfaction,whilethefactisthattheentireexerciseisahypnotizedpersonssupposed
voluntaryenterprise,thoughcommandedbythehypnotistswill.
BIRTHCONTROL
BySwamiSivananda
InstructionsforHouseholders
Strictregulationofsexuallifeandarigidpracticeofnonviolencearenecessaryifyouwanttohave
progressonthespiritualpath.
Ifyouusecontraceptivesyouwillneverlearntoexerciseselfrestraint
Hewhousescontraceptivesisanimmoralman.
Learnthevirtueofselfrestraint.Theuseoftheseartificialmethodswilleventuallysapyourenergy.Itwill
breakdownallrestraint.
Thereisanintimateconnectionbetweensexandcontrolofthepalate.Hewhohascontrolledthepalatehas
alreadycontrolledalltheotherorgans.
SattvicfoodwillmakethepracticeofBrahmacharyaeasy.
Continenceisnotharmful.Ontheotherhanditconservesnervousenergy.Itgivesgreatmentalstrengthand
peaceofmind.Sexualindulgenceleadstomoralandspiritualbankruptcy,prematuredeath,nervous
weaknessandlossofonesfaculties,talentsandcapacities.
Manusays:"ThefirstbornchildisbornofDharrnaandtherestofKamaorlust.Thesexualactformere
pleasureisnotjustifiable".
Passionforthefleshorbodyisnotpureorreallove.Itisonlyinfatuationbornofignorance.Youdowicked
deedsandkillyoursoulonaccountofthispassion.
PopulationShouldBeChecked
Howistheworldtofeedallthemillions?Inspiteofadvancedagriculturalmethodsandreclamationofwaste
land,ithasbeenfoundimpossibletobalancefoodproductionwiththeincreaseofpopulation.Hence,the
growthofpopulationhastoberestrainedifthereistobenoloweringofthestandardofliving.Ifthisisnot
donetherewillbemassstarvation,famineandconsequentdegradationofmorality.Specialagenciesofthe
UnitedNationsarebusyinfindingoutalongtermsolution.TheUnitedNationsPopulationCommissionis
nowatwork,assistedbytheEconomicCouncilforAsiaandtheFarEast.
Nodoubtinprincipleitisrightthatpopulationhastoberestricted.Buthow?Naturally,throughtheadvanced
meansofplannedparenthood.Whatdowemeanbythis?
RajkumariAmritKaur,HealthMnisterofIndiaanswers:"Ineedhardlysaythatoureducatedclassthinksof
plannedparenthoodmainlyintermsofcitydwellersandeducatedmenandwomen.Therearealsomany
amongstthepoorerclasseswhomoursocialworkerscanreachinthecities,wheretheirorganizationsare
working.Buttheyalsoinvariablythinkofbirthcontrolbytheartificialmethodsofcontraceptives,which
havetakenafirmholdofpeopleincountriesoftheWest.Iamtotallyunabletoreconcilemyselftothis
view".
Indeed,theunanimousanswerastohowtoplanparenthoodhasbeentheusageofcontraceptives.Itisa
pitythatmostofourlearnedleaders,withveryfewexceptionslikeAmritKaur,shouldstoopsolowinaping
theWest,withcompletedisregardandignoranceoftheirownheritage.
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TheVedicpreceptorsstrictlyenjoinedontheirstudentsthepracticeofunbrokencelibacyandwhentheyhad
completedtheirstudiesandwereadvisedtogetmarried,itwasnotforthesakeofphysicalpleasurebutfor
thesakeofprogeny.Selfrestraintgavethemmoralstrengthandspiritualvision.Throughselfrestraintthey
achievedethicalperfectionandimprovedtheirintellect.
Thereisnosaferandbettersolutionfortherestrictionofourpopulationthanpracticeofselfrestraint.No
numberofbirthcontrolclinicsandnoamountofpropagandaadvocatingartificialmethodscantakerootin
thesemasses,whosetraditionalbackgroundhasbeenalwayssoakedinspirituality.Nomethodotherthan
selfrestraintcanbemorallyandspirituallysuccessfuleitherinIndiaoranywhereelseintheworld.
InIndiaitwasMahatmaGandhiwho,forthefirsttime,organizedstubbornoppositionagainsttheuseof
contraceptivesforfamilyplanning,asartificialmethodsgavefreelatitudetothemarriedandeven
encouragedtheunmarriedtoembracethepathofselfindulgencewithvulgarimpunity.
Gandhijisaid,"Iftheruralpopulationpracticedmoralrestrainttheycouldlimitthesizeoftheirfamilies
betterthanthroughtheuseofcontraceptives.Artificialmethodsarelikeputtingapremiumonvice.The
remedywillbeworsethanthedisease."WhenGandhijisaidthis,manyeminentleaders,doctors,lawyers
andeducationists(evensomeofhisforemostdisciples),rosetocontradicthim,saying,"Therestraintofthe
naturalimpulseinmenandwomenwouldleadtoseriousconsequences.Therewillbemassneurosis.Their
zestforlivingandtheirmentalfacultieswouldebbaway,theirliveswouldbecomedrabanddull,"andsoon
andsoforth.
Allthesechargeswerebaselessandwerebutaconfessionoflasciviousnessonthepartofthecrusaders
againstselfrestraint.Thishasbeenadequatelyprovedbydistinguishedscientistsanddoctorsandby
numerousscripturesbelongingtoallfaiths.Toquoteafewsuchnoteworthyremarks,letuschoosethem
fromWesternspokesmeninwhomoureducatedintelligentsiaarepronetobelievemuchmorethanintheir
ownscriptures.
SirLionelBeale,ProfessoroftheRoyalCollegeinLondon,says:"Sexualabstinencehasneveryethurtany
man.Virginityisnottoodifficulttoobserve,providedthatitisthephysicalexpressionofacertainstateof
mind".
ProfessorCesterbuconcurswithBealebysaying,"Thesexualinstinctisnotsoblindlyallpowerfulthatit
cannotbecontrolledandevensubjugatedentirelybymoralstrength.Wemustknowthatrobusthealthand
everrenewedvigourwillbetherewardofthisvoluntaryservice".
SirAndrewClarkalsoagreesthat"continencedoesnotharmitdoesnothinderdevelopmentitincreases
perceptionandenergy".
Thatthepracticeofcontinenceisafittingremedyforbirthcontrolhasbeenemphasizedbythenoted
American,JosephH.J.Spenglar.Hesays,"Moralrestraintoffersasalutarysolutiontotheproblemofover
population".
Gandhijiansweredhiscriticsbytheexampleofhispersonallife.Inhisautobiographyhewrites:"Itookthe
vowofBrahmacharyain1906.IlaunchedforthwithfaithinthesustainingpowerofGod.Themoreorless
practiceofselfcontrolhasbeengoingonsince".
Gandhijiwasamanofexperienceandwhateverhespokewasfromhispersonalexperienceonly.Hiswas
notanarmchairphilosophy.Heemphasizedthatcontinencewastheprimequalificationforsuccessinall
achievementsandineverywalkoflife.
"Iholdthatalifeofperfectcontinenceinthought,speechandactionisnecessaryforreachingspiritual
perfection.Brahmacharyameansperfectcontrolofallthesenseorgans.ForatrueBrahmachari,nothingis
impossible."
Itisobviousthatstrictcelibacy,aspracticedbyBhishma,LakshmanaandHanuman,isnotpossibleforthe
massesbutitisessentialfortheirphysical,moralandspiritualgrowth.Theyshouldhaveawellrestrained
andsacredmaritalrelationship.
BernardShaw,ahighlyintellectualandprofoundspiritualpersonality,butanatheistandanonbelieverin
organizedreligionsasacceptedbythemasses,voicedtheuniversallyacceptedtruththat"unlesswerestrain
desirewedestroyourselves."
DangerofArtificialMeans
"Inmyopinionwecangiveanimpetustobirthcontrolinourcountrybywaysandmeanswhichoughtto
comeinstinctivelytousifwearetruetothebesttraditionsofourcivilization.Perhapsinnoothercountryin
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theworldhasthepracticeofcontinencebeenadvocatedwithsuchemphasisasinIndiabyalloursaintsand
sages.Selfrestraintonthepartofbothmenandwomen,andparticularlyonthepartofmen,must
thereforebethefirstweaponinourarmouryifwearetobattlesuccessfullyagainstoverpopulationinour
country.Artificialmethodsseemtotheaveragemantobeeasyofattainment.Hence,theyareadvocatedby
allandsundry.Ilookupatthisasadangersignalbecauseitisalwaysthestraightandnarrowwaythat
leadsustosalvation".
ThusdidRajkumariAmritKaurrepresenttherealsentimentofthemajorityofthemassesofourcountryin
theHarijan.
ThewomenofIndiahaveagreatroletoplayinthwartingtheonslaughtofmaterialism.Throughtheages,it
istheywhohavepreservedthespiritualcharacterofoursociety,theirnaturalinstinctsbeingreligious.Itis
ignoblethattheyshouldsubscribetothephilosophyofthemodernapostates.
Gandhijiwroteoveradecadeago:"Inmyopinionitisaninsulttothefairsextoputuphercaseinsupport
ofbirthcontrolbyartificialmethods.Ihavelittledoubtthatthevastmajorityofwomenwillrejectthemas
inconsistentwiththeirdignity".
Itishightimenowthattheleadersofourcountrybecameawareoftheignominousconsequencesofbirth
controlthroughartificialmeans.Theyshouldlaunchacountrywidecampaign,particularlyinthevillages,
propagatingthegospelofselfrestraint,abolitionofearlymarriage,andpracticeofcleanandhealthyliving.
ThenationisfortunateinhavingAmritKaurasitsHealthMinister.Thoughmiserablyoutnumberedbythe
votariesofcontraceptives,sheemphasizesoncemore:"Artificialmethodsarewhollyimpracticalinour
countrybecauseoftheignoranceofourpeople,thelackofscientificmedicalaidavailabletothem,andalso
becauseoftheirhighcost.Ichallengethestatementmyselfthatthepracticeofbirthcontrolbytheuseof
contraceptiveshasprovedasuccesseitherphysically,mentallyormorallyforthepeopleoftheWestwho
havepracticeditoveranumberofyears.
"Ontheotherhandithascontributedinnosmallmeasuretoaloweringofthestandardofmoralityandtoa
disregardbybothmenandwomenofthefundamentalresponsibilitygiventohumankindforprocreation.
WhilebirthcontrolisessentialforIndiatorestrictitsgrowingpopulation,themoreIliveandservethe
causeofhealth,andtheclosercontactsIhavewithsickandsufferinghumanity,bothinthecityandinthe
village,themoreconvincedIbecomethatitwillbeafatalstepforourcountrytoresorttoartificialmeans".
GandhijiwritesintheHarijan:"Thereisnothinginoursocietyatthepresenttimewhichisconducivetothe
practiceofselfcontrol.Ourveryupbringingisagainstit.Theprimaryconcernofparentsistogettheir
childrenmarriedanyhowsothattheymaybreedlikerabbits.Iftheyaregirls,theyaremarriedatthe
earliestageconvenient,irrespectiveoftheirmoralwelfare.Themarriageceremonyisonelong,drawnout
agonyoffrivolityandfeasting.Thehouseholderslifeisinkeepingwiththepastlife.Itisaprolongationof
selfindulgence.Holidaysandsocialenjoymentsaresoarrangedastoallowonethegreatestlatitudefor
sensuousliving.Theliteraturethatisalmostthrustonourgenerationpanderstoanimalpassion.Modern
literaturealmostteachesthatindulgenceinitisadutyandtotalabstinenceasin.
"Isitanywonderifcontrolofthesexualappetitehasbecomeverydifficult,ifnotimpossible?Ifthepractice
ofbirthcontrolthroughselfrestraintisthenthemostdesirable,sensibleandtotallyharmlessmethod,we
mustforthwithchangetheenvironmentandsocialideal.Theonlywaytobringaboutthedesiredresultsis
forindividualswhobelieveinthemethodofselfcontroltomakethebeginningthemselvesand,with
unquenchablefaith,toaffecttheirsurroundings.ForthemtheconceptionofmarriageIdiscussedearlier
seemstometobeofthegreatestsignificance.
"Apropergraspofitmeansacompletementalrevolution.Itisnotmeantmerelyforafewselect
individuals.Itispresentedasthelawofhumanspecies.Itsbreachreducesthestatusofhumanbeingsand
bringsswiftpunishmentintheshapeofmultiplicityofunwantedchildren,atrainofdiseases,anddisruption
ofmanasamoralbeingresponsibletohisMaker.
"Birthcontrolbytheuseofcontraceptivesnodoubtregulatesthenumberofnewcomerstosomeextentand
enablesapersonofmoderatemeanstokeepthewolffromthedoor.Butthemoralharmitdoestothe
individualandtosocietyisincalculable.Foronething,theoutlookuponlifeforthosewhosatisfythesexual
appetiteforthesakeofitiswhollychanged.Marriageceasestobeasacramentforthem.Itmeansa
revaluationofthesocialidealshithertoprizedasaprecioustreasure.Nodoubtthisargumentwillmakelittle
appealtothosewhoregardtheoldidealsaboutmarriageasmeresuperstition.Myargumentisonly
addressedtothosewhostillregardmarriageasasacramentandwomannotasaninstrumentofanimal
pleasurebutasthemotherofmanandtrusteeofthevirtueofherprogeny.
"Myexperienceofselfcontrolbyfellowworkersandmyselfconfirmsformetheviewpresentedhere.It
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assumesoverwhelmingforcefrommydiscoveryinavividlightoftheancientconceptofmarriage.Tome,
thepracticeofBrahmacharyainmarriedlifenowassumesitsnaturalandinevitablepositionandbecomesas
simpleasthefactofmarriageitself.Anyothermethodofbirthcontrolseemsunthinkableanduseless.Ifthe
ideathatthegrandandonlyfunctionofthesexualorganisgeneration,possessesmenandwomen,then
unionforanyotherpurposewillbeheldasacriminalwasteofthevitalfluid,andtheconsequentexcitement
causedtowomanandmanasanequallycriminalwasteofpreciousenergy.
"Itisnoweasytounderstandwhythescientistsofoldplacedsuchgreatvalueuponthevitalfluidandwhy
theyinsisteduponitsstrongtransmutationintothehighestformofenergyforthebenefitofsocietyasa
whole.Theyboldlystatedthatonewhoattainedperfectcontroloverthesexualenergystrengthenedthe
wholebeingphysical,mentalandspiritualandattainedpowersunattainablebyanyothermeans.
"Letnotthereaderbedisturbedbytheabsenceofmanyorevenanylivingspecimenofsuchgiant
Brahmacharisaswerefoundindaysofyore.TheBrahmacharisthatwehavetodayareincomplete
specimens.Atbesttheyareaspirantswhohaveacquiredcontrolofthebodybutnotofthemind.Theyhave
notbecomeproofagainsttemptation.ThisisnotbecauseBrahmacharyaissodifficultofattainment.Itis
becausethesocialenvironmentisagainstthem,andthemajorityofthosewhoaremakinganhonesteffort
unknowinglyisolatethecontrolofanimalpassionfromallotherpassions,whereas,tobesuccessfulthe
effortmustincludecontrolofallpassionstowhichmanisaprey.WhilstcompleteBrahmacharyaisnot
impossibleofattainmentbytheaveragemanandwoman,itmustnotbefeltthatitrequireslesseffortthan
thatrequiredbyastudentwhowishestomasteroneofthesciences".
Copyright@2003TheYogaAge.comAllrightsreserved.
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12/8/2015

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