BRAHMACHARYA
(H.H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj)
WHAT IS BRAHMACHARYA?
Brahmacharya is purity in thought, word and deed. Brahmacharya is celibacy and continence. Brahmacharya includes the control of not only the sex or reproductive Indriya (organ) but also all other Indriyas. This is the definition of Brahmacharya in a broad sense of the term. Brahmacharya denotes the idea of Vedas and God. Brahmacharya includes character-building or right moulding of character. Brahmacharya is a sine qua non (most important). It is a great desideratum (a thing mostly desired). It is of vital importance. They say that “Knowledge is Power.” But I assert boldly with great assurance and practical experience that: “Character is Power” and that character is far superior to knowledge even.
Yama is the first step of Raja Yoga. It is the practice of Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha (non-killing, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-receiving of gifts). Among these, Brahmacharya is the most important. In Jnana Yoga, Dama (self-control) is the foundation for the student. In Mahabharata (Santi Parva), you will find: “Many are the branches of Dharma; but Dama is the basis of them all.” Brahmacharya is the vital subject for those who want success in material or spiritual life. Without it, a man is absolutely unfit for the worldly activities or spiritual practices.
Brahmacharya is the vow of celibacy in thought, word and deed, by which one attains Self-realisation or reaches Brahman. The term ‘celibacy’ is from the Latin calebs, unmarried, single and signifies the state of living unmarried.
Brahmacharya is a divine word. It is the sum and substance of Yoga. Through Avidya, this is forgotten. It is the supreme Yoga which Lord Krishna emphasises repeatedly in his “Immortal Song” (The Bhagavad Gita). In Chapter VI, Sloka 14, it is very clearly stated that the vow of Brahmacharya is necessary for meditation (Brahmacharivrate sthitah). In Chapter XVII, Sloka 14, He says that Brahmacharya is one of the requisites for the austerity of the body (Sarira Tapas). Now, we have another statement made in Chapter VIII, Sloka 11, that Yogis practise Brahmacharya in order to attain the goal spoken of by the knowers of Vedas. This is also found in Kathopanishad, Chapter I-ii-15.
God is Rasa. Raso vai sah—Rasa is Veerya (vital fluid or semen). You can get eternal bliss by the attainment of Rasa or Veerya only—Rasohyevayam labdhva anandi bhavati. Brahmacharya means the control of semen, the study of the Vedas and contemplation on God. As defined by Yajnavalkya:
Kayena manasa vacha sarvavasthasu
sarvada,
Sarvatra maithunatyago brahmacharyam
prachakshate.
“Brahmacharya is abstaining from Maithuna (all sexual enjoyment) forever, in all places, and all conditions, either physically, mentally or in words.”
Veerya is attained only by your being established in Brahmacharya and vice versa. Brahmacharya is the Achara (conduct) by which you attain or reach Brahman (God, Existence) and so it is said: Acharah Prathamo dharmah—the first and foremost duty of a Brahmachari is the attainment of Achara.
Brahmacharya is of two kinds, viz., physical and mental. Physical Brahmacharya is the control of body. Mental Brahmacharya is the control of evil thoughts. In mental Brahmacharya, no bad thoughts will enter the mind. The mental one is little more difficult than the physical; but through sincere exertion you can well be established in mental Brahmacharya. You must keep up the idea of mental Brahmacharya always before you. Then you will realise it soon. There is no doubt of this.
Brahmacharya means control of not only the reproductive Indriya but also the control of all senses in thought, word and deed. The door to Nirvana or perfection is complete Brahmacharya. Complete celibacy is the master-key to open the realms of Elysian Bliss. The avenue to the abode of Supreme Peace begins from Brahmacharya or purity.
The gratification of every worldly desire is sinful; the flesh should be the abject slave of the spirit, intent upon unearthly things. Man was created for a life in spiritual communion with God, but he yielded to the seduction of evil demons who availed themselves of the sensuous side of his nature to draw him away from the contemplation of divine and lead him to the earthly life. Moral goodness, therefore, consists in renouncing all sensuous pleasures, in separating from the world (mentally) through discrimination and dispassion, in living solely after the spirit, in imitating the perfection and purity of God.
Brahmacharya is a spring flower that exhales immortality from its petals. The special virtues of endurance and bravery are intimately connected with the cultivation of chastity. The technical meaning of Brahmacharya is self-restraint, particularly mastery or perfect control over the sexual organ or freedom from lust in thought, word and deed. Strict abstinence is not merely from sexual intercourse, but also from auto-erotic manifestations, from masturbation, from homosexual acts and from all perverse sexual practices. It must further involve a permanent abstention from indulgence in erotic imagination and voluptuous reverie.
Brahmacharya is the basis for the attainment of Kaya Siddhi (perfection of body). Complete celibacy must be observed. This is of paramount importance. By the practice of Yoga the semen becomes transmuted into Ojas Sakti. The Yogi will have a perfect body. There will be charm and grace in his movements. He can live as long as he likes (Iccha Mrityu). That is the reason why Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: “Tasmat yogi bhavarjuna —therefore, become a Yogi, O Arjuna.”
Brahmacharya is freedom from sexual thoughts and desires. It is the control of all Indriyas in thought, word and deed. It is meant for both men and women. Bhishma, Hanuman, Lakshmana, Mirabai, Sulabha and Gargi, were all Brahmacharins. Sankara says: “Brahmacharya or spotless chastity is the best of the penances. Such a celibate is God indeed!”
Brahmacharya is the basis of acquiring immortality. Brahmacharya brings material progress and psychic advancement. It is a potent weapon for waging war against the internal Asuras (devils), viz., Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), etc. It contributes perennial joy—uninterrupted and undecaying bliss. It gives tremendous energy, clear brain, gigantic will-power, bold understanding, retentive memory and good Vichara Sakti. Through Brahmacharya and Brahmacharya alone, you can have physical, mental and spiritual advancement in life.
Everyone of you should endeavour your level best to mould your character properly. Your whole life and your success in life entirely depends upon the formation of your character. All the great persons in this world have achieved their greatness through character and character alone. The brilliant luminaries of the world have won their laurels of fame, reputation and honour, through character and character alone.
(To be continued)
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