The Real Brahmacari

So brahmacarya means that you cannot think of sex life, you cannot talk of sex life, you cannot whisper about sex life, or you cannot endeavor for sex life. These eight types of activities in sex indulgence are against brahmacary life. But here it is prescribed that if you want to make solution of the problems of life, then you adopt, you have to adopt a life of tapasya, austerity, which

Srila Prabhupada on Brahmacarya

So the tapasya life begins from celibacy, brahmacaryena. Sukadeva Gosvami recommends. Brahmacarya is described in the sastras that:

smaranam kirtanam keli preksanam guhyam asanam [sankalpa advyavasaya].

1. Smaranam [remembering], thinking of sex life, that is against brahmacarya. Complete celibacy means one should not think of even sex life.
2. Kirtanam [chanting], talk of sex life. Our modern literature, newspaper and everything, simply full with talks of sex life. But this is against brahmacarya life.
3. Keli [performing], actually indulging in sex life.
4. Preksanam [looking], overlooking a nice boy or nice girl. That is also against brahmacarya.
5. Guhyam [confidential], whispering between girls and boys. That is also against brahmacari.
6. Asanam [sitting], Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 9: Chapter Nineteen, Text 16 (Translation):

"One should not allow oneself to sit on the same seat even with one’s own mother, sister or daughter, for the senses are so strong that even though one is very advanced in knowledge, he may be attracted by sex."

7. Sankalpa [determination], determination of sex life.
8. Advyavasaya [endeavoring], endeavoring how to effect sex life.

So when we can stop all these activities, that is real brahmacarya. It is very difficult at the present age. Etad maithunam asthangam pravadanti manisinah vikarita brahmacaryam eda astanam laksanam iti. So brahmacarya means that you cannot think of sex life, you cannot talk of sex life, you cannot whisper about sex life, or you cannot endeavor for sex life. These eight types of activities in sex indulgence are against brahmacary life. But here it is prescribed that if you want to make solution of the problems of life, then you adopt, you have to adopt a life of tapasya, austerity, which begins from brahmacari.

The following is from a compilation of articles on the internet and posted on the ‘DHARMA Mailing List’. There is an abundance of relevant information in this article for the aspiring brahmachari.

Jaya! all glories to Srila Prabhupada for without his mercy we would still be rotting in the clutches of Maya oblivious to any of the following principles.

BRAHMACHARYA

From the DHARMA Mailing Lists

The human form of life, especially male form of life is very rare and it is the best-suited form for the path of self-realization. Who can afford to miss this golden opportunity to go back home back to Godhead? When we are youthful, we are like a freshly blossomed rose flower with due drops and our life can be completely perfected by utilizing our youthful body, fresh mind and powerful speech in Krishna’s service thoroughly. Anything in this world has a nature to deteriorate. So our youthful bodies will also gradually wither away by the power of inevitable time.

When we are young brahmacaris, it is important to know how we should maintain purity of thought, word and deed so that we can use this useful instrument – human body to the best efficiency. Given below are some interesting and important points or information that I have gathered, which, I am sure will inspire those who are interested in leading the life of a sincere brahmacari in Krishna consciousness: 

PRESENT DAY DEGRADATION

Man with his boasted intellect, has to learn lessons from birds and animals. Even animals have more self-control than men. Lions, elephants, bulls and other powerful animals have better self-control than men. Lions cohabit only once in a year. After conception, the female animals will never allow the male animals to approach them till the young ones are weaned and they themselves become healthy and strong. Man only violates the laws of nature and consequently suffers from innumerable diseases. He has degenerated to a level far lower than that of animals in this respect. 

Even the most virulent poison is no poison when compared to lust. The former defiles one body only, whereas the latter adulterates many bodies in successive births. People talk of brahmacarya, but practical men are rare indeed. The path becomes smooth for a man of iron determination, patience and perseverance. Mere idle talk is of no use whatsoever. We have had enough of idle talkers in the field and on the platforms. Example is better than precept. There is no victory more glorious than mastery over our own mind and senses. When we are self-controlled, we sleep peacefully and awake enthusiastically. We know happiness and contentment. Self-mastery means conquering the body and subduing the restless mind. Until we control the body and mind, we are subject to the slavery of cruel taskmasters, such as lust and ignorance. He who rules his own mind and senses has no need for crown. He is a real superman. It is harder to control oneself than to rule the world. Indeed, he who has conquered himself has already conquered the world. To be self-controlled we must be well established in renunciation. Temptations must be resisted, evil thoughts subdued, and base desires rejected. Only then will we have peace and joy.

 WORKING OF THE SEX IMPULSE

The attraction towards women in men is born of Rajas. That unknown attraction and happiness in their company is the seed of the sex impulse. This attraction, which is like a bubble in the beginning, later on assumes the form of a formidable, uncontrollable wave of strong passion or sexual appetite. Beware. Generate the spiritual wave of devotion through Japa, Satsanga, and Vichara and kill this attraction in the bud.

Lust is powerful. It carries a flowery bow equipped with five arrows, namely,

Mohana, Stambhana, Unmadana, Soshana and Tapana – fascination, stupefaction, intoxication, emaciation and burning.

 Mohana – one arrow causes fascination in young men when they see a beautiful form.

 Stambhana – Another arrests their attention

 Unmadana – The third intoxicates them.

 Soshana – The fourth arrow causes intense attraction towards the form.

 Tapana - The fifth arrow inflames and burns their heart. It pierces the cardiac chambers deeply. No one on this earth, nay, in all the three worlds, has the power to resist the potential influence of these arrows.

Cupid makes intellectual persons, great orators, ministers and research scholars, doctors and barristers as pleasure deer or pet dogs in the laps of young ladies.

A sexual act produces a SAMSKARA (impression in the subconscious mind or CHITTA). This Samskara raises a VRITTI (thought wave in the mind). The Vritti again causes a Samskara. Enjoyment thickens the VASANAS. From the bed of Samskaras and Vasanas in the mind, emanates KALPANA (imagination) through SMRITI (memory). Then comes ATTACHMENT.

Even in a blind man who is a celibate who has not seen the face of a woman, the sexual impulse is very strong. Why? This is due to the force of Samskaras or impressions of previous births, which are imbedded, in the subconscious mind. Whatever you do, whatever you think, are all lodged or printed or indelibly impressed in the layers of the Chitta or subconscious mind. These impressions can be burnt only by Krishna consciousness. When the sexual Vasana fills the whole mind and body, the Samskaras assume the form of big Vrntis or wolf and torment the poor blind man.

It is easy to control the conscious mind. But it is very difficult to control the subconscious mind. You may be a brahmacari or a sannyasi. Mark how the mind conducts itself in dreams. The sex impulses, ambitions and low desires are all ingrained in you and deep-rooted in the subconscious mind. Destroy these dirty impressions by sincere chanting. A man who is established in mental Brahmacharya can never have even a single thought of evil in dreams. He can never have a bad dream. There is a lack of VICHARA or VIVEKA in dream. That is the reason why you get bad dreams, even though you are pure in the Jagrati state through the power of VIVEKA and VICHARA.

When the impurities emerge from the subconscious mind and come to the surface of the conscious mind with formidable force, do not try to resist them. Do not think of evil qualities much. Just repeat the Hare Krishna mantra and try to hear it attentively. There is no other way, no other way, no other way.

You may grow old, your hair may turn gray, but your mind is ever young. The capacity may vanish, but the craving remains. Cravings are the real seeds of birth. These craving-seeds give rise to Sankalpa and action. The wheel of samsara is kept revolving by these cravings Nip them in the bud. By sincere devotion through chanting, root out these craving-seeds, which are laid deep. You will have to dig them out properly in various corners and burn them beyond resurrection.

 How To Gauge Your Own Mental Purity 

· If a feeling arises in the mind of a brahmacari,

· The company of a woman during times of ailment

· If there is a desire to talk, play and joke with her,

· If there is a desire to took at young beautiful girls,

· If the look is unholy and unchaste,

· If there is a desire in the mind when there is pain in the body for touch by the hands of females.

Remember that lust is still lurking in his mind. There is deep sexual craving. This should be destroyed. The old thief is still hiding. Such a Brahmacari must be very careful. He is still within the danger zone. He has not attained the state of purity. Even in dreams there should not arise in the mind any craving for the touch of a female and the company of a woman. One’s purity can be gauged by one’s experiences in dream. If one is entirely free from any sexual thought in dreams, he has reached the state of purity. Self-analysis and introspection are indispensable requisites to determine the state of one’s mind. 

Eradication Of Lust Is No Easy Task

 Just as the fox hides itself within the bush, so also, this lust hides itself in the substratum and corners of the mind. You can detect its presence only if you are vigilant. Intense self-examination is very necessary. Just as powerful enemies can be conquered only if you attack them from all sides, so also, you can keep the powerful senses under control only if you attack them from all sides, from within and from without, from above and from beneath. Chanting, hearing, rendering menial service, singing bhajans, dancing in Harinam, taking darshans, discussing in a assembly of devotees – all should be regularly done to redirect the lust from matter to Krishna.

Safeguard yourself against the error or foolishly imagining that you have succeeded in getting rid of lust by the mere fact of having lived a single life for a number of years or experiencing a little feeling of serenity or purity. Temptation or Maya may overcome you at any moment. Eternal vigilance and rigorous Sadhana are very essential. Just as a machine-gun is necessary to kill a powerful enemy, so also, constant, vigorous, powerful Sadhana is necessary to annihilate this powerful enemy known as lust . You must not be puffed up with pride for your little achievement in celibacy. If you are put to the test, you will hopelessly fail.

It is easy to tame a wild tiger or a lion or an elephant. It is easy to play with the cobra. It is easy to walk over the fire. It is easy to devour fire and drink the waters of the ocean. It is easy to uproot the Himalayas. It is easy to get victory in the battlefield. But it is difficult to eradicate lust. Lust cannot be conquered except by the grace of the Lord. Mere human effort alone will not suffice. The divine grace is needed. God helps those who help themselves. Constant Japa and meditation for long periods are necessary to re-direct the sexual energy into the spiritual channel. Extreme patience, constant vigilance, perseverance and rigorousSadhana are necessary to eradicate the sexual impulses and attain perfect purity in thought, word and deed.

Brahmacarya or purity can be attained only through constant striving. It cannot be achieved in a day or a week. It is doubtlessly powerful and deadly enemy. But your most powerful friend is the Lord’s Name: Chant Hare Krishna and be happy.

A rebellion of the sexual impulses takes place when you attempt to control them. Constant Japa meditation for a long period is necessary to direct the sex energy into the spiritual channel. Extreme patience, constant vigilance, perseverance and rigorous Sadhana are necessary to eradicate sexual impulses and attain perfect purity in thought, word and deed. 

LUST IN MEN AND WOMEN

A mild desire becomes a strong passion by frequent repetition or frequent enjoyment. The whole mango tree with all its branches, leaves and fruits is contained in a subtle form in the seed. It takes time to manifest. Even so, the Vasana of lust lurks in the mind when you are a boy, manifests at 18, fills the whole body at 25, work havoc from 25 to 45 and then gradually declines. Human beings between the ages of 25 to 45 commit various forms of wrongdoing and mischief. This is the most critical period of life.

Women are more emotional; males are more rational. Though females are more passionate, yet they have more power of restraint than males. After enticing men, they keep quiet. The real culprit is man only. He is aggressive. It is he who tastes the ‘forbidden fruit’ first. He goes out of control and loses his intellect, power of understanding and judgment when he is under the grip of passion and becomes the lap-dog of woman. When once man falls into the trap or net spread out by woman, there is no escape for him. The scorpion has the venom in its tail, the cobra in its fangs, the mosquito in its saliva: woman has poisoned arrows in her eyes. There are tongues and telegraphic instruments in the eyes of young passionate ladies. They send their love shafts and love messages through their smiling glances to passionate young men and thereby allure and bewitch them. Those young men who have no discrimination are excited by those love messages and become a prey to lust. They become pleasure-deer or sporting lap dogs of ladies, though they possess academic education and hold high position and title. What a shame! Reason, will, intellect vanish altogether. O aspirants! Do not be familiar with any woman. She cannot do any harm to a Viveki who is always on the alert and who sees the Doshas of a woman and who is always absorbed in remembrance of the Lord. 

Misleading Descriptions of a Woman’s Beauty

Sex is the distinction between male and female. It is a mental creation. It is a KALPANA or imagination. There is no sex in the five elements of which the body is composed. The human body is nothing but a combination of the five elements. The sex idea is the jugglery of Maya. For a devotee, the world is full of Krishna. For a passionate man, the world is full of woman. He falls in love with a wooden post if it is wrapped in a silken gown or a beautiful cloth with attractive borders and a petticoat. Passion is a terrible curse. When a man is under the influence of passion, excitement and the sex impulse or force destroy his understanding and reason, overwhelm his mind and make him utterly helpless.

 Have you ever paused and considered what constitutes the ‘beautiful’ ladies who excite lust in you ? A bundle of bones, flesh, blood, urine, pus, perspiration, phlegm and other dirt! Will you allow such a bundle to become the master of your thoughts? Will you exchange your birthright of eternal peace and bliss for such a fleeting, filthy mess of pottage? Shame on you! Was your will your reason and your discrimination given to you only for such an inglorious end?

Poets have exaggerated the beauty of ladies. They are misguided persons who put young men in the wrong path. Descriptions like "face like the moon" "rosy cheeks and honeyed lips" are false and imaginary. Where is the beauty in the dead body, in old women, in sick ladies? It is the ornaments, silken clothing with fanciful borders, dressing of the hair with golden hairpins, flowers, application of powder to their faces, lipstick to the lips and unguent to their eyes that lend a temporary decoration and artificial glittering to the women. Deprive them of their face powders, their ornaments and gaudy dress and ask them to wear a simple white cloth without any border. Where is the beauty now? The beauty of the skin is a delusion only.

Poets describe in their fanciful, passionate moods that honey flows from the lips of a young, beautiful lady. Is this really true? What do you actually see? The stinking pus from the sockets of the teeth that are affected with dreadful pyorrhea, the nasty and abominable sputum from the throat, and foul saliva dribbling on the lips at night do you call all this as honey and nectar? And yet, the passionate, lustful and sex-intoxicated man swallows these filthy excretions when he is under the sway of excitement! Is there anything more revolting than this? Are not these poets culpable, when they have given such a false description, when they have caused great havoc and damage to passionate young men? Behind the shining skin there is the raw flesh. Behind the smiles of a young lady are hidden frown and anger. Behind the rosy lips lie germs of diseases. Just imagine for a moment that her skin is removed. You will have to stand by her side with a long stick to drive away crows and vultures. Physical beauty is superficial, illusory and fading. O passionate man! Do not be deluded by external appearances. Turn to the eternal beauty of the Supreme Lord and sell off your heart to his beauty! 

Passion Blinds The Intellect

This Maya has benefited nobody in this world. People weep in the end. Ask any grown-up householder whether he finds even an iota of happiness in this world. The fly runs towards the fire or lamp thinking that it is a flower and gets burnt up. Even so, the passionate man runs towards a false beautiful form thinking that he can get there the real happiness and gets himself burnt up in the fire of lust.

Just as silkworm entangles itself in its self-woven cocoon, so also, you have entangled yourself in the meshes of your own unlimited material desires. Tear the meshes by the sword of dispassion and fly high with the wings of devotion and knowledge. 

DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF SEXUAL INDULGENCE

Sensual enjoyment is attended with various defects. It is attended with various sorts of sins, pains, weaknesses, attachments, slave mentality, weak will, severe exertion and struggle, craving and mental restlessness. Worldly persons never come to their proper senses although they get severe knocks, kicks and blows from different corners. The strolling street dog never stops from visiting the houses even though it is pelted with stones every time.

 Eminent doctors of the West say that various kinds of diseases arise from the loss of semen, particularly in young age. There appears:

· Boils on the body,

· Acne or eruptions on the face,

· Blue lines around the eyes,

· Sunken eyes, pale face with anemia,

· Loss of memory, loss of eye-sight, shortsightedness,

· Discharge of semen along with urine,

· Enlargement of the testes, pain in the testes,

· Debility, drowsiness, laziness, gloominess,

· Palpitation of heart,

· Dyspnoea or difficulty in breathing,

· Phthisis, pain in the back, loins, head and joints,

· Weak kidneys, passing urine in sleep,

· Fickle mindedness, lack of thinking power, bad dreams,

· Wet dreams and restlessness of mind.

Mark carefully the evil after-effects that follow the loss of seminal energy ! Wasting the seminal power on so many occasions (for nothing) physically, mentally and morally debilitates persons. The body and mind refuse to work energetically. There is physical and mental lethargy. Those who have not observed the vow of celibacy become the slaves of anger, jealousy, laziness and fear. If you have not got your senses under your control, you venture to do foolish acts which even a child will not dare to do. When a man becomes furious he behaves improperly. He does not know what he is exactly doing as he loses his power of reasoning and discrimination. He will do anything he likes. He will insult even his guru and other respectable persons. It behooves, therefore, that the aspirant who is trying to develop good behavior must preserve the vital energy. Preservation of this divine energy leads to the attainment of strong will power. Good behavior, spiritual exaltation, and Sreyas eventually.

The energy that is wasted during one sexual intercourse is tantamount to the energy that is spent in physical labor for 10 days or the energy that is utilized in mental work for 3 days. Just see how precious is the vital fluid, semen? When Veerya is not used, it is all transmuted into Oj’as Sakti or spiritual energy and stored up in the brain. 

Wet Dream & Voluntary Copulation- A Vital Difference

 A sexual act shatters the nervous system. The whole nervous system is shaken or agitated during the act. There is excessive loss of energy. But it is not so when emission occurs during the dreaming state. In a wet dream, it may be the outflow of the prostatic fluid only. Even if there is loss of the vital fluid, there is not much draining. The actual essence does not come out during wet dreams. It is only the watery prostatic fluid with a little semen that is discharged during nocturnal pollutions. When nocturnal emission takes place, the mind, which was working in the inner astral body suddenly, enters the physical body vehemently in an agitated condition. That is the reason why emission takes place suddenly.

The night discharge may not stimulate the sexual desire. But a voluntary copulation, in the case of a sincere aspirant, is highly detrimental to his spiritual progress. The Samskara created by the act will be very deep; and it will intensify or strengthen the force of the previous bad Samskaras that are already imbedded in the subconscious mind and will stimulate sexual desire, it will be like pouring ghee in the fire that is slowly getting extinguished. You should completely give up copulation. Night pollution or discharge is of two kinds – Physiological and Pathological. In physiological pollution you will be refreshed. You should not be afraid of this act. You should not mind if the discharge of semen is very occasional. This may be due to heat in the body or the pressure of loaded bowels or bladder on seminal bags. This act may not be attended with evil thoughts. The person may not even be aware of the act during the night.

Whereas in pathological pollution the act is accompanied by sexual thoughts. Depression follows. There is irritability, languishment, laziness, inability to work etc. Occasional discharges are of no consequence, but frequent nocturnal illusions cause depression of spirits, debility, dyspepsia, loss of memory, severe pain in the back, headache, burning of eyes, drowsiness and burning sensation at urination or during flow of semen.

Wet dreams and spermatorrhoea may be due to various causes like constipation, a loaded stomach, irritation producing or wind producing food, impure thoughts and long self-abuse done in ignorance.

Most of the diseases take their origin in overeating. The evening meal should light and eaten before 6 or 7 p.m. If possible don’t take anything other than milk and fruit at night. No solid or liquid should be taken after sunset. When you take milk, mix ginger essence in it. Or boil crushed ginger with milk before drinking the milk. A loaded bladder is the cause of Wet dreams. Before retiring to bed, answer the calls of nature. To relieve constipation the use of enema is most essential.  

THE VALUE OF SEMEN

 The vital energy, the Veerya that supports your life, which is the Pranas, which shines in your sparkling eyes, which beams in your shining cheeks, is a great treasure for you. Veerya is the quintessence of blood. One drop of semen is manufactured out of 40 drops of blood. Note here how valuable this fluid is!

According to Ayurveda, semen is the last Dhatu that is formed out of food. Out of food is manufactured chyle. Out of chyle comes blood. Out of blood comes flesh. Out of flesh comes fat. Out of fat conies bone. Out of bones comes marrow. Out of marrow comes semen. These are the Sapta dhatus that support this life and body. Semen is the last essence. It is the essence of all essences.

Just as sugar is all pervading in sugarcane, butter in milk, so also semen is pervading the whole body. Just as the buttermilk is thin after the butter is removed, so also, semen is thinned by its wastage. The more the wastage of semen the more is the weakness. In the Yoga Sastras it is said: 

Maranam Bindu Patanat Jivanam Bindu Raksanat 

Falling of semen brings death, preservation of semen gives life.

It is the hidden treasure in man. It imparts Brahma-Tejas to the face and strength to the intellect. 

Modern Medical Opinion

Eminent European medical men also support the statements of the Yogis of India. Dr. Nicole says :

"This vital fluid of man carried back and diffused through his system makes him manly, strong, brave and heroic. If wasted, it leaves him effeminate, weak and physically debilitated and prone to sexual irritation and disordered function, a wretched nervous systeiri, epilepsy, and various other diseases and death. The suspension of the use of the generative organs is attended with a notable increase of bodily and mental and spiritual vigor."

Dr. E.P. Miller says,

"All waste of spermatic secretions, whether voluntary or involuntary, is a direct waste of the life-force. It is almost universally conceded that the choicest element of the blood enters into the composition of the spermatic secretion. If these conclusions are correct, then it follows that a chaste life is essential to man’s well being.” 

MEANING OF BRAHMACARYA

Brahmacarya literally means Acarya or conduct that leads to the realization of the Absolute truth. It means the control of semen, the study of the Vedas and contemplation of Krishna. The technical meaning of Brahmacharya is self-restraint, particularly mastery of perfect control over the sexual organ or freedom from lust in thought, word and deed.

The Eight Breaks In Brahmacarya 

1. A Brahmacari should avoid looking at a woman with lustful eye.

2. He should not have the desire to touch her or go near her with evil intention.

3. He should not play, cut jokes or converse with her.

4. He should not praise a woman’s qualities within himself or before his friends.

5. He should not speak to a woman in secrecy.

6. He should not think of women at all.

7. He should not have a carnal desire to have sexual enjoyment.

8. A Brahmacari should, without fail, avoid sexual intercourse.

If he breaks any of the above rules, he violates the vow of Brahmacarya. Though the first seven kinds of Maithuna do not cause the actual loss of semen, yet the semen is separated from the blood and it tries to escape when opportunity arises, either in dreams or in other ways. In the first seven kinds, man enjoys mentally. Lustful look, lustful thinking and wet dreams are all failures or beaks in Brahmacarya. Be chaste in your look.

Give up Drishti Dosha or lustful look. A lustful look itself is a break in Brahmacarya. There is internal discharge. Veerya is separated from the system. Only by vigorous chanting of Hare Krishna can we overcome the lower propensities. 

Physical Brahmacarya And Mental Brahmacarya

It is very necessary that you should be pure in mind if you wish to be a Brahmacari. Mental Brahmacarya is more important. You may succeed in physical Brahmacarya, but you must succeed in mental Brahmacharya also. Thought is the real act. An evil desire is tantamount to adultery. The desire is more than the act.

When you cannot control the lustful thoughts, at least control the physical body. Physical Brahmacarya must be strictly practiced at first. Control the body when the sex impulses trouble you. Mental purity or mental Brahmacarya will gradually manifest.

If the mind is not rendered pure by Sadhana, mere mortification of the external senses will not produce the desired effect. Although the external senses are mortified, their internal counterparts, which are still energetic and vigorous, revenge upon the mind and produce intense mental disturbance and wild imagination. 

GLORY OF BRAHMACHARYA

Brahmacharya is the shield for waging war against the internal asuras – lust, anger and greed. It serves as a gateway to the bliss beyond. It opens the door to the spiritual world if added to devotional service. Even Rishis, Devas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras serve at the feet of a true Brahmacari.  ‘Brahmacharyena Tapasa Deva Mrityum upagnataa’ The Vedas declare that by Brahmacarya and penance the Devas have conquered death. The great Hanuman, Bhisma andLakshman are practical examples. 

Just as the oil comes up in a wick and hum producing a bright light, so also the Veerya or semen flows up by the practice of Sadhana and is converted into Tcias or Ojas. The brahmacari shines with Brahmic aura in his face.

Brahmacharya is the blossomed flower of life around which the bees of strength, patience, knowledge, and purity wander about humming hither and thither. By the practice of Brahmacharya longevity, glory, strength, vigour, knowledge, wealth, undying fame, virtues and devotion to the truth increase.

After Dhanvantari had taught all the details about Ayurveda to his disciples, they enquired about the keynote of this medical science. The Master replied,

"I tell you that Brahmacharya is truly a precious jewel. It is the one most effective nectar medicine, which indeed destroys diseases, decay and death. For attaining peace, brightness, memory, knowledge, health and self-realization, one should observe brahmacharya, which is the highest dharma. Brahmacharya is the highest knowledge; Brhamacharya is the greatest strength. Brahmacharya can undo all inauspicious signs",

When there is purity, the rays of the mind are not dissipated. Focusing of the mind becomes easy. Concentration and purity go together. Although a sage may say a few words only, a deep impression is produced in the minds of the hearers. This is due to his Ojas Sakti, which is conserved by the preservation of semen and its transmutation.

A true Brahmacari in thought, word and deed has wonderful thought-power. He can move the world. If you develop strict celibacy, VICHARA SAKTI (power of enquiry) and DHARANA SAKTI (power of grasping and holding the Truth) will develop. Continence increases infinitely the power of retentive memory. The strict celibate has keen and acute memory even in old age.

Lakshmana followed Sri Rama for the long period of 14 years though he was perfectly aware of the dangers of the forest. Lakshmana was pure in thought, word and deed. He led the life of an ideal Brahmacari during the 14 years of exile. He never looked at the face or body of Sita. His eyes were ever directed towards her lotus feet only. When Sugriva brought Sita’s cloak and jewels – which while she was being carried away, she had allowed to fall on the earth, seeing the monkeys on the mountain – Rama showed them to Lakshmana and asked whether he recognized them. Lakshmana said :

 Nahum Junami Keyurc Naham Janami Kankane
Nupuru Eva Janumi fvityarn Padabhi vandanat

"I do not recognize the bracelets or ear-rings; I know only the anklets, for I worshiped her feet alone".

See how Lakshmana revered Goddess Sita as mother. 

SUPPRESSION AND SUBLIMATION

 In the practice of Brahmacarya what is wanted is elimination of lust, but not suppression. Suppression of the sex urge is not eradication. You can never be free of that which is suppressed. The suppressed sex desire will attack you again and again and will produce wet dreams, irritability and restlessness of mind. No method is as powerful as redirecting all our lust towards Krishna. If Krishna takes over our heart, if our heart is filled with Krishna thoughts, Krishna’s books, Krishna’s people, Krishna’s temples, Krishna’s activities, Krishna’s service-Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Krishna – in all tracks of your mind, then you can not be troubled by material lust.

Ignorant people adopt foolish methods to kill the Indriyas. They fail eventually. Many foolish aspirants amputate the organ of reproduction. They think that lust can be eradicated by such a procedure. What a greatly foolish act! Lust is in the mind. If the mind is controlled and engaged in the Lord’s service, what can this organ do? Some swallow tons of nux vomica to kill this organ. They fail in their attempts to be centered in Brahmacharya. The state of their mind remains the same, though they become impotent by taking nux vomica.

Brahmacharya means control, but not suppression of the sex desire or sex force. The mind should be rendered by pure japa, kirtan and prayer and through such constant engagement like Maharaja Ambarish. If the mind is filled with sublime divine thoughts the sex desire will be devitalized or de-energized by the withdrawal of the mind. We must develop devotion to the Lord and a burning desire to get out of this rotten material world. 

From Sex Energy To Spiritual Energy

Ojas is spiritual energy that is stored up in the brain. By entertaining sublime, soul-elevating thoughts through sravanam, kirtanam, smaranam etc., the sexual energy can be transmuted into Ojas Sakti and stored up in the brain. This stored up energy can then be utilized for divine contemplation and spiritual pursuits.

Anger and muscular energy can also be transmuted into Ojas. A man who has a great deal of Ojas in his brain can turn out immense mental work. He is very intelligent. He has lustrous eyes and a magnetic aura in his face. He can influence people by speaking a few words. A short speech of his produces a tremendous impression on the minds of the hearers. His speech is thrilling. He has an awe-inspiring personality. A brahmacari is always careful to accumulate this divine energy by unbroken chastity. 

The Secret Of Sex Sublimation 

According to yogic science, semen exists in a subtle form throughout the whole body. It is found in a subtle state in all the cells of the body. It is withdrawn and elaborated into a gross form in the sexual organ under the influence of the sexual will and sexual excitement. An Oordhvareta Yogi not only converts the semen into Ojas, but checks through purity of thought, word and deed, the very formation of semen by the secretory cells of the testes or seeds. This is a great secret. Allopaths believe that even in an Oordhvareta Yogi, the formation of semen goes on incessantly and that the fluid is reabsorbed into the blood. This is a mistake. They are in the dark. Their Drishti or vision is concerned with the gross things of the universe. The Yogi gets control over the astral nature of semen and thereby prevents the formation of the very fluid itself.

The body of a man who is truly an Oordhvaretas has the scent of a lotus. A man who is not a Brahmacari in whom gross semen is formed may on the other hand smell like a buck goat.

 The process of sex sublimation is extremely difficult. It demands constant and disciplined Sadhana through which the seeds of Samskara will be fried in toto.

There is another sect called "Dhiryaretas" or those persons, who, previously a prey to lustful thoughts and deviated from Brahmacarya, later take to the practice of strict celibacy. Such a person, if he practices strict celibacy for 12 years, can acquire superhuman powers. Medha Nadi or Buddhi Nadi is formed in him. By means of this he can have retentive memory of anything as long as he lives. By observance of unbroken Brahmacarya in thought, word and deed for a period of full 12 years, one is bestowed even with the vision of God, if one aspires for it. He can solve the most abstruse and complicated problems easily. But, this kind of observance should commence before the 32nd or the 34th year. 

ROLE OF DIET IN SEX CONTROL

 Sattvic Food 

Cheru. Havis Annam, Milk, Wheat, Barley, bread, ghee, butter, dried ginger, green gram, potatoes, dates, plantains, curd, almonds and fruits are all Sattvic articles of food. Cheru is a mixture of boiled white rice, ghee, white sugar and milk. Havis Annam is also a similar preparation. This is very useful for spiritual aspirants. Milk is a perfect food by itself, containing as it does, the different nutritive constituents in a well-balanced proportion. This is an ideal food for brahmacaris.

Fruits are great energy producers. Bananas, Grapes, Sweet Oranges, Apples, Pomegranates and Mangoes are wholesome and nutritious. Dry fruits such as grapes, raisins, dates and figs, sweet fresh fruits such as bananas, mangoes, sapotas / chikoos, melons, limes, pineapples, apples, wood apples, sugar and sugar-candy, honey, sago, arrowroot, milk, butter and ghee of cows, tender coconut water, pistachio nuts, Toor Dhal, Ragi, Barley, Maize, Wheat, rice of red paddy whose bran is only partly removed and all preparations from any of these grains, and White Pumpkin are Sattvic articles for keeping up Brahmacarya. 

Forbidden Food 

Hot curries, Chutnies, Chillies, Sour curd, Over-ripe and Unripe fruits and Salt are not at all beneficial. Onions and garlic are worse than meat. Lemon juice, rock salt, gingers and white pepper can be used in moderation. 

Mitahara or Moderation In Diet

Mitahara is moderation in food. Take wholesome Sattvic foods. Fill half of the stomach and a quarter with pure water. Allow the remaining part free. This is Mitahar Brahmacharis should always take Mitahara only. They should be very careful about the night diet. They should never overload the stomach at night. Overloading is the direct cause for nocturnal emissions.

A glutton can only dream of becoming a Brahmacari. The tongue must be controlled first. Then it will be easy to control the passion. There is intimate connection between the tongue and the organ of generation. Tongue is the organ is of knowledge. It is born of the Rajasic portion of the Water-tanmatra. They are sister organs as the source is the same. If the tongue is stimulated with Rajasic food, at once the reproductive organ also gets excited. The food of a Brahmacari must be simple, bland, spiceless, non-irritating and non-stimulating. Moderation in food is very necessary. Stuffing the stomach is highly deleterious. 

Fasting – A Purificatory Exercise

Fasting controls passion. Fasting destroys sexual excitement and it calms the emotions. It controls the Indriyas also. Fasting controls particularly the tongue, which is your deadly enemy. When you fast, do not allow the mind to think of delicious dishes, because then you will not derive much benefit. Fasting overhauls the respiratory, circulatory, digestive and urinary systems. It destroys all the impurities of the body and all sorts of poisons. It eliminates uric acid deposits.

The chief object in fasting is to practice Dhyana rigorously during that period, as all theindriyas are calm. You will have to withdraw all the Indriyas and fix the mind on Krishna through chanting His holy names.

Avoid excessive fasting. It will produce weakness. Use your commonsense. Those who are not able to observe a full fast can fast for 9 or 12 hours and can take milk and fruits in the evening or at night. During fasting the internal digestive organs such as the stomach, the liver and the pancreas take rest. All their diseases take their origin in overeating. Fasting cures diseases that are pronounced incurable by allopaths and homoeopaths. Manu, the Hindu lawgiver, prescribes in his code the remedy of fasting for removal of the five capital sins also.

It is better to drink a large quantity of water, either tepid or cold, according to temperament and inclination, during fasting. It will flush out the kidneys and remove the poison and all sorts of impurities in the body. In Hatha Yoga it is termed as Gata-Suddhi or purification of the fleshpot, the physical body. You can add half a teaspoonful of Soda Bicarbonate to the water.

 Those who fast for 2 or 3 days should not break their fast with any solid food. They should take some kind of fruit juice, either sweet orange juice or pomegranate juice. They should sip the juice slowly.