This chapter is the English translation of Gujarati Book Title - Sadhak and Sathi Author - Shri Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji) CHAPTER - 4 CELIBACY (BRAHMA-CHARYA) The word "Brahmacharya" consists of two words: a. Brahma means Soul and b. Charya means Conduct. The code of conduct that leads to self-realization of Soul (or Atma) would, therefore, be the general meaning of Brahma-charya or celibacy. It should, however, be understood that the concept of celibacy is very wide, subtle and complicated. Only a highly enlightened soul well-established in celibacy is really competent to give an all-embracing conceptual analysis of celibacy. We are, however, trying to attempt hereunder a brief description and analysis of the subject of celibacy as it applies at the present-day. This is based on the doctrines of the ancient, illustrious Acharyas or saints who joined to our own limited experience. May this delight those who aim at the attainment of the sublime and supersensuous bliss and may it percolate in the depth of their souls, and lead them to exert themselves in all ways, in the practice of this pure, pious and supreme vow (Uttama Vrata) of "Brahma-charya". BACKGROUND The proponents of Aryan culture have broadly classified the life activities of human being into four categories - Dharma, Artha, Karma, Moksha: (1) Dharma: Practice of religion (2) Artha: Activity for earning livelihood etc. (3) Karma: Activity for fame, family etc. (4) Moksha: Activity for the attainment of salvation. It is recommended that an average person should go through the four stages (Ashramas) of life known as Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa Ashramas. They are prescribed as follows: 1. Brahmacharya-ashrama: Student Life 2. Gruhasth-ashrama: Family Life 3. Vanaprasth-ashrsama: Family and Social services period 4. Sanyast-ashrama: Monkhood Life (Renunciation) Looking from the viewpoint of an average person, this kind of arrangement has been found fairly practical and quite useful to society. However, there is one small group of exceptional personalities in society, that adopts a different course. Life-long celibacy right from childhood, gradually developing as a full-time aspirant - (Sadhaka). This may be due to the psychic effects (sanskars) of previous lives, influence of the Guru (the teacher), good company, and a firm desire for liberation of the soul from the bondage of the body (Moksha). Once the right conviction becomes well established, life-long celibacy can lead a person more easily to the attainment of various extraordinary capacities which are ultimately conducive to self-realization. This has been exemplified by the lives of so many saints, great souls and Acharyas. SADHANA OF CELIBACY: 1. As expected of ordinary householders. 2. As expected of seekers of true knowledge and persons desiring liberation. 3. Complete Celibacy 1. AS EXPECTED OF ORDINARY HOUSEHOLDERS The Sadhakas of celibacy in this first stage have to resort to Sadhana while keeping intact their business and occupation, family structure, and social relations. They try to practice celibacy by way of good manners or as advised by a religious preacher. They have only relationship with their spouse and none with others. Here, the spiritual vision is of least importance because they are not acquainted thoroughly with the original vital form of celibacy. Since, lofty morality is expected of people of high status in society, and taking into consideration the physical and social disadvantages of immoral behavior, these Sadhakas normally remain monogamous and therefore faithful just to their spouse only. 2. AS EXPECTED OF SEEKERS OF THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONS DESIRING LIBERATION Here, celibacy starts with conviction. In persons of this cadre, real love of the vow of celibacy has arisen. It arises because they have a clear conviction as to how celibacy of all types, physical, mental, social, and spiritual, is the source of an all sided sublimation. This is analyzed scientifically and adjudged as conducive to happiness and usefulness. Observance of celibacy is particularly helpful in self- study, devotion, religion, self-identity and various types of meditation (Dhyana). Sadhana of its worldly and spiritual forms commences here due to this experience. Feelings of acute tension do not cease till a person is fully satisfied with his own spouse alone. Then the concentration on self-study is possible. Such a Sadhaka arranges his life-routine in the proper order as renunciated in the scriptures. He then renounces according to his ability. The causes mentioned below that are hindering to his vow of celibacy and takes recourse to others by which he can become stable in his vow of study. The following method will help in the observance of celibacy: a. Repeated acquaintances with Mahatmas, saints and monks. b. Following the guideline of a noble routine of life. This means not letting the mind idle even for a moment and being constantly associated with one or the other type of good activity. c. Methodical and regular study of good scriptures. d. Development of the virtue of humility, by devotion, worship and praise and full consciousness of one's own faults. e. Formation of good habits and observance of useful rules whereby one achieves the absence of addiction. This means a habit of leading a regular life so that it becomes easy to master the five senses and the mind. The mind becomes easily stable in Sadhana by the above practices. f. Discarding all external influences that intoxicate the mind. It means dissociation with watching movies, going to parties, club-visits, sensual entertainment, and so on. g. Not reading sensual literature like passion inspiring stories, songs, dramas etc, or even keeping such books in one's possession. h. In the area of discipline regarding food, discarding spicy foods as well as onions and garlic. Total banishment of meat, alcohol and drug substance. Rich foods like Ghee, milk and cream should also be taken within limits so that general health is maintained. Chapatis, pulses, rice, vegetables, fruits, and curds as also water and liquids should be taken in good quantity so that vitality and health are maintained. Body and Mind will then retain their happiness and the person will engross himself in self-study, acquaintance with the noble people, and meditation in all its intensity. The Sadhaka should cultivate the habit of eating very plain food and occasionally less food. With this, the Sadhana will gain a sense of purpose, the body will be healthy, idleness will end, and steadiness and attainment of concentration (Ashana) will develop. The study of religious scriptures (Tattva) is simultaneously necessary in the Sadhana of this stage. Thus, observance of celibacy is not just physical Sadhana but it is one of constant awakening of the soul. The Sadhaka comes to this realization through learning. Hence a man experiences satisfaction only with his wife. But even then, even in a brief contact with his own wife, a man feels regret. He performs some penance and feels distaste for the shortcomings of his soul. He confirms his respect regarding celibacy again and again through listening to religious discourse, acquaintance with noble people, pilgrimage to holy places (Tirtha-Yatra) and study of philosophy. The Sadhaka also gives an impetus to his self by remembering, in veneration, great souls like Hanuman, Bhishma, Lord Neminath (Arishtanemi), Lord Parashwanath, Sudershan Sheth etc. In recent times, Mahatma Gandhi and Ramkrishna Paramhansa retained married status and still practiced celibacy, thus presenting before us inspiring examples of the Sadhana of celibacy. In this stage, there is to be observance of celibacy for twelve to twenty eight days per month or even more. This leads to great success in steadiness of Sadhana. 3. COMPLETE CELIBACY From the viewpoint of Ultimate Reality, this is the ultimate stage of a superman. Its attainment is possible only to genuinely detached persons endowed with self- realization. The vow of celibacy here, means its complete observance of this great vow. The persons who have reached the highest stage, are genuinely merged in Atma (own Soul) as a reward of their supreme Sadhana of knowledge and self-control (Jnana-samyama). Still, however, for those who have attained to steadiness in celibacy by Sadhana, complete celibacy in speech, body, and mind, becomes possible. Mostly, such persons prefer to live in a monastery at the feet of a preceptor or in an Ashrama or a service organization for the safe and pure observance and maintenance of their vow. This is because here they have the benefit of constant acquaintance with noble sages and religious discourses delivered by them. Mostly, they are full-time Sadhakas. If, in the case of some persons, may have a small responsibility as householder, they might pay a casual visit to their houses, but once that worldly responsibility is fulfilled, they get fully engrossed in the constant pursuit of purity. It is then that their complete celibacy shines out in its true color and brightness. It need hardly be stressed that when such a Sadhaka has to go to his worldly home, he stays in a separate lonely room, observes his daily routine and takes no interest in worldly problems except where and when he must. He retires to his abode of yoga as soon as his work is over. GLORY OF CELIBACY 1. The celibate, who on viewing a young beauty in full bloom, does not get excited in the slightest degree and considers her to no more than a wooden doll, is like god himself. If a person controls his passion, he can conquer the whole world. This is like vanquishing the king during a war, as a result of which the whole kingdom along with the army and its power is conquered too. Strength is always required to accomplish any task. The same is also true for self-knowledge. Let the wise therefore, take on the strength of celibacy to accomplish the same. 2. One who desires to attain to the Supreme Reality, observes celibacy. 3. The practice of celibacy is indeed a major and unmatched contributory factor in: a. Controlling all the five senses and the mind b. Avoidance of all lethargy c. Attainment of the highest degree of self-contemplation d. Sadhana of all types conducive to the liberation (Mokhsha) of the Soul 4. Celibacy is said to be the most difficult of all vows and therefore it is considered as the principal vow (Vrata). No penance is sufficient for a monk or a Muni who violates this fundamental vow in the smallest degree. Breach of this vow is the downfall of a Sadhaka. Sadhakas, therefore, have to nourish this vow of celibacy all with due care and alertness. 5. Celibacy is said to be the supreme austerity (Tapa). 6. The man who observes faultless, true and complete celibacy deserves all praise and veneration, not only from common people of the world, but also from all great souls. 7. Observance of celibacy even in a dream is not possible for persons with limited capacity and loose character, who are timid, helpless, and slaves to their senses. Only persons of great spirit are able to observe this vow in its true sense. 8. Even highly enlightened souls envisage no possibility of expiration for a breach of this vow. They are unanimous that it must be observed under all circumstances. 9. Strength and health are the benefits of celibacy. Further, it confers long life and brightness of mind. The body is energized, the intellect and memory get sharpened, speech becomes lucid and powerful. By observance of celibacy, steadiness of concentration is achieved and the experience of a state of noble thinking gets extended. When a person is in meditation, he feels no fatigue and he can become a master of Samadhi that yields supreme bliss through the attainment of multifaceted self-control. We thus realize that celibacy is the best companion of a Sadhaka. LIVING EXAMPLES OF CELIBACY (1) One of the main disciples of Swami Vivekananda was Swami Vibhutananda. The pupil was as capable as the teacher. Once, a young woman entered his apartment with lustful intention, but when she saw the very gentle figure and divine luster of the Swami, she was stunned. Seeing her stunned, the Swami said, "Well mother, you will not go without something!" He offered Prasada (food) to her and she had no option but to accept it. The instinct of lust in the woman was dissipated on hearing the word "Mother". She accepted the Prasada of God, bowed before the Swami with tears rolling down her eyes, begged forgiveness and left. Such was the impressive grandeur of observance of life-long celibacy. (2) The king Chhatrasal (Maharaja) was a great warrior of the seventeenth century, well known for his nobility and philanthropic works. He ruled in parts of northern India and gave a bitter fight to Moslim Emperor Aurangzeb. He was the ruler of the kingdom of Panna around the year 1670 A.D. He was heroic like a lion and far brighter was his luster of celibacy. Besides being a man of royal blood, he was in the full bloom of youth. On seeing his grand personality, one daughter of a feudatory lord became enamored of him. She was maddened by love for him. Lust is blind and when one is overcome by it, one loses all sense of understanding and reason. She approached the king and, with folded hands, she said, "Well, your honor! I am very much afflicted!" "Noble lady! What is the cause of your affliction?" inquired the king carefully and cautiously. "I can reveal that only if you promise to remedy it," replied the lady slyly. The king, with his simple heart, replied: "I shall certainly help you, if possible." The young woman, with uncontrolled expression and gestures said, "Sir, I am childless. I desire a son like you". For a moment, the king was stunned, but he immediately controlled himself, "Oh, you only desire a son like me. Well mother! Chhatrasal is your son." The king touched her feet and accepted her as queen-mother. Such was his youthful righteousness, his patience and self-control. In the history of Bundelkhand, the time of this king's rule is considered to be a golden period. Under his ruling his subjects had full security and prosperity. (3) Pandit Shri Sumeru-chandra Diwakar is a great scholar of modern Jain Society. He is over eighty years old and lives at Shivni, near Nagpur in Madhya Pradesh. Once during the Paryushana festival, he was lecturing to a group of youths. He preached Dharma and then added, "Friends, do exercise and cultivate self-control. This will lead to perfect health and you will never require the vitamin tablets from doctors." The young men started asking among themselves. "We should like to know how far Panditji exercises self-control himself". On hearing this Pandit Indralal Shastri said, "Friends, Panditji is a celibate from childhood." The youths were stunned. (4) Dayanand Saraswati (Maharshi) was a great religious leader and authority on the Vedas of Hindu religion. He founded "Arya-Samaj", a socio-religion institute in the last century in Punjab. Dayanand Saraswati was visiting Ashwinikumar Dutt in Calcutta. Ashwinikumar, "Sir! Does Kama (lust) ever bother you?" Dayanand Saraswati, "Kama! I always engage myself in Kama (work). Therefore Kama (lust) never crosses my mind." Ashwinikumar, "Isn't your body like other humans?" Dayanand Saraswati, "A person who has destroyed sinful attitudes through practice of yoga and devotion to God and spends rest of the time helping others has satisfaction of happiness of soul. Such person does not even think of lust or such vices."