Practice Of Brahmacharya

PRACTICE OF BRAHMACHARYABySRI SWAMI SIVANANDASri Swami SivanandaFounder ofThe Divine Life Society6(59( /29( *,9( 385,) 0(',7 7( 5( /, (So SaysSri Swami SivanandaA DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION

First Edition: 1934Eighth Edition: 1980First Revised Edition: 1988Second Reprint: 1993(5000 Copies)World Wide Web (WWW) Reprint : 1997WWW site: http://www.rsl.ukans.edu/ pkanagar/divine/This WWW reprint is for free distribution The Divine Life Trust SocietyISBN 81-7052-067-3Published ByTHE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETYP.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh,Himalayas, India.ii

PUBLISHERS’ NOTEInstincts and appetites form a part of all life on earth. Sense impulses and biologicalurges are common to animal and man alike. Sex is one of the prominent, most important andabsolutely essential aspects of human, animal as well as plant life. Sex is an integral part oflife—human, animal and plant. While this aspect of life is regulated by nature in plants and byinstinct in animals, in man it is left to his common-sense, intelligence and his developed reasonto control and regulate the same. The vast and ancient scriptures of the world offer humansociety specific rules and regulations in this respect. With regard to India, as a nation, ourforefathers followed the do’s and don’ts of the Dharma Sastras in meticulous detail and this, inlarge measure, contributed to their health, longevity and spiritual welfare.But alas, in the present-day world, and more particularly among the educated class, in allwalks of society and in all age groups, norms of conduct laid down by the scriptures are floutedwith so much impunity that we see, all around us, the number of physical, mental and moralwrecks increasing every day. One reason for this sad state of affairs is modern man’s ignoranceof his own scriptural treasures.Swami Sivananda came on the Indian scene, in the early thirties, to blast this ignorance ofthe people by offering the hoary wisdom of the ancients through the media of his simple Englishwritings. It is well known that spiritual treatises apart, the great Master, whose love for mankindknew no bounds, wrote a number of books concerning health, hygiene and medicine. One suchbook was “Practice of Brahmacharya” which dealt mostly with the subject of celibacy, and wherecelibacy was not possible, a regulated sex life. This book has been popular with the public.This apart, the Swamiji’s thoughts on the subject of sex and sex sublimation are also tobe seen here and there spread over his voluminous writings. In the present volume, all ofSwamiji’s thoughts and instructions on the subject of sex and celibacy have been gathered upfrom “Practice of Brahmacharya” and elsewhere, and thoroughly edited, with a view to offeringthe public, and especially to the younger generation, a working guide to the vital subject of sexsublimation. This has been done as an act of loving service to modern youth who are often leftgroping in the dark by an irresponsible society. These days we often hear about “juveniledelinquency,” but this juvenile delinquency itself is the result of adult irresponsibility. The youthof the world craves for guidance which is often not forthcoming from the parents, teachers orsociety.It is hoped that this book of holy Master Swami Sivananda will fill the above-mentionedlacuna and offer the youth of the world the knowledge and guidance which they so richly deservein a vital area which affects their physical, mental, ethical and spiritual well-being.We pray that the blessings of the holy Master may pour on all those who may chance togo through the following pages and open up a new chapter in their lives. May all be healthy,happy and spiritually blessed. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu!8th September, 1988.—THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETYiii

CONTENTSPUBLISHERS’ NOTE.iiiPRAYER FOR PURITY. viiSECTION I. THE PHENOMENON OF SEX. 11. THE PRESENT-DAY DEGRADATION . 1The world is all sexy . 2Spiritual Sadhana is the answer to sex attraction. 3Brahmacharya—the need of the hour. 42. THE WORKING OF THE SEX IMPULSE . 6The flowery bow of Cupid . 6The Samskaras in the subconscious mind . 7How to gauge your own mental purity . 9Eradication of lust is no easy task . 103. INTENSITY OF THE CRAVINGS IN DIFFERENT PERSONS. 12Passion in children, the youth and the aged. 12Sexual thought in sages, spiritual aspirants and householders. 13Lust in men and in women . 144. SEX IS IN IMAGINATION . 15Beauty is a mental concept. 16Misleading descriptions of a woman’s beauty. 17Passion blinds the intellect . 185. THE DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF SEXUAL INDULGENCE . 19Wet dream and voluntary copulation—A vital difference. 20Youth with bloodless faces. 206. THE VALUE OF SEMEN. 21Modern medical opinion . 22Mind, Prana and Veerya. 22SECTION II. THE GLORY OF BRAHMACHARYA . 247. THE MEANING OF BRAHMACHARYA. 24The eight breaks in Brahmacharya . 24Physical Brahmacharya and mental Brahmacharya. 25A common complaint . 278. THE GLORY OF BRAHMACHARYA. 27Secret of health and longevity . 28Celibacy promotes concentration . 299. IMPORTANCE OF CELIBACY IN SPIRITUAL LIFE . 30Celibacy in the different religious orders . 31Brahmacharya—the foundation of spiritual life . 3210. BRAHMACHARYA FOR HOUSEHOLDERS. 34What is Brahmacharya in married life?. 35When the wife becomes the mother . 36Living a life of spiritual partnership. 3611. WOMEN AND BRAHMACHARYA. 37Brahmacharinis—ancient and modern . 38Loose life is not freedom. 39A call to spiritual life. 40iv

12. BRAHMACHARYA AND THE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM. 41A vital drawback in the present educational system in India. 42Duty of teachers and parents . 4313. SOME IDEAL BRAHMACHARINS. 45Hanuman . 45Sri Lakshmana. 46Bhishma . 47SECTION III. TECHNIQUES OF SEX SUBLIMATION . 5014. SUPPRESSION AND SUBLIMATION . 50From sex energy to spiritual energy . 50The secret of sex sublimation. 51Total sublimation is difficult, yet not impossible . 5215. TO MARRY OR NOT TO MARRY. 53Is celibacy possible?. 53A foolish argument of the Epicureans . 54Nature of the love between husband and wife. 56To be a celibate? Or to be a householder? . 58The Akhanda Brahmachari. 6016. THE DANGERS OF PROMISCUOUS MIXING. 60Havoc played by mental images. 61The forbidden fruit—God’s test for the spiritual aspirant . 6217. STOP THAT LUSTFUL LOOK! . 64Mind the feeling behind the look! . 64How to counter impure thoughts . 6518. THE ROLE OF DIET IN SEX CONTROL. 67Sattvic food . 67Forbidden food. 68Mitahara or moderation in diet. 68Fasting—a purificatory exercise. 6919. WET DREAMS AND SPERMATORRHOEA. 70Difference between physiological pollution and pathological pollution . 71Causes and consequences. 71A warning against evil sex habits and outbursts of anger. 72Importance of proper food and evacuation. 72Get up before 4 a.m. 73Take to the Name of the Lord . 73The benefits of a hip bath. 74Some helpful suggestions . 7420. SOME POWERFUL AIDS TO THE PRACTICE OF CELIBACY . 75Control of the palate. 76Avoid bad company . 76Watch the thoughts. 78Seek Satsanga or good company . 79Cultivate Viveka and Vairagya . 79A note of clarification . 80A vow is a great help. 82Will culture and auto-suggestion. 82Change the Drishti or angle of vision. 8321. HATHA YOGA TO THE RESCUE. 85Siddhasana . 85Sirshasana. 86Sarvangasana. 88v

Matsyasana. 89Padangushthasana . 90Instruction on Asana practice . 91Mula Bandha . 91Jalandhara Bandha . 93Uddiyana Bandha . 93Nauli Kriya. 94Maha Mudra. 95Yoga Mudra . 95Easy and comfortable Pranayama . 96Bhastrika Pranayama. 96Hints on Pranayama practice. 96Vajroli Mudra. 9722. SOME ILLUSTRATIVE STORIES . 981.2.3.4.5.6.7.The power of lust. The example of Jaimini

absolutely essential aspects of human, animal as well as plant life. Sex is an integral part of life—human, animal and plant. While this aspect of life is regulated by nature in plants and by instinct in animals, in man it is left to his common-sense, intelligence and his developed reason to control and regulate the same.