An extract from M.K. Gandhi's autobiography

[Guest guest]

"The knowledge that a perfect observance of brahmacharya (celibacy) means

realisation of Brahman, I did not owe to a study of the Shastras. It grew

upon me with experience.

 

Every day of the vows has taken me nearer the knowledge that in brahmacharya

lies the protection of the body, the mind and the soul. For brahmacharya was

now no process of penance, it was a matter of joy. But, let no one believe

that it was easy.

 

Even when I am past 56 years, I realize how hard a thing it is. Every day I

realize that it is like walking on the sword's edge, and I see every moment

the necessity for eternal vigilance. Control of the palate is the first

essential in the observance of the vow.

 

So, I now pursued my dietetic experiments not merely from the vegetarian's

but also from the brahmachari's point of view. As a result, I saw that the

brahmachari's food should be limited, simple, spicless and, if possible,

uncooked. The brahmachari's ideal food is fresh fruit and nuts.

 

The immunity from passion that I enjoyed when I lived on this food was

unknown to me after I changed that diet. Brahmacharya needed no effort on my

part in South Africa when I lived on fruits and nuts alone.

 

It has been a matter of great effort ever since I began to take milk. I have

not the least doubt that milk makes the brahmacharya vow difficult to

observe.

 

Let no one deduce from this that all brahmacharis must give up milk. I have

yet to find a fruit substitute for milk which is an equally good

muscle-builder and easily digestible.

 

As an external aid to brahmacharya, fasting is as necessary as selection and

restriction in diet. So overpowering are the senses that they can be kept

under control only when they are completely hedged in on all sides. It is

common knowledge that they are powerless without food, and so fasting

undertaken with a view to control the senses is helpful.

 

With some, fasting is of no avail, because assuming that fasting alone will

make them immune, they keep their bodies without food, but feast their minds

upon all sorts of delicacies. Such fasting helps them in controlling neither

palate not lust. Fasting is useful when mind co-operates with the starving

body.

 

Mind is at the root of all sensuality. But it may be said that extinction of

the sexual passion is as a rule impossible without fasting. Many aspirants

after brahmacharya fail because in the use of their other senses they want

to carry on like those who are not brahmacharis.

 

There should be a clear line between the life of a brahmachari and of one

who is not. Both use their eyesight, but whereas the brahmachari uses it to

see the glories of God, the other uses it to see the frivolity around him.

 

Both use their ears, but whereas the one hears nothing but praises of God,

the other feasts his ears upon ribaldry. Both often keep late hours, but

whereas the one devotes them to prayer, the other fritters them away in

wasteful mirth.

 

Both feed the inner man, but the one only to keep the temple of God in good

repair, while the other gorges himself and makes the sacred vessel a

stinking gutter.

Brahmacharya means control of the senses in thought, word and deed. There is

no limit to the possibilities of renunciation. Such brahmacharya is

impossible to attain by limited effort.

 

An aspirant after brahmacharya will always be conscious of his shortcomings,

will seek out the passions lingering in the innermost recesses of his heart

and will incessantly strive to get rid of them. Involuntary thought is an

affection of the mind which is even more difficult to curb than the wind.

 

Nevertheless, the existence of God within makes the control of the mind

possible. Let no one think that it is impossible because it is difficult. It

is the highest goal, and it is no wonder that the highest effort should be

necessary to attain it. "

 

 

 

Life Positive Plus, Oct-Dec 2002 Top